Noah Syndergaard's Game 3 ball he threw at Alcides Escobar's head is for sale

Mets starter Noah Syndergaard opened Game 3 of the World Series with a 99 mph fastball that buzzed by the head of Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar. 

Syndergaard, sounding a little peeved at the Royals' quick triggers before the game, pretty much predicted this scenario earlier as the Mets entered the night down 0-2 in the World Series.

"I have a few tricks up my sleeve that I'll be able to break out tomorrow night," the hurler said Thursday. "I'm looking forward to it." 

And it didn't take long to figure out what "tricks" he was talking about.

Syndergaard dà il benvenuto ai @Royals in questo modo #WorldSeries #LGM pic.twitter.com/wgm971SM7Q

— Giacomo Moccetti (@mocc88) October 31, 2015

And before you could say Mrs. Met, that same baseball was already available on Major League Baseball's auction site.

The first pitch of #WorldSeries Game 3 came in real HOT. Be careful if you get it: https://t.co/ns84Jll6YP pic.twitter.com/uYv6qlTud3

— MLB (@MLB) October 31, 2015

There are six days left to bid and the latest offer is already $1522, so who knows how high the price will climb.

But don't expect any bids on Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas' reaction to Syndergaard's chin music, that's priceless.

Go to bed kids, Mike Moustakas is cursing at folks. #WorldSeries #Royals #Mets https://t.co/kl4BkC1uR8

— Joe M's Right Arm (@JoeMsrightarm) October 31, 2015

Torii Hunter flips out, tears off jersey in epic tirade (VIDEO)

If Torii Hunter seemed just a tad pissed off after the home plate umpire made a questionable strike three call Wednesday night at Target Field well .... yes he was.

Unhappy with Mark Ripperger's eighth inning call, the Twins outfielder got so mad he started peeling off his uniform. And like an angry pole dancer on a slow matinee, Hunter started his striptease by yanking off his shin guard, then his batting gloves before tearing off his jersey and flinging it at the plate.

Not sexy, but very theatrical.

It was the ninth career ejection for Hunter.

"I thought it was a ball. The pitch before that I thought it was a little up and he called it a strike," Hunter said. "That's fine, but I thought the last pitch he called a strike was revenge because I said something the pitch before."

Twins manager Paul Molitor went out to try to restrain Hunter before he was ejected too.

"I just told [Ripperger] that he had a bad night, or what I thought wasn't a very good night and he told me he had a really good night," Molitor said.

And after Hunter hit the showers, it all came down to the bat boy picking up the dirty laundry.

Kansas City church gives Billy Butler a pass on 8th Commandment (PHOTO)

In last Sunday's ALDS Game 3, the Royals' Billy Butler did something he hadn't done in two years. He stole a base.

Not only did Royals fans approve of the DH/First baseman finally swiping the bag, a Kansas City-area church has granted Butler permission to break the 8th Commandment anytime he likes.

As long as it's on the base-paths.

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A KC-area church is giving Billy Butler a divine pass for breaking one of the Ten Commandments.

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The Royals meet the Orioles in Game 1 of the ALCS Friday.

[Cut4]

George Brett celebrates after Royals clinch playoff spot (VIDEO)

Derek Jeter didn't play Friday night and, oh yeah, The Royals are in the postseason for the first time since 1985.

Here's George Brett — the greatest Royal of them all — reacting while witnessing the clincher in Chicago after a 29 year playoff drought:

Old Pine Tar, who holds the title of vice president of baseball operations for the Royals, has earned the right to a little over-exuberance.

James Shields blows a bubble bigger than his own head (VIDEO)

Ever wonder why MLB players need all of those buckets of Double Bubble strewn around their dugouts during a game? Here's why:

James Shields shows off his bubble blowing skills Wednesday night by puffing one bigger than his head.

The hard part for the Royals pitcher? Saving it for future chews.

Military dad surprises son during first pitch disguised as Royals catcher (VIDEO)

As far as Austin Sides knew, he was just a lucky kid throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Tuesday night's Royals-Dodgers game in Kauffman Stadium because it was his 11th birthday.

But when the catcher took off his face mask, Sides got an even better birthday present: His father, Air Force Maj. Robert Sides, who had just returned home from a yearlong deployment in the Middle East, was his battery-mate.

Get out the hankies.

It also happens to be Major Sides son's 11th birthday. Happy Birthday Austin! #beroyalkc pic.twitter.com/tndv6FUXui
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) June 25, 2014

The reunion had nearly everyone in the stadium wiping their eyes.

"I almost lost it myself. I grew up a pitcher, throwing with my dad and to be able to do this with my son after being gone all year," said Major Sides. "Facetime only goes so far. You need the contact and I miss that so much."

Well played Royals.

