MLB

Forget cakes and candles ... Paul Skenes made Livvy Dunne's birthday special this week -- with a custom trading card!!

The MLB superstar hit up Topps for the sweet gift for his girlfriend -- who turned 22 on Tuesday -- and check it out ... the one-of-a-kind present turned out awesome.

The card, which the LSU star gymnast showed off on her Snapchat page, featured Livvy holding her dog, Roux, on the front ... while the back showcased some funny stats of the pup.

The San Diego Padres booked their ticket to the NLDS following a 5-4 win against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday ... and their star utility player Fernando Tatís Jr. was certainly in the moment -- letting his hips loose and enjoying the postgame clubhouse festivities!!!

Per tradition, the Padres players and coaches popped champagne and cracked open some cold ones to commemorate the victory -- and Tatís Jr. was in great spirits after sending the Braves packing.

The 25-year-old -- who went an impressive 4-for-6 at the plate with two RBIs and a homer in the two-game sweep -- decided to shake his backside for his teammates while enjoying a Budweiser.

Pete Rose arguably signed more autographs than any ballplayer in MLB history, but that doesn't mean "Charlie Hustle" memorabilia isn't experiencing a sizeable boost in value in death, according to a top expert.

TMZ Sports talked to David Kohler, founder and president of SCP Auctions, just days after Rose's death ... and we asked whether items signed by the legendary Reds player have increased in worth following Pete's death on Monday.

"Every time a really important person in a game of a big American sport such as baseball passes, there's a lot of interest. I'm sure on eBay, there's a lot more sales now for his memorabilia," Kohler told us, while noting, "for a long, long time, [Pete] was at all the card shows, making appearances, signing a lot of balls and bats. He did it for a long time."

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Fernando Valenzuela will not return to his role with the team's Spanish broadcast crew this season ... saying he's taking time to focus on his health, but the legendary pitcher hopes to be back calling games in 2025.

The National League West champs released a statement on Valenzuela's status on Wednesday ... several days after he abruptly left the mic on September 24 against the San Diego Padres.

"Fernando Valenzuela has stepped away from the Dodger broadcast booth for the remainder of this year to focus on his health," the team said.

One of Pete Rose's closest friends and former teammates could tell the Hit King wasn't his usual playful and talkative self the day before he passed ... with Tony Perez explaining members of the Big Red Machine Cincinnati Reds didn't fully enjoy their last experience together.

The Hall of Famer joined Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs on FS1) to discuss his final meet-up with Rose ... a signing session at the Music City Autograph Show with Fiterman Sports Group featuring Rose, Perez, Dave Concepcion, George Foster and Ken Griffey Sr.

The former first baseman admitted it "wasn't a good time" because Rose was "not himself" ... and the guys didn't take part in their usual banter during the show, a far cry from how things were when they were last together about six months ago.

Donald Trump sent a message loud and clear to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the day after Pete Rose died ... urging the org. to put the ex-Reds star in "now," "before his funeral!"

The former prez issued the demand during J.D. Vance's debate with Tim Walz on Tuesday night ... taking a brief break from watching his running mate to heap some serious praise on the baseball legend.

"The GREAT Pete Rose just died," he said. "He was one of the most magnificent baseball players ever to play the game. He paid the price! Major League Baseball should have allowed him into the Hall of Fame many years ago."

Diddy is assembling a legal dream team, Britney Spears is recalling a near accident and Pete Rose is being remembered ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles explain why Diddy is beefing up his legal team in an effort to get out of jail.

MLB legend Pete Rose died from heart disease ... officials announced Tuesday.

According to the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner in Nevada ... the official cause of death for Rose was determined as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Rose had also been battling diabetes mellitus, officials added.

6:55 PM PT -- Major League Baseball released a statement following the passing of Pete Rose ... extending their condolences to Rose's family, friends and friends "who admired his greatness, grit and determination on the field of play."

MLB legend Pete Rose has died at the age of 83, TMZ Sports has learned.

Rose, Major League Baseball's hit king, passed away earlier today at his home in Las Vegas ... where he was found by a family member.

Livvy Dunne rocked a fitting accessory to watch her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, finish off his one-of-a-kind rookie season ... a pair of one-of-a-kind boots!

The feet heat -- which Dunne sported to cheer on the Pirates ace in his 2024-25 finale against the Yankees on Saturday -- featured a white Skenes Pittsburgh jersey on a pair of white Cowboy boots ... and TMZ Sports has learned Jessica Martini made them by hand.

The artist tells us she just recently came up with the idea for the footwear after leaving her tech consulting job ... and after she was able to make some pairs for the wives of MLB All-Stars Aaron Nola and Will Smith earlier this season, she reached out to Dunne to see if the LSU gymnast would want some of her own to cheer on her man.

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.