Evan Drellich

A reminder that an in-depth book on the Houston Astros and their management culture will be out soon, based on years of reporting. Never-before-told stories about how the franchise was built: Crane, Luhnow, the scandal, the innovation & more. Check it out! amazon.com/Winning-Fixes-…

Rob Manfred said previously he was hoping to have a deal(s) for the 2026-28 media rights ESPN gave up by the All-Star Game. He said just now he’s making significant progress, but did not specify a new date by which he expects to get something done

The great @dfbarron reports on the end of a dozen-year legal drama between Jim Crane and Drayton McLane. houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/… Now, be sure to pick up a copy of Winning Fixes Everything, the book Jim Crane's legal team didn't want mentioned in front of the jury

Full conversation here: youtu.be/UPNZw4aUBpk

One man’s ceiling is another man’s floor

Rob Manfred recruited a star-studded group of retired players. The union sees trouble dlvr.it/TM27f8

The #BlueJays are "perking up to the top of the list" to host a future #MLBAllStarGame. On a potential midsummer classic return to Toronto, with comments from Rob Manfred, via @EvanDrellich: nytimes.com/athletic/64959…

He stressed patience, but Rob Manfred is confident a sale of the #MNTwins will be completed: “There will be a transaction.” Story with @EvanDrellich. nytimes.com/athletic/64960…

The 2028 LA Olympics schedule just came out. Major League Baseball would prefer it look different. nytimes.com/athletic/64964…

Tony Clark says FBI investigation hasn’t changed his job leading MLB players’ union nytimes.com/athletic/64943…

Source: sale of Rays to Patrick Zalupski's group for about $1.7B expected to go final as soon as September. Team likely to remain in Tampa area. With @Ken_Rosenthal nytimes.com/athletic/64937…

“There’s a good degree of uncertainty. Is it 5,000? Is it 10,000? Is it 1,000?” A big question in Cooperstown this month: how many fans are going to travel from Japan to see Ichiro Suzuki's Hall of Fame induction? nytimes.com/athletic/64871…

NEWS: ESPN and MLB have resumed talks after their contentious break-up earlier this year, The Athletic has learned. nytimes.com/athletic/64633…

“There seems to be kind of a mismatch between what we see at the union leadership level and what the players are thinking,” Manfred said. “The strategy is to get directly to the players” Candor and criticism on labor we haven’t seen from Manfred in years nytimes.com/athletic/64617…

Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez have been approved by the NBA to be the owners of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx. Lore will be the governor for the Wolves and A-Rod will be alternate governor, while A-Rod will be the governor for the Lynx and Lore will be alternate governor.

The board decision that sent the MLB, NFL unions into controversy nytimes.com/athletic/64426…

NEWS: Another contender has emerged to attempt a purchase of the Tampa Bay Rays. Hedge fund founder Trip Miller has formed a group that made an all-cash offer to current Rays owner Stu Sternberg last week, he told The Athletic. More from @SamBlum3: nytimes.com/athletic/64406…

There have been only 15 knuckleballs thrown in the major leagues this year. Does the pitch's best hope rest off the shores of Lake Erie, where a Tigers prospect is throwing 88 mph knucklers? On the death and potential rebirth of the knuckleball: nytimes.com/athletic/64365…

Something’s up with the ball again. Long fly balls aren’t flying as far in 2025, about four feet shorter — a change MLB acknowledges. With ⁦@enosarris⁩ nytimes.com/athletic/64228…

Recent court filings — including one posted in error — have revealed new details about the death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs. A deposition revealed Skaggs had told his agent he received drugs from pitcher Wade Miley in 2013. Details from @SamBlum3 ⤵️ nytimes.com/athletic/64191…

Meet the the MLB executive and former assistant US attorney who will lead college sports' new enforcement arm. nytimes.com/athletic/64091…