Former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox, who led the franchise to 14 consecutive division titles and the 1995 World Series, has died at the age of 84.
The team announced the passing of the Hall of Fame skipper on Saturday, describing him as the best manager to ever wear their uniform.
The 84-year-old ranks fourth on the all-time managerial wins list, securing 2,504 victories over a 29-year career.
A legacy of unprecedented success
Most of that remarkable success came during two lengthy spells in Georgia, alongside a four-year stint managing the Toronto Blue Jays.
The four-time Manager of the Year orchestrated an astonishing run of dominance in the National League, guiding his side to 14 straight division crowns between 1991 and 2005.
That golden era culminated in a memorable 1995 World Series triumph, bringing the city its first championship since the franchise relocated to Atlanta in 1966.
“His Braves managerial legacy will never be matched,” the franchise said in a statement.
From the front office to Cooperstown
Beyond his dugout achievements, the former New York Yankees infielder also made a profound impact in the front office.
Returning to the organisation as general manager in 1986, he helped assemble the core of a dynasty and notably drafted future icon Chipper Jones with the first overall pick in 1990.
The often-tempestuous leader, who holds the Major League Baseball record for the most career ejections, returned to managing that same year to form a legendary partnership with incoming executive John Schuerholz.
His immense contributions to the sport were officially recognised in 2014 when he was enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame alongside several of his former star players.
‘He is the Atlanta Braves’
Tributes have quickly poured in from across the baseball community for a figure who was deeply respected by his former players.
“He is one of the best human beings any of us have ever met,” former catcher Brian McCann previously said. “He is the Atlanta Braves.”
Following his final season, the organisation cemented his legacy by retiring his number six jersey in his honour.
The revered baseball figure had previously suffered a stroke in April 2019 but made a resilient return to the team’s home park later that year.
Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn tendon in his left ankle that requires surgery.
The Puerto Rican sustained the freak injury while taking swings in the batting cage before Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the veteran infielder confirmed the severity of the issue.
I suffered a complete tear.
A major blow for Houston
He now faces an extensive rehabilitation period, with the recovery process estimated to take between six and eight months.
This prolonged absence guarantees the former Gold Glove winner will play no further part in the current campaign.
His sudden injury removes a crucial piece from the Houston lineup as they navigate a highly competitive American League West division.
Before the frustrating setback, the 29-year-old was batting .279 with three home runs and 16 RBIs this season.
Lengthy road to recovery
Club medical staff will schedule the operation shortly to allow the healing process to begin.
Losing their defensive anchor puts immediate pressure on the Astros to reshuffle their infield for the coming months.
Management must now decide whether to rely on internal options or explore external solutions to fill the significant void.
Detroit Tigers ace and two-time defending American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal requires surgery on his left elbow after his arm locked up on Sunday.
Manager A.J. Hinch confirmed the left-hander needs a procedure to remove loose bodies from his throwing arm.
The standout pitcher’s joint seized up over the weekend, forcing him to miss his scheduled start against the Boston Red Sox on Monday night.
“It will be an easy process and procedure,” Hinch told reporters.
Extended absence expected
Although the franchise has not provided a definitive timeline for his recovery, similar operations typically sideline players for two to three months.
Losing their premier starter is a significant blow to the team’s pitching rotation as they navigate the current campaign.
In response to the setback, Detroit has recalled pitching prospect Ty Madden to bolster their depleted ranks.
Bullpen steps up
Meanwhile, Tyler Holton will serve as an opener for the second consecutive game to help cover the immediate innings void.
The reliever recently pitched two-thirds of an inning during Sunday’s comprehensive 7-1 victory over the Texas Rangers.
Legendary New York Yankees radio broadcaster John Sterling has died at the age of 87, following a remarkable 36-season career behind the microphone for the Major League Baseball franchise.
New York-based station WFAN Sports Radio officially announced his passing on Monday.
The revered commentator had only recently stepped away from the broadcast booth, formally retiring in April 2024.
Voice of a dynasty
He joined the team’s broadcast setup in 1989 and quickly became the definitive soundtrack for generations of baseball fans.
During his extraordinary tenure, the veteran announcer called a staggering 5,420 regular-season matches.
His iconic voice was also synonymous with the post-season, narrating 211 playoff matchups as the club secured multiple World Series titles during the 1990s and 2000s.
An unforgettable legacy
The beloved broadcaster was widely celebrated across the sport for his highly personalised, theatrical home run calls and dramatic victory declarations.
His unwavering dedication saw him maintain a remarkable streak of consecutive games called, rarely missing a pitch over three decades.
The iconic figure leaves behind an indelible mark on the sporting landscape of New York and the wider baseball community.
Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr is awaiting an MRI scan after exiting Saturday’s game against the Colorado Rockies with left hamstring tightness.
The 28-year-old was attempting to run out a ground ball in the second inning when he suddenly pulled up halfway down the base path.
After grabbing his left leg, the Venezuelan star was examined by medical staff before walking gingerly back to the dugout.
Eli White subsequently replaced the five-time All-Star in right field with the visitors holding an early 2-0 advantage in Denver.
