Major League Season RecapMajor League Baseball Season Recap 2008

Major League Season Recap 2008 World Series – Philadelphia Phillies NL over Tampa Bay Rays AL 4 games to 1 World Series MVP – Cole Hammels Babe Ruth Award – Cole Hammels Championship Series ALCS Tampa Bay Rays over Boston Red Sox 4 games to 3 ALCS MVP – Matt Garza NLCS Philadelphia Phillies over Los Angeles Dodgers 4 games…

2008 – 44-year-old Randy Johnson, a five-time Cy Young Award winner, signs with his hometown San Francisco Giants for $8 million (with $5 million in incentives) for one season. Johnson is five wins shy of 300 for his career.

2008 – 44-year-old Randy Johnson, a five-time Cy Young Award winner, signs with his hometown San Francisco Giants for $8 million (with $5 million in incentives) for one season. Johnson is five wins shy of 300 for his career.

2008 – One at-bat in a Cuban Serie Nacional game takes 85 minutes – without a rain delay or other interruption. Down 3 – 0 in the first, Sancti Spiritus manager Juan Castro summons veteran Dany Gonzalez from the bullpen to face David Remedios of the Industriales. Unfortunately, Gonzalez is ineligible to play because he is the one man on the Sancti Spiritus 27-man roster who is a “scratch” from today’s game. Industriales manager German Mesa comes onto the field before Gonzalez throws a pitch, protesting that Sancti Spiritus has violated the rules, as Gonzalez was required to pitch to one batter after coming into the game. To try to prevent a forfeit, Castro tells Gonzalez to stall for time in hopes of bad weather or some other event that would cancel the game before he has officially and illegally faced a batter. After almost an hour and a half, Castro finally allows Gonzalez to pitch to Remedios, who he fans on 3 pitches.

2008 – One at-bat in a Cuban Serie Nacional game takes 85 minutes – without a rain delay or other interruption. Down 3 – 0 in the first, Sancti Spiritus manager Juan Castro summons veteran Dany Gonzalez from the bullpen to face David Remedios of the Industriales. Unfortunately, Gonzalez is ineligible to play because he is the one man on the Sancti Spiritus 27-man roster who is a “scratch” from today’s game. Industriales manager German Mesa comes onto the field before Gonzalez throws a pitch, protesting that Sancti Spiritus has violated the rules, as Gonzalez was required to pitch to one batter after coming into the game. To try to prevent a forfeit, Castro tells Gonzalez to stall for time in hopes of bad weather or some other event that would cancel the game before he has officially and illegally faced a batter. After almost an hour and a half, Castro finally allows Gonzalez to pitch to Remedios, who he fans on 3 pitches.

Aroldis Chapman of Holguín hits 102 mph on the radar gun, breaking the Cuban record held by Maels Rodríguez. Less than a year later, Chapman will follow Rodriguez’s footsteps in defecting from Cuba.

Aroldis Chapman of Holguín hits 102 mph on the radar gun, breaking the Cuban record held by Maels Rodríguez. Less than a year later, Chapman will follow Rodriguez’s footsteps in defecting from Cuba.

Agreeing to stay in Anaheim, Juan Rivera (.246, 12, 45) agrees to a $12.7 million, three-year deal to roam the outfield for the Angels. The 30 year-old Venezuelan, who was the team’s best pinch hitter, going 5-for-14, including two game-winning hits, could also be used as the club’s designated hitter.

Agreeing to stay in Anaheim, Juan Rivera (.246, 12, 45) agrees to a $12.7 million, three-year deal to roam the outfield for the Angels. The 30 year-old Venezuelan, who was the team’s best pinch hitter, going 5-for-14, including two game-winning hits, could also be used as the club’s designated hitter.

The Philadelphia Phillies, fresh off their World Series title, sign Raúl Ibáñez for $31.5 million over three years. The veteran slugger had 43 doubles and 110 RBI in 2007 and will replace Pat Burrell in left field.

The Philadelphia Phillies, fresh off their World Series title, sign Raúl Ibáñez for $31.5 million over three years. The veteran slugger had 43 doubles and 110 RBI in 2007 and will replace Pat Burrell in left field.

A.J. Burnett signs a $82.5 million, 5-year deal with the New York Yankees only 3 days after they inked another top free agent pitcher, CC Sabathia.

A.J. Burnett signs a $82.5 million, 5-year deal with the New York Yankees only 3 days after they inked another top free agent pitcher, CC Sabathia.

The Red Sox unveil their new, but familiar “Hanging Sox” logo. Originally sewn on uniforms in 1931, the pair of red socks will now appear on most of the club’s letterhead and signs, diminishing the use of the circular trademark which contain the words “Boston Red Sox”.

The Red Sox unveil their new, but familiar “Hanging Sox” logo. Originally sewn on uniforms in 1931, the pair of red socks will now appear on most of the club’s letterhead and signs, diminishing the use of the circular trademark which contain the words “Boston Red Sox”.