HOUSTON (AP) — Jeremy Peña’s key to success was keeping his head dry.

Capping a freshman season like no other, he became the first rookie position player to win a World Series MVP award Saturday night after hitting .400 in the Houston Astros’ six-game victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

“The hardest part was just blocking everything that’s not part of the game,” Peña said. “There’s a saying that you can’t sink a ship with water around. It sinks if water gets inside. So I just try to stay strong and keep the water outside my head.”

Peña also won a Gold Glove and was the AL Championship Series MVP. The 25-year-old shortstop became the first hitter to win those three prizes in a career, according to OptaSTATS — and he did it all in his rookie season.

“It has a lot to do with my family, my upbringing,” he said.

Peña was 9 years old when his family moved to Providence from the Dominican Republic.

Peña praised Dusty Baker, the Astros’ 73-year-old manager. When Baker made his major league managerial debut for San Francisco on April 6, 1993, the leadoff hitter for the other team was Peña’s father, St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Gerónimo Peña.

“Dusty Baker’s a legend in the sport,” Jeremy Peña said. “Not just because he’s been around. He’s had success at this game. He brings the best out of his players. He gives you the confidence to just go out and play hard and let the game take care of itself.”

Peña singled to chase Phillies starter Zack Wheeler in Game 6, giving the Astros two baserunners for the first time. Yordan Alvarez followed with a go-ahead, three-run homer that sent Houston to a 4-1 victory.

Peña finished the postseason with a .345 batting average, four homers, eight RBIs and a 1.005 OPS. He also became the first rookie shortstop to win a Gold Glove, as well as the first to homer in the World Series.

Just 24 when he was handed the starting job at the beginning of the season after Carlos Correa left as a free agent, Peña became the third rookie at any position to earn World Series MVP, joining a pair of right-handed pitchers: the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Larry Sherry in 1959 and Miami’s Liván Hernández in 1997.

Peña’s 18th-inning homer completed a Division Series sweep at Seattle and he hit a go-ahead drive off Noah Syndergaard in Game 5 of the World Series. His Game 2 jersey is headed to the Hall of Fame.

“You have to make tough decisions in this job, and Jeremy’s making it look like it was an easy decision, and it wasn’t,” Houston general manager James Click said. “Carlos is a great player, and he’s been a huge part of this franchise. But to do what Jeremy did, to step in and elevate his game in the playoffs, it just speaks to his hard work, his character and the talent that he has. There’s not that many special guys on the planet that can do what he just did.”

Peña became the ninth player to win MVP of a League Championship Series and the World Series in the same season. He batted .353 with two homers and four RBIs against the Yankees in the ALCS.

The only other player to win an LCS MVP award, World Series MVP and a Gold Glove during their career was pitcher Orel Hershiser, who took all three prizes with the Dodgers in 1988.

Peña hit .291 with 22 homers and 63 RBIs during the regular season and likely will finish high in AL Rookie of the Year voting. Seattle outfielder Julio Rodríguez is the favorite.

Others to win LCS and World Series MVP in one year were Pittsburgh’s Willie Stargell (1979), St. Louis’ Darrell Porter (1982), Hershiser (1988), Hernández (2003), Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels (2008), the Cardinals’ David Freese (2011), San Francisco’s Madison Bumgarner (2014) and the Dodgers’ Corey Seager (2020).

Only four other rookies were LCS MVPs: Baltimore right-hander Mike Boddicker in 1983, Hernández in 1997, St. Louis right-hander Michael Wacha in 2013 and Tampa Bay outfielder Randy Arozarena in 2020.

Peña thought back to last year’s Game 6 loss to Atlanta at Minute Maid Park, where he joined the Astros but was inactive.

“These guys were left with a bitter taste in their mouth last year,” he said. “Me being in the dugout last year, I didn’t want to experience that again.”

The post Windfall’s Peña 1st rookie hitter to win World Collection MVP appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Friday was a day to digest the NFL schedule and analyze the weekly fixtures and calendar dates from every possible angle. Cowboys fans had plenty to munch on with the numerous prime-time appearances and big duels that will make up the 2023 season. We have the full coverage of Cowboys Wire, from key takeaways to point spreads to TV ratings predictions. We also look back at the schedule release videos – that of the Cowboys and their opponents – to see how the other clubs announced their participation in America’s Team (and sometimes started their trash-talk a little earlier).

Meanwhile, the front office had a busy day of paperwork with all eight draft picks. We have news on the training program that has helped the Cowboys find three of this year’s most athletic youngsters, Luke Schoonmaker goes straight to the top for advice on how to be a tight end in Dallas, and Deuce Vaughn sits down that draft day by his father’s offer. All that plus an undrafted free agent to get to know now and why the first month of the season will be crucial in keeping headquarters in Big D a little less hot. Next up are news and notes…

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Final Score Prediction for every Cowboys Game in 2023 :: Cowboys Wire

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Bookmark now; The Cowboys end the season 14-3. Along the way there will be a surprisingly clean victory over the NFC East, five Fortyburger games, an overtime thriller and the exorcism of at least one longtime green jersey demon.

The 10 Best Insights From The Cowboys 2023 Schedule, Plus Preseason Matches :: Cowboys Wire

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The good news: No triple road trips and there are plenty of lower level attacks for Dan Quinn’s group to take on. The bad news: There are very few enemy defenses that can move around with ease, and a lot of late nights for those tracking and covering the team. In the preseason, the Cowboys host Jacksonville, travel to Seattle, and welcome the Raiders to town.

Cowboys open -2.5 at Giants in Week 1, 12-game favorite in 2023 :: Cowboys Wire

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It’s early days, but Dallas starts as an underdog in just five competitions: San Francisco, Chargers, Philadelphia, Buffalo and Miami. The widest spread is +4 for the week 15 game against the Bills in mid-December in upstate New York.

Must-See TV: The 5 Biggest Games on the Cowboys Schedule of 2023 :: Cowboys Wire

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America’s team always turns heads. But this year, the encounters with the 49ers, Eagles, Bills, Seahawks and (check again) the Lions could be the biggest games of the season.

Cowboys 2023 schedule: FOX desperately wanted the Cowboys’ game in Buffalo for massive ratings :: Blogging the Boys

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The network had the Cowboys’ visit to Buffalo — a scenario guaranteed to only happen once every eight years — higher on its wish list than the Cowboys-Eagles. It’s one of eight Dallas games in 2023 to air on Fox.

The Bengals have campaigned with the NFL to host a Black Friday game every year :: ESPN

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NFL manager Mike North said the Bengals have volunteered to not only host the league’s first Black Friday football game, but also serve as a permanent venue for the game, much like Detroit and Dallas have traditionally Home teams are on Thanksgiving. Amazon, which airs the game on the busiest shopping day of the year, suggested to the league that launching the game in the country’s largest retail market would be a “fun way” to showcase the concept.

WATCH: Cowboys Auditions for “Yellowstone” Scheduled for 2023 Release Video :: Cowboys Wire

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For this year’s production, the team received Hollywood help from Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan. And they let cowboys past and present, from the Triplets to Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs, try out their acting and even singing skills.

Chew toys, rap, and that anime bus: How Cowboys opponents revealed the Dallas 2023 matches :: Cowboys Wire

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Some teams kept their videos simple (look at cards). Some chose sweet (Philadelphia). Some tried to capitalize on the latest trends like TikTok and AI. And some went straight for the jugular, impaling every opponent as hard as they could; The Chargers remain the trolling kings with their Easter egg-filled anime video that holds no fire.

NFL Betting 2023: Exploring Which Coach Could Be Fired First :: The 33rd Team

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The first four games of the season will set the tone for any coach… and could be the beginning of the end for someone. The Cowboys appear to have a 3-1 start within reach (and maybe even 4-0). But if they come out with just .500 in week 4, you should be on your guard. The next two games will be tough; Going into a bye with a 2-4 mark could cause panic and result in Mike McCarthy being substituted on the week off.

