Baseball

The Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox game Saturday night turned into a wild bench clearing melee after two opposing players got into a brawl in the middle of the field.

It all started in the sixth inning when Guardians slugger Jose Ramirez smacked a double, diving headfirst into second base before White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson tagged him.

Ramirez was clearly safe ... yet it didn't stop him from getting up and sticking his finger in Anderson's face. Unclear why Ramirez was so angry ... but things turned ugly after that.

Anderson threw his glove down and put his dukes up ready to fight. Ramirez squared off against him before the two started throwing punches at each other as both teams flooded the field from their dugouts.

Ramirez clocked Anderson in the face, knocking him on his butt. Their teammates jumped in and held them back, putting an end to the brief boxing match.

An umpire ejected both players from the game at Progressive Field in Cleveland. The hometown crowd shouted in support of Ramirez -- the Guardian's third baseman -- as he walked off the field.

New York Yankees star Domingo German -- who threw a perfect game earlier this season -- is heading to rehab for alcohol abuse, the team announced.

The Yankees said in a statement Wednesday the pitcher will be placed on the restricted list while he's away from the diamond. New York officials added the submission to the inpatient treatment program was voluntary.

"It is critical that Domingo completely focuses on addressing his health and well-being," the team said. "We will respect his privacy as he begins this process."

German had been having an up-and-down season before leaving the team Thursday ... while he threw a perfect game in June, he was also just 5-7 with a 4.56 ERA.

This is not the first time German will be away from the Yankees for a period of time ... you'll recall, the 30-year-old was also suspended 81 games in 2020 after MLB officials said he violated the league's domestic violence policy in 2019.

A baseball fan in Miami ran on the field during a Major League Baseball game and nearly got away with it ... leaving security in his dust as he hopped the fence from the field, reentering the stands, further eluding chasing security!

But, unfortunately for the athletic fan ... he was eventually captured by authorities.

The incident went down during the Marlins' 3-1 loss to the Phillies at LoanDepot Park Tuesday night ... when Bally Sports' Jeremy Tache spotted the fan making his getaway.

The video shows security chasing the unidentified fan near the outfield wall. Trapped, the fan hopped the tall outfield fence and made a mad dash up the stairs and through a stadium concourse.

The funniest part ... all the people rooting for the guy to get away! Despite the fan support, security eventually caught up with the man and he was captured.

Of course, "streakers" (though, this fan was wearing clothes) are common nowadays ... just last week, a guy rushed the field during the Wrexham vs. Manchester United game before getting tackled by security.

Earlier this year, a fan in a Star Wars mask showed his bare ass during a Texas A&M college baseball game before surrendering to university police.

The Cubs vs. White Sox game on Tuesday night was a bit of snooze ... but in the stands, it was anything but that -- 'cause several fans of both teams beat the hell out of each other during a wild melee.

The action actually happened inside of a suite at Guaranteed Rate Field as the Cubbies were rolling over their crosstown rival, 7-3, on the diamond ... and you can see, there were so many people involved in the rumble, it looked like a WWE match in the box.

Both men and women clad in Cubs and Sox jerseys were in the mix ... throwing punches and kicks with regularity.

At one point, one woman violently swung her foot into another's face three straight times.

Eventually, however, bystanders pulled the combatants away from each other -- and order was restored.

It's unclear if any arrests were made.

The Marlins will be on the hunt for a new third base coach for the next few weeks ... 'cause their current one, Jody Reed, suffered a broken leg after he was struck by a foul ball on Wednesday.

The painful moment all went down during Miami's game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium ... when Jesus Sanchez was in the batter's box taking hacks against Dakota Hudson.

At one point during the AB, Sanchez lined a pitch right at Reed ... and it hit the coach flush in the lower leg.

"Look out Jody Reed!" the game's announcer said after the baseball tagged him.

Reed tried to walk it off ... but he had to exit the contest due to the pain. Later in the evening, Marlins manager Skip Schumaker revealed tests showed Reed had fractured a bone.

