Major League Baseball 2009 Recap

Major League Baseball 2009 Recap

The year 2009 saw the New York Yankees return to their winning ways, claiming their 27th World Series title in the process. Led by future Hall of Famers Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, as well as Alex Rodriguez and CC Sabathia, the Yankees dominated throughout the postseason, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in six games to bring the championship back to the Bronx.

But the Yankees weren’t the only team making headlines in 2009. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim won their third consecutive AL West division title, while the St. Louis Cardinals took home the NL Central crown. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies rounded out the playoff field, making for an exciting October filled with intense matchups.

Of course, no recap of the 2009 season would be complete without mentioning some of the standout performances from individual players. Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins captured his third American League batting title, hitting an impressive .365 on the year. Meanwhile, Albert Pujols of the Cardinals put together one of the greatest offensive seasons in league history, hitting .327 with 47 home runs and 135 runs batted in.

Perhaps the most memorable scene of the season came in early July, when Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez hit his 600th career home run. The milestone blast landed him in an exclusive club alongside legends like Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, and Babe Ruth.

Another defining moment of the 2009 season came in the final game of the year, when Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga was denied a perfect game due to a botched umpire call. The play became an instant classic, highlighting the need for expanded instant replay in the sport.

World Series – New York Yankees AL over Philadelphia Phillies NL 4 games to 2

World Series MVP – Hideki Matsui
Babe Ruth Award – Alex Rodriguez

Championship Series
ALCS New York Yankees over Los Angeles Angels 4 games to 2 ALCS MVP – CC Sabathia
NLCS Philadelphia Phillies over Los Angeles Dodgers 4 games to 1 NLCS MVP – Ryan Howard

Divisional Series
ALDS1
New York Yankees over Minnesota Twins 3 games to 0

ALDS2
Los Angeles Angels over Boston Red Sox 3 games to 0

NLDS1
Los Angeles Dodgers over St. Louis Cardinals 3 games to 0

NLDS2
Philadelphia Phillies over Colorado Rockies 3 games to 1

 

Awards –

Cy Young Award National League Tim Lincecum
Cy Young Award American League ZacK Greinke

MVP Awards –
NL Albert Pujols
AL Joe Mauer

NL Rookie of The Year – coghlch01
AL Rookie of The Year – bailean01

Roberto Clemente Award – Derek Jeter

All-Star Game – July 14th – A.L. over N.L. , played at Busch Stadium III (NL)
AL Starter R. Halladay NL Starter T. Lincecum MVP C. Crawford

 

Two armed gunmen rob six Astros minor leaguers in a motel in Kissimmee, FL.

Hockey At Wrigley Field Chicago Black Hawks vs Detroit Red Wings

Hockey At Wrigley Field Chicago Black Hawks vs Detroit Red Wings

Major League Baseball launches MLB Network

The Tampa Bay Rays come to terms with Pat Burrell, whose Phillies beat Tampa Bay in the 2008 World Series

the Cubs sign All star free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley on a $30 million, three-year deal

the Cubs sign All star free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley on a $30 million, three-year deal

The Baltimore Orioles sign former Yomiuri Giants right-hander Koji Uehara to a two-year, $10 million deal with incentives reaching $16 million. The deal, pending a physical, brings the two-time Olympic hurler to the USA. Uehara struggled in 2008 and had the highest ERA of his 10-year career.

The Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs exchange pitchers, with Jason Marquis going to Chicago in return for Luis Vizcaino.

The New York Yankees finalize their deal with Mark Teixeira for $180 million over 8 years, joining Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Derek Jeter and A.J. Burnett on the payroll-heavy Yanks.

The Cubs acquire right-handed reliever Luis Vizcaino from the Rockies in exchange for starting pitcher Jason Marquis and cash. The deal, which frees up $9 million from Chicago’s payroll in 2009, gives the club more financial flexibility to sign free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley.

After piloting the Angels to 100 regular season victories last year and to its fourth AL West Division title in the past five years, Mike Scioscia agrees to a contract extension to manage the team through the 2018 season. During his nine-year tenure with the Halos, the former catcher has compiled an 803-655 record (.557) and captured the franchise’s lone World Championship in 2002.

Lefthander Dave Roberts dies of lung cancer in Morgantown, WV at age 64.

rickey henderson

Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice are elected into the Hall of Fame

Preston Gomez, the Astros’ first minority manager, dies in Fullerton, CA at age 85. The Cuban native had been in failing health since being hit by a pickup truck while walking across the street nine months before. Gomez spent less than two years at the helm of the Astros, leading them to an 81-81 record in 1974 and a 47-80 record in 1975 before he was replaced by Bill Virdon. Gomez also managed the Padres and Cubs then served over 20 years as an assistant with the Angels. 

Derek Lowe, 54-48 in 4 seasons for the Los Angeles Dodgers, gets a four-year, $60 million deal with the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta makes another big signing of a free agent pitcher, inking Kenshin Kawakami to a three-year deal. Kawakami was the Sawamura Award winner and Central League MVP in 2004 and pitched for Japan in the 2008 Olympics, losing the Bronze Medal game to Team USA.

It’s not all gains for the Atlanta staff as long-time ace John Smoltz, the franchise leader in strikeouts, finalizes a deal with the Boston Red Sox for one year and a $5.5 million base salary.

Trevor Hoffman, the all-time major league leader in games pitched for one team (the San Diego Padres) and the all-time save leader, finalizes a $6 million, one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. He replaces Salomon Torres, who retired, as the team’s closer.

Appearing on Larry King Live, President George W. Bush makes it very clear he doesn’t have any interest in becoming baseball’s commissioner when Bud Selig leaves the post. The former owner of the Rangers, who leaves office in seven days, tells the CNN talk show host he isn’t looking to get back into the game in any capacity.

The Angels avoid arbitration when the team agrees to a $5,775,000, one-year deal with Chone Figgins, the club’s versatile switch-hitter. The 30 year-old, who led the team with 34 stolen bases last season, has employed mostly third base, but he has also played second, shortstop, and in the outfield by Halos’ skipper Mike Scioscia.

Derek Lowe signs a four-year deal with the Braves reportedly worth $60 million. The 35 year-old right-hander will be the ace of Atlanta’s new-look rotation that includes the recently acquired Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurrjens, and Kenshin Kawakami, who pitched in Japan last season for the Chunichi Dragons.

The Dodgers, who had restructured Andruw Jones’s contract earlier in the month, put their expensive center fielder on waivers rather than pursuing a trade for the five-time All-Star. The highest-paid player in the franchise history, who signed a two-year, $36.2 million deal during the 2007 offseason, was a complete bust in his one season with the team, hitting a meager .158 with just three home runs and 14 RBIs in 209 at-bats.

The Red Sox sign Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia to long term deals

The Red Sox sign Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia to long term deals

2009 – The Chicago Cubs send former top prospect Félix Pie to the Baltimore Orioles for Garrett Olson and Henry Williamson.

Bill Werber, the oldest ex-major leaguer and last living teammate of Babe Ruth, dies at the age of 100. The former infielder, who played for the Yankees, Red Sox, A's, Reds, and Giants, became the first player to appear in a televised game when he batted leadoff for Cincinnati in a contest played against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field on August 26, 1939.

Bill Werber, the oldest ex-major leaguer and last living teammate of Babe Ruth, dies at the age of 100. The former infielder, who played for the Yankees, Red Sox, A’s, Reds, and Giants, became the first player to appear in a televised game when he batted leadoff for Cincinnati in a contest played against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field on August 26, 1939.

Stephen Drew and the Diamondbacks avoid arbitration by coming to terms on a $3.4 million, one-year deal. The 26 year-old shortstop, selected as the team’s 15th pick in the 2004 amateur draft, has compiled a .270 batting average during his four seasons with Arizona.

Jonathan Papelbon, avoiding arbitration, agrees to a one-year contract with the Red Sox. The 28 year-old All-Star closer has compiled a career 1.84 ERA, the second-best in big league history among pitchers with at least 200.0 innings, trailing only Meriden, Connecticut’s Ed Walsh mark of 1.82.

Adam LaRoche signs a $7.05 million, one-year contract with the payroll-poor Pirates. The 25 year-old first baseman’s deal, which avoids the need for arbitration, will most likely be the second richest in Pittsburgh this season, being slightly less than shortstop Jack Wilson’s $7.25 million.

Jeff Kent retires he hit 351 home runs as a second baseman claiming the record for the position

Jeff Kent retires he hit 351 home runs as a second baseman claiming the record for the position

The Orioles and Nick Markakis finalize a significant $66.1 million six-year deal, which covers the span the right fielder would have been eligible for arbitration and the first three after he would be eligible to file for free agency. The 25 year-old fly chaser, who had his best offensive season with the team and led the American League in outfield assists last season, was named the team’s most valuable player by the local media last season.

In an effort to increase attendance, Washington reduces individual ticket prices on 14,000 seats and does not raise prices on any of the 41,888 seats at Nationals Park. The club ranked a disappointing 13th place in attendance in the 16-team National League circuit despite the debut of a brand new stadium in the nation’s capital.

“​Nine years ago you welcomed me into your community. You greeted me as a name and embraced me as a person, and I leave you now as a friend.” – ROCCO BALDELLI, thanking Tampa Bay fans in an open letter for their support during his time with the Rays. Rocco Baldelli, traded to the Red Sox in the offseason, takes out an ad in the St. Petersburg Times to show his appreciation of the support given to him by the Rays fans during his five years with the franchise. In an open letter, the outfielder writes,”I will always think of the Tampa Bay area as my second home, and I would like to thank everyone for accepting me and for making my time here as enjoyable as it was”.

Erik Bedard, avoiding salary arbitration, signs a $7.75 million, one-year contract with the Mariners. The deal gives the left-hander, the team’s Opening Day starter who was obtained last season from Baltimore, a raise of $750,000 from last season.

The Yankees sign starting pitcher Andy Pettitte to a $5.5 million one-year deal

The Royals and Zack Greinke, avoiding salary arbitration, agree to a $38 million, four-year contract. The 25 year-old right-hander, grateful to the club for their understanding of his social disorder which caused him to bolt from spring training two years ago, posted a 13-10 record last season with the best ERA (3.47) by a Kansas City starter in 11 years.

2009 – The Tigres de Aragua take their fifth title in six Venezuelan League seasons, topping the Leones del Caracas, 4 games to 3, in the finals despite a worse record in the regular season and in the playoffs. Victor Moreno improves to 4-0, 0.77 in the postseason, getting the victory in relief of Jeff Farnsworth. 3B Matt Tolbert’s three-run homer is a key blow in the 7 – 3 victory.

The Mets avoid salary arbitration with John Maine (10-8, 4.18) when both sides agree to a $2.6 million, one-year deal. The 25 year-old right-handed starter, who missed the last five weeks of the season due to an injury to his pitching shoulder, is expected to play a major role this year in the team’s pitching rotation.

Jason Varitek reaches a preliminary agreement with the Red Sox for a reported guaranteed $5 million, one year contract which includes options for the 2010 season. The team’s catcher and captain, a 12-year veteran, accepts much less than he would have made had he taken the team’s arbitration offer made in December.

Jon Garland agrees to a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks worth at least $7.25 million. The 29 year-old right-hander, who will fill Randy Johnson’s spot as a starter, joins a strong Arizona rotation, which includes Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Max Scherzer, and Doug Davis.

Appearing on CNN’s “Larry King Live”, Joe Torre answers questions concerning the inflammatory excerpts of his book, The Yankee Years, which caused a firestorm of reaction from former players and fans after they were released last week. The Dodgers skipper, who managed the Bronx Bombers for a dozen seasons, tells the host he believes the controversy will die down and people will cool down after they get a chance to read the actual book.

Oliver Perez agrees to a $36 million, three-year deal to stay with the Mets. The 29 year-old inconsistent southpaw, who has posted a 26-20 record with New York since being obtained from Pittsburgh during the 2006 season, will be part of the team’s starting rotation.

Garrett Atkins (.286, 21, 99) avoids arbitration, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Rockies. The 29 year-old third baseman’s $7.05 million contract makes him the second-highest paid player on the team, trailing only Todd Helton.

Justin Verlander (11-17, 4.84) agrees to a one-year contract worth $3,675,000 to stay with the Tigers, a dramatic increase from last season. The 2006 AL Rookie of the Year’s original five-year contract, which slated the right-hander for a $600,000 salary in 2009, could be terminated if he had enough service time to become eligible for arbitration.

Alex Rodriguez publicly admits to using steroids from 2001 to 2003

Alex Rodriguez publicly admits to using steroids from 2001 to 2003

Miguel Tejada pleads guilty lying to congressional investigators about performance enhancing drugs

BUD SELIG chastises Alex Rodriguez

2009 – Routine physicals at the beginning of spring training sometimes reveal the unexpected. Returning pitcher Mike Hampton is told he has an irregular heartbeat and is sent back to Houston for tests and a minor procedure. Doctors then determine no procedure was necessary and fly him back to Florida the next day. 

At 11:25 a.m., the last remaining piece of Shea Stadium, the ramp to section 5, is demolished, marking the end of the New York venue where the Mets played for 44 years. The footprint of the old ballpark will become a parking lot for the team’s new home, the $800-million Citi Field, which will open in April.

Avoiding arbitration, the Nationals and Ryan Zimmerman (.283, 14, 51) agree to a one-year, $3.3 million contract. The 24 year-old third baseman is Washington’s all-time leader in almost every offensive category, including homers, RBI, runs, and hits, as well as contests played, since the franchise relocated from Montreal four seasons ago.

In a decision which team general manager Neal Huntington calls easy, the Pirates pick up John Russell’s contract option for this season. The sophomore skipper went 67-95 in his first season with the last-place Bucs.

2009 – Third base prospect Chris Johnson mashes a home run estimated at up to 600 feet in the 6-3 victory over the Washington Nationals that opens the spring schedule. Reclamation projects Mike Hampton and Russ Ortiz get off to good starts, each tossing a pair of shutout innings. It will be three weeks before they win another Grapefruit League game. 

2009 – Washington Nationals GM Jim Bowden resigns following allegations of skimming bonuses to Latin American players and the identity fraud scandal surrounding Esmailyn Gonzalez.

2009 – The last major free agent left on the market, Manny Ramirez, reaches terms with the Los Angeles Dodgers for two years and $45 million. Ramirez had been a key playoff run pick-up for LA in 2008.

Pat Burrell takes out ads in two of Philadelphia's largest newspapers to thank Phillies fans for their support during his nine years with the team. The 32 year-old slugging outfielder signed a free-agent deal in the off-season with the Rays, the club the Phils beat in last season's World Series.

Pat Burrell takes out ads in two of Philadelphia’s largest newspapers to thank Phillies fans for their support during his nine years with the team. The 32 year-old slugging outfielder signed a free-agent deal in the off-season with the Rays, the club the Phils beat in last season’s World Series.

Aaron Boone announces that he will need surgery on a heart valve, possibly ending his major league career. The problem is due to an aortic condition Boone had known about for over a decade.

The Chicago Cubs announce that they will retire number 31 on May 3rd in honor of Ferguson Jenkins and Greg Maddux.

2009 – Infielder Aaron Boone, a free agent signed in December, announces he will have aortic heart surgery and forgo the season. Boone is best known for his home run that decided the 2003 A.L.C.S. for the Yankees over the Red Sox. He was expected to platoon at third base. Successful surgery is performed eight days later. He returns in September but goes hitless in 13 attempts. 

The Astros sign catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez to a one-year deal

The Astros sign catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez to a one-year deal

2009 – In the semifinals of the 2009 World Baseball Classic, South Korea scores five runs in the 1st and goes on to a 10 – 2 romp over Venezuela. Suk-min Yoon and four relievers shut down the All-Star-loaded Venezuelans, while Hyun-soo Kim, who is 3 for 3 with a walk, and Tae-kyun Kim, who scores three runs, lead South Korea’s offense.

The Miami-Dade County commissioners approve the final documents necessary to move forward on the Marlins’ new 37,000-seat home, planned to be located on the present grounds of Miami’s Orange Bowl. The long-anticipated retractable-roof ballpark will become a reality in 2012, with the team breaking ground this July.

Curt Schilling announces his retirement on his blog. He pitched 23 seasons in the major leagues and won three World Series (2001, 2004 and 2007), sharing World Series MVP honors in 2001. He went 216-146 with 3116 strikeouts in the majors. He made six All-Star teams and was a 3-time runner-up for the Cy Young Award. He retires 15th all-time in strikeouts and first in K:BB ratio for players from the 20th Century or later.

The Yankees dedicate a permanent September 11 memorial at the entrance of George M. Steinbrenner Field, the team’s Spring Training home in Tampa, Florida. The tribute to the victims and their families of the terrorist attacks of 2001 features a foundation in the shape of the Pentagon, which supports two towers made from steel from the World Trade Center placed on a grassy spot representing the heroes of United Flight 93, who perished in a field in Pennsylvania.

In the first baseball game ever played at Citi Field, John Franco throws out the ceremonial first pitch

2009 – The Detroit Tigers surprisingly cut slugger Gary Sheffield, who is one home run shy of 500 for his career. Sheffield, a 9-time All-Star, is 25th on the all-time home run list and 27th in RBI (1,633). He only hit .178 in spring training, but went deep in 5 of 45 at-bats. He says he is not shocked, but is surprised. Marcus Thames will replace Sheffield as Detroit’s starting DH.

After tallying a run in the top of the first, Kentucky State finds themselves on the short end of a 22-1 score at the end of the inning. After the Colonels of Eastern Kentucky University score 27 more times in the next three frames, the teams decide to halt the contest in the middle of the fifth, giving EKU a 49-1 triumph over the Thorobreds.

Alfredo Despaigne’s consecutive homer streak, tying the Cuban record, is stopped at six games. Despaigne got hot right after returning from the 2009 World Baseball Classic, where he was the only Cuban starting outfielder left off the All-Tournament team.

The Mets, obligated only to pay the major league minimum of $400,000, sign Gary Sheffield (.225, 19, 57) in hopes of adding a much-needed right-handed bat to the lineup. The 40 year-old offensively challenged outfielder, who has 499 career home runs, was unexpectedly released by the Tigers earlier in the week despite having $14 million left on his contract.

On a damp and chilly New York night, both the Mets and Yankees open their new stadiums with exhibition games. The double debut in the Big Apple sees each team come away with a victory when the Amazin’s beat the Red Sox, 4-3, and the Bronx Bombers launch three homers to defeat the Cubs, 7-4.

2009 – The major league season opens with the Braves topping the defending World Series champion Phillies, 4 – 1. Derek Lowe tosses a two-hit shutout over 8 innings. Offensive support comes on homers by Brian McCann(a two-run shot in the 1st off Brett Myers), Jeff Francoeur and Jordan Schafer. Schafer’s home run comes in his first major league at-bat.

In Toronto, Adam Lind drives in 6 runs, including a three-run homer in the 4th, as the Blue Jays defeat Detroit, 12 – 5, on opening day. Rookie Travis Snider adds a home run off Justin Verlander for the Jays, while Curtis Granderson and Brandon Inge, the latter with a three-run shot, go deep for the Tigers off winning pitcher Roy Halladay.

Down 4 – 2 in the 9th, the Pirates rally with two outs against Jason Motte to beat the Cardinals. With two away and one on, Adam LaRoche singles, pinch-hitter Eric Hinske doubles in a run, Brandon Moss gets plunked and Jack Wilson delivers a three-run double for the win.

Vladimir Guerrero drives in a run in a 3 – 0 Angels win over the A’s. It is his 19th RBI on Opening Day, breaking the record he shared with Jeff Kent and Frank Robinson.

Marquee free agent signees CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira have a rough time in their debut for the New York Yankees. Sabathia gives up 6 runs on 8 hits in 4 1/3 innings and Teixeira goes 0 for 4 as the Orioles defeat the Yanks, 10 – 5, at Camden Yards. Cesar Izturis hits a two-run homer and Aubrey Huff a two-run double for the Birds as Jeremy Guthrie picks up the win.

In front of a sold-out crowd at the Metrodome, Ken Griffey, Jr. hits a record-tying eighth Opening Day home run in his first game back with the Mariners since being traded before the start of the 2000 season. The "Kid's" historic home run, a sixth-inning blast off Francisco Liriano, ties him with Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, who established the mark playing for the Indians in 1975 during his first at-bat as major league baseball's first black manager.

In front of a sold-out crowd at the Metrodome, Ken Griffey, Jr. hits a record-tying eighth Opening Day home run in his first game back with the Mariners since being traded before the start of the 2000 season. The “Kid’s” historic home run, a sixth-inning blast off Francisco Liriano, ties him with Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, who established the mark playing for the Indians in 1975 during his first at-bat as major league baseball’s first black manager.

In Florida’s 12-6 victory over the Nationals at Dolphin Stadium, Emilio Bonifacio hits an inside-the-park home run, the first on Opening Day since Red Sox outfielder Carl Yastrzemski accomplished the feat in 1968. The round-tripper, one of four hits for the Marlins’ third baseman, is the first big league homer of his career.

