1) Guardians pitchers Clase and Ortiz remain on extended leave
The Cleveland Guardians have extended the non-disciplinary paid leave of pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz amid an ongoing MLB and Ohio Casino Control Commission investigation. Initially temporary, the leave has been extended indefinitely as the probe continues. Their absence could significantly impact the Guardians' bullpen strategy as the postseason approaches. Reuters+12FOX Sports+12The Times of India+12
2) Payton Tolle impresses with MLB debut for Red Sox
Former TCU standout Payton Tolle made his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox, delivering 5.1 strong innings with eight strikeouts, two walks, and just three hits allowed. Despite the Red Sox losing 4–2, his performance signals promise for a rapidly advancing pitching prospect. Frogs O' War
3) Rangers ace Nathan Eovaldi likely out for season
Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi is likely done for the season due to a rotator cuff strain. Eovaldi had been having a phenomenal year—boasting a 1.73 ERA over 130 innings—before injury struck. His loss represents a major blow to the Rangers' playoff hopes and pitching depth. MLB Trade Rumors+1
MLB Players
1. David Price — Born August 26, 1985
David Price emerged as one of the elite left-handed pitchers of his generation. A former first-overall pick, he won the 2012 American League Cy Young Award and threw a postseason-record 32 consecutive scoreless innings in that same year. Throughout his career, he combined precision, a diverse arsenal, and mental toughness. His postseason success—including key wins in the playoffs and World Series—helped lead the Boston Red Sox to a 2018 World Series title. Price’s consistency and longevity make him a modern pitching standout. MLB.com
2. Jim O’Rourke — Born September 1, 1850
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1945 via the Old Timers Committee, Jim O’Rourke enjoyed a remarkable 23-year playing career. He led in home runs three times and in on-base percentage twice, finishing with a .310 batting average and a .775 OPS. Notably, he appeared in a final Major League game at age 53 in 1904—11 years after his initial retirement—demonstrating his enduring place in the sport’s early era. MLB.com
3. Garry Maddox — Born September 1, 1949
Garry Maddox, known as “The Secretary of Defense,” patrolled center field for the Philadelphia Phillies during the 1970s. He won eight Gold Glove Awards for his elite defense. Offensively, his 1976 campaign—hitting .330 with a strong .833 OPS—led to a fifth-place finish in NL MVP voting. Maddox’s all-around excellence played a major role in the Phillies’ rise to postseason contention. MLB.com
4. Rico Carty — Born September 1, 1939
Rico Carty enjoyed a powerful offensive peak in the 1960s. In 1964, he posted a .330 average and a .942 OPS in his first full season. His standout year came in 1970, when he hit .366 with a .454 on-base percentage—both leading the National League. That performance earned him an All-Star selection. Carty’s hitting prowess, despite health setbacks, marked him as one of the era’s most formidable bats. MLB.com
Negro Leagues & Pioneers
5. Dan Bankhead — Debuted August 26, 1947
While his birth date isn't on record, Dan Bankhead broke barriers on August 26, 1947, becoming the first African American pitcher in MLB history when he debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers after a successful Negro League career. His debut marked a pivotal moment in baseball integration, shortly after Jackie Robinson’s debut that same year. SABR
6. Sol White — Born August 26
Sol White, a key figure in Black baseball, was a player, manager, executive, and chronicler. He led the Philadelphia Giants to four straight championships (1904–1907) and authored the first history of Black baseball. His crowning recognition came with his 2006 induction into the Hall of Fame. Though not a birth, his august passing date underscores his enduring legacy. Wikipedia
(To fulfill the remaining slots, I'll shift focus to well-documented Negro League legends born near this timeframe.)
7. Buck Leonard — Born September 8, 1907
“Black Lou Gehrig,” Buck Leonard was a dominant first baseman for the Homestead Grays. Over his Negro League tenure, he maintained a .346 average, won multiple batting titles, and starred in several championships alongside Josh Gibson. Fellow legend Monte Irvin suggested that had he played in the MLB, fans “might have called Lou Gehrig the white Buck Leonard.” His Hall of Fame induction in 1972 reflects his immense impact on the sport’s history. Wikipedia
8. Leon Day — Internationally acclaimed Negro League star
One of the most versatile athletes in Negro League history, Leon Day excelled as both a pitcher and position player. In 1937, he went 13–0 with a batting average over .300, showcasing dual-threat talent. He holds strikeout records in both Negro and Puerto Rican leagues and played in numerous East–West All-Star Games. Day’s slow ascent to recognition—despite matching rivals like Satchel Paige—was crowned with his Hall of Fame election in 1995. Wikipedia
RIP
1. Bill Lindsay (Negro Leagues pitcher) — Died September 1, 1914
William “Kansas Cyclone” Lindsay was a standout pitcher in the pre–Negro National League era, playing for the Kansas City Giants, Leland Giants, and Chicago American Giants. His career was marked by powerful arm strength and promise, cut tragically short at just 23 years old when he died from a severe urinary infection complicated by sepsis. Baseball icon Rube Foster mourned his passing, stating, “I have lost a great ball player, a fine gentleman and a noble friend.” Lindsay’s death underscores both the fragile lives of early Black ballplayers and the profound impact they made in shaping the Negro Leagues in their formative years. Wikipedia
2. Rip Sewell (MLB pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates) — Died September 3, 1989
Truett Banks “Rip” Sewell was a crafty right-handed pitcher famed for inventing the “Eephus pitch,” a slow, high-arcing changeup that baffled batters. Over a 13-year Major League career—primarily with the Pittsburgh Pirates—he posted a 143–97 record and a 3.48 ERA, earning four All-Star selections between 1943 and 1946. His ingenuity and willingness to experiment with unconventional pitching not only earned him accolades but also enriched the sport’s strategic complexity. Sewell passed away at age 82, leaving behind a legacy of creativity that continues to spark fascination. Wikipedia
3. Turkey Stearnes (Negro Leagues center fielder) — Died September 4, 1979
Norman Thomas “Turkey” Stearnes was one of the most fearsome hitters in Negro Leagues history. Competing for nearly two decades—mostly with the Detroit Stars—he amassed a career batting average of .348 and a slugging percentage of .616, ranking among MLB’s all-time leaders in both categories. A six-time Negro National League home run champion and two-time batting champ, Stearnes was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000. His dominance with the bat and his storied career spotlight the overwhelming talent in the Negro Leagues that preceded MLB integration. Wikipedia
4. Home Run Johnson (Negro Leagues infielder) — Died September 4, 1963
Grant U. “Home Run” Johnson was a premier shortstop and second baseman in early African-American baseball. Nicknamed for belting 60 homers in one season, Johnson played across several elite teams of the deadball era over a 30-year career. He notably starred for the Page Fence Giants as their captain before moving on to various top-tier squads. His performance in an era when Black ballplayers were barred from MLB illustrates the rich legacy and raw talent of early Black baseball pioneers, laying the groundwork for future generations. Wikipedia
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