"He's going to be down," the coach said. "I'm not sure how long, but he had X-rays and the doctor said it was broke, so we'll see how long he's out for, unfortunately."

Wiz Khalifa is getting ready to throw that high cheese when he takes the mound at the Pirates game ... 'cause the rapper says he's planning on being "stoned af" for the ceremonial first pitch.

The Pittsburgh native -- who's in town for his "High School Reunion" tour -- will do the honors before his hometown team hosts the Cleveland Guardians on Monday ... and he's got a perfectly on-brand strategy in place ahead of his big moment at PNC Park.

"Finna get stoned af and throw this first pitch at the pirates game," Wiz tweeted to his 36 million followers.

It may not just be ganja powering Wiz through the toss, though ... 'cause he also added, "Shroomed out throwin a baseball is crazy."

To prove he wasn't kidding (not like he needed to), Wiz also posted a picture of his supply ... showing two big jars of weed, as well as some mushrooms.

You could say Wiz is sorta paying homage to former pitcher Dock Ellis, who famously claimed to have thrown a no-hitter while high on LSD back in 1970!!

High or not, Wiz will still probably throw a better pitch than 50 Cent.

MLB legend Johnny Bench is sharing his regret after making an antisemitic comment about late Cincinnati Reds general manager Gabe Paul over the weekend ... admitting his words were "insensitive."

Several former Reds stars were in attendance to honor Paul's enshrinement in the franchise Hall of Fame on Saturday ... and at one point, Pete Rose made a comment about the Jewish executive's involvement in his first professional deal.

"When I got out of high school in 1960, Gabe Paul signed me to a contract for 400 bucks a month," Rose said ... to which Paul's daughter, Jennie replied, "That cheap ... never mind."

That's when Bench made his controversial comment ... adding, "He was Jewish."

Most of the crowd laughed at Bench's jab ... but the 2-time World Series champ later apologized for the comment.

"I apologized to Jennie for taking away from her father the full attention he deserves," Bench said. "Gabe Paul earned his place in the Reds Hall of Fame, same as the others who stood on that stage, I am sorry that some of the focus is on my inappropriate remark instead of solely on Gabe's achievement."

It's time to let Barry Bonds into Cooperstown ... at least according to David Justice -- who tells TMZ Sports the SF Giants legend should be a Hall of Famer.

"Barry Bonds is the baddest dude of my generation," the former Atlanta Braves All-Star said this week. "The baddest dude of my generation. Bar none. Bar none."

Of course, despite being arguably the best baseball player ever ... Bonds has been essentially blackballed from the HOF after he was accused of using performance enhancing drugs during his career.

Justice clearly thinks that's all a joke ... telling us out at Kimpton La Peer Hotel in Los Angeles he feels that subjective way of thinking shouldn't ever be a part of Hall of Fame voters' thought processes.

"They already let guys in already that have been -- that have had tests done," Justice said, "that people know or have a pretty good circumstantial evidence that they've already let in."

Bonds clearly agrees with Justice ... he went on the "Hollywood Swingin'" podcast this week and said he belongs in the Hall because he was never convicted of using steroids.

Justice, though, says Bonds deserves at least some blame for the yearly snub ... saying he thinks the 58-year-old should have made more of an effort to ingratiate himself with baseball media during his career.

Ronald Acuña Jr.'s "too small" chain he rocked before the All-Star Game was anything but that ... and TMZ Sports has learned the flashy piece is worth a whopping $145k in diamonds!!

The Atlanta Braves star certainly turned heads prior to his fourth ASG appearance on Tuesday ... rocking an all-pink 'fit with an iced-out mini version of himself doing his famous celebration around his neck.

Gabriel the Jeweler -- go-to guy for some of the biggest names in sports -- tells us the piece is made of 80 carats total ... and the one-of-a-kind accessory was designed in collaboration with Xample Brand, Acuña's agency.

We're told Xample likes to treat Acuña to a new chain for every ASG appearance ... with each one documenting a new characteristic of Ronald's game.

Of course, Acuña's known to do the "too small" gesture whenever he hits homers ... so this year's jewelry was a no-brainer.

