The All-Star break did nothing to slow down the relentless Detroit Pistons, who’ll look to extend their lead at the top of the East tonight against the rebuilding Chicago Bulls.
Detroit brings a 19-7 road record to the United Center, and my Pistons vs. Bulls predictions signal one-way traffic for Cade Cunningham & Co. as Chicago aims for better draft lottery positioning.
The Detroit Pistons’ intensity has been grinding opponents down all year, and there’s every reason to expect a similar script tonight against a Chicago Bulls team that’s 1-9 ATS in its last 10 games.
In contrast, Detroit has covered the spread in six of its past seven victories. After the visitors’ double-digit wins over the New York Knicks (twice) and Toronto Raptors this month, I’ll happily lay the points here.
Chicago turned its roster upside down at the trade deadline, and the hosts are on a seven-game losing skid. Tonight’s mismatch doesn’t feel like a chance to turn things around.
Pistons vs Bulls same-game parlay
With MVP-eligibility question marks surrounding SGA and Nikola Jokic, Cade Cunningham is still in the mix. I’m riding with a do n’t-forget-about-me SGP here after Cade downed the Knicks on Thursday with a 42-8-13 masterpiece.
Cunningham has scored 28+ points in five of his last six outings, and he’s hauled in 5+ rebounds in five straight games. As the cherry on top, he’s knocked down a combined 11 3-pointers in his past two contests.
Pistons vs Bulls SGP
Cade Cunningham Over 25.5 points
Cade Cunningham Over 1.5 threes
Cade Cunningham Over 4.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Three's a Crowd!
The 3-ball hasn’t been a big part of Detroit’s success this year, but tonight is a rare opportunity to let it fly against a Chicago team that’s allowing the highest opponent 3-point percentage in the league at 38%.
This sharpshooting SGP leans into a Pistons offense that shot 43% from downtown earlier this week at MSG, as well as steady sniping from Tre Jones, who’s had a 3-pointer in four of his last five outings.
Pistons vs Bulls SGP
Cade Cunningham Over 1.5 threes
Tobias Harris Over 1.5 threes
Duncan Robinson Over 2.5 threes
Tre Jones Over 0.5 threes
Pistons vs Bulls odds
Spread: Pistons -10.5 (-115) | Bulls +10.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Pistons -550 | Bulls +415
Over/Under: Over 230.5 (-110) | Under 230.5 (-110)
Pistons vs Bulls betting trend to know
The Pistons are 5-1 ATS in their last six meetings with the Bulls. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Bulls.
How to watch Pistons vs Bulls
Location
United Center, Chicago, IL
Date
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN DT, CHSN
Pistons vs Bulls latest injuries
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The Washington Wizards are signing Tristan Vukcevic to a three-year, $9 million standard NBA contract, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The Washington Wizards are signing two-way center Tristan Vukcevic to a new three-year, $9 million deal, sources tell ESPN. Team option in third season. The Wizards and the 7-footer's agent, Jason Ranne of Wasserman, reached the new contract Saturday. pic.twitter.com/hMnsnEctCB
The 7-foot forward was on an expiring two-way contract that had just 15 NBA games remaining before reaching the 50-game limit.
Vukcevic has averaged 7.9 points and 2.7 rebounds on 47.8% FG in 35 appearances with the Wizards this season.
After Washington dealt Marvin Bagley III to the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline, Vukcevic stepped into a backup role behind Alex Sarr and has started the last two games in Sarr’s absence.
When Sarr and Anthony Davis are healthy and form Washington’s starting frontcourt, Vukcevic projects as the team’s backup center entering the 2026-27 campaign.
The Wizards are signing F Leaky Black to fill their open two-way spot. Black, 26, has spent the last two seasons with the Capital City Go-Go. He’s averaged 10.9 points and 6.3 rebounds in 14 appearances this season.
TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 16: Carlos Lagrange #84 of the New York Yankees works out during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 16, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Elmer Rodríguez showed why he’s the Yankees’ top pitching prospect in yesterday’s Grapefruit League opener, and today is Carlos Lagrange’s first chance to impress as he also makes a case for some 2026 MLB playing time. Lagrange stands a dominant 6-foot-7 with a 70-grade fastball and above-average slider, and while he finished last year with Double-A Somerset, he has the tools to rise even quicker through the senior level of the minors, and FanGraphs projects him as eventually an MLB-caliber closing pitcher. At just 22, he certainly has time to make it stick in a rotation first.
