Fastball
Sam Connon

Sam Connon

Joined: Jul 10, 2023

Sam Connon is a Staff Writer for Fastball on the Sports Illustrated/FanNation networks. He previously covered UCLA Athletics for Sports Illustrated/FanNation's All Bruins, 247Sports' Bruin Report Online, Rivals' Bruin Blitz, the Bleav Podcast Network and the Daily Bruin, with his work as a sports columnist receiving awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for Sports Illustrated/FanNation's New England Patriots site, Patriots Country, and he was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk.

Jul 14, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud (16) is congratulated by first baseman Matt Olson (28) after hitting a three-run home run against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning at Petco Park.
News

Atlanta Braves' Matt Olson, Travis d'Arnaud Hit Back-to-Back Home Runs Twice in 1 Game

Matt Olson and Travis d'Arnaud hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning, then did it again in the eighth to make history and lift the Atlanta Braves to a win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

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Jul 31, 2024; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael McGreevy (36) pitched against the Texas Rangers during the first inning of his Major League Debut at Busch Stadium.
News

Michael McGreevy Snaps Wild St. Louis Cardinals Streak By Tossing Gem in MLB Debut

The St. Louis Cardinals hadn't had a starting pitcher earn a win in their major league debut since 2013, until Michael Greevy tossed 7.0 innings of one-run ball against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.

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Jul 28, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Daulton Varsho (25) wears the home run jacket after his two run home run against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Rogers Centre.
Injuries

Toronto Blue Jays' Daulton Varsho Leaves Game Early With Heat-Related Illness

Daulton Varsho went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday before the Toronto Blue Jays outfielder got pulled due to heat exhaustion.

Sam Connon
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Apr 16, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday (7) warms up in the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
News

Baltimore Orioles' Jackson Holliday Blasts Grand Slam for 1st Home Run of MLB Career

Jackson Holliday, the No. 1 overall prospect in baseball, made quite the return to the Baltimore Orioles' lineup by crushing a 439-foot grand slam on Wednesday.

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Jul 29, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) rounds third base after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
History

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Makes Toronto Blue Jays History, Moves Up All-Time Hits List

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 1-for-2 with two walks against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, helping the Toronto Blue Jays first baseman make franchise and American League history.

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Jul 30, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Oakland Athletics right fielder Lawrence Butler (4) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a solo homer against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at Oracle Park.
History

Lawrence Butler, Brent Rooker Join Forces to Make Oakland Athletics History

The Oakland Athletics had Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker hit 10 home runs in July, achieving a feat the franchise hadn't seen since the days of Mark McGwire.

Sam Connon
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Jul 30, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third base Eugenio Suárez (28) runs the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Chase Field.
History

Arizona Diamondbacks Join Historic Company With Latest Blowout Victory

The Arizona Diamondbacks steamrolled the Washington Nationals 17-0 on Tuesday night, picking up their third win this season by at least 15 runs.

Sam Connon
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May 14, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox designated hitter Eloy Jimenez (74) points after he hits a home run against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Guaranteed Rate Field.
News

Chicago White Sox Keep Dismantling Core, Trade Eloy Jiménez to Baltimore Orioles

Eloy Jiménez became the latest once-promising Chicago White Sox slugger to get shipped out of town, with the Baltimore Orioles agreeing to take on his contract Tuesday.

Sam Connon
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Jul 11, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder Bryan De La Cruz (14) celebrates his home run with teammates against the Houston Astros in the first inning at Minute Maid Park.
News

Bryan De La Cruz Heads to Pittsburgh Pirates as Miami Marlins' Fire Sale Continues

The Miami Marlins have agreed to trade outfielder Bryan De La Cruz to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for prospects Jun-Seok Shim and Garret Forrester.

Sam Connon
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May 29, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; Miami Marlins pitcher Tanner Scott (66) pitches during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.
News

Miami Marlins Trade All-Star Closer Tanner Scott to San Diego Padres

Almost three months after the Luis Arraez trade, the Miami Marlins have agreed to send closer Tanner Scott and reliever Bryan Hoeing to the San Diego Padres just before the deadline.

Sam Connon
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Jul 26, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Paul DeJong (29) hits a double against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning at Guaranteed Rate Field.
News

Chicago White Sox Trade Veteran Shortstop Paul DeJong to Kansas City Royals

Veteran infielder Paul DeJong has gone from the Chicago White Sox to the Kansas City Royals in the middle of a series between the two AL Central foes.

Sam Connon
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May 25, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium.
History

José Ramírez Moves Up Cleveland Guardians' All-Time Home Run Leaderboards

Thanks to his two-run bomb against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, José Ramírez now ranks second in Cleveland Guardians history with 243 career home runs.

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