The chain itself is Gucci style and composed of brilliant diamonds and baguettes ... and we're told Ronald's family was also gifted smaller versions of the piece as well.

"I am blessed to be selected to play in this year's All-Star Game, and thank everyone who supported me on this journey and believed in me," Acuña Jr. tells us.

Barry Bonds is patiently waiting for Cooperstown to unlock its doors and finally let him in ... saying he personally feels like he belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame, as he was never convicted of using steroids.

The home run king made a rare statement on his H.O.F. snub with the "Hollywood Swingin'" podcast this week ... saying he is bothered by the fact his own sport continues to hold a grudge when the court of law has vindicated him.

Of course, BB is widely considered one of, if not the greatest, athletes to ever step foot in the batter's box ... but his legacy was tarnished by allegations of using performance-enhancing drugs.

But, Barry says records are records, and MLB already punishes players when they break rules ... so he's upset that the baseball hall has decided to "double punish" people who have made mistakes at some point in their careers.

Bonds was convicted of obstruction of justice back in 2011 over his alleged use of PEDs ... but ultimately, the case was dropped.

Barry believes the sentence overturn should justify his place in the Hall ... and the media does not hold the higher ground when it comes to determining who should be regarded as the greats.

Barry -- who hit 762 home runs during his career -- was an MVP before anyone ever accused him of using 'roids ... and many believe he belongs in the Hall despite the scandal.

A fun day at the ballpark turned into a nightmare for one Home Run Derby volunteer on Monday night ... because as he was trying to help shag balls at the MLB's pre-All-Star Game event, he got drilled in the face by a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. line drive.

The scary incident happened during the final round of the showcase at T-Mobile Park in Seattle ... when Guerrero Jr. was trying to put up a big HR total to beat out Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena for the event's trophy.

The Toronto Blue Jays star came up hacking ... clearing the wall with one swing -- but on his next attempt, he got a little on top of the ball ... and smoked a 115 MPH frozen rope to left field.

One of the many younger aids who the league brought in to help corral baseballs attempted to catch it on the fly -- but it missed his glove, and hit him right in the forehead.

Immediately, the guy crumpled to the ground in pain.

One of the many spectators in the crowd told TMZ Sports ... trainers raced to tend to the young man, wrapping his head in a bandage before giving him what appeared to be an ice pack.

Further details regarding the status of the injured volunteer are unclear, however ... we've reached out to MLB officials for comment, but so far, no word back yet.

Zach LaVine's been at the center of near-constant trade speculation -- the Bulls star took out some of that frustration during a star-studded celebrity softball game, smashing a monster home run!

He flashed some leather, too ... robbing an HR in left field!

It all happened at MLB's 2023 All-Star Celebrity Softball Game in Seattle -- the site of the All-Star Game this weekend -- featuring stars like Joel McHale, Chloe Kim, Donovan Mitchell, Jennie Finch, Felix Hernandez, and Ryan Howard, amongst many more.

In the third inning, with Mariners legend Brett Boone on the mound, LaVine, a lefty, stepped to the plate and absolutely put a charge into one, hitting a bomb over the right-field softball fence.

Zach immediately knew the ball was gone ... he stood at the plate admiring his work, before tossing the bat, and beginning his home run trot.

Of course, softball fences are pushed in because the bigger ball's difficult to hit far. But, Zach hit the ball so hard, he nearly cleared the right field wall at T-Mobile Park.

Later in the game, LaVine showed he's more than just a bat.

Former Mariners star Mike Cameron was at the plate, and he drove a ball to deep left-center. Zach tracked the ball, and using every bit of his 6'5" frame, arm extended, caught it (sending center fielder Howie Mandel to the ground), robbing the home run.

LaVine wasn't the only NBA player showing out ... Cavs star Donovan Mitchell also hit a HR.

George Valera -- arguably the most touted prospect in the entire Cleveland Guardians farm system -- has found himself in some seriously hot water ... after he shoved an umpire during a game on Thursday night.

