Vladimir Guerrero is suspended for three regular-season games and Marlin starter Brad Penny for five due to igniting an exhibition game bench-clearing brawl earlier in the week. After being hit in the chest by the Marlins’ starter’s first-inning pitch, the Expo All-Star outfielder, with his bat in his left hand, swung his right fist around Matt Treanor, the Florida catcher trying to restrain him, missing Penny, who retaliated with a punch which also missed its mark.

ByTom

Vladimir Guerrero is suspended for three regular-season games and Marlin starter Brad Penny for five due to igniting an exhibition game bench-clearing brawl earlier in the week. After being hit in the chest by the Marlins’ starter’s first-inning pitch, the Expo All-Star outfielder, with his bat in his left hand, swung his right fist around Matt Treanor, the Florida catcher trying to restrain him, missing Penny, who retaliated with a punch which also missed its mark.

Dependent on passing a physical, free agent Kenny Lofton agrees to a one-year pact to play with the Pittsburgh Pirates this season. Lofton will start in center field, moving Brian Giles to left field with LF Reggie Sanders going to right.

Dependent on passing a physical, free agent Kenny Lofton agrees to a one-year pact to play with the Pittsburgh Pirates this season. Lofton will start in center field, moving Brian Giles to left field with LF Reggie Sanders going to right.

ByTom

Dependent on passing a physical, free agent Kenny Lofton agrees to a one-year pact to play with the Pittsburgh Pirates this season. Lofton will start in center field, moving Brian Giles to left field with LF Reggie Sanders going to right.

Milwaukee Brewers TV/Radio play-by-play announcer Bob Uecker is chosen for induction into the broadcasters’ wing of the Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award

Milwaukee Brewers TV/Radio play-by-play announcer Bob Uecker is chosen for induction into the broadcasters’ wing of the Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award

ByTom

Milwaukee Brewers TV/Radio play-by-play announcer Bob Uecker is chosen for induction into the broadcasters’ wing of the Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award. The 68-year-old former back-up catcher, who joined the Milwaukee broadcast crew in 1971, is best known for the humor he has brought to the game through his starring role in the cult movie Major League and the beer commercial in which the phrase Must be in the front row! has become a familiar cry in ballparks around the country.

2003 – Although not agreeing to ban ephedra, a memo is sent to all major leaguers by the players’ union strongly recommending players “be extremely reluctant to use any products” containing the substance. The diet supplement, which is available without a prescription, has been linked to the spring training death of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler.

ByTom

2003 – Although not agreeing to ban ephedra, a memo is sent to all major leaguers by the players’ union strongly recommending players “be extremely reluctant to use any products” containing the substance. The diet supplement, which is available without a prescription, has been linked to the spring training death of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler.

2003 – The new Hall of Fame Veterans selection committee, made up of mostly Hall of Famers, fails to select any of the 41 players, executives and umpires being considered. Former Dodgers first baseman Gil Hodges is 11 votes shy of the 75 percent needed for induction receiving 50 votes of 81 cast (61.7%).

ByTom

2003 – The new Hall of Fame Veterans selection committee, made up of mostly Hall of Famers, fails to select any of the 41 players, executives and umpires being considered. Former Dodgers first baseman Gil Hodges is 11 votes shy of the 75 percent needed for induction receiving 50 votes of 81 cast (61.7%).

2003 – Toronto Blue Jays World Series hero Joe Carter is selected to be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on June 28th. Pete Rose, who collected his 4000th hit with the Montreal Expos, was one of the 46 nominees considered, but was not chosen by 75 per cent of the voters.

ByTom

2003 – Toronto Blue Jays World Series hero Joe Carter is selected to be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on June 28th. Pete Rose, who collected his 4000th hit with the Montreal Expos, was one of the 46 nominees considered, but was not chosen by 75 per cent of the voters.

Commissioner Bud Selig decides to ban the use of ephedra
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Commissioner Bud Selig decides to ban the use of ephedra

ByThis Day in Baseball

2003 – In the wake of Steve Bechler’s death, Commissioner Bud Selig decides to ban the use of ephedra in the minor leagues. Players on the current 40-man major league rosters, which would have included the 23-year old Oriole pitcher who died on February 23rd, are not prohibited to use the supplement because, as union members, they are already covered by the drug-testing rules of the new collective bargaining agreement, which bans only drugs of abuse and certain illegal steroids.

Avoiding arbitration, the Braves and 36-year-old righty Greg Maddux (16-6, 2.62) agree to the largest one-year contract in major league history. The $14.75 million deal for the four-time Cy Young Award winner eclipses the $12 million given to David Cone by the Yankees in 2000.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Avoiding arbitration, the Braves and 36-year-old righty Greg Maddux (16-6, 2.62) agree to the largest one-year contract in major league history. The $14.75 million deal for the four-time Cy Young Award winner eclipses the $12 million given to David Cone by the Yankees in 2000.

Orioles 23-year-old pitching prospect Steve Bechler dies of multi-organ failure after a spring training workout

Orioles 23-year-old pitching prospect Steve Bechler dies of multi-organ failure after a spring training workout

ByThis Day in Baseball

His body temperature having soared to 108 degrees, Orioles 23-year-old pitching prospect Steve Bechler dies of multi-organ failure after a spring training workout yesterday. Early speculation is the expectant father’s death may have been caused by ephedrine, a dietary supplement linked to heat stroke and heart attacks.

2003 – Although banned by Major League Baseball for a Cooperstown induction, Pete Rose becomes a member of the “Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame”. Charlie Hustle joins 1998 inductee Shoeless Joe Jackson, who is also banned from becoming a member of the Hall of Fame.

ByTom

2003 – Although banned by Major League Baseball for a Cooperstown induction, Pete Rose becomes a member of the “Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame”. Charlie Hustle joins 1998 inductee Shoeless Joe Jackson, who is also banned from becoming a member of the Hall of Fame.