SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Pablo Sandoval's size and round middle have ignited the internet and brought out the body critics as baseball begins again.Manager Gabe Kapler said Sunday the San Francisco Giants fully expect their “Kung Fu Panda” to be ready and in game shape to contribute by opening day later this month even though he is noticeably heavier than during spring training nearly five months ago in Scottsdale, Arizona.“Pablo's role on this team is to do what he has done over the course of the last couple days, and what he has done for this city and this community in the past, and that is to bring positive energy, get big hits, drive the baseball, and those are still the things we believe he is capable of doing,” Kapler said.“Already in this short period of time he's demonstrated it. I have a lot of empathy for Pablo and what it must be like to be dealing with this kind of scrutiny, and I wouldn't wish it on anybody.”Sandoval underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Pablo Sandoval endeared himself to San Francisco fans while helping the Giants win World Series titles in 2010, 2012 and 2014.He continues to give to the team.Sandoval, who at 33 is heading into his 13th major league season, still seems very much like the 22-year-old kid who debuted with the Giants in 2008. His smile is omnipresent, he pops in on interviews teammates are doing in the clubhouse and, out of nowhere during Thursday’s pregame workout, embraced manager Gabe Kapler. Just because.But energy and experience isn’t all the man lovingly called the Kung Fu Panda since his rookie year provides the Giants. He has embraced the role of mentor to the many young Giants who are part of the team’s rebuilding process.“It’s so important for one to come to work happy and have fun. So the whole world can see how lucky we are to be able to get ready and play this game,” Sandoval said in Spanish. “For me (helping young players) is crucial because they aren’t just the future... [More]

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Jarrod Dyson kept waiting for the phone to ring. As December faded and the hot stove cooled, one thought kept running through the free agent outfielder's mind.“You mean to tell me I can't help nobody win?" said Dyson, who stole 30 bases for Arizona in 2019 before hitting the open market last fall.Dyson's won plenty. He offers the World Series ring he earned while playing for the Kansas City Royals in 2015 as proof. He appeared in 130 games at age 34 last season for a Diamondbacks team that hung around the playoff picture until the final week of the season. He's been part of a rebuilding projects and raucous October celebrations. Now in the final innings of a decade-long career, he wouldn't mind another shot at a playoff run.Yet the only palatable job offer Dyson received came from Pittsburgh. The Pirates are in need of a stopgap in center field after dealing Gold Glover Starling Marte to Arizona last month. So Dyson signed for one year and $2 million. Sure he considered... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Hunter Pence hustled in to take batting practice, exhibiting that familiar energy as fans cheered. He smiled and raised his cap high in the air.This is just the start of spring training, and it's clear Pence is a crowd favorite for San Francisco once more. And the outfielder is in his element again as he approaches his 37th birthday. The Giants opened their gates to fans for the first full-squad workout and Pence was as popular as ever after a year away. "We all noticed that,” new manager Gabe Kapler said of the rousing ovations.“It's great,” Pence said. “It's extremely exciting for me to be back. It's definitely fun with a lot of new faces and a lot of new staff. I'm just thrilled to be back, thrilled to see the fans, every day getting to do something I love to do so much, obviously. Especially with how things went — it's part of the game, the nature of the game — I really appreciate every bit of it, every little thing. It's a joy to be a part of. It's definitely... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League West entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Los Angeles Dodgers Manager: Dave Roberts (fifth season). 2019: 106-56, first place, lost to Nationals in Division Series. Training Town: Glendale, Arizona. Park: Camelback Ranch. First Workout: Feb. 14/18. He's Here: OF Mookie Betts, LHP David Price, LHP Alex Wood, RHP Blake Treinen, RHP Jimmy Nelson, 2B Clayton Daniel.He's Outta Here: LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu, RHP Kenta Maeda, LHP Rich Hill, OF Joc Pederson, OF Alex Verdugo, 1B David Freese, RHP Yimi Garcia, 3B Jedd Gyorko, C Russell Martin, RHP JT Chargois, 2B Kristopher Negron.Going campin': In what's become a familiar refrain, the Dodgers arrive at camp still looking for their first World Series championship since 1988. After losing in two straight World Series, they were ousted by Washington in five games in the NL Division Series last fall.... