After a one-year experiment, the Baltimore Orioles plan to return Camden Yards to its original dimensions by moving in the fences. The team, which hit only 58 homers at home – 44 less than in the previous season, said the fences are returning to their initial distances because the new configuration “adversely affected the viewing angle of the batter’s eye.”

ByTom

After a one-year experiment, the Baltimore Orioles plan to return Camden Yards to its original dimensions by moving in the fences. The team, which hit only 58 homers at home – 44 less than in the previous season, said the fences are returning to their initial distances because the new configuration “adversely affected the viewing angle of the batter’s eye.”

Two free agent pitchers sign one-year contracts, Todd Jones with the Colorado Rockies and Shigetoshi Hasegawa with the Seattle Mariners.

ByTom

Two free agent pitchers sign one-year contracts, Todd Jones with the Colorado Rockies and Shigetoshi Hasegawa with the Seattle Mariners.

Commissioner Bud Selig asks the players to accept a luxury tax that would slow the increase of salaries. Selig also proposes that teams vastly increase the amount of local revenue they share.

ByTom

Commissioner Bud Selig asks the players to accept a luxury tax that would slow the increase of salaries. Selig also proposes that teams vastly increase the amount of local revenue they share.

“In light of this disclosure and your apparent unwillingness to reveal other financial information that you assert supports your decision to eliminate two baseball teams, I regret that I must call on you to resign as commissioner of major league baseball.” – JOHN CONYERS, JR., U.S. Representative (D-MI), citing a conflict of interest.Representative John Conyers Jr., the House Judiciary Committee’s ranking Democrat, said he would back off asking Bud Selig to resign if the commissioner dropped his threat to eliminate teams this season. Selig, in a two-page letter to the Michigan lawmaker, was unequivocal in his response, stating the suggestions made were wholly unacceptable.

ByTom

“In light of this disclosure and your apparent unwillingness to reveal other financial information that you assert supports your decision to eliminate two baseball teams, I regret that I must call on you to resign as commissioner of major league baseball.” – JOHN CONYERS, JR., U.S. Representative (D-MI), citing a conflict of interest.Representative John Conyers Jr., the House Judiciary Committee’s ranking Democrat, said he would back off asking Bud Selig to resign if the commissioner dropped his threat to eliminate teams this season. Selig, in a two-page letter to the Michigan lawmaker, was unequivocal in his response, stating the suggestions made were wholly unacceptable.

The New York Yankees sign pitcher David Wells to a two-year, $7-million contract to re-join the team. After posting a 34-14 record including a perfect game, in 1997 and 1998, Wells was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Roger Clemens. In Toronto, Wells had his only 20-win season.

ByTom

The New York Yankees sign pitcher David Wells to a two-year, $7-million contract to re-join the team. After posting a 34-14 record including a perfect game, in 1997 and 1998, Wells was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Roger Clemens. In Toronto, Wells had his only 20-win season.

Postseason spark plug Craig Counsell signs a three-year, $7.25 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Cut by the Dodgers in 2000, the NLCS MVP played the infield in 141 games for the 2001 World Series champion Diamondbacks.

ByTom

Postseason spark plug Craig Counsell signs a three-year, $7.25 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Cut by the Dodgers in 2000, the NLCS MVP played the infield in 141 games for the 2001 World Series champion Diamondbacks.

Congressman John Conyers, Jr. of Michigan says Bud Selig should resign because he appeared to violate major league rules in a 1995 loan from a company controlled by the owner of the Minnesota Twins. Conyers, the House Judiciary Committee’s ranking Democrat says the loan created an “irreparable conflict of interest” for Selig in his plan to fold two franchises, a proposal that most likely would include the Twins.” Selig rejects the suggestion saying, “The suggestions made in your letter are wholly unacceptable.”

ByTom

Congressman John Conyers, Jr. of Michigan says Bud Selig should resign because he appeared to violate major league rules in a 1995 loan from a company controlled by the owner of the Minnesota Twins. Conyers, the House Judiciary Committee’s ranking Democrat says the loan created an “irreparable conflict of interest” for Selig in his plan to fold two franchises, a proposal that most likely would include the Twins.” Selig rejects the suggestion saying, “The suggestions made in your letter are wholly unacceptable.”

Turning down a deal offered by the New York Mets worth a million dollars more with no deferred money, Juan Gonzalez agrees to a $24 million, two-year deal with the Texas Rangers that includes $10.5 million in deferred payments. The outfielder, who preferred to stay in the American League, established franchise records for home runs, RBI, total bases and extra base hits while playing for the Rangers from 1989 to 1999.

ByTom

Turning down a deal offered by the New York Mets worth a million dollars more with no deferred money, Juan Gonzalez agrees to a $24 million, two-year deal with the Texas Rangers that includes $10.5 million in deferred payments. The outfielder, who preferred to stay in the American League, established franchise records for home runs, RBI, total bases and extra base hits while playing for the Rangers from 1989 to 1999.

Ozzie Smith, a 15-time All-Star shortstop, is elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA in his first year of eligibility
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Ozzie Smith, a 15-time All-Star shortstop, is elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA in his first year of eligibility

ByTom

Ozzie Smith, a 15-time All-Star shortstop, is elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA in his first year of eligibility. Smith is named on 91.7 percent of the ballots. Dubbed the “Wizard of Oz” due to his remarkable defensive abilities, Smith won 13 Gold Glove Awards during his 19-year career with the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals.

The St. Louis Cardinals announce the team has agreed to a three-year, $27 million deal with starting pitcher Matt Morris. The 27-year-old right-hander, who missed all of the 1999 season due to elbow surgery, finished third in the Cy Young Award balloting this year after going 22-8 with a 3.16 ERA.

ByTom

The St. Louis Cardinals announce the team has agreed to a three-year, $27 million deal with starting pitcher Matt Morris. The 27-year-old right-hander, who missed all of the 1999 season due to elbow surgery, finished third in the Cy Young Award balloting this year after going 22-8 with a 3.16 ERA.