Baseball

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred doesn't seem to think there will be any issues with the World Series champs visiting Trump's White House after the season ... despite all sorts of evidence to the contrary.

Here's what Manfred told the media before Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday.

"I think as an institution, Major League Baseball has always had the greatest respect for the office of the presidency. That doesn’t change, no matter who’s there."

He continued, "Often we’ve had situations where individuals, players, whatever, don’t agree with all of the policies of the individual that occupies the office. I think the important thing is respect for the office.”

Wishful thinking but probably not realistic ... as Red Sox manager Alex Cora has expressed displeasure with Trump just last month for "disrespecting" his native Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

"To be tweeting about 3,000 people [dying] and being efficient, it's actually disrespectful for my country," Cora said. "We see it that way. I know he probably doesn't feel that way."

On the Dodgers side, Magic Johnson HATES Trump -- and has previously compared him to a "dictator."

So, no drama? Yeah right ...

The Boys in Blue were looking out for the Boys in Blue during Game 1 of the World Series -- check out the heavy LAPD presence in front of Yasiel Puig's home on Tuesday!

As we previously reported, cops had reached out to several Dodgers players to help make sure their homes were protected during the series -- unlike last year when Puig's home was burglarized during Game 7.

Cops believe Puig -- and several other high-profile people -- were targeted by a burglary ring that knew when Yasiel (and others) would be out of their homes.

So, this time ... with Puig and the Dodgers in Boston, the LAPD sent a few units to Yasiel's house to make sure the bad guys know they ain't playin' around this time!

As a diehard Yankee fan -- Michael Rapaport has a message for Red Sox nation before Game 1 of the World Series ... "KISS MY ASS!"

Here's why ...

"Listen, I grew up a Yankee fan hating the Dodgers, hating Rick Monday, hating Steve Garvey and his butt nose. That being said, I can not stand the Boston Red Sox. I want the Dodgers to kick their ass."

"I can't stand Big Papi, Pedro Martinez, Carl Yastrzemski, Jim Rice -- they can all kiss my ass," Mike added.

So, in conclusion ... Rap says he's "rocking with the Dodgers and Magic Johnson 150 percent."

One last shot -- "They should knock down Fenway Park and rebuild it!"

The LAPD has reached out to several L.A. Dodgers stars -- including Yasiel Puig, Justin Turner and Clayton Kershaw -- to make sure their homes are protected during the World Series ... unlike last year.

Remember, Puig's home was hit by burglars during Game 7 of the 2017 World Series -- and cops have said the suspects specifically targeted the place because they knew he'd be at Dodger Stadium at the time.

L.A. Rams wide receiver Robert Woods was also hit by burglars during a Rams game this year -- cops believe the suspects are the same crew of burglars that hit Puig.

Even though cops made multiple arrests, they still believe some of the suspects are on the loose, and they're concerned about copycats and other crime crews. Bottom line -- they don't want to take any chances this time around.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... LAPD officials have reached out to MLB security, agents for the players, personal assistants and other personnel in the hopes of protecting the homes of Dodgers players and staffers.

We're told cops are working with the players to make sure home security systems are up to snuff and, in some cases, additional security personnel are watching their houses.

And, cops will continue to make extra patrols in the neighborhoods where the players live.

Thomas John -- the famous psychic who correctly predicted the World Series teams back in July -- is taking his gift one step further ... predicting the WINNER. And, it's bad news for L.A. fans.

Remember, when John made his prediction back in July, the Dodgers were in 3rd place in the NL West behind the Diamondbacks and the Rockies. It was a tight race and the Dodgers were definitely not a lock for the playoffs at the time.

But, he assured us the Dodgers and Red Sox would make the Series -- and he was right.

So, when we saw the "Seatbelt Psychic" star at Avra in Bev Hills Monday we asked for his World Series winner prediction and he came through with the answer from beyond!

We also mined for info about the Super Bowl -- and that's when John had even MORE good news for Boston fans.

Tom Brady says when the Red Sox beat L.A. in the World Series ... it'll be doubly sweet for him -- 'cause the Patriots legend says he freakin' LOATHES the Dodgers!!!

Tom made the revelation Monday on the "Kirk & Callahan" show on WEEI ... saying, because he grew up a Giants fan in the Bay Area -- he's always hated the Dodgers.

