The New York Yankees let Tino Martinez go, declining their $3 million option on the popular first baseman. Martinez returned to New York in 2005 and hit .241 in part-time duty with 17 home runs and 49 RBI. He was a staple in the Yankees’ lineup from 1996 to 2001, helping the team to four World Series championships and five American League pennants with his clutch hitting and reliable defense.
Commissioner Bud Selig has made it clear he doesn’t want instant replay. Even Angels manager Mike Scioscia, who had a dreadful call go against his team in the American League Championship Series, says to leave calls to the human element of umpiring. That, however, won’t stop general managers from debating the issue this week.
Cleveland Indians general manager Mark Shapiro is selected Major League Baseball Executive of the Year by The Sporting News.
With a resounding thud, a five-ton wrecking ball smashes into Busch Stadium to make room for a new ballpark to house the St. Louis Cardinals. Hundreds of observers line nearby streets or dotted rooftops to watch the beginning of the demolition to the 39-year-old facility.
Oakland Athletics reliever Huston Street and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard are rewarded for their efforts by being named the American League and National League rookies of the year, respectively. Street became Oakland’s closer when incumbent Octavio Dotel went down in May with an elbow injury that required surgery. Street saved 23 games in 27 chances to go along with a 5-1 record and a 1.72 ERA. Only Mariano Rivera’s 1.38 ERA for the Yankees was better among AL relievers. Street had 72 strikeouts in 78 1/3 innings pitched, and opposing hitters batted only .194 against him. Howard became the Phillies’ everyday first baseman in early July when slugger Jim Thome was sidelined for the season with an elbow injury. Howard, who led all major league rookies with 22 home runs, also posted a .288 average and 63 RBI in 312 at bats. He had 11 homers and 27 RBI in September and October as the Phillies battled the Houston Astros for the NL wild card until getting eliminated on the last day of the season.
Former Kansas City Royals manager Tony Peña is hired by the New York Yankees as their first base coach and says he likely will withdraw as a candidate to manage the Dominican Republic in next year’s inaugural World Baseball Classic.
National League Gold Glove Award winners are announced as Greg Maddux (P), Mike Matheny (C), Derrek Lee (1B), Luis Castillo (2B), Mike Lowell (3B), Omar Vizquel (SS), Bobby Abreu (OF), Jim Edmonds (OF) and Andruw Jones (OF) earn honors.
A bronze sculpture capturing the friendship of Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson is unveiled at Brooklyn’s KeySpan Park, home of the Mets’ Single-A team. The William Behrends sculpture captures the moment when the Dodger captain showed support by putting his arm around his black teammate’s shoulder, hushing an unruly crowd hurling racial slurs at his teammate at Crosley Field in 1947.
Silver Slugger Award winners are announced in each league. In the American League Jason Varitek (C), Mark Teixeira (1B), Alfonso Soriano (2B), Alex Rodriguez (3B), Miguel Tejada (SS), Manny Ramirez (OF), Gary Sheffield (OF), Vladimir Guerrero (OF) and David Ortiz (DH) are the winners. In the National League Michael Barrett (C), Derrek Lee (1B), Jeff Kent (2B), Morgan Ensberg (3B), Felipe López (SS), Miguel Cabrera (OF), Andruw Jones (OF), Carlos Lee (OF) and Jason Marquis (P) are selected.
Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein resigns, a stunning move that surprises the baseball world one year after he helped build Boston’s first world champion since 1918. No replacement is named for Epstein, who reportedly told friends he might take a year off from baseball. He will return as general manager a few months later.
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