The Toronto Blue Jays are going to the World Series for the first time since 1993 after beating the Seattle Mariners, 4-3, in a thrilling Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night.
While their trip to the World Series is huge for all of their players and fans, it's also special for former New York Yankees great, Don Mattingly.
Mattingly, who spent his entire playing career with the Yankees and won the AL MVP award in 1985, is the bench coach for the Blue Jays. This will be his first-ever trip to the World Series as he never made it that far in either his playing days or during his coaching career, which has seen him manage the Dodgers and the Marlins.
Mattingly managed the Dodgers from 2011-15. He won three NL West titles during the time but only made it to the NLCS once in 2013 where his team lost to the Cardinals in six games. The next two seasons the Dodgers only made it to the NLDS.
He then managed the Marlins from 2016-22 but only made the playoffs once, losing in the NLDS in 2020.
Here are some more wild stats that show how Mattingly narrowly missed out on a number of chances to make it to the World Series:
@thats_bb_suzyn
Mattingly has been the Blue Jays' bench coach since 2022. Now he's in his first World Series at the age of 64.
أوضح نونو سانتو المدير الفني لفريق وست هام يونايتد الإنجليزي، أن لاعبه لوكاس باكيتا، يعاني ويمر بحالة سيئة، بسبب أحداث المباراة أمام ليفربول.
والتقى ليفربول ووست هام قبل أيام، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة عشر للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “البريميرليج”، وتعرض باكيتا للطرد وشهدت المباراة هزيمة فريقه بهدفين دون رد.
وقال نونو سانتو في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ذا أثليتك”: “تحدثت مع لوكاس واعتذر لزملائه في الفريق”.
وأضاف: “إنه يدرك أخطائه، لكننا كنادٍ نحمي أنفسنا، حلّينا المشاكل فيما بيننا، ومن الواضح أن الجميع يدرك أن الأخطاء واردة في ملاعب كرة القدم، أحيانًا لا يمكنك التحكم في مشاعرك، والجميع يستحق فرصة”.
وأكد: “إنه ليس بخير، ويعاني، يشعر بخيبة أمل وحزن، لكنه يُدرك الخطأ الذي ارتكبه، ويريد المضي قدمًا، أحيانًا لا يدرك الناس جميع المشاكل التي يواجهها لاعبو كرة القدم، لكن لوكاس سيتجاوز هذا الوضع”.
اقرأ أيضًا | فرديناند يرشح نجم ليفربول السابق لخلافة سلوت.. ويؤكد: مناسب لقيادة الفريق في الفترة الحالية
وتطرق نونو سانتو للحديث عن مستقبل باكيتا الذي كان على وشك الانضمام لمانشستر سيتي، لكن بسبب تحقيق الاتحاد الإنجليزي لكرة القدم في قضية تلاعب بالنتائج في أغسطس 2023، لم تتم الصفقة، وقد بُرّئ في يوليو بعد تحقيق استمر عامين.
وأفاد المدرب: “أعتقد أن (محنة التحقيق) تؤثر عليه، لكنه مستعد للمضي قدمًا، ولعب كرة القدم كما هو، ووضع كل ذلك جانبًا، هنا في النادي، نقدم ونقدم كل الدعم الذي يحتاجه اللاعبون، لقد أجرينا محادثة جيدة، والفريق يدعم لوكاس، بالتأكيد، أعتقد أنه سعيد هنا”.
Manchester United’s main priority during the summer transfer window was to bolster the club’s frontline – something which was achieved as seen by their £200m investment in such an area.
Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all made the move to Old Trafford, forming a new deadly trio for Ruben Amorim to work with during his tenure at the helm.
However, after completing such deals, the hierarchy turned their attention to a new number six to help bolster the strength and quality within the midfield department.
Carlos Baleba was identified as the Red Devils’ primary target during the summer, but they were unable to strike a deal, with Brighton & Hove Albion demanding over £100m for his signature.
No doubt, Amorim’s men will still hold a keen interest in his signature this January, but another Premier League option has since emerged on their radar over the last few weeks.
How Anderson compares to Man Utd’s CMs in 2025/26 so far
In an attempt to bolster the midfield ranks, United have been hugely touted with a move for Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson in the upcoming January window.
It’s been reported that Amorim’s side have already made contact with Sean Dyche’s men over a deal for his signature this winter, but it could cost a fee in the region of £100m.
Such a deal would be a mammoth backing from the board, but how does the 23-year-old compare to current starters Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro?
Both the current Red Devils are experienced options, with both now over 30, but it hasn’t stopped Anderson from massively dominating the pair in such key areas.
The Englishman has topped 13 separate metrics in the Premier League this campaign, with many showcasing his talents with and without the ball at his feet.
He’s completed 113 passes into the final third, with his tally of 706 passes completed, the most of any player in the division – subsequently showcasing his fantastic ability in possession.