Deuce actually went to work with his father :: The Mothership

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This line from Cowboys scout Chris Vaughn to his newly drafted son wasn’t just for dramatic effect. The two actually drove to The Star together on Thursday to begin minicamp activities. “We had our conversations like we always do,” Deuce said. “I’m just talking about what exactly it takes to make it at this level.”

Dallas Cowboys second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker wants to speak to Jason Witten :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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The rookie tight end grew up with Rob Gronkowski but wants to learn what he can from the greatest cowboy to ever play the position. “I’ve been looking at Witten lately,” Schoonmaker said. “As a player he is of course spectacular. He will be a Hall of Famer. He as a person, as a teammate. He’s such a leader.” He’s already reached out to Big Witt for advice.

How pre-draft practice gives a glimpse into the physical and mental state of the Cowboys’ rookie trio :: Dallas Morning News

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44 NFL contenders trained at the EXOS facility in Phoenix this year. That group included seven players drafted in the first round…and three of the Cowboys’ eight picks. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown scored best in lower body explosiveness while nose tackle Smith took second place. On the sixth lap, Eric Scott Jr. finished fourth overall.

All Cowboys draft picks officially signed; Contract Details :: Cowboys Wire

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The team signed all eight draft picks Thursday, just ahead of this weekend’s rookie minicamp. Mazi Smith, who was selected in the first round, leads the way with a four-year contract worth $13.27 million that is fully guaranteed. The last pick that year, Jalen Brooks, signed a contract worth $3.92 million.

Sources: Agent Allegedly Offered Gifts to Encourage Players to Draft :: ESPN

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Agent David Canter is under investigation for allegedly offering the teams bribes — such as the use of vacation properties — in exchange for brokering his clients. Canter’s veteran clients include DeMarcus Lawrence, the defensive end of the Cowboys. Attempting to incentivize a team to recruit a player is not specifically prohibited by the NFLPA; Canter’s attorney says the agent did not commit any wrongdoing.

The NFL’s Best UDFA Matches 2023: An Undrafted Contender to Watch on Any Roster :: The Athletic

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The Cowboys always find highlights in the UDFA league, but Kansas offensive player Earl Bostick could be the one to watch this year. A characterful ex-tight end with 34 1/8-inch arms, he’s athletic enough to stand a chance.

NFL QB Index: Who tops a way-early list of MVP candidates in the middle? Check out my top 10! :: NFL.com

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2023 could not only be a rebound year for the Cowboys starting quarterback, but his best year ever. Marc Sessler picks Prescott as one of his top ten candidates for MVP. Brandin Cooks and the team’s new tight end could improve Prescott’s numbers. But “durability concerns – he’s missed 17 games in the last three seasons – and problematic plays are part of the mix.”

Dak and Emmitt open Academy of Country Music Awards at The Star :: Bri Amaranthus (Twitter)

The story originally appeared on Cowboys Wire

The post Cowboys high wishlist for Fox, Deuce Vaughn makes good on promise, Dak for MVP in ’23? appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

RONALD BLUM, Associated Press

4 months ago

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena celebrates with the trophy after their 4-1 World Series win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 on Saturday, November 5, 2022 in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

HOUSTON (AP) — Jeremy Peña’s key to success was keeping his head dry.

He capped a freshman season like no other, becoming the first rookie position player to win a World Series MVP award Saturday night after hitting a .400 in the Houston Astros’ six-game win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

“The hardest part was just blocking everything that wasn’t part of the game,” Peña said. “There is a saying that you cannot sink a ship with water. It sinks when water enters. So I’m just trying to stay strong and keep the water out of my head.”

Peña also won a Gold Glove and was MVP of the AL Championship Series. The 25-year-old shortstop became the first hitter to win those three awards in his career, according to OptaSTATS – and all in his rookie season.

“It has a lot to do with my family and my upbringing,” he said.

Peña praised Dusty Baker, the Astros’ 73-year-old manager. When Baker made his major league managerial debut for San Francisco on April 6, 1993, Peña’s father, St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Gerónimo Peña, was the leading hitter for the other team.

