Randy Wolf, the Padres’ new left-hander starter, struggles in a 6-2 spring training loss to the Brewers in Peoria, Arizona. The pitcher’s brother, Jim, isn’t much help as the home plate umpire, an occurrence which isn’t allowed during a regular-season game and is the only time it has ever happened, as the San Diego hurler gives up three runs in four innings.

ByTom

Randy Wolf, the Padres’ new left-hander starter, struggles in a 6-2 spring training loss to the Brewers in Peoria, Arizona. The pitcher’s brother, Jim, isn’t much help as the home plate umpire, an occurrence which isn’t allowed during a regular-season game and is the only time it has ever happened, as the San Diego hurler gives up three runs in four innings.

The benches clear in a rare spring training brawl when Shelley Duncan spikes Rays infielder Akinori Iwamura

The benches clear in a rare spring training brawl when Shelley Duncan spikes Rays infielder Akinori Iwamura

ByThis Day in Baseball

The benches clear in a rare spring training brawl when Shelley Duncan slides into second base, with his spikes aimed at Rays infielder Akinori Iwamura after being thrown out by a wide margin. The incident was precipitated by Tampa Bay’s aggressive play four days ago which resulted in a home-plate collision which injured Yankee catcher Francisco Cervelli.

Replacing the $3,925,000, one-year contract signed in January, Brad Hawpe and the Rockies agree to a $17,425,000, three-year deal. The Colorado right fielder becomes the team’s fourth young player of the National League champs to receive a long term deal from the club.

ByTom

Replacing the $3,925,000, one-year contract signed in January, Brad Hawpe and the Rockies agree to a $17,425,000, three-year deal. The Colorado right fielder becomes the team’s fourth young player of the National League champs to receive a long term deal from the club.

The White Sox wear Northern Illinois University baseball caps in their spring training opening game to honor the victims of a shooting rampage on the school’s campus earlier this month. After the contest, the players autograph the hats, which will be auctioned off at NIU to benefit a scholarship fund set up in memory of the five students killed in the attack.

ByTom

The White Sox wear Northern Illinois University baseball caps in their spring training opening game to honor the victims of a shooting rampage on the school’s campus earlier this month. After the contest, the players autograph the hats, which will be auctioned off at NIU to benefit a scholarship fund set up in memory of the five students killed in the attack.

The Mets, who had not gone to arbitration with a player in 16 years, come out on the short end of the hearing when southpaw Oliver Perez (15-10, 3.56) gets a favorable decision in his case from arbitrators Steven Wolf, Robert Bailey, and Elizabeth Neumeier. The southpaw is awarded $6.5 million for this year, rather than the club’s offer of $4,725,000.

ByTom

The Mets, who had not gone to arbitration with a player in 16 years, come out on the short end of the hearing when southpaw Oliver Perez (15-10, 3.56) gets a favorable decision in his case from arbitrators Steven Wolf, Robert Bailey, and Elizabeth Neumeier. The southpaw is awarded $6.5 million for this year, rather than the club’s offer of $4,725,000.

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The first full day of spring training is a rough one for a trio of Astros. Outfielder Hunter Pence arrives with cuts all over his hands and knees after crashing through a sliding glass door while leaving the hot tub of his rental home. Shortstop Miguel Tejada is grilled by the press about his legal troubles stemming from the Mitchell Report and infielder Mark Loretta learns he has lost his arbitration case, receiving $2.75 million in salary instead of the $4.9 million he sought. 

ByTom

2008 – The first full day of spring training is a rough one for a trio of Astros. Outfielder Hunter Pence arrives with cuts all over his hands and knees after crashing through a sliding glass door while leaving the hot tub of his rental home. Shortstop Miguel Tejada is grilled by the press about his legal troubles stemming from the Mitchell Report and infielder Mark Loretta learns he has lost his arbitration case, receiving $2.75 million in salary instead of the $4.9 million he sought. 

In a deal which includes a club option worth $10 million, sophomore Ian Kinsler (.286, 14, 55) signs a five-year, $22 million contract with the Rangers. With the signing of the 24 year-old second baseman and last season’s contract extension for All-Star shortstop Michael Young, Texas has locked up the middle of their infield through 2013.

ByTom

In a deal which includes a club option worth $10 million, sophomore Ian Kinsler (.286, 14, 55) signs a five-year, $22 million contract with the Rangers. With the signing of the 24 year-old second baseman and last season’s contract extension for All-Star shortstop Michael Young, Texas has locked up the middle of their infield through 2013.

Mark Kelly throws a one-hit shutout of the New South Wales Patriots 

ByTom

2008 – Mark Kelly, a former Philadelphia Phillies farmhand, throws a one-hit shutout of the New South Wales Patriots in game two of the Claxton Shield finals to give the Western Australia Heelers the title. Kelly allows only a Gavin Fingleson single in shutting down a lineup which includes former California League batting champion Brendan Kingman. Mitch Graham’s solo homer off Pitcher of the Year Tim Cox is the only run of the contest. Kelly is named MVP of the 2008 Shield.