Tigers' groundskeeper pays tribute to Tony Gwynn (PHOTO)

Upon hearing the sad news of Tony Gwynn's untimely death, here's what the Comerica Park infield looked like prior to Monday night's Royals-Tigers game.

The @Tigers honor Tony Gwynn with a special marking on the infield dirt: http://t.co/SY74sp9fan pic.twitter.com/QHiGWxEGUb
— MLB (@MLB) June 17, 2014

One groundkeeper paid tribute to the "5.5 hole" — the famous gap between short and third that Gwynn slapped hundreds of base hits through.

Short and sweet. Just like Gwynn.

Royals fans salute Derek Jeter in matching cat suit onesies (PHOTOS)

These Royals fans may have given Derek Jeter the best farewell gift yet — or at least the weirdest.

The two passionate fans sported these matching pussycat outfits during Sunday's Royals-Yankees game and besides meowing for KC, gave the Yankee captain a little purr.

Although Jeter has already received some interesting farewell gifts from teams around the league, this has to be the cuddliest. 

And, it's the thought that counts — no matter how strange.

These @Royals fans may have given Derek Jeter the best farewell gift yet: http://t.co/waryrqmtp3 pic.twitter.com/9vYHoy9x22
— Cut4 (@Cut4) June 8, 2014

Fans dive over Target Field seats in search of foul ball (VIDEO)

Watch these Target Field fans' bumbling attempt at grabbing a lost foul ball.

One guy dives over a row of seats to attempt to catch a foul ball with a little shove from his buddy.

Finally. Victory is mine!

Omar Infante leaves game after taking pitch to jaw (VIDEO)

There was a scary moment in Kansas City Monday night, as Royals second baseman Omar Infante was hit in the face by a pitch from Rays right-hander Heath Bell in the bottom of the seventh inning. 

Infante appeared to be struck in the jaw and was treated by Kansas City's trainers before the bloodied player left the game. As you can see in the hard to watch video, Bell's pitch caught Infante pretty cleanly on the chin before he could get out of the way:

The injury looked fairly serious and the Kansas City Star's Andy McCullough provided this update:

Omar Infante received stitches and is undergoing tests to determine if his jaw is broken. The team also fears he suffered a concussion.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) April 8, 2014

After the game, Bell expressed concern over his former teammate's injury:

The mystery George Brett photo which inspired Lorde's 'Royals' song is revealed (PHOTO)

Just as she said before, a Kansas City Royals player was the inspiration behind Lorde's mega-hit single "Royals."  The 17-year-old New Zealand singer apparently got the idea after seeing an photo of a once anonymous KC player signing autographs on National Geographic Television.

But after some research, National Geographic has confirmed that the pop star was referring to this incredible shot of the Royal's legend, George Brett, surrounded by a flock of baseball-holding fans:

In an interview a few months ago with VH1, Lorde (real name Ella Yelich-O’Connor) explained how she "had this image from the National Geographic of this dude just signing baseballs. He was a baseball player and his shirt said, 'Royals.'"

"It was just that word. It’s really cool."

Some people will say the song isn't actually about the baseball Royals, but instead refers to modern-day celebrity kings and queens. Hence the line, "And we'll never be royals."

The music world is just thankful the young songbird wasn't around to remember this image of Brett from the Pine Tar Incident:

Here's a video of Lorde's admission courtesy of VH1:

Get More: 

Lorde, Lorde Music Videos, Free Music Videos

(Autograph photo by Ted Spiegel, National Geographic)

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Mystery man in pink helps Yankees ground crew struggle with tarp during rain storm (VIDEO)

A late call by the umpires of the Royals-Yankees game — to bring out the tarp before a summer rain poured down — turned a routine job of covering the infield into an epic battle between man and Mother Nature at Yankee Stadium Monday night.

A deluge of rain delay interrupted the game in the fourth inning and the comical efforts by the grounds crew to roll out the polyethylene had the soaked crowd jeering the men in shorts.

As the rain accumulated on the tarp, it grew heavier and heavier — until it became almost impossible to roll out. To make matters worse, a gust of wind caused the tarp to balloon upwards.

Even an unidentified volunteer in a pink shirt and khakis had to run out onto the field and help the crew flip over the tarp to dump the rain.

Eventually, the groundskeepers were able to fix the tarp in place over the infield, thanks in part to the valiant efforts of the mystery man.

Royals fan makes amazing backwards catch

A Royals fan made what might be the best catch of the day — on or off the field — and didn't even lose his KC cap.

Surrounded by a sea of Twins fans at Target Field Sunday, this guy tumbles backwards over a row of seats and is still able to catch the foul ball before coming up none-for-the-worse.

Hats off to the amazing grab.

Rays' Cobb released from hospital after being hit in head by line drive

There were a few tense moments moments after Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Alex Cobb was drilled in the head by a line drive in the fifth inning of Saturday's game at Tropicana Field.

