Stephanie Apstein

Roy Halladay’s father taught him two things: to pitch and to fly. One gave him life. The other killed him. On a father’s grief and a family’s questions, as Hall of Fame weekend approaches bit.ly/2YW2dQr

Four years ago, MLB responded to Georgia’s voting law by pulling the All-Star Game from Atlanta. Today the law remains and the game is back. I was planning to rip Rob Manfred for his change of heart. It turns out he’s not the only one. bit.ly/4lyHMTY

When he first heard he was a “Legend Pick” for the All-Star Game, Clayton Kershaw scoffed. “What is this?” he said. “A senior citizen’s discount?” But he’s here and he’s having a good time: bit.ly/4nRBfFc

Devastating. Scott worked so hard but managed to be so kind at the same time. Anyone who knew him or read him is better for it.

Let’s just say when I started my career covering a major-league game my cousin played in wasn’t on my bingo card, let alone one where he’s starting at shortstop at Yankee Stadium. Surreal. Proud. So cool.

Much like the Dodgers and Japan, the White Sox hope to take over Vatican City. A game in Rome? A Vatican City Connect jersey? “A throw harder than the Pope competition”? All on the table as they look to capitalize on their newest celeb fan, Leo XIV: bit.ly/4mJL8V1

Publication day today! Thanks @jaysonst

The fastest man in baseball is driving opponents crazy and rewriting what’s possible. “His whole game is a problem.” bit.ly/4jMDJT4

THE LAST OF HIS KIND is out in paperback today. It includes a new epilogue about the 2024 Dodgers season. I am biased, but I think it's a good book. hachettebookgroup.com/titles/andy-mc… And we’re still doing bookplates: Send an email to ByMcCullough at gmail dot com.

The Yankees were thrilled to learn they’re allowed to grow beards now. Their wives … less so. “You’re still shaving.” On a hirsute era that does not suit her: bit.ly/3XIMdkZ

The winningest manager of all time just became the highest-paid one, too. But Dave Roberts still feels like he has something to prove—to fans and to his own front office. “I didn’t appreciate how much I wanted to shut the haters up.” bit.ly/4kCoWLo

MLB is introducing automated strike zones this spring, which means measuring hitters’ heights—which is bad news for players who, like so many 5’11” men on dating apps, have been rounding up. “Some guys are gonna get caught.” bit.ly/4ifL0JU

Congratulations to one of the best writers and best people in the business. No one deserves some time off more.

Maybe my favorite George Steinbrenner story:

They sing Volare on the bus! They wear Rocky gear on the plane! They eat like gavones! The @Eagles aren't in the Super Bowl because they're bigger, faster or stronger. They're simply... 🇮🇹🤌More Italian🤌🇮🇹 For @SInow on a team culture unlike any other si.com/nfl/philadelph…

LA Story: Shohei Ohtani, The Los Angeles Dodgers, and a Season for the Ages Available now for pre-order. Relive the remarkable 2024 season. I hear the author is pretty good. amazon.com/L-Story-Shohei…

In the instant before the team competition began at the Paris Olympics, Simone Biles asked aloud, “What if it happens again?” She did not know the answer. She competed—and won—anyway. For that, and so much more, she is @SInow’s Sportsperson of the Year: bit.ly/3PlzoJ6

Simone Biles is SI’s 2024 Sportsperson of the Year ⭐ trib.al/4rvC8Cf

My favorite Rickey Henderson story. Remember when players wrote the uniform number of a traded or released teammate on their caps? One time, Rickey had 24 on his cap. I asked him to whom that was a tribute. He said “That’s Rickey’s number. It’s a tribute to Rickey!” RIP.

Most of the time, when professional sports teams offer you north of $200 million, they try to get you to take it by telling you how great they think you are. The New York Yankees got lefty Max Fried in part because they did the opposite.  bit.ly/401ssXu

The Yankees will have an in-person meeting with Roki Sasaki, says Brian Cashman, who declines to share the timing beyond “soon.”