What’s Happening in Baseball Today

The First Pitch: November 6, 2026

In the trial of indicted Cleveland pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz which began earlier this week in New York, former Guardians catcher Bo Naylor testifies that two of Ortiz’s pitches that were said to be rigged were not out of line relative to the team’s scouting report—and that one of the pitches that missed low and away was actually called for by Naylor to be thrown exactly at that spot. 

Testifying for the defense, Naylor claims he called for the outside slider thrown to the Cardinals’ Pedro Pages in a 2025 game because Pages had a habit of chasing such pitches and missing. Pages did not swing at the pitch in question. 

In regards to Clase, Naylor says on the stand that the All-Star closer had less command of his slider—the pitch Clase typically used when trying to intentional throw outside as part of the cheating scheme.

Former umpire Joe West, who worked more games than any other arbiter in major league history, his joining four of his colleagues to sue MLB over a lack of back pay on a retirement plan overseen by the league. The other four umpires, filing separate suits as individuals, are Gerry Davis, Tom Hallion, Jerry Layne and Larry Vanover. They claim that the five plaintiffs are collectively owed $2 million. 

West says that he was offered money well below what he felt he was owed from the MLB retirement committee; he was told by league exec Steve Gonzalez, “If you don’t like the number, sue us.” To which West responded: “Does Steve Gonzalez not know my history with dealing with lawsuits?” That latter statement is a reference to a suit West won $500,000 in damages from against former catcher Paul LoDuca for defamation in 2021.

It Was Whatever-Something Years Ago Today

2007: It’s not comprehensive, but at least it’s a step in the right direction; MLB approves limited video replay for the 2008 season, with reviews confined to disputed home run calls only.

You Say It’s Your Birthday

Happy birthday to:

Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk (28), two-time All-Star; five home runs in 2025 postseason 

Adam LaRoche (47), power first baseman who played for six teams; 255 career home runs 

Delvi Cruz (54), shortstop of 1,109 hits 

Chad Curtis (58), 10-year outfielder with 212 career steals 

John Candelaria (73), pitcher of 19 seasons and 177-122 record; 1977 NL ERA titlist 

Born on this date:

John Oldham (1932), college coach whose major league career consisted of a single pinch-run appearance; TGG interview subject 

Walter Johnson (1887), legendary, hard-throwing ace who won modern era-record 417 games—110 of them shutouts; won at least 20 games every year during the 1910s, surpassing 30 in two seasons; five-time ERA champ; 12-time league leader in strikeouts; MVP winner in 1913 and 1924 

Danny Green (1876), Cubs/White Sox outfielder of 1,021 hits from 1898-1905

Shameless Link of the Day

Now live: The October edition of the Comebacker, looking back on the postseason that was—plus, our picks for the year’s Best and Worst hitters, pitchers and teams!

To Whom It May Concern

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