2005 – Today, Roberto Clemente Jr. will head to Nicaragua to distribute humanitarian aid, mirroring a trip that claimed the life of his father 33 years ago. He had planned a similar effort last year, but the December 26th tsunami convinced him to direct the relief supplies collected to affected areas of the Pacific Rim.

2005 – Elrod Hendricks is remembered as a “kind, wonderful person” today at a funeral attended by thousands in honor of the man who spent nearly four decades as a catcher and coach with the Baltimore Orioles. Baseball stars Eddie Murray, Cal Ripken, Jr. and Lee May, and former Orioles managers Earl Weaver and Mike Hargrove are among those filling the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in tribute to Hendricks, who died December 21st of a heart attack at age 64.

In an attempt to permit Cuba to participate in the 16-team World Baseball Classic, Venezuela offers to host the Group C teams in place of the U.S. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and suggests the finals be played in Canada, rather than in San Diego’s Petco Park. The changes in venue would mean Castro’s charges would avoid playing on U.S. soil, and not be subject to the U.S. Treasury Department regulations which ban the team due to American trade and financial embargoes.

The Diamondbacks send Troy Glaus and highly touted infield prospect Sergio Santos to the Blue Jays in exchange for Gold Glove second baseman Orlando Hudson and starter Miguel Batista. Toronto’s active off-season, in which the team has also signed starter A.J. Burnett, closer B.J. Ryan, and first baseman Lyle Overbay, convinced the third baseman to waive his limited no-trade clause.

The Toronto Blue Jays officially announce the acquisition of third baseman Troy Glaus and minor league shortstop Sergio Santos in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks. In return, the Diamondbacks receive second baseman Orlando Hudson and pitcher Miguel Batista.