2003 – The new Hall of Fame Veterans selection committee, made up of mostly Hall of Famers, fails to select any of the 41 players, executives and umpires being considered. Former Dodgers first baseman Gil Hodges is 11 votes shy of the 75 percent needed for induction receiving 50 votes of 81 cast (61.7%).

ByTom

2003 – The new Hall of Fame Veterans selection committee, made up of mostly Hall of Famers, fails to select any of the 41 players, executives and umpires being considered. Former Dodgers first baseman Gil Hodges is 11 votes shy of the 75 percent needed for induction receiving 50 votes of 81 cast (61.7%).

2003 – Toronto Blue Jays World Series hero Joe Carter is selected to be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on June 28th. Pete Rose, who collected his 4000th hit with the Montreal Expos, was one of the 46 nominees considered, but was not chosen by 75 per cent of the voters.

ByTom

2003 – Toronto Blue Jays World Series hero Joe Carter is selected to be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on June 28th. Pete Rose, who collected his 4000th hit with the Montreal Expos, was one of the 46 nominees considered, but was not chosen by 75 per cent of the voters.

Commissioner Bud Selig decides to ban the use of ephedra
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Commissioner Bud Selig decides to ban the use of ephedra

ByThis Day in Baseball

2003 – In the wake of Steve Bechler’s death, Commissioner Bud Selig decides to ban the use of ephedra in the minor leagues. Players on the current 40-man major league rosters, which would have included the 23-year old Oriole pitcher who died on February 23rd, are not prohibited to use the supplement because, as union members, they are already covered by the drug-testing rules of the new collective bargaining agreement, which bans only drugs of abuse and certain illegal steroids.

Orioles 23-year-old pitching prospect Steve Bechler dies of multi-organ failure after a spring training workout

Orioles 23-year-old pitching prospect Steve Bechler dies of multi-organ failure after a spring training workout

ByThis Day in Baseball

His body temperature having soared to 108 degrees, Orioles 23-year-old pitching prospect Steve Bechler dies of multi-organ failure after a spring training workout yesterday. Early speculation is the expectant father’s death may have been caused by ephedrine, a dietary supplement linked to heat stroke and heart attacks.

Avoiding arbitration, the Braves and 36-year-old righty Greg Maddux (16-6, 2.62) agree to the largest one-year contract in major league history. The $14.75 million deal for the four-time Cy Young Award winner eclipses the $12 million given to David Cone by the Yankees in 2000.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Avoiding arbitration, the Braves and 36-year-old righty Greg Maddux (16-6, 2.62) agree to the largest one-year contract in major league history. The $14.75 million deal for the four-time Cy Young Award winner eclipses the $12 million given to David Cone by the Yankees in 2000.

2003 – Although banned by Major League Baseball for a Cooperstown induction, Pete Rose becomes a member of the “Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame”. Charlie Hustle joins 1998 inductee Shoeless Joe Jackson, who is also banned from becoming a member of the Hall of Fame.

ByTom

2003 – Although banned by Major League Baseball for a Cooperstown induction, Pete Rose becomes a member of the “Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame”. Charlie Hustle joins 1998 inductee Shoeless Joe Jackson, who is also banned from becoming a member of the Hall of Fame.

2003 – One day after the Chunichi Dragons released him in return for an undisclosed payment, the Red Sox acquire Kevin Millar (.306, 16, 57) from the Marlins. The 31-year-old 1B/OF, who had originally agreed to a two-year, $6.2 million deal to play in Japan, had a change of heart after at first rejecting Boston’s waiver claim for him made in January.

ByTom

2003 – One day after the Chunichi Dragons released him in return for an undisclosed payment, the Red Sox acquire Kevin Millar (.306, 16, 57) from the Marlins. The 31-year-old 1B/OF, who had originally agreed to a two-year, $6.2 million deal to play in Japan, had a change of heart after at first rejecting Boston’s waiver claim for him made in January.

Chunichi Dragons return Kevin Millar to the Marlins for an undisclosed amount of money for relinquishing its rights

Chunichi Dragons return Kevin Millar to the Marlins for an undisclosed amount of money for relinquishing its rights

ByTom

2003 – After much speculation, the Chunichi Dragons return Kevin Millar to the Marlins for an undisclosed amount of money for relinquishing its rights. After reconsidering an offer from the Boston Red Sox, Millar had a change of heart and does not want to play for the Japanese Central League team.

The Battle Over Wrigley Field’s Rooftop Views

ByTom

2003 – Federal judge James Holderman gives the Chicago Cubs and the owners of rooftop bleachers which provide fans a view of Wrigley Field a year to settle their dispute. The team believes the seating provided above the field on the rooftops directly competes with the club for ticket sales and the surrounding neighbors, in turn, have not been sympathetic to team’s expansion plans.