Awaiting medical assessment
Braves manager Walt Weiss confirmed the full extent of the damage will remain unclear until imaging is completed over the weekend.
“We’ll see the severity of it,” Weiss said.
“I didn’t like the way it looked. Hopefully, if he is out, it’ll be short-term.”
Prior to his premature departure, the former National League MVP had hit a leadoff single and scored the opening run on a Drake Baldwin homer.
Recent injury history
Any prolonged absence would be a bitter blow for the dynamic outfielder following his extensive rehabilitation journey.
A torn ACL suffered in May 2024 limited him to a combined 144 appearances over the previous two campaigns.
Before this latest setback, he had featured in all 34 of Atlanta’s games this season and was hitting an impressive .381 over his last six outings.
Overall this campaign, he is batting .252 with two home runs, nine runs batted in, and a team-leading seven stolen bases.
Lineup alternatives
Should the hamstring issue mandate a stint on the injured list, the franchise possesses several versatile deputising options.
Mauricio Dubón, Jorge Mateo, and White are all capable of filling the immediate void in the outfield.
“We’re very versatile, but you never like to be challenged like this, losing one of your best and most talented players,” Weiss added.
“We’ll be OK. We’ll have some moving parts.”
The San Diego Padres have agreed to sell a controlling stake in the franchise to an investor group led by Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano in a Major League Baseball record deal.
The family of the late owner Peter Seidler formally announced the historic agreement on Saturday.
The proposed transaction, which remains subject to approval by Major League Baseball, values the franchise at a staggering $3.9bn (£3.08bn).
Sources indicate the private equity billionaire and his wife are expected to secure approximately a 40% equity stake in the team.
Building on a strong foundation
The Seidler family will retain a minority interest in the Californian organisation following the takeover.
“The Padres are more than a baseball team; they are a unifying force in San Diego, rooted in community, connection and belonging.”
A joint statement from the new prospective owners emphasised their commitment to earning the trust of the local fanbase.
“This is about more than baseball — it’s about boosting the pride, energy, and connection that define the Padres, investing in community, deepening belonging and ensuring this team remains accessible and endures for generations.”
Continuing the Seidler legacy
The decision to explore a sale began last November, two years following the passing of the immensely popular Peter Seidler.
His brother, John Seidler, has served as the club’s chairman since that tragic event and facilitated the handover.
“As I pass the baton to Kwanza and José, I do so with full confidence that they share that vision as well as the Padres’ deep commitment to San Diego.”
The outgoing chairman added that his primary goal had always been to continue building on their recent success in pursuit of a championship.
A thriving franchise
Peter Seidler originally joined the ownership group in 2012 when the team was purchased from John Moores for $800m.
He later assumed primary ownership in 2020 and quickly endeared himself to supporters through aggressive financial investment.
That backing allowed general manager A.J. Preller to assemble a highly competitive roster that has reached the postseason in four of the past six years.
The organisation continues to draw massive crowds as the only major North American sports franchise in the city, ranking second in MLB attendance last season.
On the field, the team has enjoyed a strong start to the current campaign, sitting second in the National League West with a 19-12 record.
The Philadelphia Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday following a disastrous 9-19 start to the Major League Baseball season.
Reports in the United States indicate the struggling franchise dismissed the 60-year-old after dropping to the very bottom of the standings.
Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly will take immediate charge of the team on an interim basis.
Disastrous start prompts change
The Pennsylvania-based outfit entered Tuesday tied with the New York Mets for the worst overall record in the majors.
Despite possessing a high-profile roster built to compete for championships, the squad has consistently underperformed during the opening month of the campaign.
This severe slump ultimately forced the front office to make a decisive change in leadership to salvage their season.
Mattingly steps into the dugout
Mattingly brings significant managerial experience to a clubhouse that is desperately searching for a catalyst to turn their fortunes around.
The interim boss faces an immediate challenge to rectify the glaring issues that have plagued the roster over their first 28 games.
The initial news of the managerial change was first reported by The Athletic before being widely confirmed across US media networks.
The Boston Red Sox have dismissed manager Alex Cora and three senior coaches following a disappointing 10-17 start to the Major League Baseball season.
The 50-year-old departs Fenway Park in his eighth season at the helm, leaving behind a 619-541 managerial record.
Hitting coach Peter Fatse, bench coach Ramon Vazquez and game-planning coach Jason Varitek have also been relieved of their duties.
World Series heights to early exit
Cora’s managerial tenure in Massachusetts began with spectacular success as he guided the franchise to a World Series championship during his debut 2018 campaign.
However, the current campaign has fallen drastically short of expectations for the historic organisation.
A sluggish opening month left the American League East side languishing with a 10-17 win-loss record, prompting the front office to make a decisive change.
Search begins for new leadership
The simultaneous departure of three key backroom staff members indicates a comprehensive restructuring of the club’s coaching hierarchy.
Varitek, a legendary former catcher and beloved figure for the franchise, represents a particularly notable casualty in the sweeping dugout overhaul.
Ownership will now begin an immediate search to fill the sudden vacancies and attempt to salvage the remainder of their challenging campaign.