Ronald Blum, Author at Daily Hampshire Gazette

RHP Lucas Giolito agrees to 2-year contract with the Boston Red Sox

by Ronald Blum Associated PressDecember 30, 2023December 30, 2023

The Boston Red Sox added Lucas Giolito to their rotation on Friday, agreeing to a $38.5 million, two-year contract with the right-hander.The 29-year-old Giolito can opt out of the deal after the 2024 season, a person familiar with the agreement told…

FILE - A radar device is mounted on the roof behind home plate at PeoplesBank Park during the third inning of the Atlantic League All-Star minor league baseball game in York, Pa., July 10, 2019. Major League Baseball started experimenting with robots calling balls and strikes in the independent Atlantic League in 2019 and used the computer at Low-A in 2021. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

What is a strike in baseball? Robots, rule book and umpires view it differently

by Ronald Blum Associated PressJuly 10, 2023

New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 8, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Yankees’ Gerrit Cole and Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen will start the MLB All-Star Game

by Ronald Blum Associated PressJuly 10, 2023

FILE - Washington Nationals starting pitcher Trevor Williams (32) winds up to throw as the pitch clock runs during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

MLB 2023: New rules, big money Mets, Ohtani’s walk year

by Ronald Blum Associated PressMarch 27, 2023

Japan players celebrate after defeating the United States in the World Baseball Classic championship game, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

World Baseball Classic keeps growing despite injury risks

by Ronald Blum Associated PressMarch 22, 2023

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout catches a fly ball near the wall hit by Milwaukee Brewers’ Keston Hiura during the fifth inning of a spring training game March 1 in Tempe, Ariz. Trout will represent the U.S. in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

World Baseball Classic has more stars after 6-year absence

by Ronald Blum Associated PressMarch 6, 2023

FILE - U.S. Soccer Federation sporting director Earnie Stewart stands on the field before the World Cup group B soccer match between Iran and the United States at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. U.S. Soccer Federation sporting director Earnie Stewart is leaving to join PSV Eindhoven following the departure of American general manager Brian McBride, a management shakeup that leaves men's coach Gregg Berhalter in uncertainty. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

Stewart, McBride exit US Soccer, leaving Berhalter in limbo

by Ronald Blum Associated PressJanuary 26, 2023

FILE - St. Louis Cardinals Scott Rolen watches his two-run home run off Houston Astros pitcher Chad Harville in the fifth inning during Game 2 of the National League Championship Series at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004. Rolen could become just the 18th third baseman elected to baseball's Hall of Fame, the fewest of any position. Rolen, Todd Helton and Billy Wagner are the leading contenders in the Baseball Writers' Association of America vote announced...

Scott Rolen elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame

by Ronald Blum Associated PressJanuary 24, 2023

FILE - St. Louis Cardinals Scott Rolen watches his two-run home run off Houston Astros pitcher Chad Harville in the fifth inning during Game 2 of the National League Championship Series at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004. Rolen could become just the 18th third baseman elected to baseball's Hall of Fame, the fewest of any position. Rolen, Todd Helton and Billy Wagner are the leading contenders in the Baseball Writers' Association of America vote announced...

Rolen could become just 18th third baseman in Hall of Fame

by Ronald Blum Associated PressJanuary 23, 2023

FILE - Minnesota Twins' Carlos Correa reacts while batting during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in Minneapolis. Carlos Correa reversed course for a second time, agreeing Tuesday to a 200 million, six-year contract that keeps him with the Minnesota Twins after failing to complete agreements with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Tuesday, Jan....

AP source: Correa spurns Mets, reaches $200M deal with Twins

by Ronald Blum Associated PressJanuary 10, 2023