Frank Thomas Sues White Sox, Nike, and Fanatics Over Uniform Use Hall of Famer Frank Thomas has filed a lawsuit against the Chicago White Sox, the team he played for during 16 of his 19 Major League Baseball seasons, over what he claims is the unauthorized use of his likeness on team uniforms. The lawsuit, filed in Cook County, Illinois, also names Nike and Fanatics as co-defendants. Thomas is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 and has requested a jury trial. The case centers on the White Sox’s sale of City Connect 2.0 jerseys on or around April 28, 2025, which featured Thomas’ No. 35 on the front and his name and number on the back, alongside the team’s trademarks, logos, and Nike branding. Thomas’ attorney, William T. Gibbs of Corboy & Demetrio, stated in a statement to ESPN that the complaint alleges violations of the Illinois Right to Publicity Act. Gibbs emphasized that companies cannot profit from someone’s identity without their consent, calling the filing self-explanatory. The White Sox have not commented on the litigation, while the Major League Baseball Players Association and Nike and Fanatics have declined to respond. A case management hearing is scheduled for May 21 in a Cook County Circuit Court. This is not the first instance of tension between Thomas and his former team. In 2002, when Thomas failed to make the All-Star team, finish in the top 10 in MVP voting, or win a Silver Slugger award, the White Sox and then-general manager Ken Williams invoked a “diminished skills” clause in his contract. This reduced his base salary to $250,000 and deferred $10.125 million over 10 years without interest. In 2006, Thomas sued two White Sox doctors, alleging their 2004 misdiagnosis of a broken foot worsened his injury and led to his release in 2005.#nike #chicago_white_sox #frank_thomas #william_t_gibbs #fanatics
Brewers' Opening Day 2026: Schedule, Roster, and Key Details The Milwaukee Brewers will kick off the 2026 season on Thursday, March 26, with a matchup against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field. The game is set for 1:10 p.m. CT, marking the start of a three-game series that will continue on March 28 and 29. The team, which reached the National League Championship Series in 2025, returns with a revamped pitching staff, a new third baseman, and several familiar faces, including the two-time National League Manager of the Year. The Brewers’ Opening Day schedule includes an off-day on Friday, March 27, a standard practice in Major League Baseball. This allows for flexibility in case of weather disruptions, ensuring any delayed Opening Day ceremonies can proceed the following day. While the stadium is equipped with a roof, the schedule remains unchanged, and weather conditions could impact the game. The National Weather Service forecasts a 30% chance of rain after 1 p.m., with temperatures expected to peak at 62 degrees and light winds. Fans are advised to prepare for potentially cloudy skies and a cooler high of 39 degrees on Friday, March 27. The pitching matchup features Jacob Misiorowski for the Brewers, a right-hander who made a strong debut in 2025 and earned an All-Star nod after just five starts. The White Sox will counter with Shane Smith, an all-star pitcher acquired from the Brewers in the late 2024 Rule 5 draft. While the Brewers’ decision to let Smith leave remains a topic of debate, the team maintains its status as having the best farm system in baseball. The Opening-Day roster includes a mix of veterans and prospects.#chicago_white_sox #american_family_field #milkaukee_brewers #jordan_love #jordan_stolz
Dodgers Draft Pick Ties Record in Spring Breakout Game Zach Root, a recent Los Angeles Dodgers draft pick, made his professional debut during the team’s Spring Breakout game, delivering a standout performance that tied a single-game record. The Dodgers faced the Chicago White Sox in the exhibition matchup, overcoming an early 8-2 deficit to secure an 11-10 victory. Root played a pivotal role, pitching three innings and striking out eight of the 10 batters he faced, earning the win. His eight strikeouts matched the record for most strikeouts in a single Spring Breakout game. Root was selected with the Dodgers’ highest pick in the 2025 MLB draft, but he did not make his professional debut during the previous season or spring training. Currently ranked as the team’s No. 13 prospect, Root’s performance in the Spring Breakout game could