The first half of the 2026 season is in the books. Well, technically, we already passed by the 81-game mark a bit ago, but you get what I mean — the All-Star break is here and the Yankees sit in a decent position, atop the Wild Card standings and three games back of the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East. That’s not nearly as ideal as their playoff picture looked at the start of June, but a lot has happened in a short time and especially after the train wreck stretch that they were on just a week ago being three games out feels not too bad.
Unfortunately, the Rays have proven to be consistent thorns in their sides and won’t roll over anytime soon, so it’s going to be a slog getting through the rest of the season fighting for every game the Yankees can claw back in the standings. Will the break help to reset the team and give them fresh legs after what has been a poor start to their summer? Will we start to hear any concrete rumors about moves they could make to upgrade the team? What should the biggest takeaway from the first half of the year be? If you have questions like these, or anything else on your mind, send ‘em in for a chance to be featured in our Yankees mailbag.
Answers will run on Friday afternoon. All questions received by the night of July 16th will be considered. You can leave your submissions in the comment section below or by e-mail to pinstripealleyblog [at] gmail [dot] com.
Ryan Tayman was born San Luis Obispo, California, the son of Lauri Tayman, who played softball at Wilfrid Laurier University during her time there. Growing up in Grover Beach, he attended the nearby Arroyo Grande High School and was a three-year letterman there, mainly playing first base, third base, and catching. In his senior year, he hit .453/.570/.800 in 28 games, logging 8 doubles and 6 home runs while drawing 19 walks and striking out 9 times. He did not stand out much in the baseball hotbed that is California and generated very little buzz among scouts and evaluators. When the 2023 MLB Draft came, his name was not called and he put his professional dreams on hold to attend the University of California, Berkeley, the only D1 team that had tendered a collegiate offered to him.
In his first year with the Golden Bears, Tayman appeared in 21 games, logging 67 at-bats, and hit .254/.306/.552 with 2 doubles, 6 home runs, and 4 walks to 28 strikeouts. Following the conclusion of the season, he got into a few more games with the Santa Barbara Foresters of the California Collegiate League and performed about the same in roughly the same amount of games.
He returned to Berkeley in 2025 for his sophomore season and did a bit better in his second spring in the program. Now a SEC team rather than a PAC-12 team, Tayman appeared in 39 games for the Golden Bears and hit .274/.345/.476 with 8 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, and 9 walks to 35 strikeouts. Once again, he supplemented his playing time by playing on a summer collegiate team, this time the Willmar Stingers in the Northwoods League, where he was an all-star, hitting .324/.402/.533 in 28 games with 7 doubles, 5 home runs, and 14 walks to 21 strikeouts.
Rather than return to Berkeley for a third season, Tayman opted to enter the NCAA transfer portal. He received numerous offers from high profile teams, but the offer from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo meant more to him than most. Having grown up in San Luis Obispo, spent many summer afternoons and weekends at Baggett Stadium, and attended baseball clinics run by head coach Larry Lee, attending the school that was his #1 out of high school just made sense; the fact that the Mustangs needed a catcher because incumbent backstop Jack Collins had been drafted by the Texas Rangers and was going to sign was just icing on the cake.
Everything clicked for the backstop and his 2026 junior season was truly magical. Appearing in 63 games for his hometown team, with the stands often packed with friends and family, Tayman hit .357/.447/.672 with 19 doubles, 1 triple, 18 home runs, and 31 walks to 50 strikeouts, getting named to the 2026 Buster Posey Award Midseason Watchlist featuring the top 50 NCAA Division 1 catchers in the country.
At the plate, the 6’2”, 225-pound slugger stands slightly crouched and slightly open, holding his hands low at the letters. While with the Bears and earlier in the year with the Mustangs, he held his hands high and wrapped his bat behind his head at 1:30. The changes to his set-up at the plate have helped him unlock a new level of power he had not shown at Berkley. He is shorter and more direct to the ball, and while lowering hands often sacrifices power in exchange for bat control, Tayman has increased the angle of his swing to not lose power. Indeed, in 2026, the backstop had a 17.5% strikeout rate, down nearly 10% as compared to his prior two years, and a 10.8% walk rate, up roughly 5% as compared to the prior two years. While not purely a fastball hitter, he is considerably better against fastballs than he is other secondary stuff, either fishing at pitches outside of the zone or unable to make solid contact and barrel them thanks to his swing plane. Despite that, the changes have certainly been more beneficial than not, as they allowed him to maximize balls hit in the air, especially to his pull side, with his flyball rate jumping over 10% from 42.6% in 2024 and 2025 to 53.1% in 2026, logging a 17.6% HR/FB rate on the year.
