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Deadspin | Blue Jays: Nathan Lukes (hamstring) to IL; Trey Yesavage (shoulder) close to return Apr 24, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Nathan Lukes (38) leaves the game after sliding into second base against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images The Toronto Blue Jays added yet another player to the injured list Saturday when outfielder Nathan Lukes was placed on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain. In Friday night’s 8-6 loss to the visiting Cleveland Guardians, Lukes led off the Toronto first against Gavin Williams with a double to right but hobbled into second with left hamstring discomfort. He was replaced by pinch runner Davis Schneider, who took third on a flyout and scored on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s ground out. Lukes started the season 2-for-31 while struggling with dizziness and vision problems caused by vertigo before notching 11 hits in his last 21 at-bats. He’s hitting .250 with eight RBIs in 52 at-bats this season. The 31-year-old played seven seasons in the minors before making his MLB debut with Toronto in 2023. He appeared in just 51 games over the 2023 and 2024 seasons before becoming an everyday player last season, finishing with a .255 batting average, 12 home runs and 65 RBIs across 135 games. In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays called up outfielder Yohendrick Pinango from Triple-A Buffalo, where the 23-year-old prospect was hitting .288 with three homers, 13 RBI and 10 runs scored in 92 plate appearances. He will likely be a backup to Myles Straw, who is expected to make the bulk of appearances in Lukes’ absence. To make room on the major league roster, Toronto moved right-handed pitcher Yimi Garcia (elbow) to the 60-day IL. The injury to Lukes is the latest in a long line of Toronto players headed to the IL this season, a group of more than a dozen players that also includes designated hitter George Springer (fractured left big toe); outfielders Addison Barger (sprained left ankle) and Anthony Santander (torn labrum in left shoulder); catcher Alejandro Kirk (fractured left thumb); starting pitchers Bowden Francis (elbow surgery), Jose Berrios (stress fracture in right elbow), Cody Ponce (torn ACL in right knee), Shane Bieber (right elbow inflammation) and Trey Yesavage (shoulder). In some good news for the Blue Jays, Yesavage is reportedly expected to come off the IL to start Tuesday’s game against the Boston Red Sox. In less good news, Yesavage is coming off four rehab appearances in the minor leagues with a 7.50 ERA and 1.750 WHIP across 12 innings. He struck out two batters but lasted just 2.1 innings in his most recent outing, meaning the 22-year-old right-hander will likely be working under a pitch count when he makes his season debut. Toronto manager John Schneider expressed his frustration Saturday at the continuing injuries, saying, “Feels like anyone who’s playing good is not allowed to play anymore,” according to Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae. The Blue Jays sit in fourth place in the AL East standings with a 10-15 record. They face the Guardians Saturday afternoon in the second of a three-game series in Toronto. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Blue #Jays #Nathan #Lukes #hamstring #Trey #Yesavage #shoulder #close #return

