In the first amateur draft to be televised nationally, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays take David Price of Vanderbilt University first overall. He is followed by high school star Mike Moustakas by the Kansas City Royals.
On this weeks podcast – August 5, 1979, Willie Mays is inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Mays slugged 660 homers, batted .302, and collected 3,283 hits in his 22-year career. Known for his all-around play, Mays won 12 Gold Glove Awards for his defense in center field. Former…
2007 – Former major league player Jim Leyritz is arrested in Florida. He crashed his car into another vehicle, killing the occupant. He is charged with DUI manslaughter and driving with a suspended license.
Major League Season Recap 2007 World Series – Boston Red Sox AL over Colorado Rockies NL 4 games to 0 World Series MVP – Mike Lowell Babe Ruth Award – John Papelbon Championship Series ALCS Boston Red Sox over Cleveland Indians 4 games to 3 ALCS MVP – Josh Beckett NLCS Colorado Rockies over Arizona Diamondbacks 4 games to 0…
2007 – Utilityman Jim Beauchamp passes away from leukemia at age 68 in Atlanta. He started in left field for the first National League game played indoors. Jim hit .179 with three homers during three partial seasons (1964, 1965, 1970) as an Astro.
2007 – The Cincinnati Reds trade troubled slugging outfielder Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers for P Edinson Volquez and Danny Herrera.
The Mariners and right-hander Carlos Silva (13-14, 4.19) finalized a $48 million, four-year contract. The M’s expect the 28 year-old free-agent, formerly with the Twins, to ‘bring a quality arm to the starting rotation’ and to be the workhorse of the pitching staff.
Boss, Jonathan Papelbon’s bulldog, ate the ball used to record the final out of 2007 World Series, according to the Red Sox closer during an interview with the Hattiesburg American. Teammate Jason Varitek had given the ball to the reliever when Rockies pinch-hitter Seth Smith struck out to complete the Fall Classic sweep of Colorado.
The St. Louis Cardinals trade long-time center fielder Jim Edmonds to the San Diego Padres for about $1 million and David Freese.
The Los Angeles Dodgers sign Hiroki Kuroda for 3 years and between $36 million and $40 million. Kuroda had been the top pitcher in the Central League in 2006 before fading in 2007. He was deemed to be the second-best Japanese free agent seeking to come to the US this winter, after Kosuke Fukudome. Hitoki Iwase, another top free agent, decided to stay in Japan.