Sports

Former Dodger Jason Heyward already making his mark with Astros

Published

1 year ago

September 14, 2024

Former Dodger Jason Heyward already making his mark with Astros

There are two outs and two baserunners in the top of the eighth inning of a World Series game in Dodger Stadium, the Houston Astros are down by two, and to the plate comes pinch-hitter Jason Heyward, whose last at-bat in Chavez Ravine produced a game-winning, pinch-hit three-run home run for the Dodgers on Aug. 20.

Can you imagine?

Heyward claims he hasn’t entertained the thought, even though the scenario would give the 35-year-old outfielder a chance to exact revenge on the team that designated him for assignment two days after his dramatic eighth-inning homer off Seattle closer Andrés Muñoz gave the Dodgers a 6-3 victory over the Mariners.

“We’ve got a lot of stuff to take care of before that happens,” said Heyward, who signed with the American League West-leading Astros on Aug. 29 and is in Anaheim for a three-game weekend series against the Angels.

“If I’m thinking about stuff like that, then I’m not thinking about what I have to do tonight. I’m thinking too far ahead. I have an opportunity right here in front of me.”

Typical Heyward. Staying “where my feet are,” as he likes to say, remaining humble, acting like a true professional, some of the traits that made him one of the most respected and well-liked players on the Dodgers and have endeared him to his new teammates in Houston.

“When you bring someone in like that, it was more than a necessity we had in right field,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “It’s his experience, the respect he has from teammates and coaches, a voice that could influence some of your younger players and fit right in with our winning culture.

“He’s been exactly what we expected and more, because he’s not only contributing on the field, he has a voice, and he’s not afraid of opening up and helping our guys. He won in Chicago. He won in L.A. He knows what that air of winning feels like.”

Heyward made a good first impression in his Astros debut with a two-run double in a 6-3 win over Kansas City in Minute Maid Park on Aug. 29. He hit a two-run homer in Houston’s 6-3 win over Oakland on Thursday.

There wasn’t much in between. The left-handed-hitting Heyward has made five starts in right field, as the Astros ease starter Kyle Tucker back from a right-shin fracture, and Heyward entered Saturday with a .143 average (three for 21) and four RBIs in 12 games.

“The challenge is that your role is not necessarily going to be defined — t’s always going to be what’s best to help the team win,” said Heyward, who has been traded once and released twice but had never switched teams in-season during his 15-year career.

“To come to a new clubhouse this late, you want to get acclimated and as comfortable as you can right away. You have to do that at an expedited pace, because you also want to focus on your job and help the team win.”

Heyward’s contributions don’t always show up in the box score. He struck out in two at-bats against Arizona last weekend, but he had a hand in the Astros winning two of three games from the Diamondbacks.

“That was a team he’s seen a lot of, so in our pre-series meeting, he had a lot of information to share,” Espada said. “When one of their pitchers came in from the bullpen, he became kind of a hitting coach, because he’s faced those guys and sees patterns, so he helps guys out. That’s been huge.”

Houston reliever Caleb Ferguson, a Dodgers teammate of Heyward in 2023, has already seen the leadership qualities Heyward displayed in Los Angeles.

“To see a player who’s had a career like his be locked in every single pitch, whether he’s playing or not playing, can open some eyes,” Ferguson said. “It’s like, ‘Wow, OK, everything they do is with intent,’ and I think it’s good.”

Heyward, who helped the Cubs win the 2016 World Series, signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers and hit .269 with an .813 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, 15 homers and 40 RBIs in 124 games in 2023.

He returned on a one-year, $9-million deal this season but missed six weeks of April and May because of a back injury, two weeks of July because of a knee injury and hit .208 with a .682 OPS, six homers and 28 RBIs in 63 games.

Heyward was reduced to a pinch-hitting role when Mookie Betts moved from shortstop back to right field upon returning from a left-hand fracture on Aug. 12. With the Dodgers needing a spot for veteran utility man Chris Taylor, Heyward was the odd man out in a roster crunch.

“I don’t think I have to be bitter [toward the Dodgers],” Heyward said. “I left it out there on the field. It’s part of the game, part of the business. The people in the front office are always going to do what they think is best for the team to win, and that’s that.”

Espada did not know how Heyward’s Dodgers career ended before a reporter informed him of the pinch-hit homer on Friday. It turns out Heyward’s final hit for his former team helped his new team retain a five-game AL West lead over the Mariners that night.

“Wow, well thank you, Jason Heyward,” Espada said, “and then he comes here and he’s helping us win games, too.”