Behind the plate, Tayman has had less success. Most scouts and evaluators don’t feel that he will be forced to move off of the position anytime soon, as he is mobile, a good receiver, blocks the ball well, and is adroit at managing pitchers and their strengths and weaknesses, but his arm is below-average for a catcher, lacking arm strength and accuracy; as such, runners attempted to steal on him often, and Tayman managed only a 22% success rate, allowing 60 of 77 runners to successfully steal off of him.
As Travis Green gets set for his third season as Senators head coach, it's easy to forget he enjoyed a long and successful NHL playing career of his own.
The hockey world was reminded of that on Saturday night when Green was inducted into British Columbia's Hockey Hall of Fame. Green entered the Hall with former NHLers Andrew Ladd, Josh Gorges and Darryl Reaugh (builder category), along with former NHL referee Malcolm Ashford (official) and the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 Vernon Vipers of the BCHL (team).
After the inductees were announced, Green was asked about the honour and was briefly at a loss for words.
Senators GM Steve Staios describes the two prospects the Sens received last month in their deal with the San Jose Sharks.
"Man, I don't even know if it's really sunk in yet," Green told the Donnie and DhaliI podcast in his appearance last month. "I think the first thing that comes to mind is humbling. You know, as a kid growing up in Castlegar, I pretty well only dreamed about playing in the NHL.
"Never once did I dream of being in the Hall of Fame. Even when they called me, it was, it was humbling. It's just a great honour."
As a player, he appeared in 970 NHL games in a career that took him to the New York Islanders, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Phoenix Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Anaheim again, and then Toronto again.
Green finished with 193 goals and 455 points over 14 NHL seasons, and his two years in Toronto placed him right in the line of fire in the Battle of Ontario. Green didn't mind the villain's role, and always let the Senators know he was there.
While Green was honoured on Saturday for his playing career, he's also putting together an impressive NHL coaching resume.
The Senators' season opener this fall will be Green's 500th regular-season game as an NHL head coach. His career record is 230-216-53.
When he was hired in 2024, the Sens hadn't made the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2017, but Green helped them finally end that drought with postseason appearances in both 2025 and 2026. Those seasons, based on won-loss record, are the best of Green's coaching career so far.
The next step is to see if he can turn the Senators into a legitimate contender.
By Steve Warne The Hockey News
This story was first published by The Hockey News. For full Senators coverage, check out the links below and become a member at THN.com/Ottawa.
After 30 years of waiting, MLB’s Midsummer Classic has returned to Philadelphia. Replete with six Phillies participating, including their two biggest stars in Monday night’s Home Run Derby, the center of the baseball world resides in the City of Brotherly Love through Tuesday night’s All Star Game.
And this time around, the Phils are prominently featured.
It’s been a minute since the city last hosted this spectacle, and to say the 2026 Phillies are different from the 1996 group that slogged their way through a brutal last place finish in one of the worst seasons in franchise history is like saying tofu and ground beef are different.
Below is an article I wrote back in 2014, remembering one of the most depressing nights I’ve ever experienced as a baseball fan — the night a dilapidated Veterans Stadium hosted the biggest stars in baseball, and virtually none of them played for the hometown nine.
***
I would like to submit that the 1996 season was the most depressing season in recent Philadelphia Phillies history.
As bad as this season has been, it doesn’t hold a candle to ’96. After all, we are watching a core that won a World Series in 2008, got to another one in 2009, and made five straight playoff appearances. Those memories, although they grow a bit fainter each day, are still strong.
The Phillies are also officially a big budget team now. Even though it’s hard to imagine this team being competitive in the next two or three years, it is conceivable that, once some of these big salaries are off the books, some key international signings are hopefully made and a couple more draft classes are brought into the farm system, the Phils could be good again soon.
Plus, fans still get to see games at beautiful Citizens Bank Park, one of the crown jewels of Major League Baseball.
In 1996, none of that was true.
The Phillies played at the decrepit Vet, on its very last legs at that point. Their payroll of $30.4 million was 16th in baseball, and although the team won the National League pennant in 1993, the strike of ‘94 killed the sport for many Phils’ fans, leading to a malaise and lack of enthusiasm that was almost stifling for the few of us who actually still deeply cared about the franchise and the sport.
That season, the Phillies finished 67-95, and in last place in the National League East, 29 games out of first. This was their starting lineup:
Benito Santiago – C
Gregg Jefferies – 1B
Mickey Morandini – 2B
Kevin Stocker – SS
Todd Zeile – 3B
Pete Incavaglia – LF
Ricky Otero – CF
Jim Eisenreich – RF
Lenny Dykstra was limited to 40 games, while Darren Daulton played just five. Stalwarts like Mark Whiten, Wendell Magee, Kevin Sefcik, Mike Benjamin, David Doster, Desi Relaford and Bobby Estalella littered the injury-filled roster, as only three players (Santiago, Morandini and Zeile) played more than 130 games. The only positives were the camero appearances of Mike Lieberthal, who played 50 games, and late-season call-up Scott Rolen, who played 37 games. And, of course, the presence of young sparkplug Ruben Amaro Jr. made viewing the games all worthwhile.
But if you think that was bad, check out this pitching staff.
A human being named Rich Hunter made 14 starts that year and, in all, 15 pitchers started games for them, including Sid Fernandez, Russ Springer, Matt Beech, David West, Bobby Munoz, Calvin Maduro, Glenn Dishman, Carlos Crawford and Rafael Quirico.
The bullpen consisted of many of those same names, as well as Toby Borland, Ken Ryan, Steve Frey, Ron Blazier, Jeff Parrett, Dave Leiper, and the some other guys best left to being remembered on the next The Dirty Inning podcast.
Oh, and the Phils’ lone All-Star representative that year, was Ricky Botallico.
So consider, it’s mid-July, you’re still reeling from the stink of the strike, and the Phils are the worst team in baseball. They’re sending one lonely relief pitcher to the All-Star Game which, for reasons passing understanding, is being played IN PHILADELPHIA, AT THE VET.
The Midsummer Classic, being played in Philadelphia for the first time since 1976, would feature just one player from its host city, a relief pitcher, who would likely just see one inning of work.
And yet I watched. I watched the whole thing. Because I’m a sicko.
Of course, the scene was set right from the start. Bunting lined the cracked edifice of the walls and stands, and the Phils’ 1980s video board in center field shown brightly in the glare of network TV. Philadelphia also played home to the stars that weekend, as TV’s “Frasier,” Kelsey Grammar, sang the National Anthem.
Sarah McLachlan also sang the Canadian National Anthem, and Joe Carter was booed by the Vet crowd when he was introduced before the game.
I told you, this game had everything.
The one positive note was the performance of Dodgers‘ catcher, and Philly-area native, Mike Piazza, who was named MVP of the game after clubbing a long home run and going 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs. Back in 2011, The Good Phight did a quick recap of Ricky Bottalico’s performance, one that you probably missed if you blinked for any reason.
1996 – Ricky Bottalico, rhp: NL 6, AL 0. Bottalico pitched a scoreless 5th inning in front of his hometown. He might have faced the minimum number of batters, but for Ken Caminiti’s throwing error on Brady Anderson’s grounder. Clearly, the NL manager should have left Chipper Jones in at third, but well, the guy left a lot to be desired. But for being a hometown hero and for preserving the shutout by overcoming his teammates’ mistakes without being rattled or showing them up, no better reward than *****!
You can watch Ricky Bo’s entire inning right here if you’re a sicko.
After that, a lot of National League All-Stars that were not Phillies beat up on the AL team, 6-0. It was about as miserable as an All-Star Game hosted by your favorite team’s city and stadium could possibly be.
If you’re interested in watching all of this monstrosity, YouTube has it.
I would argue you’d be better served going outside and touching grass, but to each their own.
The 2026 MLB Home Run Derby is set for 8 p.m. ET on Monday, July 13, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
It’s the first Home Run Derby in Philadelphia since the Phillies inaugurated Citizens Bank Park in 2004. The former Veterans Stadium hosted the 1996 derby, which was won by Barry Bonds.
Citizens Bank Park has featured 121 home runs this season as of July 13, and Statcast says it’s the fifth-friendliest park in 2026 for longballs. Track all regular-season homers at the park so far:
The eight-man field for the 2026 derby includes two Phillies players, Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. They have combined for 29 home runs in Citizens Bank Park this season, with Harper at 10 and Schwarber at 19.
However, there isn’t much home field advantage in the derby — out of the 39 Home Run Derbies, just three have been won by a player whose home stadium was that year’s host. But one of those three was Harper, who won the 2018 derby while on the Washington Nationals.
The other six players are Jac Caglianone of the Kansas City Royals, Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays, Willson Contreras of the Boston Red Sox, Ben Rice of the New York Yankees, Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals and Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox.
This year’s Home Run Derby will consist of a three-round format. In the first round, players will have 20 swings to hit as many home runs as they can. The top four will advance to a head-to-head second round, and the two winners from that round will face off in the final.
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 15: Drake Baldwin #30 of the Atlanta Braves high fives Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves after hitting a solo home run in the first inning during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Truist Park on May 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jack Casey/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The managers for the 2026 All-Star Game have officially announced their starting pitchers and lineups for tomorrow night’s Midsummer Classic.
