Vince Naimoli, the founding owner of the Devil Rays, and St. Petersburg Mayor David Fischer preside over the official groundbreaking ceremony for the renovations planned for Tropicana Field, the home of the new American League franchise. The $63 million facelift of the eight year-old facility, originally known as the Florida Suncoast Dome, will take fifteen months to complete.

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Vince Naimoli, the founding owner of the Devil Rays, and St. Petersburg Mayor David Fischer preside over the official groundbreaking ceremony for the renovations planned for Tropicana Field, the home of the new American League franchise. The $63 million facelift of the eight year-old facility, originally known as the Florida Suncoast Dome, will take fifteen months to complete.

1996 – Bernie Williams homers from each side of the plate and Cecil Fielder breaks a tie with a 7th-inning single as the Yankees beat Texas, 6 – 4, to win the American League Division Series, 3 – 1, and advance to the ALCS.

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1996 – Bernie Williams homers from each side of the plate and Cecil Fielder breaks a tie with a 7th-inning single as the Yankees beat Texas, 6 – 4, to win the American League Division Series, 3 – 1, and advance to the ALCS.

The New York Yankees score twice in the 9th inning to defeat Texas, 2 – 1, despite Juan Gonzalez’s fourth home run of their American League Division Series. New York takes a 2 games to 1 lead.

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The New York Yankees score twice in the 9th inning to defeat Texas, 2 – 1, despite Juan Gonzalez’s fourth home run of their American League Division Series. New York takes a 2 games to 1 lead.

After three consecutive second-place finishes, the Astros fire manager Terry Collins, whose first-place team collapsed down the stretch. The 47 year-old skipper leaves the position with the best winningest percentage in franchise history, compiling a 224-197 (.532) record during his three-year tenure with Houston.

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After three consecutive second-place finishes, the Astros fire manager Terry Collins, whose first-place team collapsed down the stretch. The 47 year-old skipper leaves the position with the best winningest percentage in franchise history, compiling a 224-197 (.532) record during his three-year tenure with Houston.

Two weeks after the Rangers retire Nolan Ryan’s number, the Astros follow suit and honor the ‘Ryan Express’ by also retiring his #34. The right-handed fireballer played nine seasons for Houston, striking out a total of 1,866 batters en route to winning 106 games that included his 5th no-hitter against L.A. in 1981.

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Two weeks after the Rangers retire Nolan Ryan’s number, the Astros follow suit and honor the ‘Ryan Express’ by also retiring his #34. The right-handed fireballer played nine seasons for Houston, striking out a total of 1,866 batters en route to winning 106 games that included his 5th no-hitter against L.A. in 1981.

The Devil Rays become the second team to sign a working agreement with a Japanese professional team. Tampa Bay signs a two-year contract with the Seibu Lions, which includes a four-year option extending the deal through 2002.

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The Devil Rays become the second team to sign a working agreement with a Japanese professional team. Tampa Bay signs a two-year contract with the Seibu Lions, which includes a four-year option extending the deal through 2002.

The Angels score two runs in the top half of the 15th inning, then hold on as Texas fights back for one in their half, to earn a 4 – 3 victory. LF Garret Anderson gets six hits for California and drives home three runs.

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The Angels score two runs in the top half of the 15th inning, then hold on as Texas fights back for one in their half, to earn a 4 – 3 victory. LF Garret Anderson gets six hits for California and drives home three runs.

After being ejected for arguing a strike call in the 1st inning of Baltimore’s game against the Blue Jays, Orioles’ 2B Roberto Alomar spits in the face of umpire John Hirschbeck. Alomar claims he was provoked by Hirschbeck, but the incident will set off a national debate. After the game, Alomar remarks: “I used to respect him a lot. He had problems with his family when his son died – I know that’s something real tough in life – but after that he just changed, personality-wise. He just got real bitter.” When the ump hears about the remarks tomorrow he will charge into the Orioles’ locker room and have to be restrained by fellow ump Jim Joyce.

ByBaseball

After being ejected for arguing a strike call in the 1st inning of Baltimore’s game against the Blue Jays, Orioles’ 2B Roberto Alomar spits in the face of umpire John Hirschbeck. Alomar claims he was provoked by Hirschbeck, but the incident will set off a national debate. After the game, Alomar remarks: “I used to respect him a lot. He had problems with his family when his son died – I know that’s something real tough in life – but after that he just changed, personality-wise. He just got real bitter.” When the ump hears about the remarks tomorrow he will charge into the Orioles’ locker room and have to be restrained by fellow ump Jim Joyce.