A stadium employee at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home park has been suspended after an altercation with a fan during Sunday’s game against the San Diego Padres.

A video of the incident posted to social media shows the employee having an animated argument with a fan and then throwing at least three punches.

‘We are aware of the unfortunate incident that occurred following the conclusion of (Sunday’s) game between a PNC Park game day employee and a guest,’ the Pirates said in a statement. ‘The employee’s behavior was entirely unacceptable, and he was immediately suspended. This incident is currently under further investigation.’

The most disturbing part of the video came after the two men were temporarily separated. The argument resumed and the fan appeared to spit on the stadium employee, who took off his belt and used it as a whip.

The Pirates said they are cooperating with a police investigation. No charges have yet been filed in the incident.

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When the NBA returns to NBC next season, one of the network’s signature voices will be back – sort of.

NBC announced former narrator Jim Fagan will be used as part of its coverage and promotion of the league for the 2025-26 season. While the name may not sound familiar, perhaps his voice does: Fagan was the voice of NBC’s NBA coverage from 1990-2002, hyping up games featuring stars like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

However, there is a catch with the return of Fagan. He actually died in 2017, so NBC will be using AI voice synthesis technology to re-create his voice and use it for title sequences, show opens and promotions.

The network shared a preview of what it will sound like hearing Fagan’s voice again.

How is NBC using Jim Fagan’s voice?

Fagan’s voice will be used thanks to a partnership with his family. The use of AI comes after NBC did something similar for the 2024 Paris Olympics, when Al Michaels’ voice was used for its ‘Your Daily Olympic Recap on Peacock’ feature.

‘We’re deeply grateful that NBC Sports had the vision to honor our father’s legacy in such a meaningful way,’ his daughters Jana Silvia Joyce and Risa Silvia-Koonin said in a statement. ‘He took great pride in his work with NBC Sports, especially in helping set the stage for some of the most memorable moments in NBA history. Knowing that his voice will once again be part of the game he loved − and that a new generation of fans will get to experience it − is incredibly special for our family. He would be so thrilled and proud to be a part of this. It’s been a true pleasure working with NBC Sports on this project.’

The use of Fagan’s voice adds another element of nostalgia to NBC’s production when professional basketball returns to the network. The network previously announced the iconic ‘Roundball Rock’ NBA anthem will be used for games.

While a nice blast from the past, the news of Fagan’s voice being used drew some mixed reactions. NBC said Fagan’s voice will ‘supplement traditional voiceover work’ from other artists NBC features.

NBC’s coverage on the NBA begins in October as it is part of the 11-year, $76 billion deal alongside Disney (ABC/ESPN) and Amazon.

The UEFA Champions League has one semifinal left to settle, with Paris Saint-Germain hosting Arsenal on May 7 for a spot in the 2024-25 final.

PSG, the perennial champions in France, hold an edge after winning the first leg last week in London. As a result, Arsenal must go to Paris and win in order to seal a place in this year’s final, which will be held on May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. Inter Milan awaits, as the Italian champions claimed a 7-6 aggregate win over Barcelona in a jaw-dropping second leg on May 6 that went to extra time.

Arsenal will be under some pressure for reasons beyond the scoreline. The Gunners entered the 2024-25 campaign with high hopes, but even as Manchester City stumbled in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta’s side had to watch Liverpool run away with the title instead. Having been knocked out of all domestic cups, it’s Champions League or bust for Arsenal.

PSG downs Arsenal to advance to Champions League final

It wasn’t a legendary performance, but PSG was good enough on the day to win Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal, defeating Arsenal 2-1 in the second leg and 3-1 on aggregate.

Fabián Ruíz’s first-half thunderbolt set the hosts on their way, and Achraf Hakimi’s second-half finish turned out to be the game-winner. Bukayo Saka’s 76th minute goal gave the Gunners a chance, and the England winger sent a shot over an open net shortly thereafter, but ultimately the French champions were better team over the two legs.

PSG vs. Arsenal: Champions League highlights

PSG vs. Arsenal: Saka pulls one back in Champions League semifinal

It might be too late, but Arsenal has finally gotten on the board. Bukayo Saka has the finish after Leandro Trossard won the ball with some pressure.

In truth, it’s a series of uncharacteristically clumsy stumbles and slips for PSG, leaving Saka with a very easy job of simply guiding the ball over the line to make it 3-1 on aggregate in the 76th minute.

Can Arsenal stage a comeback? They have 13 minutes plus stoppage time to score two goals without reply. It’s asking a lot, but PSG has maybe opted for an overly conservative posture since Hakimi’s goal.

