TAMPA, Fla. — A Tampa Bay Times story last week caused some readers’ heads to explode, detailing how the Tampa Bay Rays might pursue hundreds of millions of tax dollars for the team’s proposed stadium in Tampa.

I understand the reaction but let’s be fair: The Rays’ owners have been clear they may seek up to half the $2.3 billion ...Read more

SEATTLE — The World Baseball Classic is over.

Somewhat mercifully for the Seattle Mariners.

Not just because Seattle’s 17 participants were the most of any MLB organization, and its roster can finally reunite barely a week before opening day. Not just because they have precious little time to prepare in Peoria, Ariz., for the most ...Read more

CHICAGO — Billionaire investor Justin Ishbia is on the verge of buying an Amtrak rail yard southwest of downtown and just across the Chicago River from The 78, a new mixed-use development still eyed as a possible future home of the Chicago White Sox.

Ishbia, the founder and managing partner of Chicago-based private equity firm Shore Capital ...Read more

MIAMI — The record will reflect that Venezuela, a baseball-rich country with a loaded lineup and passionate fans who ring your ears with songs and chants, won the sixth edition of the World Baseball Classic, 3-2, Tuesday night.

Just not before the Showman showed up.

With the most talented U.S. team ever assembled in danger of getting shut ...Read more

CLEARWATER, Fla. — As Zack Wheeler threw warmup pitches before facing hitters in live batting practice Wednesday, a familiar Alice In Chains song played in the empty stadium.

“Yeeeeah, here comes the rooster ... ”

Coming soon to a spring training game?

“I don’t know,” the Phillies’ ace said with what amounted to a vocal shrug. �...Read more

MIAMI — The victors erupted onto the field and into multiple dogpiles. Some wore national flags around their shoulders. Within minutes, the Venezuelans wore T-shirts that read: "The Best Baseball in the World."

The players from the United States watched from their dugout. Within minutes, they trudged back onto the field so a silver medal ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — Hours before the Yankees hosted a collection of Red Sox minor leaguers on Wednesday, Gerrit Cole was met with a playful greeting as he strolled up to his locker at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

“Hey Gerrit!” his neighbor, Cam Schlittler, said with a humorous tone. “You excited? Big day for you!”

The truth is, Wednesday ...Read more

MIAMI — There would be undeniable political overtones when the United States and Venezuela met on a baseball field Tuesday night in Miami just three months after a U.S. military invasion removed by force the other country’s president.

That emotional edge may be why Venezuela is the World Baseball Classic champion today over the favored ...Read more

CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs fans will have more direct-to-consumer streaming options to watch games this year.

Marquee Sports Network has reached an agreement to expand its DTC footprint through two notable streaming services.

Starting Wednesday, Marquee is available for Hulu + Live TV subscribers. Additionally, Marquee can be streamed live on ...Read more

CLEARWATER, Fla. — When you think of performance-enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball, and if you’re of a certain age, you probably think of the Oakland A’s and the legacy of Mark McGwire, or maybe San Francisco and Barry Bonds’ BALCO scandal. If you’re a bit younger, maybe it’s Ryan Braun and the Brewers or the five Royals ...Read more

MIAMI — After logging the biggest hit of the tournament, pulling a change-up into the gap in left-center field, Eugenio Suarez glided into second base and raised his arms high in the air as his Venezuela teammates emptied from the dugout to celebrate at home plate.

Not too long after, Venezuela was officially on the top of the baseball world....Read more

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The next time Cam Schlittler’s spidey-sense starts tingling, the Yankees starter should have a handy tool at his disposal.

That’s because PETA — yes, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — said Tuesday that it is “rushing” a shipment of humane bug catchers to the Bombers “to ensure that any ...Read more

We look to sports as a way to share lessons about sportsmanship, teamwork and respect for others. When the Dodgers visited the White House last year, Clayton Kershaw delivered a short but moving speech about the "selflessness and humility" that built a foundation for a championship.

"This organization exemplifies what it means to come together ...Read more

AUBURN, Calif. — Speaking in a Placer County courtroom, Adrienne Spohr said Samantha Scott’s “deceit and chosen silence” destroyed her family. Scott admitted to lying to police to protect Daniel Serafini, the man who shot Spohr’s parents in an ambush five years ago as the couple watched TV in their living room.

“She allowed a killer...Read more

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Gerrit Cole is ready for game action.

Well, exhibition game action, anyway, as the Yankees’ announced that the right-hander is scheduled to start Wednesday’s spring training contest against the Red Sox at George M. Steinbrenner Field. It will be Cole’s first start of any kind since undergoing Tommy John surgery a ...Read more

LAKELAND, Fla. — Otto Kemp anticipated a slow start to the spring.

After undergoing two procedures over the winter — a bone fragment removed from his left knee and a left shoulder cleanup — the Phillies’ utility player didn’t come in with too many expectations right away. While spring training numbers are always hard to put stock into...Read more

MIAMI — It seemed like only a matter of time before Venezuela got its big hit, that momentum-swinging spark that would tilt this World Baseball Classic semifinal against Italy in its favor.

It finally came in the seventh inning.

And, naturally, it came from Ronald Acuna Jr.

The superstar leadoff hitter and right fielder logged the first ...Read more

Nolan McLean is ready for this moment.

With a World Baseball Classic championship on the line, Team USA is turning to the standout Mets rookie to start Tuesday night’s final at LoanDepot Park in Miami.

McLean wouldn’t have it any other way.

“If you work your whole life at something, you want to be put in these spots,” McLean said ...Read more

Team USA vanquished the Dominican Republic. The defending champions, Japan, already had been dismissed.

So … congratulations to the United States for winning the World Baseball Classic?

Not so fast, and certainly not based on Sunday's tense but hardly crisp 2-1 victory in which the U.S. eliminated the Dominican Republic.

"That was high-...Read more