Ozzie Albies and Drake Baldwin earned their places as starters during the All-Star fan voting and will bat sixth and ninth, respectively.
The National League starting lineup, managed by LA’s Dave Roberts, is as follows:
Kyle Schwarber, PHI – DH
Juan Soto, NYM – LF
Freddie Freeman, LAD – 1B
CJ Abrams, WSH – SS
Max Muncy, LAD – 3B
Ozzie Albies, ATL – 2B
Brandon Marsh, PHI – RF
Andy Pages, LAD – CF
Drake Baldwin, ATL – C
Baldwin will serve as the battery mate to starting pitcher Cristopher Sánchez, who gets the nod in his home ballpark.
The American League, managed by Toronto’s John Schneider, will roll with the following lineup behind first-time All-Star Dylan Cease:
Mike Trout, LAA – CF
Yordan Alvarez, HOU – DH
Shea Langeliers, ATH – C
Junior Caminero, TB – 3B
Bobby Witt Jr., KC – SS
Cody Bellinger, NYY – RF
Ben Rice, NYY – 1B
Riley Greene, DET – LF
Ernie Clement, TOR – 2B
The All-Star Game will start at 8 pm ET on Tuesday night on FOX.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 14: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets plays against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A trade first reported on June 28 is now officially complete. The Phoenix Suns have sent Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, and an unprotected 2033 first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Miles Bridges, a 2027 second-round pick, and a 2029 first-round pick.
“Miles has established himself as a highly productive player whose game continues to evolve,” said Suns general manager Brian Gregory. “His elite athleticism, strength and versatility allow him to impact the game on both ends of the floor. He embodies the grit, competitiveness and work ethic that fit our identity, and we’re excited to welcome him to Phoenix.”
“We also want to thank Grayson and Royce for the impact they made in Phoenix,” added Gregory. “Both played important roles in helping us build our foundation, and we appreciate everything they brought to our team. We wish them and their families all the best.”
There was a bit of a holdup because several other transactions had to be completed before the Suns and Hornets deal could become official. The entire sequence ultimately came down to one player, Mouhamadou Gueye. Gueye signed with the Chicago Bulls on April 9, which meant he could not be traded until six months after his acquisition. That date is today, July 9.
Here is how the dominoes fell.
The Timberwolves, Nets, and Bulls agreed to a deal that sent Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft (Joshua Jefferson), to Brooklyn. In return, Minnesota acquired the No. 33 pick (Isaiah Evans) from the Nets and Mouhamadou Gueye from the Bulls. Chicago received Nic Claxton.
The Hornets also agreed to send LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Timberwolves in exchange for Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps, and three second-round picks.
Both transactions were put on hold because of Gueye’s trade restriction. Once eligible to be moved, Minnesota completed its deal, which opened the financial pathway to acquire Ball and Green from Charlotte. That, in turn, cleared the way for the Hornets to acquire Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale from Phoenix.
From the Suns’ perspective, this was about more than simply acquiring Miles Bridges. By sending out Allen and O’Neale, who combined to make $29 million, and bringing back Bridges at $22.8 million, Phoenix reduced its payroll by approximately $6.2 million, $6,173,913 to be exact. Before the trade, the Suns carried a payroll of roughly $215 million, placing them about $6 million above the first apron. They needed to create room if they wanted access to the mid-level exception.
The Bridges trade accomplished exactly that.
Phoenix now sits at approximately $208.1 million in team salary, seeing as Jamaree Bouyea’s contract is not guaranteed until January 10. The first apron is $209 million. What did that create? Hello, Luke Kennard. The Suns will be able to use the taxpayer mid-level exception to sign Kennard to a two-year, $12.4 million contract with a player option in the second season. It’s a pretty impressive bit of cap gymnastics by the front office. And to think, the entire sequence was delayed because the Bulls signed Mouhamadou Gueye last April.
So now it is official. Miles Bridges is with the Phoenix Suns. A player the organization has had its eyes on for the past couple of years. Will it work? We’ll find out next season.
Phillip Danault and Josh Anderson are not the only two veterans Montreal Canadiens playing in their contract year; Alexandre Carrier and Samuel Montembeault will also be playing for new deals when the puck drops on the season.
If Montembeault felt he put too much pressure on himself last year with the possibility of making Team Canada for the Olympics, one can wonder if playing for a new deal, or better yet, competing to play for a new deal, won’t have the same effect. The netminder is coming off a disastrous season, which saw him go down to the AHL on a conditioning stint, come back up to the NHL only to fail to perform again before being sent to the press gallery for the rest of the season and the playoffs in early March.
