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I grew up in Wisconsin, so I naturally gravitated to be a Milwaukee Brewers fan. I saw my first MLB game at the old County Stadium. Back before games were readily available on TV, you kept tabs on your favorite team via the radio and newspapers, so a good deal of my childhood was listening to Bob Uecker on the radio. Monday’s Brewers home opener was going to be emotional, as it was the first without Ueck behind the microphone since 1970, their first season in Milwaukee after moving from Seattle. The Brewers’ pregame show did a nice job with some remembrances, but it was the video played in the stadium that pulled at the emotional strings. While he had a lot of fame and fortune, Uecker just wanted to be one of the guys. He still had a locker in the Brewers’ clubhouse, last season it was next to Jackson Chourio. There are a lot of great stories and memories of Ueck and the home opener was a great day to remember him following his death at age 90 in January.
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Today’s Headlines
Profar Suspended 80 Games
Atlanta’s season-opening series in San Diego didn’t go very well. In fact, the opposite of very well, going scoreless in the final 22 innings of a four-game sweep. Before Monday’s opener of a three-game series against the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, things got worse. Left fielder Jurickson Profar, a bright spot in the dismal start, was suspended 80 games for using the performance-enhancing drug chorionic gonadotropin. Profar will not be paid during the suspension and is not eligible to play in the postseason. He was signed to a three-year, $42 million contract this offseason, including $12 million for 2025. Before the news broke, Atlanta acquired outfielder Stuart Fairchild from the Cincinnati Reds for cash considerations. Fairchild had been designated by assignment by Cincy. In another blow, Atlanta also placed right-handed starter Reynaldo López on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Right-hander Bryce Elder was called up from Triple-A and will start Wednesday. For some reason, that did not inspire Atlanta, which dropped to 0-5 by losing to the Dodgers 6-1.
A’s Debut in West Sacramento
After 57 seasons in Oakland, the Athletics played their first home game in another city as they await their stadium to be built in Las Vegas. Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, will be the home for the A’s until their Vegas home is ready. While there were great strides to make it feel like a major-league home opener, there were too many obvious things that made it what it was: Two MLB teams playing in a minor-league stadium. The Chicago Cubs spoiled the festivities, having a party of their own en route to an 18-3 victory over the A’s. Cubs catcher Carson Kelly hit for the cycle, finishing it with a triple in the eighth inning, driving in five runs and Michael Busch homered and drove in four. Kelly’s cycle was the first for the Cubs since Mark Grace did it in 1993. Kelly also drew two walks, which put him in rare territory. The A’s all wore No. 24 jerseys in honor of Rickey Henderson, who passed away in December at 65. Things got so bad that A’s backup catcher Jhonny Pereda pitched the ninth and faced Cubs reliever Colin Rea, who struck out.
While A’s players certainly won’t say anything, opposing players are surely going to voice their opinions on playing at the home of the Sacramento River Cats. Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner, who attended Head-Royce School in Oakland and then Stanford, showed his disdain.
“I’d rather be playing in Oakland.” -Nico Hoerner
— Last Dive Bar (@lastdivebar.bsky.social) 2025-04-01T01:55:13.181Z
As you might expect at a stadium for a Triple-A team, there were definitely some weird things, like where the A’s are hosting press conferences — it is a wood shed.
The A’s press conference setup at Sutter Health Park pic.twitter.com/WPrkSf0ijQ
— Ben Ross (@BenRossTweets) March 31, 2025
Crochet Gets His Payday
It was just a few weeks ago that left-handed starter Garrett Crochet suggested that he would wait until after his first year with his new team before signing an extension with the Red Sox. Apparently, he only needed a few weeks to change his mind. Crochet agreed to a six-year, $170 million deal that begins next season. Crochet, who will make $3.8 million this year, had his final year of arbitration bought out as well as his first five years of free agency. The deal does include an opt-out after 2030. The Red Sox sent four prospects, including two former first-round picks, to the Chicago White Sox early in the offseason to acquire Crochet.
De La Cruz Launches Pair of Torpedoes
While all the focus has been on a certain team using the new torpedo bats, players on other teams are in possession of the hitting tool. Cincinnati Reds star shortstop Elly De La Cruz had one Monday and he drilled his first two homers of the season during a 14-3 drubbing of the Texas Rangers. De La Cruz finished with a career-high seven RBIs, including a three-run shot in the second inning and a two-run blast in the seventh. He finished a triple shy of the cycle. Right-handed starter Brady Singer, making his Reds debut, allowed just one hit in seven shutout innings, walking two and striking out eight.
Ohtani Tops Jersey Sales
In one of the least surprising news items to begin the season, MLB released the most popular jerseys in terms of number sold since last year’s World Series, with Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani leading the way. Four Dodgers were in the top 10 and six were in the top 20. Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers was No. 2, followed by Juan Soto of the New York Mets, Mookie Betts of the Dodgers, and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Young Players Honor Icons
With the deaths of Uecker and Henderson, two young outfielders made sure their memories were represented at their respective home openers as the Brewers’ Garrett Mitchell and the A’s Lawrence Butler paid tribute on their cleats.
Garrett Mitchell will wear these spikes again today for Bob Uecker. The two shared a special connection as Diabetics, Mitchell said, and spoke often about managing the disease.
“It’s just anther way of having his light shine through,” Mitchell said. pic.twitter.com/JlJPXMK0hM
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) March 31, 2025
A Team of the People
Sometimes, a picture or two say more than words can.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman was held out of Monday’s lineup due to a “shower mishap” that resulted in his surgically repaired right ankle to swell. It could cause him to miss more time.
⚾ Brewers right-handed starter Aaron Civale was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a strained left hamstring.
⚾ Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser went on the 10-day IL with a fractured left thumb. He is expected to be out for six to eight weeks.
⚾ Atlanta called up right-handed reliever Jesse Chavez, 41, from Triple-A Gwinnett. Right-handed reliever Héctor Neris was designated for assignment.
⚾ Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres landed on the 10-day IL with a strained left oblique.
Articles You Should Read
Why torpedo bats have MLB players intrigued after Yankees’ power surge — Sam Blum, The Athletic
Angels’ Anderson searching for swing he lost during injury-riddled White Sox stint — James Fegan, Sox Machine
Moon shots and mob movies: Jhonkensy Noel’s bid to be the Guardians’ next big home run hitter — Zack Meisel, The Athletic
After Hader, Williams, Craig Yoho turns heads in Brewers’ system — Todd Rosiak, Baseball America
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