MLB

Shohei Ohtani just finally revealed his lovely wife -- it's Japanese basketball player Mamiko Tanaka!!

The Dodgers superstar -- who got the largest contract in sports history this past offseason -- recently announced he married "someone from my Native country of Japan who is very special to me" ... but did not disclose her identity.

Ohtani and his team put an end to all the speculation on Thursday ... sharing a photo of the newlyweds on their way to Seoul, South Korea for the Dodgers' season opener on March 20th.

The woman was quickly ID'd as Tanaka, a 27-year-old basketball player who played for Waseeda University and the Women's Japan Basketball League's Fujitsu Red Wave.

The 5-foot-11 forward/center averaged 7.8 points and 6 rebounds per game ... so they're really quite the athletic couple!!

Ohtani said he and Tanaka have known each other for three to four years ... but their actual wedding date is unknown.

He also said she had no impact on his decision during free agency ... but pointed out Tanaka has a great understanding of his profession.

MLB star Aroldis Chapman is apparently quite the mama's boy ... 'cause the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher shared a bizarre video of himself grabbing an older lady's boobs this week -- and many believe it is his very own mother.

The two-time World Series champion posted the disturbing clip to his Instagram story ... showing him cozying up on a couch with a woman who resembles his mom, Maria Caridad De La Cruz.

Chapman -- who's grinning from ear to ear -- is super handsy throughout the vid ... squeezing both boobs as the woman pats his back.

At one point, the woman seemingly tries to get the Cuban Missile to move his hand ... but the groping continues.

Naturally, Chapman -- who signed a one-year, $10.5 million deal with the Pirates in January -- started trending on X shortly after the video surfaced ... with a lot of folks sharing their horror.

Alex Rodríguez se anotó algunos puntos como padre tras llevar a su hija de 15 años a un concierto de Olivia Rodrigo, a pesar de que habría querido ir a dormir en su lugar.

El legendario bateador documentó su salida la noche del miércoles en un, sin querer, hilarante video de Instagram. En el clip, Rodríguez admite que está agotado de andar filmando, pero que está dando prioridad a pasar un buen momento con Ella en el concierto de Miami, a pesar de que claramente no sabe quién es la cantante.

De hecho, le dice a sus seguidores que está en un concierto de "Rodrigo", ¡antes de que Ella le enseñe el nombre completo de la cantante!

A-Rod estaba en el centro del Kaseya Center, donde pudo obtener una buena panorámica del concierto con la leyenda a través de la pantalla: "Olivia Rodrigo concierto rodeado de 22.000 chicas adolescentes y todo lo que quiero es ir a dormir".

Luego se acerca a Ella, quien está totalmente sumergida en el show, cantando el éxito "Vampire", de Rodrigo, como una verdadera fan. Incluso con sus ojos de padre dormido y viejo, Alex le dio un espaldarazo a la cantante con el mensaje: "Rodrigo es bastante buena para ser honestos".

A-Rod, que también es papá de Natasha, de 19 años, incluso se disculpó con Olivia en el pie de foto por confundir su nombre y prometió que no volvería a suceder.

Alex Rodriguez scored some serious dad points by tagging along with his 15-year-old daughter to an Olivia Rodrigo concert -- even though he wanted to catch some zzz's instead.

The legendary slugger documented their outing Wednesday night in an, inadvertently, hilarious IG video ... as he admitted he was exhausted from filming all day, but was prioritizing some quality time with Ella at the Miami gig -- despite clearly not knowing who the singer is.

In fact, he tells his followers he's at a "Rodrigo" concert ... before Ella schools him on the singer's full name!

A-Rod was in the thick of it inside Kaseya Center, panning the camera around with the caption across the screen, "Olivia Rodrigo concert surrounded by 22,000 teenage girls, and all I wanna do is go to sleep."

He then zooms in on Ella, who's totally in her element, belting out Olivia's hit track "Vampire" like a true fan. Even with his sleepy/old dad eyes, Alex had to give the singer props with his caption, "Rodrigo is pretty good TBH."

A-Rod, who is also dad to 19-year-old Natasha, even apologized to Olivia in the caption for messing up her name, and promised it won't happen again.

Vanessa Hudgens has an optimistic outlook regarding her breakup with Austin Butler ... 'cause she says it led her to her husband, so she's happy things ended with him.

The actress got candid about how prior failed relationships made her reevaluate things on Wednesday's episode of the "She Pivots" podcast. As Vanessa explained ... her splitting from AB in 2020 led her to Cole Tucker, whom she calls the "right person."

Vanessa -- who married Cole in December in a lavish wedding in Mexico -- made it clear she couldn't be more grateful for her MLB player spouse in the wake of the Butler split.

She says, "He's just the most supportive, real understanding human being that I've ever met."