PSG vs. Arsenal: Hakimi goal increases PSG aggregate lead

Well, so much for Raya’s heroics helping Arsenal stage a comeback. Achraf Hakimi — whose shot attempt won the penalty moments ago — now buries a second goal, curling the ball around Jakub Kiwior in the 72nd minute.

It’s another moment to regret from Thomas Partey, and another clinical PSG finish. That makes the scoreline 2-0 in this second leg, and 3-0 on aggregate. It’s hard to see Arsenal having any shot at a comeback now.

PSG vs. Arsenal: Raya saves Vitinha penalty kick

After a long stretch of play at the other end, referee Felix Zwayer has gotten a call from VAR to check for a possible penalty in PSG’s favor. Zwayer’s check on the monitor is swift, but it surprised the broadcast team by focusing on an incident that saw Achraf Hakimi’s shot graze Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly’s hand.

No one seemed to suspect it at the time, but that’s been given as a spot kick. However, PSG wasted the chance to finish Arsenal off.

Vitinha’s slow walk-up — an attempt to fool the goalkeeper into revealing his intentions — backfired. Vitinha ended up offering a meek shot to Raya’s left, and the Spanish international was able to leap over and save the effort.

PSG vs. Arsenal: Halftime sees PSG up 2-0 on aggregate

Fabián Ruíz’s stunner in the 27th minute has given PSG a 1-0 second-leg lead over Arsenal in this Champions League semifinal. That gives the hosts a 2-0 aggregate lead, meaning that the Gunners have to score at least twice without conceding to force extra time, and would need a third goal to win outright.

Arsenal has had a rotten run in recent semifinals in various competitions, going winless in their last six attempts to reach a major final (including four losses). More alarmingly, they did not score in any of those matches. If that trend doesn’t rapidly change, PSG will be playing Inter later this month in the Champions League final.

PSG vs. Arsenal: Fabián goal makes it 2-0 on aggregate

PSG has struck a potentially critical goal, with Fabián clobbering a shot from outside the box to put the hosts ahead 1-0 on the night, and 2-0 on aggregate.

Arsenal had spent the opening 27 minutes putting PSG under immense pressure, but beyond one Gianluigi Donnarumma wonder-save had little to show for it. They’ve paid the price for that now, with the Spanish midfielder pouncing on a loose ball following a free kick.

Thomas Partey’s clearing header wasn’t great, and neither was Gabriel Martinelli’s attempt to poke the ball away from Fabián, but it’s also a wonderful strike from 19 yards.

Arsenal must now score at least two more goals than PSG from this point forward to even force extra time, much less claim a victory.

PSG vs. Arsenal: Champions League semifinal kicks off

The Parc des Princes is roaring as PSG kicks off against Arsenal with a slender 1-0 aggregate lead in this Champions League semifinal.

It looks like PSG is starting out in more of a 4-2-3-1 formation with Bradley Barcola in a central role, and Désiré Doué out on the right. We’ll see if that holds, or if Luis Enrique will shuffle things up as this proceeds.

PSG vs. Arsenal lineups: Champions League semifinal starting 11

Arsenal has announced the following lineup, with a 4-3-3 formation expected from manager Mikel Arteta:

David Raya; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard; Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino, Gabriel Martinelli

The major news for PSG is that Ousmane Dembélé, who scored the only goal in the first leg, is only available off the bench after sustaining a possible hamstring injury later in that match. Manager Luis Enrique has named Bradley Barcola, who replaced Dembélé at the Emirates Stadium last week, will step in as part of the front line in what is expected to be a 4-3-3 formation.

Gianluigi Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes; João Neves, Vitinha, Fabián; Bradley Barcola, Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Expected positions written from right to left.

PSG vs. Arsenal Champions League: What is aggregate score?

After the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal, Paris Saint-Germain leads Arsenal 1-0, having won in London last Tuesday. France attacker Ousmane Dembélé struck early, picking out the bottom corner after being set up by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. PSG then used some aggressive pressing tactics to suffocate the Gunners, who suffered just their fourth home loss all season.

That leaves PSG with a 1-0 aggregate lead heading into the second leg. A win or draw by any scoreline will send the French powerhouse through to the final against Inter Milan on May 31.

An Arsenal one-goal win, no matter the goal total, would force extra time (the away goal rule is no longer in use). Should Arsenal win by more than one goal, the Premier League side would advance to the final instead.