Keider Montero has spent parts of two seasons in a swingman role for the Tigers, and while a decent 94 mph heater will get you onto a major league roster, an inability to command it properly probably means he’s going to be a reliever for the bulk of his career. This goes double in a rotation as deep as Detroit’s, but if Montero can unlock a little extra in his strikeout rate, he can carve himself a role as a dependable bullpen piece.
On the offensive side, Aaron Judge will make his spring debut in right field, and with another “home” game scheduled for Sunday, one wonders if he’s reached that Mariano Rivera status where he’s not even issued a road jersey in camp. The only other first-stringer in the lineup is Ryan McMahon, hitting and playing third, while Jasson Domínguez, who may start the year at Triple-A Scranton, is your leadoff hitter. Also note Spencer Jones playing center and hitting seventh.
Bill Mazeroski’s hit was so massive, it was bound to overshadow everything else he accomplished in his career.
That’s not the worst thing, at least when that hit is a solo home run for the Pittsburgh Pirates to beat the mighty New York Yankees in World Series Game 7. Mazeroski, who died this week, went on to a Hall of Fame career forged on his defensive wizardry at second base.
But that 1960 trip around the bases remains one of the biggest and most memorable blasts in baseball history, although there have been times a game-deciding hit or run driven in isn’t the most revered moment in a given Fall Classic.
With that, we take a look at the 11 homers, bloops, sacrifice flies and other oddities that ended a World Series – many of them long before Dennis Eckersley coined the term “walk-off”:
1. Bill Mazeroski, home run vs. Yankees, 1960 Game 7
Historical note: There was no salary cap in 1960, when the Pirates turned back the Yankee dynasty in a thrilling series that ended at Forbes Field. No, just the Steel City erupting when Mazeroski, as he told USA TODAY Sports years later, was “floating around the bases” after his homer against Bill Terry. It’d be 11 years before the Pirates reigned again in 1971.
Really tough to elevate a Game 6 Series winner over all the Game 7 dramas, but c’mon: A home run that flips the result of a game, stuns the Phillies into winter, with a Mitch Williams meltdown that many could anticipate coming, voiced legendarily by Blue Jays announcer Tom Cheek: “Touch ‘em all, Joe, you’ll never hit a bigger home run in your life!” A Game 7 winner is great, but getting the plug suddenly pulled on a winner-take-all-game is almost equally shocking.
3. Luis Gonzalez, single vs. Yankees, 2001 Game 7
It barely blooped and rolled into the grass of Bank One Ballpark, but with one defensive hack, Gonzalez toppled the mighty Mariano Rivera and ended the Yankee dynasty in stunning fashion.
An epic World Series looked for all the world like it’d end with the road team finally winning. But Rivera, who also blew Yankee playoff chances in 1997 and 2004, mishandled a bunt that changed the entire dynamic of the inning and forced the Yankees to play the infield in. Derek Jeter had no chance on the dying quail, and it’s kind of nice that exit velocity wasn’t around back then to besmirch the beauty of a perfectly placed bloop.
4. Earl McNeely, 12th-inning double vs. Giants, 1924 Game 7
Seems every fall we get a “longest game by time” or “longest game by innings.” Well, those records have to start somewhere and in 1924, the Washington Senators and New York Giants played on into the 12th, thanks largely to Walter Johnson’s four innings of shutout relief. Finally, McNeely rolled one down the third base line to score Muddy Ruel with the game-winner.
5. Billy Martin, single vs. Dodgers, 1953 Game 6
Bonus points here for the Yankees’ longtime torment of the Brooklyn Dodgers, who’d have to wait two more years to break through against their Bronx rivals. The Dodgers gamely tied Game 6 in the bottom of the ninth before Martin – better known as the mercurial manager – hit a single up the middle off Clem Labine to score Hank Bauer with the game-winner.
6. Edgar Renteria, 11th-inning single vs. Cleveland, 1997 Game 7
The grander drama seemed to occur two innings earlier, when Craig Counsell plated the tying run on a sacrifice fly off sketchy Cleveland closer Jose Mesa, denying the city its first World Series title since 1948.
No, once the Marlins tied it, a go-ahead hit had an air inevitability and the rookie Renteria delivered, right up the middle off Charles Nagy, plating Counsell with the championship run.
7. Gene Larkin, 10th-inning single vs. Braves, 1991 Game 7
An epic Game 6 and 7 in the Twin Cities culminated when Larkin’s pinch hit fly over a drawn-in Brian Hunter allowed Dan Gladden to trot home with the winning run.