Arizona switch-hitter Felipe Lopez becomes the first player to homer from both sides of the plate on Opening Day when he goes deep in the top of the fourth inning off Glendon Rusch, after connecting off Colorado starter Aaron Cook to lead off the game. An inning later, the Diamondback second baseman’s unique feat is matched by Tony Clark, making the pair the first set of teammates to homer from both sides of the plate on the first day of the season.

Ninety-seven years after his grandfather, Boston mayor John ‘Honey Fitz’ Fitzgerald, threw out the first pitch at the first major league game played at Fenway Park, U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy also tosses the ceremonial first pitch for the Red Sox at a season opener. The sell-out crowd enthusiastically cheers the 77 year-old long-time Massachusetts law maker, who was diagnosed last spring with a malignant brain tumor, when he tosses the ball from in front of the mound to a nearby Jim Rice, a newly elected member of the Hall of Fame.

Trailing Atlanta, 10 – 3, in the bottom of the 7th inning, the Phillies score 8 runs off four pitchers on their way to a 12 – 11 win. Eight consecutive batters drive in a run – four on bases-loaded walks – during the fateful inning. For the Braves, Jordan Schafer and Brian McCann both hit two-run homers and Matt Diaz adds a solo shot in the 9th, but it is not enough to stop Brad Lidge’s streak of 52 consecutive successful save opportunities, dating back to 2007.

Nick Adenhart of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches six scoreless innings against Oakland in his first start of the season; he will be tragically killed in a car crash a few hours after the game.

After going 4,044 1/3 innings in the major leagues (a fair portion in the American League, it should be noted), Randy Johnson finally allows a home run to an opposing pitcher. Yovani Gallardo connects for the three-run shot as the Brewers edge Johnson’s Giants, 4 – 2.

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart is killed in the early hours of the morning in Fullerton, California, hours after making his first start of the season, when the car he is riding in is hit by a van that ran a red light. Two fellow passengers are also killed in the hit-and-run collision. The Angels’ game today is cancelled in mourning.

The Blue Jays beat the Tigers, 6 – 2, as Ricky Romero outduels Rick Porcello. It is only the 19th time since 1901 that opposing starters both make their major league debuts together and it is the first time that two former first-round draft picks debut against one another.

Just hours after pitching six shutout innings against Oakland, Nick Adenhart is killed in a hit-and-run car accident. In memory of the 22 year-old right-handed rookie, the Angels postpone tonight’s game with the A’s.

In St. Louis, Kyle Lohse of the Cardinals joins Harang with a three-hit shutout of his own in beating Houston. After giving up a single to leadoff hitter Kazuo Matsui, Lohse sets down the next 24 batters in order on his way to a 3 – 0 victory.

For the second time in a week, a team draws four bases-loaded walks in one inning. This time, it’s the Chicago Cubs who profit, in a game in which four Brewer pitchers issue 10 free passes and hit two batters. The Cubs score 4 runs in the top of the 4th inning thanks to Milwaukee’s generosity, but the key play in the 9 – 5 victory happens in the bottom of the 5th when Reed Johnson robs Prince Fielder of a grand slam by climbing over the right field fence at Miller Park. Ryan Dempster is the winner in the nationally-televized contest. On April 8th, the Phillies had also drawn four bases-loaded walks in an inning.

Aaron Harang of the Cincinnati Reds pitches the first shutout of the season when he disposes of the Pirates, 2 – 0, on three hits. Brandon Phillips hits a two-run homer for the Reds. Pittsburgh pulls off a triple play in the 8th inning in going down in defeat. It is the first triple play by Pittsburgh in 16 years and their first one on the road since 1968, when Gene Alley and Bill Mazeroski teamed with Donn Clendenon on one, also against Cincinnati.

With runners taking off from first and second base, Pirates’ shortstop Jack Wilson Reds third baseman Edwin Encarnacion’s turns soft liner into a triple play. The triple killing is the Bucs’ first since 1993, and the team’s first on the road in 41 years.

In Los Angeles, Orlando Hudson hits for the cycle and Andre Ethier belts two home runs and drives in four runs as the Dodgers defeat the Giants, 11 – 1. Randy Johnson gives up 7 runs in 3 2/3 innings for the losers.

San Diego beats the Mets, 6 – 5, in the first game to be played at Citi Field in New York. The first batter of the game, Jody Gerut, hits a home run off Mike Pelfrey as the Padres jump to an early 5 – 1 lead. New York ties it on a three-run home run by David Wright, but the winning run scores when Luis Rodríguez reaches on a three-base error by RF Ryan Church and crosses the plate when Pedro Feliciano commits a balk.

1976 American League Rookie of the Year Mark “The Bird” Fidrych dies at 54 from an accident while fixing a truck on his farm in Northborough, MA.

The White Sox top the Tigers, 10 – 6. Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko hit back-to-back homers in the 2nd for the Sox, each of them reaching 300 career home runs with their blows. No teammates had ever reached 300, 400 or 500 in the same game, let alone the same inning.

Nick Swisher, who throws 22 pitches, allowing just one hit and one walk before retiring the next three consecutive batters, including a swinging strikeout of Gabe Kapler, becomes the first position player to pitch for the Yankees since Wade Boggs took the mound in 1997. During the 15-5 rout by the Rays at Tampa’s Tropicana Field, the fun-loving first baseman volunteered to pitch the eighth inning to help save the bullpen after starter Chien-Ming Wang lasts only one inning.

In the LA home opener, Orlando Hudson completes his cycle with a sixth-inning triple down the right-field line in the team’s 11-1 rout of the Giants. The second baseman becomes the first Dodger to hit for the cycle at Dodger Stadium, and the first franchise player to accomplish the feat in a nine-inning game since Gil Hodges did it in 1949.

2009 – In a 6 – 1 Reds win over the Brewers, David Weathers retires both batters he faces. It is his 900th game in the majors, the 20th player to reach the milestone.

Every player in Major League Baseball wears number 42 today on Jackie Robinson Day, in honor of the anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color line. The practice will be repeated in future years.

On a night of milestones in Seattle, Ken Griffey hits his 400th home run as a Mariner – the 613th long ball of his career – and Ichiro Suzuki hits a grand slam off Jason Bulger for his 3085th hit as a professional, tying the Japanese record held by Isao Harimoto. Seattle defeats the Angels, 11 – 3, as Jarrod Washburn picks up the 100th win of his career. Harimoto is present at Safeco Field to witness Ichiro’s historic hit.

Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers goes 6 for 6 and hits for the cycle in a 19 – 6 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Kinsler scores 5 times, Marlon Byrd goes 5 for 6 and Nelson Cruz hits a grand slam off Radhames Liz in the rout. It had been 119 years since Farmer Weaver had been the last big leaguer to go 6 for 6 and hit for the cycle in a 9-inning game.

The Cleveland Indians spoil the opening of New Yankee Stadium with a 10 – 2 win over the New York Yankees

The Washington Nationals finally enter the win column, defeating the Phillies, 8 – 2, at home. Shairon Martis benefits from four home runs to get the win, which comes after the Nats lost seven straight to open the season.

The Mariners fall, 5 – 1, to the Angels but Ichiro Suzuki makes history in the losing effort. He collects the 3,086th hit of his pro career, breaking the Japanese record held for decades by Isao Harimoto.

Gary Sheffield becomes the 25th member of the 500 home run club. He delivers a pinch-hit homer off the Brewers’ Mitch Stetter in the 7th inning of a game at Citi Field, still in its first month of operation. It is Sheffield’s first home run for the New York Mets, after having been released in spring training by the Detroit Tigers while sitting on 499 home runs. The Mets win the game, 5 – 4, on Luis Castillo’s 9th inning two-out single.

Washington’s right fielder Adam Dunn and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman start the game against Florida with the word “Nationals” misspelled on the front of their uniforms. Majestic Athletic, the manufacturer of the jerseys, takes full responsibility for the missing “O” and apologizes for the mistake to the organization, the players, and their fans.

Jason Kubel blasts a grand slam to become the ninth Twins player to hit for the cycle, the first to do it at the Metrodome since 1986 when Kirby Puckett accomplished the feat in front of the home crowd. The left fielder’s bases-full homer caps a seven-run eighth inning in Minnesota’s 11-9 comeback victory over the Angels.

Cleveland crushes the New York Yankees, 22 – 4, at New Yankee Stadium, scoring 14 runs in the 2nd inning, the most runs given up in an inning in Yankee history. Asdrubal Cabrera hits a grand slam, Mark DeRosa and Shin-Soo Choo add three-run home runs, and Travis Hafner, Grady Sizemore and Victor Martinez all connect for solo shots for the Indians. Yankee starter Chien-Ming Wang, who missed the second half of 2008 with a leg injury, is charged with 8 runs in 1 1/3 innings to raise his ERA for the year to 34.50. Making his major league debut, Anthony Claggett succeeds him but gives up 8 more runs in 1 2/3 innings.

2009 – Randy Johnson takes a no-hitter into the 7th inning and combines with Bobby Howry and Brian Wilson for a 2 – 0 victory over the Diamondbacks. It is Johnson’s 296th win, but his first with the San Francisco Giants.

Daniel Cabrera reaches base safely for the first time in his six-year career when he walks on four straight balls thrown by Florida’s Hayden Penn. Prior to receiving the free pass, the Diamondbacks’ right-hander had previously struck out in all of his 18 major league at bats, setting a major league mark for consecutive strikeouts.

Red Sox crush Baltimore on Patriots Day

Red Sox crush Baltimore on Patriots Day

The Cleveland Indians turn double plays in six straight innings in disposing of the Kansas City Royals, 8 – 7. Aaron Laffey is the beneficiary of this sparkling defensive performance, helped by Grady Sizemore’s three-run homer in the 4th inning. Kansas City rallies for 4 runs in the 8th, until Jensen Lewis forces Miguel Olivo to hit into the club-record-tying sixth twin killing of the night. Kerry Wood allows a two-run homer to David DeJesus in the 9th, but still picks up the save.

Andy Pettitte picks up the win and Mariano Rivera gets the save when New York defeats Oakland, 5 – 3, in the first night game played at New Yankee Stadium. It is the 57th time that Rivera has saved a Pettitte win, tying the Oakland Athletics duo of Bob Welch and Dennis Eckersley of the late 1980s and early 1990s for the highest total in major league history.

Boston sweeps a day-night doubleheader with the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park. Tim Wakefield pitches a seven-inning rain-shortened complete game in the opener as the Red Sox win, 10 – 1, then Brad Penny earns the 7 – 3 win in the nitecap. In the second game, in his first at-bat since being recalled from AAA to replace the injured Rocco Baldelli, Jeff Bailey hits a three-run homer off Francisco Liriano, who falls to 0-4 for the year.

In Philadelphia, Dave Bush holds the Phillies hitless for 7 1/3 innings in a 6 – 1 Milwaukee win. The no-hit bid ends when pinch hitter Matt Stairs drives a pitch off the foul pole for a home run. Phillies starter Cole Hamels is hit in the shoulder by a line drive off the bat of Prince Fielder in the 4th inning and has to leave the game.

St. Louis beats the Mets, 12 – 8, to complete a three-game sweep at home. Albert Pujols homers twice and Rick Ankiel homers and doubles twice for the Cardinals.

Zack Greinke continues to dominate opposing hitters as he pitches a second straight complete game for the Kansas City Royals. He strikes out 10 in a 6 – 1 win over Detroit. The Tigers’ lone run in the 5th inning is unearned, but it ends Greinke’s streak of 38 consecutive scoreless innings dating back to last season. He is nonetheless 4-0 with a virgin ERA so far this year, on his way to winning the AL Cy Young Award.

At Fenway Park, Mariano Rivera is charged with a rare blown save in the first matchup between the Yankees and Red Sox this season. With two outs in the 9th inning, Rivera gives up a two-run home run to Jason Bay to tie the score, 4 – 4. Kevin Youkilis homers over the Green Monster in the 11th for a 5 – 4 Boston win.

Pujols drives in 1000th run

The Rangers lose 8 – 5 to the Orioles. When Omar Vizquel comes in as a defensive substitute for Texas, he becomes the third player in major league history to play shortstop at age 42, following Luke Appling (1949) and Honus Wagner (1916).

In St. Louis, birthday boy Kosuke Fukudome of the Cubs homers and drives in five runs in Chicago’s 10 – 3 win over St. Louis. The Japanese right fielder, who lost his starting job late in 2008 because of a prolonged hitting slump, is now batting .371 on the year.

Boston completes a three-game sweep with a 4 – 1 victory over the Yankees, Boston’s 10th consecutive victory. Jacoby Ellsbury pulls off a straight steal of home against Andy Pettitte in the 5th inning in the game’s key play. Justin Masterson has now won both of his starts in place of the injured Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Rookie Dexter Fowler steals five bases against San Diego to lead the Rockies to a 12 – 7 victory. The Rocks steal eight bases overall against the battery of Chris Young and Nick Hundley. As part of the madness on the base paths, Brad Hawpe is hit in the head by catcher Hundley’s pick-off attempt at second base and is knocked out of the game. Fowler ties the post-1900 rookie record for steals in a game.

Raul Ibanez hits a grand slam off Joel Hanrahan in the 8th inning to lead Philadelphia to a 13 – 11 win over Washington. Ibanez’s blast follows another grand slam by Ryan Howard off Shairon Martis in the 5th. The Nationals are up 6 – 2 and 11 – 7, but cough up the lead twice, negating a five-home run performance by their hitters.

West Virginia State’s Bo Darby homers in his first four plate appearances against Salem International, giving him round-trippers in five consecutive at-bats over two games, including the home run in his final at-bat two days ago against the University of Charleston. The Yellow Jackets’ sophomore outfielder will go deep twice more in the second game of the twin bill to finish the day with six four-baggers along with 14 RBIs.

Trevor Hoffman collects his 555th save, his first save for the Brewers

Yovani Gallardo does it all by himself in Milwaukee's 1 - 0 win over Pittsburgh

Yovani Gallardo does it all by himself in Milwaukee’s 1 – 0 win over Pittsburgh

In Kansas City’s 11-3 victory over Toronto at Kauffman Stadium, Vernon Wells’ first inning two-out RBI single ends Zack Greinke’s streak of not allowing an earned run at 43 consecutive innings. The Royals right-hander, who improves his record to 5-0, had not given up an earned run in his last six starts, dating back to September 13th of last season.

With a double off Philadelphia’s Brett Myers, Ryan Zimmerman breaks his own Nationals team record by extending his hitting streak to 18 games. The Washington third baseman established the previous mark of 17 in 2006.

Matt Garza pitches six perfect innings before giving up a weakly-hit single up the middle to Jacoby Ellsbury to lead off the 7th, Boston’s only hit in a 13 – 0 loss. Michel Hernandez goes 4 for 5 with his first major league home run for the Rays. Things get so bad for the Sox that with one out in the 8th, manager Terry Francona calls right-fielder Jonathan Van Every to the mound to spell struggling reliever Javier Lopez, who finishes the game in the outfield.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Duaner Sanchez walks Russell Martin, who checks his swing on a full count with the bases loaded, bringing home the winning run in L.A.’s 1-0 triumph over the Padres. The win keeps the Dodgers undefeated at home, extending their record at Chavez Ravine to 8-0 with their ‘walk-off’ victory.

Alfredo Despaigne hits his 32nd homer of the 2008-2009 Serie Nacional season, breaking Alexei Bell’s one-year old record. Despaigne accomplishes his feat on the final day of the season.

Jose Lopez bloops an RBI single in the bottom of the 15th inning to give Seattle an 8 – 7 victory over Oakland in the longest game played this season so far. The Mariners rally to tie the game at 4-all on Kenji Johjima’s home run in the 9th, then mount a three-run comeback in the 13th. Jason Vargas is the winner in his first major league appearance since 2007.

Defeating San Diego 2-1 in 10 innings, the Dodgers tie a franchise record, winning their ninth consecutive decision at home from the start of the season. The 1946 club also reeled off nine straight victories at Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field at the beginning of the post-war campaign.

Carl Crawford steals his sixth base of the game to become the fourth major leaguer to accomplish the feat

Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals records his major league-leading 6th win when he shuts out the White Sox, 3 – 0, striking out 10 and walking none. He lowers his ERA to 0.40 for the year.

The Dodgers defeat Arizona, 7 – 2, for their 11th straight home victory, setting a National League record for most consecutive wins at home to start a season. Manny Ramirez homers and drives in three runs, while Eric Stults picks up the win. Arizona pulls off the second triple play in franchise history in the 2nd, but to no avail.

Ryan Howard’s grand slam powers the Phillies past St. Louis at Busch Stadium, 6-1. The slugging first baseman’s seventh career grand salami ties Mike Schmidt’s franchise record.

The Dodgers tie a post-1900 major league record with their 12th straight win at home to open the season when they beat Arizona, 3 – 1. Detroit is the only other team to win its first twelve games at home, in 1911. Jeff Weaver picks up his first victory since 2007 for the Dodgers.

The game between Washington and Houston, both struggling in the basement of their respective divisions, is suspended with the score tied at 10 when heavy rain starts to fall with LaTroy Hawkins facing the Nationals’ Josh Willingham with a runner on and one out in the bottom of the 11th inning. The sloppily-played game features 13 walks, 3 errors, 18 runners left on base and numerous blown leads. It will be resumed on July 9th.

The Dodgers tie the major league record of 12 consecutive wins at home to start the season with their 3-1 victory over Arizona. L.A.’s 12-0 start at home equals the mark set by the Tigers in 1911.

Former All-Star pitcher Bronson Arroyo of the Reds has one of the worst starts of his career as the Brewers rock him for five runs in the 1st inning, highlighted by a three-run homer by J.J. Hardy, and a grand slam off the bat of Ryan Braun which sends him to the showers before he can retire a batter in the 2nd. The Brew Crew adds five runs off infielder Paul Janish in the 9th for a final score of 15 – 3. Manny Parra picks up his first win of the year after four losses.

Red Sox score 12 in 1 inning before recording an out

Dodgers win streak halted at 13

Manny being Manny gets suspened for 50 games

Manny being Manny gets suspened for 50 games

Ryan Zimmerman joines 3 other Senators with hit streaks of 25 or more

Diamondsbacks fire Bob Melvin

In his first game of the season after missing six weeks because of hip surgery, Alex Rodriguez hits the first pitch he sees from Baltimore’s Jeremy Guthrie for a three-run home run in a 4 – 0 Yankees win that ends a five-game losing streak. CC Sabathia pitches a four-hit shutout in his best performance since signing a huge free agent contract over the winter.

At Camden Yards, Alex Rodriguez takes no time in making his return to the Yankees lineup felt, blasting a three-run home run on the very first pitch he has seen this season. The third baseman’s Ruthian blast, which comes off a 98-mph fastball thrown by Baltimore’s right-hander Jeremy Guthrie, helps to snap the Yankees’ five-game losing streak when they beat the Orioles, 4-0.

Stephen M. Ross, the owner of the Dolphins’ football franchise and the stadium in which the NFL team and Marlins play their games, and singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett announced a unique branding partnership which renames the ballpark Land Shark Stadium. The sponsorship deal, which brings together Buffett’s Margaritaville and Anheuser-Busch InBev’s Land Shark Lager joint venture, is reportedly for only eight months with the name reverting to Dolphin Stadium unless another naming rights deal happens before Super Bowl XLIV and the 2010 Pro Bowl.

Ryan Zimmerman of the Nationals hits a home run in the 8th inning to beat Arizona, 2 – 1, extending his hitting streak to 27 games. A.J. Hinch is still winless since taking over as D-Backs manager.

The Mets defeat Pittsburgh, 10 – 1, for their 6th consecutive win. Sandy Alomar is at the helm in place of Jerry Manuel, who was suspended for bumping umpire Bill Welke in an argument on May 7th. Jose Reyes collects 3 hits and 3 RBI for New York.

Joe Saunders pitches a five-hit shutout for the Angels to beat Kansas City’s ace Zack Greinke, 1 – 0. Greinke suffers his first loss of the season after six wins and sees his ERA rise to 0.51 in the complete-game defeat.

The Cincinnati Reds hit five homers, including a pinch-hit blast with two outs in the bottom of the 9th by pitcher Micah Owings, but lose, 8 – 7, to the Cardinals in 10 inning. Colby Rasmus doubles in the winning run for St. Louis, while Paul Janish fouls out with the bases loaded against Chris Perez to end the game.

Ryan Zimmerman goes 4 for 5 with two home runs to extend his hitting streak to 29 games, but San Francisco beats Washington, 11 – 7. Randy Johnson strikes out nine for career win number 298. The game features the tallest pitching match-up in history, with the 6′ 10″ Johnson facing Daniel Cabrera, who stands 6′ 9″.

Ryan Zimmerman’s hitting streak ends at 30 games when he goes 0 for 3 with two walks

Alfonso Soriano hits his 53rd leadoff homer as the Chicago Cubs defeat the Padres, 6 – 4, in a rain-shortened game. Soriano’s blast ties Craig Biggio for second on the all-time list, still well behind record holder Rickey Henderson at 81; it also breaks the Cubs record held by Jimmy Ryan, as it is Soriano’s 21st such homer since joining the team in 2006. For the Padres, Adrian Gonzalez hits two long balls off winner Ted Lilly.

