The Indians send C Einar Diaz and P Ryan Drese to the Rangers in exchange for P Aaron Myette and 1B Travis Hafner. Indians GM Mark Shapiro denies that the trade is “Jim Thome-motivated.” In his last four minor league seasons‚ Hafner has averaged .316‚ 23 homers‚ and 93 RBIs. He will put up similar numbers in his first few years with the Indians.

ByTom

The Indians send C Einar Diaz and P Ryan Drese to the Rangers in exchange for P Aaron Myette and 1B Travis Hafner. Indians GM Mark Shapiro denies that the trade is “Jim Thome-motivated.” In his last four minor league seasons‚ Hafner has averaged .316‚ 23 homers‚ and 93 RBIs. He will put up similar numbers in his first few years with the Indians.

In a cynical move‚ the Yankees offer the same two-year $4.6 million contract to three lefty relievers – Mike Stanton ‚ Mark Guthrie and Chris Hammond – and give each 15 minutes to decide. Hammond‚ 37‚ signs for $4.8 million over two years. Hammond‚ out of baseball for two years‚ had a remarkable season in 2002‚ posting a 0.95 ERA in 63 games and did not allow an earned run after June 28th. He is the third pitcher since 1900 to post a sub-one ERA while pitching 70+ innings. The veteran Stanton doesn’t bother to respond to the step-child treatment and‚ preferring to remain in the New York area‚ will sign a three-year contract with the Mets in a week.

ByTom

In a cynical move‚ the Yankees offer the same two-year $4.6 million contract to three lefty relievers – Mike Stanton ‚ Mark Guthrie and Chris Hammond – and give each 15 minutes to decide. Hammond‚ 37‚ signs for $4.8 million over two years. Hammond‚ out of baseball for two years‚ had a remarkable season in 2002‚ posting a 0.95 ERA in 63 games and did not allow an earned run after June 28th. He is the third pitcher since 1900 to post a sub-one ERA while pitching 70+ innings. The veteran Stanton doesn’t bother to respond to the step-child treatment and‚ preferring to remain in the New York area‚ will sign a three-year contract with the Mets in a week.

The Oakland Athletics send P Billy Koch and two minor leaguers to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for P Keith Foulke, C Mark Johnson, minor league P Joe Valentine, and cash considerations.

ByTom

The Oakland Athletics send P Billy Koch and two minor leaguers to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for P Keith Foulke, C Mark Johnson, minor league P Joe Valentine, and cash considerations.

The Los Angeles Dodgers trade 1B Eric Karros, 2B Mark Grudzielanek and cash to the Chicago Cubs. In return, the Dodgers get C Todd Hundley and OF Chad Hermansen.

ByTom

The Los Angeles Dodgers trade 1B Eric Karros, 2B Mark Grudzielanek and cash to the Chicago Cubs. In return, the Dodgers get C Todd Hundley and OF Chad Hermansen.

In the biggest free agent signing this year, the Philadelphia Phillies sign Cleveland Indians first baseman Jim Thome to a six-year contract.

ByTom

In the biggest free agent signing this year, the Philadelphia Phillies sign Cleveland Indians first baseman Jim Thome to a six-year contract.

In support of a national strike, the Venezuelan professional league suspends its games. Many of the eight teams in the league belong to news media owners opposed to President Hugo Chavez. When the strike continues, the league will cancel its season on January 13, 2003.

ByTom

In support of a national strike, the Venezuelan professional league suspends its games. Many of the eight teams in the league belong to news media owners opposed to President Hugo Chavez. When the strike continues, the league will cancel its season on January 13, 2003.

2002 – Former major league starting pitcher Dave McNally dies from lung cancer at the age of 60. A four-time 20-game winner over the span of four consecutive seasons, McNally helped anchor a Baltimore Orioles pitching staff that featured Hall of Famer Jim Palmer and standout left-hander Mike Cuellar. McNally won Game 4 of the 1966 World Series, cementing Baltimore’s sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also won Game 3 of the 1970 World Series, as the Orioles defeated the Cincinnati Reds in five games. At the end of his career, McNally helped change baseball’s basic financial structure. After playing the 1975 season without a signed contract, McNally, along with pitcher Andy Messersmith was declared a free agent by arbitrator Peter Seitz. The decision paved the way for the advent of the free agent system.

ByTom

2002 – Former major league starting pitcher Dave McNally dies from lung cancer at the age of 60. A four-time 20-game winner over the span of four consecutive seasons, McNally helped anchor a Baltimore Orioles pitching staff that featured Hall of Famer Jim Palmer and standout left-hander Mike Cuellar. McNally won Game 4 of the 1966 World Series, cementing Baltimore’s sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also won Game 3 of the 1970 World Series, as the Orioles defeated the Cincinnati Reds in five games. At the end of his career, McNally helped change baseball’s basic financial structure. After playing the 1975 season without a signed contract, McNally, along with pitcher Andy Messersmith was declared a free agent by arbitrator Peter Seitz. The decision paved the way for the advent of the free agent system.

2002 – The Phillies, in an effort to fill a void created when Scott Rolen was traded to the Cardinals in July, sign third baseman David Bell to a four-year, $17-million free agent deal. Bell, whose father (Buddy) and grandfather (Gus) were also major leaguers, played for the National League champion Giants the previous season after being traded by the Seattle Mariners during the spring.

ByTom

2002 – The Phillies, in an effort to fill a void created when Scott Rolen was traded to the Cardinals in July, sign third baseman David Bell to a four-year, $17-million free agent deal. Bell, whose father (Buddy) and grandfather (Gus) were also major leaguers, played for the National League champion Giants the previous season after being traded by the Seattle Mariners during the spring.

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Outfielder Richard Hidalgo is shot in the left arm during an attempted carjacking in his native Venezuela.

ByTom

2002 – Outfielder Richard Hidalgo is shot in the left arm during an attempted carjacking in his native Venezuela. Thankfully, his wounds are completely healed by the start of the season and it does not interrupt his career.