He’s a spark plug built like a fireplug. Listed at 5-foot-8 and 245 pounds, catcher Alejandro Kirk defied every conventional scouting stereotype to become a key contributor for the Toronto Blue Jays as they seek to dethrone the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2025 World Series. On a team that boasts such clutch postseason hitters
ADRIAN BELTRE, Third baseman Born: April 7, 1979 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Hall of Fame induction: 2024 Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers 1998-2004, Seattle Mariners 2005-2009, Boston Red Sox 2010, Texas Rangers 2011-2018 MLB debut: June 24, 1998, age 19 Hall of Fame plaque: “Combined formidable bat with dynamic defense to establish himself as a premier
Zach Britton only had three seasons as an elite closer over his 12-year career, but the Baltimore Oriole pitcher made them count. On this day in béisbol, October 29, 2016, the lefty was named the winner of the Mariano Rivera Award for being the year’s top American League reliever. Britton, 28, put together a record-breaking
Edwin Diaz’s last season as the Seattle Mariners’ hard-throwing closer was arguably his best. On this day in béisbol, October 27, 2018, Diaz was deemed the top reliever in the American League when he took home the Mariano Rivera Award named for the Yankees’ Hall of Fame closer and all-time saves leader. Diaz, from Naguabo,
On this day in béisbol, October 26, 2005, Freddy Garcia of the White Sox hurled seven shutout innings in Game 4 of the 2005 World Series to become the first starting pitcher from Venezuela to win a Fall Classic game. Garcia pitched seven shoutout innings in a 1-0 win against the Astros, who were swept
Finalists for MLB’s annual Silver Slugger Award honoring the top hitters at each position were announced on the eve of the 2025 World Series by bat maker Louisville Slugger. Among the players are Toronto Blue Jays postseason heroes Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the first basemen slot and George Springer, a finalist as both a DH