The Pirates down the Cardinals, 5 – 2. Adam LaRoche has a home run reversed on an instant replay review; it marks the first time in 14 reviews that a home run call has been reversed since instant replay was instituted in 2008.

The Reds beat the Diamondbacks, 10 – 3. Arizona rookie Gerardo Parra homers off Johnny Cueto in his first major league at-bat, the 100th player to homer in his first trip up in the Show.

2009 – Every person in the Astros’ starting lineup, including pitcher Mike Hampton, has a multi-hit game in the 15-11 victory over Colorado at Coors Field. Lance Berkman leads the 24-hit attack (one shy of the club record) with a 4-for-4 night. Miguel Tejada adds three hits while Geoff Blum drives in five. Houston scores all their runs without the benefit of a homer. 

31-year-old rookie Bobby Scales hits a pair of doubles in Chicago’s 11 – 3 win over the Padres. Scales has hit safely in all six games he has played in the majors so far, for a batting average of .444. Adrian Gonzalezhomers in his fourth consecutive game for San Diego, but to no avail as his team is now on a 3-16 skid. Ryan Dempster picks up the win and former Cub Chad Gaudin, who walks seven batters in four innings, is the loser. Padre starters are winless since April 16th.

The Mets collect a franchise-record seven stolen bases in their 7-4 victory over the Giants at AT&T Park. Ironically, the team sets the club mark without the help of a sidelined Jose Reyes, New York’s all-time career leader in thefts.

Ryan Raburn and Brandon Inge hit grand slams as the Tigers defeat Oakland, 14 – 1. It is the first time that Detroit has hit two grand slams in one game since Jim Northrup did it all by himself on June 24, 1968.

Tampa Bay comes back from a 7 – 0 deficit to beat the Indians, 8 – 7. The Rays start their comeback with three runs in the 4th, tie it on Ben Zobrist’s solo home run in the 8th and seal the win when B.J. Upton hits a walk-offblast to lead off the 9th inning off Luis Vizcaino. It it the biggest comeback in team history.

The LG Twins beat the Seoul Heroes, 22 – 17, to set a new Korea Baseball Organization record for combined runs in a game. Other records set included most hits (40), homers (11) and total bases (84) as well as most runs scored by a losing team. Roberto Petagine hits a grand slam for LG, while Jin-young Lee and Jae-kyun Hwang each hit three-run homers, Lee for the winners and Hwang for Seoul. Ji-man Song drives in 7 for the losers.

The Uni-President Lions top the Sinon Bulls, 9 – 6. Bulls 3B Wilton Veras extends his hitting streak to 24 games by going 1 for 3, breaking Gary Burnham’s Chinese Professional Baseball League record for a foreigner.

5/15/2009: The Brewers played less than two complete innings in St. Louis before rain cancelled the contest. In the bottom of the second, Colby Rasmus hit a two-run homer to score the only runs of the abbreviated game.

With David Ortiz benched because of his poor start, the Red Sox still power past the Mariners, 5 – 3. Home runs by Jason Bay, Jason Varitek and Jeff Bailey account for all of Boston’s runs against starter Garrett Olson, a last-minute replacement for scheduled starter Erik Bedard.

Nick Hundley homers off Micah Owings with two outs in the 16th inning to end a marathon, 6 – 5, in favor of the Padres over the Cincinnati Reds. Normally a starter, Owings is pressed into pitching 5 2/3 innings in relief for the losers before surrendering the game-ending shot, while rookie Luis Perdomo, the Padres’ eighth pitcher, picks up his first major league win.

A blunder by manager Joe Maddon in filling out the line-up card forces Tampa Bay to forgo the designated hitter and bat pitcher Andy Sonnanstine third. He hits an RBI double in the 4th on his way to a 7 – 5 win over Cleveland.

Scott Feldman pitches six scoreless innings and three relievers complete the whitewash as Texas beats Los Angeles to complete a sweep. David Murphy drives in the game’s first run with a sacrifice fly in the 7th, then Ian Kinsler and Marlon Byrd hit RBI doubles to seal the affair. Texas has now won seven in a row, and 13 of its last 15 games.

In a 2 – 0 win by the Giants over the Mets, New York hurler Mike Pelfrey balks 3 times. It had been 15 years since Al Leiter was the last pitcher to have three balks in a game.

Ivan Rodriguez belts the 300th homer of his career  in a 6-5 victory at Chicago

Returning from a strained forearm that has kept him out of action all year, the Angels’ John Lackey picks up his first win of the year in a 10 – 6 victory over Seattle. Lackey actually made his season debut three days earlier but was ejected after only two pitches for throwing at Texas lead-off hitter Ian Kinsler.

Jason Kendall goes 2 for 5 to help the Brewers beat the Cardinals, 8 – 4. He becomes the 8th player to collect 2,000 hits in the majors while playing primarily catcher.

The Nationals come back from a 5 – 0 deficit, score a run in the bottom of the 9th to send the game into extra innings, but lose 8 – 5 to the Pirates when Adam LaRoche belts a two-run double in the 10th. Washington has lost six straight games, in spite of scoring five runs or more in each contest. With Joe Beimel taking the loss, the Nats’ bullpen is 1-14 for the year.

Dontrelle Willis wins his first game in 20 months and his first in a Detroit Tigers uniform as the Tigers shut out the Rangers, 4 – 0. Willis retires 17 batters in a row at one point and snaps the Rangers’ seven-game winning streak.

Former Korea Baseball Organization batting champion Hae-yong Ma publishes a book claiming many foreign import players and some locals used steroids. The KBO instituted limited steroid testing in 2007 and had no global system due to cost concerns.

Houston manager Cecil Cooper presents an incorrect lineup card to umpire Eric Cooper. When leadoff hitter Michael Bourn singles off Yovani Gallardo, Brewers manager Ken Macha objects and the umps call out Kazuo Matsui, who is standing in the on-deck circle, as Bourn batted out of turn. Bourn then returns to the plate, draws a walk and scores on Lance Berkman’s double. Houston wins, 6 – 4, behind the pitching of Wandy Rodriguez.

David Ortiz ends the longest home run drought of his career when he connects for the first time this season off Brett Cecil of the Blue Jays in an 8 – 3 Boston win. Red Sox centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury ties a major league record by recording 12 putouts behind pitcher Brad Penny.

The wife of Diamondbacks pitcher Scott Schoeneweis, Gabrielle, is found dead of a drug overdose at their home, leaving Schoeneweis in sole charge of four children under the age of 16.

Jeanmar Gomez throws a 3 – 0 perfect game for the Akron Aeros against the Trenton Thunder in Trenton. Damaso Espino is the batterymate for the Eastern League gem. It is the first perfect game in Aeros history and the first that Trenton is ever involved in. It is the first minor league perfecto since Guillermo Moscoso performed the feat in 2007. The game is saved by a diving catch by OF Matt McBride in the 9th inning.

Joe Mauer hits a grand slam and two doubles and drives in 6 runs as Minnesota routs the White Sox, 20 – 1. It is only the second time in franchise history that the White Sox have lost a game by 19 runs.

Joba Chamberlain is knocked out of the game in the 1st inning with a bruised right knee after being hit by a line drive off the bat of Adam Jones. The Yankees still defeat the Orioles, 7 – 4, as Robinson Cano drives in three runs. Alfredo Aceves pitches 3 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of Chamberlain to earn the Bronx Bombers’ 9th straight win.

The San Diego Padres acquire outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers for Jody Gerut. Gwynn, who has struggled to stay on a major league roster since making his debut in 2006, joins the team for which his father, Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, played his entire career and which retired his uniform number 19. Gerut revived his career with a solid season as the Padres’ centerfielder in 2008.

The Twins enjoy a six-run and a seven-run inning when they trounce the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field, 20-1. Joe Mauer leads the Minnesota offense with a grand slam and two doubles, driving in a career-high six runs.

The letter "I'' on the Big Mac Land sign at Busch Stadium is knocked out by Albert Pujols's first-inning blast off Sean Marshall

The letter “I” on the Big Mac Land sign at Busch Stadium is knocked out by Albert Pujols’s first-inning blast off Sean Marshall

Michael Cuddyer hits for the cycle as Minnesota defeats Milwaukee, 11 – 3, in the first day of interleague play this season. His three-run homer off Manny Parra in the 1st inning opens the scoring. Teammate Jason Kubelalso hit for the cycle on April 17th.

At Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Jason Giambi hits his 400th career home run. The A’s designated hitter goes deep off Dan Harden leading off the fourth inning in an 8-7 loss against Arizona to become the 44th major leaguer to reach the milestone.

The Pirates beat the Cubs, 10 – 8. Freddy Sanchez goes 6 for 6 with 4 runs, 3 RBI, a double and a homer, the first Pirate in 19 years to have six hits in a game. Jason Jaramilloand Andy LaRoche each go 3 for 5. The Bucs, fresh off an interleague series with the White Sox, become the first team in major league history to play consecutive series against the Cubs and White Sox in Chicago.

Jim Thome passes Mike Schmidt for 13th on the all-time home run list, as the White Sox thump the Angels, 17 – 3.

The Indians, trailing by ten runs in the fourth, rally to beat the Rays, 11-10. Victor Martinez’s walk-off, two-out, two-run single off Jason Isringhausen in the bottom of the seven-run ninth inning puts the finishing touch on the incredible comeback at Progressive Field

The Royals beat the Tigers, 6 – 1. Zach Greinke improves to 8-1, 0.84. No pitcher had posted an ERA under 1.00 after 10 starts since Juan Marichal back in 1966.

The Twins beat the Red Sox, 4 – 2, taking advantage of Boston wildness. The Red Sox throw six wild pitches, tying the modern major league record. Daisuke Matsuzakathrows four, the first Red Sox hurler to do so since Milt Gaston in 1929.

On the road, the Yankees top the Indians, 3 – 1. Mariano Rivera saves an Andy Pettitte win for the 58th time, setting a new record for a duo of pitchers; the old mark had been held by Dennis Eckersley and Bob Welch.

The Phillies top the Nationals, 9 – 6. Ryan Howard hits his 8th grand slam, setting a new Philadelphia Phillies franchise record. Howard’s shot helps make a loser of Shairon Martis. Martis had amazingly started the year 5-0 on a team that otherwise was 8-34.

Thomas De Wolf of the DSL Mets becomes the first minor leaguer born and raised in Belgium. He goes 1 for 4 with a walk, run and RBI and will post a .432 OBP in the 2009 Dominican Summer League, leading his club.

Carlos Pena becomes the first player to hit a ball into the “A” ring, the highest catwalk at Tropicana Field. The Rays first baseman’s 190-foot pop fly, considered in play, is caught off the rebound by Jose Mijares, but the Twins’ left-hander has to roll onto his stomach to hold onto the ball for the out.

2009 – The Yankees play their 18th straight game without an error, breaking the record held by the 2006 Boston Red Sox.

Dan Uggla, playing in his 502nd game, hits his 100th home run, becoming the fastest second baseman to that level. He helps the Marlins beat the Brewers, 9 – 3.

The Mariners beat the Orioles, 8 – 2. Ichiro Suzuki sets a new franchise record by hitting safely in his 26th consecutive game.

The Pirates deal All-Star CF Nate McLouth to the Braves for CF prospect Gorkys Hernandez and pitchers Charlie Morton and Jeff Locke.

Miguel A. González tosses a five-hit shutout of Villa Clara to give La Habana a 6 – 0 win. La Habana takes the 2008-2009 Serie Nacional title, 4 games to 1, behind their strong pitching.

Randy Johnson wins his 300th game in the major leagues

Randy Johnson wins his 300th game in the major leagues

John Schuerholz publicly apologizes to Tom Glavine for the club’s handling of the southpaw’s release. The Braves’ president, who chose not to give the future Hall of Famer a million dollar bonus by adding him to the 25-man roster, doesn’t regret the decision, but for “the manner in which it was portrayed and explained” to the veteran pitcher.

Caught on video shouting profanities, Alex Rios apologizes for the incident which occurred when he was leaving a Blue Jays’ charity event. After appearing to ignore a youngster’s request for an autograph, the Toronto right fielder shouts an epithet when he hears an older man comment, “The way you played today Alex, you should be lucky somebody wants your autograph”.

Just hours prior to its scheduled demise, Tiger Stadium is saved from complete demolition when Wayne County Circuit Judge Isidore Torres stops crews from tearing down what’s left of the ballpark at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull Avenues. A temporary restraining order, requested by the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy, gives the nonprofit group additional time to raise money for preservation and redevelopment of the historic ballpark.

four Arizona pitchers hurled nine no-hit innings of extra-inning relief

four Arizona pitchers hurled nine no-hit innings of extra-inning relief

Umpire Don Briggs throws the entire crowd, approximately 100 fans in attendance at Winfield-Mount Union High School (IA) for a contest against West Burlington, out of the game following his controversial call in the fifth inning. The incident occurs when the home team coach refuses to remove any of the unruly local fans, so the ten-year veteran scholastic arbitrator decides to take action himself, borrowing a cell phone to call the police to help with the ejections.

2009 – Minutes after Miguel Tejada strokes his 2,000th career hit to drive in a run, Lance Berkman launches his 300th career homer  to pace a 6-4 win at Arizona. After seven strong innings by Roy Oswalt, Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins work their way out of jams to preserve the win. The Astros are last in the division with a 28-32 record but are just five games out of first. 

Felix Hernandez throws a two-hit shutout as Seattle defeats San Diego, 5 – 0. It is the Padres’ record-tying 12th straight interleague loss, their last win having been recorded in 2007.

Ivan Rodriguez plays his 2,226th game at catcher in Houston’s 6 – 1 loss to Texas, tying him with Carlton Fisk for the all-time lead.

The University of North Carolina cruises to an 11 – 4 win over the University of Southern Mississippi in the 2009 College World Series. Dustin Ackley goes 5 for 6 to reach 27 career hits in College World Series play, breaking the record held by Sam Fuld.

Ivan Rodriguez catches the 2,227th game of his career, breaking Carlton Fisk’s record

Matt Wieters of the Baltimore Orioles, the 2008 Minor League Player of the Year, hits the first home run of his career in the O’s 6 – 4 win over the New York Mets.

The Pirates beat the Twins, 8 – 2. Andy LaRoche and Adam LaRoche both homer, the first brother combo to homer in the same game for Pittsburgh since the Waners in 1938. Andrew McCutchen also hits his first home run as the league’s weakest team (in terms of homers) rides the long ball to victory.

Fans attending tonight’s game at Fenway Park will have an opportunity to win food and prizes, along with one lucky patron, sitting 500 feet from the plate, receiving a pair of tickets for a future contest. The Red Sox are treating their fans to celebrate the 500th straight sellout at home, a streak begun on May 15, 2003, in which almost 18 million have seen the club compile a 326-173 record over the first 499 games of the record span.

In a start delayed by rain for over five hours at New Yankee Stadium, Craig Stammen earns his first career victory when the Nationals shut out the Yankees, 3 – 0. It is the first homerless game at the ballpark since its opening in April.

In a rain-shortened game, Carlos Torres of the Charlotte Knights throws a five-inning perfect game against the Pawtucket Red Sox. The last five-inning no-hitter in the International League was thrown by Mariano Rivera in 1995.

Marcus Thames hits a pair of two-run home runs as Detroit beats Milwaukee, 10 – 4, in a rain-shortened game that ends with one out in the bottom of the 7th, after being delayed for more than two hours in the 4th. Zach Miner picks up the win in relief in the wild game in which video replay reviews deprive Dusty Ryan of an apparent home run in the 1st but grant one to Miguel Cabrera two innings later.

Josh Beckett pitches his first regular-season shutout in a Boston Red Sox uniform as the Sox defeat the Braves, 3 – 0. He did throw a shutout in Game 1 of the 2007 ALDS.

Todd Helton hits a two-run homer in the 9th to lead Colorado to a 9 – 7 win over Pittsburgh. It is Colorado’s 15th win in its last 16 games, as the club has caught fire after naming Jim Tracy as its manager on May 29th. Before Helton’s blow off Jesse Chavez, Chris Iannetta hits a game-tying three-run blast in the 8th while Ian Stewart drives in three runs.

Chris Davis of the Rangers fans for the 100th time in 219 at-bats this year, becoming the fastest player to reach 100 strikeouts in a year. He is on pace to shatter Mark Reynolds’ single-season strikeout record, but will be demoted to AAA on July 5th.

A major league oddity happens when two games end on walk-off wild pitches in extra innings on the same day. Jason Jennings’ errant throw allows Nate Schierholtz to score the winning run for the Giants with two outs in the 11th inning to beat Texas, 2-1, and Andres Blanco comes home on Kerry Wood’s miscue, giving the Cubs a 6-5 victory over the Indians in 13 innings.

Tony La Russa gets his 2,500th victory as a manager when the Cardinals defeat Kansas City at Kauffman Stadium, 12-5. Joining Connie Mack and John McGraw, the Redbird skipper, who also piloted the White Sox and A’s, becomes only the third major league manager to reach the milestone. The Cardinals attack was lead by Albert Pujols, who is leading the major leagues in almost all hitting categories, has another great day at the plate, banging out two homers, one a grand slam, and driving in 6 runs

Brian Roberts hits a tie-breaking single in the 8th to lead Baltimore to a 2 – 1 win over Philadelphia, completing a three-game sweep. The Phillies have now lost six straight at home, for an overall record of 13-22 at Citizens Bank Park. The defending World Series champs are being kept alive by their outstanding play on the road, where they are a major league best 23-9.

Donald Fehr announces his retirement as head of the Major League Baseball Players Association after 25 years. He was in charge during the 1994 strike and the relative labor peace that followed. His resignation will be effective in March 2010, when the union’s general counsel, Michael Weiner, will take over.

All-Star centerfielder Carlos Beltran of the New York Mets is placed on the disabled list with a bruised right knee. The ailing Mets still defeat St. Louis, 6 – 4, as Omir Santos goes 4 for 4 to hand Tim Redding his first win for New York.

2009 – Chase Utley homers and drives in four runs as Philadelphia crushes Tampa Bay, 10 – 1, in a rematch of last year’s World Series. Ryan Howard is back in the Phils’ line-up after a bout of sinusitis over the previous days put an end to his major league leading 343 consecutive games played streak. The Phillies score 6 runs in the 1st on their way to building a 10-run lead against rookie starter David Price. 46-year-old Jamie Moyer picks up the 251st win of his career.

Jared Mitchell hits a three-run homer to help lead the Louisiana State University Tigers to a 11 – 4 win in the finale of the 2009 College World Series. It is LSU’s sixth title, tying the University of Texas (this year’s runner-up) for second-most College World Series pennants.

Vladimir Guerrero hits his first home run since April 12th in Los Angeles’s 11 – 3 win over the Colorado Rockies, who lose their second straight after winning 17 of their previous 18 games. Guerrero and Bobby Abreu drive in 3 runs each for the Angels and Joe Saunders picks up the win while Jason Marquis fails in his bid to become the majors’ first 10-game winner.

In his first game after being activated from the disabled list because of an inner-ear infection, Denard Span triples, walks three times, and scores three runs as Minnesota defeats Milwaukee, 6 – 4. Mike Burns is charged with the loss in his first career start.

In his 21st season, John Smoltz makes his first start in over a year and plays his first game for a team other than the Atlanta Braves, as the Red Sox lose, 9 – 3, to Washington. Smoltz settles down after giving up 4 runs in the 1st, but still allows 5 runs in as many innings to take the loss. Willie Harris has three hits, including a homer off Takashi Saito, and scores 2 and drives in 2 for the Nats.

Andre Ethier hits 3 home runs and drives in 6 runs, both career highs, as the Dodgers dispose of Seattle, 8 – 2.

Brett Gardner collects five hits, including a triple and a homer, as the Yankees beat the Mets, 9 – 1, before a record-breaking crowd at Citi Field. Alex Rodriguez hits home run number 564 of his career, passing Reggie Jackson on the all-time list; Jackson was 6th at the time of his retirement in 1987 but falls to 12th now. Three errors by the Mets’ infield in the 2nd lead to four runs.

The Indians send Mark DeRosa, who has hit 13 homers, to the Cardinals for Chris Perez and a player to be named later.

Tim Wakefield makes his 382nd start for the Boston Red Sox, tying Roger Clemens for most in franchise history. The 42-year-old knuckleballer earns his 10th win of the year with six scoreless innings against the Atlanta Braves. Boston prevails, 1 – 0, with Mark Kotsay driving in the game’s only run.

J.A. Happ registers his first career shutout in a 10 – 0 drubbing of the Blue Jays by Philadelphia. Jayson Werth homers twice, including a mammoth blast that reaches the upper deck of the Rogers Centre.

Mariano Rivera earns his 500th career save as the Yankees complete a 3-game sweep of the Mets with a 4 – 2 win at Citi Field. Rivera, who is the second pitcher to reach the milestone after Trevor Hoffman, also draws a bases-loaded walk in the 9th for his first career RBI.

The red-hot Colorado Rockies complete a sweep of the A’s with a 3 – 1 win, their 20th in their last 23 games. Aaron Cook takes a shutout into the 9th to earn the win.