Elliot Anderson for Nottingham Forest
Without the ball, the youngster has also dominated, with such a skillset potentially putting an end to Casemiro’s career at Old Trafford at the end of the campaign.
Anderson has entered the most defensive duels of any player in the division, whilst also winning the most duels – potentially making him the perfect deep-lying option for Amorim’s side.
At just 23, the Forest star has all the tools to transform into an elite-level talent, but it remains to be seen if the hierarchy would be prepared to fork out £100m for his signature.
The United star who’s their homegrown version of Anderson
Given the rumoured price tag for Anderson’s signature, it shows the importance of being able to identify talent at a young age, or even produce your own versions from the academy setup.
United have no doubt shifted their recruitment focus over the last couple of months, as seen by their deals to land Diego Leon and Senne Lammens – with both talented youngsters with huge potential.
However, the academy ranks have also proven fruitful in recent years, as seen by the emergence of the Class of 92, with the graduates playing a huge role in Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure.
The likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have all operated at the heart of the side throughout their respective careers – helping the club win 13 separate Premier League titles.
The fans will no doubt be hoping that Anderson can add himself to such a list in the near future, but Amorim could save himself and the club millions by unleashing Kobbie Mainoo.
Like the aforementioned academy stars, the 20-year-old burst on the scene as a teenager, making an immediate impact and becoming a key member of the United squad.
His major breakthrough came in 2023/24, where the youngster racked up 32 appearances across all competitions, scoring on five separate occasions – many of which proved to be crucial efforts.
Mainoo scored a last-minute victory in a close clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers, whilst also scoring against bitter rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final triumph.
However, he’s been unable to reach such heights over the last 12 months, with current boss Amorim preferring the likes of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte ahead of him.
Such a decision may come as a surprise to the fanbase, especially given his stats from last season, which saw him outperform Anderson in numerous key areas – that’s despite making just 25 league appearances.
Mainoo completed more of the passes he attempted, whilst also completing more of the crosses he attempted – leading to Alex Turk dubbing him a “future £100m+ footballer”.
How Mainoo & Anderson compared in the PL (24/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Mainoo
Anderson
Games played
25
37
Goals & assists
0
8
Pass accuracy
87%
82%
Crosses completed
29%
26%
Dribbles completed
1.3
1.1
Dispossessed
1.9
2.6
Dribbled past
0.8
2.1
Interceptions made
1.1
0.9
Stats via FotMob
He also completed more of the dribbles he attempted, whilst also being dispossessed on fewer occasions, subsequently showcasing his incredible ability in possession.
However, without the ball, Mainoo was dribbled past on fewer occasions, along with more interceptions made – highlighting he’s able to beat the £100m star when given the chance.
It’s evident that Mainoo is still a player with bags of talent, but the manager desperately needs to swallow his pride and hand the 20-year-old the chance to stake his claim as a first-team regular.
He’s for so often had to settle for minutes off the substitutes’ bench, which has no doubt hindered his chances of continuing his progression and building on his incredible start to his career in 2023/24.
Upon his return from injury in the near future, the 40-year-old needs to hand the youngster the opportunity to have a consistent run as a regular starter to allow him to reach his full potential at the Theatre of Dreams.
Such a decision would save the club millions of pounds, with the academy graduate having the chance to lead the Red Devils to new heights in the years ahead.
Forget Sesko: Man Utd's "anxious" dud is now becoming INEOS' worst signing
Manchester United have one player who has massively struggled to meet expectations at Old Trafford.
Blue Jays star outfielder George Springer exited Toronto's loss in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series after getting hit on his right kneecap by a 95-mph sinker from Mariners pitcher Bryan Woo. Springer, clearly in immense pain, laid on the ground for a few minutes as the Blue Jays trainer and manager John Schneider emerged from the dugout.
With Schneider and the trainer by his side, Springer limped his way up the first base line in an apparent attempt to remain in the game before ultimately exiting the contest, where he was helped down the dugout steps into the clubhouse. Springer was replaced at first base by pinch runner Joey Loperfido.
After the game, Schneider spoke to reporters and provided an update on Springer while also getting something off his chest. The Blue Jays manager took exception to what he believed to be an inappropriate reaction to the Springer injury by the crowd at T-Mobile Park.
"He's got a right knee contusion. He had X-rays, which were negative, which is a good thing," Schneider said. "George is about as tough as they come. I think he'll have to really, really be hurting to not be in the lineup on Sunday. So we'll see how he is.
"On that note, I know this is an awesome atmosphere to play in. And it's really, really cool to play here. And I think the fans that were booing him should take a look in the mirror and understand what kind of player he is. And—I'll stop there because when a guy gets hit in the knee and is in obvious pain and you have 40,000 people cheering, not the right thing to do."
Schneider is referring to the reactions to the crowd, in which there were some seeming boos when Springer slowly made his way up the first-base line.
One of the game's great postseason performers, Springer has continued his October excellence against the Mariners—he has seven hits, two home runs and four RBI in five ALCS games—to the chagrin of Seattle's fans, who have taken to booing him heavily during the three contests played at T-Mobile Park.
