Former Red Sox reliever Jonathan Papelbon agrees to a four-year, $50 million free-agent deal to finish games for the Phillies. The contract is the richest ever signed by a closer, surpassing B.J. Ryan’s five-year, $47 million pact with the Blue Jays in 2005.

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Former Red Sox reliever Jonathan Papelbon agrees to a four-year, $50 million free-agent deal to finish games for the Phillies. The contract is the richest ever signed by a closer, surpassing B.J. Ryan’s five-year, $47 million pact with the Blue Jays in 2005.

Craig Kimbrel unanimously wins the National League Rookie of the Year award. The Braves’ right-handed closer, who struck out 127 batters in 77 innings, set a major league record for saves by a rookie with 46.

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Craig Kimbrel unanimously wins the National League Rookie of the Year award. The Braves’ right-handed closer, who struck out 127 batters in 77 innings, set a major league record for saves by a rookie with 46.

Mike Matheny is named to succeed Tony La Russa, who retired as the manager of the Cardinals a few days after leading the Redbirds to a world championship. The 41 year-old former minor league instructor, who served as a special assistant to general manager John Mozeliak, has no previous managerial experience.

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Mike Matheny is named to succeed Tony La Russa, who retired as the manager of the Cardinals a few days after leading the Redbirds to a world championship. The 41 year-old former minor league instructor, who served as a special assistant to general manager John Mozeliak, has no previous managerial experience.

The AL Rookie of the Year Award is announced Tampa Bay P Jeremy Hellickson comes up with the prize on the strength of a 13-10 record and a 2.95 ERA.

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Winners of the Rookie of the Year Award are announced in both major leagues. In the National League, Braves reliever Craig Kimbrel is the winner after setting a new rookie record with 46 saves. In the American League, Tampa Bay P Jeremy Hellickson comes up with the prize on the strength of a 13-10 record and a 2.95 ERA.

The Cardinals name former catcher Mike Matheny to succeed Tony LaRussa as their manager. An outstanding defensive player, Matheny has no managerial experience and was most recently a minor league instructor for the World Champs.

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The Cardinals name former catcher Mike Matheny to succeed Tony LaRussa as their manager. An outstanding defensive player, Matheny has no managerial experience and was most recently a minor league instructor for the World Champs.

In recognition of his contributions to the Boys & Girls Clubs in both Philadelphia and his native Hawaii, Shane Victorino, the recipient of the 2011 Branch Rickey Award, is inducted as the 20th member of the Baseball Humanitarians Hall of Fame. The Phillies’ center fielder, through his foundation, has pledged more than $900,000 to renovate the 105 year-old Nicetown Boys & Girls Club, located in an impoverished section of Philadelphia, into the centerpiece of the organization’s twelve facilities in the city.

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In recognition of his contributions to the Boys & Girls Clubs in both Philadelphia and his native Hawaii, Shane Victorino, the recipient of the 2011 Branch Rickey Award, is inducted as the 20th member of the Baseball Humanitarians Hall of Fame. The Phillies’ center fielder, through his foundation, has pledged more than $900,000 to renovate the 105 year-old Nicetown Boys & Girls Club, located in an impoverished section of Philadelphia, into the centerpiece of the organization’s twelve facilities in the city.

The Miami Marlins officially unveil their new name, logo, and uniforms in an elaborate Friday night ceremony held for 800 celebs and VIPs in their new downtown ballpark. The team’s new colorful merchandise will go on sale for the first time after the event, being made available to the general public at 11 p.m.

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The Miami Marlins officially unveil their new name, logo, and uniforms in an elaborate Friday night ceremony held for 800 celebs and VIPs in their new downtown ballpark. The team’s new colorful merchandise will go on sale for the first time after the event, being made available to the general public at 11 p.m.

The re-named Miami Marlins unveil their new logo and team colors at the site of their new ballpark, scheduled to open in time for the start of the 2012 season.

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The re-named Miami Marlins unveil their new logo and team colors at the site of their new ballpark, scheduled to open in time for the start of the 2012 season.

Long-time Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon agrees to a four-year $50 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, pending a physical examination.

ByBaseball

Long-time Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon agrees to a four-year $50 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, pending a physical examination.

In his native Venezuela, Wilson Ramos is kidnapped at gunpoint from his Santa Ines home. The 24 year-old Nationals’ catcher, after being held captive for two days, will be rescued unscathed after the exchange of heavy gunfire by the police results in the arrest of his five alleged abductors.

ByBaseball

In his native Venezuela, Wilson Ramos is kidnapped at gunpoint from his Santa Ines home. The 24 year-old Nationals’ catcher, after being held captive for two days, will be rescued unscathed after the exchange of heavy gunfire by the police results in the arrest of his five alleged abductors.