“Dusty Baker is a legend in the sport,” said Jeremy Peña. “Not just because he’s there. He succeeded in this game. He gets the best out of his players. He gives you the confidence to just go out there and play hard and let the game take care of itself.”

Peña was able to chase down Phillies starter Zack Wheeler in Game 6, giving the Astros two baserunners for the first time. Yordan Alvarez followed up with a three-run go-ahead homer that propelled Houston to a 4-1 win.

Peña finished the postseason with a .345 batting average, four homers, eight RBIs and 1.005 OPS. He was also the first rookie shortstop to win a Gold Glove and the first homer in the World Series.

Peña was just 24 when he landed the starting job earlier in the season after Carlos Correa left as a free agent. Peña became the third rookie at any position to become World Series MVP, joining two right-handed pitchers: Los Angeles’ Larry Sherry of the Dodgers in 1959 and Liván Hernández of Miami in 1997.

Peña’s 18th-inning homer completed a Division Series sweep in Seattle and grabbed a Noah Syndergaard go-ahead drive in Game 5 of the World Series. His Game 2 jersey goes into the Hall of Fame.

“You have to make tough decisions in this job, and Jeremy makes it seem like it was an easy decision, and it wasn’t,” said Houston general manager James Click. “Carlos is a great player and he’s been a huge part of this franchise. But doing what Jeremy did, stepping in and improving his game in the playoffs only speaks to his hard work, character and the talent he has. There aren’t that many special guys on the planet who can do what he just did.”

Peña became the ninth player to win a League Championship Series and World Series MVP in the same season. He hit .353 with two homers and four RBIs against the Yankees in the ALCS.

The only other player to win an LCS MVP award, a World Series MVP, and a Gold Glove during his career was pitcher Orel Hershiser, who won all three awards with the Dodgers in 1988.

Peña hit .291 with 22 home runs and 63 RBIs during the regular season and will likely finish high in AL Rookie of the Year voting. Seattle outfielder Julio Rodríguez is the favorite.

Other winners of LCS and World Series MVP in one year were Pittsburgh’s Willie Stargell (1979), St. Louis’ Darrell Porter (1982), Hershiser (1988), Hernández (2003), Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels (2008), and David Von the Cardinals Freese (2011), Madison Bumgarner (2014) from San Francisco and Corey Seager (2020) from the Dodgers.

Only four other rookies were LCS MVPs: Baltimore right-hander Mike Boddicker in 1983, Hernández in 1997, St. Louis right-hander Michael Wacha in 2013, and Tampa Bay outfielder Randy Arozarena in 2020.

Peña thought back to last year’s Game 6 loss to Atlanta at Minute Maid Park, where he joined the Astros but was inactive.

“Those guys had a bitter taste in their mouths last year,” he said. “I was on the coaching bench last year, I didn’t want to experience that again.”

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The post Astros’ Peña 1st rookie hitter to win World Sequence MVP – KGET 17 appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

(CBS Los Angeles) – The MLB season starts in September and the various MVP and division races remain interesting. With a month of play, Shohei Ohtani looks like the American League MVP favorite save for injuries or a complete breakdown. Last weekend, he added another line to his résumé and record books. The New York Yankees eventually lost, ending their 13-game winning streak just four games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East. On the other side of town, the New York Mets are moving just as quickly in the opposite direction. Some players thought it was kind of wise to express their displeasure with the fans.

This week’s baseball report takes a look at Ohtani’s 40-20 milestone, the winning streak of the Yankees and the Mets giving their fans the thumbs-down gesture.

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Ohtani’s 40-20 season

It’s not even September yet, and Shohei Ohtani has the American League MVP race under control. This is what happens when a two-way player excels on the plate and on the hill. His latest achievement also shows his ability on the Basic Paths. Ohtani is now the only player in the history of the Los Angeles Angels team to have scored 40 home runs and stolen 20 bases in a single season. He is also the third in American League history to accomplish this feat before September. Ken Griffey Jr. (1999) and Alex Rodriguez (2007) are the other two, and Rodriguez won the MVP that season.