Deadspin | Blue Jays: Nathan Lukes (hamstring) to IL; Trey Yesavage (shoulder) close to return
Deadspin | Blue Jays: Nathan Lukes (hamstring) to IL; Trey Yesavage (shoulder) close to return Apr 24, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Nathan Lukes (38) leaves the game after sliding into second base against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images The Toronto Blue Jays added yet another player to the injured list Saturday when outfielder Nathan Lukes was placed on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain. In Friday night’s 8-6 loss to the visiting Cleveland Guardians, Lukes led off the Toronto first against Gavin Williams with a double to right but hobbled into second with left hamstring discomfort. He was replaced by pinch runner Davis Schneider, who took third on a flyout and scored on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s ground out. Lukes started the season 2-for-31 while struggling with dizziness and vision problems caused by vertigo before notching 11 hits in his last 21 at-bats. He’s hitting .250 with eight RBIs in 52 at-bats this season. The 31-year-old played seven seasons in the minors before making his MLB debut with Toronto in 2023. He appeared in just 51 games over the 2023 and 2024 seasons before becoming an everyday player last season, finishing with a .255 batting average, 12 home runs and 65 RBIs across 135 games. In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays called up outfielder Yohendrick Pinango from Triple-A Buffalo, where the 23-year-old prospect was hitting .288 with three homers, 13 RBI and 10 runs scored in 92 plate appearances. He will likely be a backup to Myles Straw, who is expected to make the bulk of appearances in Lukes’ absence. To make room on the major league roster, Toronto moved right-handed pitcher Yimi Garcia (elbow) to the 60-day IL. The injury to Lukes is the latest in a long line of Toronto players headed to the IL this season, a group of more than a dozen players that also includes designated hitter George Springer (fractured left big toe); outfielders Addison Barger (sprained left ankle) and Anthony Santander (torn labrum in left shoulder); catcher Alejandro Kirk (fractured left thumb); starting pitchers Bowden Francis (elbow surgery), Jose Berrios (stress fracture in right elbow), Cody Ponce (torn ACL in right knee), Shane Bieber (right elbow inflammation) and Trey Yesavage (shoulder). In some good news for the Blue Jays, Yesavage is reportedly expected to come off the IL to start Tuesday’s game against the Boston Red Sox. In less good news, Yesavage is coming off four rehab appearances in the minor leagues with a 7.50 ERA and 1.750 WHIP across 12 innings. He struck out two batters but lasted just 2.1 innings in his most recent outing, meaning the 22-year-old right-hander will likely be working under a pitch count when he makes his season debut. Toronto manager John Schneider expressed his frustration Saturday at the continuing injuries, saying, “Feels like anyone who’s playing good is not allowed to play anymore,” according to Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae. The Blue Jays sit in fourth place in the AL East standings with a 10-15 record. They face the Guardians Saturday afternoon in the second of a three-game series in Toronto. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Blue #Jays #Nathan #Lukes #hamstring #Trey #Yesavage #shoulder #close #returnApr 24, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Nathan Lukes (38) leaves the game after sliding into second base against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

The Toronto Blue Jays added yet another player to the injured list Saturday when outfielder Nathan Lukes was placed on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain.

In Friday night’s 8-6 loss to the visiting Cleveland Guardians, Lukes led off the Toronto first against Gavin Williams with a double to right but hobbled into second with left hamstring discomfort. He was replaced by pinch runner Davis Schneider, who took third on a flyout and scored on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s ground out.

Lukes started the season 2-for-31 while struggling with dizziness and vision problems caused by vertigo before notching 11 hits in his last 21 at-bats. He’s hitting .250 with eight RBIs in 52 at-bats this season.

The 31-year-old played seven seasons in the minors before making his MLB debut with Toronto in 2023. He appeared in just 51 games over the 2023 and 2024 seasons before becoming an everyday player last season, finishing with a .255 batting average, 12 home runs and 65 RBIs across 135 games.

In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays called up outfielder Yohendrick Pinango from Triple-A Buffalo, where the 23-year-old prospect was hitting .288 with three homers, 13 RBI and 10 runs scored in 92 plate appearances. He will likely be a backup to Myles Straw, who is expected to make the bulk of appearances in Lukes’ absence.


To make room on the major league roster, Toronto moved right-handed pitcher Yimi Garcia (elbow) to the 60-day IL.

The injury to Lukes is the latest in a long line of Toronto players headed to the IL this season, a group of more than a dozen players that also includes designated hitter George Springer (fractured left big toe); outfielders Addison Barger (sprained left ankle) and Anthony Santander (torn labrum in left shoulder); catcher Alejandro Kirk (fractured left thumb); starting pitchers Bowden Francis (elbow surgery), Jose Berrios (stress fracture in right elbow), Cody Ponce (torn ACL in right knee), Shane Bieber (right elbow inflammation) and Trey Yesavage (shoulder).