In fact ... when Brady was asked which L.A. player he disliked the most -- the QB said the list is MASSIVE!!

"There was a lot of them, oh my God."

But ... Tom admits Fernando Valenzuela was Brady Enemy No. 1.

As for this World Series ... doesn't seem to be much doubt in Tom's mind that Boston will be celebrating once the final out is recorded.

"It couldn't set up any better for the Red Sox to win the World Series and I think they're going to do it."

Sorry, Dodgers fans -- it ain't gonna happen ... the Dodgers will LOSE to the Red Sox in the World Series, in part because Clayton Kershaw's no Sandy Koufax ... so says Ben Shapiro.

The conservative firebrand is also a die-hard baseball fan -- and even though he's from L.A., the 34-year-old tells us he's rooting for the Red Sox because of his Boston connection.

Fun Fact: Shapiro went to law school at Harvard where he graduated cum laude in 2007.

As for Kershaw, Shapiro says he likes the pitcher -- but doesn't have a lot of confidence based on previous disastrous playoff outings.

So, what's Kershaw's legacy?

If he doesn't get it done this year, Shapiro says he'll go down as the greatest REGULAR season left-hander of all time.

Derek Jeter ain't got time to sit on a throne anymore -- dude DOES have a baseball team to run these days -- so now you can ... if you've got NEARLY $15 MILLION LAYING AROUND!!!

The Yankees legend is parting ways with an 11,000-square-foot castle in New York that he used as a summer vacation home when he was a kid.

It used to belong to his grandpa ... but Jeter bought the Greenwood Lake place way back in 2002 -- 'cause, well, it's a dope castle.

Jeets is pretty busy now as a part-owner of the Miami Marlins ... and he says he just doesn't have time for the 6-bedroom, 4-kitchen palace anymore -- so it can be all yours, for a pretty penny.

Derek's asking for $14.75 MILLION, according to TopTenRealEstateDeals.com ... and if you wanna know what you get for that -- it comes with a game room, a sunroom, a gym, a bar -- AND A TURRET!!!

Before Curtis Granderson steps into the batter's box Friday night ... he needed a visit to the dentist's chair -- 'cause dude JACKED UP his tooth sliding into second base Wednesday!!

You'll remember ... The Grandy Man legged out a double in the 9th inning of the Brewers' Game 5 loss to the Dodgers -- and his helmet whacked him square in the mug on the slide.

Curtis ended up with a fat lip AND a broken front tooth to go along with the L ... and even said afterward the chipped piece got STUCK IN HIS LIP!!!

BUT ... the story has a happy ending -- 'cause Curtis hit up Mykleby & Thao Family Dentistry in Wauwatosa before Friday night's first pitch ... and he's cheesin' like normal now.

The smile might be fleeting, though ... Milwaukee's on the verge of elimination.

The Boston Red Sox had a locker room rager for the record books after clinching a World Series berth on Thursday ... dousing each other in beer and champagne ... and the video is insane!!

The BoSox just knocked the Houston Astros outta the playoffs with a 4-1 win to close out the ALCS last night ... and celebrated their Fall Classic with champagne showers of epic proportions.

Craig Kimbrel set the mood for the boys ... declaring, "You're too dry!!" before drenching his teammates with bubbly.

Seriously -- watch the video and tell us we're overreacting. This is wild and we wish we were a part of it.

Next up for the Sox -- either the Dodgers or Brewers, depending on who wins this weekend.

By the way, we spoke with "Seatbelt Psychic" star Thomas John BACK IN JULY -- and he predicted Red Sox vs. Dodgers in the World Series.

Now, he's ONE GAME AWAY FROM BEING RIGHT! PSYCHICS ARE REALLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!

How does the Dodgers' best hitter celebrate a massive playoff win???

Hit up one of the most expensive restaurants in town, baby!!!

TMZ Sports got Manny Machado leaving a fancy steak dinner at Mastro's in Bev Hills ... just hours after he helped L.A. take down the Brewers, 5-2.

Manny was livin' it up ... posing for pics, signing a few autographs and looking stoked to be heading back to Milwaukee, needing just one win to advance to the World Series.

As for the drama Machado's been entangled in throughout the series ... we asked if the beanball he took Wednesday will end the drama. His response, "I don't know."

