Baseball

Robinson Cano's 42 years old, but he's adamant he could still be effective in the MLB ... telling TMZ Sports he could "for sure" still get some knocks in the Big Leagues.

The former New York Yankees superstar hasn't logged an official at-bat in The Show since the 2022 season, although when we asked him this week if he still believes he has pro juice left in him ... he didn't mince words.

"Oh," he said with a smile. "For sure. For sure! Yes!"

Ippei Mizuhara was officially sentenced to 57 months in prison on Thursday ... after fessing up to swindling millions from Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Mizuhara's fate was determined in a Santa Ana, California court just minutes ago -- not only has he been sentenced to four years and some change behind bars, but he was also ordered to pay $18 million in restitution -- nearly $17 million to Ohtani and another $1.1 million to the IRS.

The former Angels and Dodgers employee pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of tax fraud back in June 2024 ... owning up to taking the money from Ohtani's bank account to clear his debts with bettors.

Aaron Judge ain't just a two-time MVP and a six-time All-Star ... he's now a dad!!!

The New York Yankees slugger announced Wednesday his wife, Samantha, gave birth to the couple's first child last week.

Judge said the little bundle of joy officially entered the world on Jan. 27 ... and she'll go by Nora Rose Judge.

8:30 AM PT -- A spokesperson for the Washington Wizards tells TMZ Sports they're planning to honor the crash victims with a moment of silence before their game against the Lakers in D.C. later Thursday.

D.C.-area sports teams are sending their thoughts and prayers to the dozens of people who are believed to have lost their lives in a midair plane crash Wednesday night.

The Nationals said in a statement they were "devastated" by the fatal collision that occurred when a Black Hawk helicopter seemed to fly into an American Airlines jet just above the Potomac River.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones," the MLB org. wrote.

Chicago Cubs owner Thomas Ricketts is used to getting an earful from fans about his baseball team ... but now he's even drawing the ire of LITTLE KIDS -- 'cause a six-year-old child called him cheap straight to his face!

TMZ Sports obtained the hilarious clip shot last weekend at the team's annual fan summit called "Cubs Convention." In the clip, Ricketts, owner and team chairman, was making the rounds signing autographs and chatting it up with supporters ... when he encountered the disgruntled young boy.

We're told the plan was for the kid to ask Ricketts to sign a bat inscribed with "The cheapest owner in Baseball" ... though TR obviously didn't play along.

Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, impersonated the MLB superstar on a phone call with a bank in order to swindle the Dodgers' designated hitter out of $200,000 ... newly released audio reveals.

The three-and-a-half-minute conversation was put out by federal prosecutors on Thursday, and in it ... you can clearly hear Mizuhara pretending to be Shohei.

In fact, after the bank's phone operator asks Mizuhara straight up "Who am I speaking with?," Ippei says without hesitation, "Shohei Ohtani."

Ichiro Suzuki is a very forgiving person ... 'cause the baseball superstar, who fell one vote short of being the second-ever unanimous Hall of Famer, has extended an invite to the foolish writer -- let's grab a drink!

Suzuki -- along with CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner -- met with the media on Thursday in Cooperstown to discuss all things baseball. Ichiro expressed gratitude for the writers who voted for him ... and acknowledged the one person who didn't think he was worthy of the selection.

"I would like to invite him over to my house," Suzuki said through a translator. "We'll have a drink together, and we'll have a good chat."

Ichiro received 393 out of 394 votes (Derek Jeter also missed out on being a unanimous selection by a single vote).

It was the 9th inning, bases loaded, full count for Billy Wagner's Hall of Fame hopes on Monday -- his last chance for enshrinement in Cooperstown -- and when the 7x All-Star got the call he finally made it, he was overcome with emotion!

The 16-year veteran -- who narrowly missed out on making the hall last year -- was in his final year of eligibility on the ballot. Unlike the nine other times ... the tenth time was the charm for Wagner, earning 82.5% of the 75% needed to earn his spot among baseball royalty.

