NL Central
FILE - Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Will Craig, right, tosses the ball to catcher Michael Perez, left, after Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez (9) hit a fielder's choice third to first and was caught in a rundown between home a first during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, May 27, 2021. Cub's Willson Contreras, top center, scores on the play and Báez reached second on an errant throw by Pirates' catcher Perez. In a totally forgettable season for the Chicago Cubs, Baez wins the Newby award for best baserunning. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Cubs at Pirates 5/27/2021

Dec. 31, 2021 02:58 AM EST

FILE - Atlanta Braves' Hank Aaron hits his 715th career home run in Atlanta Stadium, April 8, 1974, to break the all-time record set by the late Babe Ruth. The ball is a blur as it leaves the bat. Aaron made history with one swing of his bat. A year later and on the other side of Georgia, Lee Elder made history with one swing of his driver. Their deaths in 2021 were mourned beyond the sports world and were reminders of the hate, hardships and obstacles they endured with dignity on their way to breaking records and barriers. (AP Photo/Joe Holloway, Jr., File)
Column: Another socially distanced Newby Awards for 2021

By Paul Newberry Dec. 31, 2021 02:55 AM EST

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Sep. 23, 2021 03:40 PM EDT
Sept. 28 1920 — A Chicago grand jury indicts eight members of the Chicago White Sox on charges of fixing the 1919 World Series, known as...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Aug. 19, 2021 11:49 AM EDT
Aug. 24 1904 — Holcombe Ward wins the men’s singles title in the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association singles title. 1908 —...

Eddy Alzarez holds his two Olympic silver medals as he meets with the media before a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and the Chicago Cubs, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Miami. Alzvarez won a silver medal in the 5,000-meter speedskating relay in the Winter Olympics in 2014, and a silver medal with Team USA baseball in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Cubs at Marlins 8/13/2021

Aug. 13, 2021 06:59 PM EDT

Israel's Ryan Lavarnway, right, celebrate with Danny Valencia after hitting a home run in the ninth inning a baseball game against South Korea at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Hit batters lift South Korea over Israel in Olympic baseball

By Ronald Blum Jul. 29, 2021 09:42 AM EDT

Matt Liberatore, of the National League, pitches during the first inning of the MLB All Star Futures baseball game, Sunday, July 11, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Gabe Christus)
Baseball organizer ran out of balls at Olympic qualifying

By Ronald Blum Jul. 29, 2021 06:13 AM EDT

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler follows through on a delivery to a Colorado Rockies batter during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
LEADING OFF: Alvarez carries U.S. flag, big rivalries abound

By The Associated Press Jul. 22, 2021 02:34 AM EDT

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kwang Hyun Kim throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Giants at Cardinals 7/17/2021

Jul. 21, 2021 10:51 PM EDT

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kwang Hyun Kim throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
LEADING OFF: Alvarez carries U.S. flag, big rivalries abound

By The Associated Press Jul. 21, 2021 10:50 PM EDT

Scioscia ejected, US beats Dom Rep 8-6 in Olympic qualifier

Jun. 01, 2021 11:40 PM EDT
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — U.S. manager Mike Scioscia was ejected after Philadelphia prospect Luke Williams hit a two-run triple in a four-run sixth inning,...

FILE - In this March 5, 2020, file photo, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore works out prior to a spring training baseball game against the Washington Nationals in West Palm Beach, Fla. St. Louis prospect Liberatore pitched one-run ball for five innings and manager Mike Scioscia’s U.S. team defeated Nicaragua, Monday, May 31, 2021, in the first game of its second chance to qualify for the Olympics. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Cardinals at Nationals 3/5/2020

May. 31, 2021 11:21 PM EDT

Wieters dropped from US Olympic qualifying roster

May. 30, 2021 11:04 AM EDT
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Catcher Matt Wieters has been dropped from the U.S. roster for Olympic baseball qualifying that starts Monday. ...

Phils' Middleton, Royals' Sherman join MLB executive council

Mar. 04, 2021 03:37 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies managing partner John Middleton and Kansas City Royals chairman John Sherman have joined Major League Baseball’s eight...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Sep. 24, 2020 12:55 PM EDT
Sept. 27 1894 — Aqueduct Race Track opens its doors. The building is torn down in 1955 and the new Aqueduct reopens on Sept. 14, 1959. ...

In this April 1, 2020, photo, AP correspondent Dan Sewell in Cincinnati plays in a tournament at home using the Strat-O-Matic baseball board game while self-isolating due to the coronavirus outbreak. With no real baseball being played, fans are getting their fixes with conference call chats, trivia contests and fantasy games. (AP Photo/Dan Sewell)
VIRUS DIARY: Fantasy baseball, when real ball is the fantasy

By Dan Sewell Apr. 02, 2020 03:58 PM EDT