The Boston Red Sox trade pitchers Aaron Sele and Mark Brandenburg and catcher Bill Haselman to the Texas Rangers in exchange for C Jim Leyritz and outfielder Damon Buford.

The Boston Red Sox trade pitchers Aaron Sele and Mark Brandenburg and catcher Bill Haselman to the Texas Rangers in exchange for C Jim Leyritz and outfielder Damon Buford.

In what Bud Selig says is Phase One of a realignment of the major leagues, his Milwaukee Brewers move from the American League to the National League. Phase 2 will have to wait until 2013, however.

In what Bud Selig says is Phase One of a realignment of the major leagues, his Milwaukee Brewers move from the American League to the National League. Phase 2 will have to wait until 2013, however.

In an unprecedented move, Davey Johnson resigns the same day he is named American League Manager of the Year

In an unprecedented move, Davey Johnson resigns the same day he is named American League Manager of the Year

1997 – In an unprecedented move, Davey Johnson resigns the same day he is named American League Manager of the Year. Despite the fact that Johnson ended the Baltimore Orioles’ 13-year playoff drought in 1996 and led the Orioles to the league’s best record in 1997, a dispute over $10,500 in fines to second baseman Roberto Alomar ends Johnson’s reign in Baltimore. Johnson directed the fines to be paid to a charity. Orioles owner Peter Angelos is upset with the way the matter is handled and Johnson resigns.

1997 – Third baseman Scott Rolen is the unanimous choice for the 1997 National League Rookie of the Year Award and becomes the first Philadelphia Phillies player to win the award since Dick Allen in 1964. Rolen led all NL rookies in batting average (.283), home runs (21), runs batted in (92), runs (93), hits (159), doubles (35), total bases (263), on-base percentage (.377) and slugging average (.469). He barely qualified as a rookie, logging exactly 130 at bats in 1996 before breaking his wrist on September 7th when he was hit by a pitch. One more at bat would have disqualified him for the award this year.

1997 – Third baseman Scott Rolen is the unanimous choice for the 1997 National League Rookie of the Year Award and becomes the first Philadelphia Phillies player to win the award since Dick Allen in 1964. Rolen led all NL rookies in batting average (.283), home runs (21), runs batted in (92), runs (93), hits (159), doubles (35), total bases (263), on-base percentage (.377) and slugging average (.469). He barely qualified as a rookie, logging exactly 130 at bats in 1996 before breaking his wrist on September 7th when he was hit by a pitch. One more at bat would have disqualified him for the award this year.

1997 – Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra becomes the sixth player to be the unanimous choice for Rookie of the Year. Garciaparra, at age 24, led the American League in hits (209), triples (11), and multi-hit games (68), while also setting the AL rookie-record with a thirty-game hitting streak.

1997 – Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra becomes the sixth player to be the unanimous choice for Rookie of the Year. Garciaparra, at age 24, led the American League in hits (209), triples (11), and multi-hit games (68), while also setting the AL rookie-record with a thirty-game hitting streak.

Becoming the fifth Red Sox player to receive the honor, Boston shortstop Nomar Garciaparra (.306, 30, 98) is unanimously selected as the American League Rookie of the Year by the BBWAA. The 23 year-old leadoff hitter led the league with 209 hits.

Becoming the fifth Red Sox player to receive the honor, Boston shortstop Nomar Garciaparra (.306, 30, 98) is unanimously selected as the American League Rookie of the Year by the BBWAA. The 23 year-old leadoff hitter led the league with 209 hits.

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1997 – Five years to the day after officially acquiring the ballclub, owner Drayton McLane, Jr. is on hand for groundbreaking ceremonies on a new downtown stadium. It’s tentatively named the “Ballpark at Union Station” where the former train depot was located. The stadium is funded in a number of ways and the sale of naming rights will be part of the process. 

1997 – Five years to the day after officially acquiring the ballclub, owner Drayton McLane, Jr. is on hand for groundbreaking ceremonies on a new downtown stadium. It’s tentatively named the “Ballpark at Union Station” where the former train depot was located. The stadium is funded in a number of ways and the sale of naming rights will be part of the process. 

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Edgar Renteria singles home Craig Counsell, giving the Florida Marlins their first World Series title with a 3-2 win over the Indians

With two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning of Game 7, Edgar Renteria singles home Craig Counsell, giving the Florida Marlins their first World Series title with a 3-2 win over the Indians. The five year-old Marlins become the youngest expansion team to win the Fall Classic.

1997 – In the World Series, pitcher Chad Ogea gets two hits with two RBI and scores one run while also earning the win as the Cleveland Indians force a seventh game with a 4 – 1 victory over the Florida Marlins.

1997 – In the World Series, pitcher Chad Ogea gets two hits with two RBI and scores one run while also earning the win as the Cleveland Indians force a seventh game with a 4 – 1 victory over the Florida Marlins.