ML B NOTEBOOK
Carrasco wins Roberto Clemente Award
Carlos Carrasco's 2019 season on the field was overshadowed by his fight with leukemia, but his off- the- field contributions to communities both local and abroad were recognized Friday when he received baseball's highest honor.
Carrasco was named the recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award, the most prestigious individual honor awarded by Major League Baseball. He became the third Indians player to win the award and the first since Jim Thome in 2002. Andre Thornton was received the honor in 1979.
The Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to a major league player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions on and off the field.
Carrasco's list of positive work in communities from Ohio to Venezuela is extensive. The 32-year-old frequently visited children fighting leukemia at area hospitals while receiving medical treatment for his own illness.
Vocal critic of Trump to toss out first pitch
A day after President Donald Trump said he plans to attend Game 5 of the World Series, the Washington Nationals announced the ceremonial first pitch at that game will be thrown by chef Jose Andres, a vocal critic of Trump.
Andres, a prominent local restaurant owner and humanitarian, has repeatedly opposed Trump's immigration policies and his administration's response to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. He has also tangled with Trump in court.
“The name came from the Nationals, and it seemed like a good choice,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Friday. “So it's sort of a joint decision.”
Four years ago, Andres withdrew from plans to open a restaurant in the Trump International Hotel in Washington following Trump's controversial comments about Mexican i mmigrants during t he presidential campaign
MLB plans larger investigation of Astros
Major League Baseball is conducting a wider probe of the Houston Astros that goes beyond the assistant general manager who was fired this week for inappropriate behavior, concerned about the team's initial denial.
Houston terminated Brandon Taubm anon Thursday, saying he directed ina pp ropriate comments at female reporters during a clubhouse celebration following Game 6 of the AL Championship Series last weekend.
“There are aspects of this that go beyond the incident that's been dealt with in terms of the employment of the individual,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Friday before World Series Game 3. “We need to gather additional facts.”
Sports Illustrated reported Taubman repeatedly yelled toward a group of female reporters about closer Roberto Osuna, who was suspended for 75 games last year for violating MLB's domestic violence policy and then was traded from Toronto to Houston. Taubman shouted, “Thank God we got Osuna!” according to SI, which said he made similar remarks several times during Saturday night' s celebration, punctuating them with a profanity.
Manfred said MLB's investigation began because of concern over the initial statement but was ongoing.
“I would say that there are a variety of issues,” Manfred said. “There are other things that we want to talk to the Astros about.”
Umpire sues retired player for defamation
Umpire Joe West has sued retired player Paul Lo Duca for defamation. The former catcher alleges West gave pitcher Billy Wagner a bigger strike zone in exchange for letting the umpire borrow a vintage car.
In a complaint filed Tuesday in New York Supreme Court in Manhattan, West contended that Lo Du ca said during an April 18 podcast on The Action Network that he had been ejected 15 times during his major league career and eight or nine had been by West.
According to West, Lo Duca said during the podcast that when the player was catching Wagner during a New York Mets game against Philadelphia in 2006 or 2007, West called three straight batters out on strikes. The umpire adds that Lo Duca claimed Wagner told him the reason he got the calls was the pitcher had allowed West to drive his 1957 Chevy.