If the Yankees can't win, Giancarlo Stanton doesn't want ANYONE to win -- joking with TMZ Sports that when it comes to the World Series he's "rooting for a draw."

Obviously, he was just kidding -- and told us the most important thing is for the World Series to be competitive.

Now that the Yanks are out of the playoffs, Stanton has returned to Hollywood where he spent his Wednesday night hanging at Warwick nightclub.

Stanton did everything right on his way out of the club -- taking pics with fans and signing photos.

And the best part ... after the club, he got into a waiting ride where a sober driver took him home.

Here's Dodgers president Stan Kasten (jokingly) LYING TO OUR FACE about Clayton Kershaw -- saying he's not focused on getting a new deal done with the pitcher -- but that's okay, we know what's really going on.

Kershaw has 10 days after the World Series to decide if he'll opt out of the remaining 2 years of his $215 MILLION deal with the Dodgers ... and insists he hasn't made up his mind yet.

So, when we saw Kasten after Game 5 of the NLCS, we had to ask what the plan is to keep Kershaw in Dodgers Blue next season.

"I have no time to think about it because we're 1 game from the World Series," Kasten told our guy.

THAT'S NOT TRUE, STAN, AND YOU KNOW IT!!

It's cool, we know you can't really spill the beans -- but how about you use all of those professional looking folders and papers under your arm to lock up Kershaw, baby?!

Call this career homer No. 261 ... 'cause Derek Jeter just blasted the Marlins' center-field sculpture straight outta the park in Miami -- all because he absolutely despised it.

D.J. bought the Marlins back in 2017 ... and in his efforts to wash the stench of losing off the squad -- he's been battling to punt the obnoxious outfield piece of art.

In case you might not understand why ... it's a 7-story feature of fish, flamingos, lights and water -- and it all goes crazy after the Marlins' (not so many) taters.

Yeah, doesn't exactly scream winning baseball.

So, D.J.'s fought hard to get rid of it ... and finally, on Tuesday, he won permission from the county to boot the thing squarely outta sight.

The team says it's moving the piece outside the stadium ... and in its place will be an entertainment area where fans can stand and catch the game. Pretty cool, right??

As for Jeter ... he's refused to go on record with his distaste for the statue, but did say of it recently, "It's big. Yeah. It's big. It's big."

Kike Hernandez is trying to win back Dodger fans -- with a dick joke.

After partially blaming the fans for not bringing enough "energy" to Dodger Stadium on Monday -- when they got routed by the Brewers -- Kike has issued a statement trying to unite the base.

"The truth is, I suffer from ED," the Dodgers OF wrote ... "I think a lot of us suffer from it from time to time. So tonight, let’s all bring it. We can conquer Energy Deficiency together."

GET IT?! E.D. means Energy Deficiency! It's funny 'cause he wanted you to think Erectile Dysfunction!

Are you LOLing yet?

Don't worry, Kike followed with a more serious statement minutes later.

"On a serious note, I'd like to apologize to all who thought that I was blaming the fans for last night," Kike wrote in a 4-paragraph note. "That's not what I said nor will I EVER say such thing!"

"What I said last night doesn't portray the way I truly feel about you guys! You guys are the best fans in baseball ... I love you guys and I'll never stop being grateful for the way that you have embraced the weirdo that I am!"

Having trouble getting through to millennials?! You're not alone.

Just ask ex-Chicago Cubs hitting coach Chili Davis, who says he just got FIRED because those damn kids just wouldn't listen!!!

58-year-old Davis was a STUD back in the day -- a 3-time All-Star with 3 World Series rings on his resume and a lifetime average of .274. Not too shabby!

But, the Cubs sent him packing on Monday after just 1 season with the team -- and Davis says he thinks he knows why.

"I guess I need to make some adjustments in the way I deliver my message to the millennial players now," Davis told the Chicago Sun-Times.

"I need to make those adjustments for the next job I get, if there is one."

Davis didn't call out any of the young players by name -- but says there were "multiple players there I didn't connect with" -- and notes he's learned what to look out for before taking his next job.

"I learned that the next situation I get in, before I say yes to a job, I need to make sure I know the personnel I’ll be dealing with in the clubhouse."