|

Roger Clemens sends a brushback message to his own 19-year-old son after Koby slams a home run off his dad in the minor league Astros camp where Koby is training. Roger is preparing to pitch in the first World Baseball Classic but is not officially with the Astros. Denied salary arbitration, the pitching legend is fielding contract offers from other clubs while mulling retirement. The Astros cannot negotiate with him until May 1st. Officially, that is. 

ByTom

2006 – Roger Clemens sends a brushback message to his own 19-year-old son after Koby slams a home run off his dad in the minor league Astros camp where Koby is training. Roger is preparing to pitch in the first World Baseball Classic but is not officially with the Astros. Denied salary arbitration, the pitching legend is fielding contract offers from other clubs while mulling retirement. The Astros cannot negotiate with him until May 1st. Officially, that is. 

KENNY WILLIAMS, White Sox general manager, reacting to Frank Thomas negative comments

KENNY WILLIAMS, White Sox general manager, reacting to Frank Thomas negative comments

ByTom

“He’s an idiot. He’s selfish. That’s why we don’t miss him. And we’ve held it in for far too long.” – KENNY WILLIAMS, White Sox general manager, reacting to his former player’s negative comments. Frustrated with the latest comments from former employee Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams responds by calling his former superstar selfish as well as being an idiot. The former MVP, who signed with the A’s in January, has been very vocal about feeling unappreciated and mistreated by Chicago after spending 16 years with the organization.

Jeff Bagwell arrives with a $15.6 million dollar insurance tag on his head if he can’t play
| |

Jeff Bagwell arrives with a $15.6 million dollar insurance tag on his head if he can’t play

ByTom

2006 – It’s normally not news when a player shows up for spring training but that’s not true this time for Jeff Bagwell. The first baseman arrives with a $15.6 million dollar insurance tag on his head if he can’t play. Bagwell insists he’ll play despite an arthritic right shoulder that required surgery the previous year. He fields grounders and hits in light drills the first day and talks briefly with owner Drayton McLane. 

2006 – Complaining about the lack of support from local baseball officials, Roberto Kelly resigns as manager of Panama’s team in the World Baseball Classic. The Giants spring training instructor believes some players were held back from participating in the WBC so they would play in the Panamanian championships.

ByTom

2006 – Complaining about the lack of support from local baseball officials, Roberto Kelly resigns as manager of Panama’s team in the World Baseball Classic. The Giants spring training instructor believes some players were held back from participating in the WBC so they would play in the Panamanian championships.

Complaining about the lack of support from local baseball officials, Roberto Kelly resigns as manager of Panama’s team in the World Baseball Classic. The Giants spring training instructor believes some players were held back from participating in the WBC so they would play in the Panamanian championships.

ByTom

Complaining about the lack of support from local baseball officials, Roberto Kelly resigns as manager of Panama’s team in the World Baseball Classic. The Giants spring training instructor believes some players were held back from participating in the WBC so they would play in the Panamanian championships.

2006 – The Los Angeles Dodgers announce the team has extended the contract of Vin Scully through 2008. The Hall of Fame broadcaster, considered by many to be the best announcer in history, is beginning his 57th year in the Dodger organization, which is believed to be the longest tenure of any on-air individual in sports history.

ByTom

2006 – The Los Angeles Dodgers announce the team has extended the contract of Vin Scully through 2008. The Hall of Fame broadcaster, considered by many to be the best announcer in history, is beginning his 57th year in the Dodger organization, which is believed to be the longest tenure of any on-air individual in sports history.

Gene Elston is selected by the Hall of Fame to receive the Ford C. Frick Award
|

Gene Elston is selected by the Hall of Fame to receive the Ford C. Frick Award

ByTom

2006 – Gene Elston is selected by the Hall of Fame to receive the Ford C. Frick Award. During his 47 years in the broadcast booth, the former Houston Astros announcer brought a no-nonsense approach to reporting the happenings on the diamond.

2006 – San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds says this season will be his last, according to a report in USA Today. Meanwhile, Chicago Cubs pitcher Greg Maddux won’t say whether this season will be his last, he just wants to concentrate on the basics and enjoy the game.

ByThis Day in Baseball

2006 – San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds says this season will be his last, according to a report in USA Today. Meanwhile, Chicago Cubs pitcher Greg Maddux won’t say whether this season will be his last, he just wants to concentrate on the basics and enjoy the game.

|

Chicago White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen issues an apology for his comments published in Sports Illustrated criticizing Alex Rodriguez’s indecision concerning the WBC

ByThis Day in Baseball

2006 – Chicago White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen issues an apology for his comments published in Sports Illustrated criticizing Alex Rodriguez’s indecision concerning which country the Yankee All-Star would represent in the World Baseball Classic. A-Rod, who was born in the United States, thought at first he would play for the Dominican Republic due his parents’ heritage, then decided he was not going to play at all before choosing to play for Team USA.

|

2006 – Reaction continues to simmer over a memoir published by Astros broadcaster Milo Hamilton, who is in his 22nd year with Houston. While he has some critical comments for local folks, the national media focuses on Hamilton’s portrayal of deceased Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray as “a miserable human being”. Caray’s widow, Duchie, responds that Hamilton hasn’t “shown any class at all”. In the Chicago restaurant that bears Caray’s name, a new drink called the “Milo” is christened made of “cheap shots and sour grapes”. 

ByTom

2006 – Reaction continues to simmer over a memoir published by Astros broadcaster Milo Hamilton, who is in his 22nd year with Houston. While he has some critical comments for local folks, the national media focuses on Hamilton’s portrayal of deceased Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray as “a miserable human being”. Caray’s widow, Duchie, responds that Hamilton hasn’t “shown any class at all”. In the Chicago restaurant that bears Caray’s name, a new drink called the “Milo” is christened made of “cheap shots and sour grapes”.