Montembeault finished the season with a 10-8-4 record, a 3.43 goals-against average and a .872 save percentage. His fall from grace opened the door for Jakub Dobes to grab the starting job and for Jacob Fowler to graduate to the NHL.
At the end of the season media availability, Montembeault said he was ready to turn over a new leaf and get a fresh start, which he feels he can do in Montreal. So far, despite plenty of goaltender moves in the NHL, the Becancour native remains a member of the Canadiens.
With one year left at a very reasonable $3.15 million cap hit, one would have thought a team would be willing to take a chance on Montembeault, but there have been no takers so far. While he feels he can start again with the Habs, there is little doubt that Montembeault would be best served by joining a team that hasn’t got as crowded a crease. When training camp starts, he won’t be battling for the number one job but rather to prove to his teammates that last year’s collapse was a one-off and that he’s worthy of their confidence. That won’t be an easy task, with Dobes having signed a new three-year contract and Fowler seen as the goaltender of the future in Montreal.
Perhaps he’ll be traded by the start of training camp, but wherever he is, he will need to prove that the real Montembeault isn’t the one who crashed out of the NHL last season.
Meanwhile, Alex Carrier will also need to have a big year on the blueline. The soon-to-be 30-year-old rearguard was a blessing for the Habs’ defence corps when he was acquired from the Nashville Predators for Justin Barron in the 2024-25 season. In both of his seasons with the Habs, he posted a 0.30 PPG pace, which would project to 25 points over an 82-game season. The difference this past season was how much higher his shooting percentage was. 12.5% of his shots found the back of the net, up from 3.7% the year before.
In an ideal world, Carrier is a bottom-pairing blueliner, but the lack of right-shot defenseman has meant he played in the wrong chair a lot this past year. The veteran is much more efficient when paired up with Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle and Lane Hutson than when he’s skating alongside Arber Xhekaj.
When training camp opens, expect David Reinbacher to be given every opportunity to make the Canadiens this season. The fact that Hughes has been unable to find a real top-four right-shot defenseman in the free-agent or trade markets makes it all the more important that the Austrian fifth-overall pick in 2023 live up to his potential.
Chances are the Canadiens would ease him into the third pairing, but he would ideally prove he can handle more and pass Carrier on the depth chart. If that is the case, Carrier could still be given an extension, since other right-shot options in the Habs’ system may need more time to develop in the AHL. Bryce Pickford, fresh off a season for the ages in the WHL, had to undergo shoulder surgery, which should delay the start of his pro career with the Laval Rocket, while Bogdan Konyushkov will be playing in Russia this year and will likely need to adapt to the North American style of play.
Adam Engstrom is also knocking on the Canadiens’ door, and while he’s a left-shot blueliner, he has shown that he can play on his off-side as well. Unless the Canadiens use him to fill another need via trade, he may very well push a defenseman out of Montreal. Who could that be? Well, it depends on how Martin St-Louis chooses to deploy him. One thing is certain, however: Carrier will need to have a big year to earn a new contract with the Canadiens given how many youngsters are chomping at the bit to get their shot in the NHL.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Jack Kayil #77 of the New York Knicks looks to pass the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during the 2026 NBA Summer League game on July 11, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Ryan Stetz/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Shake off those Monday blues, there’s basketball to be played! The Knicks continue their NBA Summer League action in Las Vegas this afternoon as they square off against the Detroit Pistons at the Cox Pavilion. After getting blown out twice, the exhibition continues to shine a spotlight on player development (Pacome Dadiet, Mohamed Diawara) and recent draftees (Tyler Nickel, Jack Kayil). The young Knicks squad will have their hands full physically against a tough Detroit frontcourt.
Tip-off is 4 pm EST on Prime Video and MSG. This is your game thread. This is Detroit Bad Boys. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be cool, everybody. And go Knicks!
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 08: Pete Alonso of the New York Mets poses with the trophy after winning the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Progressive Field on July 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While Juan Soto toyed with the idea of joining this year’s loaded Home Run Derby field, he ultimately decided against participating in the competition he won in 2022 as a member of the Nationals. That choice ensured that this year’s derby would not feature any current Mets. If that fact keeps your interest in the derby low, you can instead reminisce about the times that Mets players participated in the annual competition.
Darryl Strawberry (1986, 1990)
Before the Mets won the 1986 World Series, their outfielder and homegrown superstar Darryl Strawberry, who would finish the season with a team-leading 27 home runs, took home a share of the Home Run Derby crown, making him the first Met to win the derby in the process. He did so by hitting four home runs, which is a paltry and somewhat laughable amount given the current derby most of us are familiar with. However, in the early days of the derby (1985-1990), the participants were given two “innings” of five outs each to hit as many home runs as they could. In doing so, he matched the number hit by California Angels slugger Wally Joyner, who beat out a field including Jose Canseco and Dave Parker. The most notable home run of the derby came courtesy of Strawberry, who hit a speaker in the ceiling of the Astrodome. A few months later, the Mets would author their own magical moment in the Astrodome as a team, when they took down the Astros in 16 innings to win Game 6 of the NLCS and advance to the Fall Classic.
