Baseball

Pete Rose holding a baseball mitt in position during a Cincinnati Reds game.

Gambling Is an Addiction. So Why Was Pete Rose an Outcast? Gambling Is an Addiction. So Why Was Pete Rose an Outcast?

The baseball legend was an example of not only the perils of gambling but also why the sports leagues’ embrace of the online-betting industry makes them predatory hypocrites.

Oct 1, 2024 / Obituary / Dave Zirin

Reggie Jackson playing baseball

Reggie Jackson Speaks the Ugly Truth About Baseball’s Past Reggie Jackson Speaks the Ugly Truth About Baseball’s Past

The baseball legend tells the Fox Sports audience what it was like playing baseball in the 1960s in the South.

Jun 24, 2024 / Dave Zirin

San Francisco Giant center fielder Willie Mays swings his bat during spring training in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 24, 1961.

Willie Mays Was Baseball’s Last Mythic Hero Willie Mays Was Baseball’s Last Mythic Hero

The center fielder, who died at 93, was the last surviving star who began his career in Black baseball.

Jun 21, 2024 / Obituary / Bijan C. Bayne

Josh Gibson slides into home plate

Counting the Negro League Records Is About More Than Numbers Counting the Negro League Records Is About More Than Numbers

One player in particular is laying waste to the Major League record book: Josh Gibson.

May 29, 2024 / Dave Zirin

Esteury Ruiz playing baseball

Oakland Has 2 New Baseball Heroes—and a Billionaire Owner Ruining Everything Oakland Has 2 New Baseball Heroes—and a Billionaire Owner Ruining Everything

Outfielders Esteury Ruiz and Brent Rooker stood with their fans against a planned move to Las Vegas. They were punished, and the owner is pulling the team from Oakland early.

Apr 5, 2024 / Dave Zirin

Video screen shows Ohtani speaking at press conference

Online Gambling Has Swallowed Professional Sports Online Gambling Has Swallowed Professional Sports

Sports leagues partnered with legal gambling operations to fill their coffers. The deals are bringing in millions, but now they threaten to undermine what makes sports special.

Mar 27, 2024 / Dave Zirin

Democrats Should Not Underestimate Steve Garvey

Democrats Should Not Underestimate Steve Garvey Democrats Should Not Underestimate Steve Garvey

The former baseball star wants to fill Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat in California, and his celebrity status might just give him a chance.

Oct 18, 2023 / Peter Dreier and Kelly Candaele

Former Washington Nationals player Sean Doolittle pitching

Sean Doolittle, Baseball’s Left-Wing Lefty, Retires Sean Doolittle, Baseball’s Left-Wing Lefty, Retires

How the Nationals’ star reliever became the conscience of baseball.

Oct 6, 2023 / Peter Dreier

Esteury Ruiz of the Oakland Athletics

The Oakland A’s Are Moving to Vegas. Could the Yankees Be Next? The Oakland A’s Are Moving to Vegas. Could the Yankees Be Next?

For MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, everything—and including your favorite team—has a price.

Apr 21, 2023 / Dave Zirin

Houston Astros shortstop Alex Bregman hits a grand slam home run

Want World Peace? Ban the Home Run. Want World Peace? Ban the Home Run.

The dream of the game-changing home run has shaped our approach to so much, from sports to geopolitics—most significantly, our ability to solve problems through reason and diplomac...

Oct 20, 2022 / Robert Lipsyte

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