Books: "Valencia and Valentine" by Suzy Krause

Valencia and Valentine
By Suzy Krause
Lake Union Publishing; hardcover; $24.95; available June 1

Suzy Krause's debut novel tells the colorful story about love, adversity, and what it means to truly live through the eyes of Valencia, a timid debt collector, and Mrs. Valentine, an eccentric old woman desperate for company.

Books: "One Small Sacrifce" By Hilary Davidson

One Small Sacrifice
By Hilary Davidson
Thomas & Mercer; hardcover, $24.95; paperback, $15.95; Kindle eBook, $4.99; Audiobook, $24.99; available June 1

Hilary Davidson is a Toronto-born travel journalist who has lived in New York City since October 2001, and she is the author of eighteen nonfiction books, most of which are for Frommer's Travel Guides, and articles for publications including Discover and Martha Stewart Weddings.

Travel: Marlins Park A Great Place To Catch A Game

The action at Marlins Park. Photo by Jason Schott.

If you are in Miami this summer, Marlins Park is a great place to catch a ballgame.

This modern stadium, which opened in 2012, has many attractions you will enjoy, especially if you're down there when the Mets visit the Marlins for the last time this season, July 12 through 14.

Books: "Reclaiming 42" On Jackie's Legacy

Reclaiming 42: Public Memory and the Reframing of Jackie Robinson's Radical Legacy
By David Naze
Nebraska; hardcover, 234 pages; $45.00; available June 1

Jackie Robinson is one of the most celebrated figures in American sports, and a new book takes a look at the legacy of the man who broke baseball's color barrier.

Yankees-Red Sox Postponded: What You Need To Know

Photo by Jason Schott.

The Yankees' game against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night has been postponed due to inclement weather.

The game has been rescheduled as the second game of a day-night, separate-admission doubleheader to be played on Saturday, August 3 at 7:05 p.m. The start time of the originally scheduled game on August 3 (now the first game) has been changed from 4:05 p.m. to 1:05 p.m.

MLB London Series Activities

The Mitel & MLB Present London Series 2019, the first-ever MLB games played in Europe, will seek to engage fans of all ages and highlight the growth of baseball and softball in the United Kingdom with many big events.

Major League Baseball recently announced details of a full schedule of activities planned throughout London that will add to the already-present excitement of the defending World Champion Boston Red Sox facing the New York Yankees on June 29th & 30th at London Stadium.

These activities include a baseball cultural festival, known as “London Yards,” and a week-long schedule of baseball & softball programs that are focused on grassroots growth of the sport within the UK as well as the development of amateur players across Europe. The current list of activities, and associated dates, are as follows:

London Yards – Friday, June 28 - Sunday, June 30th @ Truman Brewery
A three-day baseball festival located near Brick Lane, a vibrant hub in East London. The free, ticketed event will include music, fun baseball virtual reality interactives, Boston & New York cuisine, and, of course, a LIVE screening of the Mitel & MLB Present London Series 2019. Information on how to register for time slots to London Yards will be announced soon.

PLAY BALL Park – Sunday, June 23-Sunday, June 30 @ Community Track, London Stadium
PLAY BALL Park will serve as the hub for all youth-focused baseball & softball activity, providing a quality, safe environment for local students, community groups, and fans that offers inclusive and engaging baseball activity. The PLAY BALL Park space will include a temporary baseball/softball diamond, pitching tunnels, batting cages, and baseball virtual reality portals. This engagement is a product of MLB’s larger PLAY BALL effort, which serves as baseball’s collective effort to encourage young people and communities to engage in baseball- or softball-related activities (e.g., formal leagues, special events, and casual forms of play).


The full schedule of events at PLAY BALL Park includes:

Sunday, June 23 – MLB CUP: MLB and Little League International have invited four Little League U13 baseball teams based in London to compete in a small, friendly tournament at PLAY BALL Park. In addition to the games, players will attend the London Series Workout Day at London Stadium scheduled on Friday, June 28th. MLB CUP is MLB’s signature youth league competition, through which nearly 10,000 kids in Japan, Taiwan and Mexico have participated in tournament play over the last three years. This is the first MLB CUP to be held in Europe.

