Deliberating for a little more than four hours, a jury rules the Angels did not breach a contract with the city of Anaheim when the ball club changed its name. Thirteen months ago, the team known as the Anaheim Angels became the “Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim”, prompting the city where it plays to file a law suit claiming the change in name amounted to at least $100 million in lost revenue.
2006 – Emil Brown defeats the Kansas City Royals in salary arbitration and will get his request for $1,775,000 rather than the team’s offer of $1.4 million. Brown set career highs last season in batting average (.286), doubles (31), home runs (17) and RBI (86) for the Royals, who had the worst record in the major leagues at 56-106.
After rejecting an earlier proposal by an 8-5 margin just a few hours ago, the District of Columbia Council reverses itself and approves a revised lease for a new Washington, D.C. ballpark. At the urging of Mayor Anthony A. Williams, the council reconvenes and votes 9-4 to approve the deal after attaching legislation capping the district’s total cost at a bit less than $611 million.
The San Francisco Giants rename their stadium as a result of continuous changes in the corporate world that pay handsomely for sports naming rights, giving the stadium its third identity since its opening in 2000. The Giants’ ballpark is changing its name to AT&T Park beginning in March. The stadium was originally called “Pacific Bell Park” and was later renamed “SBC Park”. The ballpark is scheduled to host the 2007 All-Star Game.
The Boston Red Sox finish up their deal for slick-fielding shortstop Alex Gonzalez, plugging their last big hole after a major offseason upheaval. Gonzalez, who spent his first eight major league seasons with the Florida Marlins, will reportedly get a one-year contract worth $3 million. An All-Star in 1999, Gonzalez also helped the Marlins win the World Series in 2003. He committed 32 errors in the last two seasons (16 each), compared to the 30 committed by Edgar Renteria in his only season with the Red Sox.
Miguel Tejada hits a three-run home run to help the Dominican Republic’s Licey Tigers rally past Mexico’s Mazatlan Reindeer, 10 – 6, in the Caribbean World Series. In the second game, Marco Scutaro hits a grand slam to propel the Caracas Lions of Venezuela to a 6 – 1 victory against Puerto Rico’s Carolina Giants. Scutaro and his Caracas teammates are 2-0 in round-robin play. The Dominican Republic is also undefeated after two games.
At a luncheon at Safeco Field, Astros second baseman Craig Biggio becomes the 41st recipient of the Hutch Award. The prestigious award, named in honor of Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson, a major league pitcher and manager who died of cancer in 1964, is given annually to a Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies Hutch’s fighting spirit and competitive desire.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!