Slugger Manny Ramirez, who signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in the off-season, announces his retirement after a failure to conform with Major League Baseball’s drug policy
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Slugger Manny Ramirez, who signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in the off-season, announces his retirement after a failure to conform with Major League Baseball’s drug policy

ByThis Day in Baseball

Slugger Manny Ramirez, who signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in the off-season, announces his retirement after a failure to conform with Major League Baseball’s drug policy. After having been suspended for 50 games in 2009 because of PED use, he would have faced an unprecedented 100-game suspension if, as rumored, he has failed another drug test. The retirement under a cloud casts a doubt over his eventual election to the Hall of Fame­. He will change his mind in a few months and return to organized baseball in 2012, but fail to make it back to the majors.

The pitching hand of Diamondbacks left-hander Zach Duke is brakes two bones in pitching hand

ByThis Day in Baseball

2011 – The pitching hand of Diamondbacks left-hander Zach Duke is struck by a line drive off the bat of the Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon. X-rays taken the next day will reveal two broken bones, putting Duke on the shelf until mid-May.

Duke Snider Montreal Royals
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The “Duke of Flatbush”, Hall of Famer Duke Snider dies in Escondido, CA 

ByThis Day in Baseball

The “Duke of Flatbush”, Hall of Famer Duke Snider dies in Escondido, CA at age 84. Snider was a power-hitting centerfielder for the great Brooklyn Dodgers teams of the 1950s and is immortalized in Terry Cashman’s song “Willie, Mickey and the Duke”.

Major League Baseball announces that three of its most experienced umpires have decided to retire, Jerry Crawford,Mike Reilly and Chuck Meriwether.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Major League Baseball announces that three of its most experienced umpires have decided to retire. They are Jerry Crawford, who umpired his first game in 1977, making him the majors’ longest-serving official, and was head of the Umpires Union, along with Mike Reilly and Chuck Meriwether. To replace them, Scott Barry and Brian Knight, both with major league umpiring experience as fill-ins, are added to the umpiring staff. Three other veterans retired before the 2010 season, and four new umpires were brought on at the time as the cadre is undergoing a renewal.

OF Jim Edmonds announces his retirement for the second time

OF Jim Edmonds announces his retirement for the second time

ByThis Day in Baseball

OF Jim Edmonds announces his retirement for the second time, two weeks after signing a minor league contract with the Cardinals, because of an achilles tendon injury he sustained while trotting out a home run on September 21st in what turned out to be the last at-bat of his career. He had first retired after the 2008 season, then came back last year to play with Milwaukee and Cincinnati when he hit .276 with 11 home runs and 23 RBI.

The Orioles sign free agent DH Vladimir Guerrero

The Orioles sign free agent DH Vladimir Guerrero

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Orioles clear a spot on their roster for free agent DH Vladimir Guerrero, whose contract is finalized today, by placing P Alfredo Simon on the restricted list. Simon is still in custody in the Dominican Republic following a shooting death on New Year’s Eve, but the O’s are now cautiously optimistic that he may be released within 10 days as a result of developments in the investigation into the shooting that could clear him as a suspect.

Stan Musial receives medal of honor

Stan Musial receives medal of honor

ByThis Day in Baseball

  On February 15,  2011 Stan Musial receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom, an award in which the honorees are selected by the sitting president, from Barack Obama. The Cardinals’ legend, who benefitted from the local grass-roots effort on his behalf, joins major leaguers Hank Aaron, Moe Berg, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, and Ted Williams,…

2011 – The Yankees sign OF Andruw Jones to a one-year contract. Jones almost washed out of baseball after a terrible 2008 season that saw him hit .158 with no power, but he has since bounced back to being a useful player again, although his days of stardom are over.

ByThis Day in Baseball

2011 – The Yankees sign OF Andruw Jones to a one-year contract. Jones almost washed out of baseball after a terrible 2008 season that saw him hit .158 with no power, but he has since bounced back to being a useful player again, although his days of stardom are over.

Trevor Hoffman announces his retirement after 18 seasons

Trevor Hoffman announces his retirement after 18 seasons

ByThis Day in Baseball

Trevor Hoffman, who staked his claim as the all-time saves leader in the majors thanks to an outstanding change-up, announces his retirement after 18 seasons. He recorded his 600th save with the Brewers last season, and retires with 601, but had a tough year overall and found little interest in his services for next season. He will not hold the saves record for long, however, as Mariano Rivera has 559 and will pass him before the end of the coming season.

Adrian Beltre drops to a knee as he hits a homer in Game 5 of the World Series at The Ballpark in Arlington, Oct. 24, 2011

Adrian Beltre agrees to a $96 million, six-year deal with the Rangers, the reigning American League champs.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Adrian Beltre agrees to a $96 million, six-year deal with the Rangers, the reigning American League champs. The acquisition of the All-Star third baseman will make incumbent Michael Young the team’s designated hitter, giving Texas a potent lineup and a much-improved defense.