Cobb was taken off the field on a stretcher after he was hit on the right ear by a liner off the bat of Kansas City's Eric Hosmer. The visibly distressed Cobb put a hand on his head after being struck as trainers from both teams and other medical staff immediately ran onto the field.

Cobb could be seen kicking his legs while being examined on the mound in front of the silenced crowd at The Trop. The Rays announced that Cobb remained conscious the whole time and was taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg for further examination.

The Rays announced during their game against Kansas City Sunday that Cobb had been released from the medical center less than 24 hours after the frightening incident.  The good news was just the opposite of the ear cringing sound of the ball hitting Cobb squarely in the head. The team said he will be placed on the seven-day concussion list.

Rays spokesman Rick Vaughn said all tests were normal and that Cobb suffered a mild concussion.

Cobb said he woke up Sunday with a slight headache and will spend the next few days recovering at home.

Astros vendor fired for bringing snow cones into bathroom stall (VIDEO)

This could possibly be one of the most unappetizing videos ever shot and make you think twice about the ice at your local ballpark.

An Aramark vendor at Monday’s Royals-Astros game at Minute Maid Park was caught bringing his tray of snow cones into a bathroom stall with him while he did his business on the toilet.

The video, taken by a concerned onlooker, was shot Monday night during the Astros-Royals game and  happened in the first game attended by Reid Ryan in his new role as Astros team president.

Click2Houston broadcast the horrifying footage of the vendor placing the tray of food on the floor next to the toilet bowl.

"I couldn’t believe what I was seeing," said the unnamed fan who turned in the video. "This guy is taking a dump. There’s no doubt about it. What sane person could possibly think, yeah this is a good idea. I’ll just put the food that I’m about to sell on the floor."

Maybe the idiot thought he was working at Minute Made Park.

The Astros have already taken action against the vendor and said Aramark terminated the man immediately upon learning of the incident:

"The Astros share ARAMARK’s view on the importance of food safety and will work with them to ensure that our fans have a safe and outstanding experience at Minute Maid Park. We also commend the fan for his vigilance in pointing out the inappropriate actions of the vendor. The Astros personally thanked him and advised him of the swift action taken in regard to the employee."

Watch out where the Astros roam, don't you eat the yellow snow cone.

Bruce Chen plays catch with young fans, then rolls over and plays dead (VIDEO)

First it was Hyun-Jin Ryu who brightened some young kid's day by tossing the ball back-and-forth before a game last week.  Next, it was Gio Gonzalez who was video-taped playing catch another young fan later in the week.

Now before Saturday's  game against the Athletics in Oakland, Royals relief pitcher Bruce Chen took a few moments from warm-ups to continue the trend by having a catch with a couple of young A's fans out in left field stands.

One kid even got Chen to rollover and play dead like a giant puppy dog or something to that effect.

This is a nice MLB trend that keeps on giving back to future fans.

'Unapologetic' Joba and 'forgiving' Mo bury the hatchet via NY Yankees' tweet and photo

A still defiant Joba Chamberlain said Sunday morning he felt “no need to apologize” to Mariano Rivera following their tense exchange in the dugout on Saturday.

Chamberlain expressed little regret for the situation, saying that even in hindsight, he would have done the same thing to the Yankees closer.

“I wouldn’t change it,” Chamberlain said. “I wouldn’t change anything I do in life. It happens, it happens. You fess up to it, you talk about it, you laugh and move on. That’s all you can do. It’s not really a story to begin with.”

Rivera and Chamberlain spoke after Saturday night’s game, then chatted again Sunday morning about the incident in which Chamberlain snapped at the Hall of Famer in full view of reporters and fans.

On Sunday, the New York Yankees confirmed that the two teammates buried the hatchet via Twitter:

"Brothers don't shake hands, brothers gotta hug."

Brothers don't shake hands, brothers gotta hug twitter.com/YankeesPR/stat…
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) May 12, 2013

Rivera claimed on Sunday that his admonishing teammate had indeed apologized to him.

“I’m the oldest here. I have to be the brother that has to keep the cool,” Rivera said. “It’s good. We’re all good. It’s nothing. We’ll move on.”

Things looked like they were back to normal Sunday afternoon — after Rivera shushed the Royals' bats and got his 15th save of the season while Chamberlain silently sulked in the bullpen — as the Yankees beat the Royals, 4-2.

Mariano Rivera and Joba Chamberlain exchange tense words in dugout

Mariano Rivera and Joba Chamberlain had an awkward war of words in the New York Yankees' dugout prior to Saturday night's game against the Kansas City Royals.

Rivera was talking to people about an emotional pre-game meeting with a family who lost a son when Chamberlain, in a loud voice, was trying to get somebody's attention behind the dugout, according to The New York Daily News.

