2002 – Major League Baseball announces it has rehired five umpires who had resigned during the 1999 season as part of the ill-fated strategy concocted by Richie Phillips and the Major League Umpires Association. They are Gary Darling, Bill Hohn, Larry Poncino, Larry Vanover and Joe West. Four other umpires, Drew Coble, Greg Kosc, Terry Tata, and Frank Pulli, are allowed to retire.

ByTom

2002 – Major League Baseball announces it has rehired five umpires who had resigned during the 1999 season as part of the ill-fated strategy concocted by Richie Phillips and the Major League Umpires Association. They are Gary Darling, Bill Hohn, Larry Poncino, Larry Vanover and Joe West. Four other umpires, Drew Coble, Greg Kosc, Terry Tata, and Frank Pulli, are allowed to retire.

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Astros announce they have purchased back the naming rights of their ballpark from Enron for $2.1 million dollars

ByTom

2002 – Astros announce they have purchased back the naming rights of their ballpark from Enron for $2.1 million dollars. The 30-year deal signed in 1999 winds up in bankruptcy court after Enron collapses in scandal during the fall of 2001. Tentatively, the park is named Astros Field while a new sponsor is sought. 

The Houston Astros buy back the stadium naming rights to Enron Field from bankrupt Enron for $2.1 million. The stadium will be known as “Astros Field” until the rights are resold.

ByTom

The Houston Astros buy back the stadium naming rights to Enron Field from bankrupt Enron for $2.1 million. The stadium will be known as “Astros Field” until the rights are resold.

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Matt Williams breaks a bone in his left leg during a morning workout. Arizona does not issue a timetable for the return of the 36-year-old veteran.

ByTom

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Matt Williams breaks a bone in his left leg during a morning workout. Arizona does not issue a timetable for the return of the 36-year-old veteran.

84-year-old Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell announces this season will be his last as Detroit Tigers radio play-by-play announcer. The winner of the 1981 Ford C. Frick Award for baseball broadcasting excellence has worked for the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants and Baltimore Orioles before moving to Detroit during his 62-year career behind a microphone.

ByTom

84-year-old Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell announces this season will be his last as Detroit Tigers radio play-by-play announcer. The winner of the 1981 Ford C. Frick Award for baseball broadcasting excellence has worked for the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants and Baltimore Orioles before moving to Detroit during his 62-year career behind a microphone.

2002 – 37-year-old Jose Canseco signs a minor league contract with the lame-duck Montreal Expos. The 17-year veteran, who was the 1986 American League Rookie of the Year and its 1988 MVP, is 38 homers shy of the coveted 500 mark. He will be released before the end of spring training, however.

ByThis Day in Baseball

2002 – 37-year-old Jose Canseco signs a minor league contract with the lame-duck Montreal Expos. The 17-year veteran, who was the 1986 American League Rookie of the Year and its 1988 MVP, is 38 homers shy of the coveted 500 mark. He will be released before the end of spring training, however.

2002 – San Diego Padres OF Mike Darr is killed in an early-morning accident when his car rolls over in Phoenix near the team’s spring training camp. Surviving is pitcher Ben Howard, who was sitting in the back seat wearing a seatbelt.

ByTom

2002 – San Diego Padres OF Mike Darr is killed in an early-morning accident when his car rolls over in Phoenix near the team’s spring training camp. Surviving is pitcher Ben Howard, who was sitting in the back seat wearing a seatbelt.