After the Devil Rays decline his 2005 $8 million contract option, Tino Martinez (.262, 23, 76) signs a one-year, $3 million contract to rejoin the Yankees. The popular 37 year-old first baseman, acquired as insurance in the event Jason Giambi’s (the player who replaced him) health continues to fail, played in the Bronx from 1996-2001.

ByTom

After the Devil Rays decline his 2005 $8 million contract option, Tino Martinez (.262, 23, 76) signs a one-year, $3 million contract to rejoin the Yankees. The popular 37 year-old first baseman, acquired as insurance in the event Jason Giambi’s (the player who replaced him) health continues to fail, played in the Bronx from 1996-2001.

Aid originally destined for Nicaragua in memory of the anniversary of Roberto Clemente’s tragic flight 32 years ago, will be sent instead to the earthquake and tsunami victims of Southern Asia

Aid originally destined for Nicaragua in memory of the anniversary of Roberto Clemente’s tragic flight 32 years ago, will be sent instead to the earthquake and tsunami victims of Southern Asia

ByTom

2004 – Aid originally destined for Nicaragua in memory of the anniversary of Roberto Clemente’s tragic flight 32 years ago, will be sent instead to the earthquake and tsunami victims of Southern Asia. Roberto Clemente Jr., who with the help of the Project Club Clemente, collected two tons of supplies and raised nearly $20,000 dollars in efforts to reenact his father’s unfinished mission, decides to postpone the ceremonial flight and divert the relief to help those in most desperate need right now.

After the Cubs decline Moises Alou’s (.293, 39, 106) contract option, the Giants ink the free agent outfielder to a one-year contract with an option for a second year. The signing marks the second time the All-Star will be managed by his dad Felipe, as he did playing with the Expos from 1992-96.

ByTom

After the Cubs decline Moises Alou’s (.293, 39, 106) contract option, the Giants ink the free agent outfielder to a one-year contract with an option for a second year. The signing marks the second time the All-Star will be managed by his dad Felipe, as he did playing with the Expos from 1992-96.

Major League Season RecapMajor League Baseball Season Recap 2004

ByThis Day in Baseball

Major League Season Recap 2004 World Series – Boston Red Sox AL over St. Louis Cardinals NL 4 games to 0 World Series MVP – Manny Ramirez Babe Ruth Award – Keith Foulke Championship Series ALCS Boston Red Sox over New York Yankees 4 games to 3 ALCS MVP – David Ortiz NLCS St. Louis Cardinals over Houston Astros 4…

2004 – Boston Red Sox catcher and team leader Jason Varitek agrees to a four-year deal to stay in Boston. Joining Mike Menosky, Carl Yastrzemski and Jim Rice, Varitek is also named captain of the team.

ByTom

2004 – Boston Red Sox catcher and team leader Jason Varitek agrees to a four-year deal to stay in Boston. Joining Mike Menosky, Carl Yastrzemski and Jim Rice, Varitek is also named captain of the team.

Free agent outfielder J.D. Drew, who hit .305 with 31 home runs and 118 RBI for the Atlanta Braves, signs a five-year, $55 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. After being traded by the Cardinals to Atlanta last season, Drew, well-known to be injury prone, played in a career-high 145 games.

ByTom

Free agent outfielder J.D. Drew, who hit .305 with 31 home runs and 118 RBI for the Atlanta Braves, signs a five-year, $55 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. After being traded by the Cardinals to Atlanta last season, Drew, well-known to be injury prone, played in a career-high 145 games.

The St. Louis Cardinals sign former Anaheim Angels shortstop David Eckstein to a three-year contract

ByThis Day in Baseball

The St. Louis Cardinals sign former Anaheim Angels shortstop David Eckstein to a three-year contract. Eckstein will replace Edgar Renteria, who signed with the Boston Red Sox a few days ago, making the Boston shortstop, Orlando Cabrera, available to Anaheim, the team Eckstein is leaving.

former major league infielder Doug Ault dies in Tarpon Springs, Florida, from a self-inflicted gun shot wound

ByThis Day in Baseball

On December 22, 2004, former major league infielder Doug Ault dies in Tarpon Springs, Florida, from a self-inflicted gun shot wound. Ault slugged a pair of home runs in the Blue Jays first game in franchise history on opening day in 1977, and later managed in the Toronto organization.

Two days after trading pitching ace Tim Hudson (17-8, 4.43) to the Braves, the A’s deal Mark Mulder to the Cardinals for starting pitcher Dan Haren, reliever Kiko Calero, and minor league catching prospect Daric Barton. Five of the six players obtained by giving up two-thirds of the team’s ‘Big Three’ are expected to be part of the opening day roster for Oakland.

ByTom

Two days after trading pitching ace Tim Hudson (17-8, 4.43) to the Braves, the A’s deal Mark Mulder to the Cardinals for starting pitcher Dan Haren, reliever Kiko Calero, and minor league catching prospect Daric Barton. Five of the six players obtained by giving up two-thirds of the team’s ‘Big Three’ are expected to be part of the opening day roster for Oakland.

The last place Mariners continue to sign impact free-agents in hopes to improve upon last season’s poor performance (63-99) when the team signs 25 year-old Adrian Beltre (.334, 48, 121) to a $64 million, five-year deal. The former Dodger third baseman joins Richie Sexson, a free agent Seattle signed to a four-year, $50 million contract two days ago.

ByTom

The last place Mariners continue to sign impact free-agents in hopes to improve upon last season’s poor performance (63-99) when the team signs 25 year-old Adrian Beltre (.334, 48, 121) to a $64 million, five-year deal. The former Dodger third baseman joins Richie Sexson, a free agent Seattle signed to a four-year, $50 million contract two days ago.