2013 – Magallanes wins the 11th Venezuelan League title in its history by disposing of Lara, 11 – 9, in the Game 7 of the finals. Pablo Sandoval is the hero, going 3 for 5 with a pair of doubles and a homer; the “Kung-Fu Panda” finishes the series with a .300 average, 3 homers and 9 RBI and is named MVP of the finals. Luis Jimenez opens the scoring with a 1st-inning homer for Lara, which takes a 2 – 0 lead, but Endy Chavez replies with a solo shot in the bottom of the frame, then Magallanes tallies three runs in each of the next three innings to run away with the score. Carlos Maldonado hits a three-run blast in the 2nd, Juan Rivera a two-run shot in the 3rd, Sandoval’s homer goes for two runs in the 4th, and is followed by another long ball by Hector Gimenez that makes it 10 – 5. Lara scores a few late runs, but not enough to turn the game’s tide. Reliever Jean Machi gets credit for the win.

ByTom

2013 – Magallanes wins the 11th Venezuelan League title in its history by disposing of Lara, 11 – 9, in the Game 7 of the finals. Pablo Sandoval is the hero, going 3 for 5 with a pair of doubles and a homer; the “Kung-Fu Panda” finishes the series with a .300 average, 3 homers and 9 RBI and is named MVP of the finals. Luis Jimenez opens the scoring with a 1st-inning homer for Lara, which takes a 2 – 0 lead, but Endy Chavez replies with a solo shot in the bottom of the frame, then Magallanes tallies three runs in each of the next three innings to run away with the score. Carlos Maldonado hits a three-run blast in the 2nd, Juan Rivera a two-run shot in the 3rd, Sandoval’s homer goes for two runs in the 4th, and is followed by another long ball by Hector Gimenez that makes it 10 – 5. Lara scores a few late runs, but not enough to turn the game’s tide. Reliever Jean Machi gets credit for the win.

The Miami New Times reports that the names of at least seven major leaguers have turned up in an investigation of a recently closed clinic in Coral Gables, FL, Biogenesis Laboratories

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Miami New Times reports that the names of at least seven major leaguers have turned up in an investigation of a recently closed clinic in Coral Gables, FL, Biogenesis Laboratories, which is suspected to have dealt in performance-enhancing drugs. Most prominent among those named is Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez. Three of those named – Bartolo Colon, Melky Cabrera and Yasmani Grandal – were suspended by Major League Baseball for testing positive for banned substances during the past year, lending additional credence to the report.

The Los Angeles Dodgers announce the launch of SportsNet LA, their own regional sports network on Time Warner Cable. The deal is a prelude to a long-rumored $7 billion deal that will award Time Warner broadcast rights for Dodger games for the next 25 years. However, the Commissioner’s office is concerned about the proposed deal, as its annual value is well above that used for revenue sharing purposes, which will result in the Dodgers pocketing a huge financial windfall if no adjustments are made. The dispute may end up in court if no resolution is found.

ByTom

The Los Angeles Dodgers announce the launch of SportsNet LA, their own regional sports network on Time Warner Cable. The deal is a prelude to a long-rumored $7 billion deal that will award Time Warner broadcast rights for Dodger games for the next 25 years. However, the Commissioner’s office is concerned about the proposed deal, as its annual value is well above that used for revenue sharing purposes, which will result in the Dodgers pocketing a huge financial windfall if no adjustments are made. The dispute may end up in court if no resolution is found.

2013 – The National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues pay tribute to a local icon. On the day after Stan Musial’s funeral, every player on the team comes out for the warm-up skate before its game wearing jersey number 6, with Musial’s name in place of their own. The Montreal Canadiens had paid a similar tribute to Gary Carter last year, with everyone wearing his number 8 in the warm-up.

ByThis Day in Baseball

2013 – The National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues pay tribute to a local icon. On the day after Stan Musial’s funeral, every player on the team comes out for the warm-up skate before its game wearing jersey number 6, with Musial’s name in place of their own. The Montreal Canadiens had paid a similar tribute to Gary Carter last year, with everyone wearing his number 8 in the warm-up.

At the Walter E. Washington Convention Center during NatsFest, the Nationals introduce William Howard Taft as the fifth participant in the team’s iconic Presidents Race, a Washington, D.C. ballpark tradition since 2006. The 27th President of the United States will compete against the Rushmore Four, George, Tom, Abe, and Teddy.

ByTom

At the Walter E. Washington Convention Center during NatsFest, the Nationals introduce William Howard Taft as the fifth participant in the team’s iconic Presidents Race, a Washington, D.C. ballpark tradition since 2006. The 27th President of the United States will compete against the Rushmore Four, George, Tom, Abe, and Teddy.

The Mets sign free agent pitcher Shaun Marcum, while Marcum’s teammate with the Brewers last year, OF Nyjer Morgan, heads to Japan, signing with the Yokohama BayStars of the Central League.

ByTom

The Mets sign free agent pitcher Shaun Marcum, while Marcum’s teammate with the Brewers last year, OF Nyjer Morgan, heads to Japan, signing with the Yokohama BayStars of the Central League.

The brothers Upton will play together with the Braves next season after Arizona trades Justin to Atlanta as part of a seven-player deal, allowing him to join his older brother B.J., whom the Braves signed as a free agent earlier this off-season. Accompanying Justin is 3B Chris Johnson, while Ps Randall Delgado and Zeke Spruill, utility player Martin Prado and IFs Nick Ahmed and Brandon Drury head to the desert in return.

ByTom

The brothers Upton will play together with the Braves next season after Arizona trades Justin to Atlanta as part of a seven-player deal, allowing him to join his older brother B.J., whom the Braves signed as a free agent earlier this off-season. Accompanying Justin is 3B Chris Johnson, while Ps Randall Delgado and Zeke Spruill, utility player Martin Prado and IFs Nick Ahmed and Brandon Drury head to the desert in return.

The Leones del Escogido repeat as Dominican League champions after a 3 – 0 win over the Aguilas Cibaeñas to complete a sweep of the finals. Fernando Tatis hits a two-run double in the 2nd and a solo homer in the 7th to account for all the runs, while Kris Johnson pitches six scoreless innings for the win. It is the Lions’ fifteenth title.

ByTom

The Leones del Escogido repeat as Dominican League champions after a 3 – 0 win over the Aguilas Cibaeñas to complete a sweep of the finals. Fernando Tatis hits a two-run double in the 2nd and a solo homer in the 7th to account for all the runs, while Kris Johnson pitches six scoreless innings for the win. It is the Lions’ fifteenth title.

Mayagüez ties the Puerto Rican League finals at two games apiece with a 6 – 5 win over Caguas. SS Luis Mateo commits a critical error with two on and two outs in the bottom of the 11th, giving Mayagüez the win.

ByTom

Mayagüez ties the Puerto Rican League finals at two games apiece with a 6 – 5 win over Caguas. SS Luis Mateo commits a critical error with two on and two outs in the bottom of the 11th, giving Mayagüez the win.