The Reds hire Walt Jocketty as a special adviser to the team’s chief executive Bob Castellini. The former Cardinals GM, who spent 13 seasons in the St. Louis front office, left after the Redbirds slumped to a third-place finish (78-84), one year removed from a World Championship.

ByTom

The Reds hire Walt Jocketty as a special adviser to the team’s chief executive Bob Castellini. The former Cardinals GM, who spent 13 seasons in the St. Louis front office, left after the Redbirds slumped to a third-place finish (78-84), one year removed from a World Championship.

2008 – Roger Clemens files a defamation lawsuit against trainer Brian McNamee for statements McNamee made in the Mitchell Report. McNamee had said he injected Clemens with performance-enhancing drugs.

ByTom

2008 – Roger Clemens files a defamation lawsuit against trainer Brian McNamee for statements McNamee made in the Mitchell Report. McNamee had said he injected Clemens with performance-enhancing drugs.

Continuing to deal established players, the A’s trade outfielder Nick Swisher, a fan favorite, to the White Sox for minor leaguer hurlers Gio Gonzalez and Fautino De Los Santos and fly chaser Ryan Sweeney. Two weeks ago, the club dealt front-line pitcher Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks for another threesome of promising prospects.

ByTom

Continuing to deal established players, the A’s trade outfielder Nick Swisher, a fan favorite, to the White Sox for minor leaguer hurlers Gio Gonzalez and Fautino De Los Santos and fly chaser Ryan Sweeney. Two weeks ago, the club dealt front-line pitcher Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks for another threesome of promising prospects.

2007 – Former major league player Jim Leyritz is arrested in Florida. He crashed his car into another vehicle, killing the occupant. He is charged with DUI manslaughter and driving with a suspended license.

ByTom

2007 – Former major league player Jim Leyritz is arrested in Florida. He crashed his car into another vehicle, killing the occupant. He is charged with DUI manslaughter and driving with a suspended license.

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Utilityman Jim Beauchamp passes away from leukemia at age 68 in Atlanta.

ByThis Day in Baseball

2007 – Utilityman Jim Beauchamp passes away from leukemia at age 68 in Atlanta. He started in left field for the first National League game played indoors. Jim hit .179 with three homers during three partial seasons (1964, 1965, 1970) as an Astro. 

2007 – The Cincinnati Reds trade troubled slugging outfielder Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers for P Edinson Volquez and Danny Herrera.

ByTom

2007 – The Cincinnati Reds trade troubled slugging outfielder Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers for P Edinson Volquez and Danny Herrera.

The Mariners and right-hander Carlos Silva (13-14, 4.19) finalized a $48 million, four-year contract. The M’s expect the 28 year-old free-agent, formerly with the Twins, to ‘bring a quality arm to the starting rotation’ and to be the workhorse of the pitching staff.

ByTom

The Mariners and right-hander Carlos Silva (13-14, 4.19) finalized a $48 million, four-year contract. The M’s expect the 28 year-old free-agent, formerly with the Twins, to ‘bring a quality arm to the starting rotation’ and to be the workhorse of the pitching staff.

Boss, Jonathan Papelbon’s bulldog, ate the ball used to record the final out of 2007 World Series, according to the Red Sox closer during an interview with the Hattiesburg American. Teammate Jason Varitek had given the ball to the reliever when Rockies pinch-hitter Seth Smith struck out to complete the Fall Classic sweep of Colorado.

ByTom

Boss, Jonathan Papelbon’s bulldog, ate the ball used to record the final out of 2007 World Series, according to the Red Sox closer during an interview with the Hattiesburg American. Teammate Jason Varitek had given the ball to the reliever when Rockies pinch-hitter Seth Smith struck out to complete the Fall Classic sweep of Colorado.

The Los Angeles Dodgers sign Hiroki Kuroda for 3 years and between $36 million and $40 million. Kuroda had been the top pitcher in the Central League in 2006 before fading in 2007. He was deemed to be the second-best Japanese free agent seeking to come to the US this winter, after Kosuke Fukudome. Hitoki Iwase, another top free agent, decided to stay in Japan.

ByTom

The Los Angeles Dodgers sign Hiroki Kuroda for 3 years and between $36 million and $40 million. Kuroda had been the top pitcher in the Central League in 2006 before fading in 2007. He was deemed to be the second-best Japanese free agent seeking to come to the US this winter, after Kosuke Fukudome. Hitoki Iwase, another top free agent, decided to stay in Japan.

Andy Pettitte, with a career record of 211-113 in the majors through this past season, admits to using Human Growth Hormone in 2002 to recover from an elbow injury. Pettitte had been named in the Mitchell Report released earlier in the week.

ByTom

Andy Pettitte, with a career record of 211-113 in the majors through this past season, admits to using Human Growth Hormone in 2002 to recover from an elbow injury. Pettitte had been named in the Mitchell Report released earlier in the week.