2014 – The Houston Astros have the first pick in the amateur draft for the third straight year and select high school left-handed pitcher Brady Aiken. The Marlins follow with high school righthander Tyler Kolek, who has opened eyes by regularly touching 100 mph on the radar gun. The first position player selected in catcher Kyle Schwarber, by the Cubs with the 4th pick, while SS Nick Gordon, son of Tom Gordon and brother of Dee Gordon is picked 5th, by the Twins.

2014 – Baseball mourns the death of a true baseball lifer, Don Zimmer, who passes away at 83. A former infielder whose marriage was celebrated at home plate on a minor league diamond, Zimmer also coached and managed for many years. As a senior adviser to the Tampa Bay Rays, he was still listed as a member of the coaching staff and was never away from the game he loved.

2014 – In an unprecedented move, the Astros give out a five-year extension with three club options to Jonathan Singleton, who has yet to play his first major league game. Singleton has had problems with substance abuse in the past, but seems to be over them, and the pact guarantees him a minimum of $10 million even if he turns out to be a complete bust in the big leagues. The Astros will soon get to find out if they have made a smart investment, as, contract issues now out of the way, they call up Singleton and install him as their starting first baseman.

2014 – It’s a new month but some of May’s brightest stars keep on shining as the Blue Jays shut out the Royals, 4 – 0. Mark Buehrle, who tosses 8 scoreless innings, is the first major league pitcher to notch 10 wins this season, while Edwin Encarnacion, who hit 16 homers in May, hits a two-run shot. 6 of the 15 games played today end in shutouts, with Roenis Elias of the Mariners and Kyle Lohse of the Brewers throwing complete game whitewashes.