Justin Verlander Pick Between Kate Upton and World Series? ... Hell No!
It's Take 2 on one of the best sports questions ever ...
Which is better -- winning the World Series or honeymooning with Kate Upton??
We got to ask the one guy who would know the answer -- Justin Verlander -- as the Houston Astros pitcher was leaving Craig's Tuesday night with his supermodel bride.
Verlander successfully dodged the question when it was posed on Twitter a few days ago -- even after Kate doubled down and asked Verlander to give an answer!!
So, what happened this time around? Well, let's just say he'd rather talk about Jose Altuve ...
See also
Astros' Dallas Keuchel World Series Parade Slip-Up ... Reveals Foot Injury
Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel has proof that a good time can cost you ... he tells TMZ Sports that the walking boot on his foot is a result of the raucous Astros victory parade.
We got DK leaving Catch LA and asked him what's with the new footwear, since we weren't aware of any injuries he got during the World Series.
That's when Keuchel told us ... he actually hurt his paw after he slipped during the festivities celebrating the Astros first ever MLB championship.
We'd say good luck to the Astros in repeating, but we wouldn't want the guy to tear an ACL.
See also
Houston Astros Players World Series Bonus Checks ARE HUGE!!!
The World Series bonus checks are in ... and the Houston Astros are coming up BIG!!!!
Here's how it works ... each team in the MLB playoffs gets a bonus check based on how far they advanced. The bonus money is pooled from gate receipts from the playoff games.
The big winner -- the Houston Astros ... with each player getting a $438,901.57 bonus check!!!!
According to MLB, it's the largest bonus ever paid out. The previous record was held by the 2014 SF Giants, which paid players $392k each.
But don't feel too sorry for the L.A. Dodgers ... even though they lost the World Series, each player still made out with $259,722.14.
Here's how the rest of the bonuses paid out:
NY Yankees -- $138k
Chicago Cubs -- $133k
AZ Diamondbacks -- $40k
Boston Red Sox --$36k
Cleveland Indians -- $36k
Washington Nationals -- $36k
Colorado Rockies -- $18k
Minnesota Twins -- $18k
It pays to be good.
See also
Ex-MLB Star Josh Beckett Drunken Mug Shot After County Band Attack
Here it is ... Josh Beckett's mug shot -- taken moments after the ex-World Series MVP was arrested for drunkenly diving onto a country music band.
TMZ Sports broke the story ... the former pitcher was arrested in Texas on Oct. 26 for public intoxication after cops say he was boozed out of his mind and tackled the singer of a country music band while he was performing at an open mic night.
The lead singer says he suffered injuries -- and cops tell us they have opened an assault investigation into Beckett.
Beckett's attorney told us the whole thing was simply "horseplay" -- he meant no harm and he's vowed to make things right with the singer.
FYI, Beckett reportedly made more than $124 MILLION during his MLB career. We're sure he can find a way to make things right.
See also
Yasiel Puig I'M BATMAN DAMN IT ... $400K Car Gave it Away
Yasiel Puig just made a HUGE mistake -- revealing his secret identity to TMZ Sports while leaving Delilah in Hollywood ... and the tip-off was the ridiculously hot car he was driving.
Yasiel Puig, Dodgers star, is Batman.
We know how it sounds, but consider the facts -- Puig, who always talks to us, didn't, then proceeded to hop in his black Lamborghini Aventador -- MSRP $400k -- and sped off like he was hiding something.
Our theory? Yasiel forgot to use his driver (Alfred), absentmindedly got into his work car (chicks dig the car, after all) and headed out to Delilah for dinner not realizing we would be there.
Now we know why he was bragging about having so much money the last time we got him (Wayne Enterprises) and why he's not worried about the crooks who robbed him. He'll take care of it.
He's the hero L.A. deserves ('cause it sure as hell ain't Yu Darvish).
See also
Paul Wall Gets Huge World Series Back Tat ... Grillz Ain't Enough!!
Making custom grillz for the whole Astros roster wasn't good enough for Paul Wall ... 'cause he just commemorated the team's first World Series with a HUGE back tattoo!!
Wall rolled through G6 Tattoo Studios in Houston for the fresh ink -- which he showed off on Wednesday with his "World Series Grillz" track bumpin' in the background.
The H-Town MC's got several tats reppin' his civic pride -- but this one's probably the most epic.
Speaking of those grillz ... the 'Stros came through Wall and Johnny Dang's shop recently to get 'em molded -- and word is they're ready for pickup!
See also
Riff Raff Paul Wall's Astros Grillz Are 'Hot' ... But They Ain't My Style
Riff Raff is giving props to fellow H-Town MC Paul Wall for droppin' bank on custom grillz for the Astros -- but he's got 1 minor issue with them ...
THEY'RE TOO BALLER!!
Here's the deal ... Wall promised to make all the World Series champs personal mouth bling in 18-karat gold, which Riff says is dope (and expensive).
But when it comes to grillz, RR told TMZ Sports he rocks with 14 karat 'cause 18s and 24s don't hit the right shade of yellow.
The rapper's more of a shark-teeth-and-diamonds kinda guy ... as you can tell from the glow-in-the-dark joint he had on at In-N-Out.
See also
Curt Schilling Kershaw's Not A Big-Game Pitcher ... Blew It This World Series
Not everyone has the clutch gene -- and MLB playoffs legend Curt Schilling says that includes Clayton Kershaw, who exposed himself in this year's World Series.
We spoke to Curt about big-game pitching after the Dodgers' W.S. collapse ... and he didn't sugarcoat what separates guys like him from the Kershaws of the world -- Hall of Fame talents that don't show up when the lights are brightest.
"You have to want to be in a situation where everything's on you," Schill told TMZ Sports.
