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Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has lost a great deal of credibility as well as more than one-third of a season in the wake of his 65-game suspension for a violation of Major League Baseball’s joint drug prevention and treatment program. That isn’t all he has lost, though, as convenience store chain Kwik Trip has dropped Braun as a spokesperson, according to Darren Rovell of ESPN.com.

According to Erik Brady of USA Today, Braun will miss the remainder of the 2013 season without pay as he negotiated his ban with the league office. Had Braun attempted to continue fighting the suspension, it’s possible that it could have carried over into the 2014 season, but that is no longer a concern.

Although it seems like Braun came out of this situation in the best shape possible, his wallet will be even lighter than anticipated. Braun has been the spokesperson for Kwik Trip for the past four years, but the decision was made to drop Braun and stop airing any commercials or utilizing any promotions that involve him. The company is a chain of convenience stories with locations in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, according to its webstie. 

Kwik Trip director of marketing and advertising Gary Gonczy reportedly told ESPN that the company has dissolved its relationship with Braun. This comes just 11 days before the winner of a contest to have lunch with Braun at his Graffito restaurant in Milwaukee was set to be announced. 

The 29-year-old outfielder has been one of baseball’s best players since his rookie season in 2007. He has never registered less than 25 home runs and 97 RBI in a full season, and he also sports a .312 career batting average and won the 2011 NL MVP award.

Braun’s 2013 season was riddled by injuries, but he still managed to hit .298 with nine homers and 38 RBI through 61 contests. “The Hebrew Hammer” very well may resume his high level of play when he returns to action next season, but he has a lot of work to do when it comes to regaining the trust of fans and becoming marketable again. 

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Houston Astros pitcher Erik Bedard had a no-hitter going in Saturday evening’s game against the Seattle Mariners, but with one out in the seventh inning, manager Bo Porter decided to relieve him of his duties.

UPDATE: Saturday, July 20, at 10:17 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

The Astros lost to the Mariners 4-2, giving up one run and one hit from the bullpen after Bedard was pulled from the game.

—End of update—

It would have been a unique no-hitter had Bedard been able to maintain it. Seattle knotted the game at 2-2 in the Astros’ Minute Maid Park thanks to two unearned runs plated in the sixth.

The numbers got even more bizarre upon Bedard’s exit.

Even though Bedard got Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager to pop out at the top of the inning, he walked his fifth batter of the game thereafter. The switch was then made to reliever Jose Cisnero.

The team’s Twitter page noted that Bedard had registered a relatively high pitch count of 109 when he was pulled:

In the pitcher’s defense, a big reason he threw so much was due to some of the brilliance he was flashing. The southpaw struck out 10 batters and pitched his way out of some difficult spots.

As if things couldn’t get much worse for Houston—which sported the worst record in Major League Baseball at 33-62 entering the game—Cisnero was lit up for a two-run double by Michael Saunders, per Greg Johns of MLB.com:

Johns points out that Bedard was charged for the third run, which is earned, since he walked the eventual go-ahead run yielded by Cisnero:

Porter’s decision backfired, and the opportunity for a no-no went out the window for Bedard. While he and Houston wonder what could have been, Bedard ended up tagged with the team’s latest loss.

Nevertheless, Bedard’s game was certainly historic, which ESPN Stats & Info contextualized nicely:

He had lost his previous three decisions and was 3-6 in 2013 with a 4.61 ERA before Saturday’s extraordinary effort.

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Yasiel Puig and Nick Markakis put on a fielding clinic Friday night.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles didn’t play each other, but these two stars made their cases to be featured on ESPN’s “Web Gems” segment at almost the same time.

Puig is no stranger to highlight reels—he seems to make at least one incredible play every night. On Friday, that play came in right field.

Puig ran about a mile in a split second to track down a ball in foul territory and make a tough grab against the wall to end Anthony Rendon’s at-bat.

If you lost Puig and the ball because the cameraman did, here’s a sideview:

Wondering how pitcher Paco Rodriguez reacted? Wonder no more:

Needless to say, the Dodgers were impressed.

Yasiel Puig channels his inner Spiderman this time to make a catch that the cameras could not. Video coming shortly.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 20, 2013

This came just five innings after Puig made one of the best throws of his career to double up Bryce Harper, who was trying to advance to third on a fly out to right. However, the third-base umpire botched the call and called Harper safe.