The Lake Elsinore Storm rout the High Desert Mavericks, 33 – 18, in the California League; the two teams set a new league record for runs in a game. The Storm set a record with 32 hits. Six Storm players score at least four times, led by Matt Clark’s 7 runs. Kuo-Hui Lo scores four, drives in four and homers twice in a losing cause. Nine pitchers allow 3 or more runs, with only Travis Mortimore having a good day (1 2/3 IP, 0 R).

In Milwaukee, 3B Casey McGehee plays both the goat and the hero. In the top of the 6th, his drop of a routine pop fly leads to two New York runs; in the bottom of the inning, he hits his first career grand slam; in the 7th, he takes his time fielding a ground ball off the bat of Gary Sheffield, leading to an infield hit and another run; he is then removed in a double switch. Still, the Brewers bang out 19 hits, including 4 by J.J. Hardy and 3 by Jason Kendall, for a 10 – 6 win. With the loss, the Mets fall below .500.

Jamie Moyer beats the Blue Jays, 5 – 4, but allows three home runs to give him 483 for his career. He surpasses Phil Niekro for third all-time and trails Ferguson Jenkins by one. The veteran is still 22 back of all-time leader Robin Roberts, but will pass him next season.

The Baltimore Orioles complete the biggest comeback in their history, besting Boston, 11 – 10, after trailing 10 – 1. They score 5 runs in the 7th and 5 more in the 8th, capped by Nick Markakis’ two-run double off closer Jonathan Papelbon, thus depriving John Smoltz of a chance to win his first game for the Red Sox.

Jason Marquis pitches a two-hit shutout as Colorado blanks the Dodgers, 3 – 0. He is the first ten-game winner in the National League this season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are busy on the transaction front. They trade starting LF Nyjer Morgan and P Sean Burnett to the Washington Nationals in return for P Joel Hanrahan and OF Lastings Milledge, a former top prospectwho has failed to crack the Nats’ line-up. In a separate move, the Bucs send veteran OF Eric Hinske to the Yankees for two minor leaguers.

Is the era of high scoring over ? For the first time since September 1, 1976, three National League games end in 1 – 0 scores on the same day. All of the shutouts are combined efforts: Mike Pelfrey of the Mets beats Milwaukee, Johnny Cueto leads the Reds over Arizona, and the Dodgers defeat Colorado with an 8th-inning run.

Jonathan Papelbon passes Bob Stanley for the franchise lead for saves with 133.

Jonathan Papelbon passes Bob Stanley for the franchise lead for saves with 133.

In the competition for most unusual reason for a delay, today’s game between Houston and San Diego stakes a bold claim for first place. In the top of the 9th, a swarm of bees invades part of the left field area of Petco Park, forcing an emergency call to a beekeeper and evacuation of part of the stands. After a 52-minute delay, the game resumes and the Astros prevail, 7 – 2.

Derrek Lee collects a career-high 7 RBI, thanks to a grand slam and a three-run homer, leading Chicago to a 9 – 5 win over Milwaukee.

A source reveals that Major League Baseball has loaned around $15 million to Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks to help him meet payroll. The multi-millionaire’s financial position has been shaken by the recent economic meltdown and he is reportedly seeking to sell the franchise.

A 7-2 Astros victory in San Diego is delayed 52 minutes in the top of the ninth when a swarm of bees moves into left field and begins nesting in the jacket of the ballgirl. A local bee expert is brought in to kill and capture the queen and her nest, dispersing the others. “Killer B’s” Geoff Blum, Lance Berkman and Michael Bourn delivered six hits, six runs and six RBIs between them. 

Albert Pujols, the major league home run leader, hits his fourth grand slam of the year, a team record, as the Cardinals dispose of the Reds, 7 – 4. He now has 350 career dingers, becoming the third-youngest to reach the mark, after Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr.

Manny Ramirez, back from his 50-game suspension, goes 0 for 3 with a walk, but the Dodgers beat San Diego, 6 – 3. Los Angeles scores 5 runs in the 1st, taking advantage of ManRam’s walk and of two throwing errors. Hiroki Kuroda is the winner against Chad Gaudin.

Tim Lincecum, last year’s National League Cy Young Award winner, is in his best form, beating Houston, 9 – 0, with seven scoreless innings, running his streak of scoreless innings to 23. He also scores the Giants’ first run in the 5th and is now 9-2 with a 2.23 ERA.

Adam Dunn 5th fastest to hit 300

Tim Wakefield makes his first All-Star appearance at age 42

Vladimir Guerrero plays his first game of the year in the outfield and belts his second homer in two days as the Angels defeat the Orioles, 9 – 6. Vlad has been in a power drought to start the year, but now has 4 homers. Los Angeles stays tied atop the AL West as its main rival, Texas, completes a sweep of Tampa Bay with a 5 – 2 win at home. The Rangers now expect their own injured slugger, Josh Hamilton, to return to the line-up tomorrow. Starting 1B Chris Davis, who is hitting for power but has already piled up 114 strikeouts, is sent down AAA to make room for Hamilton.

The Phillies jump on the Reds for 10 runs in a 1st inning featuring home runs by Shane Victorino, Greg Dobbs and Chase Utley, on their way to a 22 – 1 drubbing of Cincinnati. Jayson Werth adds a grand slam in the 8th off infielder Paul Janish as the Reds suffer the worst defeat of their long history.

Mike Hampton beats the Pirates, 4 – 1, for his 10th straight win against Pittsburgh. He is the first pitcher to top the Bucs in ten straight decisions since Robin Roberts had 15 consecutive wins over Pittsburgh from 1951 to 1953.

Two low-hit shutouts are tossed in the American League: Jarrod Washburn hurls a one-hitter as Seattle beats Baltimore, 5 – 0, while Brett Anderson registers his first shutout in a 6 – 0 A’s win, limiting Boston to two hits at Fenway Park. It is Oakland’s first complete game since July 8, 2008.

Jason Marquis, who as just been named to his first All-Star team, celebrates by pitching 8 scoreless innings in a 1 – 0 Rockies shutout of Washington. He becomes the first 11-game winner in the majors.

A federal lawsuit brought by a fan kicked out of Yankee Stadium by a police officer allegedly for leaving his seat to use the men’s room during the playing of ‘God Bless America’ is settled with the resident of Queens receiving $10,001 from New York City. The Yankees, who do not have to pay any money, claim patrons have always had freedom of movement, but ushers in previous years have blocked some exits with chains while the patriotic song was played due to complaints that spectators showed a lack of respect by not staying in their seats.

 Alan Embree earns a win without throwing a pitch. Entering the game with two outs and the score tied at 4 in the top of the 8th inning, he immediately proceeds to pick-off the Nationals’ Austin Kearns at first base. He is then lifted for a pinch hitter as the Rockies score a run in the bottom of the frame, and receives credit for the 5 – 4 win. The last pitcher to win a game under similar circumstances was B.J. Ryan, playing for the Orioles on May 1, 2003.

Jason Giambi agrees to a one-year $5.25 million deal to return to the A’s, the franchise where he started his major league career. The 37 year-old free-agent first baseman/DH, who celebrates a birthday tomorrow, joins the growing list of aging superstars – Frank Thomas, Mike Piazza, and Mike Sweeney – who have been used to fill the same role with Oakland in recent years.

Andruw Jones hits three home runs to lead Texas to an 8 – 1 win over Los Angeles, breaking a tie between the two teams in the AL West race. Jones is now hitting .250 with 14 homers, putting his career back on track after a disastrous last season with the Dodgers almost forced him into retirement.

In a battle of promising young pitchers, Chris Volstad pitches his first career complete game in leading Florida to a 7 – 0 shutout of San Francisco. His opponent, Ryan Sadowski, enters the game without having allowed an earned run in his first 13 major league innings; he runs his streak to 16 before giving up his first runs in the 4th, but still leaves the game with an ERA of 1.00.

The Marlins set two team records in their win over Arizona: down 7 – 0 entering the 8th inning, they score 10 runs, led by Brett Carroll’s pinch-hit three-run homer, on their way to a 14 – 7 victory. It is both the highest-scoring inning and biggest comeback in team history. For their part, the D-Backs suffer their biggest-ever blown lead. Three pinch-hitters get two at-bats apiece in the 8th (Carroll, Ross Gload and Hanley Ramirez).

Joel Hanrahan wins his first game of the year while sitting in a hotel room in Philadelphia. He is credited with the win as Washington finishes off a game suspended on May 5th by defeating the Astros, 11 – 10. Hanrahan, who has since been traded to Pittsburgh on June 30th, pitched the top of the 11th two months ago, before the game was halted by rain in the bottom of the inning with him in the on-deck circle. When play resumes – in Houston, since the Astros are not scheduled to make another trip to D.C. this year – Nyjer Morgan, acquired in return for Hanrahan, is pinch running on first base; Hanrahan is replaced by pinch hitter Josh Bard, who hits a potential inning-ending double play grounder. However, Miguel Tejadathrows the ball away, allowing Morgan to score the winning run. Houston, now the home team, then wins the regularly-scheduled contest that follows, 9 – 4.

Jonathan Sanchez of the San Francisco Giants pitches the first major league no-hitter this season, blanking the San Diego Padres, 8 – 0. The Padres muster only one baserunner, on an error by 3B Juan Uribe.

There are 6 shutouts pitched today, including Sanchez’s gem. Dan Haren of the D-Backs, Jeff Niemann of the Rays and Bronson Arroyo of the Reds all pitch complete game shutouts, while Jon Lester pitches 8 scoreless innings in Boston’s 1 – 0 win over Kansas City and Brett Cecil of Toronto goes 6 in a blanking of the Orioles.

The New York Mets deal Ryan Church to Atlanta for Jeff Francoeur in a trade of starting right fielders whose recent struggles have landed them on the bench.

The Seattle Mariners deal shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and cash to the Kansas City Royals for pitchers Daniel Cortes and Derrick Saito.

Washington has its best offensive game since relocating from Montreal in 2005 in beating Houston, 13 – 2. The Nats collect 21 hits – the most for them since the move – and Nick Johnson, Josh Willingham and Adam Dunn homer in consecutive at bats in the 6th, also a first. Craig Stammen pitches a complete game for the win.

The Yankees hit a season-high 5 home runs in Los Angeles, including two by Alex Rodriguez, but they still lose, 14 – 8, to the Angels, who have scored 24 runs in two games since their two most potent offensive weapons, Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter, hit the disabled list simultaneously on July 9th. Rodriguez moves past another steroid-tainted player, Rafael Palmeiro, for 10th on the all-time major league home run list.

The Cubs and Cardinals split a day/night doubleheader at Wrigley Field. Chicago wins the opener, 7 – 3, on home runs by Micah Hoffpauir and P Carlos Zambrano, and the Cards take the nightcap, 4 – 2. Ryan Ludwick hits two two-run home runs to account for all of St. Louis’s runs; Adam Wainwright picks up his 10th win and Ryan Franklin strikes out the side in the 9th for his 21st save. As a result, the first four teams in the NL Central are within 3 1/2 games of each other heading into the All-Star break.

The Red Sox dedicate the center-field flagpole to Dom DiMaggio by raising a banner just below the stars and stripes with the former center fielder’s name on it. After the ceremony, his widow, Emily, throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Fenway Park contest against Kansas City.

The Washington Nationals, owners of the worst record in the major leagues, fire manager Manny Acta. Bench coach Jim Riggleman takes over on an interim basis.

At Busch Stadium, Prince Fielder outslugs Rangers’ outfielder Nelson Cruz in the final round, 6-5, to win the All-Star Home Run Derby. The Brewer first baseman’s power surge included a stunning shot estimated to have traveled over 500 feet.

The American League runs its unbeaten streak to 13 games (12 wins and a tie) by defeating the National League, 4 – 3, in the 80th All-Star Game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The win enables the AL to finish the 2000s without losing any All-Star Game (9-0-1) in the decade, the first time either league has ever accomplished this feat. Carl Crawford of the Rays earns MVP honors by climbing over the left field fence to deprive Brad Hawpe of a home run in the 7th inning.

Barack Obama, clad in his White Sox jacket, becomes the first Commander-in-Chief to throw out the ceremonial first pitch in the Midsummer Classic since Gerald Ford tossed the ball at the beginning of the 1976 contest. After warming up in the White House Rose Garden prior to arriving at Busch Stadium, the 44th president’s pitch barely reaches the plate, but doesn’t bounce, thanks to the efforts of Cardinals’ hometown hero Albert Pujols, who moves up from home and reaches out to scoop the low throw.

Three-time Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez, who last pitched in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, signs a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. The right-hander, who has been slowed by injuries the past three seasons, will first head to the disabled list and is not expected to play for another three weeks.

Three-time Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez, who last pitched in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, signs a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. The right-hander, who has been slowed by injuries the past three seasons, will first head to the disabled list and is not expected to play for another three weeks.

The Phillies do it with the long ball in beating Florida, 4 – 0. Raul Ibanez homers twice and Ryan Howard once. For Howard, it is the 200th home run of his career, in his 658th game; he is fastest to reach that mark, beating Ralph Kiner who took 706 games to hit 200 dingers. Jamie Moyer allows one hit over seven innings for the win.

Ryan Howard, playing in his 658th game, becomes the fastest player to hit 200 home runs when he goes deep off Chris Volstad with his solo shot in the sixth inning in the team’s 4-0 victory in Miami. The previous mark was held by Hall of Fame slugger Ralph Kiner, who played in 48 more contests than the 29 year-old Phillies first baseman to reach the plateau.

Jim Thome drives in a career-high 7 runs with a grand slam and a three-run home run as Chicago defeats the Orioles, 12 – 8.

SS Julio Lugo is designated for assignment by the Red Sox as Jed Lowrie is about to come off the disabled list. It’s a costly move, since Lugo has a year and a half left on a four-year, $36-million dollar contract.

In the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami, ground is broken for the Marlins’ long-awaited retractable-roof ballpark, scheduled to be completed by Opening Day 2012. The ceremony, attended by about 5,000 fans, includes Charlie Hough throwing a ceremonial pitch to Benito Santiago, the battery who threw and caught the first pitch in franchise history in 1993. The Fish’s scheduled game with the Philadelphia Phillies is then rained out, demonstrating that the planned retractable roof on the new park is an excellent idea.

With trade rumors continuing to swirl around his name, All-Star Game starter Roy Halladay wins for the first time in over a month as Toronto defeats Boston, 3 – 1. Doc is now 11-3 for the year.

John Lackey and rookie Brett Anderson are locked in a scoreless pitching duel for 9 innings before a solo homer by Bobby Abreu in the 10th inning wins the game for the Angels, 1 – 0, over the A’s. Abreu had earlier broken Anderson’s bid for a perfect game in the 7th.

The Brewers, absent injured 2B Rickie Weeks, acquire Felipe López from the Diamondbacks to strengthen their lineup. Arizona gets Cole Gillespie and Roque Mercedes in return.

Ian Kinsler becomes the fifth major leaguer in baseball history to hit both a leadoff and walk-off home run for his team in the same game

Ian Kinsler becomes the fifth major leaguer in baseball history to hit both a leadoff and walk-off home run for his team in the same game

Matt Holliday drives in 6 runs to propel the A’s to a 14 – 13 comeback win over Minnesota, the biggest in team history. Oakland trails by 10 runs at one point, but Holliday’s grand slam in the 7th ties the score; Jack Custfollows with a solo blast that provides the winning margin. Justin Morneau drives in 7 runs for the losers, including a grand slam of his own, in a wild game that features 8 homers and ends when Michael Cuddyer is thrown out at home trying to score on Michael Wuertz’s wild pitch. The A’s become the first team in 55 years to win after their starter (in this case Gio Gonzalez) gives up 11 earned runs.

Jason Schmidt makes his first start since 2007 for Los Angeles, only his 7th since signing a three-year, $47 million contract in December 2006. Back from two shoulder surgeries, Schmidt allows three 1st-inning runs but nothing else over the next four frames to take credit for a 7 – 5 win over the Reds.

The Pirates, with an 8-5 win over Milwaukee at PNC Park, snapping their 17-game losing streak against the Brewers, the longest skid against a single opponent in 39 years. During the 1969-70 seasons, the Royals dropped 23 decisions to the Orioles to establish the major league mark.

After trailing 12-2, Oakland comes back to beat the Twins, 14-13, making it the first time the A’s have come back from a ten-run deficit since being down by twelve runs in 1925, when the team, then known as the Philadelphia Athletics, beat the Indians, 17-15. The 3 hours, 32 minutes slugfest ends with Michael Cuddyer being called out at home plate on a very controversial call after trying to score on a wild pitch.

2009 – Sergio Mitre earns his first win since 2007 as the Yankees beat Baltimore, 6 – 4. Mitre underwent Tommy John surgery in 2008, then was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for a banned substance; he allows 4 runs in 5 2/3 innings in his first start after being called up from AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to replace the injured Chien-Ming Wang. A two-run homer by Robinson Cano off Rich Hill and a two-run single by Alex Rodriguez are the big blows for the Bronx Bombers. Combined with Boston’s 4 – 2 loss at Texas, the win gives the Yankees sole possession of first place in the AL East for the first time this season.

Out of the starting lineup with a bruised hand suffered when he was hit by a pitch yesterday, Manny Ramirez comes in as a pinch hitter in the 6th and blasts the first pinch grand slam of his career in a 6 – 2 Dodgers win over the Reds.

Boston is in a dealing mode today. They first acquire 1B Adam LaRoche from Pittsburgh for two minor leaguers, then send SS Julio Lugo, who was designated for assignment on July 17th, to St. Louis for OF Chris Duncan, who heads to AAA Pawtucket. The Sox are in the midst of a five-game losing streak and fall two games back of the Yankees with a 3 – 1 loss to Texas. Dustin Nippert, making an emergency start for the flu-ridden Vicente Padilla, and Doug Mathis, who earns his first career save, combine their efforts for the Rangers’ win.

2009 – Houston stuns closer Ryan Franklin with two runs in the bottom of the ninth to clip the Cardinals, 4-3, and sweep the three-game series from the division leaders. The Astros move within a game of first. Miguel Tejada strokes the game- after Chris Coste failed twice to lay down a bunt then spanked an RBI double to center. Jose Valverde wins in relief. 

2009 – Mark Buehrle of the White Sox pitches the 18th perfect game in major league history in shutting down the Rays, 5 – 0. Dewayne Wise, inserted as a defensive substitute in the 9th, saves the gem by reaching over the left-center field fence to deprive Gabe Kapler of a home run. It is the second career no-hitter for Buehrle, who threw one on April 18, 2007. After the game, he receives a congratulatory phone call from President Barack Obama, a staunch White Sox fan.

Thanks to a spectacular grab by defensive replacement DeWayne Wise of Gabe Kapler’s bid for a leadoff home run in the ninth inning, Mark Buehrle tosses the 18th perfect game in major league history, a 5-0 gem over the Rays at U.S. Cellular Field. The 30 year-old southpaw, who received a congratulatory call from President Obama, a big White Sox fan, becomes the second pitcher in franchise history to throw two hitless games for the team, matching Frank Smith’s accomplishment when the right-hander did it against the 1905 Tigers and the 1908 A’s.

The Yankees extend their winning streak to 8 games with an 8 – 3 defeat of the A’s. Joba Chamberlain is the winner.

Matt Holliday collects four hits, drives in a run, and steals a base in his debut with St. Louis on the same day as the trade

The Philadelphia Phillies defeat the St. Louis Cardinals, 14 – 6, at Citizens Bank Park for the 9,000th regular season win in team history. Jimmy Rollins, with a grand slam, and Shane Victorino hit back-to-back home runs in the 6th inning to propel the Phils to the milestone victory.

Down 9 – 1 coming into the 7th, the Rays tie the game on 9th-inning solo homers by Carlos Pena and Willy Aybar off Blue Jays closer Scott Downs, then add a run in the 12th on a double by Jason Bartlett for a 10 – 9 win. The Jays load the bases with one out in the bottom of the 12th, but Joe Nelson wiggles out of the jam to save J.P. Howell’s victory. It is the biggest comeback win in Rays history.

After dropping five straight All-Star Games, the West beats the East, 7 – 3, in the Korea Baseball Organization midsummer Classic. Jae-kyun Hwang hits a two-run homer for the West, as does Chi-hong An. An, at age 19, becomes the youngest rookie ever to be named All-Star Game MVP.

Rickey Henderson, Jim Rice and Joe Gordon are inducted into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Cooperstown, NY. Gordon is the first player to be voted in by the Veterans Committee since its rules were reformulated following the controversial election of Bill Mazeroski in 2001.

Rickey Henderson, Jim Rice and Joe Gordon are inducted into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Cooperstown, NY. Gordon is the first player to be voted in by the Veterans Committee since its rules were reformulated following the controversial election of Bill Mazeroski in 2001.

With a 5 – 2 win over the Reds, the Cubs move into first place in the tight NL Central race. Rich Harden, who had not won at Wrigley Field since August 24, 2008, is the winner.

The White team beats the Red, 6 – 5, in the CPBL All-Star Game. Chih-Sheng Lin, fresh off a home run derby title, hits a three-run homer off Ko-Chien Lin to pick up MVP honors. Wei-Lun Pan gets the win.