By the time Ohtani stole his 20th base, he had already blown 41 homers, which brings him to the top of the majors. Last Saturday night against the San Diego Padres, Ohtani found himself in the middle of his second 0-4 night in a row. At the end of the fifth inning, he pulled a one-out walk from Austin Adams. He then got a good jump on a 0-1 fastball to steal second. A double two strokes later would get him home.

Its 20 stolen bases make it a top 10 in the category, which Starling Marte of Miami Marlins tops at 42. Ohtani also cuts .264 / .363 / 0.623. Of course, what sets him apart from all other quality rackets in the majors is his pitching success. Ohtani is also set up 8-1 with a 3:00 ERA and 127 strikeouts in his 105 innings.

His stolen base and the resulting run helped the Angels achieve their second win in eight games. But they are 10.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox for last wildcard place.

While the Angels have little chance in the playoff race, it seems that just an injury could hurt Ohtani’s chances in the MVP race. So there was some concern in the organization on Friday night when a fastball hit him with his throwing hand at 93 mph. An x-ray showed no damage and he played the rest of the game. Ohtani should be ready to play the New York Yankees again on Tuesday night.

The Yankees’ winning streak ends

The Yankees will look to start another winning streak when they visit the Angels this week. That was after the Oakland Athletics finished their last one of the weekend. The A’s beat the Yankees 3-2 on Saturday to end their 13-game winning streak, the team’s longest in 60 years. The double home run of Slugger Aaron Judge in the ninth inning drove Anthony Rizzo in after his bloop single. But it was all the team could handle with a lost effort.

When the Yankees recently won so many games in a row, Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle lit the pitchers. It was only the sixth longest team in its history. The Yankees won in episode 19 in 1947 and were close at 18 in 1953.

When that last streak began, the Yankees were 63-52, seven games behind the leading Tampa Bay Rays and five games behind the Red Sox. It included three-game sweeps of the Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. When the streak ended, the Yankees were 76-52, just four games behind the Rays. They have the inside bar on a wild card field, although they may end up playing the Red Sox.

Thumbs down for Mets and their fans

The Mets led the National League East for about half of the season. But they haven’t been very good lately, losing 19 of their 27 games in August as well as their four-game lead in the division. They are now 7.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves and 4.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies. What once promised promising playoff hopes is quickly disappearing.

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The fans at Citi Field, home of the Mets, have expressed their displeasure. That’s what fans do. They cheer when their team is okay and boo when they don’t. Mets players don’t like being booed and three of them decided to essentially boo their fans back when the team is fine.

After hitting a 444-foot homer in Sunday’s 9-4 win over Washington Nationals, the recent acquisition gave Javier Baez a “thumbs down” gesture that he later declared as a message to fans.

“It feels bad when I hit and get booed. It’s not really my business, but I want to let them know that if we succeed we will let them do the same [fans] know how it feels, ”Baez told reporters. “… you have to get better. I play for the fans and I love the fans. If they do that, they’ll put more pressure on the team. “

Kevin Pillar and Francisco Lindor also gave the thumbs-down gesture.

The Mets organization was not pleased. A statement from team president Sandy Alderson read as follows:

“In a post-game press conference today, Javy Baez stated that his thumbs-down gesture during the game was a message to fans who recently booed him and other players for poor performance. These comments and any gestures made by him or other players with similar intent are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Mets fans are understandably frustrated with the team’s recent performance. The players and the organization alike are frustrated, but Citi Field fans have every right to express their own disappointment. Booing is the right of every fan.

The Mets do not tolerate player gestures that are unprofessional in meaning or that relate negatively to our fans. I will meet with our players and staff to get this message across directly.

Mets fans are loyal, passionate, knowledgeable, and more than ready to express themselves. We love them for each of these qualities. “

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Mets fans were also understandably upset and turned to social media to express their feelings. It remains to be seen whether this little spit leads to a better representation on the field. The Mets have 30 games – 15 at home – to make up for lost ground.

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