Replays clearly show that Harper was out, however, and that Puig’s throw from clear across the field was right on the money.

If Puig’s sensational fielding wasn’t enough for you, Markakis came back and made a highlight-reel catch of his own.

The O’s outfielder robbed a home run against the Texas Rangers in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Markakis reached well over the wall to rob Adrian Beltre of his 22nd home run of the season. He was pretty excited about it.

Reading lips, after Markakis made HR robbing catch last inning he yelled to Jones “Thats the 1st time I’ve ever done that.”

— Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) July 20, 2013

You would’ve never known that that was his first HR robbery based on that play alone. Markakis wasn’t done, either. He got the job done for the Orioles at the plate, too.

Nick Markakis, after that great play, with an RBI double to score TYM. #ho-hum. 3-1.

— Brittany Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) July 20, 2013

If you love defense, then Friday night was like Christmas in July for you, as we saw some truly spectacular plays being made in the outfield.

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The Cleveland Indians picked the wrong hotel for their stay in Minnesota.

The hotel accidentally sent the guest list to the wrong person, according to Mike Oz of Yahoo! Sports, detailing the room of every player on the team.

Naturally, the guest list was spread around the Internet faster than a Ubaldo Jimenez fastball.

The #Indians guest list is too funny pic.twitter.com/Goz7uH1Fig

— Josh Schoch (@JoshSchoch) July 19, 2013

What’s most concerning about this story is the long list of players who apparently aren’t staying with the Indians. Guys like Nick Swisher, Justin Masterson, Michael Bourn, Jason Giambi, Carlos Santana and Mark Reynolds don’t appear on the guest list.

The Indians appear to have found replacements for these guys, though.

It looks like Jake Taylor isn’t content to simply play catcher for the Indians in the movie Major League and will try his hand at playing in the MLB for real. Who would have thought Tar Zann would leave the jungle to play ball? And I’m sure nobody is complaining that Carmen Electra and J. Lo are apparently traveling with the team.

Also making the trip with the Indians, according to the list, are Denzel Washington, Mr. Romeo, Dick Tracy, Shania Twain and Jed Clampett.

The hotel couldn’t have accidentally released a better guest list, as the Indians clearly had a bit of fun with the names they used.

The fact that I stumbled across the entire Indians hotel room roster for this stint with the Twins is scary, yet hilarious.

— Alyssa Ruberto (@aly_santina) July 19, 2013

These pseudonyms are hilarious, and now we want to know who came up with what?

Was Tar Zann actually Nick Swisher? Was Carmen Electra just Carlos Santana? Was Jake Taylor really Jason Giambi in disguise?

As funny as it is to see these names, I’d be one of many fans who would actually come out to see these people play. Just saying.

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Mariano Rivera has pitched in the final All-Star Game of his Hall of Fame career.

The New York Yankees closer is the best of all time, and he made one final trip to the mound during the Midsummer Classic on Tuesday night.

Citi Field erupted when Mo came onto the field, with both fans and fellow players saluting one of the greatest players in baseball history.

As Rivera made the trip to the mound from the bullpen, all eyes were on him, and it ended up being the best moment of the night.

Mariano Rivera warming up in his last #AllStar game #42 #ASG https://t.co/oIU21m5VpF

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 17, 2013

Rivera knew that this would be his last All-Star Game, and he thanked the crowd for their support.

Twitter absolutely exploded after Mo took the mound.

One last All-Star Game appearance for Mariano Rivera. pic.twitter.com/1kSiPMI8Kh

— CBSSports.com (@CBSSports) July 17, 2013

The 13-time All-Star commanded the respect of baseball fans during the game, and they were more focused on him than Neil Diamond when he came on the big screen.

Neil Diamond drowned out by sounds of fans cheering when Mariano Rivera appears on video board.

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) July 17, 2013

Mo has earned reverence from his peers as well, and they did what they could to make this moment special.

Manny and the #AL players give a standing ovation to Mariano Rivera as he takes the mound for the B8. #ASG pic.twitter.com/dpm022aqJL

— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 17, 2013

No player was on the field when Mariano Rivera entered the game. A two minute standing ovation and applause for the greatest closer ever.

