MLB

Dave Stewart grew up in Oakland and is one of the greatest players to ever put on an Athletics uniform ... and now the World Series MVP is opening on his organization bolting the bay for Las Vegas.

"I've kind of had time to prepare myself for [the last game in Oakland], but it doesn't really hit you until the actual moment," Stewart told TMZ Sports.

"At the ballpark, I was fine. Before I went to the ballpark, I was quite frankly a mess. I couldn't figure out what the heck was going on with me. At the time, the emotion, I mean, there were some tears."

Diddy is planning to take the witness stand, Hoda Kotb is saying goodbye and Shohei Ohtani's record home run ball is going to auction ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles explain why Diddy is chomping at the bit to testify in his criminal case.

Tons of Oakland Athletics legends have made the trip to Northern California for the team's swan song in the East Bay ... including former ace Barry Zito -- who was actually called upon to sing the national anthem at Thursday's finale!

The pitcher-turned-musician helped conclude the pre-game festivities at the Athletics' last-ever contest inside the Oakland Coliseum ... by belting out a sweet rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.

The three-time All-Star -- who made the transition to music following his retirement from the sport in 2015 -- picked up the mic just before first pitch against the Rangers ... and he killed it, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

MLB artifact hunters will still have the chance to bid on Shohei Ohtani's historic 50th home run ball on Friday ... despite a new lawsuit that's reportedly trying to halt the proceedings.

According to cllct's Darren Rovell, the suit was filed on Wednesday evening in Florida -- just hours after Ken Goldin revealed his auction house will put the ball up for sale at the end of this week with a starting bid of $500,000.

Rovell reported the plaintiff is an 18-year-old named Max Matus ... who's convinced he's the rightful owner of the baseball. Matus alleges in his suit, according to Rovell, that he had full control of the ball before Chris Belanski wrongfully stole it from him during a scrum.

Thursday afternoon will mark the final time the Athletics play a game at the Oakland Coliseum, so during their last night game on Wednesday -- a groundskeeper made sure some fans left with a memento they can cherish forever.

The A's are currently playing the Texas Rangers in what is slated to be their final homestand not just at the Coliseum -- but in the city of Oakland -- as the team is set to play the next three seasons in Sacramento before setting up shop in Las Vegas.

While the stadium has been empty in recent years due to poor play and fan backlash against the owner, John Fisher ... supporters have been coming out this week to make one last memory with the team.

The baseball that officially gave Shohei Ohtani an unprecedented 50/50 season has just hit the auction block ... but if you don't have deep pockets, you won't have a shot at getting it -- because its starting bid is $500,000!!

Goldin revealed on Wednesday afternoon it'll oversee the sale ... after the man who caught it earlier this month at the Dodgers vs. Marlins tilt in Miami reached out to the auction experts directly.

The company said in a statement that while the get-in price for the ball is half a mil ... fans can purchase it outright for a staggering $4.5 million.

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.