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In a 4-3 American League All-Star Game victory with no clear MVP on Tuesday, hometown favorite Shane Bieber, a right-handed starter for the Cleveland Indians, earned the honors after striking out the side in the fifth inning amid a Progressive Field-wide chant of his name. Bieber is the third player in All-Star Game history to win the MVP award in his home ballpark, joining Pedro Martinez at Fenway Park in 1999 and Sandy Alomar Jr. also in Cleveland in 1997. Texas Ranger Joey Gallo jacked one in the 7th inning. It was the 7th straight year the AL won.
Commissioner Rob Manfred again emphatically denied that Major League Baseball has altered baseballs to generate more offense, amid widespread criticism from some of the sport’s top pitchers. Manfred also said “there is no evidence from scientists that the ball is harder” but acknowledged that “the drag of the baseball is less.” He said MLB has commissioned laser tests to measure seam width and height in an effort to find out why the drag is less, but the league has not been given answers by scientists.
Dolphins defensive tackle Kendrick Norton is starting his recovery from a car accident that led to the amputation of his left arm this week. The NFL stepped in with some help Tuesday morning, telling Norton that all of his medical bills will be covered under the league’s and Dolphins’ insurance policy. The accident ends Norton’s NFL career and the focus has turned to get Norton recovered to resume his life. He has received an outpouring of support from family, former Dolphins and University of Miami teammates, friends and strangers, among others.
The 2019 NFL Supplemental Draft will take place today via email at 12:00 pm central time. Five players are eligible to be selected in this year’s annual summer draft: Washington State DB Jalen Thompson, West Virginia WR Marcus Simms, Syracuse LB Shyheim Cullen, Northland (Minn.) TE Devonaire Clarington, St. Francis DB Bryant Perry. Thompson and Simms are the only two anticipated to be selected with mid-to-late-round picks.
Free-agent forward Marcus Morris could abandon a two-year, $20 million agreement with the San Antonio Spurs and accept a one-year deal with the New York Knicks. Morris’ agreement with the Spurs includes a player option, but the Knicks suddenly have the salary-cap space to make him a more substantial first-year offer on a deal.