RONALD BLUM Baseball Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone reacts during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Baseball’s biggest spenders are stumbling, with the Dodgers, Mets and Yankees beset by injuries

July 28, 2025

Baseball’s top spenders are struggling with injuries and roster challenges as the trade deadline approaches. The New York Mets, with a big league-high $326 million payroll, lead the NL East but have a losing record since mid-June. The Los Angeles Dodgers, spending just $200,000 less, lead the NL West but have also struggled since early July. The New York Yankees, third in spending, have lost their division lead due to a poor stretch since late May. Despite being playoff contenders, these teams haven’t met expectations. Injuries have forced them to use numerous starting pitchers and adjust lineups frequently.

In latest bat flip flap, big league players side with Little Leaguer

July 25, 2025

Jazz Chisholm Jr. criticized the attempted suspension of a Little Leaguer for a bat flip, calling it “ridiculous.” The incident involved 12-year-old Marco Rocco from New Jersey, who ejected for unsportsmanlike behavior after a home run on July 16. His father, a lawyer, challenged the suspension in court and won. Marco played Thursday for Haddonfield, New Jersey, on Thursday and ent 0 for 2. Toronto pitcher Max Scherzer and others have weighed in, with Scherzer supporting emotional displays in the game. Baseball has increasingly embraced emotion, with notable moments like José Bautista’s 2015 bat flip gaining attention.

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber celebrates as he runs for a single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Friday, July 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Schwarber’s 1,000th hit is 319th homer, topping McGwire for most to the mark

July 25, 2025

Kyle Schwarber reached 1,000 hits with his 319th home run, surpassing Mark McGwire for the most home runs among players with 1,000 hits in major league history. Schwarber hit two two-run homers in a 12-5 win over the New York Yankees. His first homer started a comeback from a 2-0 deficit. Schwarber, who is 32 and eligible for free agency this fall, has been a key player for the Phillies. He has 36 homers this season, just three shy of the major league leader. Phillies fans and management have expressed their desire to keep him.

Dr. David Altchek poses in his office filled with sports memorabilia in New York, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Dr. David Altchek, Mets medical director and Tommy John surgery pioneer, dies at 68

July 18, 2025

Dr. David Altchek, a renowned orthopedic surgeon and longtime New York Mets medical director, has died at 68. Altchek told associates last year he had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. He performed more than 2,400 Tommy John surgeries during his career and was instrumental in developing the “docking procedure,” a breakthrough technique for the surgery. In addition to serving as the Mets’ medical director, he held prominent roles in sports medicine, including with the ATP Tour and U.S. Davis Cup team.

Miami's Kyle Stowers challenge is being reviewed during eighth inning at the MLB baseball All-Star game between the American League and National League, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Cal Raleigh successful as 4 of 5 challenges reverse calls in first All-Star use of robot umpire

July 15, 2025

Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh successfully used the robot umpire to gain a strikeout for pitcher Tarik Skubal in the first inning of the All-Star Game. He changed an 0-2 pitch to a strike on San Diego’s Manny Machado. Four of five challenges of plate umpire Dan Iassogna’s calls were successful in the first All-Star use of the ABS system, which could make its regular-season debut next year. The players’ association is unsure whether the Automated Ball-Strike System is accurate enough. A decision for 2026 use likely will be considered by sport’s 11-man competition committee.

Philadelphia Phillies Kyle Schwarber celebrates after winning the tiebreaker at the MLB baseball All-Star game between the American League and National League, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Kyle Schwarber’s 3 homers in All-Star Game’s first tiebreaking swing-off lift NL over AL

July 15, 2025

Kyle Schwarber went 3 for 3 in the first All-Star Game home run swing-off to put the National League ahead 4-3 following a 6-6 tie in which the American League rallied from a six-run deficit. In baseball’s equivalent of soccer’s penalty-kicks shootout, the game was decided by having three batters from each league take three swings each off coaches. The change was agreed to in 2022 to alleviate the concern of teams running out of pitchers. Schwarber was named All-Star MVP after going 0 for 2 with a walk in the game.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred speaks during the first round of the MLB baseball draft Sunday, July, 13, 2025 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

A lockout is looming over MLB in December 2026, with a salary cap fight possibly at the center

July 15, 2025

Major League Baseball faces a potential lockout in December 2026. Players and management have long clashed over salary cap proposals, a format that union head Tony Clark criticizes as harmful to competition and player salary guarantees. Commissioner Rob Manfred argues the cap could address payroll disparities as MLB also tries to deal with declining revenue from regional sports networks. Teams like the Dodgers and Mets have pushed payrolls to record levels, highlighting disparity. Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement expires in December 2026, and past negotiations have led to nine work stoppages.

