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.

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.

The Cleveland Indians sign pitcher Matthew Haynes, a participant in major league’s first-ever Australian Baseball Academy, which included the best 60 players from Australia. The 6’3″, 185 lb. 18-year-old, is a right-hander who the Indians predict will be a starter in the major leagues.

ByTom

The Cleveland Indians sign pitcher Matthew Haynes, a participant in major league’s first-ever Australian Baseball Academy, which included the best 60 players from Australia. The 6’3″, 185 lb. 18-year-old, is a right-hander who the Indians predict will be a starter in the major leagues.

Tony Tavares resigns as president of the Anaheim Angels. The 52-year-old executive, who until today also was the chairman of the Mighty Ducks, became Anaheim’s president after Disney bought the team from Jackie Autry in 1996. He will be appointed by Major League Baseball as President of the owner-less Montreal Expos in a few weeks, while the Angels will go on to win their first World Series title in October.

ByTom

Tony Tavares resigns as president of the Anaheim Angels. The 52-year-old executive, who until today also was the chairman of the Mighty Ducks, became Anaheim’s president after Disney bought the team from Jackie Autry in 1996. He will be appointed by Major League Baseball as President of the owner-less Montreal Expos in a few weeks, while the Angels will go on to win their first World Series title in October.

The Indians sign 18 year-old Matthew Haynes, a participant in the major league’s first-ever Australian Baseball Academy. The Tribe believes the 6′-3″, 185-pound right-hander, considered one of the best sixty players from Down Under, will become a starting pitcher in the major leagues.

ByTom

The Indians sign 18 year-old Matthew Haynes, a participant in the major league’s first-ever Australian Baseball Academy. The Tribe believes the 6′-3″, 185-pound right-hander, considered one of the best sixty players from Down Under, will become a starting pitcher in the major leagues.

Tony Tavares, citing he is tired of losing, resigns as the president of the Angels. The 52 year-old executive, who until today also was the chairman of the NHL’s Mighty Ducks, assumed the baseball post after Disney bought the team from Jackie Autry in 1996.

ByTom

Tony Tavares, citing he is tired of losing, resigns as the president of the Angels. The 52 year-old executive, who until today also was the chairman of the NHL’s Mighty Ducks, assumed the baseball post after Disney bought the team from Jackie Autry in 1996.

The Pittsburgh Pirates sign free agent pitcher Mike Williams to a two-year contract. Williams began last season with Pittsburgh until being traded to Houston in July.

ByBaseball

On January 2, 2002 The Pittsburgh Pirates sign free agent pitcher Mike Williams to a two-year contract. Williams began last season with Pittsburgh until being traded to Houston in July. Source Baseball Reference January 2