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Kung Fu Panda is back with the San Francisco Giants.Popular third baseman Pablo Sandoval agreed to a minor league contact with the Giants and would get a $2 million, one-year deal if added to the 40-man roster.The 2012 World Series MVP, who pondered the idea last summer that his time with San Francisco could be over, would have the chance to earn $750,000 in performance bonuses.The 33-year-old Venezuelan is working back from season-ending Tommy John reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in early September. Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles determined Sandoval needed the procedure on his ulnar collateral ligament, and Sandoval has said he is determined to come back even stronger in 2020.The progress and health status of the switch-hitter will be more clear come spring training next month. Pitchers and catchers report to Scottsdale Stadium in Arizona on Feb. 11.New manager Gabe Kapler is counting on Sandoval's veteran presence.“Pablo brings a wealth of experience,... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Kung Fu Panda is back with the San Francisco Giants.Popular third baseman Pablo Sandoval agreed to a minor league contact with the Giants and would get a $2 million, one-year deal if added to the 40-man roster.The 2012 World Series MVP, who pondered the idea last summer that his time with San Francisco could be over, would have the chance to earn $750,000 in performance bonuses.The 33-year-old Venezuelan is working back from season-ending Tommy John reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in early September. Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles determined Sandoval needed the procedure on his ulnar collateral ligament, and Sandoval has said he is determined to come back even stronger in 2020.The progress and health status of the switch-hitter will be more clear come spring training next month. Pitchers and catchers report to Scottsdale Stadium in Arizona on Feb. 11.New manager Gabe Kapler is counting on Sandoval's veteran presence.“Pablo brings a wealth of experience,... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kung Fu Panda is back with the San Francisco Giants.Pablo Sandoval agreed to a minor league contact with the Giants and would get a $2 million, one-year deal if added to the 40-man roster.The 2012 World Series MVP, who pondered the idea last summer that his time with San Francisco could be over, would have the chance to earn $750,000 in performance bonuses.The 33-year-old is working back from season-ending Tommy John reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in early September. Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles determined Sandoval needed the procedure on his ulnar collateral ligament, and the third baseman has said he is determined to come back even stronger in 2020.The progress and health status of the switch-hitter will be more clear come spring training next month. Pitchers and catchers report to Scottsdale Stadium in Arizona on Feb. 11.Sandoval made a comeback with the Giants in 2017 after his release by the Red Sox, and he was used in various roles by now-retired manager Bruce Bochy. Sandoval batted .268 with 14 homers and 41 RBIs in 108 games.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — What a comeback for the Washington Nationals.The team that was 12 games under .500 before the end of May is now the World Series champion.The Nationals beat the Houston Astros 6-2 on Wednesday night, when they were down 2-0 after six innings. It was Washington's fifth comeback win in a potential elimination game this postseason — four was already a major league record for a single postseason.They had to win the NL wild card game, then went the full five games in the NL Division Series to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers on the road in extra innings to advance. Washington swept St. Louis in the NL Championship Series.BIG HOMERSAnthony Rendon homered in the last three games when the Nationals were facing elimination, becoming the first player ever to homer in three consecutive elimination games.Howie Kendrick put Washington ahead to stay with his two-run homer in the seventh inning of Game 7, two batters after Rendon went deep.Kendrick is the first player with multiple go-ahead... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The starting rotations for the World Series between the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals are filled with former Cy Young winners and first-round draft picks.Game 1 featured a pair of starting pitchers who were first-round draft picks — and so will Game 2. Two of the hurlers were No. 1 overall selections.Gerrit Cole, a first-round pick both out of high school and then first overall out of college, lost for the first time in five months Tuesday night when the Astros dropped a 5-4 decision to Washington in Game 1. Three-time Cy Young winner and 2006 first-round pick Max Scherzer started and got the win for the Nationals.Cole was picked 28th overall by the New York Yankees in 2008 but opted to go to UCLA and was selected first overall by Pittsburgh three years later. Scherzer was picked 11th overall by Arizona in 2006. He won the 2013 AL Cy Young before twice winning the NL award (2016-17).Game 2 on Wednesday features 2011 AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, the second... