Baseball

The walk-off Grand Slam baseball that Jason Giambi blasted into the Yankee Stadium bleachers in 2002 -- his first huge moment as part of the Bronx Bombers -- just hit the auction block!

Baseball fans will remember. Giambi was fresh off inking a deal that despite sounding like a downright bargain in 2025, was huge in the early 2000s (7 years, $120 million). The Yanks new slugger wasn't slumping to start the long season, but wasn't exactly off to a hot start, either.

It was May 17, 2002, and the Twins were in NYC to face the Yankees. Bernie Williams hit a game-tying, solo homer in the 9th to push the game to extra innings.

Politics ain't the only thing Johnny Damon and Donald Trump agree on ... the former MLB star tells TMZ Sports POTUS is right when it comes to Pete Rose's Hall of Fame candidacy as well.

Trump took to his Truth Social page on Friday night to demand MLB "get off its fat, lazy ass" and put Rose into Cooperstown ... and when we spoke with Damon about the opinion on Monday, he told us he concurred.

The ex-Red Sox outfielder -- who actually served on the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition during Trump's first term in D.C. -- said the game's climate has changed so much since Rose was first given a perma-ban for gambling on baseball that he now thinks it's about time to get the MLB's Hit King into the HOF.

A special piece of Jackie Robinson memorabilia is about to hit auction ... and TMZ Sports has learned it could fetch over $400K!!

The 1948 Leaf card is regarded as Robinson's true rookie card ... and Heritage Auction has acquired one of only eight that has received a "superior assessment."

The card has an image of Robinson wearing his Brooklyn Dodgers cap in front of a yellow background ... and it's graded a PSA NM-MT 8.

Former Milwaukee Brewer Willy Adames faced off against his old squad for the first time since legendary broadcaster Bob Uecker's death on Friday ... and after the game, he opened up on just how much the loss affected him.

The shortstop spoke with the media following the Giants' 9-2 win at Spring Training ... and he was clearly emotional talking about the commentator.

Adames said he was hoping to attend Uecker's funeral ... but wasn't able to as his family elected to keep it private.

A sight for sore eyes in the Chicago Cubs fanbase -- Sammy Sosa is back wandering the team's dugout 21 years after he was exiled from the organization.

The 56-year-old was in attendance for the Cubs' Spring Training tilt against the Arizona Diamondbacks ... where he was spotted chatting with current members of the squad.

"I'm happy to see everyone," he told the broadcast. "Happy to be here. I also want to say thank you to the Rickett family for bringing me here. Jed Hoyer, the [General Manager] and Craig Counsell, which has been great to me."

Cleveland Guardians owner Larry Dolan has died at 94 years old, the team announced on Monday.

Dolan -- a northeast Ohio native -- purchased the franchise back in February 2000 ... kickstarting the longest and most successful ownership tenure in the organization's history.

Dolan played sports while attending St. Ignatius High School ... and attended the University of Notre Dame before serving in the United States Marine Corps.

Alex Rodriguez proved he's a baller on the baseball diamond and the hardwood ... 'cause he tossed up a shot Sunday from halfcourt and made it -- helping out one lucky student in the process.

The former Yankees third baseman was in attendance to watch Army take on Bucknell University Saturday afternoon in basketball ... and, during halftime he was invited to take a huge shot from the middle of the floor.

Check out the vid ... A-Rod -- clad in a bright orange Bucknell t-shirt -- tosses the ball up, hits the backboard and the ball goes straight through the hoop.

Travis Scott made an appearance in Florida over the weekend to throw out the first pitch for the Houston Astros at opening day of Spring Training ... and he brought some sick gifts with him.

The rapper was on hand at CACTI Park in West Palm Beach on Saturday where the Astros faced off against the Washington Nationals during spring training opening day. In case you didn't know, last year, TS gained the naming rights to Cacti Park.

Travis came with gifts in hand because he gave the first 2,000 fans at the stadium a Travis Scott limited edition bobblehead designed with Trav's signature style.

Sure, it might not be as valuable as the T206 Honus Wagner or a 1956 Mickey Mantle, but Topps' '25 signed Larry David card, which just sold for over 10 racks at auction, is MUCH COOLER!

The one-of-one card features a photo of the "Seinfeld" creator and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star from a classic episode of 'Curb,' "Mister Softee" ... where David's wearing his "Yari’s Autonomics" softball uniform (very apropos).

Fans of the show will remember Larry making a Bill Buckner-type error, costing Yari's the championship.

Sorry, ladies of Los Angeles -- new Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki is off the market ... revealing he's a married man!!

The right-handed pitcher shared the personal news on his Instagram ... saying, "I recently registered my marriage with a non-celebrity woman."

"It's a new start both in my personal and professional life, and I'm full of hope and anxiety,
but we'll work hard together as a couple, so I hope you'll continue to support us."

The New York Yankees shocked the baseball world on Friday -- the team dropped their longstanding facial hair ban ... paving the way for players to grow out their beards!!!

Team owner Hal Steinbrenner made the announcement a few minutes ago, saying he has recently spoken with current and former Yankees regarding the organizational longstanding policy AGAINST beards.

"Ultimately the final decision rests with me, and after great consideration, we will be amending our expectations to our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards going forward," Hal said.

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Scott Sauerbeck has died at the age of 53, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Thursday.

Details surrounding his passing have not been revealed.

Sauerbeck was selected by the New York Mets in the 23rd round of the 1994 draft. After spending time in New York's farm system, Pittsburgh then scooped up the Miami University (Ohio) product as part of the Rule 5 Draft in 1998.

Juan Soto's only been a Met for a few weeks, but he's already proving he's a helluva teammate ... as he just thanked Brett Baty for a kind gesture -- with a new car!!

Baty gave up his No. 22 jersey to Soto after the outfielder inked a massive 15-year, $765 million with New York in December ... and on Thursday, Soto surprised the 25-year-old with a Chevy Tahoe as an expression of gratitude.

The ride featured "Thanks For #22" written on the back ... and when Baty saw it, he was in love.

The world has finally found something Shohei Ohtani is mediocre at ... parallel parking!!

Check out video TMZ Sports obtained of the Dodgers superstar trying to land his Porsche tight to a curb on Monday night -- it's quite the show.

The Los Angeles pitcher and designated hitter was on his way to attend an eating contest with some of his teammates at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Glendale, Ariz. ... but it took him around a minute to get his ride into a space near the establishment.

MLB legend Wade Boggs took home a win bigger than any in his career ... as the 66-year-old rang the ceremonial bell in honor of beating prostate cancer!!

Boggs posted the special moment to his X account Monday morning ... showing him celebrating the victory in his cancer journey while "Smoke On the Water" by Deep Purple played in the background.

The 1996 World Series Champion was first diagnosed back in September 2024 ... making the announcement by posting a photo of a patient's guide to prostate cancer.

The feud between Patrick Mahomes Sr. and John Rocker clearly didn't end after they were separated on Bourbon St. last week ... as the two spent most of their Tuesday nights hurling insults at one another.

The barbs came just a few hours after video of the guys getting in a heated shouting match in New Orleans went viral.

First, it was Rocker who stated he wished he had "ruined" Mahomes' "bulls*** weekend even more" by punching him during their dust-up. Then it was Mahomes Sr. replying that he wanted Rocker to "keep my name out your loud mouth."