In some good news for the Blue Jays, Yesavage is reportedly expected to come off the IL to start Tuesday’s game against the Boston Red Sox.

In less good news, Yesavage is coming off four rehab appearances in the minor leagues with a 7.50 ERA and 1.750 WHIP across 12 innings. He struck out two batters but lasted just 2.1 innings in his most recent outing, meaning the 22-year-old right-hander will likely be working under a pitch count when he makes his season debut.

Toronto manager John Schneider expressed his frustration Saturday at the continuing injuries, saying, “Feels like anyone who’s playing good is not allowed to play anymore,” according to Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae.

The Blue Jays sit in fourth place in the AL East standings with a 10-15 record. They face the Guardians Saturday afternoon in the second of a three-game series in Toronto.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Blue #Jays #Nathan #Lukes #hamstring #Trey #Yesavage #shoulder #close #return

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Apr 24, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Nathan Lukes (38) leaves the game after sliding into second base against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

The Toronto Blue Jays added yet another player to the injured list Saturday when outfielder Nathan Lukes was placed on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain.

In Friday night’s 8-6 loss to the visiting Cleveland Guardians, Lukes led off the Toronto first against Gavin Williams with a double to right but hobbled into second with left hamstring discomfort. He was replaced by pinch runner Davis Schneider, who took third on a flyout and scored on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s ground out.

Lukes started the season 2-for-31 while struggling with dizziness and vision problems caused by vertigo before notching 11 hits in his last 21 at-bats. He’s hitting .250 with eight RBIs in 52 at-bats this season.

The 31-year-old played seven seasons in the minors before making his MLB debut with Toronto in 2023. He appeared in just 51 games over the 2023 and 2024 seasons before becoming an everyday player last season, finishing with a .255 batting average, 12 home runs and 65 RBIs across 135 games.

In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays called up outfielder Yohendrick Pinango from Triple-A Buffalo, where the 23-year-old prospect was hitting .288 with three homers, 13 RBI and 10 runs scored in 92 plate appearances. He will likely be a backup to Myles Straw, who is expected to make the bulk of appearances in Lukes’ absence.

To make room on the major league roster, Toronto moved right-handed pitcher Yimi Garcia (elbow) to the 60-day IL.

The injury to Lukes is the latest in a long line of Toronto players headed to the IL this season, a group of more than a dozen players that also includes designated hitter George Springer (fractured left big toe); outfielders Addison Barger (sprained left ankle) and Anthony Santander (torn labrum in left shoulder); catcher Alejandro Kirk (fractured left thumb); starting pitchers Bowden Francis (elbow surgery), Jose Berrios (stress fracture in right elbow), Cody Ponce (torn ACL in right knee), Shane Bieber (right elbow inflammation) and Trey Yesavage (shoulder).

In some good news for the Blue Jays, Yesavage is reportedly expected to come off the IL to start Tuesday’s game against the Boston Red Sox.

In less good news, Yesavage is coming off four rehab appearances in the minor leagues with a 7.50 ERA and 1.750 WHIP across 12 innings. He struck out two batters but lasted just 2.1 innings in his most recent outing, meaning the 22-year-old right-hander will likely be working under a pitch count when he makes his season debut.

Toronto manager John Schneider expressed his frustration Saturday at the continuing injuries, saying, “Feels like anyone who’s playing good is not allowed to play anymore,” according to Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae.

The Blue Jays sit in fourth place in the AL East standings with a 10-15 record. They face the Guardians Saturday afternoon in the second of a three-game series in Toronto.