Josh Willingham hits two grand slams and ties a franchise record with 8 RBI as Washington defeats Milwaukee, 14 – 6.

The Giants acquire 1B Ryan Garko from Cleveland in return for pitching prospect Scott Barnes, who is 12-3, 2.85, with 99 Ks in 98 innings in Class A.

2009 – In his first start since throwing a perfect game on July 23rd, Mark Buehrle retires the first 17 batters he faces to set a new major league mark of 45 consecutive batters retired. The previous mark of 41 was set by Jim Barr in 1972 and tied by Buehrle’s teammate, Bobby Jenks, in 2007. The Twins still manage to beat the White Sox, 5 – 3.

In a thriller in St. Louis, the Cardinals rally from a 1 – 0 deficit with two outs in the 9th against Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton. A broken-bat single by Colby Rasmus sends the game into extra innings, negating a great start by Clayton Kershaw, who pitches 8 scoreless innings for Los Angeles, helped by a magnificent leaping catch by slugger Manny Ramirez at the LF fence that robs St. Louis of at least two runs in the 7th. Both teams score in the 11th, then in the 15th, Brendan Ryan leads off with a triple, and, two outs later, Albert Pujols hits a single off Jeff Weaver to end the marathon, handing Blake Hawksworth the 3 – 2 victory, his first in the big leagues.

The Pirates spend a busy day on the trading block, sending 2006 batting champ Freddy Sanchez to the Giants for 20 year-old former first-round draft pick Tim Alderson, a right-hander with excellent control. The Bucs also deal shortstop Jack Wilson and pitcher Ian Snell to the Mariners for shortstop Ronny Cedeno and four minor leaguers, including triple-A catcher-first baseman Jeff Clement.

The Royals play an entire game without registering a single defensive assist for the first time in franchise history in their 7-3 loss to Baltimore at Camden Yards. During Kansas City’s eight innings in the field, the team records 24 outs via nine strikeouts, 13 fly outs, and two unassisted groundouts handled by first baseman Billy Butler.

In an attempt to upgrade their starting rotation, the first-place Phillies obtain Cliff Lee from the Indians. The defending World champs, who also get outfielder Ben Francisco in the deal, trade pitching prospects Carlos Carrasco and Jason Knapp, infielder Jason Donald, and catcher Lou Marson to get last season’s AL Cy Young Award Winner.

A story in the New York Times states that sluggers David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez are among the 104 major leaguers who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003. The test results were supposed to be kept secret, but Alex Rodriguez’s presence on the list of those who tested positive had already been leaked earlier this year. Ortiz states that he was not aware he had tested positive six years earlier and denies using steroids.

Action continues on the trading front with Los Angeles acquiring closer George Sherrill from the Baltimore Orioles for two players currently at AA Chattanooga. For their part, the Pirates are still busy house-cleaning, sending Ps John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny to the Cubs, one day after trading three players on their 25-man roster. The Pirates receive P Kevin Hart and Jose Ascanio and minor league infielder Josh Harrison from their NL Central rivals.

Cliff Lee’s adaptation to the National League is a quick one. Traded to the Phillies on July 29th, Lee gives up no hits over the first five innings against the Giants, on his way to a complete-game four-hitter. He adds two base hits of his own in the 5 – 1 win.

On the frenzied last day before the trading deadline, a number of stars are on the move: P Jake Peavy goes from San Diego to the White Sox, C Victor Martinez moves from Cleveland to Boston, SS Orlando Cabrera from Oakland to Minnesota, 3B Scott Rolen from the Blue Jays to the Reds, and P Jarrod Washburn from Seattle to Detroit. Five other deals involving major leaguers are also completed, but the star most-rumored to be on the trading block over the past two weeks, Toronto’s Roy Halladay, stays put.

In a stunning last-minute deal, the White Sox obtain Jake Peavy from the Padres for four pitching prospects, Clayton Richard, Aaron Poreda, Dexter Carter, and Adam Russell. The 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner, presently on the disabled list, had previously refused to waive his no-trade clause to join Chicago in a similar deal proposed in May.

The Marlins acquire Nick Johnson from the Nationals in exchange for left-handed pitching prospect Aaron Thompson. The 30 year-old injury-prone first baseman’s ability to get on base should provide more scoring opportunities for a Florida team vying for a wild-card berth.

Rookie Andrew McCutchen homers three times and drives in 6 runs to lead the new-look Pirates to an 11 – 6 win over Washington. Pittsburgh has traded away 6 regulars over the last week and won their first two games since the deals. McCutchen is the first Pirate rookie ever to go deep three times in a contest.

Recently-acquired Matt Holliday continues his hot hitting for the Cards, banging two solo homers in a 3 – 1 win over Houston. Holliday is hitting .606 since being acquired from Oakland on July 25th.

The Oakland Athletics retire Rickey Henderson’s uniform number 24, to mark his recent induction into the Hall of Fame. Rickey says that he is “very, very humbled”.

Melky Cabrera completes a cycle with a ninth-inning triple during an 8-5 victory in Chicago to become the first Yankee in 14 years to accomplish the feat. Tony Fernandez had been the last Bronx Bomber to collect a single, double, triple, and a home run in the same game with his four hits against Oakland on September 3rd, 1995.

Two days after being acquired from Cleveland, Victor Martinez makes his presence felt in the Red Sox line-up, banging out 5 hits and collecting 4 RBI in an 18 – 10 thrashing of Baltimore. For his part, Kevin Youkilis goes 10 for 12 in the BoSox three-game sweep of the Birds at Camden Yards.

Justin Verlander of the Tigers gives up 5 runs to the Orioles in the 1st inning, before settling down. Brian Roberts leads off the game with a home run, and four more runs score before the second out is recorded. Detroit scores three in the bottom of the inning, on doubles by Placido Polanco and Miguel Cabrera, who then homers to tie the game in the 5th. With two outs in the bottom of the 9th, Clete Thomas homers to deepest center field off Danys Baez to give Detroit the comeback 6 – 5 win, which extends its lead over the idle White Sox to 2 games in the AL Central.

Yusmeiro Petit takes a no-hitter into the 8th inning, before combining with Leonel Rosales on a one-hitter for a 6 – 0 Diamondbacks win over Pittsburgh. The win snaps a personal seven-game losing streak for Petit and is the longest outing of his career so far.

Albert Pujols ends a brief slump with two home runs, including a 10th-inning grand slam, as the Cardinals beat the Mets, 12 – 7. The extra-inning blast comes after Mark DeRosa is plunked by Sean Green with the bases loaded to drive in the go-ahead run; it ties Ernie Banks’s National League record of 5 slams in a season, set in 1955, and is his League-leading 36th homer of the year.

Mets rookie P Jonathon Niese sustains a season-ending groin injury covering first base in the 2nd inning of a start against St. Louis. His replacement, Nelson Figueroa, pitches 4 2/3 scoreless innings and hits a two-run triple in a 9 – 0 win.

Jim Thome hits two homers, including a three-run blast off Darren Oliver in the 6th, to pace the White Sox to a 6 – 2 win over the Angels. It is the 44th multi-homer game of Thome’s career; with 561 round-trippers, he is only two behind Reggie Jackson for 12th place on the all-time list.

After losing the first eight contests between the two teams this year, the Yankees beat their heated rivals, the Red Sox, 13 – 6, before a capacity crowd at New Yankee Stadium. The Bronx Bombers feast off John Smoltz, still struggling to regain his form after missing all of the 2008 season, and Billy Traber, recalled earlier in the day from AAA Pawtucket, lighting up the two pitchers for 13 runs on 18 hits in 7 combined innings. Johnny Damon, Jorge Posada, Melky Cabrera and Mark Teixeira all go deep for the Yankees, while Boston fails to take full advantage of 12 walks issued by five New York pitchers.

Andre Ethier hits a three-run home run in the bottom of the 9th off Braves closer Rafael Soriano to lead the Dodgers to a 5 – 4 win. It is Ethier’s fifth walk-off hit of the year.

The first Yankees-Red Sox game to go beyond 14 innings without a run being scored in the fabled rivalry between the American League clubs ends dramatically when Alex Rodriguez hits a game-winning home run

Everth Cabrera of the Padres hits a 9th-inning walk-off grand slam off Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez for a 6 – 2 win.

Albert Pujols, in the Cardinals’ 5-3 victory over Pittsburgh at PNC Park, drives in three runs, surpassing the 100 RBI mark for the ninth straight season to start his career. The only major leaguer with a longer streak was Hall of Fame outfielder Al Simmons, who accomplished the feat for 11 consecutive seasons starting with his rookie year with the A’s in 1924.

Carl Pavano makes his debut with the Minnesota Twins a good one, pitching 7 scoreless innings in an 11 – 0 win over Detroit. Denard Span goes for 5 for 5 for the Twins.

The Nationals beat Arizona, 9 – 2, for their 8th consecutive win, the second-longest streak since the team moved to Washington in 2005. Adam Dunn hits his 30th homer in support of J.D. Martin’s first major league victory.

Derek Holland throws a three-hit shutout, the first of his career, as Texas blanks the Angels, 7 – 0.

The Yankees complete a four-game sweep of the Red Sox with a 5 – 2 victory at New Yankee Stadium. Jon Lester and Andy Pettitte keep the game scoreless for six innings until Alex Rodriguez leads off the bottom of the 7th with a home run. Victor Martinez gives Boston the lead with a two-run shot off Phil Coke in the 8th, breaking a 31-inning scoring drought. In the bottom of the 8th, Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira hit back-to-back long balls against Daniel Bard to put the Yanks ahead, and Nick Swisher hits a two-run single to seal the deal.

In a surprise move, the Blue Jays place starting RF Alex Rios on waivers; the two-time All-Star is claimed by the Chicago White Sox. Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi explains that the move is meant to give the team additional financial flexibility as Rios, who is hitting .264 with 14 homers and 62 RBI, is due more than $60 million until 2015. In the game that follows, Toronto ends the Yankees’ eight-game winning streak with a 5 – 4 win, thanks to 5 2/3 innings of scoreless work from its bullpen.

Troy Tulowitzki performs the 13th unassisted triple play in major league history

Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies hits for the cycle and drives in 7 runs in an 11 – 5 win over the Cubs. He is the first Colorado player to accomplish the feat since Mike Lansing on June 18, 2000.

Boston’s 7 – 5 win over Detroit at Fenway Park is marred by a brawl in the 2nd inning. When Kevin Youkilis is hit by a Rick Porcello pitch, he charges the mound and both benches empty. Youkilis and Porcello are both ejected, and Youk’s replacement, Mike Lowell, hits two home runs to power the Red Sox.

Australian Trent Oeltjen continues his hot streak since being purchased from AAA Reno on August 6th. The Diamondbacks outfielder bangs out four hits in a 6 – 2 win over the Mets and is now 12 for 24 since joining the team, earning the nickname “The Thunder from Down Under”.

In his first game for the Philadelphia Phillies, Pedro Martinez gives up 3 runs in 5 innings on his way to a 12 – 5 win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Jimmy Rollins and Raul Ibanez both hit three-run homers in the 4th in support of Martinez’s pitching. Phillies OF Shane Victorino is hit with a cup of beer thrown from the bleachers while making a catch in the 5th inning. He files a police complaint the next day, and the guilty fan is identified and charged with battery and illegal conduct in a sports facility. Cubs management also apologizes to Victorino for the incident.

2009 – Hunter Pence launches a pair of three-run homers to pace a 14-6 thrashing of the Marlins. Lance Berkman comes off the disabled list to drill a pair of RBI doubles. Carlos Lee adds three hits and three RBIs. Rookie Bud Norris lasts five inning to up his record to 3-0 since a midseason call-up. 

Jonny Gomes has the second three-homer game of his career as the Reds shut out the Nationals, 7 – 0

Cliff Lee wins his third straight start since joining the Phillies, allowing 1 run in 8 innings in a 6 – 1 win over the Cubs.

The Orioles’ Felix Pie hits for the cycle and Baltimore sets team records for extra-base hits (12) and doubles (9) in a 16 – 6 drubbing of the Angels.

Adam Wainwright of the Cards becomes the first 14-game winner in the National League this year with a 9 – 2 win over the Padres. He also hits his 5th career home run in the game, as part of his team’s 15-hit attack.

The Cubs jump to a 14 – 0 lead after two innings in crushing the Pirates, 17 – 2. The Cubs send 15 batters to the plate and score 10 runs in the 2nd inning in support of Randy Wells’ pitching. Derrek Lee drives in seven runs.

Julio Borbon collects four hits and four stolen bases, out of a team record 8 steals, as the Rangers beat Boston, 7 – 2. Elvis Andrus swipes three bases and Ian Kinsler one in what is the second time Boston has allowed 8 stolen bases to an opponent this year.

Closer Brad Lidge’s difficult season continues, after his heroics of 2008. He commits two errors on one play and pick up his 8th blown save of the year in a 4 – 3 Phillies loss to the surging Atlanta Braves.

Kazuo Matsui beats out an infield single in Milwaukee for his 2,000th career hit

The Angels score 9 runs in the 13th inning against Baltimore, in a 17 – 8 victory marking Torii Hunter’s return after more than a month spent on the disabled list. Hunter lines into a bases-loaded double play in the 11th, but redeems himself in the 13th with a dribbler up the middle in the same situation which opens the floodgates. Juan Rivera hits a three-run home to cap the onslaught.

One day after being hit in the head by a pitch, the Rangers’ Ian Kinsler homers and drives in two runs in Texas’s 4 – 3 win over Boston. Dustin Nippert is the winner and Frank Francisco records the save in a game that pushes Texas a half-game ahead of Boston in the American League wild card race.

Derek Jeter, with his 3-for-4 performance in the Yankees’ 10-3 loss in Seattle, passes Luis Aparicio for the most hits ever compiled by a major league shortstop. The New York infielder, collecting career hits #2,673 and #2,674 his first two at-bats, surpasses the Hall of Famer’s total, who spent his 18-year career, ending in 1973, with the White Sox, Orioles, and Red Sox.

Stephen Strasburg, the first overall pick in the 2009 amateur draft, signs a record-breaking deal with the Washington Nationals, at “11:58 and 43 seconds”, according to team president Stan Kasten. The deadline for signing was midnight. The four-year deal will pay the right-handed pitcher $15.1 million over four years.

The Tigers obtain slugging 1B Aubrey Huff from the Orioles in a trade for Brett Jacobson. Huff is hitting .253 with 13 homers and 72 RBI.

Catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez is traded from the Houston Astros to the Texas Rangers for a minor leaguer and a player to be named later, coming back to the team for which he started his superlative career.

Jamie Moyer pitches 6 scoreless innings in relief as Philadelphia defeats Arizona, 5 – 1. After a rain delay, Moyer takes over for the man who has shunted him from the starting rotation, Pedro Martinez. It is the veteran Moyer’s first relief appearance since he was called in to pitch in an 18-inning game for Seattle in 2004.

The Florida Marlins’ Ricky Nolasco pitches his second career complete game against the Houston Astros, allowing 2 earned runs and 3 hits. Nolasco retires 23 consecutive batters after allowing a two-run home run to Carlos Lee. He does not allow another baserunner until Michael Bourn gets an infield hit with one out in the 9th inning.

Bologna takes the Italian Series in five games over T&A San Marino, with a 16 – 2 romp in the finale. Claudio Liverziani goes 8 for 14 with 8 walks and 6 RBI for a 1.537 OPS, winning MVP honors. Just over a week later, the Italian Baseball Federation will suspend Liverziani for a positive amphetamine test during the playoffs.

Cliff Lee continues to dominate since the Phillies acquired him from Cleveland at the trading deadline. He pitches a two-hitter in an 8 – 1 win over Arizona, after taking a no-hitter into the 6th inning. It is his 4th win and 2nd complete game in four starts since the trade.

The Houston Astros beat the Florida Marlins, 4 – 1, allowing only 4 hits, thus ending the Marlins’ 15-game streak of at least 10 hits every game, the first streak of that length since the 1937 St. Louis Browns set the record with 18 consecutive such games. Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez retires 15 consecutive batters in getting the win.

Julio Borbon continues his hot hitting for the Rangers, banging his first career homer in a 3 for 5 night in which he drives in 3. He raises his average to .536 since his recall from AAA Oklahoma City earlier this month. The Rangers easily beat Minnesota, 11 – 1.

Hideki Matsui hits a pair of three-run homers and drives in 7 as the Yankees destroy the Red Sox, 20 – 11, at Fenway Park. The only highlight for the Sox comes when Jacoby Ellsbury steals his 54th base of the season in the 1st, breaking the franchise record held by Tommy Harper.

The Twins defeat Kansas City, 5 – 4, in a sloppy game that sees both teams’ closers falter. The Twins score three in the 6th thanks to a throwing error, a wild pitch, and a blooper reel play by RF Josh Anderson that allows Denard Span to race around the bases. Coming in to close a 4 – 3 lead in the 9th, Minnesota’s Joe Nathan gives up a two-out home run to pinch-hitter Brayan Pena to send the game into extra innings. The Royals’ Joakim Soria then gives up a single to Alexi Casilla and a triple to Orlando Cabrera to put the Twins back on top and give Nathan another chance to close. But the Royals put two more men on before Mark Teahen finally lines out to right field to end the game.

One day after being battered 20 – 11 by the Yankees, the Red Sox get a measure of revenge with a 14 – 1 pasting of their rivals. Kevin Youkilis homers twice and drives in six, while Junichi Tazawa pitches six scoreless innings for the win. For his part, New York starter A.J. Burnett gives up a career-high nine runs in the loss.

Knuckleballer Charlie Haeger gives up only three hits in 7 innings to lead the Dodgers to a 2 – 0 blanking of the Cubs. Helped by homers by Matt Kemp and Casey Blake against Ted Lilly, Haeger picks up his first win in a Dodger uniform, while George Sherrill has his first save for the Blue.

In the 14th inning of the 1-0 Mariners’ victory over Chicago, Adri�n Beltre, who scores the winning run, is hit below the belt by a ninth-inning ground ball scorched by Alexei Ramirez. The Seattle third baseman, who doesn’t wear a protective cup because it makes him feel uncomfortable, will be placed on the disabled list with a torn right testicle, much to the chagrin of his manager.

2B Eric Bruntlett snags a line drive from Jeff Francoeur and turns an unassisted triple play in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Philadelphia Phillies’ 9 – 7 win over the New York Mets at Citi Field. It is only the second game ever to end on such a defensive gem, after Johnny Neun pulled off the feat on May 31, 1927.

Michael Cuddyer hits two home runs in the same inning, becoming the first member of the Minnesota Twins and the 53rd Major League player to do so. The Twins defeat Kansas City, 10 – 3.

Down 6 – 5 in the 9th, the US rallies to beat Cuba in the 2009 World Youth Championship. The US ties Cuba at four Gold Medals, the most in the history of the World Youth Championship to this point. LF Austin Cousino is named MVP.

After a shaky defensive bottom of the ninth inning at Citi Field, in which he makes an error and another poor play allowing a batter to reach on an infield hit, Eric Bruntlett redeems himself when he turns the Mets’ attempted double steal into a game-ending unassisted triple play. The fourteenth single-handed regular-season triple killing, only the second one which results in the last three outs of a game, occurs when the Phillies’ second baseman snares Jeff Francoeur’s line drive up the middle for the first out, steps on second to double up Luis Castillo, and then tags the runner coming from first base, Daniel Murphy, for the last out of Philadelphia’s 9-7 victory.

In a battle of National League wild card contenders at Coors Field, Colorado defeats San Francisco, 6 – 4, in 14 innings on a grand slam by Ryan Spilborghs. The score is tied 1 – 1 until the 14th, when the Giants score three on a two-run triple by Eugenio Velez and a groundout by Juan Uribe. But the Rocks rally off Brandon Medders and Justin Miller, who walks P Adam Eaton with the bases loaded to make it 4 – 2. Merkin Valdez then comes in to face Spilborghs and is greeted by the game-ending blast. The Rockies also announce today the signing of former MVP Jason Giambi, who was recently released by the Oakland A’s.

Zach Greinke breaks the Kansas City Royals franchise record for most strikeouts in a single game, striking out 15 in a 8-inning effort. The Royals beat Cleveland, 6 – 2.

The Rockies continue to catch up on the Dodgers. Trailing by 15 1/2 games in the NL West on June 3rd, the Rocks have cut the lead to just two games with a 5 – 4 win over Los Angeles today. Troy Tulowitzki singles off James McDonald with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 10th for the win.

With a 5-4 win in ten innings over the Dodgers, the Rockies move 18 games over .500 for the first time in franchise history. The wild-card leader, winning 52 of their last 74 games, the latest on a Troy Tulowitzki bases-loaded single, has cut LA’s Western Division lead from 15.5 games on June 3 to just two games.

2009 – Three home plate umpires are needed to call Toronto’s 3 – 2 win over Tampa Bay. Jerry Crawford is struck by a foul tip in the 2nd and has to leave the game, then his replacement, Tom Hallion is struck by a Scott Kazmirfastball. After a 20-minute delay during which he is attended to by training staff from both clubs, Hallion moves back to the bases, and Brian O’Nora assumes the role of home plate official. Toronto wins in the bottom of the 9th when J.P. Howell uncorks a wild pitch after loading the bases with three walks.