FILE - Major League Baseball Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark answers a question during a news conference in New York on March 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Major League Baseball, union could let big leaguers in 2028 Olympics during extended All-Star break

July 15, 2025

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred and players’ union head Tony Clark say plans are moving ahead exploring the possibility of using major leaguers in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a tournament that could be played on an extended All-Star break. MLB met with Los Angeles organizers Monday in Atlanta ahead of the All-Star Game and Manfred said the Olympic officials were meeting with the Major League Baseball Players Association. The World Baseball Softball Confederation said Monday the baseball tournament will be played from July 15-20 at Dodger Stadium. Manfred says “We’ll see whether there’s any movement on that.”

Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh, watches with his dad Todd who pitched and brother Todd Jr. catcher during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

With family support, Cal Raleigh becomes first catcher, switch-hitter to win Home Run Derby

July 14, 2025

Seattle’s Cal Raleigh won his first All-Star Home Run Derby after leading the big leagues in long balls going into the break, defeating Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero 18-15 in the final round. The Mariners’ breakout slugger nicknamed Big Dumper advanced from the first round on a tiebreaker by less than an inch over the Athletics’ Brent Rooker, then won his semifinal 19-13 over Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz, whose 513-foot first-round drive over Truist Park’s right-center field seats was the longest of the night. Hitting second in the final round, the 22-year-old Caminero closed within three dingers, took three pitches and hit a liner to left field.

FILE - The Automated Ball-Strike System plays on the scoreboard after a pitch call was challenged during the first inning of a spring training baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the San Diego Padres, Feb. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

Robot umpires to make All-Star Game debut, another step toward possible regular-season use in 2026

July 14, 2025

Major League Baseball is testing automated ball-strike systems in the All-Star Game for the first time. The system, used in some minor leagues since 2019, allows teams two challenges per game, retaining them if successful. All-Star starters Tarik Skubal of Detroit and Paul Skenes of Pittsburgh say pitchers often think everything is a strike. Clayton Kershaw believes the system works if it’s adjusted for player height, which it does. During spring training tests, teams won 52.2% of challenges.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani scores against the San Francisco Giants during the 11th inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Shohei Ohtani to hit leadoff for NL in All-Star Game, followed by Ronald Acuña Jr. of host Braves

July 14, 2025

Shohei Ohtani will bat leadoff as the designated hitter for the National League in Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced the NL lineup, with Ronald Acuña Jr. batting second and Ketel Marte third. Paul Skenes of the Pirates will start for the NL, while Detroit’s Tarik Skubal will pitch for the AL. Gleyber Torres will lead off for the AL, followed by Riley Greene and Aaron Judge. Skenes and Skubal rank first and second in fastball velocity this season. Skenes has a 2.01 ERA, while Skubal, the reigning AL Cy Young winner, holds a 2.23 ERA.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Charlie Morton (50) delivers during the second inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the New York Mets, Thursday, July 10, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Curveballs are disappearing in MLB as velocity obsession reshapes pitching landscape

July 14, 2025

Curveballs are disappearing from Major League Baseball as pitchers prioritize velocity, emphasizing sliders and sweepers. Curveball usage dropped from 10.7% in 2019 to 8.4% this season, with 22,962 fewer thrown in 2024 than five years earlier. Pitchers and coaches say the focus has shifted to harder, faster pitches that generate more swings and misses. Batters are hitting .225 against curveballs this season, lower than fastballs. The game continues evolving toward power and speed.

