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Padres scream for ice cream in sweltering heat

1:00 AM EDT

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The temperature at the Peoria Sports Complex rose above 100 degrees on Thursday afternoon. So the Padres beat the heat the old-fashioned way: ice cream. More specifically, an “Old School Ice Cream Bus” parked just outside the team’s Spring Training clubhouse and dining area. Before players retreated

Fan holding a baby snares a foul ball -- and the baby sleeps right through it!

12:15 AM EDT

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Padres welcomed back two Gold Glovers on Thursday, with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado returning to the lineup after their trip to the World Baseball Classic. But the best play made by a Padre on Thursday night? That came in section 110 at the Peoria

Drafting the 2026 World Series favorites, from 1 to 30

12:12 AM EDT

With the glorious World Baseball Classic in the rearview mirror and the 2026 Major League Baseball season just days away from getting started, it’s time for MLB.com’s Will Leitch and Mike Petriello to get together for their annual World Series draft. From 1-30, Mike and Will choose teams based only

Blue Jays' Heineman, A's Kurtz talk Opening Day trade ... of 1-of-1 Kurtz Topps card

March 19, 2026

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Now that they’re all done jumping and screaming, trade talks have begun. Blue Jays catcher Tyler Heineman, who just pulled one of the most valuable Nick Kurtz baseball cards in circulation, wants to get the card back to the Athletics' young star.

Phillies' massive new sundae comes with a fried PB&J

March 19, 2026

There's not much better than ice cream in a mini helmet at the ballpark. But if you go to a Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park this season, you can level up that simple pleasure into something supreme. Behold, the "Schwarbomb Sundae." Named after the power-hitting Kyle Schwarber, this delicacy

Want your shot at history? Famous prop from Team Italy's Classic run up for auction

@@maxralph_
March 19, 2026

Unlike “Michael’s Secret Stuff” from “Space Jam,” the elixir propelling Team Italy to the 2026 World Baseball Classic semifinal was pretty well-known — even before Vinnie Pasquantino mashed the first three-home-run game in tournament history. After each of Pasquantino’s trots around the diamond, he marched into the dugout to pour

Netflix wants you to be a part of Opening Night ... here's how

@jared_greenspan
March 19, 2026

If you’ve ever wanted to be a part of Opening Day festivities, Netflix has the perfect opportunity for you.

Here's every new Minor League alternate identity announced for 2026 so far

@BensBiz
March 18, 2026

Be yourself, unless you feel like being something else. This is now an established Minor League Baseball promotional strategy, as teams across the country regularly assume alternate identities in lieu of their day-to-day primary identities. These alternate identities often have a local connection, with teams celebrating their region's culinary specialties,

7 brand-new looks, bold identities join Copa de la Diversión for 2026

March 18, 2026

With additions from jumping beans to flying wrestlers, the Minor League Baseball landscape is getting even wilder in 2026. This year's Copa de la Diversión -- literally, "Fun Cup" -- extends and expands the annual season-long series dedicated to embracing the culture and values that resonate with MiLB teams' local

One magic town. 60 pro players. And they're all related to Ronald Acuña Jr.

Welcome to 'The Land of Ballplayers'
March 17, 2026

This story was originally published in April 2024. Team Venezuela, led by some of the names you'll read about here, won the 2026 World Baseball Classic for the first time.

Gausman reflects on his baseball card from half a lifetime ago

March 17, 2026

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- In his right hand, Kevin Gausman is holding a baseball card, looking at a skinny kid from half a lifetime ago. This is one of the very first cards of Gausman. It’s from a 2009 “USA Star Prospects” by Upper Deck, and an 18-year-old Gausman is leaning

The 'crazy hour' dance that has carried Venezuela through the Classic

March 16, 2026

Before each game in the World Baseball Classic, Team Venezuela gathers in a circle in its dugout. As pitcher Eduard Bazardo pounds upon a special drum – known as el tambor – the players take turns jumping into and out of the circle to show off their moves. This isn’t