2009 – Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn hit home runs in Washington’s 5 – 4 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Washington is 20-21 since Jim Riggleman took over for Manny Acta as manager, while Chicago has gone 6-15 since August 5th, when the Cubs were in a first-place tie with St. Louis in the NL Central. In the game, Nats CF Nyjer Morgan breaks a bone in his left hand sliding into third base and will miss the remainder of the season.

The Angels acquire Scott Kazmir, the winningest pitcher in Tampa Bay Rays history, in a trade for P Alex Torres, IF Matt Sweeney and a player to be named later (IF Sean Rodriguez). Also on the trade front, Minnesotaobtains reliever Jon Rauch from the Diamondbacks for a player to be named later.

Pinch-hitting in the 6th inning, John Hester hits a home run in his first major league at bat to help Arizona beat Houston, 14 – 7. He hits the homer off Wilton Lopez, who is also making his major league debut.

John Hester, appearing as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning, homers in his first major league at-bat in Arizona’s 14-7 victory over Houston. The 25 year-old catcher becomes the 101st player to accomplish the feat, and the second Diamondback player this season, joining Gerardo Parra, who also went deep in his first big league plate appearance in May.

Edgar Renteria hits a grand slam in the 7th inning as San Francisco defeats Colorado, 9 – 5, completing a three-game sweep that puts the two teams in a tie in the National League wild card race.

Zack Greinke pitches a one-hitter to beat Seattle, 3 – 0. The Royals hurler allows only a 2nd-inning single by Kenji Johjima.

Andy Pettitte of the Yankees retires the first 20 Baltimore batters he faces before an error and a hit spoil his bid for immortality. New York wins easily, 5 – 1.

Toronto takes an 11 – 0 lead over Texas in the first five innings, then nearly blows it as the Rangers score 10 unanswered runs. Another offensive barrage of 7 runs in the 9th gives the Blue Jays an 18 – 10 victory. Adam Lindhits two homers, including a grand slam, and drives in a career-high 8 runs.

Los Angeles makes a push for the World Series by acquiring two veterans just before the limit for them to be eligible for the postseason roster. The two are White Sox DH Jim Thome and Arizona SP Jon Garland. The Dodgers give up minor leaguer Justin Fuller for Thome, and a player to be named later for Garland.

2009 – The Rangers have double vision today as they sweep a pair at home from the Blue Jays. Both games end on a 5 – 2, score, with Frank Francisco picking up the save each time. CF Josh Hamilton hits two home runs for Texas, ending a 23-game homer drought and finally reaching double figures for the year, but 3B Michael Young injures his hamstring running out a ground ball in the nitecap and will miss at least two weeks.

In his first game back from the DL after suffering a torn right testicle Adrian Beltre hears the The Nutcracker Suite when he steps into the batter’s box

The Pirates fall, 5 – 3, to the Reds. It is the first time they have been swept in Cincinnati since 1975, in the days of the Big Red Machine. On a positive note for the Bucs, Garrett Jones hits the club’s 10,000th home run since Pittsburgh joined the National League in 1887.

Alex Rodriguez pick up the 2,500th hit of his career as his Yankees defeat Baltimore, 10 – 2, to complete a sweep at Camden Yards. Eric Hinske’s home run is the Bronx Bombers’ 20th at the park this season, the most by a visiting team since the ballpark opened in 1992. CC Sabathia earns his American League-leading 16th win.

Jorge Posada hits his 20th homer The Yankees now have 7 players with 20 or more homers on the year, matching a record set by three other teams

Former All-Star pitcher Jerry Koosman is sentenced to a six-month prison term for failing to pay federal income taxes in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Pedro Martinez, tossing seven innings of one-hit ball at Citizens Bank Park in the Phillies' 2-1 victory over the Giants, becomes just the tenth pitcher in major league history to win 100 games in both leagues. The right-hander compiled a 117-37 (.760) record pitching for Boston during his seven-year stint in the American League.

Pedro Martinez, tossing seven innings of one-hit ball at Citizens Bank Park in the Phillies’ 2-1 victory over the Giants, becomes just the tenth pitcher in major league history to win 100 games in both leagues. The right-hander compiled a 117-37 (.760) record pitching for Boston during his seven-year stint in the American League.

After starting 13 games with two different clubs, Pat Misch’s team finally wins a game he starts when the Mets beat the Rockies, 8-3. The former Giants’ starter, who earned the Coors Field victory for New York, had tied a dubious mark established over the 1993-94 seasons by Seattle’s John Cummings for the longest winless streak endured by a team with the same starter of the mound.

Roy Halladay pitches a one-hitter to beat the Yankees, 6 – 0. Toronto ends New York’s winning streak at 6.

Trailing 5 – 0 to St. Louis in the 5th, Pittsburgh scores 6 runs in the bottom of the inning, but is unable to hold on as they then give up 9 runs over the next 3 frames. The Cardinals win, 14 – 7, with Ryan Ludwick homering twice and Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday once to allow Adam Wainwright to notch his 17th win of the year. For their part, the Pirates lose their eighth straight.

In the seventh inning of the Pirates’ 2-1 loss to St. Louis at PNC Park, Ross Ohlendorf strikes out the side on nine pitches, becoming only the 41st pitcher in major league history to accomplish the feat. The 27 year-old right-hander’s victims during his immaculate inning are Redbirds Kevin Greene, Julio Lugo, and Jason LaRue, all who are retired at first base after swinging at pitches in the dirt.

Ichiro Suzuki gets his 2,000th Major League hit, a double off Gio Gonzalez in the 1st inning. He is the second fastest to the milestone, taking 1,402 games, 12 more than Hall of Famer Al Simmons. Ichiro’s Mariners lose to Oakland, however, as Scott Hairston hits a decisive grand slam in the 5 – 2 game.

Milwaukee pulls off its first triple play since 1999 in the 6th inning, but needs a 12th-inning walk-off home run from Prince Fielder, against Merkin Valdez, to beat San Francisco, 2 – 1.

After striking out in his first three at-bats, Brandon Inge hits a grand slam off Russ Springer in the 9th inning to give Detroit a 5 – 3 win over Tampa Bay.

With a leadoff first-inning double in the Mariners’ 5-2 loss in Oakland, Ichiro Suzuki becomes the 259th player and the second-quickest to collect 2000 major league hits. In 1933, Al Simmons, playing with the White Sox, reached the milestone in his 1,390th game, a dozen contests less than Seattle’s superstar.

Chris Carpenter continues his dominating run of pitching for the Cardinals. He throws a one-hitter and strikes out 10 to dispose of Milwaukee, 3 – 0. Jody Gerut strokes a double for the only hit. Carpenter is now 16-3 with a 2.16 ERA and is a leading candidate for the Cy Young Award after injuries limited him to only 5 outings over the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

By losing 4 – 2 to the Cubs, Pittsburgh is assured of finishing below .500 for a record 17th straight year. The Pirates have lost 10 of their last 11 games to drop to 54-82 and have not had a winning record since 1992. They were previously tied with the Philadelphia Phillies, who were below .500 every year from 1933 to 1948.

Two stars are out for the season today. Carlos Pena of the Rays breaks two fingers on his left hand when hit by a pitch from CC Sabathia in the opener of a doubleheader swept by the Yankees, 4 – 1 and 11 – 1. For their part, the Indians announce that Grady Sizemore will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow in two days and also needs abdominal surgery after playing in pain all year.

The Houston Astros shock the World Series defending champions Philadelphia Phillies with a four-game sweep in their 3rd consecutive one-run game, winning, 4 – 3.

Boston hits six home runs at home against Baltimore on its way to a convincing 10 – 0 win. Youngsters Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden combine on the shutout while David Ortiz hits his 269th homer as a designated hitter, tying Frank Thomas for the all-time lead at the position.

For their part, the Rangers, Boston’s main rivals for the AL wild card, sweep a doubleheader on the strength of their bats, winning 11 – 9 and 10 – 5 over Cleveland. Marlon Byrd collects seven hits on the day.

The Phillies become the 12th team in major league history to have four players hit 30 home runs as Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez both reach the mark today. They become the second team to have done so with three left-handed batters among the quartet – the other club was also from Philadelphia, the 1929 Phillies.

Derek Jeter ties the New York Yankees franchise record for hits held by Lou Gehrig, with his 2,721st hit in the 7th against the Rays. He will pass Gehrig in two days. In the game, Jorge Posada belts a three-run pinch homer in the 8th to give the Yanks a 4 – 2 win. The Rays, the AL East champions last year, have now lost 8 straight and are almost out of the playoff race.

The Red Sox beat the Orioles, 7 – 5. Baltimore’s Brian Roberts hits his 50th double, becoming the fourth major leaguer to reach 50 three times, following Tris Speaker, Paul Waner and Stan Musial.

SS Ian Desmond has a memorable major league debut as he homers and drives in 4 runs in Washington’s 8 – 7 victory over Philadelphia. The Nats lead 8 – 2 coming into the 9th, but a pinch grand slam by Matt Stairs and a run-scoring double by Shane Victorino bring the Phils within one. Ron Villone ends the comeback attempt by inducing Ryan Howard to ground into a game-ending double play.

The Rockies win their 8th straight game with a 5 – 1 defeat of Cincinnati, highlighted by Garrett Atkins’ two-run homer. After a 9-1 homestand, the Rox have a 4 1/2 game lead in the wild card race and are only 2 games behind Los Angeles in the NL West.

Prior to the start of the eighth inning at Comerica Park, a small boy races to the pitcher’s mound and grabs a baseball intended for Tigers’ reliever Brandon Lyon. The youngster is helped back into the stands near the visitors’ dugout and is allowed to keep the ball after a discussion between the boy’s uncle and ballpark security reveals that the six year-old had misunderstood a suggestion to go to the railing to try to get a ball from one of the Blue Jay players.

With an opposite-field single in the third inning of a 10-4 loss to Baltimore on a rainy New York night, Derek Jeter becomes the all-time team leader in hits for the historic franchise. The safety gives the Yankees captain 2,722 hits, one more than legendary Lou Gehrig, another 35 year-old team captain, who had held the record for more than 70 years.

Yorvit Torrealba hits a three-run double in the 9th to give the seemingly unbeatable Rockies a 4 – 1 win over the Padres.

Prior to the start of the eighth inning at Comerica Park, a small boy races to the pitcher’s mound and grabs a baseball intended for Tigers’ reliever Brandon Lyon. The youngster is helped back into the stands near the visitors’ dugout and is allowed to keep the ball after a discussion between the boy’s uncle and ballpark security reveals that the six year-old had misunderstood a suggestion to go to the railing to try to get a ball from one of the Blue Jay players.

In a rare win for the Orioles over the Yankees, 7 – 3, Brian Roberts hits a grand slam and his club-record 51st double of the year.

Rookie 3B Casey McGehee of the Brewers continues to impress, belting two homers and driving in 6 runs on 4 hits in a 9 – 2 win over the Diamondbacks. He has 15 homers, 57 RBI and a .306 batting average for the year, putting in first or tied for first among National League rookies in all three triple crown categories.

Philadelphia sweeps New York, 5 – 4 and 1 – 0, in a day/night doubleheader that draws almost 90,000 fans to Citizens Bank Park. In the nitecap, Pedro Martinez reminds the crowd of his glory days by shutting out the Mets over 8 innings before Ryan Madson comes in to finish the game. The only blight on Philly’s day are the continuing struggles of closer Brad Lidge, who gives up two runs in the 9th in saving the opening win.

Cory Luebke comes within four outs of throwing a no-hitter in the 2009 Baseball World Cup. Facing Team Canada, Luebke fans 10 and has his gem spoiled by a Chris Robinson single. The USA goes on to a 8 – 0 rout.

Ichiro Suzuki becomes the first player in major league history to collect 200 hits in nine consecutive seasons when he beats out an infield single in the Mariners’ 5-0 nightcap victory over Texas at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The right-fielder had been tied with Wee Willie Keeler, who had eight straight years with 200 or more hits playing for the National League franchises in Baltimore and Brooklyn from 1894-1901.

A strong performance by Tim Lincecum, who strikes out 11 over 7 innings, leads the Giants to a 9 – 1 win over Colorado as the two teams battle for the NL wild card.

Justin Morneau, the 2006 American League MVP, will miss the remainder of the season because of a stress fracture in his back. Morneau hurt himself sliding into first base in the Twins’game on September 11th, but kept on playing. He ends the year with an even 30 homers and 100 RBI.

In Boston’s 4 – 1 win over the Angels, David Ortiz hits a home run, a record 270th as a designated hitter, breaking the mark held by Frank Thomas. Daisuke Matsuzaka, making his first start for the Red Sox after a three-month stay on the disabled list, pitches 6 scoreless innings for the win.

Andre Ethier of the Dodgers hits a two-run homer in the 13th inning as Los Angeles beats Pittsburgh, 5 – 4. It is his 6th walk-off home run of the season.

Jorge de la Rosa, who started the season 0-6, pitches 8 scoreless innings as the Rockies beat San Francisco, 4 – 3. De la Rosa registers his 15th win in outpitching Matt Cain and prevents Colorado from being swept in the three-game series, but the Rockies’ bullpen makes the game more exciting than need be. Franklin Morales starts the 9th by giving up three singles and a run; Rafael Betancourt comes to his rescue, but an error, a stolen base and an RBI groundout bring the Giants within 90 feet of tying the game before Nate Schierholtz strikes out to end it. Colorado leads S.F. by 3 1/2 games in the wild card race.

Mark Reynolds strikes out four times to reach the 200 mark for the second consecutive year as his Diamondbacks lose, 6 – 5, in 10 innings to San Diego. Reynolds set the all-time record with 204 strikeouts last year, but that is now under threat. Justin Upton collects five hits for the losers.

Peter Moylan pitches his 75th game of the season and still has not allowed a home run; this is a new record for most consecutive homerless outings to begin a season, breaking Chad Bradford’s two-year-old mark.

The Tigers pay tribute to 91 year-old Ernie Harwell, their long-time broadcaster (1960-2002), who recently revealed he has inoperable cancer. The third-inning ceremony during the 4-3 victory over Kansas City includes a three-minute video tribute followed by the Hall of Fame announcer thanking the admiring and supportive fans attending the game at Comerica Park.

Wade Davis earns his first major league victory with a four-hit shutout of the Orioles. Tampa Bay wins, 3 – 0.

Ichiro Suzuki hits a two-out, two-run homer off Yankee closer Mariano Rivera to give Seattle a 3 – 2 win.

Scott Kazmir pitches 6 scoreless innings for his first win with the Angels, 2 – 0 over Texas. Vladimir Guerrero hits a home run.

In the Brewers’ 7-2 victory over Houston, Prince Fielder sets the team’s RBI mark with his eighth inning sacrifice fly. The Milwaukee first baseman’s league-leading 127 RBI total surpasses the 1983 club record established by Cecil Cooper, the Astros’ manager who watches his record be broken from the opposing bench.

Randy Johnson pitches for the first time in two months, facing three Dodger batters in making his first regular-season relief appearance since he set a record with 16 strikeouts in completing a suspended game on July 18, 2001. Things don’t go as well this time, as he gives up two doubles, and the Giants are crushed by Los Angeles, 12 – 1. Combined with Colorado’s 10 – 4 defeat of the Diamondbacks, the Giants now trail the Rockies by 3 1/2 games in the wild card race.

In the only other playoff race that’s still up in the air, the Twins beat the Tigers, 6 – 2, thanks to their quirky ballpark. Trailing 2 – 1 in the 8th against Detroit ace Justin Verlander in one of the last-ever regular-season games to be played in the Metrodome, Orlando Cabrera hits a routine fly ball that LF Don Kelly loses against the roof and lets bounce for a double. Two batters later, Jason Kubel hits a two-run single as Minnesota rallies for five runs to win the game and reduce the Tigers’ lead in the AL Central to 2 games.

The Cubs suspend Milton Bradley for the rest of the year

Cecil Cooper is replaced by Dave Clark, the team's third base coach, as the manager of the slumping Astros.

Cecil Cooper is replaced by Dave Clark, the team’s third base coach, as the manager of the slumping Astros.

21-year-old Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman, who pitched in the 2009 World Baseball Classic and is said to possess a 100 mph fastball, has established residence in the tiny European principalty of Andorra after defecting in July. This allows him to bypass the amateur draft and offer his services to all major league teams as a free agent. Bidding is expected to be fierce.

Angel Villalona, a top prospect in the San Francisco Giants organization, is charged with murder in the death of a man at a bar in La Romana, in the Dominican Republic. The 19-year-old 1B faces up to 20 years in jail if found guilty.

For the second straight night, the Yankees fail to become the first major league team to clinch a playoff spot. After the Mariners yesterday, it’s the Angels’ turn to spoil the Yankee celebration, with a 5 – 2 win over New York, thanks to a strong performance by P Joe Saunders.

The Yankees are the first team to clinch a playoff spot this year after a 6 – 5 win over the Angels. Alex Rodriguez drives in Brett Gardner on a sacrifice fly in the 9th; he has a homer and 3 RBI in the game. Mariano Rivera pitches a scoreless 9th inning for the save.

Diamondback slugger Mark Reynolds establishes a new single-season strikeout mark for the second year in a row when he misses a 1-2 breaking ball from Madison Bumgarner, his 205th K of the campaign. Prior to breaking his own dubious mark and extending it with another whiff in the sixth inning, the 26 year-old third baseman collected his 100th RBI of the season in Arizona’s 10-8 Chase Field victory over San Francisco.

Trailing 8-0 at Dodger Stadium, the Giants take the lead, scoring nine runs in the top of the seventh inning. Although L.A. will come back twice to tie the score with clutch two-out hits in the eighth and ninth, San Francisco tallies four runs in the top of the tenth frame for the 14-10 victory.

2009 – Bobby Cox signs a one-year extension as manager of the Atlanta Braves, but announces it will be the last. After the 2010 season, he will become a consultant to the team’s front office. He has been the team’s manager since 1990 and led them to the world championship in Braves and 14 postseason appearances, the last in 2005.

2009 – Justin Verlander strikes out 11 in 7 innings as Detroit bests Cleveland, 6 – 5. It is the Indians’ 11th straight loss, one short of the franchise record set in 1931.

When his team beats Kansas City, 10-3, Red Sox skipper Terry Francona moves ahead of Mike Higgins with his 561st win piloting Boston, the second-most in franchise history. Joe Cronin, the club’s all-time leader, accumulated 1,071 wins during his 13-year tenure with the team from 1935 to 1947.

David Wright hitting streak

David Wrightestablishes a franchise record by starting is his 836th game at third base for the Mets

New York clears the fence for the 127th time at the new Yankee Stadium to break the franchise record for most home runs hit by the team at home. Alex Rodriguez’s third-inning poke off Jon Lester in the Bronx Bombers’ 9-5 victory over Boston puts this year’s squad ahead of the 2004 and 2005 clubs, who both went deep 126 times in the old stadium.

In the last remaining division race in the major leagues, Michael Cuddyer hits his 30th home run and drives in two runs in Minnesota’s 9 – 4 win against the Royals. With Chicago shutting out Detroit, 2 – 0, behind Jake Peavy, the Twins are 2 games behind the Tigers in the AL Central. The two teams will play a four-game series in Detroit’s Comerica Park next week.

The Rangers top Tampa Bay, 8 – 3. Texas’s Ian Kinsler hits his 30th homer, becoming the third second baseman in major league history to have a 30-30 season. He follows Alfonso Soriano and Brandon Phillips.

Tuffy Rhodes reaches 3,500 total bases in Nippon Pro Baseball. He is the 23rd player to do so and takes the fewest games, 1,668, breaking Hiromitsu Ochiai’s mark of 1,675 games.

New York clears the fence for the 127th time at the new Yankee Stadium to break the franchise record for most home runs hit by the team at home. Alex Rodriguez’s third-inning poke off Jon Lester in the Bronx Bombers’ 9-5 victory over Boston puts this year’s squad ahead of the 2004 and 2005 clubs, who both went deep 126 times in the old stadium.

Adam Wainwright also notches win number 19, as St. Louis beats Colorado, 6 – 3, to clinch the NL Central title.

CC Sabathia wins his 19th game, giving up one hit in seven innings in a 3 – 0 Yankees victory over Boston. Newly-appointed Supreme Court judge Sonia Sotomayor, a lifelong Yankees fan better known in baseball circles for her ruling that ended the 1994 strike, throws the ceremonial first pitch to Jose Molina.

Minnesota continues its late surge, winning its 11th in 12 games, 11 – 6 over Kansas City. Denard Span collects four hits and six RBI in the win.

The Dodgers also clinch a spot in the postseason with an 8 – 4 victory over Pittsburgh, highlighted by a two-run pinch single by Jim Thome. Manager Joe Torre leads a team to the playoffs for the 14th straight year, tying a record held by Bobby Cox of the Atlanta Braves.

Bronx native Sonia Sotomayor, the Supreme Court’s newest member, throws the ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium, a strike right down the middle of the plate, before watching her team defeat the Red Sox, 3-0. In 1995, Justice Sotomayor, as a U.S. District Judge, issued an injunction which led to ending the nearly eight-month-long baseball strike.

