The Toronto Blue Jays and the Pittsburgh Pirates complete a nine-player swap with the Jays acquiring the second baseman they are looking for in 29-year-old Carlos Garcia. In addition, Toronto picks up outfielder Orlando Merced and reliever Dan Plesac. The Pirates receive six prospects, including C Craig Wilson, infielder Abraham Núñez and pitcher Jose Silva.

ByBaseball

The Toronto Blue Jays and the Pittsburgh Pirates complete a nine-player swap with the Jays acquiring the second baseman they are looking for in 29-year-old Carlos Garcia. In addition, Toronto picks up outfielder Orlando Merced and reliever Dan Plesac. The Pirates receive six prospects, including C Craig Wilson, infielder Abraham Núñez and pitcher Jose Silva.

The Cleveland Indians trade pitcher Julian Tavarez and infielders Jose Vizcaino and Jeff Kent to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for slugging third baseman Matt Williams.

ByBaseball

The Cleveland Indians trade pitcher Julian Tavarez and infielders Jose Vizcaino and Jeff Kent to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for slugging third baseman Matt Williams.

John smoltz

John Smoltz, who won a major league-high 24 games for the Atlanta Braves, wins the 1996 National League Cy Young Award 

ByBaseball

1996 – John Smoltz, who won a major league-high 24 games for the Atlanta Braves, wins the 1996 National League Cy Young Award in a runaway. Smoltz, the NL leader in strikeouts (276), innings pitched (253.2), and winning percentage (.750), receives 26 of 28 first-place votes. Kevin Brown of the Florida Marlins, the major-league ERA leader (1.89), receives the other two first-place votes. Since 1991, five of the six Cy Young winners have been Braves.

The Mets trade Rico Brogna to the Phillies for relievers Toby Borland and Ricardo Jordan. The first baseman, diagnosed with a form of spinal arthritis in 1991, proves to be a good acquisition for Philadelphia when the 27 year-old infielder spends 3+ seasons as an everyday player in the City of Brotherly Love.

ByBaseball

The Mets trade Rico Brogna to the Phillies for relievers Toby Borland and Ricardo Jordan. The first baseman, diagnosed with a form of spinal arthritis in 1991, proves to be a good acquisition for Philadelphia when the 27 year-old infielder spends 3+ seasons as an everyday player in the City of Brotherly Love.

Milwaukee Brewers owner Bud Selig meets with Don Fehr, the players’ labor leader, in a futile attempt to convince Fehr to accept the owners’ demands. With the deadline for an agreement at midnight on the 14th, there is virtually no hope that the two sides will agree. If the two sides reach the deadline without an agreement, the interleague schedule for next year will be wiped out, and a traditional schedule follow.

ByBaseball

Milwaukee Brewers owner Bud Selig meets with Don Fehr, the players’ labor leader, in a futile attempt to convince Fehr to accept the owners’ demands. With the deadline for an agreement at midnight on the 14th, there is virtually no hope that the two sides will agree. If the two sides reach the deadline without an agreement, the interleague schedule for next year will be wiped out, and a traditional schedule follow.

1996 – At Tokyo, in the finale of the Japanese team against the MLB All-Stars, Japan rallies for three runs to earn an 8 – 8 tie. The Americans hit .302 in the series with 11 home runs, and come away with four wins, two losses, and two ties. None of the games go to extra innings. Steve Finley, who hit 8 for 20 with 9 RBI, is named MVP.

ByBaseball

1996 – At Tokyo, in the finale of the Japanese team against the MLB All-Stars, Japan rallies for three runs to earn an 8 – 8 tie. The Americans hit .302 in the series with 11 home runs, and come away with four wins, two losses, and two ties. None of the games go to extra innings. Steve Finley, who hit 8 for 20 with 9 RBI, is named MVP.

In Chicago, the MLB owners decisively reject a proposed labor agreement that would have ended a three-year stalemate. The 18-12 vote threatens to plunge baseball back into full-fledged hostilities between the owners and players’ union.

ByBaseball

In Chicago, the MLB owners decisively reject a proposed labor agreement that would have ended a three-year stalemate. The 18-12 vote threatens to plunge baseball back into full-fledged hostilities between the owners and players’ union.

Todd Hollandsworth of the Los Angeles Dodgers is voted the National League Rookie of the Year, for the fifth year in a row that the award has gone to a Dodgers player. The previous four were Eric Karros (1992), Mike Piazza (1993), Raúl Mondesi (1994) and Hideo Nomo (1995). A year ago, Hollandsworth had 103 at-bats in 41 games played, but a broken right hand in May and a broken right thumb in August limited his playing time and kept him eligible for the rookie award.

ByBaseball

Todd Hollandsworth of the Los Angeles Dodgers is voted the National League Rookie of the Year, for the fifth year in a row that the award has gone to a Dodgers player. The previous four were Eric Karros (1992), Mike Piazza (1993), Raúl Mondesi (1994) and Hideo Nomo (1995). A year ago, Hollandsworth had 103 at-bats in 41 games played, but a broken right hand in May and a broken right thumb in August limited his playing time and kept him eligible for the rookie award.

Derek Jeter (.314, 10, 78) is the unanimous choice of the 28 BBWAA scribes for the American League’s Rookie of the Year

Derek Jeter (.314, 10, 78) is the unanimous choice of the 28 BBWAA scribes for the American League’s Rookie of the Year

ByBaseball

Derek Jeter (.314, 10, 78) is the unanimous choice of the 28 BBWAA scribes for the American League’s Rookie of the Year. The 22 year-old shortstop is the eighth Yankee freshman to be honored, the first since Dave Righetti copped the award in 1981.