Bases Covered is a daily roundup of the most interesting stories in baseball.
Harper may not participate in Home Run Derby
Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, currently tied with Seattle’s Nelson Cruz for most home runs in the majors, told the Cincinnati Enquirer that he may skip the Home Run Derby at this year’s All-Star Game.
Votto walks on ball three
Facing Washington reliever Matt Grace, Reds first baseman Joey Votto stood in the batter’s box, watched as the pitch sailed by him, and then proceeded to trot over to first base. Trouble is, the count was 3-2—but apparently nobody on the field noticed. Cincinnati won 8–2 to complete a three-game sweep.
Gonzalez makes quality start in MLB debut
Texas starter Chi Chi Gonzalez, 23, made his first major-league start on Sunday, pitching 5.2 innings—and going hitless for the first five. Here’s a look at how the right-hander’s performance stacks up against other Rangers pitchers who threw at least five scoreless innings in their debuts.
Martinez pays tribute to Taveras
On the one-year anniversary of Oscar Taveras’s MLB debut, the St. Louis Cardinals paid tribute to the late outfielder prior to their matchup with the Dodgers, with Taveras’s family in attendance. Starter Carlos Martinez, a close friend of Taveras, pitched seven shutout innings.
Designer of MLB logo dies at age 82
Jerry Dior, who designed the MLB logo in 1968, has died. A longtime Yankees fan (and one-time Brooklyn Dodgers fan), Dior did not receive royalties for the logo, but was honoured by MLB for his contribution in 2009.
