2002 – 37-year-old Jose Canseco signs a minor league contract with the lame-duck Montreal Expos. The 17-year veteran, who was the 1986 American League Rookie of the Year and its 1988 MVP, is 38 homers shy of the coveted 500 mark. He will be released before the end of spring training, however.

ByThis Day in Baseball

2002 – 37-year-old Jose Canseco signs a minor league contract with the lame-duck Montreal Expos. The 17-year veteran, who was the 1986 American League Rookie of the Year and its 1988 MVP, is 38 homers shy of the coveted 500 mark. He will be released before the end of spring training, however.

2002 – San Diego Padres OF Mike Darr is killed in an early-morning accident when his car rolls over in Phoenix near the team’s spring training camp. Surviving is pitcher Ben Howard, who was sitting in the back seat wearing a seatbelt.

ByTom

2002 – San Diego Padres OF Mike Darr is killed in an early-morning accident when his car rolls over in Phoenix near the team’s spring training camp. Surviving is pitcher Ben Howard, who was sitting in the back seat wearing a seatbelt.

Florida Marlins sold to former Expos owner Jeffrey Loria

ByTom

2002 – One day after the acquisition of the Montreal Expos by Major League Baseball as a result of the sale of the Florida Marlins to former Expos owner Jeffrey Loria, a number of personnel changes are announced: the Expos name Frank Robinson as manager, Tony Tavares as president of the club and Omar Minaya as the major leagues’ first Hispanic general manager; south of the border, former Expos manager Jeff Torborg will manage the Marlins with former Expos’ interim general manager Larry Beinfest as the GM and David Samson taking over the duties of team president.

Major League Baseball owners approve the sales of the Florida Marlins and Montreal Expos

ByTom

2002 – Major League Baseball owners approve the sales of the Florida Marlins and Montreal Expos. Florida owner John Henry is selling the Marlins to Jeffrey Loria for $158.5 million, while Loria is selling the Expos to Baseball Expos LP, a limited partnership owned by the other 29 teams, for $120 million. The sales won’t officially close until later this week.

Troy Percival’s Angels All-Star reliever signs a two-year contract extension to stay with the club

ByTom

Troy Percival’s seven-year tenure with Anaheim, which is the longest on the current roster, will increase when the All-Star reliever signs a two-year contract extension to stay with the club. The 32 year-old right-hander, who is the Angels’ all-time leader with 210 career saves, converted 39 of 42 save opportunities last season.

Major League Baseball announces the withdrawal of its plan for contraction 

ByTom

Major League Baseball announces the withdrawal of its plan for contraction this upcoming season, but the sport is still determined to eliminate two teams in 2003. Attempts to contract the Minnesota Twins and Montreal Expos this season could not be accomplished due to a series of legal decisions and fierce opposition from the Players Association.

Houston Astros file a motion in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York

ByTom

The Houston Astros file a motion in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, asking the court to determine whether the 30-year naming agreement with Enron signed in 1999 should continue. The team does not want to call its stadium Enron Field any longer due to the financial burden placed on many Houston-area residents caused by the bankrupt energy company’s disputable business practices.