Author: Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY

LaTroy Hawkins was never an All-Star but was widely admired and respected on and off the field. For that and more, he’s got Bob Nightengale’s vote.

Hank Aaron, one of baseball’s all-time greats and an even better person off the field, died at the age of 86 on Friday.

Jon Lester, one of the greatest free-agent signings in Cubs history, was supposed to leave Chicago on his terms. But the team turned its back on him.

If this were just about numbers, Roger Clemens would have been inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame eight years ago. Instead, PED ties taint legacy.

George Springer’s six-year, $150 million contract is the largest in franchise history.

Porter admitted to sending lewd and uninvited text messages and images to a female reporter in 2016.

The Mets were lauded after hiring Jared Porter as their next GM, only to find out he’s not the person they thought they hired.

Jeff Kent has more home runs than any second baseman in history, but hasn’t seen much of a rise in support entering his eighth year on the ballot.

MLB plans to keep the seven-inning doubleheader and runner on second base in extra innings, but the DH and expanded playoff format still unresolved.

Spring training starts soon with the pandemic still ravaging, but MLB players are optimistic they can handle it after going through it last year.