Baltimore Orioles -- Concession Employees Pissed ... Are We Getting Paid for Cancelled Games?!

Concession Employees Pissed

Are We Getting Paid for Cancelled Games?!

EXCLUSIVE

It wasn't just the stands that were empty at the Baltimore Orioles game today -- the concession stands were also bare ... and now several employees are furious ... wondering if they're going to get paid for the work they were forced to miss. 

Of course, the decision to close the ballpark to the public was made by the MLB, the Orioles and the Baltimore PD for the safety of the fans ... in the wake of the riots. 

But several concession stand employees were counting on gameday paychecks -- paychecks they might not be getting since they were told to stay home. 

And it's not just today's game -- stadium employees didn't work Monday or Tuesday either since those games were cancelled. And the 3 home games scheduled for this upcoming weekend have been relocated to Florida. In total, that's 6 games worth of work. 

"They have not spoken to us about compensation," one concession worker tells TMZ Sports ... "I've received emails from [my employer] regarding the cancellation of games, but nothing mentioning pay."

Another worker says, "I have a daughter. I ride my bike to the bus to get to work. I'm trying to provide for my daughter. I need this work."

We reached out to the company that operates the concession stands, Delaware North -- which referred us to the Orioles. We called the team several times, but have yet to hear back. 

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'The Wire' Star Anwan Glover -- Rioters Disrespect Freddie Gray's Name ... 'We're Not Thugs'

Rioters Disrespect Freddie Gray's Name

'We're Not Thugs'

EXCLUSIVE

Count Anwan Glover from "The Wire" among those who feel the rioting and looting in Baltimore is doing disservice to the memory of Freddie Gray, whose death while in police custody triggered the protests.

Glover -- who played Slim Charles in the iconic HBO series set in Baltimore -- said he believes President Obama needs to become even more involved than he has been, to provide leadership for the city.

He also says if Slim were in Baltimore right now, he'd be using his "power in the street" to organize the youth and put a stop to the violence. 

Slim did have a way with words ... 

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Brittney Griner & Fiancee -- Recruited By 'Couples Therapy' ... You Need Serious Help

Recruited By 'Couples Therapy'

... You Need Serious Help

EXCLUSIVE

The host of VH1's "Couples Therapy" says she desperately wants to get WNBA star Brittney Griner and her fiancee Glory Johnson on the show ... telling TMZ Sports they "need a hell of a lot of work."

Both Brittney and Glory were arrested last week for attacking each other in their AZ home -- and Dr. Jenn Berman says the show would be the perfect place for them to work out their issues before they tie the knot. 

Dr. Berman -- a former rape and domestic violence counselor -- also says domestic violence is a serious problem in the gay and lesbian community because they tend to hide it more often. 

"There's a lot of shame in the gay community when there is domestic violence because there is a kind of a sense of 'Hey, we've been fighting to be recognized as a couple and now we have this?!'"

Berman also offers the couple advice -- but says she could be most effective if Griner and Johnson agree to get her help in person ... on Season 6. 

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -- Hospitalized with Chest Pain ... After 911 Call

Hospitalized With Chest Pain

... After 911 Call

EXCLUSIVE

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was rushed to an L.A. hospital Wednesday morning for chest pains ... just two hours after he tweeted to fans that he was "feeling better" ... TMZ Sports has learned. 

We've confirmed ... someone called 911 to request help for the NBA legend ... who had a quadruple coronary bypass surgery on April 16th. 

An ambulance transported Abdul-Jabbar to a nearby hospital where he was treated for chest pains. He's currently being treated by doctors though his condition is unclear. 

Just two hours before the 911 call, Abdul-Jabbar posted a message on Twitter to assure his fans that he's "doing fine & feeling better everyday."

He added, "Doing my rehab w/the same mental commitment I had as a pro."

We reached out to Kareem's people to find out how he's doing -- but so far, we haven't heard back.

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50 Cent -- I'm Making Big Money Off Mayweather/Pacquiao

EXCLUSIVE

50 Cent is jumping on the money train this weekend, where he plans to score huge bank off the backs of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Club sources tell TMZ ... the rapper is getting half-a-million bucks Friday night for throwing down rhymes at Drai's.

Fact is, 50 may be hedging his bets. You may recall ... he's put $1.6 mil on the line, betting Floyd Mayweather will put Manny Pacquiao in his place.

And we're told he also made a deal with Effen Vodka to make around $500k for a show 2 weeks later at Pool After Dark in Atlantic City.

When it rains it pours.

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Rosie O'Donnell's Ex Michelle Rounds -- Looks Like Someone Is Trying to Make Rosie Jealous (VIDEO)

So on the same day Michelle Rounds filed for sole custody of the child she shares with ex Rosie O'Donnell, she hit the town with a smoking hot model. What are the odds???? 

Rounds was out Tuesday night at Madera Kitchen where she walked out with her arm around Carmen Ortega ... who once dated Reggie Bush and was also possibly maybe the reason Jason Derulo and Jordin Sparks split. 

We can't say Rounds and Ortega are together ... but Rounds clearly went out of her way to snuggle close to Ortega for the cameras to see. 

Not that we can blame her. 

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'Dance Mom' Abby Lee Miller -- At WAR With Producers

EXCLUSIVE

"Dance Moms" star Abby Lee Miller thinks her producers are trying to ruin her show by creating phony, unnecessary conflicts.

Abby went on TMZ Live Wednesday and trashed her production team. She says she's plenty capable of making kids cry ... she knows exactly which buttons to push and she can do it on a dime.

As for whether she's gunning for their jobs, Abby says it's not necessary ... it's the old, "Ya give 'em enough rope ..."

Sounds like chaos.

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Michael Waltrip -- 'McDreamy' Has Racing Groupies ... He's Legit On the Track

EXCLUSIVE

Patrick Dempsey is making serious strides on the racing circuit -- not only impressing other drivers ... but already racking up a solid bunch of race groupies ... so says NASCAR legend Michael Waltrip. 

The former "Grey's Anatomy" star recently left the show -- and has been making a serious effort to climb the ranks in the world of pro race car driving. 

And apparently, his efforts are not going unnoticed -- with Waltrip telling us McDreamy has a strong legion of female fans who can't get enough of him at the track.

So, if an actor can become a racer -- can a racer become an actor??? Waltrip gives it a shot in the clip ... and it's pretty hilarious. 

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Justin Bieber -- Triggers International Incident

EXCLUSIVE

Justin Bieber's like a Bond villain -- an internationally wanted man -- and there's a push to get him locked up in Rome, but it hasn't happened yet ... TMZ has learned. 

Rumors swirled Bieber got busted Wednesday morning when police officers swarmed outside his hotel in Rome. Truth is ... no arrest was made, but our Bieber sources confirm he is on an Interpol list because of an outstanding warrant in Argentina. 

As we've reported ... Justin is wanted for not appearing to face charges he allegedly got his bodyguards to beat up a Buenos Aires photog in 2013.

We're told authorities in Argentina have contacted Interpol -- but so far there's been no arrest. Bieber's legal team believes there's a grace period before cops bust him on the warrant ... which was just issued earlier this month.

As for the officers outside the hotel ... we're told they were consulting with Justin's security team on crowd control.

Not so fun fact for Biebs -- Italy and Argentina have an extradition treaty.

Justin's in Rome to shoot "Zoolander 2." He'd better nail it in one take. 

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Ex-Louisville Basketball Star Chris Jones -- Cleared In Rape & Sodomy Case

Former Louisville college basketball star Chris Jones is officially OFF THE HOOK in his rape and sodomy case after a grand jury decided there was not enough evidence to prosecute. 

23-year-old Jones was arrested back in February on suspicion of sexually assaulting 2 women at an off-campus apartment party.  Jones was kicked off the team hours after the alleged incident for breaking curfew. 

The case went to a grand jury in Jefferson County, Kentucky ... but after hearing testimony from several witnesses, the jury decided the case against Jones was not strong enough to move forward. 

According to reports, surveillance footage showing the accusers giggling in a hallway after the alleged incident played a major role in the case. 

Bottom line -- Jones was cleared of criminal charges. 

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Snoop Dogg -- Pulls 'Deez Nuts' Gag ... On TMZ Sports Photog

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TMZ Live: Rock Legend: Allegedly Forced by Wife to Drink Himself to Death

Rock Legend:

Allegedly Forced by Wife to Drink Himself to Death

54 minutes ago BY TMZ STAFF

ON TODAY'S SHOW

• Ciara & Russell Wilson: The Next Tom & Gisele
• Major Drama with between Two 'Dance Mom' Stars
• Mariah Carey is Gearing Up for Her Huge Vegas Debut
• A Hip Hop Legend Says His Culture Won't Embrace Bruce Jenner

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NBA's Javaris Crittenton -- Guilty In Shooting Death ... 23 Years In Prison

Guilty In Shooting Death

... 23 Years In Prison

breaking news

Former NBA player Javaris Crittenton plead guilty to manslaughther in the 2011 shooting death of a 22-year-old mother of 4 ... and was sentenced to 23 years in prison. 

As we previously reported, Crittenton -- a 1st round pick in the 2007 NBA Draft -- was initially charged with murder for killing Julian Jones in a drive-by shooting in Atlanta. 

But Crittenton struck a deal with prosecutors in which he agreed to plead guilty to the lesser voluntary manslaughter with a weapon charge and aggravated assault with a firearm. In exchange, prosecutors dropped the murder charge and got 23 years in the clink. 

During the hearing, Javaris apologized for the killing -- started to cry -- and said it was all a terrible mistake. 

In the past, officials said they believed Javaris was out for retaliation against a rival gang member on the day of the shooting ... but ended up shooting Jones instead, who had just put her kids to bed.   

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GoDaddy -- Drops Danica Patrick ... As NASCAR Sponsor

Drops Danica Patrick

... As Race Sponsor

breaking news

GoDaddy is officially PUMPING THE BRAKES on its NASCAR sponsorship of Danica Patrick -- and will no longer be her primary car sponsor.  

The internet domain company has been Patrick's #1 car sponsor since 2010 -- but has announced it will NOT renew it's deal with the 33-year-old driver when it expires later this year. 

GoDaddy says it's working on a "personal services" contract with the driver.  

Patrick told The Associated Press, "I'm sad. I'm a little surprised and I'm sad."

She added, "But to say I didn't imagine this was not a scenario would be a lie. It's bittersweet. It's going to be really weird to think I won't drive the bright green, can't-miss-it car next year."

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Erick Sermon -- Hip-Hop Is a No Bruce Jenner Zone ... That's Not Our Culture

Hip-Hop Is a No Bruce Jenner Zone

... That's Not Our Culture

EXCLUSIVE

Message to any transgender rappers -- do NOT follow Bruce Jenner's lead, 'cause hip-hop culture's not ready for that kinda thing ... at least according to hip-hop legend Erick Sermon.

We got Sermon -- one half of rap pioneers EPMD -- in NYC, and when we asked if hip-hop would welcome a transgender performer at this point ... he went on a rant. 

Sermon said, "They're taking the culture too far. It's just too far to be going."

You've gotta watch ... it's a bit puzzling -- Sermon criticizes Bruce for the timing of his announcement ... then applauds him for potentially helping transgenders who might be suicidal. 

As for the whole transgender rapper thing -- check out his Michael Sam metaphor.

It's complicated.

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Tim Brown -- Mayweather Is Boring ... Knock Somebody Out Already!

Mayweather Is Boring

... Knock Someone Out Already!

breaking news

Shots fired from NFL legend Tim Brown -- who just blasted Floyd Mayweather as one of the most BORING fighters ever ... and said he refuses to pay to watch him fight Pacquaio!!!

Brown just appeared on "105.3 THE FAN Dallas/Ft. Worth" -- and sounded off on the head of The Money Team ... saying, "He's BORING man! He never gets hit. Knock somebody out, will ya?!"

The former wide receiver went on to explain that Floyd is more of a "piddy pat" fighter who never goes in for the kill -- "If I'm gonna pay for a boxing match, I wanna see blood."

Damn, Tim Brown. 

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'Zoolander 2' -- Blue Steel Meets Justin Bieber

Are we in for another walk-off?

"Zoolander 2" is shaping up to be the king of cameos ... as Ben Stiller just revealed Justin Bieber will make an appearance in the flick.

Bieber has hinted he might be appearing, writing, "Working on something big right now in Europe. To learn more follow me on Fahlo. He is so hot right now."

The photo kind of lets the cat out of the bag.

No word on what Biebs will do in the cameo ... maybe he's a graduate of "The Derek Zoolander Center For Kids Who Can't Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too."

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Weight Watchers Founder Jean Nidetch -- Dead at 91

EXCLUSIVE

Jean Nidetch -- the woman who founded Weight Watchers -- has died.

We're told the 91-year-old passed away in the Ft. Lauderdale area early Wednesday morning.

Jean came up with the groundbreaking idea in 1961, not to start a business, but to help her in her own struggle. She had been overweight since early childhood, and at the time she was 5'7" and weighed 214 lbs. 

Jean started following basic tips ... don't skip meals, eat fish 5 times a week, veggies, etc. She soon started inviting friends over and they would talk in her living room about their common goals. 

It caught fire, and in 1963, Weight Watchers was born, and Jean became a celebrity, even appearing on Johnny Carson's show.  

In 1978 Weight Watchers was sold to the Heinz Co. for $71 million. Even after she retired, she was known as the first lady of Weight Watchers International.

Jean was living in a one bedroom apartment and, by the way, she wasn't a slave to diet. She drank regular sodas, stocked the fridge with Klondike bars and liked Mallomars, which she kept in her laundry hamper.

Jean died of natural causes.

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Lawrence Taylor -- Ray Rice Deserves 2nd Chance

EXCLUSIVE

Lawrence Taylor believes Ray Rice can still play in the NFL -- and believes SOMEONE should give the guy a second chance in the league this season.  

It's an interesting stance for Taylor, who knows first hand about getting a 2nd chance in the NFL.

After all, he was suspended by the league for 30 days in 1988 after testing positive for cocaine ... but came back to make 3 more Pro Bowls and a 2nd Super Bowl title. 

There's more ... Taylor also believes the #1 pick in the upcoming draft should be Jameis Winston ... another guy with a rocky past. 

Question is ... will NFL owners be as willing to forgive as LT? 

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Jon Jones -- FIRED BY REEBOK

breaking news

Jon Jones is OUT at Reebok -- with reps for the sports apparel company telling us they're 86'ing the UFC star over his recent arrest in New Mexico.

A rep for Reebok tells TMZ Sports ... 'In light of recent events, we have made the decision to terminate our contract with Jon Jones, effective immediately.'

Jones has been with Reebok since December -- when the company signed both Jon and Ronda Rousey to big sponsorship deals. 

The news comes in the wake of the UFC suspending Jones indefinitely and stripping him of his title after he was arrested for felony hit and run in Albuqueque. 

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Mariah Carey -- I'm Rehearsing, I'm Ready, I'm Fabulous

EXCLUSIVE

Mariah Carey is taking her Vegas residency as seriously as anything in her career ... so say the people getting her ready for next week's kickoff.

Our Mariah sources say she will not have a repeat of Japan ... her voice is "on fire."  We got this pic of her rehearsing over the weekend with her voice coach, producer and other show-related people.

There's lots of voice protection stuff in the picture ... throat coat, tea, etc.

As for preparation, one of her people says, "She's been singing these 18 #1 hits for a very long time."

Her show starts next Wednesday.

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