— Brian Krasik (@bkrasik) July 17, 2013

If that weren’t enough for you, NL All-Star and veteran Michael Cuddyer called this an incredible moment.

What an incredible moment right here. The greatest of all time!!! Enter the Sandman!!! #ASG

— Michael Cuddyer (@mcuddy3) July 17, 2013

While Mo pitched the eighth instead of the ninth to ensure that he did in fact make an appearance, the unusual circumstances didn’t temper the moment.

This is the 1st time Mariano Rivera has pitched prior to the 9th inning in an All-Star Game

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 17, 2013

We said goodbye to one of the greatest players of all-time tonight, and it was a special moment indeed.

It might have been just another stop on Mo’s much ballyhooed retirement tour, but pitching in one more All-Star Game in front of thousands of adoring fans was the best way for him to go out.

You couldn’t have scripted it any better.

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Cliff Lee was not happy with his reception at the 2013 MLB All-Star Game.

The Philadelphia Phillies pitcher was booed by New York Mets fans (as expected), and he responded with a death stare that would make even Kobe Bryant jealous.

Scary stuff.

Other players might be happy (or at least show some emotion) at hearing their name called before an All-Star Game, but not Lee. He didn’t move a muscle when his name was announced before his fourth Midsummer Classic.

Lee’s look didn’t go unnoticed, and Twitter loved his stare.

Pictures and screen grabs of Lee’s face exploded like a bomb on Twitter, and everyone had to show just how angry he looked.

Cliff Lee is not impressed pic.twitter.com/eDa1YDTLRY

— Baseball Bros (@BaseballBros) July 16, 2013

Maybe Lee really doesn’t like the city of New York. After all, he chose not to sign with the New York Yankees during his free agency in 2010.

Clearly, Cliff Lee does not — Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) July 16, 2013

Amy Nelson clearly loved Lee’s reaction.

Cliff Lee, best moment in All-Star game history. Ever.

— Amy K. Nelson (@AmyKNelson) July 16, 2013

Lee’s face will go down in history as one of the most unique reactions to an introduction at an All-Star Game.

Cliff Lee’s stone face during introductions was classic…

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) July 16, 2013

Lee looks like he was just called for jury duty, not introduced for a game for which it is an honor to be selected.

Perhaps the thrill of being named to the All-Star Game has worn off for him. Perhaps he didn’t appreciate his welcome. Perhaps he ate some bad sushi earlier that day and was regretting it.

Any way you look at it, Lee simply didn’t look like Citi Field was where he wanted to be on Tuesday night, and nothing said that better than the evil eye he gave.

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The New York Mets’ Matt Harvey nailed Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano in the right knee with a 96 mph fastball in the first inning of the 2013 MLB All-Star Game.

Cano would be forced to leave the game in the top of the first.

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New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera will be participating in his 13th and final MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, and his American League teammates paid homage to him in fitting fashion.

In a pose that suggests reverence, some of the game’s greats, including Robinson Cano, Miguel Cabrera, David Ortiz and Felix Hernandez, seemingly look down in wonder at the closer who has amassed more saves than anyone in the history of the game.

The 43-year-old Rivera has been pitching unlike a man ready to retire; he entered the break with a 1.83 ERA and 30 saves. He’s also coming into the Midsummer Classic with an unblemished record in previous All-Star appearances, with four saves, five strikeouts and just five hits allowed in eight total innings.

MLB commissioner Bud Selig took time out of his busy schedule to comment on Rivera’s final All-Star game as well. 

Fans on Twitter certainly appreciated the message of the photo as well, with a number of touching notes.

And the most fitting way to honor Rivera Tuesday night is, of course, obvious.

With the National League holding home-field advantage at the Mets‘ Citi Field, it could easily come down to the bottom of the ninth—an all-too familiar scene for a man with 638 career saves. 

One thing is for sure—New Yorkers and fans across the country will be tuning in en masse to watch in the late innings to see Mariano Rivera enter the game to his familiar tune “Enter Sandman.”

It’s bittersweet for fans who have had the pleasure of watching Rivera for the past 19 years, but a glorious exit nonetheless. 

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The saga that has become the relationship between third baseman Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees organization continues. 