–Field Level Media

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Ailing Swiatek retires in third round of Madrid Open <div id="content-body-70906284" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Iga Swiatek was forced to retire from her Madrid Open clash with Ann Li on Saturday due to illness, sending the American 31st seed into the round of 16 of the WTA 1000 tournament.</p><p>A champion in the Spanish capital in 2024, Swiatek rebounded from a set down to level the contest but ended her campaign while trailing 0-3 in the decider.</p><p>The Polish six-time Grand Slam champion appeared to be struggling and asked for the doctor after being broken early in the third set.</p><p>Following a conversation with the trainers, Swiatek tried to break Li back but, when her opponent held for a 3-0 lead, the fourth seed realised she was unable to continue.</p><p>It is Swiatek’s earliest exit in five appearances in Madrid.</p><p>Earlier in the day, 15th seed Iva Jovic squandered a lead and fell 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to Canada’s 24th seed Leylah Fernandez, who will face Li in the last 16.</p><p><b>ALSO READ:<a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/international-football/cristiano-ronaldo-international-career-crown-win-fifa-world-cup-2026-portugal-bruno-fernandes-comments/article70904973.ece#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Fernandes hopes Portugal wins FIFA World Cup to crown Ronaldo’s international career</a></b></p><p>Ninth seed Mirra Andreeva of Russia overcame an inspired Dalma Galfi 6-3, 6-2 in a match that was much closer than the scoreline suggested.</p><p>The Hungarian qualifier, ranked 117 in the world, broke early in both sets but was unable to maintain her advantage as Andreeva recovered to improve her clay-court record this season to 9-1 and set up a last-16 meeting with another Hungarian, Anna Bondar.</p><p>In ATP action, defending champion Casper Ruud raced into the third round with a 6-0, 6-1 demolition of home favourite Jaume Munar in just 65 minutes.</p><p>The 12th seed leads the ATP Tour in clay-court wins (133) and titles (12) since the start of the 2020 season and is bidding to become the third man to defend the Madrid crown after Rafael Nadal (2013-14) and Carlos Alcaraz (2022-23).</p><p>Second-seeded Alexander Zverev recovered from a “terrible” second set to begin his campaign with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 performance against recent Bucharest champion Mariano Navone.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 25, 2026</p></div> #Ailing #Swiatek #retires #Madrid #Open

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Two-time CY Young winner, Tarik Skubal, is on the fast track to returning to baseball, as he recovers from elbow surgery way ahead of schedule. Skubal is already back to some light throwing after receiving arthroscopic surgery that normally sidelines pitchers for three months.

You never want to rush a pitcher back, especially one as good as Skubal, but if you’re the Tigers, you are doing everything in your power to get him back out on the diamond. Currently, the Tigers are tied with the Royals at 19-25 for last place in the AL Central.

Only being 4.5 games back in a weak AL Central isn’t cause for concern, but this window of Detroit baseball hangs in the balance of this season. It seems unlikely that Skubal will be staying in Detroit in 2027, and missing the playoffs in his final season would be an incredibly tough pill to swallow.

The Tigers are dealing with injuries all over the field at the moment, so having an ace like Skubal in the lineup who can steal starts is so important. Keider Montero transforming into a frontline starter has been one of the few bright spots in the Tigers’ starting rotation, as Framber Valdez has been a bit inconsistent when he isn’t suspended.

Outside of a beaten-up pitching staff, a Tigers lineup that was one of the toughest outs in baseball last year has quickly regressed to the mean. Detroit sent four position players to the All-Star Game last year, and I don’t think that will be the case this year.

Riley Greene is having a career year, largely in part due to his massively improved eye at the plate. His walk rate has more than doubled, going from 7% to 14.2% this year, and I think that has improved every other part of his game.

Also, rookie Kevin McGonigle has had a tremendous start to his pro career, but has cooled off in the month of May, slashing just .195/.327/.220 over his last 41 ABs. Outside of these two, it has been an ice-cold start to the year for the Tigers’ offense.

You’d love to make one last playoff run with this group before Skubal likely takes his talents to Los Angeles; however, if the offense doesn’t get going, he could easily be a trade deadline candidate as well. If Skubal is back pitching in only a month, his trade value would go right back to being sky high, and contenders might be willing to overpay for a potential playoff run. It’ll be intriguing to see how the beginning of Summer kicks off for the Tigers, and if they can stay afloat without their ace.

