A piece of Major League Baseball history is up for grabs -- the baseball from the final out of the 2024 World Series ... and it may be a long time before an item like this hits the open market again!!
Harlan Werner -- the CEO of the Memorabilia Network -- gave TMZ Sports an up-close look at the special item before bidding goes live on April 5 ... and he explained why similar balls hardly come around.
"To say that someone's not going to have an opportunity to buy the last out of the World Series, I believe will not happen again in my lifetime," he said. "Either the team is going to keep it, or it's just not going to happen. This is a very, very, very unique situation."
1:51 PM PT -- The resort is now saying the initial report of high levels of carbon monoxide in the Gardners's room was inaccurate ... as that was only the case in the "mechanical room" that is not available to guests.
"The levels in the hotel room were non-existent and non-lethal," the resort said in a statement to TMZ Sports.
The Costa Rican hotel where Brett Gardner's family vacationed is taking precautions amid the investigation into Miller's death ... with officials telling TMZ Sports it has blocked off their room from the public as officials look into whether carbon monoxide played a factor in the tragedy.
Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) director Rándall Zúñiga revealed in a press conference that high levels of carbon monoxide were detected in the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest resort room the Gardners reserved during their trip ... and noted a "specialized machine room" was located next to their reserved space, which could have led to contamination.
The resort tells us it will continue to cooperate with the investigation ... but "out of an abundance of caution, the room in question has been blocked until further notice."
Brett Gardner's 14-year-old son Miller may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning, Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) announced Monday.
OIJ Director Rándall Zúñiga revealed via a press briefing high levels of carbon monoxide were detected in the Gardner family's hotel room at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio.
Zúñiga also noted in his native Spanish language that the family's room was located next to "a specialized machine room" which may have caused the contamination ... leading Miller to inhale a fatal amount of "these highly dangerous gases."
Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra clearly thinks those barking about New York's new torpedo bats should pipe down ... telling TMZ Sports, "at the end of the day, you still have to swing the bat and hit the ball in the barrel."
The Bronx Bombers, of course, set the baseball world on fire this weekend after they debuted some wonky-looking bats in their series with the Milwaukee Brewers ... and then proceeded to hit a bunch of home runs with them in a three-game sweep.
Critics of the Pinstripes took to their social media pages to blast the MLB for allowing the Yankees to alter their lumber -- with many claiming Rob Manfred and co. let it all slide 'cause NY is the league's most popular team.
New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm isn't mincing words when it comes to the team's viral torpedo bats ... saying they are well within MLB regulations -- and calling the fans making a big deal out of them "idiots."
Chisholm took to his X account during the team's off day to address the first big controversy of the Major League Baseball season ... saying the Bronx Bombers aren't breaking any rules with their new equipment.
"For the idiots that say it's moved to the label you're an idiot!" Chisholm said. "Nobody is trying to get jammed you just move the wood from the parts you don't use to the parts you do!"
The New York spotlight might scare some people away ... but new voice of the Yankees Dave Sims isn't sweating over his new gig, even though he has big shoes to fill -- telling TMZ Sports he's excited for the dream opportunity!!
We caught up with Sims on the streets of NYC ... and he explained he feels no pressure to fill the shoes of longtime radio announcer John Sterling, who retired after 36 years -- 'cause it's something he's experienced in the past.
"John had a great run," he said. "I had a great run in Seattle. I essentially replaced Dave Niehaus in Seattle. I've done this before. I'm back home in New York, I mean it doesn't get better than this."
Opening Day 2025 has arrived for the New York Yankees ... and while there's always excitement leading into a new season, the team's manager said the players will take the field with "heavy hearts" following the shocking death of former star Brett Gardner's 14-year-old son.
Aaron Boone spoke with the media ahead of first pitch at Yankee Stadium ... and he said the athletes will have Miller on their minds throughout the season.
"I talk to our guys a lot about perspective," he said. "While this matters so much to us, it's our livelihood, we pour so much into this, so many people care about it, it's baseball. I really think it's important we reflect on that every now and then when we get consumed with this."
Alex Rodriguez proved he's a baller on the baseball diamond and the hardwood ... 'cause he tossed up a shot Sunday from halfcourt and made it -- helping out one lucky student in the process.
The former Yankees third baseman was in attendance to watch Army take on Bucknell University Saturday afternoon in basketball ... and, during halftime he was invited to take a huge shot from the middle of the floor.
Check out the vid ... A-Rod -- clad in a bright orange Bucknell t-shirt -- tosses the ball up, hits the backboard and the ball goes straight through the hoop.
The New York Yankees shocked the baseball world on Friday -- the team dropped their longstanding facial hair ban ... paving the way for players to grow out their beards!!!
Team owner Hal Steinbrenner made the announcement a few minutes ago, saying he has recently spoken with current and former Yankees regarding the organizational longstanding policy AGAINST beards.
"Ultimately the final decision rests with me, and after great consideration, we will be amending our expectations to our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards going forward," Hal said.
MLB legend Wade Boggstook home a win bigger than any in his career ... as the 66-year-old rang the ceremonial bell in honor of beating prostate cancer!!
Boggs posted the special moment to his X account Monday morning ... showing him celebrating the victory in his cancer journey while "Smoke On the Water" by Deep Purple played in the background.
The 1996 World Series Champion was first diagnosed back in September 2024 ... making the announcement by posting a photo of a patient's guide to prostate cancer.
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!"
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.
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."
The Yankees will head into next season without Juan Soto, but fear not, New York fans ... Johnny Damon tells TMZ Sports they might just be better without the star slugger!!
We caught up with the 51-year-old former Pinstripes outfielder on Thursday -- just hours after the Mets introduced Soto to their fanbase -- and he said straight up, his former team might come out of this situation just fine.
His reasoning? Damon says the Yankees can now take the $750 million they had earmarked for Soto -- and spend it on a bunch of key pieces that'll make them perhaps even more formidable in 2025.
Juan Soto joining the Mets marked a major shift in the New York baseball landscape ... at least that's what Dwight Goodenthinks, 'cause he tells TMZ Sports his former team can no longer be considered the Yankees' "little brother!!"
We caught up with the Gooden -- who spent time with both clubs during his career -- after Soto inked a 15-year $765 million deal with the Metropolitans ... and he says the narrative about the team in Queens is about to be a thing of the past.
"The first time I heard it, Reggie Jacksonsaid it," Gooden said. "I have nothing against the Yankees, but I was somewhat offended by it. I understood what he meant by that, saying that the Mets are little brother, but now things are starting to change."
Juan Soto is a Met ... and actor/diehard New York fan Nick Turturro is summarizing how Yankee supporters are handling the news -- going absolutely nuts on the MLB superstar in a passionate video reaction.
Turturro posted the nearly minute-long clip to his X account Sunday night ... saying he had two words for Soto after his record-breaking $765 million deal was reported -- "F*** you!!!"
"I'm taking it personal," he said. "We gave you our love. We f***ing gave you our heart and soul. It wasn't enough! You turned your cap around after the World Series, I saw that f***ing move."
