Braves visit the White House but are blindsided by questions about a potential name change. Blue Jays' Manoah donates $100K to children's sports. Pujols MLB history with 700 HRs, Yankees' Judge one HR away from record, and more baseball news.
Braves visit White House--will they ever abandon the tomahawk chop?
On Monday, the Atlanta Braves visited the White House, where President Biden hosted the team to celebrate their 2021 World Series championship. But things quickly got political as White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre encouraged the Atlanta Braves to have a 'conversation' about picking a new name and the 'tomahawk chop' cheer performed by fans, the New York Post reported.
Jean-Pierre said, "Native American and indigenous voices, they should be at the center of this conversation" and that "the president...This administration... Believes... All people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect...And we should listen to Native American and indigenous people who are the most impacted by this."
Blue Jays' Manoah donates $100K he won stopping online bullying to children's sports
Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah donated a $100,000 sponsorship from Dove Men+Care he won for defending his teammate over a body-shaming tweet. Manoah donated the money to a non-profit group that gives children the opportunity to participate in organized sports, the Toronto Star reported.
Pujols makes MLB history with 700 home runs
On Saturday, 42-year-old first baseman/designated hitter for the St. Louis Cardinals, Albert Pujols, slammed his 699th and 700th career home runs. He became only the fourth player in MLB history to hit 700 or more homers. Pujols' HRs came in the top of the third and the fourth innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Fox Sports reported.
Pujols joins Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), and Babe Ruth (714) as the only other MLB players to make "the 700 club."
Judge watch: 1 away from record, on pace to hit 63 HRs
Aaron Judge has hit 60 home runs this season and is on pace for 63. The 30-year-old outfielder for the New York Yankees is only one HR away from tying the franchise record of 61 home runs set by Roger Maris in 1961, which is also the American League record, MLB.com reported.
The all-time MLB record for most home runs in a season is 73, set by Barry bonds in 2001. There have been nine seasons where a player has hit at least 60 home runs. But if Judge hits 63, it would be the seventh 63-plus homer season in MLB history.