Citing the veteran catcher’s ability to mentor younger players, the Astros re-sign Brad Ausmus to a one-year, $2 million incentive-laden deal. The 38 year-old Gold Glove backstop is expected to have a reduced role next season as rookie sensation J.R. Towles takes over behind the plate for Houston.

ByBaseball

Citing the veteran catcher’s ability to mentor younger players, the Astros re-sign Brad Ausmus to a one-year, $2 million incentive-laden deal. The 38 year-old Gold Glove backstop is expected to have a reduced role next season as rookie sensation J.R. Towles takes over behind the plate for Houston.

2007 – Rikkert Faneyte is hired as head coach of the Amsterdam Pirates, a year after their first playoff trip in 15 years. Faneyte has won two MVP awards as a player for the team, appearing both before and after his major league career. Faneyte was Amsterdam’s pitching coach previously. He will lead the team to the 2008 Holland Series title.

ByBaseball

2007 – Rikkert Faneyte is hired as head coach of the Amsterdam Pirates, a year after their first playoff trip in 15 years. Faneyte has won two MVP awards as a player for the team, appearing both before and after his major league career. Faneyte was Amsterdam’s pitching coach previously. He will lead the team to the 2008 Holland Series title.

The Yankees sign Joe Girardi to a three-year deal worth a reported $7.5 million to replace popular manager Joe Torre, who left earlier in the month, rejecting a 29% pay cut after guiding his club to their 12th postseason appearance in 12 years. The 43 year-old former catcher and broadcaster, the NL manager of the year with the 2006 Marlins, beat out coaches Don Mattingly and Tony Pena to become the team’s 32nd skipper.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Yankees sign Joe Girardi to a three-year deal worth a reported $7.5 million to replace popular manager Joe Torre, who left earlier in the month, rejecting a 29% pay cut after guiding his club to their 12th postseason appearance in 12 years. The 43 year-old former catcher and broadcaster, the NL manager of the year with the 2006 Marlins, beat out coaches Don Mattingly and Tony Pena to become the team’s 32nd skipper.

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, calling it a mutual decision, announces Grady Little (170-154, .525) has decided to leave the organization with a year left on his three-year contract to manage the club. The resignation fuels speculation of the club hiring former Yankee manager Joe Torre as the team’s new skipper.

ByBaseball

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, calling it a mutual decision, announces Grady Little (170-154, .525) has decided to leave the organization with a year left on his three-year contract to manage the club. The resignation fuels speculation of the club hiring former Yankee manager Joe Torre as the team’s new skipper.

The SK Wyverns win their first Korean Series, taking the final four games of the 2007 Korean Series after dropping two to the Doosan Bears. The MVP is veteran Jae-hyun Kim, who is coming off a .196 season, clearly the worst in a career in which he topped .300 six times.

ByBaseball

The SK Wyverns win their first Korean Series, taking the final four games of the 2007 Korean Series after dropping two to the Doosan Bears. The MVP is veteran Jae-hyun Kim, who is coming off a .196 season, clearly the worst in a career in which he topped .300 six times.

During the middle of Game 4 of the World Series between the Red Sox and the Rockies, si.com reports Alex Rodriguez has decided to opt out of his contract with the Yankees. The timing of the announcement and being a no-show at the game to receive the Hank Aaron Award, which honors the most outstanding offensive performer in each league, are severely criticized by fans and the media.

ByBaseball

During the middle of Game 4 of the World Series between the Red Sox and the Rockies, si.com reports Alex Rodriguez has decided to opt out of his contract with the Yankees. The timing of the announcement and being a no-show at the game to receive the Hank Aaron Award, which honors the most outstanding offensive performer in each league, are severely criticized by fans and the media.

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2007 – Newly-retired Astro Craig Biggio receives the Roberto Clemente Award, recognizing humanitarian efforts, at Game Three of the World Series in Denver. Clemente, who died in a plane crash while assisting Nicaraguan earthquake victims in 1972, was one of the players Biggio passed on the 3,000-hit list. Biggio has worked for over a decade with the Sunshine Kids, a group that helps children with cancer. 

ByTom

2007 – Newly-retired Astro Craig Biggio receives the Roberto Clemente Award, recognizing humanitarian efforts, at Game Three of the World Series in Denver. Clemente, who died in a plane crash while assisting Nicaraguan earthquake victims in 1972, was one of the players Biggio passed on the 3,000-hit list. Biggio has worked for over a decade with the Sunshine Kids, a group that helps children with cancer. 

Dmitri Young is announced as the National League Comeback Player of the Year by the MLB Players Trust and Yahoo! Sports. The big first baseman, who was released by the Tigers early last season due to both on and off-the-field issues, joined the Nationals as a non-roster player and became an All-Star selection for Washington, finishing the season with a .320 batting average, the tenth best in the circuit.

ByBaseball

Dmitri Young is announced as the National League Comeback Player of the Year by the MLB Players Trust and Yahoo! Sports. The big first baseman, who was released by the Tigers early last season due to both on and off-the-field issues, joined the Nationals as a non-roster player and became an All-Star selection for Washington, finishing the season with a .320 batting average, the tenth best in the circuit.

The MLB Players Trust and Yahoo! Sports announce the selection of Devil Rays first baseman Carlos Pena as the American League Comeback Player of the Year. After missing most of the past two seasons and being told he wouldn’t make the team in this year, the first baseman went on to set Tampa Bay’s single-season records in homers, RBIs, and walks.

ByBaseball

The MLB Players Trust and Yahoo! Sports announce the selection of Devil Rays first baseman Carlos Pena as the American League Comeback Player of the Year. After missing most of the past two seasons and being told he wouldn’t make the team in this year, the first baseman went on to set Tampa Bay’s single-season records in homers, RBIs, and walks.

Hideki Okajima becomes the first Japanese-born player to pitch in the World Series. The former Nippon Ham Fighters hurler comes out of the bullpen in relief of Curt Schilling and retires seven straight Rockies, including Kazuo Matsui, making it the first time Japanese natives have faced one another in the Fall Classic.

ByBaseball

Hideki Okajima becomes the first Japanese-born player to pitch in the World Series. The former Nippon Ham Fighters hurler comes out of the bullpen in relief of Curt Schilling and retires seven straight Rockies, including Kazuo Matsui, making it the first time Japanese natives have faced one another in the Fall Classic.