While most of the boos could be seen as a sign of respect for Springer's greatness, Schneider clearly felt that Mariners fans took it a step too far on Friday night.
Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber made history on Thursday night against the Braves, becoming just the 21st player to ever hit four home runs in a single game.
Schwarber started the party early with a lead-off homer in the bottom of the first, then added dingers in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings.
With the Phillies holding an 18–4 lead heading into the eighth, it was pretty clear that the home team would not be batting in the bottom of the ninth, and thus, Schwarber would need some help to get one last at-bat where he could go for a record-setting fifth dinger.
The Phils got him to the plate, but Schwarber couldn’t connect on a slow pitch from Vidal Brujan, who started the game at shortstop for Atlanta.
After the game, the Phillies broadcast team rightfully celebrated Schwarber’s awesome night, but the slugger himself was stuck thinking about one moment he wished he could have taken back.
“It’s crazy. I wish I didn’t ask the question in the cage—how many guys have hit five homers,” he said laughing.
Schwarber had a shot at becoming the first to ever hit five home runs in a game, but apparently, got a bit in his head about it before his final at-bat of the night.
While he came up short on that mark, in his defense, literally every major league baseball player in the history of the sport has also come up short of hitting five home runs in a game before him.
Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has declared his ambition to win "everything," including the World Cup, Champions League, and Ballon d'Or, after receiving the Di Stéfano Award for the best player of the 2024-25 season by Marca. The 18-year-old star, who recently returned to partial training after a pubalgia issue, also expressed his excitement for Barcelona's historic return to Camp Nou against Athletic Club.
Yamal eyes historic treble and Ballon d'Or
Despite being only 18, the Barcelona winger has already begun amassing individual accolades, surpassing established stars like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr., as well as teammates Pedri and Raphinha, for the award.
When asked about his goals for the upcoming 2026 season, which includes challenges with Barcelona in La Liga and the Champions League, and with the Spanish national team at the World Cup, Yamal did not mince words. "I want it all. I hope I achieve it all, and as long as we can play, it's possible," he stated to , confirming his target to win the league, Champions League, World Cup, and the Ballon d'Or.
Reflecting on his individual success, Yamal emphasised the importance of collective effort, adding: “All the individual titles indicate that it has been a great season for the team. For me, it brings me happiness and pride. Accumulating awards at my age is very positive. I'm going to keep working and fighting to achieve things like this."
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Camp Nou return: 'History will be written'
Yamal also expressed his excitement about Barcelona's imminent return to the iconic Camp Nou stadium after more than 900 days away. The club's temporary move to the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Montjuic is about to end, with their match against Athletic Club marking the first fixture in the partially renovated Camp Nou, which has been cleared to host 45,401 fans.
Yamal has been actively building anticipation for the return on social media. He changed his Instagram profile picture to an image of himself clutching the Barca badge and added the caption: “Montjuic was the beginning. Camp Nou is where history will be written.”
He highlighted the significance of the return for the team. “The fans mean a lot. We've been playing in a stadium that wasn't ours. Montjuic was fine, but it wasn't what we wanted. Camp Nou will be a huge support for everyone and will be a big boost for the rest of the season.”
For many players in the current squad, including Fermin Lopez, Marc Casado, Dani Olmo, and Pau Cubarsi, the match against Athletic Club will be their first-team debut at the historic venue.
Injury update: Yamal targets Chelsea return
Despite his ambitions and the excitement surrounding the Camp Nou return, Yamal is currently navigating a tricky recovery from pubalgia, a chronic groin injury that forced him to withdraw from Spain’s recent World Cup qualifiers. Barcelona have implemented a detailed two-phase treatment plan, involving invasive radiofrequency therapy and a meticulous rehabilitation schedule.
According to , the club's priority is to have Yamal fully fit for the crucial Champions League clash against Chelsea. While a cameo appearance against Athletic Club has not been ruled out, his involvement will likely be minimal. Yamal returned to partial group training on Wednesday, marking a significant step in his recovery.
Club doctors have warned that mishandling the injury could lead to months on the sidelines, describing it as "tricky." Yamal has reportedly responded with full commitment to his rehabilitation, reducing media appearances and focusing exclusively on his recovery. Barcelona brought in a renowned Belgian specialist for evaluation, and surgery was ruled out in favour of the conservative treatment plan.
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What next for Lamine Yamal and Barcelona?
Barcelona face a critical period with their return to the Camp Nou against Athletic Club in La Liga on Saturday. Yamal's participation in this historic match remains uncertain and will likely be limited if he features at all. The main objective is his full availability for the high-stakes Champions League encounter against Chelsea, a match vital for Barcelona's hopes of securing a top-eight finish in the league phase. The club will continue to monitor his progress closely over the coming days, alternating between individual work and controlled group sessions to ensure his recovery continues without setbacks.