five-ton wrecking ball smashes into Busch Stadium to make room for a new ballpark to house the St. Louis Cardinals

ByThis Day in Baseball

With a resounding thud, a five-ton wrecking ball smashes into Busch Stadium to make room for a new ballpark to house the St. Louis Cardinals. Hundreds of observers line nearby streets or dotted rooftops to watch the beginning of the demolition to the 39-year-old facility.

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Oakland Athletics reliever Huston Street and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard are named the American League and National League rookies of the year

ByThis Day in Baseball

Oakland Athletics reliever Huston Street and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard are rewarded for their efforts by being named the American League and National League rookies of the year, respectively. Street became Oakland’s closer when incumbent Octavio Dotel went down in May with an elbow injury that required surgery. Street saved 23 games in 27 chances to go along with a 5-1 record and a 1.72 ERA. Only Mariano Rivera’s 1.38 ERA for the Yankees was better among AL relievers. Street had 72 strikeouts in 78 1/3 innings pitched, and opposing hitters batted only .194 against him. Howard became the Phillies’ everyday first baseman in early July when slugger Jim Thome was sidelined for the season with an elbow injury. Howard, who led all major league rookies with 22 home runs, also posted a .288 average and 63 RBI in 312 at bats. He had 11 homers and 27 RBI in September and October as the Phillies battled the Houston Astros for the NL wild card until getting eliminated on the last day of the season.

The Yankees continue to makeover their coaching staff when Ron Guidry, a former three-time 20-game winner, is named to replace Mel Stottlemyre as the team’s pitching coach, and former Red Sox skipper Joe Kerrigan joins the team as its bullpen coach. Earlier in the week, former big league managers Larry Bowa (third base coach), Lee Mazzilli (bench coach), and Tony Pena (first base coach) also are added to Joe Torre’s staff.

ByTom

The Yankees continue to makeover their coaching staff when Ron Guidry, a former three-time 20-game winner, is named to replace Mel Stottlemyre as the team’s pitching coach, and former Red Sox skipper Joe Kerrigan joins the team as its bullpen coach. Earlier in the week, former big league managers Larry Bowa (third base coach), Lee Mazzilli (bench coach), and Tony Pena (first base coach) also are added to Joe Torre’s staff.

SBC announces the San Francisco home of the Giants will getting its third name in three years. The corporation will adopt the better known AT&T brand for its identity as the result of the likely merger of the two companies planned for later this year.

ByBaseball

SBC announces the San Francisco home of the Giants will getting its third name in three years. The corporation will adopt the better known AT&T brand for its identity as the result of the likely merger of the two companies planned for later this year.

Third baseman Vinny Castilla is traded by the Washington Nationals to the San Diego Padres for pitcher Brian Lawrence and cash considerations.

ByBaseball

Third baseman Vinny Castilla is traded by the Washington Nationals to the San Diego Padres for pitcher Brian Lawrence and cash considerations.

Former Kansas City Royals manager Tony Peña is hired by the New York Yankees as their first base coach and says he likely will withdraw as a candidate to manage the Dominican Republic in next year’s inaugural World Baseball Classic.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Former Kansas City Royals manager Tony Peña is hired by the New York Yankees as their first base coach and says he likely will withdraw as a candidate to manage the Dominican Republic in next year’s inaugural World Baseball Classic.

Roberto Alomar and Danny Bautista are reinstated from the voluntary retired list by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and the pair file for free agency.

ByBaseball

Roberto Alomar and Danny Bautista are reinstated from the voluntary retired list by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and the pair file for free agency.

Former Houston Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker is named senior vice president of baseball operations for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, giving the club a proven front office executive to work with the club’s young and inexperienced head of baseball operations.

ByBaseball

Former Houston Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker is named senior vice president of baseball operations for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, giving the club a proven front office executive to work with the club’s young and inexperienced head of baseball operations.