In memorabilia news, it appears 70-year MLB baseball card partner Topps will be pushed out after MLB agreed to an exclusive contract with Fanatics—yes, the apparel company—set to take hold upon expiration of Topps' contract in 2025. A lot could happen in four years, however; stay tuned.

Back on 8/15, Padres superstar SS Fernando Tatis Jr. returned with a bang from his shoulder injury...but as a RF. He remained at the position last week, but batted just 3-for-22. On 8/20, however, Tatis produced a (thankfully) rare RBI beaning by Philadelphia's Ian Kennedy.

The Trevor Bauer saga continues; on 8/19 MLB extended the beleaguered Dodgers SP's administrative leave—which was set to expire 8/20—for the sixth time (to 8/27). It's looking more and more like Bauer has thrown his final pitch of 2021. Few tears are being shed.

On 8/21, SP Kris Bubic of Kansas City carried a no-hitter thru six innings at the Cubs. He opened the 7th with a walk followed by a homer by Cubs 3B Patrick Wisdom and was soon pulled after 92 pitches. Bubic still walked away with his 4th win of 2021.

The baseball world, especially Detroit, mourned the loss of longtime Tigers C Bill Freehan 8/19, age 79. He was an 11-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glover and member of Detroit's 1968 World Series championship team. Additionally, Freehan—who played his entire career (1961-76) with the Tigers and hit exactly 200 home runs—was AL MVP runner-up in 1968 and a third-place finisher the year before.

It was quite the eventful week for veteran Braves C Travis d'Arnaud. On 8/20 he was extended by Atlanta for 2Y/$16M; hours later he went on paternity leave awaiting his second child's birth. *UPDATE: d'Arnaud's son Leo was born 8/24.
 

On 8/18, Tigers announcer and baseball Hall-of-Famer Jack Morris found himself in a little bit of hot water after inexplicably using an Asian accent while setting up an at-bat by Japanese Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani. Morris quickly apologized, but still faced suspension. Ohtani expressed no offense.

In the scariest moment of the week—which I watched live—Oakland SP Chris Bassitt took a direct hit to the face by a 2nd-inning liner from White Sox OF Brian Goodwin 8/17. He was down for a time and eventually taken to a hospital; early reports indicate Bassitt avoided major injury. I don't think I've ever been more relieved about the fate of a stranger.

One day later, it was the White Sox' turn to lose a starter early. Chicago SP Lance Lynn was tossed in the middle of the 4th inning by umpire Nic Lentz after throwing his belt for the customary sticky-substance inspection. Lynn was clearly frustrated after leaving his hat and glove to be checked, but then being asked for the belt. Chicago still won 3-2.

Rays DH Nelson Cruz joined the COVID list 8/22. Meanwhile, no fewer than four other major leaguers (including d'Arnaud) went on the paternity list last week; obviously, dudes had more happening on Thanksgiving than just turkey and football.

Holy Bo Jackson! During an at-bat against the visiting Twins 8/21, Yankees 2B Rougned Odor asked for time. But P Ralph Garza still delivered, so Odor still swung...and hit the ball out of the park! Unfortunately for him, he was indeed granted time by home plate umpire Angel Hernandez and the four-bagger did not count.
 

This news isn't technically from last week, but you may have missed it: after the successful "Field Of Dreams Game" held 8/12, Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the very next day that the Game will return in 2022.

Angels rookie OF Jo Adell, who's struggled mightily in his limited MLB exposure, smoked a go-ahead grand slam in the T9th at Detroit 8/17 and inexplicably heaved his bat and hollered animatedly toward his dugout. I know we're in a different era and celebrating is not only tolerated, but even encouraged by MLB itself. That does not and should not apply to some overhyped noob barely hitting his weight.

On 8/22 at Colorado, Diamondbacks C/OF Daulton Varsho homered in the 2nd, doubled in the 8th and tripled in the 9th for the rare missed-the-cycle-by-a-single.