IJR News

Rockies Fire Pitching Coach After Staff Posts MLB-Worst ERA — Oct 15, 2026The Colorado Rockies fired pitching coach Alon Leichman after one season, following a year in which their staff posted the majors’ worst ERA amid the team’s fourth straight 100-loss season. Team officials said the club needs new approaches to its persistent pitching problems, though reports noted the roster’s lack of reliable arms and the challenges of pitching at altitude also contributed.

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Sam Okafor One coach change won't fix the lack of talent, but at least they're trying something different this time.

Messi, Sullivan Named MLS MVP Finalists — 9hLionel Messi and 17-year-old Cavan Sullivan headline the five finalists for MLS MVP: Messi is seeking a record third win after leading the league with 26 goals, while Sullivan is the youngest player ever shortlisted. Sullivan is also a Young Player of the Year finalist, and MLS will announce award winners during the playoffs.

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Elena Vasquez Sullivan at 17 on the MVP shortlist is impressive but the award should stay with proven scorers.

Five umpires sue MLB over alleged pension underpayments — Nov 5, 2026Five retired MLB umpires, including Joe West, are suing the league’s retirement plan, alleging its pension formula was misapplied and left them underpaid by about $2 million. Their attorney says at least two dozen other retired umpires may also have been affected; MLB declined to comment on the active lawsuit.

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Dana Whitfield Staying silent on an active lawsuit like this only makes the league look like they have something to hide.

MLS sets 14-game Sprint Season for 2027 calendar shiftSports — Oct 29, 2026MLS’s 2027 “Sprint Season” will begin Feb. 19 with Inter Miami hosting FC Cincinnati, as all 30 clubs play a 14-game, conference-only regular season before single-elimination playoffs and an MLS Cup final in late May. The abbreviated campaign bridges the league’s shift to a summer-to-spring schedule beginning in July 2027, with matches streamed on Apple TV.

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Orioles Owner Says MLB Teams Profit as Salary Cap Debate Looms — Oct 16, 2026Orioles owner David Rubenstein said MLB team owners can make substantial profits, while also describing his purchase of the team as a way to help Baltimore. His candid remarks come as MLB owners push for a salary cap ahead of labor negotiations, despite a postseason featuring small-market teams.

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Most Influential Women in World HistoryYourlist — RankingFrom ancient queens who ruled empires to modern activists who changed laws, these women left indelible marks on politics, science, and culture. Vote for who you think shaped history most profoundly.

Shotzi Blackheart reportedly signs with TNA Wrestling after MLW exit — Oct 14, 2026Shotzi Blackheart has signed with TNA Wrestling after her MLW contract expired on October 5 and she appeared at the promotion’s television tapings in Alabama. MLW reportedly remains on good terms with her, while Blackheart withdrew from a CMLL event following her brother’s death.

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Wheeler, Alvarez Win MLB Comeback Awards — 1dPhillies pitcher Zack Wheeler and Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez were named MLB’s National and American League Comeback Players of the Year after returning from injury. Alvarez also won the AL batting title and designated hitter award, while Wheeler went 14-5 with a 3.00 ERA in his comeback season.

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Jared Kim Alvarez earned every bit of those extra awards with the way he hit after getting healthy again.

Chattanooga FC Wins Historic MLS Next Pro CupSports — 6dChattanooga FC beat Los Angeles FC 2, 1-0, to win the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Cup, becoming the league’s first independent club champion and claiming Chattanooga’s first professional sports title. Damien Barker John scored the decisive goal before CFC held off LAFC 2 in front of a record 10,228 fans at Finley Stadium.

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Nashville SC Sets MLS Points Record With 77 — 6dNashville SC finished the regular season with a record 77 points after Sam Surridge scored twice in a 2-0 win at FC Cincinnati, earning the Supporters’ Shield and top playoff seed. The club also set several defensive and home-field records and will host its playoff series as it pursues its first MLS Cup.

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Portland seeks playoff berth at Austin on MLS Decision DaySports — 6dPortland Timbers visited Austin on MLS Decision Day seeking to secure a Western Conference playoff berth, with a win also potentially lifting them out of the wild-card play-in. Portland entered on a three-game winning streak, while struggling Austin aimed to end its season on a high note; a live update reported Portland leading 1-0 at halftime.

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Messi Becomes First to Win Consecutive MLS Golden Boots — 6dLionel Messi won his second consecutive MLS Golden Boot with 26 goals, becoming the first player in league history to claim the scoring title in back-to-back seasons. He also recorded 17 assists as Inter Miami topped the league with 80 goals, though the team let a 3-0 lead slip in a 3-3 draw with Charlotte to close the regular season.

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Quentin Tarantino vs Martin ScorseseYourlist — VS BattleThe video store savant versus the film-school don — two visions of American violence, guilt, and cool.

Chicago Fire to Host Charlotte FC in MLS Playoff Series OpenerSports — 4dChicago Fire FC, the Eastern Conference’s No. 4 seed, will host No. 5 Charlotte FC in Game 1 of their best-of-three MLS Cup Playoffs series on Nov. 22 at SeatGeek Stadium; Game 2 is Nov. 28 in Charlotte, with a decisive Game 3 back in Bridgeview on Dec. 2 if needed. Tied matches go directly to penalty kicks, and the winner of two games advances to the conference semifinals.

