Vince Naimoli, the founding owner of the Devil Rays, and St. Petersburg Mayor David Fischer preside over the official groundbreaking ceremony for the renovations planned for Tropicana Field, the home of the new American League franchise. The $63 million facelift of the eight year-old facility, originally known as the Florida Suncoast Dome, will take fifteen months to complete.

ByBaseball

Vince Naimoli, the founding owner of the Devil Rays, and St. Petersburg Mayor David Fischer preside over the official groundbreaking ceremony for the renovations planned for Tropicana Field, the home of the new American League franchise. The $63 million facelift of the eight year-old facility, originally known as the Florida Suncoast Dome, will take fifteen months to complete.

1996 – Bernie Williams homers from each side of the plate and Cecil Fielder breaks a tie with a 7th-inning single as the Yankees beat Texas, 6 – 4, to win the American League Division Series, 3 – 1, and advance to the ALCS.

ByBaseball

1996 – Bernie Williams homers from each side of the plate and Cecil Fielder breaks a tie with a 7th-inning single as the Yankees beat Texas, 6 – 4, to win the American League Division Series, 3 – 1, and advance to the ALCS.

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Larry Dierker, the Astros’ former player and broadcaster, is named the new manager despite having no previous coaching or managing experience. 

ByTom

1996 – Larry Dierker, the Astros’ former player and broadcaster, is named the new manager despite having no previous coaching or managing experience. Terry Collins is relieved after three years, posting a 224-197 record marred by late-season collapses. 

After three consecutive second-place finishes, the Astros fire manager Terry Collins, whose first-place team collapsed down the stretch. The 47 year-old skipper leaves the position with the best winningest percentage in franchise history, compiling a 224-197 (.532) record during his three-year tenure with Houston.

ByBaseball

After three consecutive second-place finishes, the Astros fire manager Terry Collins, whose first-place team collapsed down the stretch. The 47 year-old skipper leaves the position with the best winningest percentage in franchise history, compiling a 224-197 (.532) record during his three-year tenure with Houston.

The New York Yankees score twice in the 9th inning to defeat Texas, 2 – 1, despite Juan Gonzalez’s fourth home run of their American League Division Series. New York takes a 2 games to 1 lead.

ByBaseball

The New York Yankees score twice in the 9th inning to defeat Texas, 2 – 1, despite Juan Gonzalez’s fourth home run of their American League Division Series. New York takes a 2 games to 1 lead.

10/3/1996 The Devil Rays and Tropicana Dole Beverages of North America, located in nearby Bradenton, announce an agreement that renames the ThunderDome. The ballpark will become known as Tropicana Field with the city of St. Petersburg receiving more than $13 million as part of the sweet deal.

ByThis Day in Baseball

On October 3, 1996.00 The Devil Rays and Tropicana Dole Beverages of North America, located in nearby Bradenton, announce an agreement that renames the ThunderDome. The ballpark will become known as Tropicana Field with the city of St. Petersburg receiving more than $13 million as part of the sweet deal.

Rockies become only the second team in history to boast three players with at least 40 home runs

ByThis Day in Baseball

On September 29, 1996, Vinny Castilla of the Colorado Rockies joins teammates Andres Galarraga and Ellis Burks in the 40-home run circle. The Rockies become only the second team in history to boast three players with at least 40 home runs. In 1973, Hank Aaron, Darrell Evans and Dave Johnson did the same for the…

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1996 – Tony Eusebio doubles home James Mouton with the season’s final run in a 5-4 ten-inning victory over the Marlins. Fans come to honor pitcher Nolan Ryan who sees the Astros retire his #34 jersey. 

ByTom

1996 – Tony Eusebio doubles home James Mouton with the season’s final run in a 5-4 ten-inning victory over the Marlins. Fans come to honor pitcher Nolan Ryan who sees the Astros retire his #34 jersey.