Cubs shortstop Javier Báez graces cover of MLB’s video game The Show

Javier Báez joins an elite group of Chicago sports athletes that have graced the cover of flagship sports video games. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane of the Blackhawks appeared on the cover of EA Sports NHL series. Hall of famers Michael Jordan and Brian Urlacher were on the cover for the NBA and NFL games. Báez is also the first Cubs player since Anthony Rizzo to be the cover athlete for a baseball video game. Rizzo was the cover athlete for “RBI Baseball” in 2015.

Continue Reading

Twins pitcher Jose Berrios gets the better of brother-in-law Javy Baez in All-Star Game

As Ketel Marte stood on second base after his leadoff double in the third inning of Tuesday’s All-Star Game, Jose Berrios turned around on the pitcher’s mound and said something unusual to him: Thank you.

“He said thank you for getting a double, so he could face Javy Baez,” said shortstop Jorge Polanco, who was standing next to Marte. “He was happy to get to face him.”

That’s because Berrios and Baez are lifelong friends who grew up in the same small town — Bayamon, Puerto Rico — and wound up marrying sisters. So after Berrios struck out Ronald Acuna on an unhittable curveball, and caught Christian Yelich looking with a changeup, the brothers-in-law faced each other on a baseball diamond for the second time as professionals. For the second time as All-Stars.

Continue Reading