During the Royals’ Opening Day ESPN telecast, commentator Joe Morgan announces the team will honor the late Buck O’Neil by placing a fan who best exemplifies his spirit in a special seat during every home game at Kauffman Stadium. The first person to sit in the Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat easily identified by its red color in a sea of blue behind home plate, is the Negro League legend’s younger brother, Warren.

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During the Royals’ Opening Day ESPN telecast, commentator Joe Morgan announces the team will honor the late Buck O’Neil by placing a fan who best exemplifies his spirit in a special seat during every home game at Kauffman Stadium. The first person to sit in the Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat easily identified by its red color in a sea of blue behind home plate, is the Negro League legend’s younger brother, Warren.

The Nationals name Manny Acta as the team’s new manager, replacing 71 year-old Frank Robinson, the oldest pilot in baseball. The 37 year-old Dominican, who served as the Mets’ third-base coach for the past two seasons, is now the youngest skipper in the majors.

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The Nationals name Manny Acta as the team’s new manager, replacing 71 year-old Frank Robinson, the oldest pilot in baseball. The 37 year-old Dominican, who served as the Mets’ third-base coach for the past two seasons, is now the youngest skipper in the majors.

Jim Leyland, who led the eventual AL champion Tigers in his first year at the helm to their first winning season since 1993, is named the American League Manager of the Year. The veteran skipper received 19 of the writers’ 28 first-place votes, easily outdistancing the Twins’ Ron Gardenhire for the award.

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Jim Leyland, who led the eventual AL champion Tigers in his first year at the helm to their first winning season since 1993, is named the American League Manager of the Year. The veteran skipper received 19 of the writers’ 28 first-place votes, easily outdistancing the Twins’ Ron Gardenhire for the award.

Brandon Webb (16-8, 3.10) garners 15 of the possible 32 BBWAA’s first-place votes to win the NL Cy Young Award. The Diamondback right-hander, who had the fewest victories of any starter ever to win the prestigious pitching prize, beats out Padres closer Trevor Hoffman and Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter with Reds hurler Aaron Harang, who led the league in victories and strikeouts, not receiving one vote from the writers.

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Brandon Webb (16-8, 3.10) garners 15 of the possible 32 BBWAA’s first-place votes to win the NL Cy Young Award. The Diamondback right-hander, who had the fewest victories of any starter ever to win the prestigious pitching prize, beats out Padres closer Trevor Hoffman and Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter with Reds hurler Aaron Harang, who led the league in victories and strikeouts, not receiving one vote from the writers.

Three of the top four National League vote-getters for Rookie of the Year Honors finishers are Marlins teammates. Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez, in an extremely tight race, edges Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and teammates second baseman Dan Uggla and hurler Josh Johnson.

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Three of the top four National League vote-getters for Rookie of the Year Honors finishers are Marlins teammates. Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez, in an extremely tight race, edges Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and teammates second baseman Dan Uggla and hurler Josh Johnson.

Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander (17-9, 3.63) cops the AL Rookie of the Year award, receiving 26 of a possible 28 first-place votes cast by the BBWAA. The 23 year-old hard-throwing hurler becomes the first starting pitcher to win the freshman award since Yankee newcomer Dave Righetti accomplished the feat in 1981.

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Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander (17-9, 3.63) cops the AL Rookie of the Year award, receiving 26 of a possible 28 first-place votes cast by the BBWAA. The 23 year-old hard-throwing hurler becomes the first starting pitcher to win the freshman award since Yankee newcomer Dave Righetti accomplished the feat in 1981.

Although the team has declined to comment, several newspapers and internet sites report the Mets’ new ballpark will be known as Citi Field. The deal with CitiCorp, the nation’s largest bank, may be worth as much as $20 million annually for 20 years, making it the richest naming rights agreement in sports history, exceeding the 32-year, $300 million contract between the NFL’s Texans and Reliant Energy Inc.

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Although the team has declined to comment, several newspapers and internet sites report the Mets’ new ballpark will be known as Citi Field. The deal with CitiCorp, the nation’s largest bank, may be worth as much as $20 million annually for 20 years, making it the richest naming rights agreement in sports history, exceeding the 32-year, $300 million contract between the NFL’s Texans and Reliant Energy Inc.

In the first big move of the offseason, the Tigers trade three talented pitching prospects, Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan, and Anthony Claggett, to the Yankees for Gary Sheffield. The deal, which includes a two-year, $28 million contract extension through 2009, reunites the outfield slugger with his 1997 World Series champion Marlins general manager (Dave Dombrowski) and field manager (Jim Leyland).

In the first big move of the offseason, the Tigers trade three talented pitching prospects, Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan, and Anthony Claggett, to the Yankees for Gary Sheffield. The deal, which includes a two-year, $28 million contract extension through 2009, reunites the outfield slugger with his 1997 World Series champion Marlins general manager (Dave Dombrowski) and field manager (Jim Leyland).

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In the first big move of the offseason, the Tigers trade three talented pitching prospects, Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan, and Anthony Claggett, to the Yankees for Gary Sheffield. The deal, which includes a two-year, $28 million contract extension through 2009, reunites the outfield slugger with his 1997 World Series champion Marlins general manager (Dave Dombrowski) and field manager (Jim Leyland).

Guillermo Mota is suspended for fifty games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. The 33 year-old Mets reliever becomes the third player penalized under the stricter guidelines implemented this season, joining teammate Yusaku Iriki and Diamondback right-hander Jason Grimsley.

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Guillermo Mota is suspended for fifty games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. The 33 year-old Mets reliever becomes the third player penalized under the stricter guidelines implemented this season, joining teammate Yusaku Iriki and Diamondback right-hander Jason Grimsley.

Joining Don Mattingly (Yankees, 1987), Cal Ripken Jr. (Orioles, 1991), Frank Thomas (White Sox, 1995), Jeff Bagwell (Astros, 1995), and Manny Ramirez (Red Sox, 2002), Cardinal first baseman Albert Pujols becomes the sixth player to get a perfect score (100) in the annual player rankings. The Elias Sports Bureau rating, which was created as part of the settlement of the 1981 strike to determine compensation for the loss of a free agent, takes into account a player’s plate appearances, batting average, on-base percentage, home runs, and RBIs compared to others playing the same position during the two past seasons.

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Joining Don Mattingly (Yankees, 1987), Cal Ripken Jr. (Orioles, 1991), Frank Thomas (White Sox, 1995), Jeff Bagwell (Astros, 1995), and Manny Ramirez (Red Sox, 2002), Cardinal first baseman Albert Pujols becomes the sixth player to get a perfect score (100) in the annual player rankings. The Elias Sports Bureau rating, which was created as part of the settlement of the 1981 strike to determine compensation for the loss of a free agent, takes into account a player’s plate appearances, batting average, on-base percentage, home runs, and RBIs compared to others playing the same position during the two past seasons.