The Devil Rays make their first agreement with a Japanese player when 31 year-old right-handed relief pitcher Shinji Mori signs a $1.4 million, two-year contract to play in Tampa Bay. The former Seibu Lion reliever was 44-44 with 50 saves and a 3.39 ERA, playing in 431 games during his tenure in Japan’s Pacific League.

ByTom

The Devil Rays make their first agreement with a Japanese player when 31 year-old right-handed relief pitcher Shinji Mori signs a $1.4 million, two-year contract to play in Tampa Bay. The former Seibu Lion reliever was 44-44 with 50 saves and a 3.39 ERA, playing in 431 games during his tenure in Japan’s Pacific League.

Bruce sutter

Relief pitcher Bruce Sutter is elected to the Hall of Fame along with 17 Negro League Players

ByThis Day in Baseball

Relief pitcher Bruce Sutter is elected to the Hall of Fame. With 75% of the votes cast by BBWAA members needed for election. Sutter receives 76.9%, slugger Jim Rice is second with 64.8%, followed by reliever Goose Gossage at 64.6%. Sutter, who is credited with perfecting the split-fingered fastball, which is a pitch many major leaguers use in some form today, joins Hoyt Wilhelm, Rollie Fingers and Dennis Eckersley as the only relief pitchers in Cooperstown. In a special election, seventeen Negro Leagues figures are also elected: Ray Brown, Willard Brown, Andy Cooper, Frank Grant, Pete Hill, Biz Mackey, Effa Manley, Jose Mendez, Alex Pompez, Cum Posey, Louis Santop, Mule Suttles, Ben Taylor, Cristóbal Torriente, Sol White, J.L. Wilkinson, and Jud Wilson. Manley is the first woman ever elected to the Hall, and the 18 inductees are the largest class in the Hall’s history.

Justin Upton, the top pick in the 2005 amateur draft, agrees to a contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks that includes a $6.1 million signing bonus payable over five years.

ByTom

Justin Upton, the top pick in the 2005 amateur draft, agrees to a contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks that includes a $6.1 million signing bonus payable over five years.

Bob Watson, the former Yankee GM, receives the Jackie Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. The honor is bestowed on the first black general manager in baseball history during the organization’s Legacy Awards ceremonies in Kansas City.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Bob Watson, the former Yankee GM, receives the Jackie Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. The honor is bestowed on the first black general manager in baseball history during the organization’s Legacy Awards ceremonies in Kansas City.

The final 2005 payrolls are released, the New York Yankees finished last year with a record $207.2 million payroll, more than $90 million ahead of any other team, according to final figures compiled by the commissioner’s office.

ByTom

The final 2005 payrolls are released, the New York Yankees finished last year with a record $207.2 million payroll, more than $90 million ahead of any other team, according to final figures compiled by the commissioner’s office.

Baseball’s world governing body, the IBAF, threatens to withdraw its sanctioning of the World Baseball Classic unless the United States government allows Cuba to compete.

ByTom

Baseball’s world governing body, the IBAF, threatens to withdraw its sanctioning of the World Baseball Classic unless the United States government allows Cuba to compete.