logo
Former MLB players play at Greystone to help preserve Rickwood Field

Former MLB players play at Greystone to help preserve Rickwood Field

Yahoo06-05-2025

HOOVER, Ala. (WIAT) — Over 20 former MLB players hit the golf course to help preserve the nation's oldest existing professional ballpark.
The Friends of Rickwood hosted the second annual Rickwood Field Golf Classic on Monday. Dozens of golfers, including Willie Mays' son, played 18 holes at the Greystone Founders course. Some of the former big leaguers swinging clubs were Tim Hudson, Mike Mordecai and Kenny Lofton.
Esquire piece on Alabama mayor who took his life after being outed for secret online life wins Pulitzer Prize
Organizers said even though the event is young, word is getting out.
'People who had never heard of us before know of us,' said Gerald Watkins, the executive director of the Friends of Rickwood. 'So it's a lot easier sell, and we reached out to these players, and one of the benefits we have is the players had such a good time last year. They're telling their friends.'
Mays would have turned 94 on Tuesday.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

How Gleyber Torres became an All-Star Game lock again with Detroit Tigers
How Gleyber Torres became an All-Star Game lock again with Detroit Tigers

Yahoo

time12 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

How Gleyber Torres became an All-Star Game lock again with Detroit Tigers

TAMPA, FL — Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres is the best player at his position in the American League. He deserves to take the field for the AL team as a starter in the All-Star Game on July 15 at Truist Park in Atlanta. The 28-year-old ranks among MLB's top-15 players with a .386 on-base percentage. He has 39 walks compared to 34 strikeouts. He is on pace for more than a dozen home runs. He has a career-best .990 fielding percentage. Advertisement On the field, Torres has emerged as one of the Tigers' best position players, alongside Riley Greene. Off the field, he has taken a leadership-by-example role, something he wasn't widely known for during his previous seven seasons, all with the New York Yankees. He is more focused than ever before. And he's consistent. "I've put a lot more focus into getting a really good plan," Torres said. "I've been working really hard for that. I've been really focused on continuing to do my job and get better every day. I'm really focused on the little things." Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) runs towards third base against San Francisco Giants during the fifth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. IN THE MINORS: Utica's USPBL rewriting the rules of minor league baseball: 'Real Baseball, Real Fun' Advertisement In free agency, Torres bet on himself when he turned down multi-year offers from other teams to sign a one-year, $15 million contract with the Tigers in December 2024. From the start, he viewed Detroit as a launching pad — a place where he could rebuild his value, then re-enter free agency in search of a deal worth at least $100 million. He is well on his way to that nine-figure contract. "As a player, you have to believe in yourself," said Torres, an All-Star in 2018 and 2019 (the first two seasons of his eight-year MLB career). "It doesn't matter what happened in the past. If you know you can do better, you have to bet on yourself. That's what I did." WHAT HE WANTS: Gleyber Torres bets on himself with Tigers in free agency, keeping $100 million in mind Advertisement In 2025, Torres is hitting .279 with seven home runs and an .807 OPS in 65 games, settling in as the No. 2 batter in the Tigers' lineup. He ranks in the 93rd percentile with a 13.9% walk rate and the 94th percentile with a 12.1% strikeout rate. His greatest strength? He almost never swings at pitches outside of the strike zone. "He generally only swings at good pitches," manager A.J. Hinch said. "For a guy who walks a lot, he's not trying to walk. He wants to hit, but his knowledge of the strike zone is arguably as good as any hitter that we have." Detroit Tigers center fielder Javier Baez (28) is greeted by second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) after hitting a solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Friday, May 16, 2025. Celebrate 125 epic seasons of the Tigers with our new book! Advertisement His consistency stems from staying focused on his plan, as prescribed by Tigers hitting coaches Michael Brdar, Keith Beauregard and Lance Zawadzki. With the Tigers, Torres has developed a daily routine built on preparation and communication. Before games, he studies the opposing pitchers by watching videos and examining data during the hitters meeting. During games, he checks in with the hitting coaches between plate appearances. "The preparation before the game is really key for me," Torres said, "and just trusting the plan in every at-bat." His teammates have taken notice. "It's a lot easier said than done," Spencer Torkelson said. "Everyone says, 'Every at-bat, have a plan.' Something about this game and 162 games, it's hard to trust your plan for 600 at-bats. It's really special to see what he's doing." Advertisement SHAWN WINDSOR: Gleyber Torres bet on himself. Tigers are collecting the winnings Torres is one of the reasons for Javier Báez's resurgence. They're always talking in the dugout, usually with Torres telling Báez what to expect from pitchers. Those tips started in spring training, when Torres urged Báez to stop swinging at down-and-away sliders. "We talk before the at-bats and after the at-bats," Báez said. Suddenly, Báez is enjoying an AL Comeback Player of the Year-caliber season, hitting .290 with a career-best 21.3% strikeout rate — just one year after the industry viewed him as the worst hitter in baseball. Advertisement "I'm telling him how the pitches are moving," Torres said. "Is the fastball moving away? Are the breaking balls moving side to side? I just tell him what I see." Torkelson compared Torres to Miguel Cabrera, a Tigers legend (and a fellow Venezuelan). Torres isn't ready to accept that kind of praise. But Torkelson meant it. "If he's 0-for-2, and he's trying to squeak out a knock, he salvages days better than anyone — almost like Miggy did," said Torkelson, who played with Cabrera in 2022 and 2023. "When he needs a hit, he takes his single to right field. He's a special hitter." It would be easy for Torres to start thinking ahead to his chances of securing a $100 million payday in free agency, but he isn't thinking about November 2025 — not when his sights are set on leading the Tigers to the World Series in October 2025. Advertisement For now, he is focused on winning each day. "I'll put up some really good numbers," Torres said, "and then let's see what happens in the future." Torres — who competed in the 2024 World Series for the Yankees but lost the championship to the Los Angeles Dodgers — credits the success of his new team for fueling his own. Not only do the Tigers lead the AL, but they also have several players worthy of the All-Star Game. For example, Torres isn't putting pressure on himself to do too much because he trusts Greene and the rest of the lineup, and he's motivated to stay committed to his plan because his teammates are trying to do the same. Advertisement "He's incredible," Greene said. "He picks it and he hits it." "It seems like he's always on base," Torkelson said. JEFF SEIDEL: Why Gleyber Torres believes Tigers are headed to special season Torres is expected to represent the Tigers at the All-Star Game, likely as the AL's starting second baseman. He has outperformed everyone else at his position — and it's not even close. The best part? He plans to keep doing this for another four months. "I've been doing a lot of work from the beginning," Torres said. "It's going to be a long season. I always say, it's not how you start, it's how you finish. But I feel good. I'm helping the team." Advertisement Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@ or follow him @EvanPetzold. Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at Order your copy of 'Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers!' by the Free Press at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How Detroit Tigers' Gleyber Torres became All-Star Game lock

