Baseball – Winnipeg Free Press

FILE - Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (10) throws during the fourth inning of Game 2 of an American League wild-card baseball playoff series, Oct. 1, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

Trevor Story declines to opt out, keeps contract with the Red Sox

The Associated Press 1 minute read Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

BOSTON (AP) — Shortstop Trevor Story declined to exercise his right to opt out of his contract and is remaining with the Boston Red Sox.

Story agreed to a $140 million, six-year deal with Boston before the 2022 season and could have opted out, giving up $55 million in guaranteed money.

Instead, he kept $25 million salaries for 2026 and ’27, and a $25 million team option for 2028 with a $5 million buyout.

The two-time All-Star shortstop, who turns 33 on Nov. 15, played in 157 games, his most since 2018, and hit .263 with 25 homers and 96 RBIs.

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San Diego Padres hire former reliever Craig Stammen as manager

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 3 minute read Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

The San Diego Padres have hired former reliever Craig Stammen to be their manager.

Stammen got a three-year contract Thursday to begin his first managerial job at any level of the sport.

The longtime right-handed reliever retired from his playing career with the Padres in August 2023, and he spent the past two seasons as an assistant to the major league coaching staff and the baseball operations department headed by general manager A.J. Preller.

The 41-year-old Stammen replaces Mike Shildt, who retired Oct. 13 after just two seasons in charge. The Padres won at least 90 games and made the playoffs in both seasons under Shildt, who cited burnout and exhaustion in announcing his departure.

Female baseball gaining popularity as it makes Canada Summer Games debut

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Female baseball gaining popularity as it makes Canada Summer Games debut

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Monday, Aug. 18, 2025

Softball is no longer the only option for females stepping into the batter’s box at the Canada Summer Games.

This year’s edition of the national event — which kicked off its second and final week Monday in St. John’s, N.L., — will feature female baseball for the very first time.

Team Manitoba is in Pool B with Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The top two teams in the group will advance to the playoff round. Manitoba takes the field today at 9:30 a.m. CT against Saskatchewan and again at 4:30 CT vs. Nova Scotia.

“To be honest, when I found out I was given the opportunity to go, I was speechless and very humbled and honoured to be a part of this community,” said shortstop Kirsten Giesbrecht, a 17-year-old from Altona.

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Monday, Aug. 18, 2025

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Kirsten Giesbrecht (left) and Mya Richard of Team Manitoba’s female baseball team. It’s ‘awesome’ to play on a female baseball team says Richard, who hails from Elie.

Goldeyes ride big second inning to victory over Railroaders

Zoe Pierce 5 minute read Preview

Goldeyes ride big second inning to victory over Railroaders

Zoe Pierce 5 minute read Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025

The Winnipeg Goldeyes (36-47), powered by a six-run second inning, held on for a very needed, close 7-6 victory over the Cleburne Railroaders (39-44) Thursday night at Blue Cross Park in front of 4,016 fans.

The Goldeyes, who dropped game two of the series 10-8, despite a late comeback attempt, took care of unfinished business in game three, earning back-to-back series wins at home with a one-run win finally going in their favour.

Although the Fish still sit 101/2 games back of the Sioux Falls Canaries, who hold the final West Division playoff spot, with 16 games left in the season, they hope momentum will carry into a crucial road series against the best in the West, the Sioux City Explorers.

“We’re just trying to finish as hot as possible,” said Goldeyes manager Logan Watkins. “It’s kind of a long shot that we’re going to get back into it, but that’s a product of our division being so good this year. I mean, I think four of the five top teams in the league are in the West. And I mean, it’s kind of crazy to think about, but yeah, it’s good to see the guys haven’t quit.”

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Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS
Winnipeg Goldeyes pitcher Luke Boyd thows a pitch during the top of the first inning against the visiting Cleburne Railroaders in American Association of Professional Baseball action at Blue Cross Park, Thursday.