Rivera asked Chamberlain to lower his voice and, in full view of fans and reporters, Chamberlain took exception to the Hall of Fame closer's request and replied several times "Don't shush me again." 

Asked about the exchange after the game, Chamberlain said, “I’m not talking about it.” Chamberlain said he hadn’t spoken with Rivera since the diss. Asked whether he felt the two — teammates since 2007 — needed to talk, Chamberlain snapped, “That’s between me and Mo.”

Rivera took the high road after the incident, although he seemed surprised that Chamberlain had admonished him in such a public setting.

“It’s amazing,” Rivera said before confirming that he and Chamberlain had not spoken since. “We’ll take care of it. We’re grownups and I know better than that. We’ll take care of that.”

Here's The News' recap:

Rivera sat in the dugout speaking with reporters before the game, Chamberlain was standing by the railing at the top of the dugout signing autographs for fans, shouting as he interacted with people in the stands.

Rivera paused during one answer and joked to reporters, “Is this guy always loud like this?”

Rivera chuckled before proceeding with his answer, but Chamberlain’s shouting continued — and may have grown even louder. Rivera seemed to lose his train of thought as Chamberlain got louder, prompting the closer to call out to his younger bullpen mate to ask him to be quiet.

“Joba! Yo! Bro!” Rivera shouted. “Shhh. Stop it.”

Chamberlain quickly replied, telling Rivera that he was talking with family.

“You do this every day,” Chamberlain said, referring to Rivera’s meeting with the media. “I don’t get to see my family every day.”

Rivera finished his five-minute interview while Chamberlain continued signing autographs, though Chamberlain could be heard telling people in the stands, “I look at it every day. I have to be quiet ... They’re doing an interview.”

As Rivera wrapped up his interview, he began to stand up from the dugout when Chamberlain looked into the dugout

“Don’t ever shush me again,” said Chamberlain — the one-time 98 mph fastball phenom. 

Rivera nodded with a bit of a smile, at which point a chafed Chamberlain — without a trace of a smile — said, “Seriously. Don’t ever shush me again. I don’t get to see my family very often.”

Rivera explained to Chamberlain he wasn't telling him to be quiet but to lower his voice.

Asked later by reporters about the incident Chamberlain said it was between him and Rivera.

In the court of public opinion — at least in Yankees Universe — we all know who's going to win this one. Gotta go with Mo.

Stick to battling midges Joba.

Mariano Rivera won't stop shagging flies at Kauffman Stadium

Last Friday marked the one year anniversary of the worst moment of Mariano Rivera's brilliant career as baseball's all-time saves leader.  This Friday, Rivera returns to Kauffman Stadium — the first time since being carted off the field in what looked like a career-ending injury — for a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals.

Rivera tore the ACL in his right knee — during his pregame ritual of shagging flies in the outfield during batting practice — on the turf of Kauffman Stadium that fateful night before crumbling to the warning track in obvious pain.

This weekend, if shagging batting practice fly balls takes Rivera to the ballpark's left-center field warning track, the non-superstitious pitcher isn’t going to shy away from the area where he collapsed last May 3 ending up with season-ending surgery in June.

“Nothing will change, I will do what I love to do,’’ said the 43-year-old Rivera, who is a perfect 12-for-12 in save chances this season.

Rivera, who missed the final five months of last season, said he is looking forward to being at Kauffman Stadium again.

“I will thank the Lord for me being there,’’ Rivera said. “I want to see the doctor who took me to the hospital and say ‘Thank You.’ I am not going to feel sorry. I feel joy. There is nothing to regret. I might be in the same spot.’’

Rivera has been amazing so far in what was once considered an uncertain future.  He's made good on the well-documented words he said the day after the injury: "I am coming back. Put it down. Write it down in big letters. I am not going down like this."

He sure did.

“I don’t think any athlete, any player, wants to leave like that, unless there’s no other choice,” Rivera said. “But I did have a choice. My choice was to either stay like that, or work hard, get the surgery, get it fixed and come back. And that’s the one I took.”

Rivera might have erased the ghosts of the Kansas City outfield from his mind, but the memories of the Hall of Fame pitcher's greatest moments and "Enter Sandman" will always be etched in ours.

Tigers' player does the old ball-on-a-string trick

During Sunday's Royals-Tigers game at Comerica Park, Detroit catcher Gerald Laird had a little fun by pulling the old ball-on-a-string trick with some kids hovering above the home team's dugout.

The amused Laird can be seen cracking up while he played keep-away with the patient kids until one of the little dugout rats proudly snapped the souvenir from the string.

It's cute and mean at the same time.

It's been a little easier for the Tigers to have fun these days after after sweeping the Royals over the weekend.  They head into the All-Star break with a five-game win streak.  Detroit fans can only hope its not some sort ball-on-a-string tease on a second half playoff run.