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Even as the weather created some delays and saw two games postponed, it was no match for the excitement we had around baseball this Tuesday. With apologies to LL Cool J, we will call it comeback Tuesday, with eight of today’s winners coming via comeback, including several exhilarating walk-offs and unlikely results. In fact, there was a four-minute span that saw the Tigers, Astros, and Cubs deliver wins in the home ninth, while the West Coast slate also had its share of memorable moments (including Fernando Tatis Jr’s first career walk-off homer).
It is days like today that remind us why we love this silly little sport so much.
Today’s Headlines
MLB Reinstates Shoeless Joe and Charlie Hustle
In a surprise announcement that still felt inevitable, MLB announced they are removing the permanent ineligibility clause from former players/managers after their death. This means that in essence, similar situations will simply become lifetime bans, leaving considerations for the Hall of Fame open after said people pass away. The immediate aftermath suggests that notable names like Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson could finally be enshrined in Cooperstown, though there are officially 17 names on the ineligibility list that can now be reviewed once the Historical Overview Committee convenes in late 2027. While this case gained more attention following Rose’s death in 2024, it is still bound to be controversial around baseball circles. Its potential to influence other contentious HOF discussions will also be something to monitor in the upcoming years.
Major League Baseball issues policy decision on permanent ineligibility status after death: https://t.co/T4EA7Qyi8e pic.twitter.com/7Byd9syrV5
— MLB (@MLB) May 13, 2025
jaVI
For several years, Javier Báez and his massive contract were the laughingstock of baseball, especially as he toiled in the irrelevant state of the Tigers. Even as Detroit climbed back to relevancy with a nice playoff run in 2024, it coincided with Baez being out of the lineup due to injury. It has all changed in 2025, as the Tigers have become a legitimate contender in the AL, with the former Cubs star finding redemption one swing at a time. Despite being moved to center field, Baez has responded with a vintage performance, showing true gains in terms of plate discipline and approach, leading to his best game of the season during today’s win. In a memorable seesaw battle against the Red Sox that featured several ties and lead changes, Baez had already hit a three-run dinger that gave Detroit the lead, and he stood at the plate down two runs and with two runners on base in the bottom of the 11th. Facing Greg Weissert, Baez wasted no time putting an exclamation point to his night, depositing a breaking ball deep to left field and giving the Tigers their league-leading 28th win of the season. It was only Baez’s fifth homer of the season, but his .870 OPS represents the best mark he’s had since 2018.
2 HR6 RBIA MAGICAL night for Javy Báez!
Amazing-Lee
The San Francisco Giants came into today’s game riding a frustrating four-game losing streak in which they had only been outscored by five runs. Things immediately took a bad turn after the D-backs took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but San Francisco’s luck seemingly turned around in a hurry. Rookie Christian Koss delivered an early confidence boost by turning the three-run deficit into a lead by hitting his first career homer via a grand slam. A Willy Adames two-run blast would add some insurance runs, but the biggest moment of the night was yet to come. In Korean Heritage Night at the ballpark, several Hoo Ligans had gathered to celebrate Korean sensation Jung-Hoo Lee, who had remained mostly quiet through eight innings. With two on and two outs, Lee proved to be quite the showman, hitting his first-ever homer at Oracle Park, and securing the much-needed win for the Giants, as they cruised to a 10-6 win over their division rivals. Lost amid all the pomp and circumstance, Robbie Ray earned his sixth W of the season, as San Francisco has won every one of his starts.
He’s got the POW̶ER, the POW̶ER, POW̶ER!Jung Hoo Lee homers on Korean Heritage Night at Oracle Park! 🇰🇷
The Long Road Back
Pegged as a preseason favorite, Atlanta had to endure a dreadful start to the season, losing seven times before earning their first win. Climbing out of that early hole would be a major challenge, even for a team as talented as Atlanta, but they have finally reached the first milestone in that recovery. By beating the Nationals 5-2, they reached the .500 mark for the first time in 2025, with a 21-21 record and a +2 run differential that looks fitting for a squad that still has a ways to go. Today’s win was a nice team effort, as Atlanta climbed from a 2-0 deficit (including a true lead-off homer from CJ Abrams) on the strength of a solid start from Spencer Schwellenbach and a clutch homer from catcher Drake Baldwin. While dreams of a division title still seem far-fetched, just being in this position should feel good for a team that endured such a tough opening week.