Shohei Ohtani Player Props: June 22, Dodgers vs. Nationals
Shohei Ohtani Player Props: June 22, Dodgers vs. Nationals

USA Today

time32 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Shohei Ohtani Player Props: June 22, Dodgers vs. Nationals

Shohei Ohtani is trying to get back on track following a hitless performance in his last game (0 for 4). His Los Angeles Dodgers square off versus Mike Soroka and the Washington Nationals on Sunday at 4:10 p.m. ET on SportsNet LA and MASN. Find odds, stats, and more below to make your Shohei Ohtani player prop bets. Ohtani has collected a team-best 25 home runs. He has 44 RBI. Ohtani's home runs rank third in MLB and he ranks 32nd in RBI in MLB. Watch tonight's Dodgers game on Fubo! Shohei Ohtani Prop Bets and Odds How to Watch Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Soroka Shohei Ohtani prop bet insights MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Sunday at 1:28 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Shohei Ohtani stats against the Nationals Nationals starter: Mike Soroka

Jacob Wilson Player Props: June 22, Athletics vs. Guardians
Jacob Wilson Player Props: June 22, Athletics vs. Guardians

USA Today

time32 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Jacob Wilson Player Props: June 22, Athletics vs. Guardians

Jacob Wilson is looking to bounce back following a hitless performance in his previous game (0 for 4). His Athletics face Slade Cecconi and the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET on NBCS-CA and CLEG. Find odds, stats, and more below to make your Jacob Wilson player prop bets. Wilson has racked up a team-best batting average of .353. He has hit nine home runs and totaled 40 RBI. Wilson's home runs rank 92nd in MLB and he ranks 49th in RBI in MLB. Watch tonight's Athletics game on Fubo! Jacob Wilson Prop Bets and Odds How to Watch Athletics vs. Cleveland Guardians Jacob Wilson vs. Slade Cecconi Jacob Wilson prop bet insights MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Sunday at 1:29 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Jacob Wilson stats against the Guardians Guardians starter: Slade Cecconi

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store