Rookie catcher Tony Sanchez, pinch-hitting in the bottom of the 16th inning, singles in the winning run to end the 5-hour and 55-minute marathon, now the longest game in Pittsburgh history by time. The 4-3 victory over Chicago took six minutes longer to play than when the Bucs beat the Astros, 8-7, in an 18-inning contest played in 2006.

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Rookie catcher Tony Sanchez, pinch-hitting in the bottom of the 16th inning, singles in the winning run to end the 5-hour and 55-minute marathon, now the longest game in Pittsburgh history by time. The 4-3 victory over Chicago took six minutes longer to play than when the Bucs beat the Astros, 8-7, in an 18-inning contest played in 2006.

For an April Fools prank, the Frontier League announces that all batters will start a 1-1 count in the coming season as a move to speed up games.

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For an April Fools prank, the Frontier League announces that all batters will start a 1-1 count in the coming season as a move to speed up games.

The Yankees and Astros are the last two teams to open their season, meeting before a crowd of 42,117 at Minute Maid Park. The game does not follow the expected script as the Astros, coming off three straight 100-loss season and having lost their last 15 games in 2013, defeat the Bronx Bombers, 6 – 2. Scott Feldman pitches 6 2/3 scoreless innings and Jesus Guzman and L.J. Hoes homer against Yankee starter CC Sabathia.

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The Yankees and Astros are the last two teams to open their season, meeting before a crowd of 42,117 at Minute Maid Park. The game does not follow the expected script as the Astros, coming off three straight 100-loss season and having lost their last 15 games in 2013, defeat the Bronx Bombers, 6 – 2. Scott Feldman pitches 6 2/3 scoreless innings and Jesus Guzman and L.J. Hoes homer against Yankee starter CC Sabathia.

Michael Weiner, executive director of the MLBPA, dies of brain cancer at age 51. The architect of the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement and highly respected by players, owners and Major League Baseball top executives alike, he is succeeded by former player Tony Clark.

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Michael Weiner, executive director of the MLBPA, dies of brain cancer at age 51. The architect of the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement and highly respected by players, owners and Major League Baseball top executives alike, he is succeeded by former player Tony Clark.

The Tigers trade Prince Fielder to the Rangers for second baseman Ian Kinsler, who will fill the void created by the departure of free agent Omar Infante to Kansas City. Texas hopes their new southpaw-swinging slugger, who has blasted at least 30 home runs in six of the past seven seasons, will provide much-needed power to the team’s lineup.

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The Tigers trade Prince Fielder to the Rangers for second baseman Ian Kinsler, who will fill the void created by the departure of free agent Omar Infante to Kansas City. Texas hopes their new southpaw-swinging slugger, who has blasted at least 30 home runs in six of the past seven seasons, will provide much-needed power to the team’s lineup.

The trickle of defectors from Cuba is becoming a flood, following the recent major league success of Aroldis Chapman, Yoenis Cespedes, Yasiel Puig and others. Two more members of the Cuban national team, SS Erisbel Arruebarruena and P Raicel Iglesias are now in the Dominican Republic and Mexico respectively, training to be signed by a major league team, according to today’s Miami Nuevo Herald. These follow on the footsteps of the defections of Jose Dariel Abreu and Alexander Guerrero, who both signed lucrative contracts in recent weeks.

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The trickle of defectors from Cuba is becoming a flood, following the recent major league success of Aroldis Chapman, Yoenis Cespedes, Yasiel Puig and others. Two more members of the Cuban national team, SS Erisbel Arruebarruena and P Raicel Iglesias are now in the Dominican Republic and Mexico respectively, training to be signed by a major league team, according to today’s Miami Nuevo Herald. These follow on the footsteps of the defections of Jose Dariel Abreu and Alexander Guerrero, who both signed lucrative contracts in recent weeks.

Tim Hudson agrees to a two-year deal, reportedly worth $23 million, to pitch for the Giants

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Tim Hudson agrees to a two-year deal, reportedly worth $23 million, to pitch for the Giants, joining a stellar rotation that includes Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, and Tim Lincecum. The 38 year-old right-hander compiled an 8-7 record with a 3.97 ERA last season for the Braves, before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury.

The MVPs in the two major league circuits are both clear-cut picks: Andrew McCutchen gets 28 of 30 first-place votes in the National League and Miguel Cabrera 23 in the American League. McCutchen had a well-rounded season that put him either first or second in Wins Above Replacement (depending on who was doing the calculation) despite no one dominant area, leading the Pirates to their first winning season and postseason appearance in 21 years, when Barry Bonds was MVP. Cabrera led the AL in average, slugging and OBP and was second in homers and RBI to win the honor for the second straight season.

The MVPs in the two major league circuits are both clear-cut picks: Andrew McCutchen gets 28 of 30 first-place votes in the National League and Miguel Cabrera 23 in the American League. McCutchen had a well-rounded season that put him either first or second in Wins Above Replacement (depending on who was doing the calculation) despite no one dominant area, leading the Pirates to their first winning season and postseason appearance in 21 years, when Barry Bonds was MVP. Cabrera led the AL in average, slugging and OBP and was second in homers and RBI to win the honor for the second straight season.

ByBaseball

The MVPs in the two major league circuits are both clear-cut picks: Andrew McCutchen gets 28 of 30 first-place votes in the National League and Miguel Cabrera 23 in the American League. McCutchen had a well-rounded season that put him either first or second in Wins Above Replacement (depending on who was doing the calculation) despite no one dominant area, leading the Pirates to their first winning season and postseason appearance in 21 years, when Barry Bonds was MVP. Cabrera led the AL in average, slugging and OBP and was second in homers and RBI to win the honor for the second straight season.

Major League Baseball owners agree to fund an expanded video review system in 2014. The plan, which would allow managers to challenge almost any call by umpires except for balls and strikes, still needs to gain approval from the Players Association and Umpires Union.

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Major League Baseball owners agree to fund an expanded video review system in 2014. The plan, which would allow managers to challenge almost any call by umpires except for balls and strikes, still needs to gain approval from the Players Association and Umpires Union.

The National College Baseball Hall of Fame announces its naming its new facility in Lubbock, Texas after George H.W. Bush, who was a first baseman and captain for Yale baseball team. The 41st president of the United States participated in the College World Series with the Bulldogs in 1947 and ’48, the inaugural years of the collegiate national championship.

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The National College Baseball Hall of Fame announces its naming its new facility in Lubbock, Texas after George H.W. Bush, who was a first baseman and captain for Yale baseball team. The 41st president of the United States participated in the College World Series with the Bulldogs in 1947 and ’48, the inaugural years of the collegiate national championship.