#Tarik #Skubals #Fast #Recovery #Tigers #Hope #Central #Race #Deadspin.com">Tarik Skubal’s Fast Recovery Gives Tigers Hope in AL Central Race | Deadspin.com Two-time CY Young winner, Tarik Skubal, is on the fast track to returning to baseball, as he recovers from elbow surgery way ahead of schedule. Skubal is already back to some light throwing after receiving arthroscopic surgery that normally sidelines pitchers for three months.You never want to rush a pitcher back, especially one as good as Skubal, but if you’re the Tigers, you are doing everything in your power to get him back out on the diamond. Currently, the Tigers are tied with the Royals at 19-25 for last place in the AL Central.Only being 4.5 games back in a weak AL Central isn’t cause for concern, but this window of Detroit baseball hangs in the balance of this season. It seems unlikely that Skubal will be staying in Detroit in 2027, and missing the playoffs in his final season would be an incredibly tough pill to swallow.The Tigers are dealing with injuries all over the field at the moment, so having an ace like Skubal in the lineup who can steal starts is so important. Keider Montero transforming into a frontline starter has been one of the few bright spots in the Tigers’ starting rotation, as Framber Valdez has been a bit inconsistent when he isn’t suspended.Outside of a beaten-up pitching staff, a Tigers lineup that was one of the toughest outs in baseball last year has quickly regressed to the mean. Detroit sent four position players to the All-Star Game last year, and I don’t think that will be the case this year.Riley Greene is having a career year, largely in part due to his massively improved eye at the plate. His walk rate has more than doubled, going from 7% to 14.2% this year, and I think that has improved every other part of his game.Also, rookie Kevin McGonigle has had a tremendous start to his pro career, but has cooled off in the month of May, slashing just .195/.327/.220 over his last 41 ABs. Outside of these two, it has been an ice-cold start to the year for the Tigers’ offense.You’d love to make one last playoff run with this group before Skubal likely takes his talents to Los Angeles; however, if the offense doesn’t get going, he could easily be a trade deadline candidate as well. If Skubal is back pitching in only a month, his trade value would go right back to being sky high, and contenders might be willing to overpay for a potential playoff run. It’ll be intriguing to see how the beginning of Summer kicks off for the Tigers, and if they can stay afloat without their ace. #Tarik #Skubals #Fast #Recovery #Tigers #Hope #Central #Race #Deadspin.com

unlikely that Skubal will be staying in Detroit in 2027, and missing the playoffs in his final season would be an incredibly tough pill to swallow.

The Tigers are dealing with injuries all over the field at the moment, so having an ace like Skubal in the lineup who can steal starts is so important. Keider Montero transforming into a frontline starter has been one of the few bright spots in the Tigers’ starting rotation, as Framber Valdez has been a bit inconsistent when he isn’t suspended.

Outside of a beaten-up pitching staff, a Tigers lineup that was one of the toughest outs in baseball last year has quickly regressed to the mean. Detroit sent four position players to the All-Star Game last year, and I don’t think that will be the case this year.

Riley Greene is having a career year, largely in part due to his massively improved eye at the plate. His walk rate has more than doubled, going from 7% to 14.2% this year, and I think that has improved every other part of his game.

Also, rookie Kevin McGonigle has had a tremendous start to his pro career, but has cooled off in the month of May, slashing just .195/.327/.220 over his last 41 ABs. Outside of these two, it has been an ice-cold start to the year for the Tigers’ offense.

You’d love to make one last playoff run with this group before Skubal likely takes his talents to Los Angeles; however, if the offense doesn’t get going, he could easily be a trade deadline candidate as well. If Skubal is back pitching in only a month, his trade value would go right back to being sky high, and contenders might be willing to overpay for a potential playoff run. It’ll be intriguing to see how the beginning of Summer kicks off for the Tigers, and if they can stay afloat without their ace.

