Baseball

Justin Verlander's World Series ring nearly came with a $1 MILLION price tag ... 'cause an L.A. restaurant (jokingly) hit him with a HUGE "Dodger Killer" fee!!

The Astros ace -- who crushed L.A. in the World Series last year -- was dining at The Cabana Cafe in Bev Hills when, to his surprise, THE BILL CAME OUT TO OVER A MILLION DOLLARS!!

As Verlander read over the receipt, though ... it became clear to him, he just got punk'd.

"Beverly Hills Hotel really making me pay for that World Series win 😂😂," Verlander said of the massive charge.

"Thanks for the great lunch as always!"

As for why Verlander's grubbin' in L.A. this weekend ... he's in town for a series with the Angels.

So, rest easy, Dodgers fans ... for now.

Derek Holland has issued an apology for doing an insensitive Asian impression on an MLB talk show ... saying, "It's embarrassing what I did."

The San Francisco Giants pitcher went on MLB Network's "Intentional Talk" on Wednesday and brought along Giants staffer Haro Ogawa to be his "hype man."

Yet throughout the interview ... Holland solely used Haro as a prop for the offensive jokes ... including using an Asian accent and several martial arts-style bows.

After the Giants' win over the Mets on Thursday, Holland apologized vehemently for the offensive bit.

"I want to be held accountable for everything I've done and caused with all of this," Holland said.

"It's embarrassing what I did. I was just trying to have some fun. Haro and I just entertaining and just trying to take it to a different level and make the interview a little more exciting and I obviously crossed the line with that."

"Whatever I have to do to take care of the situation, I will do it."

Holland -- who also said he apologized personally to Ogawa and Japanese bullpen catcher Taira Uematsu -- made sure to tell reporters the act was solely his idea.

Mike Trout is opening up on the passing of his brother-in-law ... saying, "You brought so much happiness and joy to my life every time I was with you."

The best player in baseball stepped away from the Angels a week and a half ago to mourn the loss of his wife's 24-year-old brother, Aaron Cox -- who was a former baseball player himself.

No details on the death have been given ... but Trout's message Thursday emphasized how much Aaron meant to the two-time MVP.

"Aaron, words can’t describe the emotions that I’ve been feeling the past week and a half. You were more than just my brother-in-law... you were my best friend," Trout wrote.

"You made such an impact on my life since the day I first met you. You were an amazing person inside & out that showed us all how to live life to the fullest. Seeing and hearing about your impact on other people are all things that made me a better person every single day."

Trout says the two shared plenty of memories together ... including hunting, golfing and fishing trips.

"You were a great kid and it kills me to know that you are gone... I can’t thank you enough for what you have meant to me over these last 11 years. I know you will be watching over me now that you are gone, I promise to take care of your sister and watch over your whole family."

"Heaven got a great one and I know I will see you again someday... I love you bro!!!!"

You can tell who won the Dodgers vs. Cardinals game just by looking at Jon Hamm and Jason Bateman.

Hamm -- easily one of the biggest Cards superfans on the planet -- had a front row seat for St. Louis' 5-2 win over Bateman's Dodgers on Tuesday ... and he made sure J.B. never heard the end of it.

The Dodgers are currently in a tight race for the playoffs ... but have lost 7 of their last 10 games (which might explain why Bateman looks like he just saw a dog get hit by a car).

It wasn't all sadness for Bateman, though ... at least he got to see Manny Machado hit a dinger.

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez continued their PDA-fest after the MTV VMAs ... dancing on each other at a NY hot spot and TMZ Sports has the video!

J Lo was honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the show -- one of the biggest moments of the night.

Lopez performed a medley of hits including "Ain't It Funny" and "I'm Real" with Ja Rule -- while A-Rod watched gleefully from the crowd.

In fact, there was a hilarious gif of Alex's face lighting up as he watched J Lo twerk her ass off during the performance.

After the show, the couple hit up Beauty and Essex in New York City -- where they continued to dance the night away together while the DJ played some of Jen's hits ... along with other hip-hop classics.

Lopez even rapped along to a Cardi B song while the crowd cheered her on.

Winning the MJ Video Vanguard Award is a big deal -- J Lo now joins an elite group with the likes of David Bowie, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Rihanna, Janet Jackson and more.

Jenny arrived to the show with her two kids -- but put them to bed before she hit the after-party.

Hey, mama's gotta let loose!

Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria was transported to a hospital in Minnesota on Monday after falling ill at Target Stadium ... but he appears to be okay.

Renteria and the Sox were gearing up to play the Twins on Monday when Rick began to feel lightheaded, according to the AP.

The team didn't mess around -- and the 56-year-old was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment.

The good news ... the team told the AP preliminary test results are good and he doesn't appear to be in danger.

In the meantime, Joe McEwing will take over for Renteria.

It's a tight race in the NL West ... but Eric Karros says he's 100% convinced the Dodgers will scrap together a late season push and make the playoffs.

Also, he's super biased.

Karros -- the L.A. Dodgers' all-time home run leader -- has been involved with the Dodgers organization since 1991. So, he bleeds Dodger Blue, but he also knows when a team is doomed.

So, with the Dodgers currently 1.5 games out of the NL Wild Card spot with only 37 games left in the season ... and only winning 4 out of the last 10 games ... we asked if it's time to stick a fork in 'em.

Here's something you don't see everyday ... a nun that could probably come out of the bullpen for the White Sox if she tightened up her curve ball.

Sister Mary Jo Sobiek of Marian Catholic High School was tasked with throwing out the first pitch Saturday at Guaranteed Rate Field in honor of her institution. Perhaps to everyone's surprise ... she dished out a wicked toss from the mound to kick off the game.