Despite VH and AB's frosty reunion at the 2023 Oscars -- where Vanessa infamously walked by Austin at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party without saying a word -- it seems there's no bad blood between the exes ... but then again, her words here do kinda sound like a dig.

Austin recently emphasized the love and care he says he still has for Vanessa in an interview from February ... this after catching flak for labeling her as nothing more than a friend, even though they dated for nearly 10 years.

As we reported ... Austin referred to his ex of almost a decade as just a friend when detailing how his iconic role in Baz Luhrmann's "Elvis" came to be. Yet ... during a chat with Esquire last month -- he defended that he didn't mean to downplay their love story -- he just wanted to protect her from having to comment on their past relationship.

It's clear that everyone has happily moved on these days -- with Austin now dating Kaia Gerber. Of course, Vanessa is now a married woman herself ... and looks smitten with Cole.

Closure all around ... or so it seems!

Vanessa Hudgens tiene una visión optimista con respecto a su ruptura con Austin Butler, porque dice que la llevó a conocer a su marido, así que está feliz de que las cosas terminaran con él.

En el episodio del miércoles del pódcast "She Pivots", la actriz se sinceró sobre cómo sus anteriores fracasos sentimentales le hicieron replantearse las cosas. Vanessa explicó que su separación de Austin en 2020 la llevó a Cole Tucker, a quien ella llama la "persona indicada".

Vanessa -que se casó con Cole en diciembre en una lujosa boda en México- dejó claro que no podía estar más agradecida por su cónyuge jugador de la MLB a raíz de la separación de Butler.

Ella dice: "Él es simplemente el ser humano más comprensivo que he conocido".

A pesar de la frío encuentro de Vanessa y Austin en los Oscars 2023, donde Vanessa infamemente pasó al lado de Austin en la fiesta posterior a los Oscars de Vanity Fair sin decir una palabra, parece que no hay mala sangre entre los ex, pero de nuevo, sus palabras suenan un poco como una indirecta.

Austin recientemente hizo hincapié en el amor y el cuidado que dice que todavía tiene por Vanessa en una entrevista de febrero, esto después de la captura de la flak para etiquetarla como nada más que un amigo, a pesar de que salieron durante casi 10 años.

Como informamos, Austin se refirió a su ex de casi una década como solo una amiga tras dar ddetalles de su papel icónico en la versión de Baz Luhrmann de "Elvis". Sin embargo, durante una charla con Esquire el mes pasado, defendió que no tenía intención de restarle importancia a su historia de amor y que solo quería protegerla de tener que hacer comentarios sobre su relación pasada.

Está claro que todo el mundo ha seguido adelante, con Austin ahora saliendo con Kaia Gerber. Por supuesto, Vanessa es ahora una mujer casada y parece enamorada de Cole.

For the first time in the history of the franchise, "MLB The Show 24" will have a story mode dedicated to female athletes ... with the hit video game announcing the groundbreaking addition on Tuesday.

The new feature -- titled "Road to the Show: Women Pave the Way" -- allows users to create and play as a woman in the Major League Baseball simulation game ... with a unique narrative and scenes separate from the usual RTTS experience.

The mode's narrative designer, Mollie Braley, said the story was inspired by real-life stories from women in baseball ... including star athletes like Toni Stone and Kelsie Whitmore.

Braley explained to the PlayStation Blog the importance of inclusion for women in baseball as the fan base continues to rise ... and she's hoping it will shine a light on the adversity many have faced within the sport.

Whitmore -- who provided insight for the project -- added she hopes the story mode helps inspire gamers to pursue their dreams ... and educate them on what women and girls are able to do on the baseball diamond.

1:47 PM PT -- Shohei Ohtani just revealed more about his wife during a meeting with media members out at spring training on Thursday ... saying the two knew each other around three or four years before tying the knot.

The baseball star also said she had "nothing to do" with his decision to leave the Angels and join the Dodgers this offseason.

Shohei Ohtani is officially off the dating market ... the MLB superstar revealed late Wednesday night he's now married!!!

The Dodgers' designated hitter said in a post on his Instagram page his new spouse is "someone from my Native country of Japan who is very special to me" ... although he did not reveal the person's name.

"I am excited for what is come," he wrote ... before adding, "thank you for your support."

Ohtani included a picture of his adorable dog, Decoy, on the announcement as well.

Of course, it's now the second time in the last three months the 29-year-old has told the world of a life-changing event on IG ... back in December, he shared he was moving on from the Angels to the Dodgers for the foreseeable future.

That announcement got over two million "likes" on the social media app ... and so far, it's appeared to be a great decision for the two-way player.

Ohtani homered in his first spring training game with the team earlier this week, and he looks poised for a huge 2024 -- even if he won't pitch this year while recovering from elbow surgery.

