The Yankees sign free agent 1B Jason Giambi to a seven-year deal worth $120 million.

The Yankees sign free agent 1B Jason Giambi to a seven-year deal worth $120 million. The 2000 MVP and this year’s runner-up drove in 120 runs, hit 38 home runs, and had a .342 batting average for the wild card Oakland A’s this season. In another move, New York acquires OF John Vander Wal from San Francisco in exchange for P Jay Witasick.

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The Yankees sign free agent 1B Jason Giambi to a seven-year deal worth $120 million. The 2000 MVP and this year’s runner-up drove in 120 runs, hit 38 home runs, and had a .342 batting average for the wild card Oakland A’s this season. In another move, New York acquires OF John Vander Wal from San Francisco in exchange for P Jay Witasick.

The major leagues’ plan to contract by two teams next season is put into jeopardy by Minnesota courts. The state’s Supreme Court refuses to grant the request for a speedy review of the appeal of the injunction, which forces the Twins to play in 2001, and the appellate court sets the hearing for December 27, a date many believe is too late to make the elimination of two teams a reality.

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The major leagues’ plan to contract by two teams next season is put into jeopardy by Minnesota courts. The state’s Supreme Court refuses to grant the request for a speedy review of the appeal of the injunction, which forces the Twins to play in 2001, and the appellate court sets the hearing for December 27, a date many believe is too late to make the elimination of two teams a reality.

History of the World Series – 2001

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History of the World Series – 2001 By Michael Knisley The Sporting News Comebackers! The Diamondbacks won an unforgettable World Series by matching the Yankees’ strengths: confidence, resilience and starting pitching Somehow, Steve Finley laughs. Almost laughs, anyway. Certainly, he grins, an ironic, can-you-believe-it grin out there in center field at Yankee Stadium, near the…

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki becomes only the second player in major league history to win the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki becomes only the second player in major league history to win the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season

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2001 – Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki becomes only the second player in major league history to win the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season. Suzuki joins Boston Red Sox outfielder Fred Lynn, who achieved this double distinction in 1975.

Pitcher Randy Johnson wins his fourth Cy Young Award

Pitcher Randy Johnson wins his fourth Cy Young Award

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2001 – Pitcher Randy Johnson, who posted a 21-6 record with a 2.49 ERA and 372 strikeouts, wins his fourth Cy Young Award, his third straight as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Previously, Johnson also won the honor in 1995 with Seattle, and is the second pitcher to win three consecutive Cy Young awards, joining Greg Maddux who won four in a row from 1992-1995.

St. Louis first baseman Mark McGwire tells ESPN he plans to retire, ending his 16-year big league career. The prolific home run hitter, who ranks fifth all-time with 583 career homers, decided not to sign the two-year, $30 million extension the Cardinals had offered.

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St. Louis first baseman Mark McGwire tells ESPN he plans to retire, ending his 16-year big league career. The prolific home run hitter, who ranks fifth all-time with 583 career homers, decided not to sign the two-year, $30 million extension the Cardinals had offered.

bud selig and donald fehr

Baseball to eliminate two teams – 2001

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“We had hoped that we were in a new era, one that would see a much better relationship between players and owners. Today’s announcement is a severe blow to such hopes.” – DONALD FEHR, the Players Association executive director commenting on MLB’s plan to contract two teams. Denying it’s a negotiating ploy, major league owners give commissioner Bud Selig the authority to “begin the process” of eliminating two ‘to be announced’ teams by a 28-2 vote. Donald Fehr, the Players Association executive director, calls the action of possibly eliminating the Expos, Twins, or Marlins most imprudent and unfortunate, and the worst manner in which to begin the process of negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement.

Gold Glove Award winners are announced. Ivan Rodriguez wins his 10th straight to tie Johnny Bench for the most by a catcher, Greg Maddux wins his 12th straight to extend his National League record for pitchers, and Roberto Alomar wins for the 10th time, the most ever for a second baseman.

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Gold Glove Award winners are announced. Ivan Rodriguez wins his 10th straight to tie Johnny Bench for the most by a catcher, Greg Maddux wins his 12th straight to extend his National League record for pitchers, and Roberto Alomar wins for the 10th time, the most ever for a second baseman.

Arizona Diamondbacks win their first World Series championship
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Arizona Diamondbacks win their first World Series championship

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    On November 4, 2001, the Arizona Diamondbacks win their first World Series championship. Down a run to the Yankees in the ninth, the D-Backs rally against New York closer Mariano Rivera, winning on a single by Luis Gonzalez, 3-2. Tony Wolmack had tied the game 2 batters earlier, doubling down the right-field line….

For second straight game Yankees hit game tying homerun in bottom of 9th

For second straight game Yankees hit game tying homerun in bottom of 9th

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    On November 1, 2001, In the first game ever in MLB history that starts in November, the New York Yankees do it again. In-Game Five of the World Series at Yankee Stadium against the Diamondbacks, Scott Brosius homers in the bottom of the ninth to send the contest into extra innings. It’s the…