"And if you can't accept that -- if you can't accept the demand for perfection -- you're gonna lose."
We also asked Curt about the rumors of him hitting up new Phillies manager Gabe Kapler about an assistant coaching gig ... and he told us what's really going on.
See also
Yu Darvish Emotional World Series Apology 'I Couldn't Do It, I'm Sorry'
Yu Darvish is opening up on his World Series nightmare -- telling TMZ Sports he feels terrible for blowing his big moment.
"Dodger fans ... they expect we won the World Series. I couldn't do it. I still feel sorry," Darvish told us out in Beverly Grove.
Darvish -- who couldn't have been nicer to our photog -- says he gave everything he had to try and win ... but just came up short. Sucks, but Darvish told us he's soldiering on.
The big question -- will Darvish (a free agent) re-sign with L.A.??
We asked ... and he definitely didn't rule it out.
BONUS: We also got Joe Buck -- who called the game for FOX -- and he told us why L.A. fans should back off that ledge ... it's gonna be okay.
See also
Schoolboy Q Would I Collab with Lonzo Ball?? ... 'HELL NAH'
Rapper ScHoolboy Q's got an ice-cold reality check for Lonzo Ball -- saying the Lakers superstar needs to get the hell out the studio and "STICK TO BASKETBALL."
With Lonzo droppin' more tracks in recent weeks, we had to ask Q if he wanted to get in on the aspiring emcee's career like DJ Mustard and DJ Quik.
His answer -- "HELL NAH! 'Cause I rather see that n***a score some points and get some damn assists."
But Q ain't hatin' ... telling TMZ Sports he just wants Lonzo to be great on the court.
FYI, dude's a huge Lakers fan, but beefs hard with the Dodgers -- straight-up TRASHING the National League champs for chokin' away the World Series.
See also
David Ortiz Advice to Dodgers: 'Just Hit the Damn Baseball!'
David Ortiz believes the Dodgers will be just fine next season as long as they take one solid piece of advice -- "Just hit the damn baseball."
Big Papi was leaving L.A. after covering the World Series for FOX -- and had some real encouraging words for Dodgers fans before his flight out of LAX.
"They'll be fine next year. They have a good ball club."
Ortiz even has confidence Yu Darvish will be fine in the long run.
See also
Paul Wall Custom Grillz for Every Astro ... w/ 18 Karat Gold!!
The Houston Astros are getting some serious bling long before their rings arrive -- 'cause Paul Wall says he's hookin' up EVERY PLAYER with a custom gold grill.
The craziest part -- the rapper and his business partner Johnny Dang are trying to get it done BEFORE the World Series parade on Friday!!
We got Wall and Dang after their hometown 'Stros clinched the Series ... and they told TMZ Sports they ain't sparing any expense when it comes to H-Town's MLB champs.
Not only is the entire 40-man roster (and their hot WAGs) getting their own personalized teeth swag -- but each one is coming in 18 karat gold!!
Wall says the players might have to break out the plastic if they want a full mouth of diamonds ... but beyond that, everything's fair game.
Astros third baseman Alex Bregman approves.
See also
Justin Verlander & Kate Upton Victory Dog Walk ... After World Series
Who needs champagne and beer ... when you've got Kate Upton and Harley?!
After the Houston Astros beat down the L.A. Dodgers and won the World Series, stud pitcher Justin Verlander went back to the team hotel with his supermodel girlfriend for a romantic post-game stroll.
FYI, Harley is an adorable boxer that Kate rescued roughly 6 years ago -- and she loves him like a child ... so she travels everywhere with him.
Sweet video after a sweet victory -- congrats!!
See also
NBA's Al Harrington L.A. Shouldn't Hate Yu Darvish ... 'Sh*t Happens!'
Yu Darvish might've cost the Dodgers the World Series, but the city of Los Angeles shouldn't hate the guy -- so says ex-NBA vet Al Harrington.
After Darvish blew his Game 7 start at Dodger Stadium, we asked Harrington if he thought Yu was about to become Public Enemy #1 in L.A. ... and the ex-baller went to bat for the embattled ace.
"My man -- he tried. I'm sure he didn't mean to give up 5 runs," Al told TMZ Sports outside Craig's. "This sh*t happens ... it was just a lot."
That said ... A.H. ain't letting Darvish slide for spoiling an epic night of partying.
He ain't lyin' -- those West Hollywood streets look BARREN.
See also
Houston Astros Turn W.S. Trophy Into Beer Luge Wild Locker Room Turn Up!
The Houston Astros were THIRSTY after lockin' down their first World Series in franchise history -- so pitchers Ken Giles and James Hoyt used the Commissioner's Trophy as a beer luge to help the boys drink up!!
But the locker room celebration was just getting started ... clubhouse vet Brian McCann got in the middle of a dogpile for an epic booze shower -- with the 'Stros poppin' bottles of Limited Edition Championship Brut -- and he loved it.
Series MVP George Springer and third baseman Alex Bregman also got wet -- though Breg seemed a little pissed 'cause he didn't have his goggles on.
But don't get it twisted -- the guys were PUMPED. Also drunk. It was awesome.
See also
Vin Scully On Dodgers Pitching: 'I Better Not Give Any Opinion!'
With everyone asking if Dave Roberts made a tremendous mistake in starting Yu Darvish for Game 7 -- Vin Scully says he refuses to second-guess the Dodgers' skipper.
Vin -- along with a bunch of celebrity Dodger fans -- was leaving Dodger Stadium after the loss ... and you can see some of the hardcore Blew Crewers were legit sad ... like Flea and Dennis Haysbert.
Larry King says it's easy to question Roberts' pitching decisions after the fact ... but everyone had one thing in common -- they're all focusing on next year!
Congrats to the 'Stros.