Only about three more weeks until the at-bats actually count for L.A. ... get that popcorn ready!

Stacy Wakefield -- the widow of former Red Sox great Tim Wakefield -- has tragically passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer, the team announced Wednesday.

She was surrounded by her family, friends, caretakers and nurses at her home in Massachusetts.

The news comes less than five months after the longtime MLB pitcher died from brain cancer at 57 years old ... a loss that rocked the sports world.

The family released a statement on Stacy's passing ... saying, "Our hearts are beyond broken."

"We will remember Stacy as a strong, loving, thoughtful and kind person, who was as down-to-earth as they come. We feel so lucky to have had her in our lives, and we take comfort in the fact that she will be reunited with Tim, the love of her life."

The Wakefields also shined a light on those who took care of Stacy -- doctors, nurses and caretakers -- who were by her side since her diagnosis.

"We are eternally grateful for your unmatched care and support. And to all of you who have sent well wishes over these last several months, we truly appreciate your kindness."

Tim -- a two-time World Series champion and Red Sox Hall of Famer -- and Stacy got married in November 2002.

Stacy Wakefield, la viuda del ex jugador de los Red Sox, Tim Wakefield, falleció trágicamente tras una batalla contra el cáncer de páncreas, anunció el equipo el miércoles.

Stacy estaba rodeada de su familia, amigos, cuidadores y enfermeras en su casa de Massachusetts.

La noticia llega menos de cinco meses después de que el lanzador de la MLB de larga data falleciera de cáncer cerebral a los 57 años, una pérdida que sacudió al mundo del deporte.

La familia emitió un comunicado sobre el fallecimiento de Stacy, que dice: "Nuestros corazones están más que rotos".

"Recordaremos a Stacy como una persona fuerte, cariñosa, atenta y amable, con los pies bien en la tierra. Nos sentimos muy afortunados de haberla tenido en nuestras vidas y nos consuela el hecho de que se reunirá con Tim, el amor de su vida".

Los Wakefield también arrojaron luz sobre aquellos que cuidaron de Stacy: médicos, enfermeras y cuidadores, que estuvieron a su lado desde su diagnóstico.

"Estamos eternamente agradecidos por su inigualable cuidado y apoyo. Y a todos los que han enviado buenos deseos durante estos últimos meses, apreciamos de verdad su amabilidad".

Tim, dos veces campeón de la Serie Mundial y miembro del Salón de la Fama de los Red Sox, y Stacy se casaron en noviembre de 2002.

Andruw Jones is staying upbeat despite being snubbed for the Hall of Fame yet again this year ... telling TMZ Sports he's still got hope that he'll get in "one day."

The former Atlanta Braves superstar appeared on 61.6 percent of the writers' ballots in the latest round of HOF voting last month ... up from 58.1 percent last year.

But, with players needing at least 75 percent in order to officially get a plaque in Cooperstown, he fell short for the seventh straight year.

However, when we spoke with the 10-time Gold Glover out at Super Bowl week in Las Vegas earlier this month ... he told us he wasn't sweating things one bit.

Obviously, he'd love to get in ... but he explained, "If I don't make it, I will be the same person."

Jones certainly has a deserving resume. In his 17 Big League seasons, he made five All-Star teams and smacked 434 home runs with a .254 batting average. He also tallied 1,933 hits and 1,289 RBIs.

"I'm gracious that I'm still on [the ballot]," said Jones, who has three years left of eligibility. "Hopefully I can say one day I make it."

Meanwhile, Jones' son, Druw Jones, is trying to begin building a Hall of Fame resume of his own sooner rather than later after the Arizona Diamondbacks took him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 draft.

Andruw says he's hoping his boy has a better career than he had ... although he made sure to say he won't be bothered if the younger Jones never suits up for his beloved Braves.

MLB fans freaking out over their teams' new jerseys can take a chill pill ... 'cause Eric Hosmer tells TMZ Sports that even though they don't look so hot right now, he's sure the league will get it fixed by Opening Day.

The uniforms have been widely criticized by seamheads and even players all over the country after they were debuted earlier this month out at spring training.

Many have noted the new Nike designs have some serious flaws -- namely, the lettering on the back is too small and the positioning of some of the logos just doesn't feel right.

Plus, diehards have hated the way the pants have appeared to be see-through.

When we spoke with Hosmer about the hot-button topic this week ... he said he understood fans' concerns, admitting the jerseys do look "a little bit" like knockoffs. But, he added that he's almost positive changes will occur before Week 1.

"There's no doubt in my mind that they'll get it right before Opening Day," he said. "And those guys will be looking like Big Leaguers come April 1 -- whenever the first game is."