It wasn't just the pitch that impressed ... Sister Mary Jo also had a nice little arm trick up her sleeve -- knocking the ball off the inside of her elbow and catching it again. BADASS!!!!

Sadly, the Sox couldn't ride SMJ's coattails to a win -- they ended up losing to the Kansas City Royals, who are last place in their division. At least we got a nice follow-up sister act in Chicago though!

We spotted NY Yankees legend David Wells out in NYC -- and asked if he had any advice for Luis Severino, the Yankees ace who's been struggling recently.

Wells told us he doesn't watch much baseball these days ... but did drop a few pearls of wisdom for the 24-year-old fireballer.

"S**t happens when you struggle ... find a way out of it!"

The clip is pretty great ... Wells talks locker room stories, golf and even gives props to our photog for dodging obstacles in the street.

Eddie George is singing the praises of his new boss -- saying it was a PLEASURE starring in Tim Tebow's new movie ... and he thinks the guy could win an Oscar one day.

FYI, Eddie is one of the main roles in "Run the Race" -- a story about two brothers who use sports to overcome personal tragedies in their lives.

It's a faith-based, feel-good story -- so, it's perfect for Tim Tebow who produced the flick with his brother, Robby Tebow.

Eddie -- who plays a college recruiter in the movie -- says the Tebows did a "tremendous job" behind the scenes and show real promise when it comes to the business side of movie making.

"There's no limit to what [Tim] can do ... who knows, he could write a story that could win him an Oscar one day!"

The Padres might suck ... but here's something about the team that doesn't -- Craig Stammen's epic Trevor Hoffman socks!!

The team's honoring its newest Hall of Famer this weekend with a statue and a bunch of cool Hoffman giveaways ... but Craig got an early jump on the celebration with some heat on his feet.

The socks feature the Padres' legendary closer mid-windup, surrounded by flames -- which is appropriate, since the dude's walk-up song WAS "Hells Bells."

FYI -- Stance makes the gear -- and a pair goes for about $20 ... but looks like they're only available at Petco Park's team store.

As for Craig ... he threw a perfect, 7-pitch eighth inning ... but, of course, the Pads still lost.

Still no birthday sex for Tim Tebow ... but the former Heisman Trophy winner got the next best thing for his 31st -- best wishes from the hottest chick in the galaxy!!

Of course ... Tim's been dating Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters -- aka Miss Universe 2017 -- for a while ... and FINALLY, Demi made it Insta official, with DLNP wishing Tim a happy birthday Tuesday.

"Happy Birthday Timmy ❤️," she wrote.

"You are such a bright light in so many people’s lives. Have the best day ever!"

Tim's been smitten with the 23-year-old South African for quite a bit ... telling ESPN back in July, "She is a really special girl and I am very lucky and blessed for her coming into my life."

Seems like an engagement COULD be coming ... which means for Timmy's next birthday, maybe he'll finally get to cross home plate!

Great news for Leonys Martin ... the Cleveland Indians outfielder is expected to make a full recovery just days after being hospitalized with a life-threatening bacterial infection.

Martin was placed on the 10-day disabled list last week after falling ill. He complained that he wasn't feeling well, but clearly didn't know the seriousness of the situation at the time. Doctors later discovered Martin had a bacterial infection that had entered his bloodstream and was causing his organs to shut down.

The Tribe released an update on Martin's health on Tuesday ... saying he's "made considerable progress and is currently in stable condition."

"The medical team is optimistic that he will make a full recovery, but progress is expected to be slow," the team says.

"The collective focus is to help Leonys return to full health, and there have been no considerations regarding a timeline for his return to baseball activities."

Ex-MLB All-Star pitcher Esteban Loaiza has formally pled guilty to felony cocaine possession with intent to distribute and now faces up to life in prison.

As we previously reported, the 46-year-old was arrested in San Diego back in February after officials said he was trying to move more than $500,000 in cocaine from a house located near a school.

Officials say Loaiza was using "sophisticated" smuggling devices to hide the 22 kilos of coke.

He initially pled not guilty -- but changed his plea. On Friday, he appeared in a San Diego federal courtroom to plead guilty to the charge.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 2 -- and he could face up to life in prison with a minimum of 10 years. He could also be deported to Mexico.

"Will & Grace" star Leslie Jordan is calling for people to FORGIVE Brewers pitcher Josh Hader for his homophobic and racist tweets ... saying everyone's guilty of saying dumb things when they're young.

Hader was booed in San Francisco Thursday night over the tweets he posted in 2011 -- when he was 17 years old. The tweets included the n-word and very anti-gay rhetoric.

He later apologized, saying he was "immature" and has changed since then.

But, Jordan -- who's openly gay -- says the whole situation is "silly" because you can't define people by what they do at age 17. In fact, Jordan says he was an alcoholic as a teenager and couldn't imagine the things he would have posted if Twitter was around back then.

Get your betting slips ready ... 'cause Thomas John has had a premonition -- and it's about to make the Red Sox, Dodgers and degenerates VERY happy.

We got the "Seatbelt Psychic" star at Craig's and asked him for anything that could possibly make us money.

That's when he revealed those from the afterlife (or the clouds or the tea leaves or wherever) are telling him to BET ON L.A. AND BOSTON TO MAKE THE WORLD SERIES!!

"I feel Red Sox and Dodgers in there," Thomas says.

There's more ... John also tells us the spirits are sending him a lot of "good energy" when it comes to Johnny Manziel.