Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts plans to host another major league manager at his home next week.
Roberts will entertain A.J. Hinch in California, the same manager whose Houston Astros defeated Roberts and the Dodgers in the World Series just a few months ago.
Roberts befriended Hinch during half a decade together in the Padres organization, and their bond remained strong after seven games as World Series opponents. When Hinch mentioned he was attending a wedding near San Diego, Roberts invited him to stay over. He didn't even balk when he learned who the man of honor was.
"He's going to be in town for [George] Springer's wedding," the Dodgers manager told Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times.
Wait. George Springer? The World Series MVP who will haunt Dodgers fans until they are able to win their next championship? Roberts laughed at the coincidence and said he wasn't planning to send Springer a gift.
"He should be sending me a present," Roberts said. "A.J. better bring a really good bottle of wine."
50 Cent do-over?
Remember that time rapper 50 Cent took the mound at Citi Field in 2014 to throw a ceremonial first pitch that strayed about 30 feet wide of home plate?
That moment is now 4 years old and is widely considered one of the worst ceremonial first pitches ever, but he could be getting a second chance.
"They have baseball cards with me throwing the pitch -- real baseball cards that they made," he said in a recent interview. "I go, 'Wait a minute: Who cleared this?' Whenever baseball comes up, there is no one worse than me, as far as throwing out a pitch."
50 Cent also admits he was trying to be too "fancy" on the mound, attempting to throw too hard and ... well, it didn't go well. But he's open to trying again, and apparently a few teams -- including the Mets -- have reached out to him.
"Hey @50cent, we heard you're ready to redeem yourself?! Here is your invite to throw out a first pitch this season. Toss a strike this time! #50FirstPitch," the Mets tweeted Thursday.
Who's buying?
The Philadelphia Eagles will host the Atlanta Falcons today in the only NFL playoff matchup between two baseball cities playing in the divisional round. The two teams took to Twitter to put some real stakes behind their rooting interest in their neighboring football teams.
"Hey @Braves: We were thinking -- Big day tomorrow at our neighbors' place ... How do you guys feel about making a friendly wager on the game? #FlyEaglesFly," the Phillies posted.
"You know we stand #InBrotherhood! If the Eagles win, we'll hook you up with an ATL classic, @ChickFilA... BUT if [when] the @AtlantaFalcons win [which is happening], then you have to hook us up with something from Philly. Deal?" was the Braves' response.
The Phillies accepted the deal, tweeting back, "May the odds be ever in your favor."
The Phillies did neglect to formalize what they would give up in the event of a Falcons' victory. If the Braves are putting a Chick-fil-A sandwich on the line, it seems only right that the Phillies would offer a cheesesteak.
QUIZ
Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts made his major league playing debut playing for what team?
ANSWER
Roberts batted leadoff and played center field for the Cleveland Indians on Aug. 7, 1999, against Tampa Bay.
Sports on 01/13/2018