TMZ Sports - Page 50

David Ortiz believes the Dodgers will be just fine next season as long as they take one solid piece of advice -- "Just hit the damn baseball."

Big Papi was leaving L.A. after covering the World Series for FOX -- and had some real encouraging words for Dodgers fans before his flight out of LAX.

"They'll be fine next year. They have a good ball club."

O.J. Simpson's taking a transphobic shot at Caitlyn Jenner for her claim she and Kris Jenner knew damn well O.J. killed Nicole and Ron Goldman.

Simpson was out in Las Vegas when a photog asked him about Caitlyn's recent comments. At first, he said he's never met Caitlyn and claims he barely knew Bruce, despite the fact they vacationed together. Then he started jabbing.

Watch ... O.J. seems to think his comment is lighthearted, or even a joke.

We're guessing Caitlyn won't be laughing about it, and we're sure, after seeing this ... there's bad blood between the old friends.

Btw, O.J. also makes it clear he's loving the Vegas life.

The Houston Astros are getting some serious bling long before their rings arrive -- 'cause Paul Wall says he's hookin' up EVERY PLAYER with a custom gold grill.

The craziest part -- the rapper and his business partner Johnny Dang are trying to get it done BEFORE the World Series parade on Friday!!

We got Wall and Dang after their hometown 'Stros clinched the Series ... and they told TMZ Sports they ain't sparing any expense when it comes to H-Town's MLB champs.

Not only is the entire 40-man roster (and their hot WAGs) getting their own personalized teeth swag -- but each one is coming in 18 karat gold!!

Wall says the players might have to break out the plastic if they want a full mouth of diamonds ... but beyond that, everything's fair game.

Astros third baseman Alex Bregman approves.

Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber sealed the deal -- 'cause nothing screams we're back together like a chick happily slipping into her guy's sweaty jersey!

Selena was beaming on the ice as she watched Justin's hockey scrimmage Wednesday night in Los Angeles. While they haven't made any official announcement ... c'mon ... no woman's sitting through a guy's glorified practice, unless she's banging him.

Right afterward, the couple left the rink together -- Justin still sweatin' and Selena sporting a hoodie and the jersey.

They're in full-time inseparable mode now. Earlier in the day, they took a bike ride together too. Not to mention their day-into-night date on Sunday.

Next she'll be wearing his varsity jacket. Oh wait, Bieber probably didn't get one of those. Too busy making a gazillion bucks and stuff.

Who needs champagne and beer ... when you've got Kate Upton and Harley?!

After the Houston Astros beat down the L.A. Dodgers and won the World Series, stud pitcher Justin Verlander went back to the team hotel with his supermodel girlfriend for a romantic post-game stroll.

FYI, Harley is an adorable boxer that Kate rescued roughly 6 years ago -- and she loves him like a child ... so she travels everywhere with him.

Sweet video after a sweet victory -- congrats!!

Yu Darvish might've cost the Dodgers the World Series, but the city of Los Angeles shouldn't hate the guy -- so says ex-NBA vet Al Harrington.

After Darvish blew his Game 7 start at Dodger Stadium, we asked Harrington if he thought Yu was about to become Public Enemy #1 in L.A. ... and the ex-baller went to bat for the embattled ace.

"My man -- he tried. I'm sure he didn't mean to give up 5 runs," Al told TMZ Sports outside Craig's. "This sh*t happens ... it was just a lot."

That said ... A.H. ain't letting Darvish slide for spoiling an epic night of partying.

Gordon Hayward is reliving the night where his ankle snapped on the court ... and says seeing his parents' reaction -- especially his mom's -- might've been the hardest part of the ordeal.

In an interview with "TODAY" ... Gordon opened up about the game when his NBA career flashed before his eyes -- and got emotional talking about the toll it took on his parents, who were in attendance.

"As a parent, you don’t want your child to go through that. And as a parent myself ... I would rather take their pain ... I wouldn't want (my daughters) to go through that."

"I remember seeing my mom, and she’s crying. It’s tough to see your parents cry too."

On the plus side, the Celtics superstar says he's doing a lot better now ... and the support he's gotten from his family has really helped the healing process.

Fun fact: Hayward's interviewer, Matt Lauer, says the All-Star is already swishing half-court shots FROM A CHAIR. Ballllllllin'!

The Houston Astros were THIRSTY after lockin' down their first World Series in franchise history -- so pitchers Ken Giles and James Hoyt used the Commissioner's Trophy as a beer luge to help the boys drink up!!

But the locker room celebration was just getting started ... clubhouse vet Brian McCann got in the middle of a dogpile for an epic booze shower -- with the 'Stros poppin' bottles of Limited Edition Championship Brut -- and he loved it.

Series MVP George Springer and third baseman Alex Bregman also got wet -- though Breg seemed a little pissed 'cause he didn't have his goggles on.