accelerate his rise through the organization’s rankings. The game marked his first appearance in a professional setting, showcasing his potential as a key addition to the Dodgers’ future plans. Spring Breakout is an annual exhibition event held during spring training, where prospects from all MLB teams compete in a single game to highlight the league’s top young talent. The format typically involves teams from the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues, with one team from each league required to play an extra game to balance the number of participants. MLB announced plans to restructure the event in 2027, transitioning it into two single-elimination tournaments that will crown champions in both leagues. Beyond Root’s performance, the Dodgers saw several other prospects shine during the Spring Breakout game. No. 1 prospect Josue De Paula contributed with a 1-for-2 effort, including a double, a walk, a stolen base, and two runs. No.#los_angeles_dodgers #chicago_white_sox #zach_root #spring_breakout #josue_de_paula
Zach Root Among Dodgers Prospects Who Performed Well in 2026 Spring Breakout The Los Angeles Dodgers concluded their Cactus League schedule on Saturday afternoon, with several of their top prospects competing against Chicago White Sox Minor Leaguers in the 2026 MLB Spring Breakout event. The first pitch was delayed to 6:05 p.m. PT due to extreme heat, but the Dodgers secured an 11-10 victory at Camelback Ranch. Among the standout performers was Zach Root, a 2025 Dodgers draft pick, who made his professional debut in the showcase. Root pitched three innings, striking out eight batters to tie a Spring Breakout record. The southpaw allowed just one hit, with his fastball averaging 97.2 mph and reaching a peak of 99 mph against White Sox prospects. James Tibbs III, a standout from Spring Training, continued his strong performance by hitting a three-run homer in the game. Tibbs, who was traded twice before the 2025 deadline, has found a new home with the Dodgers. After being acquired from the Boston Red Sox, he reported to Double-A Tulsa and hit .269/.407/.493 with five doubles, seven home runs, and 32 RBI over 36 games. Last season, he hit a combined 20 home runs at High-A and Double-A levels. Despite facing long odds, Tibbs is considered a potential candidate for a 2026 MLB debut. Mike Sirota, another Dodgers prospect, showed promise as he returned from a right knee injury that ended his 2025 season early. Sirota contributed two hits, two RBI, a walk, and a strikeout in the Spring Breakout win. As a near-consensus No. 1 prospect, Josue De Paula continued to excel against left-handed pitching, reaching base twice via walks and driving in a run with an RBI double off the wall in left field. Zyhir Hope also had a hit, an RBI single, and two walks, showcasing his offensive potential.#los_angeles_dodgers #chicago_white_sox #zach_root #spring_breakout #james_tibbs_iii
Mets Outfielder Mike Tauchman to Undergo Knee Surgery Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed today that outfielder Mike Tauchman has suffered a meniscus tear in his knee and will require surgical intervention. The injury will immediately remove the 35-year-old from consideration for the team’s Opening Day roster decisions. While the surgery may delay his return, Mendoza indicated that Tauchman could still be part of the Mets’ plans for the season, depending on his recovery timeline. Tauchman, who had a strong 2025 season with the Chicago White Sox, signed a minor league contract with the Mets in mid-February. During Grapefruit League play, he demonstrated his value with a .241/.371/.448 batting line, including a home run, which positioned him as a potential Opening Day contributor. His performance in spring training, combined with his track record, had made him a key candidate for the roster. However, the meniscus tear now complicates those plans. With Tauchman sidelined, the starting right fielder spot is likely to go to top prospect Carson Benge. The 23-year-old has been dominant in spring training, hitting .368/.442/.447 in exhibition games. Benge’s strong showing in the minors last year and his recent performance have made him a strong contender for the roster, even if Tauchman had not been injured. The Mets will now rely on Benge to step into the role, with the young player poised to make an impact as the season progresses.#mets #mike_tauchman #carlos_mendoza #carson_benge #chicago_white_sox
