former major league infielder Doug Ault dies in Tarpon Springs, Florida, from a self-inflicted gun shot wound

On December 22, 2004, former major league infielder Doug Ault dies in Tarpon Springs, Florida, from a self-inflicted gun shot wound. Ault slugged a pair of home runs in the Blue Jays first game in franchise history on opening day in 1977, and later managed in the Toronto organization.

Edgar Renteria inks a four-year contract with the World Champion Red Sox

Edgar Renteria inks a four-year contract with the World Champion Red Sox

Although the terms of the deal are not made public, Edgar Renteria (.287, 10, 72) inks a four-year contract believed to be worth $40 million with the World Champion Red Sox. The former Cardinal shortstop, who made the last out in the World Series ending Boston’s 86-year drought, replaces fellow Colombian Orlando Cabrera, the player obtained in July in the Nomar Garciaparra trade.

San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bondswins the National League Most Valuable Player  for a record seventh time

San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bondswins the National League Most Valuable Player  for a record seventh time

San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds, who is the only player to be the National League Most Valuable Player more than three times, is named by the Baseball Writers Association of America for a record seventh time, including an unprecedented fourth consecutive season. Bonds finished 2004 with a .362 batting average, 45 home runs and 101 RBI. Winning the honor at the age of 40, Bonds surpasses Willie Stargell (39) as the oldest player to win the award.

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Johan Santana (20-6, 265, 2.61), winning the American League top pitching honor with 28 first-place votes, becomes the 18th unanimous Cy Young winner selected by the BBWAA. The 25 year-old Venezuelan southpaw joins Jim Perry (1970) and Frank Viola (1988) as the only Twin hurlers to earn the award.

Johan Santana (20-6, 265, 2.61), winning the American League top pitching honor with 28 first-place votes, becomes the 18th unanimous Cy Young winner selected by the BBWAA. The 25 year-old Venezuelan southpaw joins Jim Perry (1970) and Frank Viola (1988) as the only Twin hurlers to earn the award.

9 Players are inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame including Wade Boggs and Dennis Eckersley
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9 Players are inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame including Wade Boggs and Dennis Eckersley

Bill Carrigan, skipper of the 1915-16 World Series champion teams, infielders Billy Goodman (1947-57) and Pete Runnels (1958-62), southpaw Bruce Hurst (1980-88), Pawtucket Red Sox owner Ben Mondor, and former GM Haywood Sullivan are inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame. Also enshrined for their contributions to the team are Cooperstown Hall of Famers Wade Boggs (1982-92), Jimmy Collins (1901-07), and right-hander Dennis Eckersley (1978-84).

The BBWAA selects Bobby Cox as the National League Manager of the Year. Although the team lost Greg Maddux, Gary Sheffield, Javy López and Vinny Castilla to free agency, the Atlanta Braves, with a 96-58 record under Cox, still captured their 13th straight, and unexpected, NL East division flag.

The BBWAA selects Bobby Cox as the National League Manager of the Year. Although the team lost Greg Maddux, Gary Sheffield, Javy López and Vinny Castilla to free agency, the Atlanta Braves, with a 96-58 record under Cox, still captured their 13th straight, and unexpected, NL East division flag.

Roger Clemens after coming out of retirement becomes the oldest hurler to win the Cy Young Award

Roger Clemens after coming out of retirement becomes the oldest hurler to win the Cy Young Award

Roger Clemens (18-4, 218, 2.98), after coming out of retirement to pitch for his hometown team, becomes the oldest hurler to win the Cy Young Award. The 42 year-old ‘Rocket’ has received the honor a record seven times and becomes the first to win the award with four different teams: Red Sox (1986-87, 1991), Blue Jays (1997-98), Yankees (2001), and the Astros (2004).

Joining Seattle Mariners new manager, Mike Hargrove, Don Baylor is named the team’s batting coach, replacing Paul Molitor. The former major league manager became available after the Mets announced a new coaching staff would be put in place to work with recently-hired pilot Willie Randolph.

Joining Seattle Mariners new manager, Mike Hargrove, Don Baylor is named the team’s batting coach, replacing Paul Molitor. The former major league manager became available after the Mets announced a new coaching staff would be put in place to work with recently-hired pilot Willie Randolph.

Bobby Crosby wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award

Receiving 27 of 28 first-place votes, Bobby Crosby (.239, 22, 64) wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award. The Oakland shortstop, who is the son of former big leaguer infielder Ed Crosby, joins Harry Byrd (1952), Jose Canseco (1986), Mark McGwire (1987), Walt Weiss (1988), and Ben Grieve (1998) as the sixth A’s freshman to be honored by the BBWAA.