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
Twins’ New Manager Shelton Already Dealing With Pitching Injuries
Minnesota finished 18 games behind Cleveland in the AL Central last season, and the Twins will need career years from their starters to keep pace in 2026.
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Ducks’ Quenneville Notches 1,000th NHL Coaching Victory, Becomes 2nd to Reach Milestone
Since his first head coaching assignment in 1997 with the St. Louis Blues, Joel Quenneville has won three Stanley Cup championships and 1,000 games.
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Strong Pitching Roster Gives Tigers a Short Window to Win Big in 2026
With aces Skubal and Valdez, plus a returning Justin Verlander, Detroit has assembled a potent rotation. But keeping the pieces together won’t be easy.
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West Point Grad and MLB Hopeful Derek Berg Balancing 2 Career Goals
In his four seasons playing baseball for the West Point Black Knights, Derek Berg was part of four NCAA Division I Patriot League championship teams.
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Orioles Catcher Rutschman Happy to Sign Autographs—and Get a Few Himself
Among the items he’s often asked to sign are trading cards. An Adley Rutschman card can fetch a bundle.
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Team USA Olympic Success Sends Inspiring Signal as NHL Season Resumes
Several of Team USA men’s hockey gold medalists are experiencing subpar NHL performances this season.
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Bill Mazeroski, Pittsburgh Pirates Legend and Baseball Hall of Famer, Dies at 89
The Pittsburgh Pirates legend, after an all-star filled 17-year MLB career, was inducted in 2001 into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
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Four MLB Players Could Hit Their 400th Home Run in 2026, and One Is Near 500
Among pitchers, Tigers’ closer Kenley Jansen needs only two saves to tie Lee Smith with 478, trailing only Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman.
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Grahame’s Olympic Pride From 2006 Winter Games Has Lasting Effect in Life After Hockey
Grahame embraced what he remembers as an honor: putting personal goals on hold in favor of a collective opportunity to wear the Red, White, and Blue.
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MLB to Combat Pitch Tipping: Umpires in 2026 to Enforce Base Coaches’ Positioning
MLB umpires in 2026 are expected to strictly enforce a rule requiring first- and third-base coaches to remain in their designated boxes.
|
Twins’ New Manager Shelton Already Dealing With Pitching Injuries
Minnesota finished 18 games behind Cleveland in the AL Central last season, and the Twins will need career years from their starters to keep pace in 2026.
|
Ducks’ Quenneville Notches 1,000th NHL Coaching Victory, Becomes 2nd to Reach Milestone
Since his first head coaching assignment in 1997 with the St. Louis Blues, Joel Quenneville has won three Stanley Cup championships and 1,000 games.
|
Strong Pitching Roster Gives Tigers a Short Window to Win Big in 2026
With aces Skubal and Valdez, plus a returning Justin Verlander, Detroit has assembled a potent rotation. But keeping the pieces together won’t be easy.
|
West Point Grad and MLB Hopeful Derek Berg Balancing 2 Career Goals
In his four seasons playing baseball for the West Point Black Knights, Derek Berg was part of four NCAA Division I Patriot League championship teams.
|
Orioles Catcher Rutschman Happy to Sign Autographs—and Get a Few Himself
Among the items he’s often asked to sign are trading cards. An Adley Rutschman card can fetch a bundle.
|
Team USA Olympic Success Sends Inspiring Signal as NHL Season Resumes
Several of Team USA men’s hockey gold medalists are experiencing subpar NHL performances this season.
|
Bill Mazeroski, Pittsburgh Pirates Legend and Baseball Hall of Famer, Dies at 89
The Pittsburgh Pirates legend, after an all-star filled 17-year MLB career, was inducted in 2001 into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
|
Four MLB Players Could Hit Their 400th Home Run in 2026, and One Is Near 500
Among pitchers, Tigers’ closer Kenley Jansen needs only two saves to tie Lee Smith with 478, trailing only Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman.
|
Grahame’s Olympic Pride From 2006 Winter Games Has Lasting Effect in Life After Hockey
Grahame embraced what he remembers as an honor: putting personal goals on hold in favor of a collective opportunity to wear the Red, White, and Blue.
|
MLB to Combat Pitch Tipping: Umpires in 2026 to Enforce Base Coaches’ Positioning
MLB umpires in 2026 are expected to strictly enforce a rule requiring first- and third-base coaches to remain in their designated boxes.
|