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
Guardians’ Ramirez Signs 7-Year Extension, Will Remain Club’s Cornerstone Through 2032
Still in search of his first American League MVP and the first Cleveland World Series championship since 1948, Jose Ramirez is committed to accomplish both.
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Bader Signing Strengthens Giants’ 2026 Outfield Defensively
The San Francisco Giants will be a stronger team defensively in 2026 with the signing of Rawlings Gold Glove Award center fielder Harrison Bader.
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MLB Saves Specialist Kimbrel Attending Spring Training With Mets on Minor League Deal
Kimbrel ranks fifth all-time among MLB relief pitchers with 440 saves, but his 2025 season was not promising. Can he help the retooled Mets reach the playoffs?
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Gibbons Offers Experience to Angels as Bench Coach for Rookie Manager Suzuki
Los Angeles Angels rookie manager Kurt Suzuki’s 2026 bench coach John Gibbons managed in Toronto for 11 seasons.
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Gore Trade to Texas Offers 2nd Chance to Make 1st Impression as Front-Line Pitcher
After three seasons with the Washington Nationals, left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore was traded to the Texas Rangers on Jan. 22.
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Peralta’s Pitching Key to Mets Rebounding From Disappointing 2025 Season
Right-handed starting pitcher Freddy Peralta is the new ace of the New York Mets rotation. In 2025, Peralta led the National League with 17 wins.
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NFL Buccaneers Hand Off Stadium to NHL Lightning; Tampa Bay Prepares for First Outdoor Game
If all goes to plan, the NHL expects to have the rink built in four days. Making the ice ready for the game should take seven days.
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Baseball Hall of Fame Adds 2 New Members, Beltran and Jones, to Complete Class of 2026
Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones, both former Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners, have been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
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Pastrnak’s Scoring, New Coach Put Retooled Bruins on Path to Postseason Return
Boston finished last in its division last year, but rookie coach Marco Sturm has the team headed for a wild-card berth, with the help of his star right wing.
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Eugenio Suarez’s Bat Has No Shortage of Interest Among MLB Free Agents
Free Agent third baseman Eugenio Suarez has pop in his bat. In 2025, Suarez produced an .824 OPS, 49 home runs, and 118 RBIs.
|
Guardians’ Ramirez Signs 7-Year Extension, Will Remain Club’s Cornerstone Through 2032
Still in search of his first American League MVP and the first Cleveland World Series championship since 1948, Jose Ramirez is committed to accomplish both.
|
Bader Signing Strengthens Giants’ 2026 Outfield Defensively
The San Francisco Giants will be a stronger team defensively in 2026 with the signing of Rawlings Gold Glove Award center fielder Harrison Bader.
|
MLB Saves Specialist Kimbrel Attending Spring Training With Mets on Minor League Deal
Kimbrel ranks fifth all-time among MLB relief pitchers with 440 saves, but his 2025 season was not promising. Can he help the retooled Mets reach the playoffs?
|
Gibbons Offers Experience to Angels as Bench Coach for Rookie Manager Suzuki
Los Angeles Angels rookie manager Kurt Suzuki’s 2026 bench coach John Gibbons managed in Toronto for 11 seasons.
|
Gore Trade to Texas Offers 2nd Chance to Make 1st Impression as Front-Line Pitcher
After three seasons with the Washington Nationals, left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore was traded to the Texas Rangers on Jan. 22.
|
Peralta’s Pitching Key to Mets Rebounding From Disappointing 2025 Season
Right-handed starting pitcher Freddy Peralta is the new ace of the New York Mets rotation. In 2025, Peralta led the National League with 17 wins.
|
NFL Buccaneers Hand Off Stadium to NHL Lightning; Tampa Bay Prepares for First Outdoor Game
If all goes to plan, the NHL expects to have the rink built in four days. Making the ice ready for the game should take seven days.
|
Baseball Hall of Fame Adds 2 New Members, Beltran and Jones, to Complete Class of 2026
Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones, both former Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners, have been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
|
Pastrnak’s Scoring, New Coach Put Retooled Bruins on Path to Postseason Return
Boston finished last in its division last year, but rookie coach Marco Sturm has the team headed for a wild-card berth, with the help of his star right wing.
|
Eugenio Suarez’s Bat Has No Shortage of Interest Among MLB Free Agents
Free Agent third baseman Eugenio Suarez has pop in his bat. In 2025, Suarez produced an .824 OPS, 49 home runs, and 118 RBIs.
|