RedHawks teach Goldeyes a lesson

Zoe Pierce 5 minute read Preview

RedHawks teach Goldeyes a lesson

Zoe Pierce 5 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 30, 2025

The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks showed the Winnipeg Goldeyes why they’re in the final West Division playoff spot — and the Goldeyes are not — Wednesday evening, making it look easy with a lopsided 10-4 victory in front of 4,540 people at Blue Cross Park to complete the series sweep.

The Goldeyes barely had time to find hope for a win before the RedHawks blew things wide open in what was a game-costing start for pitcher Mitchell Lambson.

On just the second swing of the game, the RedHawks got on the board, with Lamar Sparks blasting a home run over the left field fence.

A couple of outs later, it was RedHawks designated hitter Brendon Dadson who sent a home run of his own out of Blue Cross Park, this time over the right field fence, to give his squad a 2-0 lead at the top of the first.

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Wednesday, Jul. 30, 2025

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS
Winnipeg’s Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble entertained fans throughout Wednesday’s game.

Goldeyes hang on to down Dogs

Zoe Pierce 5 minute read Preview

Goldeyes hang on to down Dogs

Zoe Pierce 5 minute read Thursday, Jul. 24, 2025

Back home and playing their first game since the American Association’s all-star break, the Winnipeg Goldeyes were in dire need of a fresh start. With a close 6-5 win over the Chicago Dogs on Thursday evening at Blue Cross Park, the Fish are hoping the tides are finally turning.

For a team that has been at the bottom of the American Association’s West Division for most of the season and is trying to squeeze into a playoff spot, the past two weeks could not have been more disastrous.

Despite going into the all-star break coming off a 9-3 win in Lincoln, Neb., against the Saltdogs on Sunday, it could not erase the season-high nine-game losing streak the Goldeyes went through beforehand.

“It goes without saying the last two weeks have been pretty rough,” said Goldeyes manager Logan Watkins. “But I guess that’s baseball. The hard part is seeing how many one-run losses we’ve had, being that close and not coming through to win at least half of them, but just kind of is what it is. We have a lot of baseball still left, so I think we just needed a quick break, let everyone reset mentally, and then come back.”

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Thursday, Jul. 24, 2025

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS files
Mitch Lambson pitched seven innings Thursday in the Goldeyes victory over the Chicago Dogs.

Best of Manitoba Baseball clashes for provincial title

Zoe Pierce 6 minute read Preview

Best of Manitoba Baseball clashes for provincial title

Zoe Pierce 6 minute read Thursday, Jul. 24, 2025

When Jamie Bettens took over as coach of the Bonivital 18U AAA baseball team at the start of the Baseball Manitoba regular season this spring, the message was clear — get into Zone 1 for the 18U AAA provincials.

After back-to-back Tier 2 provincial championships in 2023 and 2024, the Bonivital Black Sox have proved they can win tournaments and, this year, they’ll get their shot in Tier 1 at the 2025 18U AAA provincials, taking place this weekend at Charleswood Park.

“When I took over the group, we sat down and said, ‘What is our goal for this year?’” said Bettens. “And, unequivocally, every single player said, ‘We want to be in Zone 1 this year. We want to move up and be in the higher bracket and compete against the top teams in the province.’”

Tier 1 placement this year is determined by regular-season standings. The top six teams qualify for Zone 1 and compete in Tier 1 provincials, while the bottom five are placed in Zone 2. The system, introduced this year, replaced the previous playoff format to get into Tier 1.

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Thursday, Jul. 24, 2025

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The Bonitvital Black Sox get their shot this weekend at the Manitoba Baseball Tier 1, 18U AAA provincial title after back-to-back Tier 2 provincial championships in 2023 and 2024.

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Goldeyes’ struggles continue as club drops pair to visiting Monarchs

Zoe Pierce 4 minute read Preview

Goldeyes’ struggles continue as club drops pair to visiting Monarchs

Zoe Pierce 4 minute read Friday, Jul. 11, 2025

It’s been a tough go as of late for the Winnipeg Goldeyes, who have dropped their last three series and didn’t get the start they wanted entering a weekend series against the Kansas City Monarchs, dropping back-to-back games in a doubleheader Friday night at Blue Cross Park.

