The Angels avoid arbitration when the team agrees to a $5,775,000, one-year deal with Chone Figgins, the club’s versatile switch-hitter. The 30 year-old, who led the team with 34 stolen bases last season, has employed mostly third base, but he has also played second, shortstop, and in the outfield by Halos’ skipper Mike Scioscia.

ByTom

The Angels avoid arbitration when the team agrees to a $5,775,000, one-year deal with Chone Figgins, the club’s versatile switch-hitter. The 30 year-old, who led the team with 34 stolen bases last season, has employed mostly third base, but he has also played second, shortstop, and in the outfield by Halos’ skipper Mike Scioscia.

Trevor Hoffman, the all-time major league leader in games pitched for one team (the San Diego Padres) and the all-time save leader, finalizes a $6 million, one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. He replaces Salomon Torres, who retired, as the team’s closer.

ByTom

Trevor Hoffman, the all-time major league leader in games pitched for one team (the San Diego Padres) and the all-time save leader, finalizes a $6 million, one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. He replaces Salomon Torres, who retired, as the team’s closer.

Appearing on Larry King Live, President George W. Bush makes it very clear he doesn’t have any interest in becoming baseball’s commissioner when Bud Selig leaves the post. The former owner of the Rangers, who leaves office in seven days, tells the CNN talk show host he isn’t looking to get back into the game in any capacity.

ByTom

Appearing on Larry King Live, President George W. Bush makes it very clear he doesn’t have any interest in becoming baseball’s commissioner when Bud Selig leaves the post. The former owner of the Rangers, who leaves office in seven days, tells the CNN talk show host he isn’t looking to get back into the game in any capacity.

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Preston Gomez, the Astros’ first minority manager, dies in Fullerton, CA at age 85. The Cuban native had been in failing health since being hit by a pickup truck while walking across the street nine months before. Gomez spent less than two years at the helm of the Astros, leading them to an 81-81 record in 1974 and a 47-80 record in 1975 before he was replaced by Bill Virdon. Gomez also managed the Padres and Cubs then served over 20 years as an assistant with the Angels. 

ByTom

Preston Gomez, the Astros’ first minority manager, dies in Fullerton, CA at age 85. The Cuban native had been in failing health since being hit by a pickup truck while walking across the street nine months before. Gomez spent less than two years at the helm of the Astros, leading them to an 81-81 record in 1974 and a 47-80 record in 1975 before he was replaced by Bill Virdon. Gomez also managed the Padres and Cubs then served over 20 years as an assistant with the Angels. 

Derek Lowe, 54-48 in 4 seasons for the Los Angeles Dodgers, gets a four-year, $60 million deal with the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta makes another big signing of a free agent pitcher, inking Kenshin Kawakami to a three-year deal. Kawakami was the Sawamura Award winner and Central League MVP in 2004 and pitched for Japan in the 2008 Olympics, losing the Bronze Medal game to Team USA.

ByTom

Derek Lowe, 54-48 in 4 seasons for the Los Angeles Dodgers, gets a four-year, $60 million deal with the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta makes another big signing of a free agent pitcher, inking Kenshin Kawakami to a three-year deal. Kawakami was the Sawamura Award winner and Central League MVP in 2004 and pitched for Japan in the 2008 Olympics, losing the Bronze Medal game to Team USA.

It’s not all gains for the Atlanta staff as long-time ace John Smoltz, the franchise leader in strikeouts, finalizes a deal with the Boston Red Sox for one year and a $5.5 million base salary.

ByTom

It’s not all gains for the Atlanta staff as long-time ace John Smoltz, the franchise leader in strikeouts, finalizes a deal with the Boston Red Sox for one year and a $5.5 million base salary.

rickey henderson
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Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice are elected into the Hall of Fame

ByThis Day in Baseball

2009 – Rickey Henderson, the all-time major league leader in stolen bases, runs and leadoff home runs, is elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot; at the time of his retirement, Henderson also held the all-time walk record. Also elected is Jim Rice, the third player to go in on the 15th and final ballot (after Ralph Kiner and Red Ruffing); Rice’s long-time teammate Fred Lynn says stats should be discarded in pushing his case.

After piloting the Angels to 100 regular season victories last year and to its fourth AL West Division title in the past five years, Mike Scioscia agrees to a contract extension to manage the team through the 2018 season. During his nine-year tenure with the Halos, the former catcher has compiled an 803-655 record (.557) and captured the franchise’s lone World Championship in 2002.

ByTom

After piloting the Angels to 100 regular season victories last year and to its fourth AL West Division title in the past five years, Mike Scioscia agrees to a contract extension to manage the team through the 2018 season. During his nine-year tenure with the Halos, the former catcher has compiled an 803-655 record (.557) and captured the franchise’s lone World Championship in 2002.

The Cubs acquire right-handed reliever Luis Vizcaino from the Rockies in exchange for starting pitcher Jason Marquis and cash. The deal, which frees up $9 million from Chicago’s payroll in 2009, gives the club more financial flexibility to sign free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley.

ByTom

The Cubs acquire right-handed reliever Luis Vizcaino from the Rockies in exchange for starting pitcher Jason Marquis and cash. The deal, which frees up $9 million from Chicago’s payroll in 2009, gives the club more financial flexibility to sign free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley.