On Opening Day at Bank One Ballpark, Diamondbacks’ outfielder Luis Gonzalez and Rockies’ second baseman Luis Gonzalez each homered, making it only the second time in major league history players with the same first and last names homered in the same game. The first occurrence happened when Ken Griffey Jr., and his dad, Ken Griffey, playing for the Mariners, hit back-to-back homers off Angels’ hurler Kirk McCaskill in 1990.

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On Opening Day at Bank One Ballpark, Diamondbacks’ outfielder Luis Gonzalez and Rockies’ second baseman Luis Gonzalez each homered, making it only the second time in major league history players with the same first and last names homered in the same game. The first occurrence happened when Ken Griffey Jr., and his dad, Ken Griffey, playing for the Mariners, hit back-to-back homers off Angels’ hurler Kirk McCaskill in 1990.

David Aardsma surpasses Hank Aaron in an unlikely category. ‘Hammerin’ Hank’ will no longer be the first player named alphabetically in baseball history books when the Giants hurler makes his major-league debut against the Astros.

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David Aardsma surpasses Hank Aaron in an unlikely category. ‘Hammerin’ Hank’ will no longer be the first player named alphabetically in baseball history books when the Giants hurler makes his major-league debut against the Astros.

2004 – Atlanta Braves general manager John Schuerholz announces the team has exercised the option to retain Bobby Cox as the team’s manager through the 2005 season. The 62-year-old skipper, who is ninth in all-time in managerial wins with 1,906, has won a record 12 consecutive National League division titles. He will manage the team until 2010.

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2004 – Atlanta Braves general manager John Schuerholz announces the team has exercised the option to retain Bobby Cox as the team’s manager through the 2005 season. The 62-year-old skipper, who is ninth in all-time in managerial wins with 1,906, has won a record 12 consecutive National League division titles. He will manage the team until 2010.

Eric Gagne, who saved 55 consecutive games for the Dodgers, becomes the ninth reliever to win a Cy Young Award. The runner-up is Jason Schmidt of the Giants, the pitcher with the NL’s best won-lost percentage (17-4, 77%) and an ERA of 2.34 to lead the circuit.

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Eric Gagne, who saved 55 consecutive games for the Dodgers, becomes the ninth reliever to win a Cy Young Award. The runner-up is Jason Schmidt of the Giants, the pitcher with the NL’s best won-lost percentage (17-4, 77%) and an ERA of 2.34 to lead the circuit.

MLB announces that the drug screens taken during the past baseball season tested positive in 5-to-7 percent of the 1,438 samples provided by the players. The results will set into motion a mandatory testing program for performance-enhancing drugs with punitive consequences for failure for the first time in baseball history.

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MLB announces that the drug screens taken during the past baseball season tested positive in 5-to-7 percent of the 1,438 samples provided by the players. The results will set into motion a mandatory testing program for performance-enhancing drugs with punitive consequences for failure for the first time in baseball history.

Roy Halladay of the Blue Jays easily wins the American League Cy Young Award, garnering 26 of 28 first-place votes. The 26 year-old right-hander finished the season 22-7, including winning 15 straight decisions from May 1 to July 27.

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Roy Halladay of the Blue Jays easily wins the American League Cy Young Award, garnering 26 of 28 first-place votes. The 26 year-old right-hander finished the season 22-7, including winning 15 straight decisions from May 1 to July 27.

2003 – Promising Cincinnati Reds outfielder Dernell Stenson is kidnapped, robbed, and brutally murdered by four men in Scottsdale, Arizona, for reasons that are still unclear. He was 25.

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2003 – Promising Cincinnati Reds outfielder Dernell Stenson is kidnapped, robbed, and brutally murdered by four men in Scottsdale, Arizona, for reasons that are still unclear. He was 25.

Miami-Dade County Commissioners approved a plan committing $73 million in tax money toward a new major league ballpark for the Marlins. The World Champions, who have agreed to change their name to the Miami Marlins if the city builds the ballpark, want to begin playing in the $325 million new park in 2007, but still don’t have a plan for raising $137 million needed as part of their commitment.

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Miami-Dade County Commissioners approved a plan committing $73 million in tax money toward a new major league ballpark for the Marlins. The World Champions, who have agreed to change their name to the Miami Marlins if the city builds the ballpark, want to begin playing in the $325 million new park in 2007, but still don’t have a plan for raising $137 million needed as part of their commitment.

Former Yankee captain Don Mattingly is named as the Bronx Bombers’ hitting coach, replacing Rick Down, who did not have his contract renewed last week. The 42 year-old, who retired due to back problems, will be a top candidate to replace Joe Torre as manager in 2005.

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Former Yankee captain Don Mattingly is named as the Bronx Bombers’ hitting coach, replacing Rick Down, who did not have his contract renewed last week. The 42 year-old, who retired due to back problems, will be a top candidate to replace Joe Torre as manager in 2005.

ESPN analyst Bobby Valentine will return to Japan to manage the Chiba Lotte Marines, the club which fired him after a solid second-place finish in 1995. The former Mets and Rangers skipper signs a three-year deal with an option for two more years worth an estimated $6.4 million.

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ESPN analyst Bobby Valentine will return to Japan to manage the Chiba Lotte Marines, the club which fired him after a solid second-place finish in 1995. The former Mets and Rangers skipper signs a three-year deal with an option for two more years worth an estimated $6.4 million.