#Tarik #Skubals #Fast #Recovery #Tigers #Hope #Central #Race #Deadspin.com">Tarik Skubal’s Fast Recovery Gives Tigers Hope in AL Central Race | Deadspin.com

Two-time CY Young winner, Tarik Skubal, is on the fast track to returning to baseball, as he recovers from elbow surgery way ahead of schedule. Skubal is already back to some light throwing after receiving arthroscopic surgery that normally sidelines pitchers for three months.

You never want to rush a pitcher back, especially one as good as Skubal, but if you’re the Tigers, you are doing everything in your power to get him back out on the diamond. Currently, the Tigers are tied with the Royals at 19-25 for last place in the AL Central.

Only being 4.5 games back in a weak AL Central isn’t cause for concern, but this window of Detroit baseball hangs in the balance of this season. It seems unlikely that Skubal will be staying in Detroit in 2027, and missing the playoffs in his final season would be an incredibly tough pill to swallow.

The Tigers are dealing with injuries all over the field at the moment, so having an ace like Skubal in the lineup who can steal starts is so important. Keider Montero transforming into a frontline starter has been one of the few bright spots in the Tigers’ starting rotation, as Framber Valdez has been a bit inconsistent when he isn’t suspended.

Outside of a beaten-up pitching staff, a Tigers lineup that was one of the toughest outs in baseball last year has quickly regressed to the mean. Detroit sent four position players to the All-Star Game last year, and I don’t think that will be the case this year.

Riley Greene is having a career year, largely in part due to his massively improved eye at the plate. His walk rate has more than doubled, going from 7% to 14.2% this year, and I think that has improved every other part of his game.

Also, rookie Kevin McGonigle has had a tremendous start to his pro career, but has cooled off in the month of May, slashing just .195/.327/.220 over his last 41 ABs. Outside of these two, it has been an ice-cold start to the year for the Tigers’ offense.

You’d love to make one last playoff run with this group before Skubal likely takes his talents to Los Angeles; however, if the offense doesn’t get going, he could easily be a trade deadline candidate as well. If Skubal is back pitching in only a month, his trade value would go right back to being sky high, and contenders might be willing to overpay for a potential playoff run. It’ll be intriguing to see how the beginning of Summer kicks off for the Tigers, and if they can stay afloat without their ace.

#Tarik #Skubals #Fast #Recovery #Tigers #Hope #Central #Race #Deadspin.com

In episode three of this series, I began a two-part exploration of the encounter between Toronto’s George Bell and Boston’s Bruce Kison on June 23rd, 1985. Having visited Kison side of things, we will now consider the life and times of George Bell.

In the late 1970s scouts all around major league baseball began descending upon the Dominican Republic, which had suddenly been identified as highly lucrative territory. The DR was home to countless talented young ball players and those ball players due to the country’s dire economic conditions were highly exploitable.

With the unemployment rate around 40% teams realized they could sign players for a lot less than American prospects asked for. And if those Dominican players did happen to get signed by a major league team, they were sent to the states socially isolated by the language barrier and dependent upon agents who were often crooked and looking to swindle ‘em all over again.

A cruel irony recalled by George Bell, one of those young Dominican players, was that while navigating this labyrinth of shameless exploitation, he was the one looked at with suspicion. American players found any reason they could to dislike him. His English wasn’t polished enough, he was too this, not enough that, didn’t play the game the right way.

In 1982, while playing for minor league Syracuse, Bell stepped in against Lynn McGlothen, an 11 year Major League vet pitching in AAA ball in the hopes of one last call up. In a game years earlier while pitching for the Cardinals, McGlothen beamed one New York Mets batter then brushed back another three innings later, then hit that batter too. The intent was so transparently clear that the Mets Dave Kingman charged the mound straight from the dugout.

