Gerrit Cole
Dale Earnhardt Jr., holds his daughter Isla, 3, during driver introductions before the NASCAR Xfinity auto race in Richmond, Va., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Mets, Yankees and more pay tribute on 9/11 20th anniversary

By Noah Trister And Jake Seiner Sep. 11, 2021 05:20 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 20, 2018, file photo, Houston Astros' Jose Altuve watches his solo home run off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi during the sixth inning of a baseball game, in Houston. The Astros have plenty of reasons to be confident with a big chunk of last year's squad which won a franchise-record 103 games. That group is led by a bevy of stars including Altuve, shortstop Carlos Correa, third baseman Alex Bregman, 2017 World Series MVP George Springer and starters Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole, who combined for 31 wins and 566 strikeouts in 2018. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)
Rays at Astros 6/20/2018

Feb. 08, 2019 09:57 AM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2018, file photo, Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander delivers a pitch against theCleveland Indians during the first inning in Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game, in Houston. The Astros have plenty of reasons to be confident with a big chunk of last year's squad which won a franchise-record 103 games. That group is led by a bevy of stars including 2017 AL MVP Jose Altuve, shortstop Carlos Correa, third baseman Alex Bregman, 2017 World Series MVP George Springer and starters Verlander and Gerrit Cole, who combined for 31 wins and 566 strikeouts in 2018. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)
Indians at Astros 10/5/2018

Feb. 08, 2019 09:57 AM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 2, 2018, file photo, Houston Astros starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game, in Houston. The Astros have plenty of reasons to be confident with a big chunk of last year's squad which won a franchise-record 103 games. That group is led by a bevy of stars including 2017 AL MVP Jose Altuve, shortstop Carlos Correa, third baseman Alex Bregman, 2017 World Series MVP George Springer and starters Justin Verlander and Cole, who combined for 31 wins and 566 strikeouts in 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke, File)
Angels at Astros 9/2/2018

Feb. 08, 2019 09:57 AM EST

FILE - In this Aug. 22, 2018, file photo, Texas Rangers pitcher Mike Minor throws against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of a baseball game, in Oakland, Calif. The Rangers have a completely revamped starting rotation with lone returner Mike Minor and four pitchers who have had Tommy John surgery. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
AL West teams at the start of spring training

By The Associated Press Feb. 08, 2019 09:48 AM EST