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Tuesday was Jackie Robinson Day, a day to celebrate the anniversary of when Jackie Robinson broke MLB’s color barrier on April 15, 1947. It was a momentous event in American history, and players responded Tuesday in kind with tributes throughout the league. But there was a political undertone. I won’t go into all the details. You already know them (including the press release issued Monday). Instead, I will link to other writers who had the time and space to expound on the situation and how various parties have responded.
Dodgers’ celebration of Robinson rings hollow in wake of White House visit — Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times
The uncomfortable reality around this year’s Jackie Robinson Day — Justin Tinsley, Andscape
Robinson’s day is pure celebration — and that’s the problem — Jake Mintz, Yahoo Sports
NBA legend, at Robinson event, calls anti-DEI policies “ruse to discriminate” — Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic
Reds ace Greene influenced by Jackie on a daily basis — Thomas Harrigan, MLB.com
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Today’s Headlines
Cubs Withstand Miscues, Hand Padres First Home Loss
The 1880 Chicago White Stockings can pop those bottles or light those cigars. Their 21-0 home record to start the season is safe for another year. They can thank Nico Hoerner for that. Hoerner tripled home Dansby Swanson to lead off the top of the 10th inning as the Chicago Cubs handed the San Diego Padres their first loss in 12 home games this season 2-1. The White Stockings won their first 21 home games. It wasn’t easy for the Cubs, but that was their own fault. They might have won it in regulation had they not committed two errors on separate foul balls by Manny Machado in the fifth inning. First, right fielder Kyle Tucker dropped a fly ball down the line just a step or so into foul territory. Then, Machado hit a pop-up that hovered right near home plate. With catcher Miguel Amaya unable to track the ball, third baseman Gage Workman came racing in and had the ball go off the heel of his glove for the second error of the at-bat. Machado took full advantage by drilling a two-out solo homer to give the Padres a 1-0 lead. In the next half-inning, Pete Crow-Armstrong squeezed home Swanson to tie the game.
Expectant Dad Bregman Has Big Night
Alex Bregman had his biggest day as a member of the Boston Red Sox. But that will only be the second-best day of his week. With his wife set to give birth to the couple’s second child today, Bregman hit a pair of homers as part of a 5-for-5 night as the Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4. It was the first career five-hit game for Bregman, who drove in four runs. Bregman will miss today’s series finale to attend the birth.
Soderstrom Bashes Two More
Is Athletics catcher Tyler Soderstrom a Cinderella in the MLB home run race? While we haven’t even hit the 20-game mark, it sure feels like it. Entering the day in an eight-way tie for the MLB lead, Soderstrom blasted two more homers to boost his total to eight as the A’s rolled past the Chicago White Sox 12-3. It was his third multihomer game, and both were three-run shots, one in the first inning and the second in the sixth inning. He had three hits to boost his slash line to .328/.403/.734 with 17 RBIs.
One Damn Hit, That’s It
The Milwaukee Brewers might have found another gem in the rock pile. Right-hander Quinn Priester, in his second start since being acquired from the Boston Red Sox last week, combined with four relievers on a one-hit shutout in a 5-0 win over the Detroit Tigers. There was no no-hit drama as Gleyber Torres doubled leading off the sixth vs. Priester, who was at Triple-A with the Red Sox when the Brewers desperately needed a starter. All he has done in two starts is allowed one run over 10 innings.
Dodger Stadium Hosting Olympic Baseball In 2028
Just three years out from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the L.A. organizing committee pinned down more venues. Among them was finalizing that Dodger Stadium will host the baseball competition. It is widely believed that MLB players will be participating in the Summer Olympics for the first time. Due to travel and time commitments, players on the 40-man roster were not eligible to participate in previous Olympics. Baseball was dropped from the official program after 2008, but did make an appearance at the pandemic-delayed 2021 Tokyo Olympics and is expected to be at the 2032 Brisbane Games.
Best Moments From Yesterday
A Day For Jackie
Here is a small sampling of some of the ways Jackie Robinson was honored.
Holding The Line
It’s a line drive in the box score for the Cleveland Guardians‘ Gabriel Arias, thanks to Baltimore Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg letting the ball roll.
Tuesdays Are For Cardio
Tyler Fitzgerald of the San Francisco Giants decided to get an extra set of sprints in.
Learning To Swing The Bat
As a Martian, Jasson Domínguez of the New York Yankees is still learning about swinging the bat and not hitting himself in the helmet.
Self-Preservation
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Erick Fedde showed off his defensive skills on this liner off the bat of Houston Astros rookie Cam Smith.
Right Place, Wrong Time
Brice Turang of the Milwaukee Brewers had obscured the perfect throwing angle, but it didn’t matter—he just was a piece of an unusual 3-6 putout by the Detroit Tigers as Spencer Torkelson’s throw deflected to Trey Sweeney.
Three-Run Walk
A lot of strange things happen in baseball. A lot of strange things happen in the minors. This is one of them.
THE ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES SCORED THREE RUNS ON A BASES-LOADED WALK AND THERE IS VIDEO
— Codify Baseball (@codifybaseball.bsky.social) 2025-04-16T02:56:57.454Z
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ The Chicago Cubs made a plethora of roster changes, headlined by struggling rookie third baseman Matt Shaw, their top prospect, and right-handed reliever Nate Pearson being sent to Triple-A. Right-handed reliever Eli Morgan went on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow impingement. To replace that trio, infielder Vidal Bruján (sprained right elbow) was activated from the 10-day IL, while left-hander Luke Little and right-hander Daniel Palencia were called up. Shaw made the Opening Day roster for his MLB debut, but has slashed .172/.294/.241 with one homer and three RBIs while playing 18 of 19 games. He has struck out 18 times. Pearson has a 10.38 ERA in 8⅔ innings, with seven walks and five strikeouts and an opponent batting average of .361.
⚾ The Cincinnati Reds activated three players from the 10-day IL: right-handed reliever Alexis Díaz (hamstring), shortstop Matt McLain (hamstring), and outfielder Austin Hays (calf).
⚾ Minnesota Twins right fielder Matt Wallner pulled up lame trying to beat out a first-inning grounder. He was diagnosed with tightness in his left hamstring.
⚾ Washington Nationals third baseman Paul DeJong was hit in the face with a pitch by Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller and had to leave the game.
⚾ Pittsburgh Pirates catcher-first baseman Endy Rodríguez was placed on the 10-day IL with a laceration on his right index finger. Right-hander Chase Shugart was recalled.
Articles You Should Read
Following fire, ex-closer Jenks deals with terminal diagnosis — Sam Blum, The Athletic
10 Low A prospects ready to rise through rankings in 2025 — Ben Badler, Baseball America
How many innings should Dodgers expect from May? — Eric Stephen, True Blue LA
The last of the firsts — Patrick Dubuque, FanGraphs
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