Former Minnesota Twin Nelson Cruz joined the Tampa Bay Rays on Thu Jul 22, 2021 after he was dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays for three minor league pitchers. Nelson is seen here in his final game with the Twins on Wed Jul 21, 2021 running the bases against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago (AP file photo)

On the MLB podcast with Larry:

#1 The Cleveland Indians have announced today that their changing their moniker name to the Guardians after going through 1200 possible new names Cleveland settled on Guardians and decided to make the change due to the racist caricature of the smiling Chief Wahoo they used on their uniforms and hats since they adopted the name in 1915 Cleveland continues to merchandise the Chief Wahoo logo. The decision to make the change came after George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police touching off social unrest.

#2 Three minor league pitchers are headed to the Minnesota Twins after being dealt for Nelson Cruz 41 who is on his way to Tampa Bay. Cruz can help a club and he is hitting .294, 19 homers, and 50 RBIs and is tied for second with 19 home runs for a designated hitter. He will have an impact on the Rays line up as the Rays push for to make the post season.

#3 The Chicago White Sox Yermin Mercedes who said “it’s over” is back saying he’ll never give up. Mercedes who was demoted by the White Sox to triple A affiliate the Charlotte Knights said he was done with baseball had a change of heart 24 hours later and will report to the Knights. One of the reasons for Mercedes demotion was that he dropped to hitting .150 in July from hitting as high as .450 in April.

#4 Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says the fans who booed reliever Kenly Jansen after he left on Wednesday and again on Thursday night were not right. Jansen has 21 saves and had been a lights out reliever for the Dodgers has now three straight blown saves. Against the Giants on Wednesday he gave up a top of the ninth inning two run homer to Wilmer Flores that gave the Giants the go ahead lead and later win. On Thursday night Jansen gave up four runs in the top of the ninth to the Giants for a Dodgers loss 5-3 loss. When Jansen left the game on Wednesday night the Dodgers fans gave him a round of boos. Roberts defended his player and said it wasn’t right that he was booed.

#5 Wednesday night the Toronto Blue Jays played their last game in Buffalo which had been their home all of last season and up to Thu Jul 22nd when they were granted permission to come back and play in Toronto. The Canadian government is opening up the Canadian border for the Jays and double vaccinated Americans will be allowed in Canada starting August 9th.

Join Larry for the MLB podcasts heard Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com