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The starting rotations for the World Series between the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals are filled with former Cy Young winners and first-round draft picks.Game 1 featured a pair of starting pitchers who were first-round draft picks — and so will Game 2. Two of the hurlers were No. 1 overall selections.Gerrit Cole, a first-round pick both out of high school and then first overall out of college, lost for the first time in five months Tuesday night when the Astros dropped a 5-4 decision to Washington in Game 1. Three-time Cy Young winner and 2006 first-round pick Max Scherzer started and got the win for the Nationals.Cole was picked 28th overall by the New York Yankees in 2008 but opted to go to UCLA and was selected first overall by Pittsburgh three years later. Scherzer was picked 11th overall by Arizona in 2006. He won the 2013 AL Cy Young before twice winning the NL award (2016-17).Game 2 on Wednesday features 2011 AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, the second... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The starting rotations for the World Series between the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals are filled with former Cy Young winners and first-round draft picks.Game 1 featured a pair of starting pitchers who were first-round draft picks — and so will Game 2. Two of the hurlers were No. 1 overall selections.Gerrit Cole, a first-round pick both out of high school and then first overall out of college, was on the mound for the Houston Astros in the World Series opener Tuesday night against Washington. Three-time Cy Young winner and 2006 first-round pick Max Scherzer started for the Nationals.Cole was picked 28th overall by the New York Yankees in 2008 but opted to go to UCLA and was selected first overall by Pittsburgh three years later. Scherzer was picked 11th overall by Arizona in 2006. He won the 2013 AL Cy Young before twice winning the NL award (2016-17).Game 2 on Wednesday features 2011 AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, the second overall pick by Detroit in 2004... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The starting rotations for the World Series between the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals are filled with former Cy Young winners and first-round draft picks.Game 1 featured a pair of starting pitchers who were first-round draft picks — and so will Game 2. Two of the hurlers were No. 1 overall picks.Gerrit Cole, a first-round pick both out of high school and then first overall out of college, was on the mound for the Houston Astros in the World Series opener Tuesday night against Washington. Three-time Cy Young winner and 2006 first-round pick Max Scherzer started for the Nationals.Cole was picked 28th overall by the New York Yankees in 2008 but opted to go to UCLA and was selected first overall by Pittsburgh three years later. Scherzer was picked 11th overall by Arizona in 2006. He won the 2013 AL Cy Young before twice winning the NL award (2016-17).The second game Wednesday features 2011 AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, the second overall pick by Detroit in 2004... [More]

Oct. 211959 — The Major League Players Association approved two All-Star Games in 1960, to be held at Kansas City's Municipal Stadium and New York's Yankee Stadium.1973 — Bert Campaneris and Reggie Jackson hit two-run homers in the third inning as the Oakland A's defeated the New York Mets 5-2 in Game 7 of the World Series. It was the second straight World Championship for the A's.1975 — Carlton Fisk broke up one of the best games in World Series history with a homer in the 12th inning to give the Boston Red Sox a 7-6 victory against the Cincinnati Reds, forcing a seventh game.1976 — The Cincinnati Reds won the World Series in four games with a 7-2 victory over the New York Yankees. Johnny Bench had two home runs for five RBIs. It was the Reds' second straight championship and marked the first time a team had swept the playoffs and World Series.1980 — The Philadelphia Phillies became World Series champions for the first time in their 98-year history with a 4-1 triumph over the Kansas City... [More]

Oct. 201910 — Philadelphia's Jack Coombs, on one day of rest, had a complete-game victory to beat the Chicago Cubs 12-5 and give the Athletics a 3-0 lead in the World Series. Coombs also had three hits and drove in three runs in the game.1947 — The radio rights for the World Series sold for $475,000 for three years.1972 — In the fifth game of the World Series, Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds homered on the first pitch of the game from Oakland's Catfish Hunter, and the Reds went on to win 5-4.1973 — Reggie Jackson of Oakland had RBI doubles in the first and third innings to lead the A's to a 3-1 victory over the New York Mets and set up a seventh game in the World Series.1982 — The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-3 in Game 7 to win the World Series.1988 — Orel Hershiser pitched a four-hitter and Mickey Hatcher and Mike Davis hit two-run homers to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 5-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics and the World Series title in five games. Hershiser became... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An era is over, that's certain.Manager Bruce Bochy is retiring from the San Francisco Giants, and one of his top pitchers — Madison Bumgarner — might be gone, too. And that might just be the beginning in an offseason of change for the franchise.President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi begins his second offseason with the Giants and topping his list will be finding a manager to replace Bochy, who won three World Series titles during his 13-year Bay Area tenure. He went out with a surprise send-off in Sunday's 9-0 defeat to the Dodgers featuring dozens of former players on hand."So it was an emotional roller coaster going on the whole day," Bochy said. "This is a day I'll never forget."The 64-year-old Bochy, who guided the Giants to World Series championships in 2010, '12 and '14, finished 2,003-2,029 in 4,032 games as a manager over 25 seasons, the first 12 with San Diego before 13 in San Francisco. He went 1,052-1,054 with the Giants, who wound up 77-85 in his... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An era is over, that's certain.Manager Bruce Bochy is retiring from the San Francisco Giants, and one of his top pitchers — Madison Bumgarner — might be gone, too. And that might just be the beginning in an offseason of change for the franchise.President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi begins his second offseason with the Giants and topping his list will be finding a manager to replace Bochy, who won three World Series titles during his 13-year Bay Area tenure. He went out with a surprise send-off in Sunday's 9-0 defeat to the Dodgers featuring dozens of former players on hand."So it was an emotional roller coaster going on the whole day," Bochy said. "This is a day I'll never forget."The 64-year-old Bochy, who guided the Giants to World Series championships in 2010, '12 and '14, finished 2,003-2,029 in 4,032 games as a manager over 25 seasons, the first 12 with San Diego before 13 in San Francisco. He went 1,052-1,054 with the Giants, who wound up 77-85 in his... [More]

Sept. 151912 — Joe Wood of the Boston Red Sox pitched his 16th consecutive victory to tie Walter Johnson's record as he beat the St. Louis Browns 2-1.1938 — Brothers Lloyd and Paul Waner hit back-to-back homers for the Pittsburgh Pirates off Cliff Melton of the New York Giants. This was the only time brothers hit successive home runs in a major league game. It was Lloyd's last homer.1946 — The Brooklyn Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0 in five innings when the game was called because of gnats. The insects became such a problem for the players, umpires and fans that the game had to be stopped.1963 — All three Alou brothers — Felipe, Matty and Jesus — played in the outfield at the same time for the San Francisco Giants in a 13-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.1969 — St. Louis left-hander Steve Carlton struck out 19 Mets for a nine-inning game record. New York won the game 4-3 on two, two-run homers by Ron Swoboda.1979 — Bob Watson of the Red Sox became the first player to hit for the... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Pablo Sandoval grew teary at the thought he may never make another play for retiring manager Bruce Bochy, a father figure to the third baseman who resurrected his career during a second stint in San Francisco.Perhaps there's still a chance of another swing or two — if both man have their way, if Sandoval's ailing arm can handle it."He's like my dad, he always wants the best for me and he always cares about me. If he wants me to go out there and play I'll take one more at-bat for him," Sandoval said Saturday. "It's hard. He's one of the greatest managers I've ever played (for). Not being around playing the last few weeks of his career, it's tough, but thank God he gave me the opportunity to play nine years for him and do everything I can for him on the field and off the field. Being part of those three World Series is the most important thing we did together."Sandoval will undergo season-ending Tommy John reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. The procedure is... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Pablo Sandoval grew teary at the thought he may never make another play for retiring manager Bruce Bochy, a "father figure" to the third baseman who resurrected his career during a second stint in San Francisco.Perhaps there's still a chance of another swing or two — if both man have their way, if Sandoval's ailing arm can handle it."He's like my dad, he always wants the best for me and he always cares about me. If he wants me to go out there and play I'll take one more at-bat for him," Sandoval said. "It's hard. He's one of the greatest managers I've ever played (for). Not being around playing the last few weeks of his career, it's tough, but thank God he gave me the opportunity to play nine years for him and do everything I can for him on the field and off the field. Being part of those three World Series is the most important thing we did together."Sandoval will undergo season-ending Tommy John reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. The procedure is likely... [More]