The @Braves reach .500 for the first time this year.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Cuteness Overload
For Mookie Betts bobblehead night, there probably was no better choice than to have his tiny son deliver the ceremonial first pitch. And yet, it was even more adorable than what could have been predicted. Despite the grand stage and thousands of fans around him, little Kaj Lynn Betts ran out confidently with the ball, as his mom finally caught up to him to bring the ball back around home plate, creating the long-lasting image of a proud Mookie exchanging a moment with his kid.
Cutest first pitch we've ever seen? 🥹Mookie Betts' son throws out the first pitch on his dad's bobblehead night ❤️
Junior Jonronero
For a brief moment, Daulton Varsho was the story of this game between the Rays and Blue Jays. After battling all game, Varsho gave Toronto their first lead via a dramatic two-out, three-run homer in the eighth. Alas, he would almost immediately be one-upped by young phenom Junior Caminero. As closer Jeff Hoffman aimed for his tenth save of the season, it was clear that he just didn’t have it on this day, allowing four straight Rays to reach after recording an out, which allowed the Rays to tie and leave Caminero with the bases loaded and the chance to be the hero. Despite falling into an 0-2 hole, Caminero evened the count and saw Hoffman groove a lazy slider to his launching zone. Junior did not miss, hitting the ball at nearly 110mph and 420 feet, as Tampa would then cruise to an 11-9 win.
JUNIOR CAMINERO GO-AHEAD GRAND SLAM IN THE 9TH!
Game-Turner
With runners at the corners and one out, down a run, Justin Turner stepped up to the plate with the goal of tying the game. Instead, he decided to send everyone at the Friendly Confines home happy. Looking comfortable at an 0-1 count, Turner used all of his veteran guile to hit a perfect line drive that rolled all the way into the left-field corner, making us forget for a moment that he is still hitting below the Mendoza line. The two-run double gave the Cubs their first and only lead of the game—the only one they would need. While Turner will get all the flowers, let’s also give props to Nico Hoerner and his face of total exhilaration as he realized, even before rounding third, that he was about to score the winning run.
Justin Turner gets it done in the bottom of the 9th! #Walkoff
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ The Rangers have placed Corey Seager on the 10-day IL with a right hamstring strain. The injury is the same that sidelined him in late April, indicating that it didn’t fully heal in the first place. While the latest setback is expected to be minor for the oft-injured Seager, it will certainly create an issue for Texas, as the team has struggled to score consistently.
⚾ The Dodgers are set to activate franchise legend Clayton Kershaw from the 60-day IL, lining him up for his season debut this Saturday versus the Angels. The lefty had a long offseason facing injuries to his left knee and foot, but his rehab stint in the minors, comprising six starts, has been positive enough to give LA confidence in Kershaw’s health. With the Dodgers having several absences in their rotation, Kershaw’s return could mean a nice boost.
⚾ A couple of veteran pitchers signed minor-league deals today, hoping to return to The Show. The Yankees are giving a flyer to Anthony DeSclafani, who last pitched in MLB in 2023. Now at age 35, the former Giant and Twin will attempt a comeback following a lengthy injury history. Meanwhile, 45-year-old lefty Rich Hill will attempt to make the Royals roster after a brief stint with Boston last season. If he is called up, Hill would again become the oldest active player in the league.
Articles You Should Read
Javier Baez is Fun Again — Jay Jaffe, Fangraphs
5 Reasons Not to Give Up on the Orioles — Will Leitch, MLB.com
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