“We just need to win,” said Goldeyes manager Logan Watkins. “I mean, we’re running out of time to get rolling. We’re in the second half of the season now. We battled back to get to .500 and then just had a couple tough series, and now we’re kind of back in a hole again. We just got to keep trying to climb out of it.”

The first game of the doubleheader was a continuation of a rained-out game on June 8 against the Monarchs, in which the Goldeyes were trailing 2-1 at the bottom of the third.

The Monarchs picked up right where they left off a month later, with runs by Jaylyn Williams, Josh Bissonette and Ryan Leitch at the top of the fourth to extend their lead to 5-1.

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Friday, Jul. 11, 2025

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS files
Goldeyes’ southpaw Mitchell Lambson pitched a strong game against the Monarchs despite the team’s loss.

Canadian content fuelling Fish

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Canadian content fuelling Fish

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Thursday, Jul. 10, 2025

It’s very fitting that the Winnipeg Goldeyes take the field in red and white.

This year’s lineup features seven Canadians which is the most the Fish have ever boasted in their 30-plus years of existence. They’re not just here to fill out the roster.

“It is a coincidence,” said Goldeyes manager Logan Watkins, as he doesn’t go out of his way to seek them out. “But I’d say three or four of them are maybe our best players.”

One of the top Canucks is first baseman Matthew Warkentin, a Leamington, Ont., product who was recently named the American Association’s Batter of the Week for having 13 hits, including five doubles, two home runs, and eight runs batted in, during a six-game stretch.

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Thursday, Jul. 10, 2025

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS
Winnipeg Goldeyes first baseman Matthew Warkentin’s 11 home runs lead the team this season.

Bats heating up at Provincial Championships

Zoe Pierce 4 minute read Preview

Bats heating up at Provincial Championships

Zoe Pierce 4 minute read Thursday, Jul. 10, 2025

It’s hard to describe a Manitoba summer without baseball.

At least, that’s definitely the case for the 203 teams across the province competing in the Baseball Manitoba Provincial Championships, running now through early August.

The baseball scene has grown substantially in the various communities across the province over the years, according to Jason Miller, executive director of Baseball Manitoba, and that growth is reflected in the continued expansion of the annual provincial championships.

“We’ve expanded our provincial events to include what we call Tier 1, 2 and 3 in the rural communities, and what we call Zone 2,” said Miller.

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Thursday, Jul. 10, 2025

Jules Xavier / The Brandon Sun Files
Week 2 of the Baseball Manitoba Provincials Championships starts Friday with the 13U, 15U and 18U groups in play.

‘It’s a continual process of evolving and learning,’ B.C. product says

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

‘It’s a continual process of evolving and learning,’ B.C. product says

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Saturday, Jun. 21, 2025

Giving back to the game that gave him so much is important to Rich Harden.

That’s why the former big league pitcher made his way north from his home in Minnesota to participate in a pitching and coaching clinic being held at Optimist Park this weekend by the West Winnipeg Minor Baseball Association.

Harden, who spent nine seasons in the majors with the Oakland A’s, Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers, will lead the clinic with his father, Russ.

“It’s nice to give back and help this newer generation of kids with everything I learned throughout my career and after, to pass that on,” said Harden. “I feel like it translates over to life as well. Learning to overcome adversity and dealing with the challenges. Baseball is a game of failures. Look at hitting, if you get three hits out of 10, you’re a good hitter.”

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Saturday, Jun. 21, 2025

Ed Zurga / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Harden spent 9 seasons in the majors with the Oakland A’s, Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers.

Goldeyes stage comeback to claim series

Zoe Pierce 5 minute read Preview

Goldeyes stage comeback to claim series

Zoe Pierce 5 minute read Thursday, Jun. 19, 2025

The Winnipeg Goldeyes experienced a bit of whiplash in this week’s series against the Sioux Falls Canaries.

After a solid 9-3 win in Game 1 of the series, followed by a lopsided 15-2 loss, it was hard to predict how the third game would go for the Goldeyes, who have had hot and cold bats all season.