The emotion was palpable for the 53-year-old ... as he could only muster a "Thank you" to the person on the other end of the line. His wife, Sarah Quesenberry, was there to support her man -- but luckily, this go-around was great news.

Roki Sasaki is getting a warm welcome in Los Angeles ... with the Dodgers' new star pitcher landing a personal meet-and-greet with LeBron James at the Lakers game!!

The 23-year-old Japanese athlete was front and center at the Purple and Gold's home win over the Washington Wizards ... getting a courtside view of King James' triple-double performance in the 111-88 victory.

The 40-year-old made sure to take a second to chop it up with the flamethrower ... shaking his hand as they exchanged pleasantries during shootaround.

The Paul Skenes rookie card that baseball fans everywhere have been itching to get their hands on has just been found!!

Topps reported Tuesday morning an 11-year-old from Los Angeles pulled the ultra-rare 1-of-1 from a pack -- and now, the young collector will have some big decisions to make.

Auction houses -- including Goldin -- have been desperately trying to be the arbiter of its sale ... believing it could net a life-changing fortune.

Believe it or not, the rich could get even more rich this offseason ... Kenley Jansen just told TMZ Sports he'd be down for a reunion with the Dodgers!!

The free agent reliever -- who closed for L.A. for about a decade of his MLB career -- said to us out at LAX on Monday afternoon that despite the Dodgers' bullpen being awfully crowded these days, he'd certainly listen if they called.

"I'm ready to play, man," said Jansen, who revealed to us he still has a home in Los Angeles. "I'm ready to play wherever it is."

As often as they drive their fans to drink, you'd think the Colorado Rockies would know how to pour a frickin' beer ... but, alas, they don't!

The organization intended to have some fun on social media on Friday, pouring an ice-cold Coors Light into a (previously used?) beer mug ... but their technique left a lot to be desired (it was all foam!!!).

Fans weren't shy about speaking up, quickly flaming the Rockies, who play at Coors Field, in the X comment section over their inability to pour the perfect brewski.

The Florida mansion that Red Sox legend Tim Wakefield used to call home has just sold, TMZ Sports has learned.

Our real estate sources say the Indian Harbour Beach estate -- which was first put up for sale some 13 months after Wakefield tragically died from cancer -- netted $3.8 million on Wednesday ... well over the initial asking price of $3.3 mil.

The waterfront palace is stunning ... it features four bedrooms, five bathrooms and 6,242 square feet of living area -- and it comes with all kinds of bells and whistles.

Shohei Ohtani may be adding a two-sport athlete to the family ... 'cause he just posted to Instagram announcing that he and his former professional basketballer wife are having their first child.

The two-way baseball standout announced the news with a post to Instagram Saturday ... sharing a snap of his dog, Decoy, lying next to a baby onesie, two tiny sneakers and what appears to be an ultrasound photo obscured by a baby face emoji.

He captioned the photo, "Can’t wait for the little rookie to join our family soon!"

Turns out, the ugly scene involving Mookie Betts and some overeager Yankees fans in Game 4 of the World Series could've been even worse ... 'cause the Dodgers superstar just revealed he considered retaliating against the NY backers with violence.

The L.A. outfielder opened on the matter with Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson as part of the comedians' "Back That Year Up 2024" special ... and Betts told the guys he straight up considered hurling a baseball at the two men who tried to rip his glove away on a foul ball pop fly at Yankee Stadium back on Oct. 29.

"I was in the moment," Betts said. "I thought about throwing the ball at them."

Forget the Polar Express, Livvy Dunne's opting for the Polar Plunge this Christmas Eve ... taking a freezing ocean dip in nothing but a tiny bikini!!

The LSU gymnast performed the impressive feat in 32-degree weather just before Santa Claus came to her town ... and fortunately for all of her followers, she filmed the whole thing.

Dunne -- wearing a red two-piece -- took to the water like a champ ... and dove head first into the icy aqua, before she raced out to grab a warm towel.