2004 – Baseball officials report that they are closer to an agreement on a drug-testing program that will incorporate more tests‚ and stiffer penalties. Donald Fehr says he expects the plan to be in place by spring training.

ByTom

2004 – Baseball officials report that they are closer to an agreement on a drug-testing program that will incorporate more tests‚ and stiffer penalties. Donald Fehr says he expects the plan to be in place by spring training.

Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year issue, featuring the 2004 Red Sox as the magazine’s choice for its prestigious honor, arrives on the newsstands today. Since its inception in 1954, SI annually has named an “athlete whose performance that year most embodies the spirit of sportsmanship and achievement,” making the World Champions the first team to earn the distinction in the 50-year history of the award.

ByTom

Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year issue, featuring the 2004 Red Sox as the magazine’s choice for its prestigious honor, arrives on the newsstands today. Since its inception in 1954, SI annually has named an “athlete whose performance that year most embodies the spirit of sportsmanship and achievement,” making the World Champions the first team to earn the distinction in the 50-year history of the award.

2004 – After guiding the Dodgers to their first division title since 1995, the club signs manager Jim Tracy to a two-year extension. Tracy, who has had four consecutive winning seasons with the Dodgers, will resign before the 2006 season to manage the Pittsburgh Pirates.

ByTom

2004 – After guiding the Dodgers to their first division title since 1995, the club signs manager Jim Tracy to a two-year extension. Tracy, who has had four consecutive winning seasons with the Dodgers, will resign before the 2006 season to manage the Pittsburgh Pirates.

At a lunchtime celebration at Union Station, which includes a protest, the recently relocated Washington National League franchise announces its new name, logo, and colors. Using the official original name of the district’s team which used the nickname the Senators from 1901-56, the club clad in red, white, blue, and gold will be known as the Nationals.

ByTom

At a lunchtime celebration at Union Station, which includes a protest, the recently relocated Washington National League franchise announces its new name, logo, and colors. Using the official original name of the district’s team which used the nickname the Senators from 1901-56, the club clad in red, white, blue, and gold will be known as the Nationals.

U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) introduces a resolution congratulating the Red Sox on their recent World Championship, a four-game sweep of St. Louis. The team had never won the World Series during the lifetime of the 72 year-old legislator.

ByBaseball

U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) introduces a resolution congratulating the Red Sox on their recent World Championship, a four-game sweep of St. Louis. The team had never won the World Series during the lifetime of the 72 year-old legislator.

2The Los Angeles Angels trade outfielder Jose Guillen to the Washington Nationals for OF Juan Rivera and IF Maicer Izturis

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2004 – The Los Angeles Angels trade outfielder Jose Guillen to the Washington Nationals for OF Juan Rivera and IF Maicer Izturis. Guillen, now playing for his sixth team in an eight-year career, was suspended by the Angels after throwing a batting helmet during a tirade caused by being taken out for a pinch runner last September.

Although the Expos may not know where they are playing next season (until the MLB approves the shifting the franchise to Washington, DC) or the team’s new name, the former Montreal franchise will know who is the club’s manager. After compiling a 233-253 record despite many restrictions and hardships, Frank Robinson will return to the helm for his fourth year as the skipper of this nomad ship.

ByBaseball

Although the Expos may not know where they are playing next season (until the MLB approves the shifting the franchise to Washington, DC) or the team’s new name, the former Montreal franchise will know who is the club’s manager. After compiling a 233-253 record despite many restrictions and hardships, Frank Robinson will return to the helm for his fourth year as the skipper of this nomad ship.

Troy Percival signs a two-year, $12 million deal, surprising everyone, including his agent, by announcing he wants to play in Detroit next season

ByBaseball

2004 – After being wined and dined by Detroit Tigers legend Al Kaline and team owner Mike Ilitch, free agent Troy Percival signs a two-year, $12 million deal, surprising everyone, including his agent, by announcing he wants to play in Detroit next season. Before the preliminary meeting in the Motor City, the former Angels closer had been scheduled to meet with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs later in the week. Bothered by arm problems in 2005, Percival will finish 1-3 with eight saves and a 5.76 ERA in just 26 games pitched.