The New York Mets announce their former All-Star and Rookie of the Year Darryl Strawberry will rejoin the team as a special outfield instructor during spring training. Strawberry will also join former 1986 World Champion teammates Gary Carter, Lenny Dykstra, Howard Johnson and Tim Teufel at Shea Stadium on February 27 when single-game tickets go on sale.
Jose Canseco’s controversial book, Juiced, is made available in selected markets in anticipation of his appearance on CBS’s Sixty Minutes. The self-proclaimed godfather of the steroids in baseball alleges Mark McGwire, Juan Gonzalez, Rafael Palmeiro, and Ivan Rodriguez all used illegal performance-enhancing drugs.
2005 – Houston avoids arbitration for the eighth straight year by coming to terms with pitcher Roy Oswalt on a two-year deal worth $16.9 million. A 20-game winner in both 2004 and 2005, he will receive $11 million in 2006.
In his first public appearance since allegations of usage of performance-enhancing drugs surfaced, New York Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi apologizes to his teammates, Yankees fans and to baseball fans everywhere for letting them down last season. The All-Star first baseman, however, never uses the word steroids as he “accepts full responsibility for the controversy.”
Curt Schilling donates the blood-stained sock he wore in Game 2 of the World Series to the Hall of Fame. Presently, the sock is part of a Red Sox memorabilia tour, along with Derek Lowe’s Game 4 jersey, Manny Ramirez’s bat, and the ball used to make the last of the Fall Classic on loan from former first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, who kept the historical horsehide as a personal keepsake.
2005 – Sometimes they seem like Siamese twins even though Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio are not. The two infielders receive induction into the Hall of Fame – the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco, that is. Soon to be Astro teammates for 15 years straight, the pair are closing careers they hope will land them in a bigger hall – the one in Cooperstown, NY.
2005 – The Cubs trade reliever Kyle Farnsworth (4-5, 4.73) and a player to be named to the Tigers in exchange for pitcher Roberto Novoa (1-1, 5.09) and minor leaguers Scott Moore and Bo Flowers. Farnsworth’s inconsistency out of the bullpen last season made him very unpopular with the Wrigley Field fans.
2005 – The Detroit Tigers sign All-Star right fielder Magglio Ordóñez for five years for a reported $75 million. The contract for the free agent slugger, recovering from knee surgery, includes options which could extend his stay in Detroit for an additional two years making the deal worth nearly $100 million.
Needing to fill the void created by the departure of Sammy Sosa and Moises Alou, the Chicago Cubs avoid arbitration and sign Aramis Ramirez to a $8.95 million, one-year contract. Ramirez, who hit .318 with 36 home runs and 103 RBI in 2004, established club records for a third baseman.
A dentist, who became partially blind after being struck attempting to catch a foul ball, is appealing his case against the Philadelphia Phillies which alleges more needs to be done to protect fans. The case, dismissed by a Philadelphia Common Pleas judge citing multiple warnings were made by the club including public address announcements, text on the back of the ticket, and posted signs in the ballpark, will now be heard in the state’s Commonwealth Court.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!