Mike Trout
Team United States walk out to shake hands with team Japan after the gold medal baseball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. Japan won 2-0.(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Japan beats US 2-0 to win 1st Olympic baseball gold medal

By Ronald Blum Aug. 07, 2021 09:21 AM EDT

Dominican Republic's Juan Francisco (34) strikes out during a baseball game against the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Olympic baseball a cross between Double-A and Old-Timers Day

By Ronald Blum Aug. 06, 2021 05:51 AM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, April 22, 2021, file photo, Pittsburgh Pirates' Todd Frazier plays during a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Detroit, At 35 and close to the end of his baseball career, Frazier is on the U.S. Olympic team for the Tokyo Games. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Todd Frazier brings passion, power to US Olympic baseball

By Ronald Blum Jul. 09, 2021 12:31 PM EDT

Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani, left, laughs with Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera at first during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, June 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Ohtani, backed by Ward's slam, leads Angels past Tigers 7-5

By Greg Beacham Jun. 18, 2021 12:52 AM EDT

Los Angeles Angels' Jared Walsh (20) and Max Stassi (33) celebrate with Taylor Ward (3) after Walsh and Stassi scored off of single hit by Juan Lagares during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners Saturday, June 5, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ohtani HR, Angels rally past Mariners 12-5; Kikuchi injured

By Joe Reedy Jun. 06, 2021 01:31 AM EDT

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
LEADING OFF: Ohtani pitches, Kluber vs Rangers, Sox-Twins

By The Associated Press May. 19, 2021 04:17 AM EDT

New York Yankees shortstop Gleyber Torres (25) records put out during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, April 26, 2021, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
LEADING OFF: Trout out, Kluber vs Rangers, Sox-Twins trouble

By The Associated Press May. 18, 2021 10:43 PM EDT

Colorado Rockies catcher Dom Nunez, left, reaches out to recover the ball after a wild pitch from reliever Jordan Sheffield (not shown) allowed Cincinnati Reds' Nick Senzel, right, to score from third base in the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 16, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Still with the Cubs, Bryant back to his slugging ways

By Noah Trister May. 17, 2021 02:45 AM EDT

Los Angeles Angels' Mike Mayers reacts after striking out Boston Red Sox's Michael Chavis to end the baseball game during the ninth inning, Sunday, May 16, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Ohtani's 2-out, 2-run HR in 9th sends Angels over Bosox 6-5

By Maureen Mullen May. 16, 2021 05:06 PM EDT

Boston Red Sox's Franchy Cordero, left, reacts after his RBI-double beside Los Angeles Angels' Jose Iglesias (4) during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 15, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Verdugo hits HR on 25th birthday as Red Sox beat Angels 9-0

By Ken Powtak May. 15, 2021 07:14 PM EDT

Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton makes a diving catch of a fly ball off the bat of Texas Rangers' David Dahl in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
LEADING OFF: Twins' Buxton, Reds' Votto added to IL

By The Associated Press May. 08, 2021 03:07 AM EDT

Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton makes a diving catch of a fly ball off the bat of Texas Rangers' David Dahl in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
LEADING OFF: Twins' Buxton, Reds' Votto added to IL

By The Associated Press May. 07, 2021 08:15 PM EDT

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, right, watches his home run hit in front of Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado, left, during the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 25, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Ohtani's HR helps Angels end skid with 4-2 win over Astros

By Kristie Rieken Apr. 25, 2021 05:32 PM EDT

Kansas City Royals Andrew Benintendi (16) steals second base as the ball gets past Los Angeles Angels second baseman David Fletcher (22) during the first inning of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, April 14, 2021. Benintendi advanced to third base on the play. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Pérez delivers with bat to finish big series, KC tops Angels

By Avery Osen Apr. 14, 2021 05:54 PM EDT

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Ross Stripling throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Dunedin, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Angels win 7-5 in home opener for Florida-based Blue Jays

By Mark Didtler Apr. 08, 2021 11:20 PM EDT

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodríguez (57) works against the Minnesota Twins in the second inning of a spring training baseball game, Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Fort Myers, Fla.. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
LEADING OFF: Blue Jays play home opener in new Florida nest

By The Associated Press Apr. 07, 2021 10:20 PM EDT

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) bumps fists with first baseman Pete Alonso (20) after Miami Marlins' Jorge Alfaro ground out to Lindor to end the second inning during a spring training baseball game, Wednesday, March 17, 2021, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Lindor: Easy decision to sign $341M, 10-year deal with Mets

By Jake Seiner Apr. 01, 2021 04:54 PM EDT

Chicago White Sox manager Tony LaRussa (22) removes starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (27) from the baseball game as catcher Yasmani Grandal, left, and first baseman Jose Abreu (79) wait on the mound during the fifth inning of a spring training matchup against the San Francisco Giants on Monday, March 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
LEADING OFF: Crowds back on opening day, Cole starts season

By The Associated Press Apr. 01, 2021 01:11 AM EDT

Washington Nationals' Juan Soto flies out to center field during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, March 21, 2021, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
LEADING OFF: Crowds back on opening day, Cole starts season

By The Associated Press Mar. 31, 2021 11:46 AM EDT

Washington Nationals' Juan Soto grounds out to second during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Monday, March 15, 2021, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Welcome back, fans! MLB openers bring stars, hope and crowds

By Ben Walker Mar. 31, 2021 10:42 AM EDT