Aaron Judge becomes fastest to 350 homers, doing so in 1,088 games, bettering Mark McGwire’s 1,280

July 12, 2025

Aaron Judge didn’t just become the fastest player to hit 350 home runs, he did it in 192 fewer games than Mark McGwire. Judge homered to right-center on a high 0-2 fastball from Brad Keller, a two-run, ninth-inning drive a couple rows into the right-center field seats during the New York Yankees’ 5-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs. He reached 350 in his 1,088th game. McGwire hit No.350 in his 1,280th game, against Detroit’s Brian Moehler on June 2, 1997, bettering Harmon Killebrew in his 1,319th game

Yankees All-Star Max Fried forced from start by index finger blister, which caused 4 past IL stints

July 12, 2025

Yankees All-Star left-hander Max Fried left a start against the Chicago Cubs after a season-low three innings because of a a blister on his left index finger. Fried was on the injured list for blisters on his left index finger in 2018, ’19, ’21 and ’23. Fried allowed nine of 18 batters to reach, giving up four runs — three earned — six hits and three walks. He threw just 39 of 73 pitches for strikes, falling behind with first-pitch balls to nine batters.

New York Yankees players celebrate with outfielder Aaron Judge, center, after the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, July 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Yankees’ Aaron Judge makes 3 outstanding catches, robs Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong of home run

July 11, 2025

Aaron Judge made three outstanding catches in right field, robbing Pete Crow-Armstrong of a home run, Dansby Swanson of a single and Kyle Tucker of a two-run hit in the New York Yankees’ 11-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs. The 6-foot-7 Judge leaped at the right-field wall to catch a 327-foot drive by Crow-Armstrong against Carlos Rodón in the fourth inning, denying what would have been Crow-Armstrong’s 26th home run. Judge then rushed in and dove for a backhand grab on Swanson’s sinking liner for the third out of the inning and made a sliding catch on Tucker in the eighth.

Yanks’ Cody Bellinger hits 3rd home run of game against Cubs, an inning after being robbed

July 11, 2025

Cody Bellinger hit three two-run homers, leading the New York Yankees to an 11-0 win over the Chicago Cubs. Facing his former team, Bellinger homered in a three-run third off Chris Flexen and in the fifth against Caleb Thielbar. Bellinger nearly went deep in the seventh but was robbed by Kyle Tucker on a drive above the right-field wall. Bellinger homered in the eighth off Jordan Wicks, just above the glove of leaping center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. Traded to the Yankees in December, Bellinger is batting .406 during a career-high 16-game hitting streak.

New York Mets' Jeff McNeil (1) celebrates with Brett Baty (7) after scoring on his two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Friday, July 4, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Jeff McNeil’s home run and sparkling defensive play carry Mets past Yankees in Subway Series

July 4, 2025

Jeff McNeil’s clutch performance helped the New York Mets secure a thrilling 6-5 win over the Yankees in their Subway Series opener at Citi Field. McNeil hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning off Luke Weaver and made a diving play at second base in the ninth to prevent a potential rally. The Mets overcame two deficits, while the Yankees squandered leads of 2-0 and 5-3. The Mets have won three straight after losing 14 of 17, while the Yankees have lost five in a row. Both teams were in first place when they met at Yankee Stadium in May but have faded badly of late.

New York Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. reacts after hitting a three-run scoring triple during the third inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Jazz Age at Yankee Stadium as Chisholm sparks Yankees at plate, on defense and in clubhouse

June 29, 2025

The Jazz Age is in full swing at Yankee Stadium. Whether with his bat, his glove, his arm or his smile, Jazz Chisholm Jr. is energizing the New York Yankees and their fans. Chisholm hit a second-inning, go-ahead homer and a bases-loaded triple while making three sparkling defensive plays at third base in a 12-5 romp over the Athletics. Chisholm is batting .318 with six homers, 18 RBIs and four stolen bases since returning from strained right oblique on June 3, raising his season totals to .242 with 13 homers, 35 and 10 steals in 53 games.

New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Yarbrough winds up during a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Jim Davis)

Yarbrough goes on injured list in another hit to Yankees pitching, Winans to make New York debut

June 22, 2025

The New York Yankees pitching took another hit when Ryan Yarbrough was put on the 15-day injured list with a strained right oblique. A 33-year-old right-hander, Yarbrough is 3-1 with a 3.90 ERA in eight starts and eight relief appearances. New York already was missing ace Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery), AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil (lat strain) and Marcus Stroman (knee). Rookie Allan Winans will make his Yankees debut on Monday night at Cincinnati after going 7-0 with an 0.90 ERA at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Giancarlo Stanton makes season debut for Yankees after missing first 70 games

June 16, 2025

Giancarlo Stanton got two hits in his season debut for the Yankees against the Los Angeles Angels after missing New York’s first 70 games because of inflammation in the tendons of both elbows. Stanton received a standing ovation when he came to the plate with two on and two outs in the first inning. Batting fifth, the designated hitter hit a 101.5 mph groundout to third on the first pitch. He then grounded a sinker to left against José Soriano for a 111.1 mph single in the fourth.

Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. has The Seventy Percent Solution

June 6, 2025

Jazz Chisholm Jr. has The Seventy Percent Solution. While most athletes talk about the urge to give 100% or even 110%, the New York Yankees infielder thinks his success since returning from the injured list has been caused by limiting his intensity. Chisholm hit a three-run, go-ahead homer in the first inning and four RBIs to spark the Yankees over the Boston Red Sox 9-6 in the first meeting this year of AL East rivals. He says: “Just go at 70%. That’s what’s been working for me.”

FILE - MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred speaks at the SBJ CAA World Congress of Sport, April 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

Trump’s support of Rose among the voices Manfred listened to in ruling MLB ban ended with death

June 4, 2025

President Donald Trump’s support of Pete Rose was among the factors Major Legaue Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred weighed when he decided last month that permanent bans by the sport ended with death, which allows the career hits leader to be considered for the Hall of Fame. Manfred announced the new interpretation on May 13, a decision that allows Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson to be considered for a Hall committee vote in December 2027. Manfred also said computer technology to appeal ball/strike calls could be in place for the 2026 regular season.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani stands on second base during the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, May 23, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Shohei Ohtani likely won’t make big league mound return until after All-Star break

May 24, 2025

On the eve of Shohei Ohtani facing batters for the first time since elbow surgery in September 2023, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the two-way star likely won’t return to a major league mound until after the All-Star break. Ohtani is to pitch batting practice before Sunday night’s series finale against the New York Mets. Roberts says “he’s doing his first simulated game for two innings and in theory you got to build a starter up to five, six innings.” He adds: “And so just the natural progression, I just don’t see it being before that.”

RONALD BLUM Baseball Writer.

Baseball’s biggest spenders are stumbling, with the Dodgers, Mets and Yankees beset by injuries

In latest bat flip flap, big league players side with Little Leaguer

Schwarber’s 1,000th hit is 319th homer, topping McGwire for most to the mark

Dr. David Altchek, Mets medical director and Tommy John surgery pioneer, dies at 68

Cal Raleigh successful as 4 of 5 challenges reverse calls in first All-Star use of robot umpire

Kyle Schwarber’s 3 homers in All-Star Game’s first tiebreaking swing-off lift NL over AL

A lockout is looming over MLB in December 2026, with a salary cap fight possibly at the center

Major League Baseball, union could let big leaguers in 2028 Olympics during extended All-Star break

With family support, Cal Raleigh becomes first catcher, switch-hitter to win Home Run Derby

Robot umpires to make All-Star Game debut, another step toward possible regular-season use in 2026

Shohei Ohtani to hit leadoff for NL in All-Star Game, followed by Ronald Acuña Jr. of host Braves

Curveballs are disappearing in MLB as velocity obsession reshapes pitching landscape

Aaron Judge becomes fastest to 350 homers, doing so in 1,088 games, bettering Mark McGwire’s 1,280

Yankees All-Star Max Fried forced from start by index finger blister, which caused 4 past IL stints

Yankees’ Aaron Judge makes 3 outstanding catches, robs Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong of home run

Yanks’ Cody Bellinger hits 3rd home run of game against Cubs, an inning after being robbed

Jeff McNeil’s home run and sparkling defensive play carry Mets past Yankees in Subway Series

Jazz Age at Yankee Stadium as Chisholm sparks Yankees at plate, on defense and in clubhouse

Yarbrough goes on injured list in another hit to Yankees pitching, Winans to make New York debut

Giancarlo Stanton makes season debut for Yankees after missing first 70 games

Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. has The Seventy Percent Solution

Trump’s support of Rose among the voices Manfred listened to in ruling MLB ban ended with death

Shohei Ohtani likely won’t make big league mound return until after All-Star break

Finance.