2009 – The Detroit Tigers surprisingly cut slugger Gary Sheffield, who is one home run shy of 500 for his career. Sheffield, a 9-time All-Star, is 25th on the all-time home run list and 27th in RBI (1,633). He only hit .178 in spring training, but went deep in 5 of 45 at-bats. He says he is not shocked, but is surprised. Marcus Thames will replace Sheffield as Detroit’s starting DH.

ByThis Day in Baseball

2009 – The Detroit Tigers surprisingly cut slugger Gary Sheffield, who is one home run shy of 500 for his career. Sheffield, a 9-time All-Star, is 25th on the all-time home run list and 27th in RBI (1,633). He only hit .178 in spring training, but went deep in 5 of 45 at-bats. He says he is not shocked, but is surprised. Marcus Thames will replace Sheffield as Detroit’s starting DH.

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In the first baseball game ever played at Citi Field, John Franco throws out the ceremonial first pitch

ByThis Day in Baseball

In the first baseball game ever played at Citi Field, John Franco throws out the ceremonial first pitch to a standing ovation from the crowd attending the collegiate matchup between St. John’s and Georgetown. Before tossing his signature pitch, a breaking ball in the dirt, the former Mets reliever goes to the mound wearing a familiar blue and orange jacket, but takes it off, revealing the colors of his alma mater, a Red Storm jersey with his number 45.

The Yankees dedicate a permanent September 11 memorial at the entrance of George M. Steinbrenner Field, the team’s Spring Training home in Tampa, Florida. The tribute to the victims and their families of the terrorist attacks of 2001 features a foundation in the shape of the Pentagon, which supports two towers made from steel from the World Trade Center placed on a grassy spot representing the heroes of United Flight 93, who perished in a field in Pennsylvania.

ByTom

The Yankees dedicate a permanent September 11 memorial at the entrance of George M. Steinbrenner Field, the team’s Spring Training home in Tampa, Florida. The tribute to the victims and their families of the terrorist attacks of 2001 features a foundation in the shape of the Pentagon, which supports two towers made from steel from the World Trade Center placed on a grassy spot representing the heroes of United Flight 93, who perished in a field in Pennsylvania.

Curt Schilling announces his retirement on his blog. He pitched 23 seasons in the major leagues and won three World Series (2001, 2004 and 2007), sharing World Series MVP honors in 2001. He went 216-146 with 3116 strikeouts in the majors. He made six All-Star teams and was a 3-time runner-up for the Cy Young Award. He retires 15th all-time in strikeouts and first in K:BB ratio for players from the 20th Century or later.

ByTom

Curt Schilling announces his retirement on his blog. He pitched 23 seasons in the major leagues and won three World Series (2001, 2004 and 2007), sharing World Series MVP honors in 2001. He went 216-146 with 3116 strikeouts in the majors. He made six All-Star teams and was a 3-time runner-up for the Cy Young Award. He retires 15th all-time in strikeouts and first in K:BB ratio for players from the 20th Century or later.

The Miami-Dade County commissioners approve the final documents necessary to move forward on the Marlins’ new 37,000-seat home, planned to be located on the present grounds of Miami’s Orange Bowl. The long-anticipated retractable-roof ballpark will become a reality in 2012, with the team breaking ground this July.

ByTom

The Miami-Dade County commissioners approve the final documents necessary to move forward on the Marlins’ new 37,000-seat home, planned to be located on the present grounds of Miami’s Orange Bowl. The long-anticipated retractable-roof ballpark will become a reality in 2012, with the team breaking ground this July.

2009 – In the semifinals of the 2009 World Baseball Classic, South Korea scores five runs in the 1st and goes on to a 10 – 2 romp over Venezuela. Suk-min Yoon and four relievers shut down the All-Star-loaded Venezuelans, while Hyun-soo Kim, who is 3 for 3 with a walk, and Tae-kyun Kim, who scores three runs, lead South Korea’s offense.

ByTom

2009 – In the semifinals of the 2009 World Baseball Classic, South Korea scores five runs in the 1st and goes on to a 10 – 2 romp over Venezuela. Suk-min Yoon and four relievers shut down the All-Star-loaded Venezuelans, while Hyun-soo Kim, who is 3 for 3 with a walk, and Tae-kyun Kim, who scores three runs, lead South Korea’s offense.

The Astros sign catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez to a one-year deal

The Astros sign catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez to a one-year deal

ByThis Day in Baseball

2009 – After winning their first spring game of the year, the Astros fail to win their next 19 Grapefruit League contests until beating the Reds, 4-2, behind six shutout innings from Russ Ortiz. It comes the same day that the Astros sign catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez to a one-year deal. The 37-year-old Rodriguez is a 14-time All-Star with 13 Gold Gloves and fills a need as none of the other catchers in camp were hitting above .200 in spring action. 

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2009 – Infielder Aaron Boone, a free agent signed in December, announces he will have aortic heart surgery and forgo the season. Boone is best known for his home run that decided the 2003 A.L.C.S. for the Yankees over the Red Sox. He was expected to platoon at third base. Successful surgery is performed eight days later. He returns in September but goes hitless in 13 attempts. 

ByTom

2009 – Infielder Aaron Boone, a free agent signed in December, announces he will have aortic heart surgery and forgo the season. Boone is best known for his home run that decided the 2003 A.L.C.S. for the Yankees over the Red Sox. He was expected to platoon at third base. Successful surgery is performed eight days later. He returns in September but goes hitless in 13 attempts. 

Aaron Boone announces that he will need surgery on a heart valve, possibly ending his major league career. The problem is due to an aortic condition Boone had known about for over a decade.

ByTom

Aaron Boone announces that he will need surgery on a heart valve, possibly ending his major league career. The problem is due to an aortic condition Boone had known about for over a decade.