2001 – The San Diego Padres sign Rickey Henderson and send him to Triple-A to get in shape. For Henderson, it is his first time in the minors since a three-game rehabilitation 16 years ago.

ByTom

2001 – The San Diego Padres sign Rickey Henderson and send him to Triple-A to get in shape. For Henderson, it is his first time in the minors since a three-game rehabilitation 16 years ago.

2001 – Third baseman Joe Randa agrees to a two-year contract extension with the Kansas City Royals. Randa batted .304 with 106 RBI for the Royals in 155 games last season.

ByTom

2001 – Third baseman Joe Randa agrees to a two-year contract extension with the Kansas City Royals. Randa batted .304 with 106 RBI for the Royals in 155 games last season.

2001 – Slugger Sammy Sosa signs a four-year contract extension with the Chicago Cubs. In the last three seasons the prolific home run hitter has averaged nearly sixty homers per year (179).

ByTom

2001 – Slugger Sammy Sosa signs a four-year contract extension with the Chicago Cubs. In the last three seasons the prolific home run hitter has averaged nearly sixty homers per year (179).

2001 – At spring training, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Rick Ankiel makes his first appearance since the 2000 playoffs in which he lost his control throwing seven wild pitches in three postseason appearances. Ankiel throws 22 strikes out of 29 pitches over two innings of shutout ball in his surprise start against the Mets, but his control problems will reappear within a short while.

ByTom

2001 – At spring training, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Rick Ankiel makes his first appearance since the 2000 playoffs in which he lost his control throwing seven wild pitches in three postseason appearances. Ankiel throws 22 strikes out of 29 pitches over two innings of shutout ball in his surprise start against the Mets, but his control problems will reappear within a short while.

Richard Hidalgo signs the third-richest contract in Astro history with a four-year $32 million deal with the club. The outfielder’s pact is less than teammate’s Jeff Bagwell’s $85 million (5 years) and Craig Biggio’s $33 million (4 years).

ByThis Day in Baseball

Richard Hidalgo signs the third-richest contract in Astro history with a four-year $32 million deal with the club. The outfielder’s pact is less than teammate’s Jeff Bagwell’s $85 million (5 years) and Craig Biggio’s $33 million (4 years).

The Yankees formally announce the signing of Cuban defector Andy Morales, a third baseman, to a four-year contract. Morales will wash out and be waived from his minor league team by July. The Yankees will try and sidestep his contract with proof that his listed age of 26 years is really 29.

ByTom

The Yankees formally announce the signing of Cuban defector Andy Morales, a third baseman, to a four-year contract. Morales will wash out and be waived from his minor league team by July. The Yankees will try and sidestep his contract with proof that his listed age of 26 years is really 29.

Preston Wilson, the franchise’s first 30-30 player, signs a $32 million five-year contract with Florida. The 26 year-old Marlin center fielder, who is the stepson and nephew of former major leaguer Mookie Wilson, was obtained from the Mets in the Mike Piazza deal in 1998.

ByTom

Preston Wilson, the franchise’s first 30-30 player, signs a $32 million five-year contract with Florida. The 26 year-old Marlin center fielder, who is the stepson and nephew of former major leaguer Mookie Wilson, was obtained from the Mets in the Mike Piazza deal in 1998.

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2001 – Astros drop the first of a two-game exhibition series in Valencias, Venezuela to the Cleveland Indians, 7-6. The following day’s game would end in an 8-8 tie after Adam Everett’s two-run homer in the ninth produces the stalemate. 

ByTom

2001 – Astros drop the first of a two-game exhibition series in Valencias, Venezuela to the Cleveland Indians, 7-6. The following day’s game would end in an 8-8 tie after Adam Everett’s two-run homer in the ninth produces the stalemate. 

the Baltimore Orioles announce Albert Belle, “has been found to be totally disabled and unable to perform as a Major League baseball player,”

the Baltimore Orioles announce Albert Belle, “has been found to be totally disabled and unable to perform as a Major League baseball player,”

ByTom

2001 – In a press release, the Baltimore Orioles announce Albert Belle, “has been found to be totally disabled and unable to perform as a Major League baseball player,” due to a degenerative right hip. The Orioles will place the 34-year-old outfielder on the 60-day disabled list thus beginning the process which conforms to the procedure set forth by MLB in the case of a totally disabling and permanent injury to a player.

Bill Mazeroski

Former Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star second baseman Bill Mazeroski and Negro Leagues pitching great Hilton Smith are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee

ByTom

2001 – Former Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star second baseman Bill Mazeroski and Negro Leagues pitching great Hilton Smith are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee. Mazeroski, an eight-time Gold Glove Award winner, hit one of the most memorable home runs ever – a 9th-inning blast in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series.