What time is PSG vs. Arsenal? Champions League kickoff

The UEFA Champions League semifinal between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal is set to kick off at 3 p.m. ET, from Parc des Princes in Paris, France.

How to watch PSG vs. Arsenal Champions League semifinal: TV, stream

Time: 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT
Location: Parc des Princes (Paris, France)
TV: CBS (English), Univision, TUDN (both Spanish)
Stream: Paramount+, Fubo

Watch the Champions League semifinal between PSG and Arsenal on Fubo

The Los Angeles Rams win the award for best minicamp location.

The Rams, in partnership with Hawai’i Tourism Authority, announced Wednesday that they will hold their minicamp in Maui in efforts to promote tourism to Maui and Hawai’i.

‘We are thrilled to return to Hawai’i and for the first time in the NFL bring Minicamp to Maui,’ Rams president Kevin Demoff said in a statement. ‘Los Angeles and Hawai’i share a special relationship and we are grateful to (Hawai’i Tourism Authority) for teaming with us for this historic partnership. Not only will this trip be a great opportunity for our players, coaches and their families to spend time together in a special setting, but also for our organization to celebrate and pour into youth football programs and players who call Maui home.’

The Rams will have their minicamp in Hawai’i from June 16 to June 19. The team also announced they will conduct on-field team activities featuring players in workout gear at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku.

‘This new partnership we are kicking off honors long-standing fandom for the LA Rams by many Hawai’i residents and is sure to build even more fan loyalty in the islands,’ Hawai’i Governor Josh Green, M.D said in a statement. ‘We are super-excited to welcome, along with the Hawai’i Tourism Authority, the Rams Minicamp to Maui.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

What was a commonly known secret finally became official Wednesday when the Utah Hockey Club unveiled its new nickname, the Mammoth, and its logo.

Last week, the Utah Mammoth name was shown on the team’s official YouTube page and, before it was deleted, internet sleuths had already taken screenshots of the handle, prompting a quick deletion of the entire channel. A U.S. Patent and Trademark under the name ‘Utah Mammoth’ had been pending since last April as well, and the team has started selling merchandise at the Delta Center.

The team explained in a statement the nature of the nickname of the Mammoth, which roamed the state more than 10,000 years ago.

‘Evidence suggests mammoths charged in herds at speeds exceeding 25 miles per hour, comparable to the speeds reached by the fastest skaters in the NHL,’ the team said.

‘When it came to naming the team, we did something unprecedented – going through four rounds of community voting, including getting feedback not only on potential names but also on potential logos,’ Utah owners Ryan and Ashley Smith said in a statement. ‘The community chose the Utah Mammoth brand, and it stands as a symbol of who we are, where we came from, and the unstoppable force we’re building together.’

Fans had a say throughout the process, though there were some complications.

The original list of 20 names was whittled down to six in the first vote, which drew 520,000 participants.

Then Utah Blizzard, Utah HC (Hockey Club), Utah Mammoth, Utah Outlaws, Utah Venom and Utah Yeti were put up for another vote.

Yeti was ruled out in January because the team couldn’t reach a coexistence agreement with YETI coolers.

The final vote was in person at the Delta Center during a four-game homestand. Utah Hockey Club, Mammoth and Wasatch were the choices, though Wasatch was dropped for Outlaws after the first night of voting.

The team logo features the team’s color scheme, Rock Black, Salt White and Mountain Blue, and the head of a Mammoth with a curved tusk, with the Wasatch Mountain Range at the top of the logo. A Utah-shaped silhouette and ‘M’ grace the left side of the logo. The tusks are curved up to form a ‘U.’

‘Tusks Up’ will be the team’s rallying cry.

The team will have the new Mammoth logo on its home jerseys and the word Utah on road jerseys.

The Utah Hockey Club just completed its first season based in Salt Lake City after relocating from Phoenix as the Arizona Coyotes. The team finished with a 38-31-13 record this year, good for sixth in the Central Division of the Western Conference.

(This story was updated with more information.)

Bowl Subdivision rosters are rounding into form with the conclusion of the springtime transfer window, a period defined by Nico Iamaleava’s abrupt departure from Tennessee.

If the biggest story of the spring, Iamaleava’s transfer to UCLA was just one of several set to shake up the race for the College Football Playoff. Others include new Penn State receiver Trebor Pena and the Volunteers adding of quarterback Joey Aguilar after his brief stint with the Bruins.

In contrast to the feeding frenzy that is the winter portal window, the spring period is more about plugging specific roster spots that have developed heading into or coming out of offseason workouts.

