Donald Laible
Author
Don has covered pro baseball for several decades, beginning in the minor leagues as a radio broadcaster in the NY Mets organization. His Ice Chips & Diamond Dust blog ran from 2012-2020 at uticaod.com. His baseball passion surrounds anything concerning the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and writing features on the players and staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Don currently resides in southwest Florida.
LATEST
NHL Stars Set to Shine on Olympic Ice for the First Time Since 2014
At least one player from each NHL team will participate as a dozen countries compete in Italy. But don’t look for Russians.
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Tampa Bay Rays’ New Stadium Proposal Has Backing of MLB Commissioner and Florida Governor
In their 28 seasons playing home games in St. Petersburg-based Tropicana Field, only once has the Tampa Bay Rays topped MLB’s average attendance mark.
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ChiSox Busy 2026 Off-Season Gives Hope Club May Escape American League Central Cellar
The Chicago White Sox had a busy off-season. Seven key player acquisitions should bolster the club’s roster and better its 2025 60–102 record.
|
Netflix Documentary ‘Miracle: The Boys of ‘80’ Details USA Olympic Hockey Tale
After Team USA captured the gold medal in 1980 in men’s hockey at the Winter Olympics, 13 of the Americans would play in the NHL.
|
Guardians’ Ramirez Signs 7-Year Extension, Will Remain Club’s Cornerstone Through 2032
Still in search of his first American League MVP and the first Cleveland World Series championship since 1948, Jose Ramirez is committed to accomplish both.
|
Bader Signing Strengthens Giants’ 2026 Outfield Defensively
The San Francisco Giants will be a stronger team defensively in 2026 with the signing of Rawlings Gold Glove Award center fielder Harrison Bader.
|
MLB Saves Specialist Kimbrel Attending Spring Training With Mets on Minor League Deal
Kimbrel ranks fifth all-time among MLB relief pitchers with 440 saves, but his 2025 season was not promising. Can he help the retooled Mets reach the playoffs?
|
Gibbons Offers Experience to Angels as Bench Coach for Rookie Manager Suzuki
Los Angeles Angels rookie manager Kurt Suzuki’s 2026 bench coach John Gibbons managed in Toronto for 11 seasons.
|
Gore Trade to Texas Offers 2nd Chance to Make 1st Impression as Front-Line Pitcher
After three seasons with the Washington Nationals, left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore was traded to the Texas Rangers on Jan. 22.
|
Peralta’s Pitching Key to Mets Rebounding From Disappointing 2025 Season
Right-handed starting pitcher Freddy Peralta is the new ace of the New York Mets rotation. In 2025, Peralta led the National League with 17 wins.
|
NHL Stars Set to Shine on Olympic Ice for the First Time Since 2014
At least one player from each NHL team will participate as a dozen countries compete in Italy. But don’t look for Russians.
|
Tampa Bay Rays’ New Stadium Proposal Has Backing of MLB Commissioner and Florida Governor
In their 28 seasons playing home games in St. Petersburg-based Tropicana Field, only once has the Tampa Bay Rays topped MLB’s average attendance mark.
|
ChiSox Busy 2026 Off-Season Gives Hope Club May Escape American League Central Cellar
The Chicago White Sox had a busy off-season. Seven key player acquisitions should bolster the club’s roster and better its 2025 60–102 record.
|
Netflix Documentary ‘Miracle: The Boys of ‘80’ Details USA Olympic Hockey Tale
After Team USA captured the gold medal in 1980 in men’s hockey at the Winter Olympics, 13 of the Americans would play in the NHL.
|
Guardians’ Ramirez Signs 7-Year Extension, Will Remain Club’s Cornerstone Through 2032
Still in search of his first American League MVP and the first Cleveland World Series championship since 1948, Jose Ramirez is committed to accomplish both.
|
Bader Signing Strengthens Giants’ 2026 Outfield Defensively
The San Francisco Giants will be a stronger team defensively in 2026 with the signing of Rawlings Gold Glove Award center fielder Harrison Bader.
|
MLB Saves Specialist Kimbrel Attending Spring Training With Mets on Minor League Deal
Kimbrel ranks fifth all-time among MLB relief pitchers with 440 saves, but his 2025 season was not promising. Can he help the retooled Mets reach the playoffs?
|
Gibbons Offers Experience to Angels as Bench Coach for Rookie Manager Suzuki
Los Angeles Angels rookie manager Kurt Suzuki’s 2026 bench coach John Gibbons managed in Toronto for 11 seasons.
|
Gore Trade to Texas Offers 2nd Chance to Make 1st Impression as Front-Line Pitcher
After three seasons with the Washington Nationals, left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore was traded to the Texas Rangers on Jan. 22.
|
Peralta’s Pitching Key to Mets Rebounding From Disappointing 2025 Season
Right-handed starting pitcher Freddy Peralta is the new ace of the New York Mets rotation. In 2025, Peralta led the National League with 17 wins.
|