The Baseball Buffet for 3/4/2026

Colombia 1, Pirates 7 - PIT SP Jose Urquidy did well with 3 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K.

Netherlands 8, Orioles 5 - For the Netherdlands, BOS CF Ceddanne Rafaela went 2-4 with HR, a double, and 5 RBI, and ATL 2B Ozzie Albies added a HR, as did Ray-Patrick Didder. Two of those dingers were allowed by BAL SP Trevor Rogers who struck out 4 in 2.1 IP but also allowed 6 H and 6 ER. BAL 1B Pete Alonso went 2-2 with a 2-run HR.

Panama 1, Yankees 11 - NYY DH Giancarlo made his spring debut for the Yankees, going 1-2 with a walk and as Bryan Hoch at MLB noted, a 114.3 mph single. NYY SP Max Fried also made his spring debut, with 3 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 1 K.

Canada 7, Blue Jays 10 - This had to be a fun exhibition for any Canadians in attendance! The Blue Jays jumped out to an early 7-0 lead after two innings, as Logan Allen struggled on the mound for Canada (1 IP, 2 H, 5 ER, 5 BB, 0 K). TOR SP Kevin Gausman got some good tune-up work in (2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K), before Team Canada made a game of it late by tying the game up 7-7 before Toronto rallied with three in the bottom of the eighth.

Israel 1, Marlins 0 - MIA SP Braxton Garrett did well (2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K), while both teams struggled to do much hitting, with Israel scoring in the fourth when C Garrett Stubbs hit a triple that drove in SS Cole Carrigg.

Nicaragua 3, Mets 6 - NYM SP Jonah Tong struck out 3 in 2.2 IP, but also gave up 5 H and 1 ER, a homer by SS Freddy Zamora. Several key NYM relievers got in some work, with Luke Weaver (1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K) and Devin Williams (1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K) doing well, but veteran Craig Kimbrel giving up some baserunners (1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K).

Brazil 4, Athletics 14 - ATH DH Jeff McNeil and ATH C Austin Wynns each hit homers, while ATH SP Aaron Civale gave up 6 hits in only 2.2 IP, with 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K.

Cuba 0, Royals 4 - KCR SP Ryan Bergert did well (3 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) and KCR C Carter Jensen went 2-3 with a double

Italy 9, Cubs 4 - CHC SP Cade Horton did well (3 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K), but then the Cubs’ bullpen gave up three HR to Italy’s Owen Ayers, CHW C Kyle Teel, and STL 2B Thomas Saggese

United States 15, Giants 1 - SFG SP Adrian Houser (3 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K) and the Giants’ relievers were no match for the star-studded USA team. CHC 3B Alec Bregman and BOS OF Roman Anthony each hit a HR, while KCR SS Bobby Witt Jr., PHI 1B Bryce Harper, NYY RF Aaron Judge, and SEA C Cal Raleigh collected two hits apiece. On the mound both PIT SP Paul Skenes (3 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K) and CHC SP Matthew Boyd (2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K) did well.

Great Britain 7, Brewers 3 - MIL SP Jacob Misiorowski struck out 5 in only 2 IP, while letting up 1 H and 1 ER. Later MIL RP Jared Koenig ran into trouble (0.1 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 0 K), including giving up a 2-run HR to WSN C Harry Ford playing for Great Britain.

Mexico 6, Diamondbacks 3 - AZ SP Zac Gallen did well (2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K), while Rowdy Tellez went 2-4 with a HR as the DH for Mexico.

Tigers 4, Dominican Republic 12 - Tigers SS prospect Kevin McGonigle went 3-3 with a walk and a HR, but otherwise this one was all DR and their star-studded lineup. NYM OF Juan Soto, SDP 3B Manny Machado, and TBR DH Junior Caminero all hit homers, with Caminero going 4-4 on the day and SDP RF Fernando Tatis Jr. going 3-3 with a walk and a double out of the leadoff spot.

Puerto Rico 5, Red Sox 3 - NYY SP Elmer Rodríguez did well as the starter for PR, with 3 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K.

Venezuela 1, Astros 3 - HOU SP Cristian Javier made his spring debut with 2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, and HOU rotation depth option Ryan Weiss also got in some good work (2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K).

TBR SP Shane McClanahan did well in his spring training debut with 2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

MIN SP Simeon Woods Richardson struggled with 5 ER in the first inning, then settled in with 3 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

LAD SP Roki Sasaki had an uneven game, as described in an article by Sonja Chen at MLB, with his overall numbers being 2 IP, 2 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, including a grand slam hit by CLE 1B Kyle Manzardo.

LAD SP River Ryan, a depth rotation option for the Dodgers this year, did well in his second spring outing with 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

SDP DH Nick Castellanos went 2-3 with a HR and a double, while SDP SP Nick Pivetta struggled some with 3 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

LAA 1B Jeimer Candelario, a veteran competing for a roster spot, went 2-2 with a HR and a double

SEA SP Bryan Woo struck out 4 in 2.1 IP, but also allowed 2 H, 1 BB, and 2 ER

1913: The Yankees hold spring training in Bermuda. “The New York Yankees become the first major league team to conduct spring training outside of the United States, when they begin the spring in Bermuda, where is projected a series of exhibition games.”

1925: John Montgomery Ward dies a day after turning 65. “John Montgomery (Monte) Ward dies in Augusta, Georgia, just a day after his 65th birthday. During his illustrious career in the majors, Ward hit for a .371 batting average twice, won 40-plus games as a pitcher twice, including the second perfect game in history, and was be the captain and manager of the first and original New York Giants. Ward will gain election to the Hall of Fame in 1964.”