The Metrodome fairly exploded, yet the ultimate moment couldn’t compare with the nine and a half scoreless innings Jack Morris and John Smoltz spun to precede it, nor the Kirby Puckett homer a night before to force Game 7. Still, a massive hit to end an epic game.
8. Goose Goslin, single vs. Cubs, 1935 Game 6
Hey, you don’t go 108 years without a World Series title without some heartbreak. This time, it was Goslin making up for the Tigers’ misery a year earlier against St. Louis with a single off Cubs starter Larry French to score fellow future Hall of Famer – and Mickey Mantle namesake – Mickey Cochrane with the Series-winner.
9. Bing Miller, double vs. Cubs, 1929 Game 5
Once again, not the most memorable hit, as that one would belong to Mule Haas (an ancestor of Moose Haas?), whose two-run homer with one out in the ninth ruined Cubs starter Pat Malone’s shutout. Miller made the Cubs pay for intentionally walking Jimmie Foxx (can’t blame ‘em for that).
10. Earle Combs, wild pitch vs. Pirates, 1927 Game 4
The lone Game 4 “walk-off” on the list, and it only sped up the utter certainty that was the ’27 Yankees. Sadly, Pirates pitcher Johnny Miljust properly walked Babe Ruth and struck out Lou Gehrig and Bob Meusel before uncorking the fateful pitch.
11. Larry Gardner, 10th-inning sacrifice fly vs. Giants, 1912 Game 8
Game 8? As the kids now say, that’s so fake. But ties due to darkness were a thing then. Sadly, the decisive rally was spurred by a pair of errors on the Giants, enabling the Red Sox to push across the winning runs after New York took the lead in the top of the 10th.
SACRAMENTO, CA - MAY 25: Gunnar Hoglund #53 of the Athletics pitches during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Sutter Health Park on May 25, 2025 in Sacramento, California. The Athletics defeated the Phillies 5-4. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Getty Images) | Getty Images
*In an effort to make the nomination voting easier for everyone, I will comment, “NOMINATIONS”, and you may reply to that with your picks and upvote the player you’d like to see on the next nominee list.
Another right-handed pitcher! Gunnar Hoglund probably dropped farther than a lot of other fans wanted but he finally settles into his spot as the organization’s #16 prospect according to the fans. Surely most of that drop is due to the former first-rounder’s injury history but Hoglund does possess the “stuff” to be a solid mid-to-backend rotation starter. He won’t reach the heights that were expected of him when the A’s made him one of the return pieces for third baseman Matt Chapman but getting him healthy and providing innings would do wonders for the team’s rotation depth. We’ll certainly be seeing him in the big leagues this season, health permitting.
Taking Hoglund’s spot in the nominee list will be shortstop Joshua Kuroda-Grauer. A former third-rounder from 2024, the light-hitting middle infielder has drawn comparisons to current shortstop Jacob Wilson due to his penchant for not striking out. A contact-oriented hitter in the box, Kuroda-Grauer has a high floor and could easily be a utility option for the A’s down the line but we’re all hoping the organization can develop him into something more than that.
The process for this public vote is explained below. Please take a moment to read this before participating:
Please only vote for one. The player with the most votes at the end of voting will win the ranked spot. The remaining four players move on to the next ballot where they are joined by a new nominee.
In the comments, below the official voting, the community will nominate players to be put onto the ballot for the next round. The format for your comment should be “Nomination: Player Name”.
If a prospect is traded, his name will be crossed out, and all other players will be moved up a space. If a prospect is acquired, a special vote will be put up to determine where that player should rank.
The voting continues! A’s fans, are you ready to pick the team’s 17th-best prospect? Here’s a quick rundown on each nominee— the scouting grades (on a 20-to-80 scale) and scouting reports come from MLB Pipeline.
Morris runs up his four-seam fastball to about 95-96 mph and also throws a sinker with good arm-side run in the 92-95 range. His mid-80s slider has developed into an above-average secondary offering. His mid-70s curveball provides a good variation of pitch speeds, though he is still working to make it a more consistent pitch, along with his improving upper-80s changeup.
Morris is athletic with his 6-foot-3 frame. His competitive drive stands out whenever he takes the mound. Discovering the right arm slot that allows for the most consistency is the next big step in his development. How that pans out as he moves through the system will likely determine his long-term role, though he profiles as a back-end starter given his overall pitch mix and solid control.