Monday, June 24-Wednesday, June 26 – PLAY BALL Events: MLB will invite local students and teachers to participate in intensive, fun sessions demonstrating casual forms of playing baseball & softball. All participants will receive free equipment (suitable for the home) and apparel to take with them to continue playing. These sessions are always free.

Friday, June 28 – Special PLAY BALL Interactives: Participants from the MLB Cup and London-based youth softball players will have a special opportunity to meet important guests at PLAY BALL Park and the official London Series Workout Day. Specific details will be made available at a later date.

ABOUT PLAY BALL: PLAY BALL events have become MLB’s signature youth engagement activity throughout the calendar year, while demonstrating the positive way the game can serve as an outlet for physical activity, fun with friends, and learning how to play the sport at its most basic levels. The overall initiative is spearheaded with flagship partners USA Baseball & USA Softball, and is supported by a variety of partners, including Major League Clubs, Minor League Baseball, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Little League Baseball International, and MLB Sponsors (Chevrolet, Scotts, and Kingsford). More information on the initiative can be found at www.PlayBall.org.

European Elite Development Tournament – Tuesday, June 25 -Thursday, June 27 @ Farnham Park, National Team Training Centre

Located at the only baseball & softball complex in the United Kingdom, MLB will host a European Elite Development Tournament for the first time in the country. The tournament will feature the 90 best teenage baseball players from 14 European countries, including the United Kingdom (Great Britain), Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine. Several players are also from the Ramstein Air Base in Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany). The three-day tournament, which will also feature a scouting showcase featuring scouts from MLB Clubs, will serve as a showcase of MLB’s Europe-wide elite development program.

Additional Activity
MLB Softball60 – Starting in late May, this program is designed to serve as a social opportunity for adults in London to have fun and be introduced to the sport via an adapted version of softball, which is a common social sporting activity among professionals and adults in the United States. The five-week season of app-powered games will take place across four London locations, will feature 30 teams in a formal league, and will include the opportunity for others to get involved via pick-up games. There will be a special showcase game scheduled during the week of the London Series.
For more information, please visitwww.mlb.com/london-series_. _

Memorial Day Tribute: Senator Tom Cotton's Address To The Old Guard's 4th Battalion Ball

Tom Cotton is the United States Senator from Arkansas. He served in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division and in Afghanistan with a Provincial Reconstruction Team. His military decorations include the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

Books: "The Last Thing She Remembers" By J.S. Monroe

The Last Thing She Remembers
By J.S. Monroe
Park Row Books; $15.99; available Tuesday, May 28

J.S. Monroe achieved international acclaim and bestselling success around the world with his novel Find Me, and he returns with the gripping psychological thriller, The Last Thing She Remembers.

Mets Lose Back-And-Forth Game With Tigers, Who Trounce Thor

Noah Syndergaard leaving the field after a tough night. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Mets lost a back-and-forth battle with the Detroit Tigers, 9-8, on Friday night, ending their four-game winning streak.

The Mets won their prior three games in comeback fashion, but they didn't have that magic tonight, as they fell to 24-26, delaying their quest to get back to .500.

Mets Sign Veteran Outfielder Matt Kemp

Matt Kemp.

The Mets have signed three-time All-Star outfielder Matt Kemp to a minor league contract pending a physical, adding depth to their roster. He will report to Port St. Lucie, FL.

Six Red Bulls Called In For International Duty

Aaron Long. Provided by Red Bulls.

The Red Bulls have six players who have received call-ups from their respective national teams - Aaron Long, Kyle Duncan, Kemar Lawrence, Kaku, Derrick Etienne Jr., and Michael Amir Murillo. Red Bulls II defender Jordan Scarlett also received a call-up to Jamaica's preliminary Gold Cup roster.

Five of the Red Bulls will be on their way to Gold Cup camps, while Kaku will be a part of Paraguay's Copa America roster.

Mets Sign Ervin Santana To Provide Pitching Depth

Ervin Santana. 

The Mets announced on Friday morning that they signed veteran right-handed pitcher Ervin Santana to a minor league contract pending a physical.

Santana, who has been an All-Star twice, with the Angels in 2008 and Twins in 2017, will be reporting to the Mets complex in Port St. Lucie, FL.

