Top News:
Associated Press:
Play ball: Korean baseball league begins in empty stadiums — SEOUL, South Korea — Cheerleaders danced beneath rows of empty seats, and umpires wore protective masks as a new Korea Baseball Organization season began in South Korea. — After a weekslong delay because of the coronavirus pandemic …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Detroit Free Press and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
Jon Lester opens up about his uncertain future — Jon Lester summed up quite a bit with just a few select words. — “It's just a unique deal,” the Cubs pitcher told WEEI.com during a wide-ranging conversation. — So true, in so many ways. — The first order of business, of course …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, NESN.com, MLB Trade Rumors and Fox News
Marly Rivera / ESPN:
‘We want to play,’ but focus is on MLB players' health and safety, union chief Tony Clark says — Tony Clark was first familiar to fans from his playing days as a switch-hitting slugger, hitting 251 home runs over a 15-year career in the majors. During his career, he became active …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Cincinnati.com, Talking Chop, MLB Baseball News …, New York Post and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Marly Rivera / ESPN:
Pedro Martinez, other MLB players form coalition for coronavirus relief in Dominican Republic — Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez and a coalition of over 40 current and retired Major League Baseball players have united to launch the “Step Up to the Plate” fund to support coronavirus relief efforts in the Dominican Republic.
Discussion:
New York Daily News, MLB Baseball News … and NESN.com
Scott Boras / New York Times:
We Have to Bring Baseball Back — Time and time again, baseball has helped our country recover and come together in times of loss. It can help us during the pandemic, too. — Mr. Boras is an attorney for baseball players. — In some of America's darkest moments …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors, Purple Row, MLB Baseball News …, DRaysBay and True Blue LA
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Though one team has discussed a July 1 MLB return, no plan is close to firm — There is no plan, can be no plan, until Major League Baseball gains a clearer perspective on which states are containing COVID-19 well enough for games to be played safely in their most stripped-down form, without fans.
Discussion:
WKYC-TV, MLB Trade Rumors, Plain Dealer, NBCSports.com, FanGraphs Baseball, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Fish Stripes, MLB Daily Dish and Let's Go Tribe
Rob Goldberg / Bleacher Report:
Patrick Corbin Talks World Series, Bryce Harper, All-Time Best SPs in B/R AMA — While he awaits the start of the 2020 MLB season, Washington Nationals pitcher Patrick Corbin joined Bleacher Report for an AMA session. — The two-time MLB All-Star is coming off an excellent first year …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Federal Baseball
John Hickey / Sports Illustrated:
Here's to Athletics' Herb Washington, Who Did Baseball Not Quite Like Anyone Else — Herb Washington. Just the name leaves some longtime Oakland A's fans shaking their heads. — Good idea? Bad idea? — Back in 1974, it was then-A's owner Charlie Finley's idea to take the world-class sprinter …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Mark Liptak / Sports Illustrated:
Today in White Sox History: May 5 — 1962White Sox minority owners, headed up by William Bartholomay (who would later lead the group buying the Braves and moving them to Atlanta), sold their 46% shares of the team to majority owner Art Allyn. It was the first time since 1939 that the White Sox were owned by a single individual.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Isabelle Lopez / ESPN Press Room U.S.:
ESPN Films To Continue Sunday Night Run - Moving Three High Profile 30 for 30s to Sundays After “The Last Dance” — Just as ESPN Films moved “The Last Dance” earlier to fill the void that live sports left, ESPN Films' Peabody and Academy Award-winning 30 for 30 series is premiering three new documentaries …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and UPI
Mike Florio / ProFootballTalk:
Dave Caldwell: Jaguars are going forward with Leonard Fournette — The Jaguars had trade talks involving running back Leonard Fournette before and during the draft. It didn't happen, and the team is now moving forward with the fourth overall pick in the 2017 draft.
Discussion:
Pro Football Rumors, Sports Illustrated and UPI
Marly Rivera / ESPN:
Coronavirus pandemic slows contract talks between Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs — The coronavirus pandemic has put on hold not only the 2020 major league season but also contract-extension talks between All-Star shortstop Javier Baez and the Chicago Cubs. — Baez, under team control through 2021 …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors