With a ten year, $20 million deal, Pro Player, the sports apparel division of Fruit of the Loom, becomes the first sports marketing and products company to have its name used as the moniker for a stadium. The renaming of Joe Robbie Stadium, the home of the Florida Marlins, to Pro Player Stadium sparks controversy as many Miamians believe the name of the benefactor, whose name will be removed, should still be included due to his generosity and efforts to fund the original project.

With a ten year, $20 million deal, Pro Player, the sports apparel division of Fruit of the Loom, becomes the first sports marketing and products company to have its name used as the moniker for a stadium. The renaming of Joe Robbie Stadium, the home of the Florida Marlins, to Pro Player Stadium sparks controversy as many Miamians believe the name of the benefactor, whose name will be removed, should still be included due to his generosity and efforts to fund the original project.

The Mets replaced Dallas Green as their manager with Bobby Valentine, a former coach who left the organization to manage in Texas. During his stormy seven-year tenure in New York, Bobby ‘V’ will compile a 536-467 (.534) record and will lead the team to the NL pennant in 2000.

The Mets replaced Dallas Green as their manager with Bobby Valentine, a former coach who left the organization to manage in Texas. During his stormy seven-year tenure in New York, Bobby ‘V’ will compile a 536-467 (.534) record and will lead the team to the NL pennant in 2000.

The Giants’ William Van Landingham allows two hits over eight innings and defeats the visiting Phils, 1 – 0. At one point, Van Landingham retires 17 straight hitters. Curt Schilling allows a run in the 1st, and strikes out 11, in taking the loss.

The Giants’ William Van Landingham allows two hits over eight innings and defeats the visiting Phils, 1 – 0. At one point, Van Landingham retires 17 straight hitters. Curt Schilling allows a run in the 1st, and strikes out 11, in taking the loss.

Brian Lesher becomes the first person born in Belgium to appear in a major league game. The 25 year-old from Wilrij starts in right-field and enjoys a 1-for-3 day at the plate, including a run-scoring single in the sixth inning off Andy Pettitte in the A’s 6-4 victory at Yankee Stadium.

Brian Lesher becomes the first person born in Belgium to appear in a major league game. The 25 year-old from Wilrij starts in right-field and enjoys a 1-for-3 day at the plate, including a run-scoring single in the sixth inning off Andy Pettitte in the A’s 6-4 victory at Yankee Stadium.

A monument in center field at Yankee Stadium is dedicated to Mickey Mantle, who died of liver cancer last year. The commemorative structure, the first to be erected by the team in 47 years, joins three other monuments in the Bronx ballpark that honor the legacies of Miller Huggins, Babe Ruth, and Lou Gehrig.

A monument in center field at Yankee Stadium is dedicated to Mickey Mantle, who died of liver cancer last year. The commemorative structure, the first to be erected by the team in 47 years, joins three other monuments in the Bronx ballpark that honor the legacies of Miller Huggins, Babe Ruth, and Lou Gehrig.

A monument in center field at Yankee Stadium is dedicated to Mickey Mantle, who died of liver cancer last year. The commemorative structure, the first to be erected by the team in 47 years, joins three other monuments in the Bronx ballpark that honor the legacies of Miller Huggins, Babe Ruth, and Lou Gehrig.

The Giants defeat the visiting Expos, 7 – 2, and Barry Bonds sits, ending his consecutive games played streak at 357, a Giants record. Bonds had pinch hit in the previous two games.

The Giants defeat the visiting Expos, 7 – 2, and Barry Bonds sits, ending his consecutive games played streak at 357, a Giants record. Bonds had pinch hit in the previous two games.

The Cards’ Alan Benes, 1-7 in his first eight decisions, loses 4 – 1 to the Astros. It is Benes’ first loss after reeling off 10 straight wins since his rocky start. Jeff Bagwell hits his 28th home run and drives in his 100th run for Houston, now up by 1 1/2 games over the Cards. Donne Wall is the winner.

The Cards’ Alan Benes, 1-7 in his first eight decisions, loses 4 – 1 to the Astros. It is Benes’ first loss after reeling off 10 straight wins since his rocky start. Jeff Bagwell hits his 28th home run and drives in his 100th run for Houston, now up by 1 1/2 games over the Cards. Donne Wall is the winner.

The Rockies defeat the Pirates, 13 – 9, despite five hits, including a home run, by Pittsburgh 2B Jeff King. Larry Walker and Vinny Castilla each drive home four runs for Colorado.

The Rockies defeat the Pirates, 13 – 9, despite five hits, including a home run, by Pittsburgh 2B Jeff King. Larry Walker and Vinny Castilla each drive home four runs for Colorado.

The Red Sox defeat the Mariners by a score of 8 – 5. Ken Griffey, Jr. and Alex Rodriguez hit back-to-back homers for Seattle in the 8th inning, marking the 17th time this season Mariner players have hit consecutive homers, for a major league record.

The Red Sox defeat the Mariners by a score of 8 – 5. Ken Griffey, Jr. and Alex Rodriguez hit back-to-back homers for Seattle in the 8th inning, marking the 17th time this season Mariner players have hit consecutive homers, for a major league record.