There’s no crying in baseball
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Happy November!
Grab some leftover Halloween candy to pair with today’s treat of a newsletter — we’re talking champions, new leagues, and much more. Let’s dig right in.
— Co-founder of the Women’s Pro Baseball League Justine Siegal, announcing that the league will launch in 2026 with six teams in the northeast. There’s no crying in baseball, but when women get a league of their own, it’s time to pass the tissues.
World Series
⚾ A Hollywood ending
The GIST: The LA Dodgers are your 2024 World Series champions, beating the NY Yankees in five games to win their eighth franchise ’ship. Here’s how the superstar-led Blue Crew won it all and a look at the question mark–filled baseball offseason ahead. Lights, camera, action.
Freddie Freeman homers in Games 1 through 4, named MVP: Sprained ankle, be damned — Dodgers first baseman Freeman made Fall Classic history, homering in six straight World Series games (that he’s played in dating back to 2020) to lead this high-powered LA offense to the title.
- NY made many defensive miscues in the Game 5 L, but LA standouts to seal the deal included outfielder Mookie Betts, who drove in the game-winning run, and pitcher Walker Buehler, who put an up-and-down season behind him to close out the final inning.
- Now superstar Shohei Ohtani has his first career World Series ring, LA has their first title since the COVID–shortened 2020 season, and the Dodgers faithful can rest assured they have a superstar core intact for the foreseeable future. On top of the world, indeed.
Which team will land top free agent Juan Soto?: While LA celebrates, the Hot Stove is already heating up, specifically surrounding four-time All-Star Soto, who’s due for a big payday after a standout season in NY.
- The Yanks made a massive offseason splash to land Soto last December, but there’s question of whether the 26-year-old slugger will don the pinstripes once again as he eyes a potential record-breaking contract. Where will he shuffle to next?
Question of the Day
As you read, generational talent Juan Soto is headed for free agency. Where do you think he’ll end up? Chime in below.
🏀 Unrivaled — the new 3v3 women’s basketball league launching in January — expanded their inaugural season roster to 36 players (up from 30) after “outperforming financial projections.” Thirty of those 36 spots have been filled, but none by phenom Caitlin Clark…yet.
🏈 The NY Jets improved to 3-6 in last night’s Week 9 kickoff, topping the Houston Texans 21–13 on Thursday Night Football, thanks in part to Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson’s two touchdowns. Never bet against the house.
🏐 After a successful debut season, the Pro Volleyball Federation is growing, increasing their matches total by more than 33% in their newly released 2025 schedule. Bumpin’ that.
🔥 The PWHL is reportedly already considering adding up to two franchises as soon as the 2025–26 season, news that comes with season two puck drop just four weeks away.
⚽ No. 1 USWNT captain Naomi Girma scored her first and second international goals in the Americans’ 3–0 Wednesday friendly win over No. 33 Argentina, bringing this international window to an undefeated close, even amid serious roster rotation. Fresh faces, everywhere you look.
⚽ NWSL: Decision Weekend — Tonight through Sunday — NWSL+, Prime Video, ION, and ESPN
- Three teams — the Portland Thorns, Bay FC, and Racing Louisville FC — are all vying for the final two NWSL playoff spots (of eight total) heading into the final weekend of regular-season play. That said, nearly all postseason seeding is up for grabs, so every match is must-see.
⚽ MLS Cup Playoffs: No. 8 seed Atlanta United vs. No. 1 seed Inter Miami CF — Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET — MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+
- One more win and Miami’s Lionel Messi clinches a spot in the MLS Cup semis for the first time in his exquisite career, but plucky Atlanta won’t go down without a fight, as evidenced by their valiant effort in Game 1. Footy on.
🏎️ F1: Brazilian Grand Prix — Sunday at 12 p.m. ET — ESPN
- There’s been plenty of buzz about the World Drivers’ Championship battle between Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris, but there’s a new driver thriving on the track: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who’s just 24 points behind the second-place Norris. Vroom, vroom.
🏈 NFL: Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers — Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET — FOX
- Forget Taylor and Whitney, there’s an even juicier rivalry hitting TVs across North America with the Lions and Packers vying for the top spot in the NFC North. No better reality TV than a pair of scorching hot Super Bowl contenders.
Hi. It’s us. We’re the recommenders, it’s us.
🏀 What to visit
Paris’ iconic Pigalle Duperré basketball court. Nestled between buildings in the City of Light’s ninth arrondissement (aka district), the must-see court just got another colorful makeover.
👟 What to explore
This database of all WNBA and NBA signature shoes, from old-school Chuck Taylors to modern Air Jordans. It’s a sneakerhead’s bible.
📖 Where to meet
In your inbox for The GIST Book Club’s discussion on October’s book of the month, Unrivaled by Ashlyn Kane and Morgan James. Subscribe to The GIST Book Club’s newsletters to keep the conversation going.
Today’s email was brought to you by Lauren Tuiskula, Alessandra Puccio, Marga Sison, Lisa Minutillo, Megan Murray, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Laura Pastore, Emily Ohman, Emma Leishman, Rachel Fuenzalida, and Lindsay Jost. Fact-checking by Marga Sison. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster and Alessandra Puccio. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.