Steve Stone is replaced by Bob Brenly after making harsh remarks about Dusty Baker

ByTom

“You want the truth. You can’t handle the truth. The truth of this situation is an extremely talented bunch of guys who want to look at all directions except where they should really look and kind of make excuses for what happened. At the end of the day, boys, don’t tell me how rough the water is, you bring in the ship.” – STEVE STONE, Cubs veteran broadcaster criticizing the team for making excuses during an October interview on WGN radio.The Cubs, hoping to fill the void created by Steve Stone’s resignation, hire former Diamondback manager and current Fox television analyst Bob Brenly to broadcast games on WGN. After spending twenty years in the broadcast booth, Stone left Chicago after his on-air comments concerning the team’s swoon in the wild-card race angered manager Dusty Baker and some of the players.

Jason Bay becomes the first Pittsburgh Pirates and Canadian, to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award

ByThis Day in Baseball

Jason Bay, who hit .282 with 26 home runs and 82 RBI, becomes the first Pittsburgh Pirates player, as well as the first Canadian, to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

Bobby Crosby wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award

ByThis Day in Baseball

Receiving 27 of 28 first-place votes, Bobby Crosby (.239, 22, 64) wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award. The Oakland shortstop, who is the son of former big leaguer infielder Ed Crosby, joins Harry Byrd (1952), Jose Canseco (1986), Mark McGwire (1987), Walt Weiss (1988), and Ben Grieve (1998) as the sixth A’s freshman to be honored by the BBWAA.

Nomar Garciaparra signs a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs

Nomar Garciaparra signs a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs

ByThis Day in Baseball

2004 – After refusing a $60 million, four-year contract extension from the Boston Red Sox the previous winter, Nomar Garciaparra signs a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs, the team he was traded to in 2004, for $8 million. The All-Star shortstop, who is coming off an injury-plagued season, can increase the value of the contract up to $11 million with bonus incentives based on performance and playing time.

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2004 – Off-seasons can be hazardous to your health, part two. Lance Berkman tears the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while playing flag football at a church outing. He misses the first six weeks of the 2005 season but rebounds with 24 homers and 82 RBIs to anchor the Astros lineup. 

ByTom

2004 – Off-seasons can be hazardous to your health, part two. Lance Berkman tears the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while playing flag football at a church outing. He misses the first six weeks of the 2005 season but rebounds with 24 homers and 82 RBIs to anchor the Astros lineup. 

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The Mets introduced Willie Randolph as the franchise’s 18th manager. The long-time Yankee second baseman and third base coach becomes the first black to manage in New York.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Mets introduced Willie Randolph as the franchise’s 18th manager. The long-time Yankee second baseman and third base coach becomes the first black to manage in New York.

Philadelphia names Charlie Manuel as the team’s new manager, replacing Larry Bowa, who was fired at the end of the season after the much-favored Phillies failed to make the postseason. The former Cleveland skipper compiled a 220-190 (.537) record and won a division during his three years with the Tribe.

ByBaseball

Philadelphia names Charlie Manuel as the team’s new manager, replacing Larry Bowa, who was fired at the end of the season after the much-favored Phillies failed to make the postseason. The former Cleveland skipper compiled a 220-190 (.537) record and won a division during his three years with the Tribe.

“It’s a dud, just like the Cubs were,” -PAT CAMDEN, Chicago police spokesman comparing the team’s season and the discovery of a potentially explosive device.After a groundskeeper finds a grenade in the Wrigley Field turf, bomb and arson investigators are called to evaluate the right field discovery. The rusty, hollowed-out shell turns out to be harmless, and its origins remain a mystery.

ByBaseball

“It’s a dud, just like the Cubs were,” -PAT CAMDEN, Chicago police spokesman comparing the team’s season and the discovery of a potentially explosive device.After a groundskeeper finds a grenade in the Wrigley Field turf, bomb and arson investigators are called to evaluate the right field discovery. The rusty, hollowed-out shell turns out to be harmless, and its origins remain a mystery.

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2004 – Gerry Hunsicker resigns as General Manager after nine seasons. Assistant GM Tim Purpura is promoted to replace him. Hunsicker oversaw five teams that reached the National League playoffs. Purpura’s first priority will be attempting to re-sign free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran who starred in the postseason. 

ByTom

2004 – Gerry Hunsicker resigns as General Manager after nine seasons. Assistant GM Tim Purpura is promoted to replace him. Hunsicker oversaw five teams that reached the National League playoffs. Purpura’s first priority will be attempting to re-sign free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran who starred in the postseason. 

Former second baseman Wally Backman signs a two-year contract to manage the Arizona Diamondbacks

ByBaseball

2004 – Former second baseman Wally Backman signs a two-year contract to manage the Arizona Diamondbacks, last season’s worst team in the majors. Backman replaces interim manager Al Pedrique. However, he will be fired within two weeks after reports emerge of a past DUI conviction and harassment and spousal abuse charges.