Luckily for the Fish, Thursday night’s game would be categorized as hot, taking their third series win in a row with an entertaining 8-7 comeback victory at Blue Cross Park.

“I mean that’s baseball,” said Goldeyes centre-fielder Roby Enríquez. “Sometimes you’re gonna take L’s, but what really matters is whatever happened yesterday, you don’t live in the past, and you keep moving forward. We just flipped the page, and today we got a different result.”

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Thursday, Jun. 19, 2025

BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS
Winnipeg Goldeyes starting pitcher Mitchell Lambson, last week’s American Association pitcher of the week, delivers the ball during top of the third inning.

Goldeyes outfielder blasts franchise best 94th home run

Zoe Pierce 4 minute read Preview

Goldeyes outfielder blasts franchise best 94th home run

Zoe Pierce 4 minute read Thursday, Jun. 12, 2025

As Winnipeg Goldeyes outfielder Max Murphy walked up to the plate against Chicago Dogs pitcher John Baker in the top of the fourth inning Wednesday night, the 32-year-old was on the verge of Goldeyes history — and he delivered. Murphy launched his 93rd home run in a Goldeyes uniform and later added his 94th, surpassing franchise legend Reggie Abercrombie to become the team’s all-time home run leader.

Murphy was met with cheers from his teammates as he entered the dugout after his history-making blast over the left side of Impact Field, though admitting he had forgotten all about the record with his focus on the game, which the Goldeyes went on to win 11–2.

“It took a second to realize what they were congratulating me for,” laughed Murphy.

Abercrombie, who held the Goldeyes’ home run record for six years, was a key part of Winnipeg’s back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2017, and is an inductee into the American Association Hall of Fame. He spent six seasons in a Goldeyes uniform before retiring in 2019.

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Thursday, Jun. 12, 2025

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES
Goldeyes outfielder Max Murphy hit his career 93rd and 94th home runs in Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Dogs, setting a new Fish franchise record.

Goldeyes drop two of three to RailCats

Staff 3 minute read Monday, May. 26, 2025

The Winnipeg Goldeyes (7-9) dropped their three-game series at home against the Gary SouthShore RailCats (4-11) 1-2 over the weekend at Blue Cross Park.

The Fish came up short in the first game of the series on Friday, losing 5-2.

The visitors opened the scoring in the top of the third inning and added on in the fourth, taking an early 2-0 lead.

The Goldeyes cut the lead in half in the bottom of the fifth when Ray-Patrick Didder brought Keshawn Lynch home. But Gary SouthShore would restore their two-run lead in the sixth.

2 minute read Friday, May. 23, 2025

The Winnipeg Goldeyes improved to 6-7 on the season Thursday as they split the last two games in their series with the Milwaukee Milkmen.

The Fish’s seven-run third inning Wednesday lifted them past the Milkmen (5-6) with an 11-6 win at Blue Cross Park, the Goldeyes’ third consecutive win.

Milwaukee opened the scoring with a single in the top of the first inning, before Winnipeg responded to tie the game in the second, with Gustavo Sosa’s single bringing home Tanner O’Tremba.

The game broke open in the bottom of the third with seven different Goldeyes’ players scoring for the home side.

Pitcher shines as Fish prevail in home-opener against Milkmen

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

Pitcher shines as Fish prevail in home-opener against Milkmen

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Tuesday, May. 20, 2025

Two weeks ago, Ben Kowalski was unsure where or when his next professional opportunity would turn up.

On Tuesday, he was the backbone of the Winnipeg Goldeyes in a home-opening 3-1 victory over the Milwaukee Milkmen before 6,002 fans at Blue Cross Park.

The 25-year-old pitcher worked four strikeouts while conceding five hits and a lone run across six strong innings in his first start in the American Association.

“It was a little overwhelming at first,” Kowalski said of pitching in front of a Winnipeg crowd. “I mean, that’s definitely the most fans I’ve ever pitched in front of, the biggest stadium, nicest field, probably I’ve ever been to. It’s surreal. It’s surreal, man. It’s a dream come true. It really is.”

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Tuesday, May. 20, 2025

November 23, 2025

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