TBNL: A Dodgers dog, a KBO trade, an ugly debut, and a new Banana

Good Dodgers dog

Pro athletes across all sports have seen an increase in their homes being burglarized in recent years, particularly when teams are on the road during the season. It’s become such an epidemic that the FBI has issued warnings to players through the leagues about what they share on social media about their homes.

Diamondbacks infielder Ketel Marte’s home was broken into during the All-Star break, resulting in an estimated $400,000 in losses and damages. Marte would leave the team for a few days to deal with the situation at home.

On Wednesday, with the Dodgers in Cincinnati, right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s home was targeted. Thankfully for Yamamoto, his dog barked loud enough upon hearing a back door being broken into and woke up a staff member staying at the house. The police were called, and three people were reportedly seen running from the property, according to a report from NBC Los Angeles. Nothing was taken.

Running wild

Nine players entered August with 27 or more stolen bases on the season: José Caballero (34), Oneil Cruz (34), José Ramirez (32), Chandler Simpson (32), Pete Crow-Armstrong (29), Elly De La Cruz (29), Victor Scott II (29), Bobby Witt Jr. (29), Luis Robert (27).

Dodgers minor league outfielder Kendall George stole 27 bases in July.

George, Los Angeles’s first-round pick in 2023, has swiped 58 bags in 83 games this season with High-A Great Lakes, exceeding the 36 steals he had last season at Class-A Rancho Cucamonga. The 20-year-old is batting .256/.374/.343 this year.

More fun with numbers

Andrew McCutchen made history on Monday, hitting a seventh-inning solo home run against the Giants. The home run, McCutchen’s 10th of the year, gave him 17 straight seasons in which he’s reached double-digits in home runs.

He’s just the 11th player to reach the accomplishment, joining Hank Aaron (23), Eddie Murray (20), Carl Yastrzemski (20), Barry Bonds (19), Albert Pujols (19), Frank Robinson (19), Harold Baines (18), Mickey Mantle (18), Jeff Kent (17), and Willie McCovey (17). Only Kent is not in the Hall of Fame.

Meanwhile, José Ramirez singled and promptly stole second base in the first inning on Friday against the Twins. The steal was the 275th of Ramirez’s career, making him the 17th player ever with 275+ home runs and 275+ stolen bases.

He’s the first to primarily play third base (more than 50% of his career games) and just the second switch-hitter (Carlos Beltran).

Obligatory Rich Hill update

Kansas City released Hill on Friday. I know it’s a long shot that his career continues at this point, but until he officially announces his retirement, I will remain hopeful.

A big KBO trade

Thursday was not just MLB’s trade deadline, but also the KBO’s, and the league saw a blockbuster completed. Ah-seop Son, one of the best hitters in league history, was traded to the Hanwha Eagles, who hold the best record, for a 3rd-round draft pick and cash.

Son has slashed .320/.392/.453 over his 19-year career. His 2,583 career hits are the most all-time. He spent the first 15 years of his career with the Lotte Giants before joining the Dinos. As the Yonhap News Agency’s Jee-ho Yoo points out, Son is viewed as one of the league’s best hitters to never win a championship, a fate which could change now that he’s joining the Eagles.

An ugly debut

Sigh. And you wonder why I’ve been so critical of Brian Cashman the last few years.

New York was up 6-0 at one point against the Marlins. Miami won on a walk-off, 13-12.

Elsewhere, around the sport …

• Oliver Drake (2018) and Mike Baumann (2024) each appeared in the majors with five different teams in one season, setting the MLB record. Jose Urena has pitched for the Dodgers, Mets, and Blue Jays already this season. The Twins called up the right-hander to their active roster on Friday after an exceptionally busy trade deadline. Even with a depleted roster, he’s going to have to pitch well to stick in that bullpen for long.

• The Cubs played their first home game since Ryne Sandberg’s passing earlier in the week, asking the crowd to keep silent for 23 seconds before the game and painting his number on the field behind home plate in his honor.

• It was somewhat expected, but MLB officially announced on Friday that the 2027 All-Star Game will be held at Chicago’s Wrigley Field. This will be the fourth time the game has been held at Wrigley and the first since 1990. Next summer’s game is in Philadelphia.

• Kelsie Whitmore, the first woman to play professionally in the independent leagues after a standout career with the US Women’s National Team, has signed on to play with the Savannah Bananas for the rest of their season.