At the plate, Morii features a smooth left-handed swing with tremendous balance. His power stands out, as he clubbed 45 home runs as a high schooler. He is considered an advanced hitter with good barrel control. On the mound, his fastball has been clocked as high as 95 mph and sits around 92-93. He also brings a splitter with nasty movement, a true 12-to-6 curveball and a tighter slider with solid bite and depth, though that offering will probably require some fine-tuning. Having only been pitching with regularity for less than two years, Morii’s arm is relatively fresh as he enters the organization.
Morii’s high-octane throwing arm plays well at shortstop, but some evaluators see a possibility of moving to third base as his 6-foot-1 frame fills out. While scouts see Morii’s long-term future in the batter’s box, the A’s plan on giving him every opportunity to succeed as a two-way player, with excitement already building over his impressive physical traits and desire to become one of the next great players out of Japan.
Per Billy Owens, Athletics director of player personnel and assistant GM: “Perez is a live-bodied specimen with high-caliber tools. His range and athleticism stand out defensively. Offensively, he can be streaky, but he has displayed plus bat speed, patience and real power. Solid package. Development is not linear. Patience will be required to realize his significant potential.”
Kuroda-Grauer’s athletic size and hard-working mentality remind some in the A’s organization of a young Marcus Semien. While he may never have Semien-type power, his high-level ability to frequently make contact and rarely strike out is reminiscent of another more high-profile touted top prospect in Jacob Wilson. His advanced approach at the plate allows him to work counts and make good decisions with his simple swing. The power remains below-average, though the A’s believe he could grow into some extra pop with 15-homer potential as a ceiling.
There is a speed element to Kuroda-Grauer’s game, and while he may not be a burner, his 40 stolen bases in college show he can be a decent threat on the basepaths. Defensively, his arm is average, but his overall glovework and instincts give him the chance to stick as a shortstop with second base as a fallback. Between that and his excellent bat-to-ball skills, Kuroda-Grauer enters his first full professional season with a chance to quickly rise through the system.
Tur is 26 but only signed with the A’s before the 2023 season after several seasons pitching in the Serie Nacional in Cuba. He started almost all of last year, going from High A to Triple A, although I think he’s a straight reliever. He comes straight over the top, sitting 96 with some ride along with a 55 splitter and a low-90s cutter that doesn’t miss many bats. The slider is fringy and he’s very north-south because of the arm slot. He could pitch in the big-league bullpen right now.
* * *
Programming Note: Each CPL vote will run for around 48 hours, so don’t delay in making your vote!
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Coby Mayo #16 of the Baltimore Orioles tags out Nick Gonzales #39 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 11, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Baltimore Orioles, February 21, 2026, 1:05 p.m. ET
Location: Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota, FL
How to Listen: KDKA-FM 93.7
The Pittsburgh Pirates are back on the field against the Baltimore Orioles to start Spring Training.
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JUPITER, FL - FEBRUARY 12: James Wood #29 of the Washington Nationals takes batting practice during Spring Training workout day at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Thursday, February 12, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Lucas Casel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Baseball is back, which means it is time for game threads. Here at Federal Baseball, we do game threads for every regular season game and will do some for Spring Training as well. It is a space for you guys to follow the games and comment your thoughts. Last year, we got hundreds of comments on some of these.
It is also a place where you can get some information on the game and where to watch. So let’s get right into it. The Nats will have two games this afternoon, both at 1:05 PM EST. However, only the game against the Astros will be televised.
That also happens to be the game where the Nats are fielding a stronger team. CJ Abrams, Dylan Crews, Keibert Ruiz and Abimelec Ortiz are among the players featuring in that contest. Jake Eder will be on the mound in that game. In the other game, notable players include Harry Ford, Matt Mervis and prospect Sam Petersen. Shinnosuke Ogasawara is on the mound in that contest.
Now let’s get to the opposition. The Astros will not be playing most of their veteran stars like Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa. However, some promising youngsters like Cam Smith and Brice Matthews will be playing in this contest. Colton Gordon will be on the mound for the Astros.
The Cardinals will be fielding a strong lineup this afternoon. Starters like Masyn Winn, Alec Burleson and Nolan Gorman will be playing. JJ Wetherholdt, their top prospect who should win a job out of camp, is also in the lineup. Matthew Liberatore, one of the Cardinals best pitchers will be on the mound.
Baseball is officially here and we have two contests. While the Astros game is the only one on TV, you will be able to follow both on Statcast or the MLB App. Even if there are not big expectations for the season, it is awesome to have baseball back in our lives. Follow along in the comments and let’s go Nats!