Sports

Jerry Jones opens up on Cowboys’ shortcomings during 2025 season

Published

6 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Jerry Jones opens up on Cowboys’ shortcomings during 2025 season

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The Dallas Cowboys’ Super Bowl drought increased to 30 years as the team was eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday and then lost to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

The Cowboys showed tremendous heart during the season after the defense was gutted when star pass rusher Micah Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers. Dallas picked up big wins over the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants, as well as a tie with the Packers.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones before a game against the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium on Dec. 14, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)

Ultimately, the Cowboys lost their last three games and found themselves on the outside looking in on the playoffs once more. Dallas dropped to 6-8-1 after the loss to Los Angeles, and team owner Jerry Jones opened up about some of the team’s shortcomings.

“I really am better when I’m getting my a– kicked than I am when I’m having success,” he said, via The Athletic. “I’ve seen some of the decisions I’ve made work.

“We get one team that gets to go to that Super Bowl every year. Two that get to go to those (conference championship) playoff games. I’m looking forward next year to getting back in that championship game and maybe beyond. And then I’ll be right at the top of the list of how long it’s been since you’ve been to one. And that’s how you do it. Right at the top. And this will all go away.”

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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) prepares to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Jones did take away some positivity from the 2025 season. He acknowledged the team “underachieved” but there were some things that the team could carry forward into 2026.

Particularly, Jones said he was impressed with how Dak Prescott played during the year.

Prescott has 4,175 passing yards and 28 touchdown passes this season. He’s leading the NFL in completions (378) and passing attempts (552). Both George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards for the season.

“I am pleased with what we have in Dak, very pleased going forward,” he said, via the team’s website. “Nothing we’ve done so far this season gives me anything but optimism about going forward at one of the key, if not the key position.”

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Dallas has the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants left on its schedule.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

Sports

Palisades starts out as City Section basketball favorite in top 10 rankings

Published

7 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Palisades starts out as City Section basketball favorite in top 10 rankings

It’s time to take a look at the City Section’s top boys’ basketball teams a little more than a month into the season:

1. PALISADES (2-4): The Popoola twins, EJ and OJ, combined with freshman Phillip Reed, make the Dolphins the City Section Open Division title favorites.

2. WASHINGTON PREP (6-4): Jayshawn Kibble is a candidate for City player of the year.

3. CLEVELAND (5-4): Sophomore guard Charlie Adams becomes eligible Friday.

4. GRANADA HILLS (6-3): Help coming when sit-out transfer period ends Friday.

5. SAN PEDRO (7-3): Lots of varsity experience could result in Marine League title.

6. VENICE (5-8): Win over Fairfax, one-point loss to San Pedro.

7. BIRMINGHAM (4-2): Patriots like being under the radar.

8. TAFT (5-4): Turnaround showing progress ahead of schedule.

9. FAIRFAX (5-2): Young players making progress.

10. EL CAMINO REAL (7-5): One-point loss to Chaminade offers hope.

Sports

Broncos’ Pat Bryant placed on backboard, carted off field after scary hit in loss to Jaguars

Published

18 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Broncos’ Pat Bryant placed on backboard, carted off field after scary hit in loss to Jaguars

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Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant was carted off the field in the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars after a vicious hit that was scary to look at.

Bryant was attempting to make a catch with just seconds left at Empower Field when Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown came flying in and crashed into him to break it up.

One could hear how hard Bryant was hit with the broadcast picking up the cracking of helmet and pads as he went to the turf.

Pat Bryant of the Denver Broncos is carted off the field during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field At Mile High on Dec. 21, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Bryant stayed down on the field after the play, and he wasn’t moving much as Broncos trainers came running out to look at him on the turf.

After several minutes of evaluation, Bryant was loaded onto a stretcher and carted off the field. There was obvious concern throughout the stadium for Bryant, and it was later reported that he was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

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Broncos head coach Sean Payton, speaking after his first loss in 12 games, gave an update on Bryant, saying that he “had movement” in his extremities, and it was “encouraging” to see, per 9News’ Mike Klis.

Of course, any time a player is loaded onto a stretcher, thoughts of the worst immediately enter the mind. Luckily, Bryant’s hospital visit was only to ensure everything was fine.

The Broncos moved to 12-3 after the loss at home, a 34-20 defeat at the hands of a red-hot Jaguars squad who have now won six straight games.

At 11-4, the Jaguars remain one win above the Houston Texans for the AFC South lead, though they are likely headed to the playoffs one way or another.

Meanwhile, the Broncos have already clinched their shot at a Vince Lombardi Trophy, having won 12 games this season for the best record in the AFC to date. Only the New England Patriots could reach 12 wins this week if they defeat the Baltimore Ravens on “Sunday Night Football.”

Bryant finished the game with five catches for 42 yards. He has totaled 27 catches for 347 yards and a touchdown this season in a loaded Broncos receiving room.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.