On April 15, 1997, commissioner Bud Selig announces that Major League Baseball will retire uniform #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. The decision comes on the 50th anniversary of Robinson’s historic debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Players who are currently wearing the number are allowed to continue to do so until they retire.
In a 14-8 Mariners victory over the Indians at the Kingdome, M’s pitcher Josias Manzanillo, who doesn’t wear a protective cup, is hit the groin by a Manny Ramirez 107 mph line drive. Now a firm believer in the use of protective gear, the 29 year-old reliever will be put on the 15-day disabled list for surgery needed to repair a tear in his testicles.
1997 – Pitcher Jimmy Key makes his debut with the Orioles, beating the Royals, 4 – 2, to run his opening day record to 7-0, the best ever. Previously, Key won three with the Yankees and three with the Blue Jays.
Gary Sheffield (.314, 42, 120) and the Marlins agree to a six-year, $61 million contract extension. The deal is the largest in total dollars in baseball history, but is only the third highest annual salary, behind Albert Belle’s (1996-2000 White Sox – $11 million) and Barry Bonds’ (1993-98 Giants – $11,131,157).
1997 – New manager Larry Dierker finds out he doesn’t get the final say on his own roster. Dierker wants to keep righthander Donne Wall on the pitching staff but Wall is sent to the minors in favor of Chris Holt. Wall returns when Sid Fernandez goes on the disabled list after only one start, yet pitches just eight games while Holt and Ramon Garcia fill the void in the Astros rotation.
In a trade reflecting current baseball economics, the Atlanta Braves send right fielder David Justice and center fielder Marquis Grissom to the Cleveland Indians for center fielder Kenny Lofton and relief pitcher Alan Embree. Atlanta and Cleveland faced each other in the 1995 World Series. The swap of the two Gold Glove center fielders and the three-time All-Star Justice reduces the Braves’ payroll by an estimated $6.8 million. Both players have several years left on their contracts, while Lofton, considered the best leadoff hitter in major league baseball, is in the last year of his.
March 13, 1987 The Philadelphia Phillies sign free agent catcher Lance Parrish. Prior to joining the Phils, he was a 6X All-Star, won 5 Silver Slugger Awards, and won 3 Gold Glove Awards (all with the Detroit Tigers). He is a huge disappointment with the Phillies (and the fans let him know it for those who…
1997 – All-Star first baseman Don Mattingly officially announces his retirement at a media conference in Yankee Stadium.
Former Atlanta Braves knuckleballer Phil Niekro is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America, becoming the 227th member of the Hall. He receives 80.34% of the vote, as former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton falls nine votes short of election. Niekro is only the 87th player to be elected by the BBWAA.
1997 – Boston Red Sox knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield escapes serious injury when he is hit by a car while out jogging. He is released from the hospital after being treated for bruises.
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