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.

After leading the Padres to two consecutive NL West titles, Bruce Bochy, with a year left on his contract, leaves San Diego, to become the manager of the division rival, San Francisco Giants. The 51 year-old skipper, who compiled a 951-975 (.494) record during his 12 seasons in the Friars dugout, signs a three-year deal worth approximately $6 million.

Seven months after negotiations began, the Players’ Association and MLB officials come to terms on a five-year collective bargaining agreement. The longest accord in baseball history, which will end in 2011, ensures the game will have a span of 16 years without a work stoppage

Extending his scoreless streak to 24.1 postseason innings, dating back to 2003 with the Twins, Kenny Rogers blanks the Cardinals for eight innings when the Tigers beat the Cardinals 3-1 to even the World Series at a game apiece. The “Gambler’s” recent playoff success comes under suspicion as TV cameras spot an unknown dark spot on the right-hander’s pitching hand in the first frame, which he claims to be only mud.

The Spiezios become the first father-and-son combination in baseball history to have appeared in a World Series game as a player for the same franchise. Scott, the Cardinals’ current second baseman, and his father, Ed, a third baseman for the 1967 club, both played for in the Fall Classic for winning Redbird teams.

In the first matchup of rookies to start Game 1 of the World Series, Anthony Reyes bests Justin Verlander as the visiting Cardinals beat the Tigers at Comerica Park, 7-2. The 25 year-old right-hander allows two runs and four hits, striking out five Redbirds in eight innings of work.

After hosting Super Bowl XL at Ford Field in February, Detroit becomes just the second city to host both a Super Bowl and a World Series in the same calendar year. San Diego was the site of the NFL Championship game and Fall Classic in 1998.

Nicole Sherry becomes the second woman to be named the head groundskeeper of a major league team when the Orioles ask her to lead the crew taking care of Camden Yards. The Wilmington, Delaware native joins Heather Nabozny, who has been in the same position with the Tigers since 1999.

Former Manager of the Year (1995 and 2001 Mariners) Lou Piniella inks a three-year contract worth approximately $10 million, which has an option for a fourth year to manage the Cubs. The 64 year-old fiery skipper, who is replacing Dusty Baker (66-96), has a record of 1,519-1,420 during his 18-year managerial tenure with the Yankees, Reds, Mariners, and Devil Rays.

Silas Simmons, the oldest former professional baseball player of all time, celebrates his 111th birthday. The 17th-oldest person in the country, born the same year as Babe Ruth, is joined by former players of the Negro Leagues and receives a 1913 Homestead Grays jersey with No. 111 stitched beneath his name from Steve Henderson of the Devil Rays at his home in the Westminster Suncoast retirement community in St. Petersburg.