Gomez's Glory With Mets Long Time Coming

Carlos Gomez. @Mets.

Mets outfielder Carlos Gomez has provided just the spark the Mets needed, and was a huge part of their sweep of the Washington Nationals, including his game-winning home run on Thursday.

The Mets were trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth when Gomez launched a bomb to left-center field for a three-run homer to give the Mets a 6-4 lead, which would be the final.

"Living in the moment" Mets Complete Sweep Of Nats

Carlos Gomez celebrating on his way back to the dugout.

The Mets completed their sweep of the Washington Nationals on Thursday afternoon with a 6-4 win capped by Carlos Gomez's three-run home run in the eighth inning.

This was the Mets' third straight come-from-behind victory, and they are now nearly back at .500, at 24-25. 

Yankees Place CC On IL; Cortes, Jr. Called Back

CC Sabathia.

On Thursday morning, the Yankees placed LHP CC Sabathia on the 10-day injured list with right knee inflammation.

This comes after Sabathia battled through five innings in a 7-5 win against the Orioles for his 249th career win, one short of a major milestone to keep building his Hall of Fame case. Earlier this season, Sabathia earned his 3,000th strikeout.

Music: Marvin Gaye's "You're The Man"

By Lloyd Carroll - Special To Brooklyn Digest

This past April marked what would have been the 80th birthday of one of Motown Records’ greatest talents, Marvin Gaye. Sadly it also represented the 35th anniversary of his senseless death as his father shot him in what appears to have been a domestic dispute.

Yankees-Stonewall Scholarships Awarded

Yankees President Randy Levine (top left) and the recipients of the Yankees-Stonewall Scholarships. Photos provided by Yankees.

On Wednesday, recipients of the 2019 Yankees-Stonewall scholarships were announced and introduced at The Stonewall Inn.

Red Bulls and Vancouver FC Play To A Draw

Brian White (42) celebrates his goal. @NewYorkRedBulls.

The Red Bulls and Vancouver Whitecaps FC  played to a 2-2 draw on Wednesday at Red Bull Arena.

The Red Bulls earned four out of six points on their two-game homestand, as they beat Atlanta 1-0 on Sunday. They are unbeaten in their last three matches (2-0-1) and have moved into fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 5-5-3, with 18 points.

Books: "Westside," A Classic New York Tale By W.M. Akers

Westside
By W.M. Akers
Harper Voyager; Morrow Avon; hardcover; $22.99

W.M. Akers is an award-winning playwright, Narratively editor, and the creator of the bestselling game Deadball: Baseball With Dice.

Akers, who lives in Brooklyn, has written his debut novel, Westside, a captivating, one-of-a-kind story that brings a historic New York City mystery to light. He builds a world that is familiar yet transformed, with Broadway swathed in deep moss and Washington Square Park a teeming jungle.

Yankees In First Place Thanks To Triple G

Gary Sanchez. @Yankees.

The Yankees took first place on Friday night, and opened up a two-game lead on Tampa Bay with a 11-4 win over the Orioles in Baltimore on Tuesday night.

Mets Get Early Jolt, Hold On To Beat The Nationals

Wilmer Font pitching for the Mets on Monday night. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Mets were back at Citi Field on Monday night after a tough road trip and after a day of soul-searching that included General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen giving Manager Mickey Callaway a vote of confidence.

Callaway Gets Support From BVW & Front Office

Mets Manager Mickey Callaway. Photo by Jason Schott.

Mets Manager Mickey Callaway received a vote of confidence from General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen on Monday afternoon as the Mets open a four-game series with the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.

The Mets are returning home after a 1-5 road trip that has left them with a record of 20-25.

BVW Gives Callaway Vote Of Confidence

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen on Monday afternoon. Photo by Jason Schott.

With the Mets returning home on Monday after a 1-5 road trip, General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen addressed the media on Monday afternoon about the state of the team. 

The trip concluded with a sweep of the Mets by the lowly Marlins in Miami, and that dropped their record to 20-25 as they start a four-game set with the rival Washington Nationals at Citi Field on Monday night.

