The Brewers exercise Ned Yost’s 2009 option, after the 53 year-old skipper led Milwaukee to its first winning season since 1992, finishing second in the NL Central with an 83-79 won-loss record. The skipper will never manage a game in his extended contracted year after he is dismissed with 12 games remaining this season, taking the blame for the under-achieving team’s swoon in August and September.
The fallout from the Mitchell Report continues when Brian McNamee gives a seven-hour deposition to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Meanwhile, Roger Clemens lobbies congressmen and continues to claim McNamee lied about Clemens’ use of steroids.
The Rangers hire Nolan Ryan as team president during a pivotal point in club history, according to club president Tom Hicks. The 61 year-old Hall of Fame hurler, who retired with the Rangers in 1993 after playing a record 27 major league seasons, is introduced at The Ballpark in Arlington with much fanfare, including a video highlight package featuring many of the right-hander’s milestones.
In the Caribbean Series, DH Miguel Tejada homers twice to become the all-time Caribbean Series leader with 13 home runs, breaking a tie with Tony Armas Sr.. Tejada’s jacks help his Aguilas Cibaeñas to a 13 – 6 victory over the Yaquis de Obregón. He goes 3 for 4 with four runs in the game.
2008 – Johan Santana signs a 6-year, $137.5 million deal with the New York Mets to become the highest-paid pitcher in major league history, breaking Barry Zito’s record. The contract is the penultimate step in a trade of Santana to New York; only a physical remains and this will be passed a day later.
Avoiding arbitration, the Indians sign Casey Blake (.270, 18, 78) to a $6.1 million, one-year deal. The 34 year-old third baseman moved to Cleveland’s hot corner, replacing Andy Marte, who was injured and then sent back to the minors last season.
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