MLB World Series

FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2020, file photo, Philadelphia Phillies' Zack Wheeler, left, gives autographs during a spring training baseball workout in Clearwater, Fla. Wheeler's last start before his 30th birthday could have come against his former team. Wheeler, who struck out 24% of the batters he faced last season with the Mets, left New York in free agency last winter for a $118 million, five-year deal with the NL East rival Phillies.(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

What Would Have Been: Zack against Mets and Motor City golf

May. 25, 2020 2:31 AM EDT

The Major League Baseball season would be about one-third of the way through its 162-game schedule if not for the coronavirus pandemic, and the NBA and NHL would have been closer to crowning their champions. While NASCAR is running live races without spectators, The Associated Press looks at some of the other...

FILE - In this Jan. 7, 1974, file photo, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton (10) poses with coach Bud Grant in an unknown location. Grant was the first coach to reach four Super Bowls. Also the first to lose four Super Bowls. Grant built a powerhouse team over 18 seasons with the Vikings, reaching the playoffs 12 times. But his squads always flopped badly on the biggest stage, losing each of their four title games by double-digit margins. (AP Photo/Ferd Kaufman, File)

Column: Sloan, other coaching greats who were denied a title

May. 23, 2020 11:08 AM EDT

Jerry Sloan was undoubtedly one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. Yet there’s one glaring omission on an otherwise stellar resume. A championship. Sloan, who died Friday at age 78, isn’t the only coaching guru lacking a trip to a title. Let’s take a look at the 10 best coaches and...

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2019, file photo, home plate umpire Angel Hernandez signals during the fifth inning of a baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins in Detroit. A major league official testified he suggested Hernandez be removed from consideration for the 2015 World Series because he did not think Commissioner Rob Manfred would approve the umpire to work baseball’s premier event. Hernandez sued Major League Baseball in 2017, alleging race discrimination and cited his failure to be assigned to the World Series since 2005 and MLB's failure to promote him to crew chief. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

MLB official thought Manfred would nix Hernández for Series

Apr. 25, 2020 9:49 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — A major league official testified he suggested Ángel Hernández be removed from consideration for the 2015 World Series because he did not think Commissioner Rob Manfred would approve the umpire to work baseball’s premier event. Hernández sued Major League Baseball in...

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 1995, file photo, the Atlanta Braves celebrate after Game 6 of the World Series against the Cleveland Indians in Atlanta. The Braves beat the Cleveland Indians 1-0 to win the best-of-seven series. Twenty-five years ago, Atlanta sports finally reached the promised land. With the world in the grips of coronavirus pandemic, it's a welcome respite to remember when the Braves gave the city its first major championship. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke, File)

Glavine, Klesko share fond memories of Braves' 1995 title

Apr. 22, 2020 5:09 PM EDT

ATLANTA (AP) — Tom Glavine still remembers it vividly, that challenge he made to his teammates during the clinching game of the 1995 World Series. Amid a scoreless Game 6 against the Cleveland Indians, Glavine implored the Braves' hitters to score a single run. It was all the team would need, he vowed,...

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2020, file photo, Oakland Athletics pitcher Mike Fiers ponders a question during an interview with the media in Oakland, Calif. The Associated Press looks at some of the events that would have been live the week of April 20-26: _ Sign-stealing whistleblower Mike Fiers would have been in Houston with the Oakland A’s for a weekend series. The A's right-hander, who pitched for the 2017 World Series champion Astros, hasn't been back to Minute Maid Park since saying last November that his former team used a camera in center field to steal signs. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

What Would Have Been: MLB's Fiers in Houston, NBA playoffs

Apr. 20, 2020 9:55 AM EDT

While watching more replays of classic games with the national sports calendar on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, The Associated Press looks at some of the events that would have been live the week of April 20-26: MLB: — Sign-stealing whistleblower Mike Fiers would have been in Houston with the...

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018 file photo, Boston Red Sox's Steve Pearce celebrates after his home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning in Game 4 of the World Series baseball game in Los Angeles. Steve Pearce, the career journeyman who broke loose to become the unlikely MVP of the 2018 World Series, says he’s done playing after an injury-plagued season for the Boston Red Sox. Pearce made the announcement Monday, April 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Former World Series MVP Pearce retires, injured most of 2019

Apr. 14, 2020 5:42 PM EDT

BOSTON (AP) — Steve Pearce, the career journeyman who broke loose to become the unlikely MVP of the 2018 World Series, says he’s done playing after an injury-plagued season for the Boston Red Sox. “You know what? It has been a good run. I have 10 years in there. Right now I am officially...

FILE - In this Oct. 4, 1984, file photo, Chicago Cubs manager Jim Frey enjoys a laugh during an interview prior to the start of Game 3 in the National League Championship Series against the San Diego Padres in San Diego. Frey, who managed the Kansas City Royals to the 1980 AL pennant and the Chicago Cubs to within one win of the 1984 World Series, has died. He was 88. Frey died Sunday, April 12, 2020, at his home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, according to the Atlantic League’s Somerset Patriots, the minor league team he had been affiliated with since its launch in 1998.(AP Photo/File)

Former Royals, Cubs manager Jim Frey dies at age 88

Apr. 14, 2020 1:40 PM EDT

SOMERSET, N.J. (AP) — Jim Frey, who managed the Kansas City Royals to the 1980 AL pennant and the Chicago Cubs within one win of the 1984 World Series, has died. He was 88. Frey died Sunday at his home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, according to the Atlantic League’s Somerset Patriots, the minor...