Strawberry would return to defend his crown a few years later to defend his crown. However, he would go on to put up a goose egg. He shouldn’t feel too bad, however, as the eight participants combined for just five home runs total in what many have since been remembered as the worst Home Run Derby ever due to swirling winds at Wrigley Field that prevented much in the way of actual…you know…home runs. The hometown crowd was certainly happy, as Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg hit three home runs to take home the crown, beating out Mark McGwire (one), Matt Williams (one), and a loaded field of hitters that couldn’t muster to knock one out of the park.
Howard Johnson (1989, 1991)
While a less-than-memorable season for the Mets, who missed the playoffs after their 100-win 1988 campaign, Howard Johnson enjoyed the best season of his major league career. HoJo posted a career-best 6.9 bWAR and posted a 30-40-40 season (36 home runs, 41 stolen bases, 41 doubles). He rode that wave to his first career All-Star game, and participated in the Home Run Derby as well. Unfortunately, he managed just two dingers in the derby, which still featured the old format that Strawberry participated in. Eric Davis and Ruben Sierra each hit three homers to take home a share of the derby title.
Johnson returned two years later in the middle of his second 30-30 season in three years. 1991 would serve as the last All-Star season of his career, and one that saw him post a career-high in home runs (38) and RBI (117). That success did not translate to the derby, as HoJo was held off the board in Toronto’s Skydome. Cal Ripken Jr. knocked 12 balls out of the park to win the crown. This was the first year of a new derby format, which invited 8-10 players to hit as many home runs as they can in a round before reaching 10 outs. The new format also featured three rounds, and this would last until 2005.
Bobby Bonilla (1993)
Long before becoming the butt of “Happy Bobby Bonilla Day!” jokes that have been like if a dead horse were beaten by another dead horse, Bonilla was actually a feared slugger. Bonilla hit 34 home runs for the Mets in 1993, his best with the club, and was named to his first All-Star team as a Met. He slugged five home runs and finished third in the competition, matching the number hit by Barry Bonds. Juan Gonzalez outlasted Ken Griffey Jr. in a derby playoff to win the crown. Of note in this derby, future Met Mike Piazza was held off the board and finished in last place. Piazza also failed to hit a home run in the 1994 derby and would never compete in the competition as a member of the Mets.
David Wright (2006, 2013)
In his book Captain, Wright talks about his reluctance to participate in the 2006 Home Run Derby, but with the encouragement of those around him, he ended up doing it. It’s a good thing he did, because he put on a show, hitting a Derby-best 16 homers in the first round and wowing the Pittsburgh crowd. Wright, who was never really a “home run hitter” in the traditional sense and did not see power as his greatest asset at the plate, ran out of steam towards the end and fell one home run behind division rival Ryan Howard, who bested him 23-22 overall and 5-4 in the finals. Wright would go on to become the youngest Met to homer in the actual Midsummer Classic, doing so the next night at the age of 23 (the Mets dominated the 2006 All-Star game, with Carlos Beltrán and Wright scoring both NL runs and picking up three of the NL’s six hits). The Mets would also get the last laugh on Howard and the Phillies, winning the NL East handily that year.
Wright, who also talked about not having much desire to participate in a Derby again after that experience, would go on to participate one last time in 2013 in front of the Citi Field home crowd. He was named captain of the derby and was able to hand pick his participants, which included close friend Michael Cuddyer. He managed just five home runs, ahead of only American League Derby captain/future Met Robinson Canó and his four homers. It didn’t matter much to the Flushing Faithful, who showered Wright with applause and adulation upon his Derby exit. What the crowd and Wright did not know was that 2013 would also be the last All-Star season of Wright’s career.
Pete Alonso (2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
By far, Alonso has seen more action than any other Met in the derby. In fact, Alonso has participated almost as many times (5) as the other four players on this list (7). And nobody seemed to relish the spotlight more than Alonso.
Alonso, who went on to surpass Strawberry as the franchise’s all-time home run leader, participated in his first derby in his rookie campaign en route to breaking both the franchise’s single-season home run record and the all-time MLB rookie home run record. The fresh up-and-comer took down some heavyweights along the way, knocking down Carlos Santana in the first round 14-13, topping division rival Ronald Acuña Jr. 20-19 in the second round, and then taking out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 23-22 in an electric final round.
Alonso returned to defend his crown in 2021, and defend it he did (and then some). Alonso enacted a small measure of revenge for the 2015 World Series when he knocked out Royals’ catcher Salvador Pérez 35-28 in the first round, then he one-upped 2025 Mets’ teammate Juan Soto 16-15 in the second round, and he beat out Trey Mancini 23-22 in the finals to win back-to-back derbies. He became the third player to accomplish this feat, joining Ken Griffey Jr. (1998, 1999) and future Met Yoenis Céspedes (2013, 2014). He is one of four players to win multiple home run derbies, along with Prince Fielder (2009, 2012).
Alonso failed to join Griffey as the only other player to win a third derby crown, and his participation since 2021 provided diminishing returns for Alonso. In 2022, Alonso again knocked Acuña Jr. out of the competition by beating him 20-19 in the first round. However, he ran out of gas in the second round and could not catch Julio Rodriguez’s 31 home runs.
Rodriguez and Alonso faced off in a rematch in the 2023 derby at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, and Rodriguez put on a show for his home fans. He broke a derby record by crushing 41 home runs in the first round, and Alonso could only muster 21 to bow out in his earliest exit at that point. In his final derby performance as a Met, Alonso hit just 12 home runs and failed to advance beyond the first round, finishing ahead of just Gunnar Henderson of the Orioles. Despite those three losses, Alonso put together some of the most memorable derby performances of all time, and by far the most memorable showings from a Met.
You can watch the Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park exclusively on Netflix starting at 8:00 PM EDT, with special pre-derby coverage beginning at 7:00 PM.
Tonight’s Home Run Derby in the City of Brotherly Love features a couple of hometown heroes, a few MVP candidates, and a handful of breakout stars among the eight contestants. No question, each of the eight brings a potent bat to the plate with an eye on taking home the 24-inch tall, sterling silver trophy at the end of the night.
Cal Raleigh won the title last July but is not here to defend his crown. Let's lay out the field including their odds, home run totals to date, and who will be pitching to them.
Game details & how to watch the 2026 Home Run Derby
Date: Monday, July 13, 2026
Time: 7PM ET
Site: Citizens Bank Park
City: Philadelphia, PA
Network/Streaming: Netflix
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
The Field for the 2026 Home Run Derby
Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies (+285)
The favorite for a reason, Schwarber leads baseball with 32 home runs. He has hit more home runs at Citizens Bank Park – 19 – than some of his fellow competitors in tonight’s contest have hit in total for the season. The Derby favorite has taken pitches in batting practice from Phillies’ assistant coach Rafael Pena who will toss to him tonight.
Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays (+350)
The Rays own the best record in the American League and Caminero is a big reason why. The All-Star third baseman is tied for fourth in baseball with 28 home runs. Tomas Francisco will be on the mound for Caminero tonight. The Rays’ Major League field coordinator threw to Caminero last season (second place) and to Randy Arozarena in 2023 (second place).
Munetaka Murakami, Chicago White Sox (+600)
Its feast or famine it seems with the rookie first baseman. The All-Star has 20 home runs in just 60 games but has also struck out 87 times in those same 60 games. White Sox Major League coach Luis Sierra will throw to the White Sox rookie.
Jordan Walker, St. Louis Cardinals (+700)
Walker was pegged for stardom since he debuted in 2023, but the All-Star had struggled until this season. With 22 home runs, Walker already has six more home runs this season than in any in his career. Cards’ bullpen catcher Kleininger Teran will be on the mound pitching to Walker tonight.
Jac Caglianone, Kansas City Royals (+800)
Caglianone calls Kauffman Stadium home and yet has hit 15 home runs this season. Surprising his odds are as short as they are considering he has hit just those 15 home runs 90 games. His father, Jeff Caglianone, will be pitching to him.
Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies (+850)
The winner of this event in our nation’s capital while with the Nationals in 2018, Harper has 20 home runs for the season in 97 games. Harper outmashed Kyle Schwarber, 19-18 in the final round of that 2018 Derby. Harper’s father, Ron, threw to him in 2018 but he is not available tonight. Instead Dodgers’ third base coach Dino Ebel gets the assignment.
Ben Rice, New York Yankees (+900)
Minus Aaron Judge, the pressure on Rice to rescue this Yankees’ offense has been immense. For the most part, the third-year big leaguer has delivered hitting a career-high 29 home runs in 91 games. Ben’s father, Dan Rice, will be pitching to him.
Willson Contreras, Boston Red Sox (+1400)
The Red Sox first baseman will play tomorrow in his fourth All-Star game and his first since 2022. The native of Venezuela has cracked 20 home runs on the season in 88 games. Boston interim bench coach Jose David Flores will pitch to Contreras.