The former World Series champ also spoke with us about Shohei Ohtani's new, massive Dodgers contract -- and he gave us his prediction for who he thinks will be the toughest team to beat in 2024.

As for what he's up to now after officially retiring earlier this week ... he's started his own sports media company with his former teammate, Anthony Seratelli, called "MoonBall Media."

Los Angeles Angels star Anthony Rendon is currently being pummeled by fans on social media ... and it's all 'cause he basically admitted on Monday he really can't stand baseball.

The third baseman got candid with reporters during a Q&A out at spring training practice in Arizona ... revealing the game that's made him over $160 million the past 13 years has "never been a top priority for me."

Rendon explained he views the sport as "a job," and not much more than that.

"I do this to make a living," he said. "My faith, my family come first before this job."

Of course, seamheads all over haven't taken lightly to his comments ... firing away on him on X for the remarks.

There were Spiderman memes of people who also claimed to hate their professions ... and others who compared his feelings on baseball to the way his teammate, Mike Trout, absolutely loves it.

But, if you think that's going to sway Rendon's opinion ... it almost certainly won't -- as he's been critical of the sport for a long time now.

In fact, back in January he said he wished the season would be considerably shorter ... saying, "It's too many dang games."

Lenny Dykstra has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke, according to former teammate Darryl Strawberry ... but the former NY Mets star is on the mend!

A local Pennsylvania watering hole, Dolan's Bar, was the first to report the medical emergency, saying the 61-year-old suffered a small stroke.

Dysktra's former Mets teammates, Straw and Kevin Mitchell, confirmed the news of the stroke to the NY Post on Thursday ... saying he's getting better and has been released from the ICU, but is still receiving treatment in the hospital.

Thankfully, Lenny's in good spirits.

"He knew it was me, so that is always a good sign," Strawberry said. "He’s in the process of recovering."

Dykstra, Strawberry, and Mitchell go way back ... they played several seasons together in the 1980s on the New York Mets and won the World Series together in 1986.

Lenny was traded to the Phillies in 1989 ... but dealt with several injuries during his seven-year stint in Philly.

The 3x MLB All-Star and Silver Slugger Award winner, known as "Nails," retired in 1996 ... after accumulating nearly 1,300 hits.

"He’s a special friend and I will never turn my back on him and say negative things about him because his life has had some challenges," Strawberry said. "We’ve all had challenges."

Matthew Blit, Dykstra's attorney, gave us a statement.

"Lenny Dykstra has suffered a mini-stroke and is currently recovering in a Los Angeles Hospital surrounded by family and loved ones. I must say that the outpouring of support has been so welcome and is helping him on his road to recovery."

A 45-year-old man is now in police custody after cops claim he stole and destroyed a beloved Jackie Robinson statue in Kansas ... but authorities say they believe his actions were NOT motivated by hate.

According to the Wichita Police Department, Ricky Alderete has been hit with four criminal charges -- including felony theft and aggravated criminal damage to property -- after authorities say he nabbed the famed JR monument from outside a youth baseball facility late last month and then burnt it down to a pile of rubble.

Cops say their investigation revealed Alderete committed the act in order to cash in on the figurine's metal scraps.

Officials added they believe there might be more individuals involved in the crime.

"Our detectives remain committed to gathering information to identify and charge all individuals involved in the theft and destruction of the Jackie Robinson statue," cops said in a statement Tuesday. "The WPD extends its gratitude to the community for their support, patience, and information related to this case."

City officials, meanwhile, have already said they plan to replace the Robinson sculpture with another one in the near future.

Un hombre de 45 años está bajo custodia policial después de que los policías afirmaran que robó y destruyó una estatua del querido Jackie Robinson en Kansas, aunque las autoridades piensan que sus acciones no fueron motivadas por el odio.

De acuerdo con el Departamento Policial de Wichita (WPD), Ricky Alderete ha sido golpeado con cuatro cargos criminales, incluyendo un delito grave de robo y otro de daños a la propiedad criminal agravado, después de que las autoridades dijeran que agarró el famoso monumento de Jackie Robinson desde fuera de una instalación juvenil de béisbol a finales del mes pasado y luego lo quemara entre un montón de escombros.

La policía dice que su investigación reveló que Alderete cometió el acto con el fin de sacar provecho de los restos de metal de la estatuilla.

Añadieron que creen que podría haber más individuos involucrados en el crimen.

"Nuestros detectives siguen comprometidos con la recopilación de información para identificar y acusar a todos los individuos involucrados en el robo y destrucción de la estatua de Jackie Robinson", dijo la policía en un comunicado el martes. "El WPD extiende su gratitud a la comunidad por su apoyo, paciencia e información relacionada con el caso".

Los funcionarios de la ciudad, mientras tanto, ya han dicho que planean reemplazar la escultura de Robinson con otra en un futuro próximo.