Atlanta beats Washington, 6 – 3, thanks to 3 runs in the top of the 10th, completing a three-game sweep. The Braves have won 6 straight, 10 in a row on the road, and 14 of 16 to displace San Francisco as Colorado’s main rivals for the National League wild card; they are now 2 1/2 games back of the Rockies.

The Yankees are assured of the best record in the American League after a 4 – 2 win over Boston. Andy Pettitte picks up the win and, as usual, Mariano Rivera gets the save in New York’s 100th win of the year. New York finishes 9-9 against their bitter rivals, after dropping the first 8 contests between the two teams.

Paul Beeston is appointed for a three-year term as president and CEO of the Blue Jays and the Rogers Centre, the home of the Toronto franchise. In October of 2008, the former MLB president took the position on an interim basis, replacing Paul Godfrey.

Atlanta keeps on winning. Today, Jair Jurrjens pitches seven shutout innings in a 4 – 0 win over Florida, the Braves’ 15th in 17 games.

The Angels crush Texas, 11 – 0, to clinch the AL West title for the third straight year. Kendry Morales, who has emerged as a top hitter this year, leads the charge with a homer and 3 RBI. The Angels have dedicated the season to pitcher Nick Adenhart, who died in a car crash in April, and honor his memory during the post-game celebrations.

The Angels acquire left-hander Scott Kazmir (8-7, 5.92) from the Rays in exchange for two prospects, left-hander Alex Torres and infielder Matt Sweeney, as well as a highly touted minor league player to be named later. The Rays dealt the 25 year-old talented southpaw, who is in the first year of a three-year, $28.5 million contract, due to restrictions in the organization’s payroll.

Adam Lind’s remarkable break-out season for the Blue Jays continues, as he slams three homers in an 8 – 7 win over Boston. His shots are three of Toronto’s six on the day as the Sox suffer their 5th straight loss. They still clinch the American League wild card when Texas loses, 5 – 2, to the Angels.

Chris Iannetta hits a two-run homer off David Weathers in the 11th inning to give Colorado a 7 – 5 win over Milwaukee. The Rockies move one game further ahead of the Braves in the National League wild card race, after Atlanta loses 5 – 4 to Florida.

The Phillies clinch their third straight division title with a 10-3 victory over Houston. If the team wins the World Series this year, the reigning World Champions will become the first National League team to win two in row since the Reds won consecutive Fall Classics in 1975-76.

Francisco Rodriguez becomes the fourth pitcher in the history of the game to yield two walk-off grand slams in the same season when Justin Maxwell goes deep, giving Washington a dramatic 7-4 victory over the Mets at Nationals Park. Last month, Everth Cabrera of the Padres also hit a game-ending four-run round-tripper, making K-Rod Rodriguez the only major leaguer to surrender two game-winning grand slams to a pair of rookies.

Ricky Nolasco of the Marlins records nine consecutive strikeouts on his way to a team-record 16 in 7 2/3 innings in a game against the Braves. He is only the fourth pitcher in the major leagues to strike out nine consecutive opponents, after Mickey Welch, Tom Seaver – who set the record with 10 in 1970 – and Jake Peavy. The Marlins hold on for a 5 – 4 win.

The Phillies win the National League East division title for the third year in a row with a 10 – 3 win over the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park. Kyle Kendrick, who spent most of the season at AAA Lehigh Valley, is the winning pitcher.

Chris Carpenter does it both ways in the Cardinals’ 13 – 0 trashing of the Red

Colorado 23 games over .500, another first in the 17-year history of the franchise.

Tony La Russa moves past John McGraw into second place for the most games managed in major league history

10/1/2009: The Pirates and the Cubs ended their season series at Wrigley Field with three innings in a game that was stopped by rain. Lastings Milledge hit a two-run homer in the top of the first that was washed out by the inclement weather.

The Rockies’ 9-2 win over Milwaukee assures the team of a wild card berth in the postseason and puts the team in position to still win the NL West by sweeping the Dodgers this weekend in L.A. Although the team was 12 games under .500 on June 3, today’s victory, their 91st – a club record – puts Colorado 23 games over .500, another first in the 17-year history of the franchise.

B.J. Upton, in the Rays’ 13-4 rout of the visiting Yankees, becomes the first player in the 12-year history of the franchise to hit for the cycle. The fleet center fielder’s offensive output, which includes five hits and six RBIs, helps Tampa Bay to deny CC Sabathia of his 20th win this season, a feat which hasn’t been accomplished by a Bronx pitcher since Andy Pettitte posted a 21-8 record in 2003.

Delmon Young hits his first career grand slam to lead the Twins to a 10 – 7 win over Kansas City. Jeff Manship earns his first major league win for Minnesota. Meanwhile, Jake Peavy gives up only 2 hits in 8 innings when the White Sox beat Detroit, 8 – 0, reducing the Tigers’ lead over the Twins in the AL Central to just one game.

Dodgers finally clinch the 2009 National League West title with a 5-0 victory

Toronto Blue Jays fire General Manager J.P. Ricciardi

Twins tie Tigers for first place 2009

Albert Pujols ties a major league record with his 184th assist of the season

On the last day of the campaign, Miguel Tejada hits a fourth-inning double off Nelson Figueroa in the Astros’ 4-0 loss in New York to finish the season with 46, the most in the National League. The Astros’ shortstop, who also was tops the AL with 50 two-baggers playing for the Orioles in 2005, is the first player in baseball history to have led both leagues in doubles.

51,000 fans turn out for what should be the final regular-season game to be played at the Metrodome, but the Twins extend their season with a 13 – 4 defeat of the Royals. Mid-season acquisition Carl Pavano picks up the win, completing a remarkable comeback season that sees him go 14-12 after three nightmarish years with the New York Yankees, and Delmon Young hits two home runs. Combined with the Tigers’ 5 – 3 victory over the White Sox, highlighted by Ryan Raburn’s two long balls, the Twins’ win forces a one-game playoff that will be played in two days, as the dome is being used for a Monday night football game in the meantime.

On the last day of the season in the team’s 10-2 victory at Tampa Bay, the Yankees break a franchise record, thanks to Alex Rodriguez’s three-run blast in the ten-run sixth inning, by hitting their 243rd homer of the season. In the same frame, A-Rod goes deep again, this time with the bases loaded, to extend the club’s mark, and the third baseman sets a new American League record, collecting seven RBI’s in one inning.

The Indians, with six games left on the schedule, announce they have dismissed Eric Wedge, their manager for the past seven years. The Cleveland skipper, whose firing came as no surprise, asks to remain in the dugout to manage the fifth-place Tribe for the remainder of the season.

In his postseason debut, Cliff Lee comes within one pitch of a shutout before Troy Tulowitzki doubles in a run in the 9th as Philadelphia defeats Colorado, 5 – 1, in Game 1 of their NLDS. Raul Ibanez has two RBI for the Phillies.

In the other NLDS, the Dodgers take a one game to none lead with a 5 – 3 win over the Cardinals and Chris Carpenter. Los Angeles’ bullpen compensates for Randy Wolf’s shaky start as five relievers give up a single run over 5 1/3 innings. Matt Kemp homers for the Dodgers.

Detroit loses, 6 – 5, to Minnesota in a one-game playoff to determine the winner of the AL Central title. Alexi Casilla singles home the winning run with one out in the 12th inning. The Tigers had led the division by 3 games with 4 to play, and were ahead by 7 games on September 6th before sputtering down the stretch. Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera, under a swirl of controversy over allegations of impaired driving and domestic violence, hits an early home run to put Detroit ahead, but is thrown out at home by Nick Punto in the top half of the 12th. It is the last regular-season game to be played at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Following the 2010 season, a panel of experts at the MLB Network will vote this the 16th greatest game of the past fifty years.

Joe Mauer wins his third batting title, becoming the first player to accomplish the feat in consecutive seasons since Nomar Garciaparra led the league in 1999-2000. The Twins catcher’s .365 mark establishes a major league record for the highest batting average by a backstop.

With one out in the bottom of the 12th inning in the AL Central tiebreaker, the Twins beat the Tigers, 6-5, when Alexi Casilla’s single plates Carlos Gomez from second base with the winning run. The Metrodome victory finishes an amazing comeback by Minnesota, going 17-4 in the final month to close a seven-game deficit, and completes a colossal collapse for the Tigers, who become the first team in big league history to surrender a three-game lead with only four contests to play.

2009 – In the first ALDS, New York beats Minnesota, 7 – 2, in the first postseason game to be played in New Yankee Stadium. Just like old times, Derek Jeter has a key hit, a game-tying home run off Brian Duensing in the 2nd inning. The Yankees and CC Sabathia roll from that point on, with Alex Rodriguez and Hideki Matsui, who blasts a two-run homer, collecting the key hits in the 5th inning.

The Rockies even their Division Series with a 5 – 4 win over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. They jump for four runs in five innings against 2008 Postseason hero Cole Hamels, highlighted by Yorvit Torrealba’s two-run homer in the 4th. The Phillies mount a comeback with 3 runs off Aaron Cook in the 6th and a solo homer by Jayson Werth in the 8th, but Huston Street closes out the game with a scoreless inning of relief for the save.

The Cardinals litterally drop the ball in their NLDS encounter with the Dodgers. With the Cards leading 2 – 1 with two outs and none on in the bottom of the 9th, Matt Holliday drops James Loney’s line drive for a two-base error. Four batters later, pinch hitter Mark Loretta hits a soft single to center off Ryan Franklin, and the Dodgers win, 3 – 2.

The Los Angeles Angels open their fourth Division Series in recent years against the Boston Red Sox in an unusual manner – with a win. John Lackey pitches 7 1/3 scoreless innings and Torii Hunter hits a three-run homer off Jon Lester in the 5th to drive the 5 – 0 win.

A ninth-inning error by left fielder Matt Holliday with the bases empty and two-out leads to the Dodgers’ stunning 3-2 walk-off victory and gives LA a commanding 2-0 game advantage in the NLDS. After the crucial miscue on the sinking line drive, Cardinals’ closer Ryan Franklin gives up RBI singles to Ronnie Belliard and pinch-hitter Mark Loretta to complete the improbable two-run comeback rally.

Twins closer Joe Nathan gives up a game-tying two-run homer to the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez in the 9th and Minnesota wastes a slew of opportunities to put New York away in Game 2 of their ALDS, losing, 4 – 3, in 11 innings. Mark Teixeira hits a walk-off home run off Jose Mijares to end the game, after Minnesota wastes a bases-loaded, none out opportunity in the top of the 11th.

Los Angeles takes a commanding two games to none lead over Boston in the other ALDS with a 4 – 1 win at Angel Stadium. Jered Weaver allows only two hits in 7 1/3 innings for the Angels, who score three runs off Josh Beckett in the 7th to break a 1 – 1 tie.

2009 – The Los Angeles Dodgers complete a three-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals with a 5 – 1 win at Busch Stadium in the NLDS. Andre Ethier has a double, triple and three-run homer, while Manny Ramirez has two doubles among his three hits to lead the Dodger offense. Vicente Padilla gets the win, over Joel Pineiro.

In Matt Holliday’s first at-bat at home since his critical error allowed LA to stage an amazing comeback victory, the Cardinals’ left fielder receives a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 47,296 at Busch Stadium. The former NLCS MVP award winner (Colorado – 2007), who will become a free agent after the season, is touched by the fans’ reaction and very appreciative of their support.

The Dodgers advance to their second consecutive National League championship series, beating St. Louis 5-1 to complete a three-game sweep of the Redbirds in the NLDS. Solid pitching by late-season pick-up Vicente Padilla and timely hitting by Andre Ethier, who had three extra-base hits, and Manny Ramirez, who broke out of a slump with three hits and two RBIs, close out the series, which will be best remembered for the team’s dramatic Game 2 comeback when Matt Holliday’s error on James Loney’s ninth-inning two-out line drive leads to a stunning two-run walk-off rally.

The New York Yankees complete a sweep of their own, defeating Minnesota, 4 – 1, to take their ALDS in the last game ever played at the Metrodome. Solo home runs by Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada off Carl Pavano in the 7th are the deciding blows. Andy Pettitte wins the 15th postseason game of his career, tying John Smoltz for the most ever.

The Phillies take a 2 games to 1 lead in their NLDS with a 6 – 5 win over the Rockies in frigid conditions at Coors Field. Chase Utley hits a 1st-inning home run and benefits from a dubious umpiring call that leads to the winning run in the 9th. Much-maligned Phillies’ closer Brad Lidge picks up the save after placing the tying and winning runs on base via walks in the bottom of the 9th.

Jonathan Papelbon, who had never given up a run in any of his previous 26 postseason innings, allows two inherited runners to score in the eighth, and yields another three runs in the ninth, giving the Angels, who trailed 5-1 going into the sixth inning, a 7-6 victory over the Red Sox. The Halos’ comeback victory at Fenway completes a three-game sweep of the ALDS over a team which historically had been their nemesis, losing their past four postseason encounters with Boston.

Admitting to a blown call, which led to the decisive run in the Rockies’ 6-5 Game 2 NLDS loss to the Phillies at a very chilly Coors Field, home plate umpire Jerry Meals, after watching a post-game replay, states the ball that glanced off Chase Utley’s leg should not have been in play. To make matters worse, in the same at-bat in which the ball was really foul, umpire Ron Kulpa rules the runner safe on a close call which appeared to have the Philadelphia infielder beat at first base.

The Phillies rally for three runs in the top of the ninth, beating the Rockies 5-4 in Game 4 of NLDS

The Cubs file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Wilmington, Delaware. The anticipated short-term move will allow the club’s owner, the Tribune Company, to sell the team in an $845 million deal to the family of TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.’s founder, Joe Ricketts.

2009 – Philadelphia wins Game 1 of the NLCS, 8 – 6 over Los Angeles, thanks to three-run homers by Carlos Ruiz and Raul Ibanez. James Loney and Manny Ramirez go deep off Cole Hamels for the Dodgers, but their efforts are only worth three runs. Brad Lidge saves his 3rd straight postseason win for the Phillies.

The Dodgers tie the NLCS at one game apiece by defeating the Phillies, 2 – 1, at Dodger Stadium. After a classic pitching duel between Pedro Martinez and Vicente Padilla, punctuated only by a solo home run by Ryan Howard, the Dodgers score two runs in the 8th, the game-winner on a bases-loaded walk. Jonathan Broxton picks up the save.

The Yankees take Game 1 of the ALCS with a 4 – 1 win over the Angels at New Yankee Stadium. The Yanks take advantage of three Angel errors to score their runs, but the critical play is a two-out pop-up that falls untouched between 3B Chone Figgins and SS Erick Aybar in the 1st, allowing Johnny Damon to score the Yankees’ second run. CC Sabathia pitches 8 innings for the win and Mariano Rivera gets the save.

2009 – The Yankees take a 2-0 lead over the Angels in the ALCS by winning a 13-inning marathon, 4 – 3, at New Yankee Stadium. Alex Rodriguez homers off Brian Fuentes in the bottom of the 11th to tie the game and the winning run scores when Maicer Izturis throws the ball away while trying to start an inning-ending double play, allowing Jerry Hairston to score from second.

2009 – The Phillies take a 2-1 lead in the NLCS by trouncing the Dodgers, 11 – 0, at Citizens Bank Park. Cliff Lee only allows three hits while striking out 10 in 8 innings, while the Phillies score early and often, building up a 6 – 0 lead after 2 innings to chase Hiroki Kuroda. Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino homer for the winners, while Ryan Howard hits a two-run triple in the 1st, driving in a run in his 7th consecutive postseason game.

The Angels beat the Yankees at home, 5 – 4, in 11 innings, in Game 3 of the ALCS. Jeff Mathis drives in Howie Kendrick from first base with a double as Los Angeles overcomes four solo homers by the Yankees.

The Phillies walkoff Dodgers to take 3 game to 1 stranglehold on the NLCS 

The Phillies walkoff Dodgers to take 3 game to 1 stranglehold on the NLCS 

Kenji Johjima, the first Japanese catcher in major league history, surprises the Mariners by opting out of the final two seasons of his three-year deal. Unhappy of being benched, the 33 year-old struggling backstop walks away from $15.8 million to finish his career in Japan.

The Yankees take a 3-1 lead in the ALCS by crushing the Angels, 10 – 1, in Anaheim. Alex Rodriguez continues his red-hot hitting with a two-run homer off Jason Bulger in the 5th inning, giving him an RBI in 8 consecutive postseason contests.

The Brewers hire Rick Peterson as their pitching coach to improve the club’s woeful starting pitching, which posted a 5.37 ERA last season. The 54 year-old pitching guru, known for his focus on motion analysis, is reunited with bench coach Willie Randolph and skipper Ken Macha, who were his former managers with the Mets and the A’s, teams he toiled for in a similar role.

Phillies becomes the first National League team to repeat since the Braves won consecutive flags in 1995-96

Phillies becomes the first National League team to repeat since the Braves won consecutive flags in 1995-96

The Angels stave off elimination in Game 5 of the ALCS by beating the Yankees, 7 – 6. Los Angeles overcomes a six-run Yankee inning in the 7th by coming back with 3 runs of their own in the bottom of the frame. Brian Fuentes ends the tense contest by getting Nick Swisher to fly out with the bases loaded in the 9th.

The New York Yankees clinch their 40th American League pennant with a 5 – 2 win over the Angels in Game 6 of the ALCS. The familiar tandem of Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera earns the win and save, as Pettitte claims his record 16th postseason win.

The Indians sign 40 year-old Manny Acta to a three-year deal to be the team’s 40th manager in franchise history. The former Nationals’ field boss, who was fired by Washington in July, is the first Cleveland skipper to be hired outside the organization since John McNamara piloted the club in 1990.

Tony La Russa agrees to a one-year contract to return for his 15th season as manager of the Cardinals. The Redbirds have appeared in the postseason eight times under their 65 year-old skipper, including a World Championship in 2006.

The Padres formally introduced 35 year-old Jed Hoyer as the team’s new general manager. The former assistant to Boston’s GM Theo Epstein replaces Kevin Towers, who held the position in San Diego for 14 seasons.

Mark McGwire will join his former manager Tony La Russa on the Cardinals’ bench as the team’s hitting coach, replacing Hal McRae. The one-time single season home run champ, whose reputation was ruined when he infamously refused to answer questions about the use of steroids during a 2005 congressional hearing, had La Russa for his skipper in 15 of the 16 years he played in the major leagues, both in Oakland and St. Louis.

General manager Ed Wade announces Brad Mills has agreed to a two-year contract, with a team option for the third, to become the Astros’ manager, replacing Dave Clark, who served as interim manager when Cecil Cooper was fired in September. The 52 year-old, who for the past six seasons has been Terry Francona’s bench coach with the Red Sox, has never managed in the majors, but spent 11 seasons as a minor league skipper with the Cubs, Rockies, and Dodgers.

Chase Utley homers twice and Cliff Lee beats CC Sabathia in game 1

Chase Utley homers twice and Cliff Lee beats CC Sabathia in game 1

The Yankees even the World Series by taking Game 2 at home, 3 – 1, over the Phillies. A.J. Burnett and Mariano Rivera combine for the win while Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui go deep against the Phils’ Pedro Martinez.

Derek Jeter is the recipient of this year’s Roberto Clemente Award, an honor given to a player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, and community involvement. The 35 year-old Yankee captain joins 13 Hall of Famers and former Bronx Bombers Ron Guidry and Don Baylor in winning the prestigious prize.

Tom Ricketts, the Cubs’ chairman, makes it clear that the new ownership intends to win a World Championship. At his introductory press conference, the investment banker tells the media he believes a thoughtful, long-range approach is needed for the team to succeed in overcoming its 101-year absence from the Fall Classic.

Freddy Sanchez signs a $12-million, two-year contract extension to stay with the Giants, the team the Pirates traded him to in midseason in exchange for a minor league pitching prospect. Due to an ailing shoulder, the two-time All-Star second baseman and former batting champ played in only 25 games with San Francisco.

SimLeague Baseball

Alex Rodriguez’s Game 3 fly ball in the right-field corner of Citizens Bank Park becomes the subject of the first instant replay call in World Series history. The Yankee third baseman’s hit, initially ruled a double, is changed by the umpires to a home run after the replay clearly shows the ball going over the fence before striking a television camera and bouncing back to the field.

The Yankees take a 3 games to 1 lead in the World Series with a 7 - 4 win over Philadelphia

The Yankees take a 3 games to 1 lead in the World Series with a 7 – 4 win over Philadelphia

Milwaukee Brewers hire Ron Roenicke as Manager

Milwaukee Brewers hire Ron Roenicke as Manager

Phillies send the World Series back to New York with an 8 - 6 win over the Yankees

Phillies send the World Series back to New York with an 8 – 6 win over the Yankees

Pedro Luis Lazo tosses six shutout innings to become the first Cuban leaguer to reach 250 career wins.

