Donald Laible
Author
Don has covered pro baseball for several decades, beginning in the minor leagues as a radio broadcaster in the NY Mets organization. His Ice Chips & Diamond Dust blog ran from 2012-2020 at uticaod.com. His baseball passion surrounds anything concerning the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and writing features on the players and staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Don currently resides in southwest Florida.
LATEST
Jones’s Passing Has Colts Dominating AFC South in Season’s First Half
Prior to quarterback Daniel Jones joining the Indianapolis Colts in 2025, the team has missed the playoffs the last four seasons.
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Penguins’ Crosby Still NHL Scoring Threat After 2 Decades of Skating
Now in his 21st NHL season, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby has tallied 20 points and scored 11 goals in 16 games.
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The Wheeler Wait Continues as Phillies Hope for Ace’s Comeback in 2026
Since his first season with the Phillies in 2020, Zack Wheeler has averaged 182.3 strikeouts, 11.5 wins, and has a sub-3.00 ERA.
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Braves Welcome Weiss as New Field Boss for 2026 MLB Season
After missing the postseason for the first time in seven seasons in 2025, the Atlanta Braves have hired Walt Weiss as their new manager.
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Oilers Have High Hopes for Three-Peat Visit to Stanley Cup Finals
Edmonton has come up short in the past two finals to the Florida Panthers, but they still have McDavid and Draisaitl.
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Toronto’s Pitching Gem Yesavage Has Bright MLB Future With American League Champs
The Blue Jays 2025 rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage has a bright MLB future, with just 25 minor league appearances and three regular season games credited.
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Dodgers’ Smith Keeps Name Streak Going for World Series Winning Team
Since the 2020 World Series there has been a Will Smith on every championship team. Each Will Smith, the catcher and the pitcher, has three rings.
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Minnesota Twins Pin Hopes on Shelton to Manage Club Back to Prominence
Having coached and managed on the MLB level for 21 seasons, Derek Shelton is well qualified to be named the Minnesota Twins’ 15th all-time skipper.
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Maple Leafs’ Tavares Reaches NHL Milestone of 500th Goal in All-Star Career
Since going pro with the New York Islanders in 2009, John Tavares has averaged 29 goals per season.
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‘Mission Accomplished’ for Lamont’s Mentoring Pirates Rookie Manager in 2025
When asked by the Pittsburgh Pirates to mentor Don Kelly last May after Derek Shelton was fired, Gene Lamont answered the call.
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Jones’s Passing Has Colts Dominating AFC South in Season’s First Half
Prior to quarterback Daniel Jones joining the Indianapolis Colts in 2025, the team has missed the playoffs the last four seasons.
|
Penguins’ Crosby Still NHL Scoring Threat After 2 Decades of Skating
Now in his 21st NHL season, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby has tallied 20 points and scored 11 goals in 16 games.
|
The Wheeler Wait Continues as Phillies Hope for Ace’s Comeback in 2026
Since his first season with the Phillies in 2020, Zack Wheeler has averaged 182.3 strikeouts, 11.5 wins, and has a sub-3.00 ERA.
|
Braves Welcome Weiss as New Field Boss for 2026 MLB Season
After missing the postseason for the first time in seven seasons in 2025, the Atlanta Braves have hired Walt Weiss as their new manager.
|
Oilers Have High Hopes for Three-Peat Visit to Stanley Cup Finals
Edmonton has come up short in the past two finals to the Florida Panthers, but they still have McDavid and Draisaitl.
|
Toronto’s Pitching Gem Yesavage Has Bright MLB Future With American League Champs
The Blue Jays 2025 rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage has a bright MLB future, with just 25 minor league appearances and three regular season games credited.
|
Dodgers’ Smith Keeps Name Streak Going for World Series Winning Team
Since the 2020 World Series there has been a Will Smith on every championship team. Each Will Smith, the catcher and the pitcher, has three rings.
|
Minnesota Twins Pin Hopes on Shelton to Manage Club Back to Prominence
Having coached and managed on the MLB level for 21 seasons, Derek Shelton is well qualified to be named the Minnesota Twins’ 15th all-time skipper.
|
Maple Leafs’ Tavares Reaches NHL Milestone of 500th Goal in All-Star Career
Since going pro with the New York Islanders in 2009, John Tavares has averaged 29 goals per season.
|
‘Mission Accomplished’ for Lamont’s Mentoring Pirates Rookie Manager in 2025
When asked by the Pittsburgh Pirates to mentor Don Kelly last May after Derek Shelton was fired, Gene Lamont answered the call.
|