The Philadelphia Phillies sign a left-hander from the Boston Red Sox organization while the Tampa Bay Rays give their fans a ticket price reduction. That and a nice name drop during Super Bowl media coverage highlights today’s version of our MLB news and notes.
Philadelphia Phillies news: Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Kyle Hart inks minor league deal
According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, Hart will head to the Phillies organization after electing free agency from the Red Sox back in November. Selected by Boston in the 19th round of the 2016 MLB draft, the 30-year-old appeared in four games for the Red Sox during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, making three starts in his only MLB action. He gave up 21 runs (19 earned) in 11.0 innings while surrendering four homers during that stretch as well. MLB opponents hit .429 against him that season.
Hart pitched in both Double-A and Triple-A last season, and will likely provide starting pitching depth for the Phillies in the minors to begin the campaign.
Tampa Bay Rays news: Some ticket prices dropping
In an effort to help improve attendance after averaging 13,927 fans per game (28th in MLB) last season, the Rays have announced that a select number of tickets will go for $10 for every game during the upcoming season.
News: #Rays to offer $10 tickets to all 2023 regular-season home games, with seating in Party Deck above LF and select lower level areas. Will go on sale 10 a.m. Friday; supply is limited and tickets are not transferable.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) February 7, 2023
The “not transferable” part is key as those tickets can’t be resold for higher value on third-party sites. Tampa Bay opens the 2023 season at home on March 30 against the Detroit Tigers.
MLB news: Patrick Mahomes gives Negro Leagues Baseball Museum a Super Bowl shout-out
Mahomes may be leading the Kansas City Chiefs into the Super Bowl, but he also has baseball coursing through his veins, thanks in part to his father’s 11-year MLB career and his own very memorable outing on the mound while at Texas Tech.
As part of the Kansas City community, Mahomes is a big fan of what has been to tell the history of the Negro Leagues at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. He gave the museum (and the inclusion of the Negro Leagues in one of the most popular video games on the market) a special nod during the Super Bowl Media Day leading up to the big game on Sunday.
"Adding [the Negro Leagues] into @MLBTheShow is just another step in the right direction."@PatrickMahomes speaks on his experience with the history and value of the Negro League Museum in Kansas City during #SuperBowlLVII Opening Night on FS1. pic.twitter.com/EVaBYBH35D
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 7, 2023