The wild scene all went down in the third inning of the Columbus Clippers' tilt against the Nashville Sound ... when Valera -- who was playing centerfield for the Clips -- stepped into the box for his second at-bat of the night.

Broadcast video from the game shows during the middle of the AB -- Valera appeared to take exception to something Sound catcher Alex Jackson said ... and he confronted him about it, halting play.

The two then got so heated, the home plate ump tried to intervene -- but that didn't stop Valera from sticking his finger in Jackson's mask. A few moments later, Valera pushed the ump in what seemed to be an effort to get to Jackson.

The shove ignited an all-out brawl on the field ... as both benches cleared to back their guys. Pushing and shoving then ensued -- before, thankfully, cooler heads prevailed.

Both Valera and Jackson ended up getting thrown out of the game over it all. It's unclear if Valera will face further punishment for putting his hands on an ump.

Scary scene during the Yankees vs. Orioles game Wednesday night ... a cameraman was drilled in the forehead by an errant throw -- and the baseball did so much damage, the guy had to spend the evening in the hospital.

It happened during the fifth inning ... when Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson hurried a throw to first base in an attempt to get Anthony Volpe out.

The toss, though, sailed high on the Baltimore rookie ... and it ended up going into a dugout where YES Network cameraman Pete Stendel had been filming.

Video from the game's broadcast shows the baseball caught Stendel flush ... and he immediately crumpled to the ground in pain. Trainers rushed over to help him -- before they strapped him to a backboard and took him away from the field.

Stendel was able to give the crowd a wave while he was being transferred out of the stadium ... and, fortunately, YES Network officials said later in the evening he was conscious while he undergoing further examination at a local medical facility.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone, meanwhile, said after the game the whole thing was horrifying.

"Definitely praying for him," Boone said following NY's 6-3 loss. "It was good to see him, obviously, coherent and obviously raising his hand going off."

Get well soon, Pete.

The 2023 Home Run Derby champion will be walking away with a whole lot more than bragging rights next week ... they'll be getting a sweet new chain, too!!

The MLB revealed on Wednesday it's giving the event's winner some bling for the second straight season -- and this year's iteration of the jewelry is awesome.

According to the league, it weighs three pounds and features over 1,000 stones.

It also has a centerpiece made of recycled glass and 75 carats of white and yellow Swarovski Crystal embellishments. And, get this, the center even spins!!!

There will be eight guys gunning for it on Monday night at T-Mobile Park in Seattle -- Luis Robert, Pete Alonso, Mookie Betts, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Adolis Garcia, Randy Arozarena, Julio Rodriguez and Adley Rutschman.

Last year's winner, Juan Soto, will not be involved -- but he sure seemed to enjoy the 2022 version of the drip after he locked it all up at Dodger Stadium.

There will be two versions of Oneil Cruz out on the diamond when the Pirates star makes his return later this season ... TMZ Sports has learned he just got a few new tattoos put on his body -- including one of himself!!

We're told the Pittsburgh shortstop -- who's been out since April while dealing with a broken leg -- wanted to commemorate his meteoric first few seasons in the Big Leagues with some tats ... so he hit up Jaime Ortiz to get the art put down.

The 24-year-old baseball player -- regarded as one of the brightest young stars in the sport -- sought to get a photo of himself, a lion, and an MLB ball ... and Ortiz certainly delivered.

Check out the images -- the super realistic lion and the tat of Ortiz sit side by side on Cruz's (ultra valuable!) right shoulder. The photo of the baseball, meanwhile, was placed on one of his forearms.

Ortiz, a Zen Ink Tattoos artist, tells us ... Cruz wanted the lion because it symbolizes leadership and being a protector -- while maintaining humility at the same time. The image of Cruz in a Pirates jersey, Ortiz said, represents a reminder of his roots and his prime.

As for the baseball, Ortiz tells us that was "all about his passion to the game!"

"It describes it all by itself," he added.

Cruz sat for 14 hours over two days to get it all done ... and he was clearly thrilled with the end result, posting it to his social media page earlier this week.