Pittsburgh Pirates move into their new $262 million home at PNC Park

Pittsburgh Pirates move into their new $262 million home at PNC Park

ByThis Day in Baseball

2001 – After 31 years in Three Rivers Stadium, the Pittsburgh Pirates move into their new $262 million home at PNC Park, losing to the New York Mets, 4 – 3, in an exhibition game. The 38,000 seat stadium is nestled at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers with a spectacular view of the city.

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2002 – Lance Berkman drills two home runs and Roy Oswalt scatters seven hits as Houston tops the Boston Red Sox, 5-1, in an exhibition at the newly-renamed Astros Field. Scrubbed are virtually all signs of Enron, whose naming-rights deal for the ballpark fell into bankruptcy court. The win is also a little sweeter for manager Jimy Williams who was fired by the Sox midway through the 2001 season. 

ByTom

2002 – Lance Berkman drills two home runs and Roy Oswalt scatters seven hits as Houston tops the Boston Red Sox, 5-1, in an exhibition at the newly-renamed Astros Field. Scrubbed are virtually all signs of Enron, whose naming-rights deal for the ballpark fell into bankruptcy court. The win is also a little sweeter for manager Jimy Williams who was fired by the Sox midway through the 2001 season. 

2001 – First baseman Todd Helton signs a nine-year, $141.5 million contract extension making him the highest-paid player in Colorado Rockies history. in 2000, Helton posted a .372 average with 42 home runs and 147 RBI.

ByTom

2001 – First baseman Todd Helton signs a nine-year, $141.5 million contract extension making him the highest-paid player in Colorado Rockies history. in 2000, Helton posted a .372 average with 42 home runs and 147 RBI.

2001 – The New York Yankees send Glenallen Hill to the Anaheim Angels for Darren Blakely, and the San Diego Padres trade Matt Clement to the Florida Marlins in exchange for Mark Kotsay.

ByTom

2001 – The New York Yankees send Glenallen Hill to the Anaheim Angels for Darren Blakely, and the San Diego Padres trade Matt Clement to the Florida Marlins in exchange for Mark Kotsay.

2001 – In a trade of pitchers, the Colorado Rockies send Brian Rose to the New York Mets in exchange for Mark Leiter. Rose will make three appearances for the Mets before being waived to the Florida Marlins.

ByTom

2001 – In a trade of pitchers, the Colorado Rockies send Brian Rose to the New York Mets in exchange for Mark Leiter. Rose will make three appearances for the Mets before being waived to the Florida Marlins.

2001 – Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson accidentally kills a dove with a pitch during the Diamondbacks’ 10 – 6 exhibition win over the San Francisco Giants. The dove makes the mistake of darting in front of a 95 mph fastball.

ByTom

2001 – Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson accidentally kills a dove with a pitch during the Diamondbacks’ 10 – 6 exhibition win over the San Francisco Giants. The dove makes the mistake of darting in front of a 95 mph fastball.

2001 – Durable pitcher Tim Belcher announces his retirement. In a 14-season majors career, Belcher posted a 146-140 record with 1,519 strikeouts and a 4.24 ERA in 2,442.2 innings for seven teams. He was the first overall choice of the 1983 amateur draft but failed to come to terms with the Minnesota Twins.

ByTom

2001 – Durable pitcher Tim Belcher announces his retirement. In a 14-season majors career, Belcher posted a 146-140 record with 1,519 strikeouts and a 4.24 ERA in 2,442.2 innings for seven teams. He was the first overall choice of the 1983 amateur draft but failed to come to terms with the Minnesota Twins.

During an exhibition game against the Giants, Diamondback hurler Randy Johnson’s fastball hits and instantly kills a dove flying in front of home plate. The bird appears to explode as the National League Cy Young winner’s pitch sends it over catcher Rod Barajas’ head.

ByTom

During an exhibition game against the Giants, Diamondback hurler Randy Johnson’s fastball hits and instantly kills a dove flying in front of home plate. The bird appears to explode as the National League Cy Young winner’s pitch sends it over catcher Rod Barajas’ head.