But don't get it twisted -- the guys were PUMPED. Also drunk. It was awesome.

With everyone asking if Dave Roberts made a tremendous mistake in starting Yu Darvish for Game 7 -- Vin Scully says he refuses to second-guess the Dodgers' skipper.

Vin -- along with a bunch of celebrity Dodger fans -- was leaving Dodger Stadium after the loss ... and you can see some of the hardcore Blew Crewers were legit sad ... like Flea and Dennis Haysbert.

Larry King says it's easy to question Roberts' pitching decisions after the fact ... but everyone had one thing in common -- they're all focusing on next year!

9:15 AM PT -- Cops are now telling us they don't think Yasiel was targeted. They say it was a random hit by what appears to be a homeless man.

8:00 AM PT -- Puig's probably not sweating this after all ... a law enforcement source tells us the burglar made off with costume jewelry. Total value is a mere $150!

Small victory, but we're guessing Puig will take it.

This ain't the double play Yasiel Puig needed -- while he and the Dodgers were losing Game 7 of the World Series, a burglar hit his house and made off with jewelry ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The burglar busted a window in Puig's San Fernando Valley home to get in, which set off an alarm ... according to our law enforcement sources. We're told the suspect quickly grabbed some jewelry and bolted -- but the whole caper was caught on surveillance video.

Unfortunately, Puig's a veteran of this kinda crap. We broke the story ... back in March burglars hit him for about $500k worth of jewelry. We're told Wednesday night's incident went down at a different house from the March one.

Another big difference ... our sources say this time the creep got very few items. It's unclear what the dollar amount is, but we're told the alarm appeared to have scared off the suspect.

Once Puig got home from the World Series loss ... he had to end his night by talking to cops investigating the burglary. The universe is freakin' cruel.

Does Marcell Dareus think his new Jacksonville Jaguars squad can make a serious run in the playoffs?

HELL YEAH.

TMZ Sports spoke with Sacksonville's newest defensive stud -- a 2-time Pro Bowler who joined the squad last week after a blockbuster trade with the Buffalo Bills.

To say Marcell is excited is an understatement ... he's convinced the Jags, especially the defense, is locked and loaded.

"I mean, really, the sky's the limit man. We got some hellacious defensive backs ... the defense can be as good as we wanna be. We can be the best in the league, easily."

Eric Dickerson says the Ezekiel Elliott suspension proves one thing -- "The NFL is the only league where you're guilty until you prove yourself innocent."

The Hall of Famer tells TMZ Sports he agrees with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones -- who thinks Zeke is getting screwed by the NFL as the result of an "overcorrection" from the Ray Rice situation.

Are you a Dodgers fan? Wanna watch Game 7 but you're locked up in jail?

Well, good news -- we're told inmates at L.A. County Jail WILL be able to watch the entire World Series game from their cells and TV rooms Wednesday night!!

We know there are a bunch of Dodgers fans behind bars (some of them have it inked on their bodies!) and they're very interested in tonight's game.

So, to make everyone happy ... law enforcement sources tell us they will NOT be turning off the TVs before the game ends.

Listen up Dodgers & Astros ... a former World Series hero is about to tell you how not to FREAKIN' CHOKE in tonight's all important Game 7 matchup.

TMZ Sports talked to Luis Gonzalez ... the man who destroyed Yankees fans with a super clutch Game 7 RBI against Mariano Rivera in the 2001 fall classic.

If any guy knows what it takes to deliver in the big spots, it's LG, and he told us EXACTLY what players in tonight's game are gonna have to do to get the job done.

Pay attention fellas, and remember, it's just a game, not like your entire lives and legacies are on the line.

How is Yasiel Puig gearing up for the biggest game of his life??

By ROCKIN' THE HELL OUT to "Eye of the Tiger" and the "Rocky" theme song ... in a wild carpool turn up on the way to Dodger Stadium!!

The Dodgers slugger couldn't be more hyped for Game 7 of the World Series ... bobbin' his head, waggin' his tongue and losin' himself in 2 of the most famous pump-up tracks on the planet.

He also listened to "Don't Stop Believin'" and "We Will Rock You."

We're still waiting on Bruce Maxwell's side of the story after he allegedly pulled a gun on a female courier ... but one thing's for sure -- he ain't getting served by the same delivery company ever again.

We got in touch with Postmates after Maxwell -- the only MLB player who took a knee last season -- allegedly stuck a handgun in the face of their driver who brought him food at his Scottsdale, AZ home ... and we're told the A's catcher "has been removed from the platform."

"Although we’re still investigating the incident, the report is deeply concerning and we’ve reached out to provide assistance and support to the courier involved," a rep said in a statement.

"No one should ever feel unsafe when using our service, and we will work with the police to cooperate fully with this investigation."

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Maxwell was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct on Saturday. Cops say he reeked of booze and berated them with "anti-police statements."