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Chicago White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen issues an apology for his comments published in Sports Illustrated criticizing Alex Rodriguez’s indecision concerning the WBC

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2006 – Chicago White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen issues an apology for his comments published in Sports Illustrated criticizing Alex Rodriguez’s indecision concerning which country the Yankee All-Star would represent in the World Baseball Classic. A-Rod, who was born in the United States, thought at first he would play for the Dominican Republic due his parents’ heritage, then decided he was not going to play at all before choosing to play for Team USA.

The Boston Red Sox finish up their deal for slick-fielding shortstop Alex Gonzalez

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The Boston Red Sox finish up their deal for slick-fielding shortstop Alex Gonzalez, plugging their last big hole after a major offseason upheaval. Gonzalez, who spent his first eight major league seasons with the Florida Marlins, will reportedly get a one-year contract worth $3 million. An All-Star in 1999, Gonzalez also helped the Marlins win the World Series in 2003. He committed 32 errors in the last two seasons (16 each), compared to the 30 committed by Edgar Renteria in his only season with the Red Sox.

Pitcher Bronson Arroyo agrees to a three-year contract with the Boston Red Sox, and the San Diego Padres claim first baseman Walter Young off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.

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Pitcher Bronson Arroyo agrees to a three-year contract with the Boston Red Sox, and the San Diego Padres claim first baseman Walter Young off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.

Bruce sutter

Relief pitcher Bruce Sutter is elected to the Hall of Fame along with 17 Negro League Players

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Relief pitcher Bruce Sutter is elected to the Hall of Fame. With 75% of the votes cast by BBWAA members needed for election. Sutter receives 76.9%, slugger Jim Rice is second with 64.8%, followed by reliever Goose Gossage at 64.6%. Sutter, who is credited with perfecting the split-fingered fastball, which is a pitch many major leaguers use in some form today, joins Hoyt Wilhelm, Rollie Fingers and Dennis Eckersley as the only relief pitchers in Cooperstown. In a special election, seventeen Negro Leagues figures are also elected: Ray Brown, Willard Brown, Andy Cooper, Frank Grant, Pete Hill, Biz Mackey, Effa Manley, Jose Mendez, Alex Pompez, Cum Posey, Louis Santop, Mule Suttles, Ben Taylor, Cristóbal Torriente, Sol White, J.L. Wilkinson, and Jud Wilson. Manley is the first woman ever elected to the Hall, and the 18 inductees are the largest class in the Hall’s history.

Bob Watson, the former Yankee GM, receives the Jackie Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. The honor is bestowed on the first black general manager in baseball history during the organization’s Legacy Awards ceremonies in Kansas City.

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Bob Watson, the former Yankee GM, receives the Jackie Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. The honor is bestowed on the first black general manager in baseball history during the organization’s Legacy Awards ceremonies in Kansas City.

The Texas Rangers complete their six-player trade with the San Diego Padres to acquire starting pitcher Adam Eaton

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The Texas Rangers complete their six-player trade with the San Diego Padres to acquire starting pitcher Adam Eaton. Texas also gets relief pitcher Akinori Otsuka and minor league catcher Billy Killian, sending pitcher Chris Young, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and outfielder Terrmel Sledge to San Diego in a deal that will turn out to be outrageously in favor of the Padres.

Jeff Conine and the Baltimore Orioles finalize a $1.7 million, one-year contract

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Jeff Conine and the Baltimore Orioles finalize a $1.7 million, one-year contract. Conine, who was with the Orioles from 1999 to 2003, hit .304 and had a .374 on-base percentage in 131 games for the Florida Marlins last season, batting .327 after the All-Star break.

Major League Baseball files for mediation against the District of Columbia after the city failed to approve a lease for the Washington Nationals’ new ballpark by the December 31st deadline.

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Major League Baseball files for mediation against the District of Columbia after the city failed to approve a lease for the Washington Nationals’ new ballpark by the December 31st deadline.