MLB

The Philadelphia Phillies clinched their first NL East title in over a decade on Monday night ... and they celebrated in epic fashion -- by stripping off their tops and dancing the night away!!!

It all happened following the Phils' 6-2 win over the Cubs  ... when the team hit the locker room to bask in the glow of their big accomplishment.

Owner John Middleton got everything started when he told the team he wanted his "f***ing trophy back" -- which sent the players into a frenzy.

8:09 AM PT -- After further review, David Kohler tells TMZ Sports he and his SCP Auctions team now believe the ball would sell for around $500,000 if it hits the block.

The man who pulled Shohei Ohtani's 50th home run ball from a scrum in the stands of LoanDepot Park on Thursday afternoon is about to be a whole lot richer ... 'cause, according to auction experts, the keepsake is worth a small fortune.

David Kohler, president of SCP Auctions tell TMZ Sports ... based on their initial evaluations -- the baseball that Ohtani socked over the left field wall during the Dodgers' blowout win over the Marlins will likely sell for over $300,000 on an auction block.

5:25 PM PT -- Shohei Ohtani added another home run to his tally ... launching a three-run shot 440 feet. He ended the day a perfect 6-6, with three home runs, 10 RBIs, and two stolen bases.

3:57 PM PT -- Shohei Ohtani has done it ... he just launched his 50th home run of the season with a seventh-inning blast against the Marlins -- making him the first-ever player to have a season with 50 HRs and 50 stolen bases.

3:31 PM PT -- Shohei Ohtani has just inched even closer to history ... he just blasted his 49th home run of the season in the sixth inning of the Dodgers' Thursday afternoon tilt with the Marlins.

Shohei Ohtani is on the brink of history ... as the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar just stole base number 50 (and 51) on the season -- and the slugger now needs just two more home runs to become the first-ever 50/50 player in Major League Baseball history!

Video from ex-Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias' September 2023 domestic violence incident has been released ... showing the World Series champion running toward his wife and slamming her into a fence after a soccer game.

The footage backs what TMZ Sports reported just days after Urias' arrest ... when law enforcement sources told us he came up from behind his partner, put his arm around her, forcefully pushed her into the barrier and pulled her hair.

The clip also shows Urias swinging in the woman's direction while bystanders tried to intervene ... although it is unclear if he landed the punch.

Step aside, Joe Jackson ... Jose Altuve now might have the rightful claim to the "Shoeless" moniker -- after he ditched not only his cleat, but his sock during a wild tiff with an umpire on Tuesday night.

The bizarre scene all unfolded in the top of the ninth inning of the Astros' close game against the Padres in San Diego -- when the Houston superstar hit a grounder to third base.

Jose was adamant the ball clanked off his foot and should have been ruled foul. But, the ump didn't see that way, and called him out.

There's no crying in baseball, but Guardians manager Stephen Vogt made an exception Monday night ... breaking down in tears after Cleveland capped off a wild comeback win!!

The Guards were playing catchup for most of their crucial divisional matchup against the Minnesota Twins ... but things swayed in their favor when Kyle Manzardo hit a clutch homer to put his squad up 4-3 in the bottom of the 8th inning.

The first-year skipper met with the media after Cleveland's 87th dub of the season ... and he couldn't help but choke back tears when talking about his players.

The New York Mets are in a tight race for the final wild card spot in the MLB postseason -- currently tied with the Atlanta Braves -- and they're clearly hoping that honoring a blast from their near past provides them some good luck down the home stretch!!

According to MLB reporter Mike Mazzeo, the team is ready to bring back Grimace on Monday night -- and in preparation for his return, it's installed a purple seat in section 302, row 6, seat 12 of Citi Field.

The row and seat selection, of course, is very deliberate ... as the Purple celebrity made his first appearance at Citi Field on June 12 -- and following that showing, the Mets then went on a seven-game winning streak.

We now know why Logan Webb pitched poorly in the MLB All-Star Game earlier this summer ... he just admitted he was wildly hungover as he was toeing the rubber at the Mid-Summer Classic.

The San Francisco Giants star made the revelation on Wednesday's episode of "The Chris Rose Rotation" ... explaining that he went just a little too hard in Arlington the night before the big July game.