"Its not going to be Bryce Harper to get his second title in the Home Run Derby. Its going to be his teammate to get his first, Kyle Schwarber. I think Schwarber will have the consistency and endurance to be able to hit home runs in the first, second, and third rounds."
Eric Samulski (@SamulskiNYC) – Munetaka Murakami (+600)
"Citizens Bank is a really good park for left-handed power. Murakami coming off the IL doesn’t necessarily have the strain on his body of the guys who have been playing all of these games over the last few months. I think Murakami is going to show the power he had in Japan."
James Schiano (@James_Schiano) – Munetaka Murakami (+600)
"He’s not one of the favorites but does not have long shot odds either. Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia plays much, much, much friendlier to left-handed hitters…especially pull happy lefthanded hitters like Murakami."
FA could follow Fifa precedent with 12-month suspension
Manager to face media on Saturday in pre-season friendly
The future of Southampton’s manager, Tonda Eckert, remains shrouded in uncertainty as he waits to learn the outcome of a lengthy and detailed Football Association investigation into last season’s spygate scandal.
In May the English Football League expelled Southampton from the Championship playoff final against Hull after finding that a club intern engaged as a first-team analyst had spied on a key Middlesbrough training session before the semi-final first leg at the Riverside.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 21, 2025: (L to R) Cody Bellinger #35 and Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees talk while leaning against the front fence of the dugout during the third inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park on September 21, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Yankees beat the Orioles, 7-1. (Photo by Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
MLB announced the starting lineups for tomorrow night’s All-Star Game, and as planned two Yankees will feature. Cody Bellinger starts in right and bats sixth, while Ben Rice starts at first and bats seventh:
The pair of Bombers come after a star-studded top five in the AL lineup, starting with Mike Trout in center, Yordan Alvarez at DH, Shea Langliers at catcher, Junior Caminero at third, and Bobby Witt Jr. at shortstop. Riley Greene in left and Ernie Clement at second round out the lineup. Rice is somewhat hard-done-by with his slot in the lineup, his 166 wRC+ second in the AL behind only Alvarez, and Langliers is a curious choice from manager John Schneider (to bat third, the catcher having a great season but lacking the offensive skillset and pedigree of most of the other starters.
Otherwise, the lineup seems fair enough on paper, and it’s very cool to see Trout, the once-and-forever legend who’s been derailed by injuries, slot in at the top, in the midst of a resurgent (and yet still injury-ridden) campaign. He and Alvarez form an awesome one-two, and though I would personally have slotted Rice right in there at the three spot, it’s hard to argue with Caminero and Witt’s positions, the pair each among the game’s brightest young stars.
You can also check out the National League’s lineup here:
Kyle Schwarber, DH Juan Soto, LF Freddie Freeman, 1B CJ Abrams, SS Max Muncy, 3B Ozzie Albies, 2B Brandon Marsh, RF Andy Pages, CF Drake Baldwin, C Cristopher Sánchez, P
England Test head coach vacancy may not appeal to the Zimbabwean who is at the top of his field
That Andy Flower emerged as the favourite to take over England’s Test team so soon after Brendon McCullum’s demotion should come as no surprise. Put simply, the Zimbabwean is the leading active head coach on the circuit.
During his first spell in the job from 2009 to 2014, England won three successive Ashes series, ended a 27-year wait to win a Test series in India, and rose to No 1 in the Test rankings. The men’s white-ball team also broke its duck in global tournaments by lifting the World T20 in the Caribbean in 2010. Flower has since carved out a successful second career. In franchise cricket, his teams have won the Pakistan Super League, the Hundred, the ILT20, and the Indian Premier League (twice). When Australia broke India’s hearts by securing the 2023 World Cup, Flower was in their camp as a batting consultant.
Cooper Ingle was 2 for 5 with a double, Juan Brito had a two-run homer, and Milan Tolentinto homered and walked to push his OPS over .800. Daniel Espino threw a scoreless ninth and I hope to see him back in Cleveland for Codi Heuer after the break.
Jaison Chourio had a double and ended pre-break play with an OPS of .820. Not a great start for Braylon Doughty who gave up two earned, five hits and three walks in four and two-thirds, but he did strike out six.
Jace LaViolette did not get the call-up to Akron but he did hit a double and talk a walk. Aaron Walton, Nolan Schubart and Dean Curley all ended over .900 OPS and got the call-up, though. Cam Schuelke struck out two in two and two-thirds and should probably be promoted at some point, also.
Junior Caceres hit his 10th Low-A home run right before getting promoted to Lake County that evening, Miguel Flores had a decent start with six scoreless and then Chase Mobley BLEW IT UP. Mobley had a first half to forget.