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Priya Raman Charlotte can pull an upset if they defend well away from home in the first game.

Crow-Armstrong, Bellinger win MLB Platinum Gloves — 6dPete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs and Cody Bellinger of the New York Yankees won the 2026 National and American League Platinum Gloves, respectively. The awards combine fan voting with defensive metrics, with Crow-Armstrong leading MLB in outs above average and Bellinger posting standout defensive numbers; the Cubs and Blue Jays also won their leagues’ Team Defense Awards.

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Chattanooga FC Becomes First Independent MLS NEXT FinalistSports — Nov 2, 2026Chattanooga FC rallied from a 2-0 deficit to beat Columbus Crew 2, 3-2, on Farid Sar-Sar’s stoppage-time header, winning its first MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference title. The club becomes the league’s first independent team to reach the Cup final and will host LAFC 2 on Nov. 8.

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Union Captain Bedoya Plans Retirement After 2026 Season — Nov 2, 2026Philadelphia Union captain Alejandro Bedoya will retire after the 2026 MLS season, ending a 17-year professional career. Since joining the club in 2016, he helped lead Philadelphia to two Supporters’ Shields and its first MLS Cup final, while earning 66 caps for the U.S. national team.

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Derek Foss His 66 national team caps show real consistency over the years. The team will need to find a new captain who can match that level of play.

Pick a food for every letter and the AI reveals your futureQuizie — QuizA to (almost) Z, one delicious decision at a time. At the end, the AI reads your feast like tea leaves and tells your fortune.

MLB delays salary cap proposal to 2028 amid union pushbackSports — Nov 3, 2026MLB proposed a $258.2M salary cap and $180.2M floor starting in 2028—up from $245.3M and $171.2M—delaying the system one year as free agency opened.

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Tom Gallagher Pushing the cap to 2028 might buy time but the numbers still look too low for competitive balance.

Eight MLB Players Receive $23.15 Million Qualifying Offers — Nov 2, 2026Eight impending MLB free agents, including Seiya Suzuki, Randy Arozarena and David Bednar, received qualifying offers worth $23.15 million. They have until Nov. 17 to accept; if they decline and sign elsewhere, their former teams can receive draft-pick compensation.

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Dana Whitfield The draft compensation aspect makes these offers feel like a trap for the players.

MLB Teams Weigh Offseason Moves for 2027 — Oct 29, 2026With MLB free agency underway, teams are weighing 2027 roster plans: Washington claimed reliever Braxton Roxby and is expected to seek pitching help, while Pittsburgh and St. Louis are assessing projected lineups and rotations. The offseason unfolds amid uncertainty over labor negotiations and a possible lockout when the current agreement expires Dec. 1.

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Griezmann hits 12-game MLS streak in Fire-Orlando draw — Oct 29, 2026Chicago rallied from a 2-0 deficit to draw Orlando City 2-2, with Jonathan Bamba assisting Maren Haile-Selassie’s equalizer. Antoine Griezmann scored and assisted for Orlando, extending his MLS record-tying run of goal contributions to 12 consecutive regular-season matches; the draw left Chicago fourth and Orlando seventh in the Eastern Conference.

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Rachel Meyers Chicago's comeback from two down shows they have the fight needed to hold fourth in the East.

Philadelphia Union Clinch 2026 MLS Playoff BerthSports — Oct 29, 2026The Philadelphia Union clinched a berth in the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs after New England’s win over the New York Red Bulls, then drew 0-0 with Supporters’ Shield winners Nashville SC. Philadelphia has two regular-season games left to improve its Eastern Conference position and potential home-field advantage.

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Rachel Meyers Two games left to move up the table and maybe lock in a home playoff game.

Diamondbacks Share MLB Lead With 10 Walk-OffsSports — Oct 27, 2026The Arizona Diamondbacks recorded 10 walk-off wins in 2026, tying the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners for the most in MLB. Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll and Ryan Waldschmidt were among the players delivering the late-game heroics.

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Mlodinow book argues chance outweighs skill in many outcomes — Oct 30, 2026Mlodinow shows that brains invent skill and causes where randomness actually rules, warping medicine, investing, and careers.

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St. Louis City hosts Portland in MLS playoff raceSports — Oct 27, 2026Third-place St. Louis City hosts 11th-place Portland Timbers in an MLS match with playoff stakes: St. Louis has already secured a postseason berth and is chasing a top Western Conference seed, while Portland is trying to close the gap to the playoff places. St. Louis is looking to rebound from recent league losses, while Portland comes in off a 3-2 win over Charlotte.

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MLB Teams Eye Free-Agent Reunions With Arraez, GausmanSports — Oct 19, 2026As MLB teams assess their needs for the coming season, the Cardinals, Twins and Giants could consider former players on the free-agent market. Potential reunion options include starting pitchers for St. Louis, Luis Arraez and Ty France for Minnesota, and Kevin Gausman and Arraez for San Francisco.

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Developing storylines

2026 MLB stretch run: wild-card races and top performances

2026 MLS season playoff races and streaks