Feb 20, 2026; North Port FL, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Mike Yastrzemski (18) poses for a photo during media day at CoolToday Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
The offseason is officially over and now it’s time to get rocking and rolling. While it’s not quite the same as Opening Day and never will be on that level, it’s still lovely to either turn on the TV or fire up the radio and hear the crack of the bat and baseballs hitting leather mitts as spring training opens up. It’s not Opening Day but baseball is here and that’s the main thing.
Speaking of “not quite the same as Opening Day,” that’s how you could describe this lineup for the Grapefruit League opener for the Atlanta Braves. Mike Yastrzemski figures to be the only player in this lineup who will be getting significant playing time at the big league level for Atlanta this season as the other guys like Jonah Heim, Brett Wisely, Luke Williams and Jorge Mateo figure to be somewhere between serving as bench options or plying their trade in Gwinnett for most of the season.
That also figures to be the case for starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco, who is getting the start and figures to be a very long shot to crack the starting rotation for the Braves this season. Still, everybody’s going to be going for it in an effort to impress Atlanta’s staff, so hopefully we’ll see some standout performances this afternoon.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. and the game will be streamed for free on Rays.TV and you can listen to the Braves feed on 680 The Fan/93.7 FM or the 680 The Fan App as well — also for free. It’s literal free baseball.
If you’re here for the first time or you’re a long-time lurker, now is as good of a time as any to join in on the fun of a game thread. It’s free and not only do you get to participate in the game thread, you also get a bunch of other perks that come along with having an account. Whether you’re new or you haven’t logged in since Nick Markakis was running around here, it’s the perfect time to get back in the swing of things. It also helps out the community here and the website as a whole, so everybody wins.
Sometime in the next 24 hours, the NBA will hand down a one-game suspension to Minnesota center Rudy Gobert after he picked up his seventh flagrant foul of the season, this one for hitting Dallas' Marvin Bagley III in the head and neck area on Friday night.
Rudy Gobert hits Marvin Bagley III in the neck area and receives flagrant foul penalty 1 upon review (with replays)
Gobert will miss the next game, and every flagrant from now one will result in suspension pic.twitter.com/VdfpyOKtas
The NBA imposes a one-game suspension for any player who reaches six flagrant fouls in a season, plus an additional game for every flagrant after that. This will be Gobert's second one-game suspension for a flagrant foul this season, his first came after his sixth flagrant, a reckless closeout on fellow Frenchman Victor Wembanyama.
The suspension will cost Gobert $201,149 in salary (the Timberwolves get half of that as a luxury tax credit).
"I get hit in the head almost every game and I never get flagrants, but when sometimes inadvertently I hit somebody in the head, they never miss," Gobert said in the Timberwolves locker room. "They're always very hard on me on that even especially when it's not intentional. So, we're going to appeal it and hopefully they look at it and they see that it was just an accident. We will see. Just because I'm 7-foot doesn't mean that it doesn't hurt when I get hit in the head. I'm close to a superhuman, but I am not."
Gobert is averaging 11.2 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots per game and will likely finish in the top three in Defensive Player of the Year voting at the end of the season. Minnesota's defense is 8.8 points per 100 possessions worse when he is not on the court this season.
COLUMBUS, GA - SEPTEMBER 04: T.J. Nichols #13 of the Montgomery Biscuits pitches during the game between the Montgomery Biscuits and the Columbus Clingstones at Synovus Park on Thursday, September 4, 2025 in Columbus, Georgia. (Photo by Natalie Buchanan/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
BASEBALL IS BACK…sort of
The Tampa Bay Rays are set to play their first game of the Grapefruit League as they’ll take on the Atlanta Braves at Charlotte Sports Park.
Taking the mound for Tampa Bay is T.J. Nichols, who had a breakout season in 2026 and emerged as one of the Rays top pitching prospects. The 23-year old has been ranked as the Rays 5th best prospect entering the season by Baseball America.
Meanwhile, this how the Rays will lineup: 1. Jacob Melton, LF 2. Junior Caminero, 3B 3. Carson Williams, SS 4. Jonathan Aranda, 1B 5. Richie Palacios, 2B 6. Nick Fortes, C 7. Jonny DeLuca, CF 8. Dominic Keegan, DH 9. Ryan Vilade, RF
The lineup features a pair of the Rays All-Stars from 2025, Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda, both of whom will be leaving the Rays shortly to participate in the World Baseball Classic. Also suiting up for the Rays are two of the team’s top prospects as Jacob Melton will lead off and Carson Williams bats third. Dominic Keegan, who was added to the 40-man roster in November and is one of the team’s top catching prospects, also gets a start.
