Ria Cortesio, professional baseball’s only active female umpire and sixth overall, is released after nine years of making calls in the minors. The 31 year-old crew chief, whose mask is in the Hall of Fame, worked the Futures Game and Home Run Derby at the 2006 All-Star Game played in Pittsburgh, and she was on the bases for an exhibition game between the Diamondbacks and Cubs during spring training.

ByTom

Ria Cortesio, professional baseball’s only active female umpire and sixth overall, is released after nine years of making calls in the minors. The 31 year-old crew chief, whose mask is in the Hall of Fame, worked the Futures Game and Home Run Derby at the 2006 All-Star Game played in Pittsburgh, and she was on the bases for an exhibition game between the Diamondbacks and Cubs during spring training.

Citing the veteran catcher’s ability to mentor younger players, the Astros re-sign Brad Ausmus to a one-year, $2 million incentive-laden deal. The 38 year-old Gold Glove backstop is expected to have a reduced role next season as rookie sensation J.R. Towles takes over behind the plate for Houston.

ByBaseball

Citing the veteran catcher’s ability to mentor younger players, the Astros re-sign Brad Ausmus to a one-year, $2 million incentive-laden deal. The 38 year-old Gold Glove backstop is expected to have a reduced role next season as rookie sensation J.R. Towles takes over behind the plate for Houston.

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, calling it a mutual decision, announces Grady Little (170-154, .525) has decided to leave the organization with a year left on his three-year contract to manage the club. The resignation fuels speculation of the club hiring former Yankee manager Joe Torre as the team’s new skipper.

ByBaseball

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, calling it a mutual decision, announces Grady Little (170-154, .525) has decided to leave the organization with a year left on his three-year contract to manage the club. The resignation fuels speculation of the club hiring former Yankee manager Joe Torre as the team’s new skipper.

The Yankees sign Joe Girardi to a three-year deal worth a reported $7.5 million to replace popular manager Joe Torre, who left earlier in the month, rejecting a 29% pay cut after guiding his club to their 12th postseason appearance in 12 years. The 43 year-old former catcher and broadcaster, the NL manager of the year with the 2006 Marlins, beat out coaches Don Mattingly and Tony Pena to become the team’s 32nd skipper.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Yankees sign Joe Girardi to a three-year deal worth a reported $7.5 million to replace popular manager Joe Torre, who left earlier in the month, rejecting a 29% pay cut after guiding his club to their 12th postseason appearance in 12 years. The 43 year-old former catcher and broadcaster, the NL manager of the year with the 2006 Marlins, beat out coaches Don Mattingly and Tony Pena to become the team’s 32nd skipper.

2007 – Rikkert Faneyte is hired as head coach of the Amsterdam Pirates, a year after their first playoff trip in 15 years. Faneyte has won two MVP awards as a player for the team, appearing both before and after his major league career. Faneyte was Amsterdam’s pitching coach previously. He will lead the team to the 2008 Holland Series title.

ByBaseball

2007 – Rikkert Faneyte is hired as head coach of the Amsterdam Pirates, a year after their first playoff trip in 15 years. Faneyte has won two MVP awards as a player for the team, appearing both before and after his major league career. Faneyte was Amsterdam’s pitching coach previously. He will lead the team to the 2008 Holland Series title.