Books: Senator Tom Cotton's "Sacred Duty" At Arlington

Sacred Duty: A Soldier's Tour at Arlington National Cemetery
By Tom Cotton, U.S. Senator from Arkansas
William Morrow; hardcover, $28.99; E-book, $22.99

Tom Cotton is the United States Senator from Arkansas. He served in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division and in Afghanistan with a Provincial Reconstruction Team. His military decorations include the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

Red Bulls Shutout Atlanta

The Red Bulls celebrate their goal. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Red Bulls shutout Atlanta United FC, 1-0, on Sunday at Red Bull Arena for their fourth win in five games.

They have moved into sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 5-5-2 with 17 points. Atlanta is in fourth with 20 points (6-2-4).

Mark Harmon Named 2019 NFF Gold Medal Recipient

The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today that former UCLA quarterback Mark Harmon has been named the 2019 recipient of the NFF Gold Medal in recognition of his exceptional accomplishments, unblemished reputation and for reflecting the values of amateur football.

Yankees Take First Place In Style

The Yankees celebrating their big win. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Yankees scored three in the ninth, as Gio Urshela got another game-winning hit, to beat Tampa Bay 4-3 on Friday night at Yankee Stadium and take first place in the American League East for the first time since Opening Day.

Books: The Real Topgun

Topgun: An American Story
By Dan Pedersen
Hachette; hardcover, 320 pages; $28.00

When people think of Top Gun, they instantly think of the classic 1986 movie that starred Tom Cruise.

The title of that movie refers to its setting at the Topgun Navy Fighter School, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Yankees 3B Andujar Elects To Have Surgery

Miguel Andujar. Photo by Jason Schott.

Yankees third baseman Miguel Andujar has elected to have right shoulder labrum repair surgery, and he is not expected to return this season.

The surgery will be performed on Monday by Yankees team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad.

Game 2: Yankees, Led By German & Voit, Sweep Twinbill From O's

Domingo German on the mound Wednesday night. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Yankees got another great performance from Domingo German, who earned his eighth victory, and Luke Voit, who had a three-hit night, to win the nightcap of their doubleheader with the Baltimore Orioles, 3-1, on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.

Game 1: Yankees Win Home Run Derby Over O's

Yankee Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Yankees slugged four home runs to beat the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of their doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

Updates On Yankees Pitchers' Returns From Injury

Yankees Manager Aaron Boone on Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Jason Schott.

On Wednesday afternoon, Yankees Manager Aaron Boone, in his pregame comments ahead of their doubleheader with Baltimore, gave updates on the progress of their top reliever Dellin Betances and starters James Paxton and Jonathan Loaisiga.

Below is a report on each pitcher and what the skipper had to say about the progress and their rehabs and what he sees going forward:

Yankees Acquire Kendrys Morales

Kendrys Morales with Toronto.

On Tuesday night, the Yankees  acquired slugger Kendrys Morales, a first baseman/designated hitter, and cash considerations from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Yankees-Orioles Postponed Again - Make-Up August 12

Yankee Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Yankees announced that tonight's game against and Baltimore Orioles has been postponed due to the forecast of inclement weather.

Judge Watch: RF "Hasn't graduated to baseball activities," According To Boone

Aaron Judge. Photo by Jason Schott.

Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge was placed on the injury list on April 21 with a left oblique injury, which he suffered on a swing the day before in the sixth inning of a 9-2 win over Kansas City.

Boone: Andujar Decision Coming Soon

Miguel Andujar. Photo by Jason Schott.

On Monday evening, the Yankees made the announcement that infielder Miguel Andújar would be going back on the 10-day injured list with a right labrum tear a little more than a week after he returned from a lengthy IL stint.

Andujar was originally placed on the injured list on April 1, and at that time, the Yankees preached caution when it came to his rehab, but that surgery was an option.

Books: David Cone's "Full Count"

Full Count: The Education of a Pitcher
By David Cone and Jack Curry
Grand Central Publishing; hardcover, $28; E-book, $14.99; downloadable audiobook, $25.98 - available Tuesday, May 14

David Cone, a five-time All-Star and a five-time World Champion, is a New York baseball legend, and he tells his story in the entertaining new book, Full Count: The Education of a Pitcher.