One good example is the work done this past month by Oklahoma, which brought in one splash target in California running back Jadyn Ott, two potential depth pieces in McNeese State receiver Jer’Michael Carter and Stanford offensive lineman Jake Maikkula, a developmental defender in Utah State defensive lineman Ricky Lolohea and a possible new starting kicker in Texas-San Antonio transfer Tate Sandell.

While the transfer window has closed, players will continue to join new programs over the next few weeks. Led by UCLA, Tennessee and Penn State, these are the biggest winners and losers from the spring portal:

Winners

UCLA

The drama and controversy over Iamaleava’s exit from Tennessee has overshadowed the impact his arrival will have on UCLA. After coming up one win shy of bowl eligibility in coach DeShaun Foster’s debut, the Bruins’ addition of Iamaleava pushes them into the second tier of Big Ten teams fighting for seven or more wins during the regular season. While not a finished product after one season as a starter in the SEC, Iamaleava is immediately one of the most proven quarterbacks in the Big Ten and a dramatic upgrade over what UCLA had at the position heading into spring practice.

Tennessee

One of the quarterbacks in the Bruins’ room heading into offseason workouts was former Appalachian State transfer Joey Aguilar, who signed with UCLA during the winter period before swapping spots with Iamaleava and joining Tennessee last month. Aguilar tossed 56 touchdowns against 24 interceptions with another 452 yards and five scores on the ground across two seasons with the Mountaineers, leaving as one of the most productive passers in program history. While not a match for Iamaleava’s athleticism or potential and a bit too turnover-prone this past season, Aguilar has the experience and comfort level in a quarterback-driven scheme to keep Tennessee in the mix for a return to the playoff. That’s a pretty good on-the-fly signing given what the Volunteers lost in Iamaleava and the lack of options in the springtime portal.

BEST OF BEST: Our ranking of college football’s top 25 coaches

Penn State

Penn State made one of the biggest single moves of the spring in landing former Syracuse receiver Trebor Pena, who seemed destined for Miami once he entered the portal but instead gives the Nittany Lions a huge piece at a position of need. Just think back to the matchup with Notre Dame in the playoff semifinals, when Penn State receivers combined for zero receptions in a brutal loss. One of three transfers at quarterback Drew Allar’s disposal, Pena is an elite move-the-sticks receiver who had 84 grabs for 941 yards in 2024. Given what the Nittany Lions have at quarterback, running back, the offensive line and now out wide, you can see why this team might be the best in the FBS.

Boise State

The defending Mountain West champions did lose former All-America punter James Ferguson-Reynolds, who transferred to Oregon. (The Ducks must’ve admired Ferguson-Reynold’s 68-yard boomer in the Broncos’ narrow loss last September.) But Boise State had one of the biggest wins of the spring with senior defensive tackle Braxton Fely’s decision to return to the program after briefly entering the portal last month. Fely is one of two reigning all-conference picks on the Broncos’ defensive front, along with a rising star in junior edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan. Boise’s spring additions include former Arizona edge Sterling Lane II, one of five transfers set to join the defensive line next season.

Losers

California

No team had as much offensive production hit the portal, especially at running back. A potential starter and at minimum a valuable piece of the puzzle for the Sooners, Ott ran for a combined 2,212 yards in his first two years before dipping to 385 yards in 2024. Counting the winter portal, Ott is one of five backs to leave the program; coach Justin Wilcox added three in return, including former North Carolina State backup Kendrick Raphael. Another huge loss this spring was tight end Jack Endries, who transferred to Texas after pulling down a team-high 56 catches last season.

Stanford

The combination of the spring window and former coach Troy Taylor’s dismissal has left the cupboard even barer for former Stanford quarterback and new general manager Andrew Luck, leaving the Cardinal in the mix for the bottom spot among Power Four teams in the USA TODAY Sports post-spring 1-136 rankings. The biggest departure was senior David Bailey, an elite edge rusher and potential preseason All-America pick who transferred to Texas Tech. Other departures include Maikkula, who should contend for a starting spot on the interior of the Sooners’ offensive line, and new Texas receiver Emmett Mosley V, who led all ACC freshman with 48 catches last year.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin did have a productive dip into the spring portal by reeling in all-conference long snapper Nick Levy from Purdue, an experienced Group of Five offensive lineman in former Central Michigan starter Davis Heinzen and a productive Championship Subdivision tight end in Missouri State’s Lance Mason. But the Badgers also quickly lost two intriguing newcomers in former Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol and former Idaho receiver Mark Hamper, who both left the program before the end of spring drills.