He said following the Home Run Derby festivities on Monday evening -- the MLB threw a party for the players and their families at the Dallas Cowboys' The Star facility ... and there was a ton of free booze.

New York Mets Hall of Famer Ed Kranepool died on Sunday after suffering from cardiac arrest in Florida, the team announced. He was 79 years old.

The team shared the sad news in a statement on Monday ... with Steve and Alex Cohen saying they were "heartbroken" to learn of his passing.

"He was an original Met, who debuted at age 17 in 1962," the owners said. "After starring at James Monroe High School in the Bronx, he would go on to play for his hometown team for the next 18 years, the longest-tenured player in franchise history, appearing in 1,853 games with the Mets."

Prosecutors in New Mexico want another bite at the apple when it comes to Alec Baldwin, Jamie Foxx is going to address his health scare for the first time, and Ludacris is breaking out the big guns ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live," Charles and Babcock explain why prosecutors are trying to get another trial in the "Rust" shooting case.

Ludacris has throws in different area codes -- the rap legend gave a memorable first pitch at the Atlanta Braves game on Wednesday ... proving he's really got an arm (or in this case, two).

Luda elected to rock the comically large limbs from his iconic "Get Back" music video for the ceremonial toss prior to the matchup against the Colorado Rockies ... as well as the giant Nike Air Force 1s from his "Stand Up" visuals for good measure.

Despite the prosthetics, Luda was able to hurl his pitch relatively close to the strike zone ... resulting in a pretty respectable effort.

The sports world is paying tribute to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau following their tragic death at the hands of a drunk driver Thursday night in New Jersey.

Mike Trout -- a South Jersey native like the brothers -- said he was devastated by the news of their passing ... and that his condolences were with his family.

Lebron James also commented on the situation ... saying, "Insane man! I instantly go so down and sad."

Shohei Ohtani and his wife aren't the only athletes in the family ... 'cause the Dodgers superstar's adorable dog, Decoy, stole the show with a perfect "first pitch" at Wednesday's game!!

The Japanese slugger's four-legged friend was the star of the night when L.A. hosted the Baltimore Orioles -- not only did he participate in the pre-game festivities ... but the team handed out 40,000 bobbleheads featuring Ohtani holding Decoy.

Prior to the first inning, Ohtani and Decoy -- wearing a No. 17 jersey -- went out to the field to do the ceremonial toss ... with Shohei setting him up on the mound and placing a baseball next to him before taking his position behind home plate.

Livvy Dunne's clearly not happy with her boyfriend's teammates for blowing his start on Wednesday ... she just posted a GIF to her X page following the Pirates' loss that sure reeked of shade.

Paul Skenes -- Pittsburgh's ace who's been dating the LSU star gymnast for the past year -- looked like he was in line for yet another win at PNC Park, after he left the matinee tilt against the Cubs with a cozy 10-3 lead.

But, the Buckos' bullpen came in and let Paul down in a big way ... allowing ELEVEN earned runs in the final four frames. The scoring barrage all mercifully ended in the ninth, when the Pirates ended up taking the 14-10 L.

Dozens -- if not hundreds -- of Dodgers fans are ensuring they'll get a Shohei Ohtani bobblehead later Wednesday ... by lining up in front of the stadium -- OVER EIGHT HOURS EARLY!!

First pitch in Los Angeles isn't slated to go down 'til 7:10 PM PT ... but according to multiple reporters already at Chavez Ravine, a massive line to get in has already formed, and it started well before 11 AM.

Of course, while the Dodger faithful wouldn't mind being in their seats in time to catch the start of the tilt vs. the Orioles -- they're all clearly there to make sure they get their hands on some coveted Ohtani bobbleheads, which will be handed out to the first 40,000 who come to the door.

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Greg Swindell says his daughter, Brenna Swindell -- who had been missing since last Thursday -- has now been found safe.

The ex-Arizona Diamondbacks reliever shared the positive update in a post on his Facebook page Tuesday morning ... writing, "Thanks to EVERYONE who got involved."

His wife, Sarah, added her thanks in a message of her own on the social media site as well.