When you set a spring stolen-base record, you obviously have to pull a Rickey

March 12, 2026

Rickey Henderson's all-time steals total is one of those baseball records that will in all likelihood never be broken. But for a brief moment this spring, there was a new stolen-base "record" getting its time in the sun, and The Man of Steal was on everybody's mind. Speedy Red Sox

A Caglianone card perfect for the Classic

March 12, 2026

Team Italy pulled off perhaps the greatest victory in the country's baseball history over the juggernaut Team USA on Tuesday night at the World Baseball Classic. It'll be hard for any member of the upstart squad to fuhgeddaboudit. That especially goes for Jac Caglianone, thanks to his hot off the

'La Cabra Maga' makes cards, baseballs disappear

March 12, 2026

This story was excerpted from Christina De Nicola’s Marlins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Angels, Padres shake it up, baby, with Farris-Buehler matchup

March 10, 2026

TEMPE, Ariz. -- As Angels manager Kurt Suzuki began his media session Tuesday morning, he was immediately asked why the pitching matchup between his club and the Padres was so notable. “Ferris Bueller?” Suzuki said with a smile.

KD wore signed Judge Team USA jersey to watch win vs. Mexico

@jared_greenspan
March 10, 2026

A four-time Olympic gold medalist, Kevin Durant knows a thing or two about bringing home a title for Team USA. Monday night, the NBA superstar liked what he saw on the diamond as the Americans continued their title push at the World Baseball Classic. Durant rocked an autographed Aaron Judge

Czechia's viral electrical worker 'Jedi' who K'd Ohtani bids farewell to Classic

March 10, 2026

TOKYO -- One pitch changed Ondřej Satoria’s life -- and he thought it was a mistake. Facing Shohei Ohtani in the Tokyo Dome three years ago, Satoria -- an electrical controller at ČEZ Group in Ostrava, a city on the border of Poland – threw his changeup, which he calls

This World Baseball Classic pitcher may be baseball's biggest Taylor Swift fan

March 9, 2026

TOKYO -- Baseball has taken Todd Van Steensel around the world. He's pitched in the Minors for the Phillies and Twins, played for Kinheim in Holland's Honkbal Hoofdklasse, Guadalajara in the Mexican League (for current Mexican national team manager Benji Gil), the Tigres de Aragua in Venezuela's Winter League and

Logan Allen wins anthem standoff vs. ... Logan Allen?

March 8, 2026

Yes, yes, we know that you've seen baseball player standoffs -- usually done before the national anthem. One vs. one, one vs. five, even some that have lasted three innings. But have you ever seen a player stand off against ... himself?

Australian starter flourishes vs. Japan, but his brothers steal the show

March 8, 2026

TOKYO -- Connor MacDonald wasn’t supposed to be a pitcher. The Brisbane native actually began his career as a first baseman and outfielder, signing with the Astros and reaching Single-A. He reinvented himself and converted to pitching full-time just three years ago. On Sunday, he was handed the opportunity of

Have trombone, will travel: Passionate Chinese Taipei fans light up Tokyo Dome

March 8, 2026

TOKYO -- When Jyun-Yue Tseng raced out onto the mound in the seventh inning of Chinese Taipei's 14-0 victory over Czechia on Saturday, over 40,000 fans lifted their phones and flipped on their flashlights, turning the stadium into a sparkling globe filled with screaming, cheering fans. But this wasn’t the

Caissie homers directly into Canadian flag

March 7, 2026

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- According to MLB Pipeline, Owen Caissie is the No. 42 prospect in all of baseball. That means the red-headed Marlins outfielder is good. Really good.

A shot of espresso is the best way to celebrate a home run

@jared_greenspan
March 7, 2026

Everyone’s favorite dugout espresso machine is back in business. And business is booming. Italy created a stir at the 2023 World Baseball Classic when it housed a Nespresso machine in the dugout. With a little caffeine in their system, the Italians played inspired baseball, advancing out of group play for

Furry friend causes commotion in stands during Braves-Twins spring matchup

March 6, 2026

FORT MYERS, Fla -- A furry, four-legged friend was trying to catch the action on the field between the Braves and Twins Friday night at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, all while avoiding being caught in the stands. A few shrieks and screams could be heard amongst stadium goers as