Alex Bregman
FILE - Atlanta Braves' Hank Aaron is seen, March 1967. Aaron made history with one swing of his bat. A year later and on the other side of Georgia, Lee Elder made history with one swing of his driver. Their deaths in 2021 were mourned beyond the sports world and were reminders of the hate, hardships and obstacles they endured with dignity on their way to breaking records and barriers. (AP Photo, File)
Column: Another socially distanced Newby Awards for 2021

By Paul Newberry Dec. 31, 2021 02:55 AM EST

Houston Astros' Alex Bregman, center, watches as New York Yankees' Rougned Odor, left, and Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado, right, react to being injured on a play at home plate during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Salty fans, hot Yankees greet Astros in return to Bronx

By Jake Seiner May. 04, 2021 10:50 PM EDT

Home plate umpire Chad Fairchild, left, and Tampa Bay Rays catcher Mike Zunino look on as Houston Astros' Alex Bregman hits an RBI-single during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 1, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)
Urquidy pitches 7 scoreless innings, Astros beat Rays 3-1

By Dick Scanlon May. 01, 2021 07:14 PM EDT

Houston Astros' Michael Brantley is greeted in the dugout after he scored on a single by Taylor Jones during the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, April 17, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Greinke sharp, Astros end 6-game skid, beat Astros 1-0

By Chris Talbott Apr. 18, 2021 12:08 AM EDT

Houston Astros' Jose Altuve flips his bat as he watches his home run during the seventh inning of the team's baseball game against the Oakland Athletics on Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
LEADING OFF: Jackie Robinson Day, Red Sox go for 10th in row

By The Associated Press Apr. 15, 2021 03:34 AM EDT

Boston Red Sox celebrate a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Twins in a baseball game Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at Target Field in Minneapolis. In the background is a sign about George Floyd. (Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP)
LEADING OFF: Jackie Robinson Day, Red Sox go for 10th in row

By The Associated Press Apr. 14, 2021 09:12 PM EDT

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman throws out Oakland Athletics' Ramon Laureano during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 9, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
5 Astros land on injured list because of COVID-19 protocols

By Kristie Rieken Apr. 14, 2021 05:27 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

Amelia Schimmel, the new public address announcer for the Oakland Athletics, sits in the press box before a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Thursday, April 1, 2021, on opening day in Oakland, Calif. Schimmel succeeds the late Dick Callahan, who passed away in January after serving as the team's PA announcer for 15 seasons. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Greinke, Astros shut down rival A's to win opener 8-1

By Janie Mccauley Apr. 02, 2021 01:48 AM EDT

New York Yankees' Jay Bruce waits on deck during the during the second inning of a spring training exhibition baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla., Tuesday, March 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Bruce, Sandoval on big league rosters, Maybin, Frazier cut

By The Associated Press Mar. 27, 2021 06:20 PM EDT

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., center, leaves the field following an injury in the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Tuesday, March 23, 2021, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Padres star Tatis feels better, expected back in lineup soon

By The Associated Press Mar. 24, 2021 07:51 PM EDT

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher A.J. Puk throws against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Wednesday, March 17, 2021, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
American League West Preview Capsules

By The Associated Press Mar. 18, 2021 07:50 PM EDT

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr. takes the ball from starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. as he is relieved during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Astros return core after coming a win shy of World Series

By Kristie Rieken Mar. 17, 2021 12:52 PM EDT

New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) reacts after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros, Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Lindor, Mets talk about new deal; Rosario struggles in CF

Mar. 16, 2021 06:00 PM EDT

Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout hits a home run during the third inning of the team's baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
AL West teams at the start of spring training

By The Associated Press Feb. 11, 2021 12:38 PM EST

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr. walks out to the infield for the national anthem before Game 7 of a baseball American League Championship Series between the Houston Astros and the Tampa Bay Rays, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Say goodnight to the bad guys: Astros fall short in Game 7

By Greg Beacham Oct. 18, 2020 01:11 AM EDT

Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Randy Arozarena celebrates his MVP award following their victory against the Houston Astros in Game 7 of a baseball American League Championship Series, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in San Diego. The Rays defeated the Astros 4-2 to win the series 4-3 games. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Arozarena, Rays top Astros 4-2 in Game 7, reach World Series

By Bernie Wilson Oct. 18, 2020 12:31 AM EDT

Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Manuel Margot falls over a right field wall after catching a foul ball by Houston Astros center fielder George Springer during the second inning in Game 2 of a baseball American League Championship Series, Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in San Diego.(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Margot's homer, catch highlight Rays' 4-2 win over Astros

By Bernie Wilson Oct. 12, 2020 08:57 PM EDT

Houston Astros' Alex Bregman heads to third with a triple during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Astros magic number 1 for AL playoff spot after win at Texas

By Stephen Hawkins Sep. 24, 2020 11:26 PM EDT

Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. throws against the Seattle Mariners in the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Gonzales shuts down Astros, Mariners roll to 6-1 victory

By Tim Booth Sep. 22, 2020 12:15 AM EDT