Annual MLB championship between AL and NL winners
A game-worn, autographed Michael Jordan Bulls jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals has sold in a private deal for around $14 million, traded to Ron Firman of Miami. The sale cements the piece as the second-highest price for a game-worn jersey, behind Babe Ruth’s 1932 World Series jersey at $24.12 million. Hunt Auctions says the jersey’s history and Jordan’s Last Dance season underwrite the price.
The Houston Astros have not renewed Joe Espada’s contract and will not bring back five coaches for 2027, while bench coach Omar Lopez is offered a new internal role. The organization is also searching for a new manager and GM after a season that saw seven straight ALCS appearances end in 2026 with a sub-.500 finish.
The Tampa Bay Rays have defeated the Cleveland Guardians to reach the World Series, setting up a showdown with the Milwaukee Brewers. Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz delivered key homers as Freddy Peralta’s start and Rays pitching sealed a 7-3 win in Game 6, while Milwaukee awaits after a dominant NLCS performance.
Teruaki Sato has expressed his intent to pursue a move to Major League Baseball via posting, after winning the Central League Triple Crown with a .306 average, 39 homers and 106 RBIs. Matsui has replaced Hashigami as Tigers’ manager after the interim spell.
The Milwaukee Brewers have moved within one win of their first World Series title after a dominant 10-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, with Robert Gasser delivering six scoreless innings and Jackson Chourio and Brice Turang fueling the offense in Game 3. Milwaukee now leads the series 3-0.
The WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries has forced venue changes and scheduling tweaks to maximize fan attendance and preserve the possibility of a Game 7. Games 3 and 4 moved to State Farm Arena in Atlanta have drawn sellouts, with Game 6 also set for a bigger venue if needed. The series is tied 2-2 with Game 5 in the Bay Area determining the path to a possible decisive contest.
Two former Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, have faced federal charges in Brooklyn for allegedly tipping off bettors about pitches in a scheme that prosecutors say earned hundreds of thousands in illegal wagers. Jury selection has begun and opening statements are underway.
A federal trial has heard testimonies linking players Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz to bets on pitches dating back to 2023, amid a broader gambling scandal involving Shohei Ohtani’s camp. A witness described information channels and payments connected to the scheme, as the defense maintains it is big talk, small bets.
The baseball winter meetings have begun with executives gathering in Las Vegas as a looming lockout has many teams finalizing groundwork. Key players include Tarik Skubal, a two-time Cy Young winner, and Corey Seager as teams weigh short- and long-term deals amid the specter of a Dec. 1 work stoppage.
The bid by Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen to challenge Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has sparked a rare contest within the Democratic caucus as the party wields its post-election power to push for a bold, reform-driven agenda.