1944: The Phillies announce they will temporarily become the Blue Jays. “The woeful Philadelphia Phillies announce their new nickname - the Blue Jays. The winning entry in the contest was submitted by a Mrs. Elizabeth Crooks, and was chosen over a number of names ranging from Daisies to Stinkers. Team president Bob Carpenter says he hopes to have the farm system identified by the same blue color, with the Wilmington club called the Blue Rocks and possibly the new Bradford team as the Blue Wings. The Blue Jays will be the official team name in 1944 and 1945, but will be abandoned in 1946, though the team will still occasionally be referred to as the Blue Jays in newspaper accounts through 1949. Ms. Crooks wins a $100 war bond and a season ticket to the Blue Jays.”

1967: Bullet Joe Rogan dies at age 77. “Bullet Joe Rogan dies in Kansas City, Missouri, at age 77. One of the greatest pitchers in Negro league baseball, Rogan threw a devastating fastball which he complemented with a dizzying array of other pitches. He also played the outfield when he wasn't pitching, and in 1922 led the Negro National League with 16 home runs. Rogan will receive Hall of Fame honors in 1998.”

1984: Pee Wee Reese and Rick Ferrell are elected to the Hall of Fame. “Two outstanding defensive players, shortstop Pee Wee Reese and catcher Rick Ferrell, are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee. Reese hit .269 in 16 seasons with the Dodgers while Ferrell batted .281 with just 28 home runs in 18 seasons for the Browns, Red Sox, and Senators.”

1994: Michael Jordan bats for the White Sox. “Michael Jordan comes to bat for the first time in a Chicago White Sox uniform. Playing in a spring training game, Jordan taps back to Texas Rangers pitcher Darren Oliver, who tags out the former National Basketball Association star. Jordan will play one season in the minor leagues before returning to the NBA.”

Hall of Famer

16-year major league pitching career, spanning from 1915-1935, mostly with the Dodgers

He started his professional career at the age of 21, but spent ten years mostly in the minors in part due to arm issues

Then in his age-31 season with the Dodgers he led the NL with a modest 134 strikeouts, his first of seven consecutive seasons he would lead the league in that category. This included a career-high of 262 K in 1924 when he won the NL Pitching Triple Crown with a 2.16 ERA and a 28-6 record

He also led the NL in wins in 1925 with a 22-9 record, and then led the NL in ERA two more times with a 2.09 mark in 1928 and a 2.61 ERA in 1930

Overall had a 197-140 (.585) record, a 3.24 ERA, and a 125 ERA+

11-year major league career, spanning from 1919-1934, spread out between Yankees, Red Sox, Giants, Phillies, and Dogers

Tried to make it as a pitcher early on, and had early stints with the Yankees and Red Sox. He then was a very good hitter in the Pacific Coast League for several years until 1929 when he hit .319 as a LF in 114 games for the Giants.

Led the NL with a .398 average, .453 OBP, and 254 hits in 1929, to go with 32 HR, 122 RBI, and 152 runs

Batted .383 the following season, and then again led the NL with a .368 average in 1932

After his age-37 season in 1934 he returned to the PCL where he was a player-manager from 1935-40 and continued to manage through 1951.

Overall in the majors he had 113 HR, a .349/.413/.532 slash line, and a 143 OPS+

As described at Wikipedia, "What is considered by many to be his greatest contributions to baseball were the exhibition tours he undertook to Japan during which he helped with the training Japanese baseball players both before and after World War II, contributed to the popularity and success of professional baseball in Japan. For his efforts, O'Doul became the first American elected to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame."

13-year major league pitching career, spanning from 1911-1924, mostly with Brooklyn and St. Louis of the National League

Had 16+ wins six times, including a 23-12 record and 1.97 ERA in 1914, and a 25-11 record and 1.92 ERA in 1916

Overall had a 158-112 (.585) slash line, a 2.77 ERA, and a 113 ERA+

Was a late first-round draft pick in 2010 by the Tigers

So far has played 13 years in the majors for the Tigers, Cubs, Reds, and Phillies. He has signed for the 2026 season with the Padres.

Two-time All-Star

Has hit 20 HR six times, with a high of 34 HR in 2021

Overall so far has 250 HR, 920 RBI, a .272/.321/.464 slash line, and a 110 OPS+

15-year major league pitching career, spanning from 2008-2022, with his first nine seasons for the Giants, and the rest spread across seven other clubs

Was an All-Star in 2013 and finished the season with 38 saves and a 2.54 ERA

That was one of four seasons in which he had 20+ saves

Overall had 137 saves, a 3.21 ERA, and a 123 ERA+

12-year major league career, spanning from 1897-1908, playing a mix of 1B, 2B, 3B, and the OF for seven different clubs

Offensively his best season came in 1902 when he hit .361 with 11 HR, 13 triples, 110 RBI, and an AL-leading 193 hits

The following year he batted .295 with 12 HR, 14 SB, and 97 RBI

Overall he had a .295/.331/.440 slash line and a 132 OPS+

World Baseball Classic preview: Top stars, predictions & more for every pool, by MLB writers, 3/2/2026

Predicting the World Baseball Classic champion, MVP and more, by Thomas Harrigan at MLB, 3/3/2026

Remember some guys: Presenting the 2026 all-non-roster invitee team, by Brian Murphy at MLB, 3/3/2026

Audaciously Predicting the 2026 World Baseball Classic, by Jeremy Dorn at Here's the Pitch: the IBWAA Newsletter, 3/4/2026

10 forgotten one-time batting champions, by Mark Kolier at Almost Cooperstown, 3/4/2026