MLB to alter vetting of political donations

Major League Baseball will put in place new procedures for vetting political contributions after giving $5,000 to Cindy Hyde-Smith, a Republican senator from Mississippi, and then asking for the money back following her insensitive remarks.

MLB’s political action committee donated $472,500 from the start of 2017 through this Oct. 17, according to Federal Election Commission records. Among the distributions were two $2,500 contributions to Hyde-Smith’s Senate campaign on June 26 and Sept. 24.

“Our lobbyists had a lot of discretion as to what they were doing, particularly with contributions of that size, and there’s just going to be additional oversight here in New York,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Tuesday. “We did not review in advance contributions of that size.”

MLB intends to have its legislative affairs committee discuss new procedures before making any decisions.

A video showed HydeSmith, who won her runoff Tuesday against Democrat Mike Espy, praising a supporter this month by saying: “If he invited me to a public hanging, I’d be on the front row.”

Manfred did not want to comment on Charles Johnson, one of the Giants’ principal owners, and his wife Ann each contributing to Hyde-Smith for $2,700, the individual maximum. After a brief firestorm, Johnson asked that the donations be returned.

“The Giants have more than 30 owners,” team President Larry Baer said in a statement Monday. “Just like our fans, they come from different backgrounds and have their own political views . ... Neither I nor anyone else at the Giants can control who any of our owners support politically, just as we cannot and should not control whom any of our employees support politically.” Gambling deal: Major League Baseball announced an agreement with MGM Resorts as the sport’s first gamblingindustry partner. Baseball’s agreement comes after the NBA and the NHL also reached deals with MGM this year. It allows MGM to promote its gambling options on platforms like MLB Network, MLB.com and the MLB At Bat app. Briefly: Pittsburgh pitcher Chris Archer had surgery to repair a hernia but should be ready in time for spring training . ... Outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall agreed to a $2.75 million, one-year contract with the Pirates, leaving Cleveland after eight seasons . ... Catcher Erik Kratz and Milwaukee agreed to a $1.2 million, oneyear contract that avoided salary arbitration and includes a $300,000 guarantee.