The major leagues’ plan to contract by two teams next season is put into jeopardy by Minnesota courts. The state’s Supreme Court refuses to grant the request for a speedy review of the appeal of the injunction, which forces the Twins to play in 2001, and the appellate court sets the hearing for December 27, a date many believe is too late to make the elimination of two teams a reality.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The major leagues’ plan to contract by two teams next season is put into jeopardy by Minnesota courts. The state’s Supreme Court refuses to grant the request for a speedy review of the appeal of the injunction, which forces the Twins to play in 2001, and the appellate court sets the hearing for December 27, a date many believe is too late to make the elimination of two teams a reality.

The major league owners vote unanimously to extend baseball commissioner Bud Selig’s contract through 2006. The former Brewers’ owner, who had held the top spot on an interim basis since 1992, was given the title on a permanent basis midway through the 1998 season.

ByTom

The major league owners vote unanimously to extend baseball commissioner Bud Selig’s contract through 2006. The former Brewers’ owner, who had held the top spot on an interim basis since 1992, was given the title on a permanent basis midway through the 1998 season.

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Bo Belinsky dies in Las Vegas, NV at age 64 of a heart attack

ByTom

2001 – Bo Belinsky dies in Las Vegas, NV at age 64 of a heart attack. The colorful southpaw has a 3-9 record in Houston in 1967 while finding Houston’s nightlife not up to former stops in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. In later years, the noted playboy who romanced starlets in L.A., found sobriety and religion. 

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki becomes only the second player in major league history to win the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki becomes only the second player in major league history to win the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season

ByThis Day in Baseball

2001 – Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki becomes only the second player in major league history to win the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season. Suzuki joins Boston Red Sox outfielder Fred Lynn, who achieved this double distinction in 1975.

San Francisco Giants left fielder Barry Bonds is named 2001 N L Most Valuable Player 

San Francisco Giants left fielder Barry Bonds is named 2001 N L Most Valuable Player 

ByBaseball

2001 – San Francisco Giants left fielder Barry Bonds is named National League Most Valuable Player by the Baseball Writers Association of America with 30 of 32 first-place votes. Bonds, who hit .328 with an all-time record 73 home runs and 137 RBI, wins the award for an unprecedented fourth time. Previously, he was awarded as a Pittsburgh Pirates member in 1990 and 1992 and with the Giants in 1993. Three-time MVP Award winners include Yogi Berra, Roy Campanella, Joe DiMaggio, Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Mantle, Stan Musial and Mike Schmidt, all of them Hall of Famers.

2001 – A Minnesota judge issues a temporary injunction that orders the Twins to play their full home schedule and prevents owner Carl Pohlad from selling the team to anyone who will move it. While this ruling will be appealed, it will be difficult to get the injunction overturned in enough time to contract the Twins for a potential 2002 season.

ByBaseball

2001 – A Minnesota judge issues a temporary injunction that orders the Twins to play their full home schedule and prevents owner Carl Pohlad from selling the team to anyone who will move it. While this ruling will be appealed, it will be difficult to get the injunction overturned in enough time to contract the Twins for a potential 2002 season.

“The welfare, recreation, prestige, prosperity, trade and commerce of the people of the community are at stake. The Twins brought the community together with Homer Hankies and Bobblehead dolls. The Twins are one of the few professional sports teams in town where a family can afford to take their children to enjoy a hot dog and peanuts and a stadium. The vital public interest, or trust, of the Twins substantially outweighs any private interest.” – HARRY SEYMOUR CRUMP, Hennepin County District Judge ruling that thwarts the baseball owners’ plan to eliminate two major league teams next season. In a four-page decision, Hennepin County District Judge Harry Seymour Crump rules the Twins must continue to play the home portion of their games at the Metrodome next season and prohibits Twins owner Carl Pohlad from selling the team unless the new owner also agrees to play next season’s games in the team’s current ballpark. The lower court decision, which is likely to be appealed, is the result of MLB’s decision to contract two teams, one of which is likely to be Minnesota.

ByBaseball

“The welfare, recreation, prestige, prosperity, trade and commerce of the people of the community are at stake. The Twins brought the community together with Homer Hankies and Bobblehead dolls. The Twins are one of the few professional sports teams in town where a family can afford to take their children to enjoy a hot dog and peanuts and a stadium. The vital public interest, or trust, of the Twins substantially outweighs any private interest.” – HARRY SEYMOUR CRUMP, Hennepin County District Judge ruling that thwarts the baseball owners’ plan to eliminate two major league teams next season. In a four-page decision, Hennepin County District Judge Harry Seymour Crump rules the Twins must continue to play the home portion of their games at the Metrodome next season and prohibits Twins owner Carl Pohlad from selling the team unless the new owner also agrees to play next season’s games in the team’s current ballpark. The lower court decision, which is likely to be appealed, is the result of MLB’s decision to contract two teams, one of which is likely to be Minnesota.

New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemenswins the American League Cy Young Award for an unprecedented sixth time

New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemenswins the American League Cy Young Award for an unprecedented sixth time

ByBaseball

2001 – New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens, who posted a 20-3 record with 213 strikeouts and a 3.51 ERA, wins the American League Cy Young Award for an unprecedented sixth time. Previously, Clemens captured the award with the Red Sox in 1986, 1987 and 1991, and the Blue Jays in 1997 and 1998. He becomes the first Yankees pitcher to win the award since 1978 when Ron Guidry copped the honor. In the 2004 season, Clemens will win his seventh Cy Young in the National League with the Houston Astros.

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2001 – Former Astro Ken Caminiti is arrested on drug possession charges. The infielder had previously battled alcoholism and will admit the following year that he used steroids in his MVP season with San Diego. He would die in 2004 of heart failure. 

ByTom

2001 – Former Astro Ken Caminiti is arrested on drug possession charges. The infielder had previously battled alcoholism and will admit the following year that he used steroids in his MVP season with San Diego. He would die in 2004 of heart failure.