Zack Greinke (16-8, 2.16), with 25 of the 28 first-place votes cast by the writers, easily outdistances Seattle’s Felix Hernandez to win the American League Cy Young Award to join Steve Carlton (1972 Phillies) as the only hurlers to win the prestigious pitching prize while toiling for a last-place club. The Royals’ right-hander will have another big day this Saturday when he marries his high school sweetheart Emily Kuchar, a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Zack Greinke (16-8, 2.16), with 25 of the 28 first-place votes cast by the writers, easily outdistances Seattle’s Felix Hernandez to win the American League Cy Young Award to join Steve Carlton (1972 Phillies) as the only hurlers to win the prestigious pitching prize while toiling for a last-place club. The Royals’ right-hander will have another big day this Saturday when he marries his high school sweetheart Emily Kuchar, a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.

Wally Backman is hired by the Mets to manage the Brooklyn Cyclones, their farm team in the New York-Penn League. The team’s new skipper, who played a vital role with the 1986 World Series championship club, had been given the Diamondbacks job in November of 2004 but was fired shortly after the New York Times revealed the former second baseman had been arrested twice and had financial difficulties.

ByTom

Wally Backman is hired by the Mets to manage the Brooklyn Cyclones, their farm team in the New York-Penn League. The team’s new skipper, who played a vital role with the 1986 World Series championship club, had been given the Diamondbacks job in November of 2004 but was fired shortly after the New York Times revealed the former second baseman had been arrested twice and had financial difficulties.

Andrew Bailey is the 8th Oakland A’s player to be named the American League Rookie of the Year

ByBaseball

Andrew Bailey is named the American League Rookie of the Year, the eighth A’s player in franchise history to cop the honor. After struggling in Double-A as a minor league starter last season, the 25 year-old right-handed closer, compiled 26 saves with a 1.84 ERA for Oakland.

Chris Coghlan edges Phillies right-hander J.A. Happ, the only player named on all 32 ballots, to become the third Marlin in franchise history, along with Dontrelle Willis (2003) and Hanley Ramirez (2006), to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award. The 24 year-old leadoff hitter, a second baseman in the minors, hit .321 in 128 games, playing mostly left field after being called up in May.

ByBaseball

Chris Coghlan edges Phillies right-hander J.A. Happ, the only player named on all 32 ballots, to become the third Marlin in franchise history, along with Dontrelle Willis (2003) and Hanley Ramirez (2006), to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award. The 24 year-old leadoff hitter, a second baseman in the minors, hit .321 in 128 games, playing mostly left field after being called up in May.

Bucky Williams, the second-oldest known former Negro Leagues player, dies a month shy of his 103rd birthday. He had become a living legend in the Pittsburgh area over recent years.

ByBaseball

Bucky Williams, the second-oldest known former Negro Leagues player, dies a month shy of his 103rd birthday. He had become a living legend in the Pittsburgh area over recent years.

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Michael Bourn wins the Gold Glove Award for National League outfielders. The Houston-born speedster is the first Houston outfielder to win the award since Cesar Cedeno in 1976. 

ByTom

2009 – Michael Bourn wins the Gold Glove Award for National League outfielders. The Houston-born speedster is the first Houston outfielder to win the award since Cesar Cedeno in 1976. 

2009 – The National League announces Gold Glove Award winners. Dodgers second baseman Orlando Hudson is the most titled of the honorees, receiving his fourth award – his third in the NL.

ByBaseball

2009 – The National League announces Gold Glove Award winners. Dodgers second baseman Orlando Hudson is the most titled of the honorees, receiving his fourth award – his third in the NL.

2009 – The American League Gold Gloves are awarded. Outfielders Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners and Torii Hunter of the Angels both win their 9th straight award.

ByBaseball

2009 – The American League Gold Gloves are awarded. Outfielders Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners and Torii Hunter of the Angels both win their 9th straight award.

2009 – Norge Vera, one of the top pitchers in Cuba, is seriously injured while trying to break up a fight in Santiago de Cuba. He is struck in the face by a blunt object, suffering multiple fractures and undergoes reconstructive surgery, putting his career in jeopardy. He will return to action in just a couple of months, though. Vera won gold for the Cuban national team at the 2004 Olympics and was a starting pitcher in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

ByBaseball

2009 – Norge Vera, one of the top pitchers in Cuba, is seriously injured while trying to break up a fight in Santiago de Cuba. He is struck in the face by a blunt object, suffering multiple fractures and undergoes reconstructive surgery, putting his career in jeopardy. He will return to action in just a couple of months, though. Vera won gold for the Cuban national team at the 2004 Olympics and was a starting pitcher in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

The Diamondbacks exercise their $8.5 million option on the 2006 Cy Young Award winner, Brandon Webb. The 30 year-old right-handed starter, who underwent shoulder surgery in August, was shut down after pitching just four innings on Opening Day and did not retake the mound for the duration of the season.

ByBaseball

The Diamondbacks exercise their $8.5 million option on the 2006 Cy Young Award winner, Brandon Webb. The 30 year-old right-handed starter, who underwent shoulder surgery in August, was shut down after pitching just four innings on Opening Day and did not retake the mound for the duration of the season.