Ozzie Smith, a 15-time All-Star shortstop, is elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA in his first year of eligibility
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Ozzie Smith, a 15-time All-Star shortstop, is elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA in his first year of eligibility

ByTom

Ozzie Smith, a 15-time All-Star shortstop, is elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA in his first year of eligibility. Smith is named on 91.7 percent of the ballots. Dubbed the “Wizard of Oz” due to his remarkable defensive abilities, Smith won 13 Gold Glove Awards during his 19-year career with the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cleveland Indians sign pitcher Matthew Haynes, a participant in major league’s first-ever Australian Baseball Academy, which included the best 60 players from Australia. The 6’3″, 185 lb. 18-year-old, is a right-hander who the Indians predict will be a starter in the major leagues.

ByTom

The Cleveland Indians sign pitcher Matthew Haynes, a participant in major league’s first-ever Australian Baseball Academy, which included the best 60 players from Australia. The 6’3″, 185 lb. 18-year-old, is a right-hander who the Indians predict will be a starter in the major leagues.

The St. Louis Cardinals announce the team has agreed to a three-year, $27 million deal with starting pitcher Matt Morris. The 27-year-old right-hander, who missed all of the 1999 season due to elbow surgery, finished third in the Cy Young Award balloting this year after going 22-8 with a 3.16 ERA.

ByTom

The St. Louis Cardinals announce the team has agreed to a three-year, $27 million deal with starting pitcher Matt Morris. The 27-year-old right-hander, who missed all of the 1999 season due to elbow surgery, finished third in the Cy Young Award balloting this year after going 22-8 with a 3.16 ERA.

Tony Tavares resigns as president of the Anaheim Angels. The 52-year-old executive, who until today also was the chairman of the Mighty Ducks, became Anaheim’s president after Disney bought the team from Jackie Autry in 1996. He will be appointed by Major League Baseball as President of the owner-less Montreal Expos in a few weeks, while the Angels will go on to win their first World Series title in October.

ByTom

Tony Tavares resigns as president of the Anaheim Angels. The 52-year-old executive, who until today also was the chairman of the Mighty Ducks, became Anaheim’s president after Disney bought the team from Jackie Autry in 1996. He will be appointed by Major League Baseball as President of the owner-less Montreal Expos in a few weeks, while the Angels will go on to win their first World Series title in October.

In the midst of the franchise’s uncertain future due to its possible contraction as a major league team, Ron Gardenhire is named to replace Tom Kelly as the Minnesota manager. The 44 year-old Twins coach, who will remain as the team’s skipper for 13 seasons, is given a two-year pact to pilot the team.

ByThis Day in Baseball

In the midst of the franchise’s uncertain future due to its possible contraction as a major league team, Ron Gardenhire is named to replace Tom Kelly as the Minnesota manager. The 44 year-old Twins coach, who will remain as the team’s skipper for 13 seasons, is given a two-year pact to pilot the team.

The Indians sign 18 year-old Matthew Haynes, a participant in the major league’s first-ever Australian Baseball Academy. The Tribe believes the 6′-3″, 185-pound right-hander, considered one of the best sixty players from Down Under, will become a starting pitcher in the major leagues.

ByTom

The Indians sign 18 year-old Matthew Haynes, a participant in the major league’s first-ever Australian Baseball Academy. The Tribe believes the 6′-3″, 185-pound right-hander, considered one of the best sixty players from Down Under, will become a starting pitcher in the major leagues.

Tony Tavares, citing he is tired of losing, resigns as the president of the Angels. The 52 year-old executive, who until today also was the chairman of the NHL’s Mighty Ducks, assumed the baseball post after Disney bought the team from Jackie Autry in 1996.

ByTom

Tony Tavares, citing he is tired of losing, resigns as the president of the Angels. The 52 year-old executive, who until today also was the chairman of the NHL’s Mighty Ducks, assumed the baseball post after Disney bought the team from Jackie Autry in 1996.

The Pittsburgh Pirates sign free agent pitcher Mike Williams to a two-year contract. Williams began last season with Pittsburgh until being traded to Houston in July.

ByBaseball

On January 2, 2002 The Pittsburgh Pirates sign free agent pitcher Mike Williams to a two-year contract. Williams began last season with Pittsburgh until being traded to Houston in July. Source Baseball Reference January 2

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2002 – Lance Berkman drills two home runs and Roy Oswalt scatters seven hits as Houston tops the Boston Red Sox, 5-1, in an exhibition at the newly-renamed Astros Field. Scrubbed are virtually all signs of Enron, whose naming-rights deal for the ballpark fell into bankruptcy court. The win is also a little sweeter for manager Jimy Williams who was fired by the Sox midway through the 2001 season. 

ByTom

2002 – Lance Berkman drills two home runs and Roy Oswalt scatters seven hits as Houston tops the Boston Red Sox, 5-1, in an exhibition at the newly-renamed Astros Field. Scrubbed are virtually all signs of Enron, whose naming-rights deal for the ballpark fell into bankruptcy court. The win is also a little sweeter for manager Jimy Williams who was fired by the Sox midway through the 2001 season.