First pitch is slated for 1:05 and can be seen live for free on MLB.tv
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 12: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox is tagged out by Devon Travis #29 of the Toronto Blue Jays during the fourth inning of a game on September 12, 2018 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One of my all-time favourites, Devon Travis, turns 35 today.
Travis joined the Blue Jays in a trade with the Tigers on November 13, 2014, with Anthony Gose heading to Detroit.
Travis ranked #84 on Baseball America’s top 100 prospects list. Gose, though speedy, had been a disappointment for us, hitting .247/.315/.363 with 34 stolen bases over 202 games across three seasons.
In 2015, Travis arrived at spring training as a long shot to make the roster. The team expected he’d need more time in Triple-A. But, true to form, Maicer Izturis got hurt, and Travis became our opening day second baseman.
His season began brilliantly. He hit .325/.393/.624 in April and earned AL Rookie of the Month honors. But in mid-May, a shoulder injury landed him on the DL. He returned in late June, batting .357/.402/.488 before reinjuring the shoulder.
He played just 62 games and hit .304/.361/.498 with 8 home runs, missing out on the Blue Jays’ first playoff appearance in 22 years.
The shoulder trouble followed him into 2016. After a minor league rehab stint in late April, Travis rejoined the Jays in late May and played out the season. In 101 games, he hit .300/.332/.454 with 11 home runs. This time, he made the playoffs—though limited by a bone bruise, he managed just 1 hit in 12 at-bats.
Devon began the 2017 season in the lineup but struggled through April, hitting just .130/.193/.195. May was a resurgence (.364/.373/.646), but another injury struck. What was first called a bone bruise in his knee turned out to be worse, requiring surgery and costing him the remainder of the season.
In 2018, Travis played a career-high 103 games, but posted career lows at the plate: .232/.275/.381. His defense also declined. He finally avoided the DL for a season, but clearly wasn’t fully healthy.
Spring 2019 brought another surgery, this time for a torn meniscus in his knee. Travis missed the season, and after being outrighted off the Jays’ roster, chose free agency.
Devon was always a favourite of mine. I bought his jersey early (sorry, Devon—that’s usually a curse). He had that effortless .300 swing, with a beautiful line-drive approach. His defense was solid, if not spectacular, and he turned a quick double play. Sometimes, I questioned if the Jays rushed his returns; I often felt frustrated with the team’s training staff.
Injuries took their toll on both his bat and glove.
“What could have been” is a line too often written in baseball biographies. Second base is a tough spot for injury-prone players. It’s safer now than it used to be—rule changes have helped—but middle infielders were frequent targets for hard slides. Second basemen, facing away from the runner to receive throws, are especially vulnerable. Shortstops can be hurt too (see Tony Fernandez), but they generally watch the play and can brace or evade. Second basemen are often defenseless.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 16: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets warms up during spring training workouts at Clover Park on February 16, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mets lineup
Marcus Semien – 2B
Juan Soto – LF
Bo Bichette – 3B
Tyrone Taylor – CF
Ronny Mauricio – SS
MJ Melendez – RF
Austin Barnes – C
Jose Rojas – 1B
Chris Suero – DH
Brandon Waddell – LHP
Marlins lineup
Jakob Marsee – CF
Agustin Ramirez – C
Christopher Morel – 1B
Griffin Conine – RF
Connor Norby – 3B
Heriberto Hernandez – LF
Javier Sanoja – 2B
Maximo Acosta – SS
Ryan Ignoffo – DH
Robby Snelling – LHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 1:10 PM EST TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
James Milner showed he can still contribute during his record-breaking 654th Premier League appearance as Brighton won at Brentford. Milner’s inclusion meant he moved past Gareth Barry’s record tally in the competition and it proved an occasion to remember for the Seagulls after first-half goals by Diego Gómez and Danny Welbeck.
The pressure had mounted on Fabian Hürzeler after one league win in 13 games and he turned to the veteran midfielder in an attempt to arrest a worrying run of results after a recent start at Aston Villa. The 40-year-old produced an accomplished display on a landmark occasion before his 90th-minute substitution was marked with applause from both sets of supporters.
Unknown date and location; USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Bill Mazeroski (9) poses for a portrait on the field. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Network.
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Major League Baseball community learned of the passing of second baseman, Bill Mazeroski, on Saturday morning after he passed away on Friday evening. Mazeroski was 89.
