NEWS: Carlos Beltran elected to Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026
After four tries, Carlos Beltran was finally elected to the Hall of Fame on January 20, cementing the legacy of one of the most complete and dynamic players of his generation — a switch-hitting center fielder who blended power, speed, defense and postseason excellence across two decades in the majors. Beltran debuted with the Royals in 1998 and quickly established himself as a five-tool star, later becoming a cornerstone for the Astros, Mets, Cardinals, Yankees and Rangers. Over 20 big league seasons, he compiled 2,725 hits, 435 home runs, 1,587 RBIs and 312 stolen bases, finishing with a .279 batting
THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL January 18: Orlando Cepeda signs with Red Sox as a DH
An aging Orlando Cepeda, 35 and coming off a bad year, signed with the Red Sox to become the team’s primary designated hitter on this day in béisbol, January 18, 1973. The new American League-only DH rule allowed a batter to hit for the pitcher in a move meant to add more offense to games. Cepeda was primed to be history’s first DH during the 1973 home opener at Fenway Park against the Yankees. But the honor went to Bombers designated hitter Ron Blomberg instead. Batting sixth that day, Blomberg came up in the top of the first inning with
THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL January 17: Victor Martinez injures knee, misses 2012 season
The Tigers’ quest to win the World Series after losing the 2011 ALCS was dealt a serious setback when DH Victor Martinez blew out his knee on this day in béisbol, January 17, 2012. Martinez, who tore his ACL, was out for the entire year after tearing his ACL during an off-season training session. He was one of Detroit’s best hitters in 2011, batting .330 and knocking in 103 runs on just 12 homers. The Tigers won only 88 games in 2012 without Martinez in the lineup but won the AL pennant, only to be swept by the Giants in
THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL January 16: Carlos Beltran fired as Mets manager before season starts
Carlos Beltran lost his job as Mets manager before he even put on the uniform on this day in béisbol, January 16, 2020. The Hall of Fame candidate was fired by New York after he was the only player named in the MLB investigation into sign stealing by the 2017 Houston Astros. Beltran was technically the third manager to get (garbage) canned. The probe also cost Astros manager A.J. Hinch his job, as well as Red Sox skipper Alex Cora, who was a Houston coach during the scandal that involved Astros personnel using a centerfield camera to steal pitching signs
NEWS: Red Sox sign pitcher Ranger Suarez to 5-year, $130M deal
The Boston Red Sox have added free agent pitcher Ranger Suarez to round out their starting staff, signing the Phillies stalwart to a five-year, $130 million contract on January 14. After eight seasons in Philadelphia, the 29-year-old Suárez arrives in Boston as a proven and dependable starter. In 2024, he posted a 12-8 record with a 3.46 ERA over 150.2 innings and 145 strikeouts after being named an All-Star. He followed that with another 12-8 campaign in 2025, with a 3.20 across 157.1 innings and 151 strikeouts — career highs in innings and strikeouts. Over his eight-season career with the
NEWS: 3B Nolan Arenado traded to Arizona
After spending the past couple of seasons on a perpetual trading block, Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado was dealt to the Diamondbacks on Jan. 13 in a deal that sends the fading former superstar to Arizona for a 22-year-old pitching prospect. The Cards get right-hander Jack Martinez, an eighth-round pick in the 2025 MLB draft. Arenado, who waived his no-trade clause, is owed $42 million over the next two seasons. Arizona will receive $31 million plus $6 million in deferred money payable in 2040-41, reducing the Cardinals’ immediate payroll impact. Arenado, 34, is a respected veteran, elite fielder and Hall
THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL January 12: Pitcher Juan Marichal elected to Hall of Fame
Juan Marichal, whose lifetime 243 wins was the most among Latino pitchers at the time, was inducted into the Hall of Fame on this day in béisbol, January 12, 1983. Known for his high leg kick and blazing fastball, the San Francisco Giants righty was the first Dominican Republic-born player elected to the Hall. He broke in with the Giants in 1960 at age 22 and quickly became the staff ace. He averaged 18 wins a year over his first 12 seasons and was a 20-game winner six times. Nicknamed “the Dominican Dandy,” Marichal went 243-142 with a 2.89 ERA,
THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL January 11: Tony Perez makes Hall of Fame on ninth try
It took Cincinnati Reds RBI machine Tony Perez nine tries to make the Hall of Fame, but the slugging first baseman finally made it on this day in béisbol, January 11, 2000. Perez joined Big Red Machine teammates Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan in Cooperstown, who were both elected in their first year of eligibility. The Camaguey, Cuba native was a dangerous middle-of-the-order force who hit 379 homers and 1,652 RBI over a 23-year career mostly spent in Cincinnati, where he won World Series in 1975 and 1976. Also on this day: In 2010, flame-throwing pitcher Aroldis Chapman of Cuba
