1999 – The Baltimore Orioles make the first visit to Cuba by major leaguers since 1959, and defeat a team of Cuban amateurs by a score of 3 – 2 in 11 innings. Pitcher Jose Contreras hurls eight innings of two-hit, 10-strikeout ball in relief for the Cubans, while catcher Charles Johnson hits a two-run home run and DH Harold Baines drives in the winning run for the Orioles. The two teams will play a rematch at Camden Yards in Baltimore on May 3rd.

ByTom

1999 – The Baltimore Orioles make the first visit to Cuba by major leaguers since 1959, and defeat a team of Cuban amateurs by a score of 3 – 2 in 11 innings. Pitcher Jose Contreras hurls eight innings of two-hit, 10-strikeout ball in relief for the Cubans, while catcher Charles Johnson hits a two-run home run and DH Harold Baines drives in the winning run for the Orioles. The two teams will play a rematch at Camden Yards in Baltimore on May 3rd.

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1999 – Roger Clemens tosses six innings of no-hit ball but the Astros storm back to topple the New York Yankees, 7-5. Clemens had been the subject of intense trade talks during the off-season as the Astros tried to swing a swap with the Toronto Blue Jays to bring the multiple Cy Young Award winner home to Texas. Ultimately, Clemens was sent to New York. 

ByTom

1999 – Roger Clemens tosses six innings of no-hit ball but the Astros storm back to topple the New York Yankees, 7-5. Clemens had been the subject of intense trade talks during the off-season as the Astros tried to swing a swap with the Toronto Blue Jays to bring the multiple Cy Young Award winner home to Texas. Ultimately, Clemens was sent to New York. 

1999 – The St. Louis Cardinals announce that starter Matt Morris, expected to be the ace of their pitching staff, will miss the entire season because of a torn ligament in his right elbow.

ByTom

1999 – The St. Louis Cardinals announce that starter Matt Morris, expected to be the ace of their pitching staff, will miss the entire season because of a torn ligament in his right elbow.

1999 – In the 2nd inning of a Chicago White Sox/San Diego Padres game, country singer Garth Brooks earns his only hit of the spring; he had been hitless in his previous 10 at bats. Brooks’s pinch-hit single comes off Mike Sirotka. Sox first baseman Frank Thomas gives Brooks the ball and a bear hug as congratulations. Chicago goes on to win, 11 – 8.

ByTom

1999 – In the 2nd inning of a Chicago White Sox/San Diego Padres game, country singer Garth Brooks earns his only hit of the spring; he had been hitless in his previous 10 at bats. Brooks’s pinch-hit single comes off Mike Sirotka. Sox first baseman Frank Thomas gives Brooks the ball and a bear hug as congratulations. Chicago goes on to win, 11 – 8.

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Mets Pitcher Paul Wilson’s Comeback Halted by Elbow Injury, Tommy John Surgery Follows

ByThis Day in Baseball

1999 – The career of New York Mets pitcher Paul Wilson is derailed again when he suffers a partially torn ligament in his pitching elbow while warming up before a three-inning stint in a minor league game. An MRI will show a partial tear of a ligament in his elbow, and on March 30th he will undergo Tommy John surgery which will sideline him for the year.

1999 – The Toronto Blue Jays fire manager Tim Johnson and replace him with Jim Fregosi. Johnson had been under fire since admitting he had lied when he said he had seen combat duty in the Vietnam War.

ByTom

1999 – The Toronto Blue Jays fire manager Tim Johnson and replace him with Jim Fregosi. Johnson had been under fire since admitting he had lied when he said he had seen combat duty in the Vietnam War.

The Yankees name Don Zimmer to be the club’s interim manager while Joe Torre receives treatments for prostate cancer. The team’s bench coach compiled an 885-858 (.508) record during his managerial stints with San Diego, Boston, Texas, and Chicago.

ByTom

The Yankees name Don Zimmer to be the club’s interim manager while Joe Torre receives treatments for prostate cancer. The team’s bench coach compiled an 885-858 (.508) record during his managerial stints with San Diego, Boston, Texas, and Chicago.