Mazeroski leaves behind a legacy as one of the most accomplished defensive second baseman in baseball history, and of course lives on in the minds of fans for having one of the greatest hits of all time. Make no mistake, “Maz” was not known for being a world renowned slugger, but in the biggest moments of the postseason, he always seemed to show up for his Pirates over his 17-year career.
The Wheeling, West Virginia native was the model of consistency at second base for the Pirates where he would play out his entire Hall of Fame Career. As a youth he was a three-sport star, excelling in baseball, football and basketball. Maz showed enough promise in baseball to be drafted by Pittsburgh at age 17 in 1954, originally as a shortstop. He would make the switch to second base after his rookie season, and was then a primary fixture in the Pirates’ lineup from 1956-1972.
It is with a heavy heart that we relay the news of the passing of legendary Pirates and National Baseball Hall of Famer, Bill Mazeroski. Maz was a 7-time All-Star who hit the greatest home run in baseball history. He was a beloved member of the Pirates family and he will be… pic.twitter.com/515ZhPgqxe
Mazeroski was voted into Cooperstown in 2001 as a member of the Veterans Committee. His lack of offensive accolades kept him out of the Hall of Fame for years, as he never quite had the numbers that most others at his position had to be considered worthy of induction. Mazeroski had the lowest on-base percentage and batting average of any second baseman inducted into Cooperstown while also having the lowest amount of stolen bases. Maz finished his playing career with a slash line of .260/.299/.367 along with 2016 hits and 138 home runs.
“Defensive wizard” and “hard nosed hustle” is instead was Maz was known for, and made it a point to show that those qualities proved he belonged in the Hall of Fame during his induction speech.
“I think defense belongs in the Hall of Fame,” Mazeroski said. “Defense deserves as much credit as pitching, and I’m proud to be going in as a defensive player.”
Despite the knocks against his offense, Mazeroski is widely considered one of the greatest defenders in the history of the game. He holds the major league record for most double plays turned as a position player, led the National League nine times in assists as a second baseman and was an eight-time Gold Glove defender. When he retired in 1972 he had an all time fielding percentage of .983, was a ten time All-Star and two time World Series champion.
Mazeroski’s career for most is highlighted by one play that made him a baseball legend. The 1960 World-Series between the Pirates and New York Yankees went all the way to a Game Seven, hosted at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. The Pirates had their share of high caliber players, but this truly was a lopsided matchup on paper. Roberto Clemente was just beginning to come into his prime and Dick Groat was the NL MVP that season. However, the Yankees had an all-time great roster that included the likes of Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Bobby Shantz and Elston Howard; all of these players were former or future MVPs with Maris being the MVP of the American League in 1960.
Sad to hear about the passing of Bill Mazeroski. The man responsible for the biggest home run in baseball history.
10 Gold Gloves 8 All-Star Game appearances 2x World Series Champion Hall of Fame
The Yankees would go on to score 55 runs in the series, the most by any one team in World Series history. Meanwhile Pittsburgh scored a lowly 27 runs and were on the losing end of three blowouts in the series, but would come out victorious in the close games and of course in game seven.
The Pirates don’t go on to win the World Series without their defensive leader, Mazeroski. In the bottom of the ninth inning, pitcher Ralph Terry took the mound and up came Maz, the score was 9-9. With a 1-0 count, Mazeroski turned on a pitch and smashed the historic long drive over the left field wall of Forbes Field and raced around the bases as the Pittsburgh Pirates were World Series Champions. The historic home run is still the only walk off home run to decide a Game Seven in World Series history. It is widely considered one of the greatest hits of all time and turned in to the perfect dinner party story for Mazeroski, one that he said he never got tired of telling.
“I don’t know it’s out. I don’t know it’s a home run. But I know I’m going to end up on third if he misplays that ball off the wall,” Mazeroski recalled in 2015. “So I’m busting my tail getting around there, and by the time I hit second base, I looked down the line and the fans went crazy. From second base, I didn’t touch the ground all the way in.”
“Because it’s a fun thing. I could’ve been on the other end of it and struck out or something, Mazeroski said in 2015. “I’m glad I wasn’t on that end of it. I was on the good end of it.”