Yankees-O's Postponed: What You Need To Know

Yankee Stadium. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Yankees announced that Monday night's game against Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium has been postponed due to unplayable field conditions.

Yankees Put Andujar Back On The IL

Miguel Andujar working out earlier this season. Photo by Jason Schott.

On Monday evening, the Yankees made the announcement that infielder Miguel Andújar would be going back on the 10-day injured list with a right labrum tear a little more than a week after he returned from a lengthy IL stint.

Mets Announce Return Of "Strikeout For Savings" Program

Mets star Noah Syndergaard on the mound recently. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Mets announced that the popular “Strikeouts for Savings” promotion is returning when the Mets visit their National League East rivals Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins beginning Tuesday night.

MLB Players Of The Week: May 13th

George Springer of the Houston Astros.

All-Star outfielder George Springer of the Houston Astros and starting pitcher Mike Fiers of the Oakland Athletics have been named the W.B. Mason American League Co-Players of the Week, and starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been named the W.B. Mason National League Player of the Week. The announcements were made earlier today on MLB Network.

Yankees Set For Hicks Return; Send Tauchman Down

Aaron Hicks celebrating a big moment last season. @Yankees.

The Yankees sent outfielder Mike Tauchman to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Sunday's game in anticipation of the return of center fielder Aaron Hicks, who was activated from his rehab assignment and reinstated from the 10-day injured list on Monday.

The Yankees also placed RHP Jonathan Loaisiga on the 10-day I.L. (retroactive to 5/10) with a right shoulder strain, and recalled RHP Chance Adams (#35) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Major Progress on New Stadium For Oakland A's

The proposed A's stadium at Howard Terminal. @Athletics.

A term sheet between the Oakland Athletics and the Port of Oakland outlining terms for the possible development by the A’s of approximately 50 acres of Port property at Howard Terminal was approved by The Board of Port Commissioners with a 7-0 vote 7-0. 

Books: Inside Family Guy

Inside Family Guy: An Illustrated History
By Frazier Moore; foreword by Seth MacFarlane
Dey Street Books; hardcover, $34.99; available Tuesday, May 14

If you can believe it, Fox's seven-time Emmy Award-winning primetime animated series Family Guy, debuted twenty years ago.

Books: Red Sox vs. Yankees, A New Way To Look At Baseball's Best Rivalry

Red Sox vs. Yankees: Hometown Experts Analyze, Debate, and Illuminate Baseball's Ultimate Rivalry
By Bill Nowlin and David Fischer
Sports Publishing Paperback; $16.99; available Tuesday, May 14

The intense rivalry between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox  is one of the greatest in sports, creating some of baseball's most memorable moments.

Mets Mother’s Day Game Postponed: Information For Ticketholders

Citi Field. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Mets have announced that Sunday afternoon’s game against the Miami Marlins has been postponed due to the forecast for inclement weather and rescheduled as part of a single-admission doubleheader on Monday, August 5 at 4:10 p.m.The second game of the double-header will start approximately 20 minutes after the end of the first game.

Yankees Get Green Back In Bullpen

Chad Green.

The Yankees recalled reliever Chad Green from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday morning.

MLS Road Report: Red Bulls Roll In Dallas; NYCFC Wins In LA

@NewYorkRedBulls.

The MLS locals had road games against Western Conference foes on the road on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Bulls rolled to a 3-1 over FC Dallas, while New York City Football Club shutout the LA Galaxy and won, 2-0.

Mets Respond In Big Way To Callaway's Call To "Do Some Small Things"

Mets Manager Mickey Callaway on Friday afternoon. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Mets made some history as they scored early and often to rout the Marlins, 11-2, on Friday night at Citi Field.
This was just what the Mets needed after a tough road trip after they lost five of six in Milwaukee and San Diego, and fell below .500, at 17-20 entering this three-game series with the 10-27 Marlins.

World Champion Red Sox Visit The White House

President Trump holding up the Red Sox jersey that was presented to him. @WhiteHouse.

The World Champion Boston Red Sox visited the White House and President Donald J. Trump on Thursday.

Last season, the Red Sox won a franchise-record 108 games in the regular season before beating the Yankees and Houston Astros in the American League postseason, and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.