CUBS BENCH COACH SIGNS TO MANAGE NATIONALS
Dave Martinez, longtime bench coach of Cubs manager Joe Maddon, was hired as the Nationals’ manager.
Martinez and the Nationals agreed to a three- year contract that includes an option. The deal isn’t expected to be officially announced until Monday, during a scheduled day off for the World Series.
Martinez’s exit creates another vacancy on Maddon’s coaching staff, which has been overhauled this offseason after the club was knocked out of the National League Championship Series by the Dodgers.
This is Martinez’s first job as a manager. He replaces Dusty Baker, who was fired after the Cubs knocked the Nats out of the NL Division Series this month. Baker led the Nationals to two NL East titles but failed to win a playoff series.
The agreement with Martinez was first reported Sunday by The Washington Post.
Kapler set to manage Phillies
The Phillies reportedly will hire Gabe Kapler, 42, to be their manager. Kapler has been the Dodgers’ director of player development since November 2014. An announcement could come Monday.
Kapler played with six teams over 12 seasons. His longest stint came with the Red Sox ( 2003- 06), with whom he won the World Series in 2004. His playing career ended in 2010 after a two- year stint with the Rays.
World Series balls in question
Pitchers and coaches from the Dodgers and Astros told Sports Illustrated the baseballs used during the World Series are slicker than the ones used during the regular season, attributing the difference to the grain of the leather.
“The main complaint is that the balls seem a little bit different in the postseason, and even from the postseason to the World Series balls,” Astros right- hander Justin Verlander said. “They’re a little slick. You just deal with it. But I don’t think it’s the case of one pitcher saying, ‘ Hey, something is different here.’ I think as a whole, everybody is saying, ‘ Whoa, something is a little off here.’ ”
The World Series balls are tested during manufacturing and made from the same materials as baseballs in the regular season, MLB senior vice president of baseball operations Peter Woodfork told SI. “The only difference is the gold stamping on the baseballs,” he said. Blue ink is used during the regular season.
Astros Game 4 starter Charlie Morton told SI that pitcher Lance McCullers took a “blindfold test” and “could tell which ball was which with his eyes closed.”
Giles won’t close for Astros
Astros manager A. J. Hinch told right- hander Ken Giles he won’t close games after another dismal outing Saturday in a 6- 2 loss to the Dodgers in Game 4 of the World Series.
Giles has allowed at least one run in six of his seven postseason appearances. He has faced 40 batters and allowed 12 hits — including three home runs — and six walks. His ERA is 11.74.
A’s catcher Maxwell arrested
Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell was arrested in Arizona after a food- delivery person alleged he pointed a gun at her.
Maxwell was the only player in the majors to take a knee this season during the national anthem to protest racial injustice.
Scottsdale police said officers went to Maxwell’s home Saturday night after getting a call about a person with a gun. Maxwell was booked on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct.
He was projected to be the A’s starting catcher next year.