University of Pittsburgh students overlooking Forbes Field celebrating Bill Mazeroski’s Game 7 walk-off home run from atop the Cathedral of Learning. pic.twitter.com/dMHYD54xDv
— Baseball’s Greatest Moments (@BBGreatMoments) January 31, 2026
Following Mazeroski’s retirement in 1972, he spent a brief time coaching the Seattle Mariners and as an infield instructor at Pirates’ Spring Training in Bradenton, somewhere that he would make annual visits to following his playing career. In 1987 the Pirates retired Mazeroski’s number nine and in 2010 on the 50th anniversary of his historic home run, Maz was immortalized in bronze as Pittsburgh unveiled a statue in his honor depicting his race around the bases following his iconic walk off.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred released a statement upon learning of the news that Maz had passed.
“Bill Mazeroski was synonymous with one of the greatest home runs in baseball history for more than 65 years,” Manfred said. “While his bat delivered the first walk-off, series-ending home run in the history of our Fall Classic in 1960, it was Bill’s glove that earned him recognition from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001. The career Pirate was an eight-time Gold Glove second baseman, a position he played upon the guidance of Hall of Fame executive Branch Rickey. Bill understood that a run saved in the field was as important as a run driven in. Bill’s lifetime of hard work and humility was a perfect illustration of the city he represented on the diamond. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Bill’s family, his friends across our game, and all the loyal fans of Pittsburgh.”
Mazeroski will forever be a prominent figure on the game of baseball and certainly in the city of Pittsburgh as one of the greatest Pirates of all time. His career accolades speak for themselves, and the heroics of the World Series are forever sealed in the memories of those who were there and the stories they tell their descendants about the day they saw or listened to Mazeroski go deep in Forbes Field to win the World Series.
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Who: Orlando Magic (29-25) vs. Phoenix Suns (32-24)
When: 3:00pm Arizona Time
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center— Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Phoenix Suns look to dust the rust off heading back home after a disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs the other day. Both teams coming into this contest have injuries to consider: in the previous contest, Devin Booker exited the game and did not return due to hip soreness.
Devin Booker is out due to right hip soreness, per Suns
For the Magic, they have seen an abundance of injuries this year, similarly to Phoenix, and this time, Franz Wagner is out.
Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner will be sidelined indefinitely after recent tests showed that he requires additional time and rehabilitation for soreness in his left high ankle sprain, sources tell ESPN. The Magic will evaluate Wagner's progress in three weeks. pic.twitter.com/ATPfPQQm1O
This leaves both teams fighting for a must-win, one for the Suns to start this nice home stretch, and for the Magic, a win would aid their efforts to climb out of the play-in race out east. With them both meeting for the first time and being physical defensive teams, expect a fun afternoon game that you certainly do not want to miss. Dillon Brooks is also back from serving his one-game suspension, benefiting this team on the defensive end.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
Grayson Allen — QUESTIONABLE (Right Ankle Sprain)
Devin Booker — OUT (Right Hip Strain)
Haywood Highsmith — OUT ( Right Knee Injury)
Cole Anthony — OUT (Not With Team)
Magic
Jalen Suggs — QUESTIONABLE (Back Spasms)
Franz Wagner — OUT (Left High Ankle Sprain)
Alex Morales — OUT (G-League Assignment)
Colin Castleton — OUT (G-League Assignment)
What to Watch For
I mentioned this earlier, but the physicality and defense will be worth keeping an eye on. Both teams are very physical on that end and love to get under their opponents’ skin, playing with toughness and aggression on every play. With recent games in Phoenix leading to lengthy reviews of physical play, altercations, and ridiculous foul calls, I expect this to happen again this afternoon.
If the Suns get blessed with a subpar officiating crew (a hard ask in Adam Silver’s NBA), then we could see a classic. With Brooks also coming back, he will have some juice he wants to expend early on both ends. Therefore, I do expect him to be that relentless pest on defense and to take a big load offensively with no Booker.
Oh, I also cannot forget that the Magic just signed former Phoenix Sun Jevon Carter after the Bulls bought him out. This will be cool for him to return to the Valley (in an actual role) and for all his old fans to show out for him too!
Key to a Suns Win
The Suns are making their threes and taking command in that regard. The Magic are in the bottom third of the league for shooting threes as a team. Even with the addition of Desmond Bane, it was not enough to help them completely change their biggest weakness from last year, which still lingers.
Yes, the Suns have struggled from beyond the arc as of late, but I do think that the shooting will eventually even out, hopefully, with a necessary avalanche of threes in this game. With some three-point scorers out, big games from Gillespie and Brooks will be needed, but also Jalen Green, who looked comfortable in his latest contest.
Prediction Time
The Suns shake off the rust from Texas and come home to represent the home crowd the right way, with a hard-fought win.