McGlothen did not hesitate to throw at a batter if he had the inclination and he seemed to resent George Bell for the same superficial reasons everybody else did. Bell was a hotdogger. It was decided. McGlothen drilled him in the face, fracturing his cheek and jawbones. While his teammates stormed the field to exact revenge, Bell arrived on the ground certain that his career in baseball, his one chance at a better life was over.

“He’s dead,” Bell thought of McGlothen, not because Bell would kill him or because his teammates would, but because fate would one day catch up with him.

Two years later, McGlothen lost his life in a fire. His friend was also killed with everyone else escaping the home. Bell who’d fully recovered and made his way to the majors, addressed the tragedy sometime after seemingly unprompted. He expressed his sympathies for the friends and loved ones of those who died then said in McGlothen’s fate, “People like that decide it. They have a bad heart. No way they can stay alive.”

You might find those words to be callous, even cruel. I mean I do. Then again, I doubt either of us have persevered through the circumstances Bell did only for somebody to break his face and potentially ruin his life just for playing baseball with a little bit too much swagger.

Baseball was George Bell’s one and only chance at a better life, the sort of life we’d wish for anybody, and he was fiercely, sometimes even violently protective of that chance.

#HISTORY #CHARGING #MOUND #EPISODE #GEORGE #BELL">THE HISTORY OF CHARGING THE MOUND, EPISODE 4: GEORGE BELL In episode three of this series, I began a two-part exploration of the encounter between Toronto’s George Bell and Boston’s Bruce Kison on June 23rd, 1985. Having visited Kison side of things, we will now consider the life and times of George Bell.In the late 1970s scouts all around major league baseball began descending upon the Dominican Republic, which had suddenly been identified as highly lucrative territory. The DR was home to countless talented young ball players and those ball players due to the country’s dire economic conditions were highly exploitable.With the unemployment rate around 40% teams realized they could sign players for a lot less than American prospects asked for. And if those Dominican players did happen to get signed by a major league team, they were sent to the states socially isolated by the language barrier and dependent upon agents who were often crooked and looking to swindle ‘em all over again.A cruel irony recalled by George Bell, one of those young Dominican players, was that while navigating this labyrinth of shameless exploitation, he was the one looked at with suspicion. American players found any reason they could to dislike him. His English wasn’t polished enough, he was too this, not enough that, didn’t play the game the right way.In 1982, while playing for minor league Syracuse, Bell stepped in against Lynn McGlothen, an 11 year Major League vet pitching in AAA ball in the hopes of one last call up. In a game years earlier while pitching for the Cardinals, McGlothen beamed one New York Mets batter then brushed back another three innings later, then hit that batter too. The intent was so transparently clear that the Mets Dave Kingman charged the mound straight from the dugout.McGlothen did not hesitate to throw at a batter if he had the inclination and he seemed to resent George Bell for the same superficial reasons everybody else did. Bell was a hotdogger. It was decided. McGlothen drilled him in the face, fracturing his cheek and jawbones. While his teammates stormed the field to exact revenge, Bell arrived on the ground certain that his career in baseball, his one chance at a better life was over.“He’s dead,” Bell thought of McGlothen, not because Bell would kill him or because his teammates would, but because fate would one day catch up with him.Two years later, McGlothen lost his life in a fire. His friend was also killed with everyone else escaping the home. Bell who’d fully recovered and made his way to the majors, addressed the tragedy sometime after seemingly unprompted. He expressed his sympathies for the friends and loved ones of those who died then said in McGlothen’s fate, “People like that decide it. They have a bad heart. No way they can stay alive.”You might find those words to be callous, even cruel. I mean I do. Then again, I doubt either of us have persevered through the circumstances Bell did only for somebody to break his face and potentially ruin his life just for playing baseball with a little bit too much swagger.Baseball was George Bell’s one and only chance at a better life, the sort of life we’d wish for anybody, and he was fiercely, sometimes even violently protective of that chance. #HISTORY #CHARGING #MOUND #EPISODE #GEORGE #BELL

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