Bryce Harper, the first overall pick in the 2010 amateur draft, creates a stir on his first day at the Washington Nationals camp in Viera, FL. He hits nothing but hard line drives in his first batting practice session, then is mobbed by autograph-seekers as he tries to leave the field. Harper has yet to make his minor league debut, but observers are already wondering how quickly he will make it to the big leagues.

ByTom

Bryce Harper, the first overall pick in the 2010 amateur draft, creates a stir on his first day at the Washington Nationals camp in Viera, FL. He hits nothing but hard line drives in his first batting practice session, then is mobbed by autograph-seekers as he tries to leave the field. Harper has yet to make his minor league debut, but observers are already wondering how quickly he will make it to the big leagues.

36-year-old Justine Siegal makes a bit of history at the Cleveland Indians spring training complex in Goodyear, AZ. The former assistant coach at Springfield College and first base coach with the Brockton Rox is believed to be the first woman to throw batting practice to a group of major league hitters.

ByTom

36-year-old Justine Siegal makes a bit of history at the Cleveland Indians spring training complex in Goodyear, AZ. The former assistant coach at Springfield College and first base coach with the Brockton Rox is believed to be the first woman to throw batting practice to a group of major league hitters.

The Orioles sign free agent DH Vladimir Guerrero

The Orioles sign free agent DH Vladimir Guerrero

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Orioles clear a spot on their roster for free agent DH Vladimir Guerrero, whose contract is finalized today, by placing P Alfredo Simon on the restricted list. Simon is still in custody in the Dominican Republic following a shooting death on New Year’s Eve, but the O’s are now cautiously optimistic that he may be released within 10 days as a result of developments in the investigation into the shooting that could clear him as a suspect.

SS Garrett Wittels of Florida International University goes hitless in a game against Southeastern Louisiana University, ending his hitting streak at 56 games, two shy of the NCAA Division I record of 58 games set by Robin Ventura of Oklahoma State University in 1987. Wittels’ streak began on February 10, 2010 and lasted all of last season before ending in this year’s season opener.

ByTom

SS Garrett Wittels of Florida International University goes hitless in a game against Southeastern Louisiana University, ending his hitting streak at 56 games, two shy of the NCAA Division I record of 58 games set by Robin Ventura of Oklahoma State University in 1987. Wittels’ streak began on February 10, 2010 and lasted all of last season before ending in this year’s season opener.

OF Jim Edmonds announces his retirement for the second time

OF Jim Edmonds announces his retirement for the second time

ByThis Day in Baseball

OF Jim Edmonds announces his retirement for the second time, two weeks after signing a minor league contract with the Cardinals, because of an achilles tendon injury he sustained while trotting out a home run on September 21st in what turned out to be the last at-bat of his career. He had first retired after the 2008 season, then came back last year to play with Milwaukee and Cincinnati when he hit .276 with 11 home runs and 23 RBI.

In the first game of the season, Garrett Wittels goes 0-for-4 against Southeastern Louisiana, leaving the Florida International University junior two games short of Robin Ventura’s Division l record of hitting in 58 consecutive games, established by the former major leaguer in 1987. The overall NCAA mark is 60 straight games, set by Damian Costantino playing for Division III Salve Regina from 2001-03.

ByTom

In the first game of the season, Garrett Wittels goes 0-for-4 against Southeastern Louisiana, leaving the Florida International University junior two games short of Robin Ventura’s Division l record of hitting in 58 consecutive games, established by the former major leaguer in 1987. The overall NCAA mark is 60 straight games, set by Damian Costantino playing for Division III Salve Regina from 2001-03.

The Society for American Baseball Research announces the second class of recipients of the Henry Chadwick Award. Sean Forman, founder of Baseball-Reference.com and the BR Bullpen is one of the five honorees.

ByTom

The Society for American Baseball Research announces the second class of recipients of the Henry Chadwick Award. Sean Forman, founder of Baseball-Reference.com and the BR Bullpen is one of the five honorees.

Jose Bautista

The Blue Jays take a bet that Jose Bautista’s breakout 2010 season, when he led the majors with 54 homers, was not a fluke.

ByTom

The Blue Jays take a bet that Jose Bautista’s breakout 2010 season, when he led the majors with 54 homers, was not a fluke. They sign the OF/3B to a five-year deal worth $65 million, avoiding arbitration.

Late tonight, Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera is arrested in Fort Pierce, FL and charged with driving under the influence and refusing to cooperate with police officers. In October 2009, Cabrera was arrested for threatening his wife while intoxicated as the Tigers were playing a crucial series to determine the AL Central champion.

ByTom

Late tonight, Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera is arrested in Fort Pierce, FL and charged with driving under the influence and refusing to cooperate with police officers. In October 2009, Cabrera was arrested for threatening his wife while intoxicated as the Tigers were playing a crucial series to determine the AL Central champion.

Albert Pujols’ self-imposed deadline for reaching agreement on a long-term contract extension with the St. Louis Cardinals expires without a deal. Pujols, who is seeking $300 million over 10 years, states that there will be no more negotiations during the season in order to avoid a potential distraction. The three-time National League MVP is slated to become a free agent next fall.

ByTom

Albert Pujols’ self-imposed deadline for reaching agreement on a long-term contract extension with the St. Louis Cardinals expires without a deal. Pujols, who is seeking $300 million over 10 years, states that there will be no more negotiations during the season in order to avoid a potential distraction. The three-time National League MVP is slated to become a free agent next fall.