UPDATE: Saturday, July 13, at 10:33 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

ESPN’s Andrew Marchand provides an update on A-Rod’s situation:

The New York Yankees don’t plan on disciplining Alex Rodriguez even though he failed to show up for a scheduled minor league rehab game on Friday, a source confirmed. The game in Tampa, Fla., was subsequently rained out.

—End of update—

Original Text

According to Joel Sherman the New York Post, the Yankees slugger infuriated team officials when he no-showed what would have been his seventh rehab start on Friday. Sherman reports that Rodriguez was expected to make an appearance for the Single-A Tampa Yankees as part of his rehabilitation from a hip injury. 

However, the slugger didn’t show up to the game, and Rodriguez eventually let Yankees officials know that he wouldn’t be playing. 

The game would ultimately be rained out anyway, but team officials were reportedly still angered by his decision. Rodriguez has yet to speak to the media about the issue. 

Rodriguez met with MLB officials earlier in the day on Friday to discuss his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs and involvement in the Biogenesis scandal that could see him suspended for life, according to Darren Rovell of ESPN. 

If Major League Baseball officials don’t consider each alleged violation a separate instance, Rodriguez and Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun could face suspensions of either 50 or 100 games, per Sherman.  

According to Sherman, Rodriguez is still scheduled to participate in the Tampa Yankees game on Saturday after two consecutive rainouts. The 37-year-old is in the midst of a 20-day rehab assignment. 

A-Rod has yet to make an appearance for the New York Yankees this season, but he hit .272 with 18 home runs and 57 RBI last year. Suspensions from the Biogenesis case are expected to be handed down in the coming weeks, per Sherman.

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Mariano Rivera received another parting gift during his retirement tour on Friday, but this one didn’t come from an MLB team, it came from Delta Airlines.

That’s right, the airline dedicated a 757 plane to Mo, placing his number and signature near the cockpit of the plane.

Delta unveils special 757 sendoff plane commemorating the career of Mariano Rivera pic.twitter.com/m6mnMDbATM

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 12, 2013

Rivera’s retirement tour has been special, but this gift from Delta is something else.

There were some great shots of Mo receiving his gift.

Another shot of the Delta “Mariano Rivera” 757, dedicated this morning at JFK pic.twitter.com/4bLMa4U8mE

— Erik Boland (@eboland11) July 12, 2013

He also threw out a ceremonial “last pitch” to New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi (although he still has the second half of the season to play).

So proud to dedicate one of our planes to @MarianoRivera from the @Yankees, congrats on a great career! pic.twitter.com/AYLEYOkz2z

— Delta (@Delta) July 12, 2013

What’s more, Mo even got to go into the cockpit! How cool is that?

Mariano Rivera #42 pic.twitter.com/L9fu08aLxS

— ✨Yaribel凸^-^凸 (@Yaribel17) July 13, 2013

Rivera’s retirement tour isn’t over just yet, but I think we can safely say this latest gift from Delta will be the best he receives.

New York Mets fans won’t be too happy, though. Twitter took a few shots at Mets fans after Mo received his parting gift.

Delta dedicates 757 aircraft to Mariano Rivera. In-flight Mets fans everywhere immediately reach for their airsickness bags.

— ESPN The Magazine (@ESPNMag) July 12, 2013

Delta honored Mariano Rivera with a commemorative plane. Don’t worry, Mets fans: Delta will honor Frank Francisco with a plane soon enough.…

— Brian Cheung (@brianspeaksnow) July 12, 2013

Delta may have given Mariano the best gift of his tour, but the best gift from an MLB team is still up for grabs.

The Minnesota Twins have the lead in that category, as manager Ron Gardenhire and company gave Mo what is now known as The Chair of Broken Dreams.

The Twins decided to give Mo a rocking chair made out of broken bats, symbolizing both how much he has dominated the Twins and the fact that he’ll need a rocking chair in his retirement.

Perfect.

Mo’s retirement tour has been a lengthy, fairytale ending for the best closer in MLB history.

Some of the top parting gifts from the tour have been throwing out the first pitch against the Mets, a plaque of him pitching against the Detroit Tigers, a customized surfboard from the Oakland Athletics and more.

Delta’s gift may have been the best so far, but the biggest, most emotional farewell is yet to come: Yankee Stadium.

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