Patrick Ewing was the prize 40 years ago at the first NBA draft lottery, and another one appears to have emerged ahead of an anniversary of when the league instituted this annual process to curtail tanking and determine the draft order.

The 2025 NBA draft lottery is scheduled to be held Monday, May 12, in Chicago before conference semifinal action resumes on ESPN, and Duke one-and-done star Cooper Flagg is perceived to be the player every team covets with this year’s No. 1 selection. The Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets have the best chance of getting the 2025 No. 1 pick by virtue of finishing with the three worst records in the league during the 2024-25 regular season.

All 14 teams that didn’t make the playoffs technically have a shot, however small, at the right combination of ping pong balls coming up and getting the top pick. But the Houston Rockets have possession of the Phoenix Suns’ first-round pick, and the Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings could convey their first-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Atlanta Hawks, respectively, if the lottery goes a certain way. The San Antonio Spurs, meanwhile, have two picks in this year’s lottery ‒ their own and the Hawks’ first-round pick via the Dejounte Murray trade in 2022.

There’s a whole lot at stake when the draft lottery officially takes place Monday night. Here’s a breakdown of every NBA lottery team’s odds to get the No. 1 pick, as well as each team’s chances of landing a top-four pick in the draft order and how the draft lottery process works:

When does the NBA draft lottery start?

The 2025 NBA draft lottery will be held on Monday, May 12, in Chicago and will be broadcast beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

NBA draft lottery 2025: Format and selection process

The NBA draft lottery determines the order of selection for the 2025 NBA draft in June. Drawings are conducted to determine the first four picks in the NBA Draft using 14 ping pong balls numbered 1 through 14 in a lottery machine. The remainder of the lottery teams select in positions five through 14 based on 2024-25 regular-season records, in descending order.

There are 1,001 possible combinations when four balls are drawn out of 14, according to the NBA, and 1,000 of those combinations are assigned to the 14 NBA lottery teams. Beginning with the 2019 draft lottery, the NBA system was adjusted to ensure the team with the worst record receives no worse than the No. 5 pick. The league also leveled the odds for the teams with the three worst regular-season records. They each have a 14% chance of winning the lottery.

Watch the NBA draft lottery with Fubo

NBA draft lottery odds: Who has best chance at 2025 No. 1 pick?

1. Utah Jazz (17-65)

No. 1 pick odds: 14%
Top-four pick odds: 52.1%

2. Washington Wizards (18-64)

No. 1 pick odds: 14%
Top-four pick odds: 52.1%

3. Charlotte Hornets (19-63)

No. 1 pick odds: 14%
Top-four pick odds: 52.1%

4. New Orleans Pelicans (21-61)

No. 1 pick odds: 12.5%
Top-four pick odds: 48.1%

5. Philadelphia 76ers (24-58)

Note: Philadelphia would convey its 2025 first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder if the selection falls outside the top six in the draft order.

No. 1 pick odds: 10.5%
Top-four pick odds: 42.1%

6. Brooklyn Nets (26-56)

No. 1 pick odds: 9%
Top-four pick odds: 37.2%

7. Toronto Raptors (30-52)

No. 1 pick odds: 7.5%
Top-four pick odds: 31.9%

8. San Antonio Spurs (34-48)

No. 1 pick odds: 6%
Top-four pick odds: 26.2%

9. Houston Rockets (52-30)

Note: Houston acquired the Phoenix Suns’ 2025 first-round pick with no protections via a pick swap with Brooklyn.

No. 1 pick odds: 3.8%
Top-four pick odds: 17.3%

10. Portland Trail Blazers (36-46)

No. 1 pick odds: 3.7%
Top-four pick odds: 16.9%

11. Dallas Mavericks (39-43)

No. 1 pick odds: 1.8%
Top-four pick odds: 8.5%

12. Chicago Bulls (39-43)

No. 1 pick odds: 1.7%
Top-four pick odds: 8.1%

13. Sacramento Kings (40-42)

Note: Sacramento would convey its 2025 first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks if the selection falls outside the top-12 in the draft order.

No. 1 pick odds: 0.8%
Top-four pick odds: 3.8%

14. San Antonio Spurs (40-42)

Note: San Antonio acquired the Atlanta Hawks’ 2025 first-round pick with no protections in the 2022 Dejounte Murray trade.

No. 1 pick odds: 0.7%
Top-four pick odds: 3.4%

(This story was updated to include new information.)

The Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers finalized a trade that would send big-play wide receiver George Pickens to Dallas in exchange for draft picks.

The Cowboys are sending a third-round pick in 2026 and a fifth-round pick in 2027 to the Steelers in exchange for Pickens, who averaged 15.3 yards on 59 receptions last season, and a sixth-round pick in 2026.

The deal gives Dallas a second high-profile wide receiver to go with CeeDee Lamb on a team that finished 11th in the NFL in passing offense last season under quarterback Dak Prescott.

Pickens, 24, is entering his fourth NFL season and would be eligible for a contract extension at the conclusion of this year with his rookie deal expiring.

The Steelers recently acquired wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks and then signed him to a five-year, $150 million contract – which put Pickens’ status with the team in question.

They found a willing taker for him in Dallas, which didn’t address its need at wide receiver in the just-completed NFL draft.

A small sample size to be sure, but the first six weeks of the campaign have featured some jaw-dropping statistical performances that have players (and one very bad team) on pace to set records and others to put up numbers not seen since the Truman administration.

New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is having the best start of his career, batting .414 entering May 6 and is going to be in the running to push for several single-season marks, including Babe Ruth’s total bases record. Meanwhile, the Colorado Rockies are on pace to put together the worst record in baseball history, potentially dethroning last season’s Chicago White Sox, who finished 41-121.

Here’s a look at some notable feats that we’re on pace for, about 25% of the way into 2025:

All stats through May 5

Colorado Rockies: Worst record in history (41-121, Chicago White Sox)

Rockies: 6-28 record, on pace for 29-133

It took more than 60 years for the infamous 1962 Mets to be overtaken by the 2024 White Sox as ‘The Worst Team Ever,’ but the Rockies are playing historically bad baseball and will almost certainly be in the running for this record through the summer.

Aaron Judge: Total bases record (457, Babe Ruth)

Judge: 101 in 35 games, on pace for 467

This one is a real possibility for Judge who’s on pace for a career-high in doubles as well as his fourth 50-home run season, something only accomplished by Ruth, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. Shohei Ohtani got to 414 last season, the first 400-total base season since 2001. Ruth racked up 457 in 1921, and the top five single season totals all came in 1932 or earlier.

Robert Suarez: Saves record (62, Francisco Rodriguez)

Suarez: 14 saves in 16 appearances, on pace for 66 saves

The Padres right-hander has given up just one earned run in 16 innings (0.56 ERA) and has established himself as one of the league’s best closers. The Padres (probably) won’t continue winning a .676 clip and there will be less of an abundance of chances for Suarez, but he’s gotten off to a record-setting start and this is worth watching for as the season goes on.

Michael Toglia: Strikeouts record (223, Mark Reynolds)

Toglia: 48 in 33 games, on pace for 229

Certainly not a record anybody wants to set, but the Rockies first baseman is tracking towards beating out some of the all-time strikeout kings. The 26-year-old is really struggling at the plate (.568 OPS) and even though the Rockies are on pace to have the worst season in baseball history, it’s hard to imagine Toglia stays in the lineup long enough to push for this bit of infamy.

Aaron Judge: Hits record (262, Ichiro Suzuki)

Judge: 55 hits in 35 games, on pace for 255

Ichiro Suzuki set the single-season hits record in 2004 and the Hall of Famer’s style was certainly more conducive to reaching the mark than Judge’s, the Yankees star could easily have the first 200-hit season of his career and a batting title would be quite an add to his trophy collection.

Shohei Ohtani: 150 runs

Ohtani: 37 runs 33 games, on pace for 171

Billy Hamilton’s 198 runs in 1894 is a mark that will never be broken, but Ohtani can become just the second player since 1950 to score 150 times, joining Hall of Fame slugger Jeff Bagwell (152 in 2000). Ronald Acuña Jr. got to 149 in his 2023 MVP season and the only other players to reach 145 since 1950 were Rickey Henderson (146 in 1985), Craig Biggio (146 in 1997) and Sosa (146 in 2001).

Bowden Francis: Home runs allowed record (50, Bert Blyleven)

Francis: 11 home runs allowed in 7 starts, on pace for 52

The Blue Jays starter actually didn’t give a home run in his last start, but got shelled in April, surrendering five homers in three innings against the Red Sox on April 29. Francis’ pace is all the more impressive considering that Blyleven set that record in 1986 across 271 ⅔ innings, while the Toronto right-hander is on pace for 167 this year.

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