1999 – After 16 years of doing local telecasts, the New York Mets do not ask Tim McCarver to return to the broadcast booth. Tom Seaver will replace the highly-regarded broadcaster and will assume other duties within the organization.
On February 2, 1999 San Diego Padres’ outfielder Greg Vaughn becomes the first player traded in major league history after hitting 50 home runs during the season. The slugger is dealt to the Cincinnati Reds, along with Mark Sweeney for Reggie Sanders, Damian Jackson, and Josh Harris. Vaughn spent one season in Cincinnati hitting .245…
1999 – The New York Yankees trade highly-touted third base prospect Mike Lowell to the Florida Marlins for three minor league pitchers – Mark Johnson, Ed Yarnall and Todd Noel. Lowell, named minor league player of the year last season, is expendable after Scott Brosius’ outstanding 1998 performance.
1999 – Fighting shoulder injuries, five-time All-Star pitcher Jimmy Key retires from baseball. The 37-year-old lefthander appeared in the postseason with all the teams he played for, which included the Blue Jays, Orioles and Yankees.
1999 – Free agent pitcher Jim Abbott is signed by the Milwaukee Brewers, and the St. Louis Cardinals sign second baseman Carlos Baerga.
Free agent outfielder Tim Raines is signed by the Oakland Athletics to a $600,000 contract. Raines hit .290 for the World Champion New York Yankees last season and has a .296 career batting average.
New York Mets games this season will be broadcast by WPIX, Channel 11, after being aired on WOR, Channel 9, since the club’s inception in 1962. The New York Yankees’ games, which had been aired for nearly 50 years on Channel 11, will now be seen on Channel 5, a FOX affiliate.
1999 – Houston signs four players to minor league deals but all will see action with the Astros. Pitchers Brian Williams and Jeff McCurry come to terms along with outfielders Alex Diaz and Ryan Thompson. Williams, in his second tour as an Astro, plays the biggest role going 2-1 in 50 games out of the bullpen. For McCurry, it was a nice 29th birthday present, having been born in Tokyo, Japan on this day in 1970.
1999 – A fiberglass panel falls from the roof of Stade Olympique in Montréal, QC, home of the Expos, during the setup for an auto show. Five people are injured.
1999 – Two free agent relief pitchers are signed, Heathcliff Slocumb by the Baltimore Orioles, and Mike Mohler by the St. Louis Cardinals.
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