George W. Bush throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Yomiuri Giants’ 7-4 victory over the Nippon Ham Fighters in Game 3 of the Japan Series. The former American president, who bounces the ball in the dirt before it is snagged, enjoys the game in a private box with former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, home run king Sadaharu Oh, and John Roos, the U.S. ambassador to Japan.

In Game 6 of the Fall Classic, the Yankees captured their 27th World Championship and their first since 2000, with a 7-3 decision over the Phillies, the defending champs. Hideki Matsui, New York’s designated hitter, collects six RBIs, tying a World Series mark, and Andy Pettitte became the second pitcher to get the victory in all three postseason-clinching games, joining Derek Lowe, who accomplished the feat with Boston in 2004.

The Marlins trade Jeremy Hermida to the Red Sox for a pair of southpaw prospects, Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez. The move of the underachieving outfielder, a first-round draft choice in 2002, will allow Florida to cut payroll while adding pitching.

Bobby Abreu (.293, 15, 103), a last-minute signing with the club last season, agrees to a $19 million, two-year deal to stay with the Angels rather than to retake a chance on the free-agent market. The veteran outfielder didn’t find a team until just before spring training when Los Angeles offered him a one-year contract guaranteeing $5 million.

2009 – In a trade of former top prospects who are coming off disappointing seasons, the Brewers send SS J.J. Hardy to the Twins for CF Carlos Gomez.

The Diamondbacks exercise their $8.5 million option on the 2006 Cy Young Award winner, Brandon Webb. The 30 year-old right-handed starter, who underwent shoulder surgery in August, was shut down after pitching just four innings on Opening Day and did not retake the mound for the duration of the season.

2009 – Norge Vera, one of the top pitchers in Cuba, is seriously injured while trying to break up a fight in Santiago de Cuba. He is struck in the face by a blunt object, suffering multiple fractures and undergoes reconstructive surgery, putting his career in jeopardy. He will return to action in just a couple of months, though. Vera won gold for the Cuban national team at the 2004 Olympics and was a starting pitcher in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

2009 – The American League Gold Gloves are awarded. Outfielders Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners and Torii Hunter of the Angels both win their 9th straight award.

2009 – The National League announces Gold Glove Award winners. Dodgers second baseman Orlando Hudson is the most titled of the honorees, receiving his fourth award – his third in the NL.

Michael Bourn wins the Gold Glove Award for National League outfielders. The Houston-born speedster is the first Houston outfielder to win the award since Cesar Cedeno in 1976. 

Bucky Williams, the second-oldest known former Negro Leagues player, dies a month shy of his 103rd birthday. He had become a living legend in the Pittsburgh area over recent years.

Chris Coghlan edges Phillies right-hander J.A. Happ, the only player named on all 32 ballots, to become the third Marlin in franchise history, along with Dontrelle Willis (2003) and Hanley Ramirez (2006), to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award. The 24 year-old leadoff hitter, a second baseman in the minors, hit .321 in 128 games, playing mostly left field after being called up in May.

Andrew Bailey is the 8th Oakland A’s player to be named the American League Rookie of the Year

Wally Backman is hired by the Mets to manage the Brooklyn Cyclones, their farm team in the New York-Penn League. The team’s new skipper, who played a vital role with the 1986 World Series championship club, had been given the Diamondbacks job in November of 2004 but was fired shortly after the New York Times revealed the former second baseman had been arrested twice and had financial difficulties.

Zack Greinke (16-8, 2.16), with 25 of the 28 first-place votes cast by the writers, easily outdistances Seattle’s Felix Hernandez to win the American League Cy Young Award to join Steve Carlton (1972 Phillies) as the only hurlers to win the prestigious pitching prize while toiling for a last-place club. The Royals’ right-hander will have another big day this Saturday when he marries his high school sweetheart Emily Kuchar, a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.

Jim Tracy is named the National League Manager of the Year, becoming just the second person to cop the honor after taking over a team during the season, joining Jack McKeon who also accomplished the feat with the 2003 Marlins. The 53 year-old skipper, who piloted the Rockies to the NL Wild Card from a 14.5 game deficit at the end of May, is rewarded by Colorado with a three-year contract.

Mike Scioscia, who piloted the Angels to its third consecutive division title and sixth postseason appearance in the last eight year and guided Los Angeles past a myriad of injuries to key players, is named the AL Manager of the Year for the second time. The 50 year-old Angels skipper helped to ease the team’s deep sorrow caused by the sudden death of 22 year-old starter Nick Adenhart, who died in a hit-and-run car accident just hours after pitching six shutout innings against Oakland for the Halos.

Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants wins his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award in one of the closest races in the award's history. Lincecum gets 100 points in the voting, Chris Carpenter of the St. Louis Cardinals 94 and Carpenter's teammate Adam Wainwright collects the most first-place votes but finishes third with 90 points.

Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants wins his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award in one of the closest races in the award’s history. Lincecum gets 100 points in the voting, Chris Carpenter of the St. Louis Cardinals 94 and Carpenter’s teammate Adam Wainwright collects the most first-place votes but finishes third with 90 points.

Tim Lincecum becomes the eighth hurler in baseball history, joining Sandy Koufax, Denny McLain, Jim Palmer, Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez, and Randy Johnson, to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards. The Giants right-hander, receiving fewer first-place votes than the third runner-up Adam Wainwright, outpoints the Cardinals righty as well as runner-up Chris Carpenter, also a Redbird starter.

Responding to the fans’ ire that little was done to commemorate the team’s past at Citi Field, the Mets announce the entrances now will be named for the persons who have had their number retired by the franchise, Gil Hodges, Tom Seaver, and Casey Stengel as well as naming the outfield bridge in honor of William Shea. Additionally, the venue will feature a team Hall of Fame and Museum, a display of full-color banners of Mets players in front of the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, and the light poles in the parking lots will feature team logos.

Joe Mauer becomes the fifth Twin to be named the American League’s Most Valuable Player

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals is the unanimous choice as winner of the National League MVP Award

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals is the unanimous choice as winner of the National League MVP Award

New York Yankees Public Address announcer Bob Sheppard officially retires at the age of 99

New York Yankees Public Address announcer Bob Sheppard officially retires at the age of 99

The Toronto Blue Jays sign free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez to a contract. Gonzalez started the last season with the Cincinnati Reds before being traded to the Boston Red Sox where he took over for Nick Green.

Sports Illustrated names Derek Jeter as its Sportsman of the Year

The Atlanta Braves sign reliever Billy Wagner to a one-year, $7 million contract. Wagner missed most of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery but came back in August to pitch 2 games for the New York Mets and then post a 1.98 ERA in 13 games after being traded to the Boston Red Sox.

Yankee firstbaseman Tommy Henrich

“Old Reliable” Tommy Henrich dies in Dayton, OH at age 96.

The Braves and left-hander Billy Wagner come to terms on a $7 million, one-year deal for the southpaw to become the club’s closer, replacing Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez. The six-time All-Star, who missed most of last season due to elbow surgery, was traded by the Mets to the Red Sox in late August after the reliever showed he still has a live fastball in his initial appearance off the disabled list in New York.

2009 – Free agent 2B Placido Polanco signs a three-year $18 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he is expected to replace 3B Pedro Feliz.

The A’s trade right-handed pitcher Jeff Gray and minor league prospects Matt Spencer and Ronny Morla to the Cubs in exchange for infielders Jake Fox and Aaron Miles along with cash considerations. With the addition of Fox added to their lineup, Oakland gets a much-needed power boost from the right side of the plate.

The Seattle Mariners also dip into the free agent pool, signing infielder Chone Figgins to a four-year, $36 million deal. It’s still not certain whether Figgins will play 2B or 3B for his new team, as this hinges on whether Seattle re-signs 3B Adrian Beltre. While the deal is announced today, it will only be finalized on December 8th. However, Figgins will be a huge disappointment and will be released before the end of his contract.

The Red Sox have found their new shortstop, after struggling with Jed Lowrie, Julio Lugo, Nick Green and Alex Gonzalez in 2009. Free agent Marcos Scutaro signs a two-year deal worth $11 million, with an option for a third year. Ironically, Gonzalez signed with the Blue Jays earlier this week, where he will fill Scutaro’s shoes.

San Diego names Jason McLeod as the team’s assistant general manager. The former Red Sox director of amateur scouting is hired by the team’s new GM Jed Hoyer, who also comes from Boston and served in the same capacity working as Theo Epstein’s assistant before joining the club

After trying seven shortstops since Nomar Garciaparra’s 2004 trade to the Cubs, the Red Sox give Marco Scutaro an opportunity to play the position, inking the 34 year-old infielder to a two-year deal with a club option for 2012. The free-agent, who hit a career-best .282 along with 12 homers and 60 RBIs for Toronto last season, will replace Alex Gonzalez, who left the Red Sox after Boston declined his $6 million option and recently signed with the Blue Jays.

The Veterans Committee holds two votes for election to the Hall of Fame, in the managers and umpires category and the executives category. In the first group, former umpire Doug Harvey and manager Whitey Herzog are elected and will be inducted in 2010. No one from the second group receives the required 75% of votes. Harvey is the first umpire elected in 11 years.

The 2009 Winter Meetings start slowly in Indianapolis, IN, with the only deals announced on the first day being SS Adam Everett re-signing with the Tigers for one year, and the Nationals acquiring reliever Brian Bruney from the Yankees for a player to be named later.

The Lowell Spinners, the Red Sox short-season affiliate, well-known for their unique promotional events, publicly extend an invitation to Michaele and Tareq Salahi to attend the team’s Eighth Annual Alumni Dinner to be held later this month at the city’s Memorial Auditorium. The infamous couple has become recently newsworthy for their appearance at a White House State Dinner without being included on the guest list.

The Nationals sign veteran C Ivan Rodriguez to a two-year deal worth $6 million. The deal comes as a surprise as “Pudge” was expected to finish his career with the Texas Rangers.

The first blockbuster deal of the winter meetings is a three-team effort: the Yankees receive CF Curtis Granderson, the Diamondbacks get Ps Ian Kennedy and Edwin Jackson, and the Tigers obtain Ps Max Scherzer, Daniel Schlereth and Phil Coke and OF prospect Austin Jackson. The deal will be beneficial to all three teams.

Chone Figgins (.298, 5, 54) and the Mariners finalized the $36 million, four-year deal which will bring the former L.A. Angel to Seattle. The 31 year-old infielder, who primarily played third, will switch to a new position if free-agent Adrian Beltre, the team’s current third baseman, returns to the team after an injury-plagued season.

The Rangers send starting pitcher Kevin Millwood to the Orioles for reliever Chris Ray in a move designed to give Texas additional financial flexibility to pursue free agent starter Rich Harden.

The Milwaukee Brewers go shopping for pitchers today, as they announce the signing of free agent starter Randy Wolf to a three-year deal worth $30 million and reliever LaTroy Hawkins to a two-year, $7.5 million deal.

The Astros sign free agent 3B Pedro Feliz to a one-year contract.

The 2009 Rule V Draft is held. The Nationals select OF Jamie Hoffmann from the Dodgers with the first pick, but immediately send him to the Yankees to complete an earlier trade for P Brian Bruney. The Pirates select OF John Raynor from the Marlins with the second pick. Two other selections serve to complete trades made earlier this week: P Ben Snyder, taken by the Orioles, becomes the player to be named later in yesterday’s trade with Texas which brought P Kevin Millwood to the O’s, and 3B Jorge Jimenez, taken by the Astros, is the missing piece in their trade with the Marlins for P Matt Lindstrom.

Faced with a glut of expensive relief pitchers, the Braves trade Rafael Soriano to Tampa Bay for Jesse Chavez. Soriano will have an outstanding as the Rays’ closer, leading the American League in saves.

The Pirates sign Bobby Crosby (.231, 22, 64), the 2004 American League Rookie of the Year, to a $1 million, one-year contract. Last season, the 29 year-old versatile infielder played multiple games for the A’s at all four infield positions.

The Royals sign free agent catcher Jason Kendall to a two-year contract, replacing Miguel Olivo who became a free agent himself. In other signings, the White Sox add former Seattle Mariners closer J.J. Putz to their bullpen. Putz’s season with the Mets ended on June 9th when he underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery.

Clearly stating he wants to be an everyday player on a winning team, Ivan Rodriguez agrees to a $6 million, two-year deal with the Nationals, the worst team in baseball last season. The 38 year-old catcher will share playing time and his experience with Jesus Flores, Washington’s young up-and-coming backstop.

2009 – A new batch of free agents is created as the final deadline for offering contracts for next season passes: among prominent players non-tendered are DH Jack Cust (Oakland), 3B Garrett Atkins (Colorado), P Chien-Ming Wang (Yankees), 1B Ryan Garko (San Francisco), OF Ryan Church and 2B Kelly Johnson (Atlanta), P Matt Capps (Pittsburgh) and OF Jonny Gomes (Cincinnati).

Brandon Lyon (6-5, 2.86) and the Astros finalize their $15 million, three-year deal. The Tigers’ former right-handed reliever, who saved 26 games for Arizona in 2008, hopes to be the club’s closer, but may be used in Houston as the set-up man to get to Matt Lindstrom.

2009 – C John Buck signs a one-year deal with Toronto, one day after being non-tendered by Kansas City. He will have an excellent season in Toronto, making the All-Star team for the first time in his career.

The Blue Jays announced coming to terms with Jose Bautista on a one-year deal worth $2.4 million. The utility player will establish a new franchise mark of home runs in a season when he goes deep 54 times, six more than George Bell’s total in 1987.

The Red Sox sign former Angels ace John Lackey to a five-year contract worth $85 million and OF Mike Cameron to a two-year deal worth approximately $16 million.

The Red Sox sign former Angels ace John Lackey to a five-year contract worth $85 million and OF Mike Cameron to a two-year deal worth approximately $16 million.

Rumors of a blockbuster three-team deal involving two former American League Cy Young Award winners dominate the headlines. The trade sends 2003 winner Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays to the Phillies and 2008 winner Cliff Lee from the Phils to Seattle, with the Blue Jays picking up a load of prospects. The youngsters changing teams include P Kyle Drabek, OF Michael Taylor and C Travis d’Arnaud from Philly to Toronto. For their part, the Phils pick up P Phillippe Aumont and OF Tyson Gillies and J.C. Ramirez from Seattle, while, to further complicate the deal, Toronto then flips Taylor to Oakland for another top draft pick, 1B Brett Wallace. Final confirmation of the complex transaction only takes place on December 16th.

The White Sox acquire OF Juan Pierre from the Dodgers for two minor leaguers. Pierre, signed to a five-year contract worth $44 million before the 2007 season, has become the odd man out in the Dodgers’ outfield with the development of youngsters Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp and the acquisition of superstar slugger Manny Ramirez in 2008.

Commissioner Bud Selig announces that he will chair a 14-person committee to analyze ways to improve baseball’s on-field product. The group will look at issues such as the pace of the game, umpiring, instant replay and possible rule changes.

The Orioles sign two free agents, reliever Mike Gonzalez formerly of the Braves, and 3B Garrett Atkins, who was with the Rockies.

The Dodgers sign utility player Jamey Carroll to a two-year contract.

The Angels sign DH Hideki Matsui, the MVP of the 2009 World Series, to a one-year deal.

In a deal, involving four teams and nine players, and resulting in two Cy Young Award winners getting traded, the Phillies send three top minor leaguers, Travis d’Arnaud, Kyle Drabek (son of former CYA winner Doug Drabek), and Michael Taylor, who will be traded to get A’s third baseman Brett Wallace, to the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay. After securing their new ace, Philadelphia sends their former ace, Cliff Lee, to the Mariners to restock their minor league system by getting prospects outfielder Tyson Gillies and right-handers Phillippe Aumont and Juan Ramirez from Seattle.

2009 – The Mets sign Japanese right-handed reliever Ryota Igarashi to a two-year contract. Igarashi has spent his entire 11-year career in Nippon Pro Baseball with the Yakult Swallows.

Two expensive underarchievers are traded for each other as the Cubs ship troublesome OF Milton Bradley to Seattle for P Carlos Silva, who won only 5 games in two years after signing a lucrative contract with the Mariners.

The Yankees sign free agent and former Yankee Nick Johnson to a one-year contract with an option for 2011. He is expected to play DH and bat second in place of Johnny Damon, whom the Yanks announce they will not seek to re-sign.

For the second year in a row, the Korea Baseball Organization voids a trade by the Seoul Heroes. The cash-strapped Heroes had decided to send star flyhawk Taek-keun Lee (.311/.408/.467) to the LG Twins for two players and 2.5 billion won. The Heroes have been banned from making trades involving large sums of cash until their franchise fee has been paid off.

The Cubs trade outcast Milton Bradley to the Mariners in exchange for starting pitcher Carlos Silva (1-3, 8.60), Seattle’s very costly and underachieving right-hander. Chicago suspended the outspoken and unpopular outfielder for his criticism of the atmosphere surrounding the team as being the reason the club hasn’t won a World Series since 1908.

Avoiding arbitration, Ricky Nolasco and the Marlins agree to a $3.8 million, one-year deal, which is an increase of $1.4 million from last season. The team’s Opening Day starter posted a 13-9 record, compiling an ERA of 5.06 for the Fish last season.

2009 – 3B Scott Rolen re-signs with the Cincinnati Reds for two years. He had been acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays at the trading deadline last season.

2009 – The Indians add two pitchers, starter Mitch Talbot whom they obtain from the Rays as the player to be named later in the December 1st deal for C Kelly Shoppach, and reliever Saul Rivera, who is signed as a free agent after being recently released by the Nationals.

2009 – The Rangers­ sign reliever Darren Oliver to a one-year contract. It marks the lefty’s third tour of duty with Texas.

The Washington Nationals sign P Jason Marquis to a two-year contract.

The Blue Jays and Mariners exchange pitchers, with Seattle picking up hard-throwing Brandon League and minor leaguer Johermyn Chavez in return for Brandon Morrow.

The Yankees reacquired Javier Vazquez by trading outfielder Melky Cabrera to the Braves. The right-hander’s last performance in pinstripes was less than stellar, allowing two home runs, including a grand slam, to Boston’s Johnny Damon, which put Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS out of reach and completed New York’s historic collapse after the team had won the first three games of the championship series.

2009 – The Angels sign P Fernando Rodney for two years and the Athletics sign OF Coco Crisp for one year.

Versatile outfielder Coco Crisp (.228, 3, 14), who can play all three spots in the outfield, signs a $5.25 million, one-year contract with the A’s. The 30 year-old flychaser underwent surgery on both shoulders last season, limiting his playing time to only 49 games with the Royals, who declined an $8 million option on the speedy switch-hitter from California.

Nick Johnson, finalizing a $5.75 million, one-year deal, returns to the Yankees to become the team’s designated hitter, a void created by the departure of Hideki Matsui. Prior to the start of the 2004 season, the Bronx Bombers dealt the 31 year-old first baseman to the Expos in exchange for right-handed starter Javier Vazquez, who was recently reacquired by the club in a trade with Atlanta.

2009 – Relief pitcher Matt Capps signs a contract with the Washington Nationals.

Former Detroit closer Fernando Rodney signs an $11 million, two-year contract with the Angels. The 32 year-old right-handed reliever, who saved 37 games with only one blown opportunity last season, is expected to compete with the team’s current closer Brian Fuentes, the major league leader in saves in 2009, for the coveted spot in the bullpen.

2009 – The Diamondbacks sign free agent relief pitcher Bobby Howry to a one-year contract while the Nationals ink veteran reliever Eddie Guardado to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

The Mets sign P Kelvim Escobar to a one-year deal. Escobar missed all of 2008 and made only one start for the Angels last season because of a torn labrum.

The Mariners sign C Josh Bard and P Chad Cordero to minor league deals, while the Nationals come to terms with 1B Josh Whitesell and utility player Eric Bruntlett.

The Mets sign LF Jason Bay to a four-year deal worth approximately $66 million.

The Giants sign Mark DeRosa to a two-year deal. The versatile player may be used at third base next season, displacing Pablo Sandoval to first, or could fill in at a number of positions.

The Seoul Heroes conduct a fire sale. Banned from making major trades until their league entry fee is paid off, they make three deals that involve incoming cash going to the Korea Baseball Organization to pay off their fees. They ship away their top hitter, Taek-keun Lee, to the LG Twins for Byung-woo Kang, Young-bok Park and cash; pitcher Hyun-seung Lee goes to the Doosan Bears for Min-chul Keum and cash and Won-sam Jang is sent to the Samsung Lions for Sung-hun Park, Sang-soo Kim and cash.

The Diamondbacks sign free agent 2B Kelly Johnson to a one-year contract.

The Cubs agree to a $15 million, three-year deal with Texas free-agent Marlon Byrd (.283, 20, 89) to fill the void in the outfield created when an agitated Milton Bradley was traded to Seattle. Chicago’s new outfielder will patrol centerfield, replacing Kosuke Fukudome, who will move over to right field.

The Red Sox, a team which has tried seven regular shortstops since trading Nomar Garciaparra to the Cubs in 2004, sign Marco Scutaro to a deal that guarantees the 34 year-old infielder to a $12.5 million, two-year deal to fill the void. The former utility player with the Mets and A’s had a career year last season for the Blue Jays after becoming their everyday shortstop with Toronto in 2008.

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