2014 – The Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame announces three inductees for 2014: Kazuhiro Sasaki, Hideo Nomo, Koji Akiyama and Choichi Aida. Sasaki and Nomo become the first major leaguers to be inducted other than Lefty O’Doul, who was noted inducted for his playing career. Sasaki had been the Central League MVP in 1998 and had once been the Nippon Pro Baseball career save leader; he went on to win the AL Rookie of the Year and be a two-time All-Star in the US. Nomo was the Sawamura Award winner and Pacific League MVP in 1990, the 1995 NL Rookie of the Year and a 100-game winner in the US. Nomo is the youngest inductee and joins Sadaharu Oh and Victor Starfin as the only people picked on the first ballot. Akiyama was the second player in NPB history to 400 career homers/300 career steals and won the Matsutaro Shoriki Award as a player and a manager, only the second person to do so. Aida had coached Waseda University in the 1940s.

ByTom

2014 – The Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame announces three inductees for 2014: Kazuhiro Sasaki, Hideo Nomo, Koji Akiyama and Choichi Aida. Sasaki and Nomo become the first major leaguers to be inducted other than Lefty O’Doul, who was noted inducted for his playing career. Sasaki had been the Central League MVP in 1998 and had once been the Nippon Pro Baseball career save leader; he went on to win the AL Rookie of the Year and be a two-time All-Star in the US. Nomo was the Sawamura Award winner and Pacific League MVP in 1990, the 1995 NL Rookie of the Year and a 100-game winner in the US. Nomo is the youngest inductee and joins Sadaharu Oh and Victor Starfin as the only people picked on the first ballot. Akiyama was the second player in NPB history to 400 career homers/300 career steals and won the Matsutaro Shoriki Award as a player and a manager, only the second person to do so. Aida had coached Waseda University in the 1940s.

2014 – At their quarterly meeting, MLB owners agree to the proposed expansion of instant replay; as the Players Association and Umpires Association have also agreed to the changes, they will be effective at the start of this season. A manager will be able to challenge up to two decisions per game, and the umpiring crew can decide on its own to review a call from the 7th inning on. Almost all calls will be subject to review, except for balls and strikes, obstruction and interference.

ByTom

2014 – At their quarterly meeting, MLB owners agree to the proposed expansion of instant replay; as the Players Association and Umpires Association have also agreed to the changes, they will be effective at the start of this season. A manager will be able to challenge up to two decisions per game, and the umpiring crew can decide on its own to review a call from the 7th inning on. Almost all calls will be subject to review, except for balls and strikes, obstruction and interference.

The Dodgers sign P Clayton Kershaw to the biggest deal in baseball history

The Dodgers sign P Clayton Kershaw to the biggest deal in baseball history

ByTom

2014 – The Dodgers sign P Clayton Kershaw to the biggest deal in baseball history, as the seven-year, $215 million package averages to $30.7 million per season, making Kershaw the highest-paid player in baseball, a title held until now by Alex Rodriguez. The deal is also the largest ever for a pitcher in total value, although still below Rodriguez’s deal, which was for $275 million.

2014 – Four pitchers combine on a no-hitter as Escogido clinches a spot in the finals of the Dominican League championship tournament with a 6 – 0 win over Licey. Jon Leicester pitches the first five innings, and three relievers follow suit, with Fernando Ramsey completing the no-no by striking out Lonnie Chisenhall for the final out; Ramon Garcia and Armando Rodriguez are the other two pitchers involved.

ByTom

2014 – Four pitchers combine on a no-hitter as Escogido clinches a spot in the finals of the Dominican League championship tournament with a 6 – 0 win over Licey. Jon Leicester pitches the first five innings, and three relievers follow suit, with Fernando Ramsey completing the no-no by striking out Lonnie Chisenhall for the final out; Ramon Garcia and Armando Rodriguez are the other two pitchers involved.

Alex Rodriguez files a lawsuit in federal court against Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association seeking to overturn the 162-game suspension handed two days earlier by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz. He will drop the suit shortly and accept to serve his suspension.

ByTom

Alex Rodriguez files a lawsuit in federal court against Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association seeking to overturn the 162-game suspension handed two days earlier by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz. He will drop the suit shortly and accept to serve his suspension.

Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz issues his ruling on Alex Rodriguez’s appeal of his 211-game suspension for PED use, originally issued on August 5th, reducing it to 162 games, or the entire 2014 season and postseason, costing him $25 million in salary

Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz issues his ruling on Alex Rodriguez’s appeal of his 211-game suspension for PED use, originally issued on August 5th, reducing it to 162 games, or the entire 2014 season and postseason, costing him $25 million in salary

ByTom

2014 – Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz issues his ruling on Alex Rodriguez’s appeal of his 211-game suspension for PED use, originally issued on August 5th, reducing it to 162 games, or the entire 2014 season and postseason, costing him $25 million in salary. Rodriguez says he will appeal the decision in federal court. For its part, the Players Association says it disagrees with the decision, but will respect it as it was reached through due process.

Reliever Matt Thornton completes his two-year, $7 million deal with the Yankees. To make room for him on their roster, the Bronx Bombers designate veteran OF Vernon Wells for assignment.

ByTom

Reliever Matt Thornton completes his two-year, $7 million deal with the Yankees. To make room for him on their roster, the Bronx Bombers designate veteran OF Vernon Wells for assignment.

The Rangers get some bad news as P Derek Holland needs to undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage damage on his knee after falling in stairs at home. He is expected to miss the start of the season as a result.

ByTom

The Rangers get some bad news as P Derek Holland needs to undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage damage on his knee after falling in stairs at home. He is expected to miss the start of the season as a result.

The BBWAA bars Miami Herald columnist Dan Le Batard from voting in future Hall of Fame elections and suspends him for a year after he reveals that he asked readers of the web site Deadspin to fill in his 2014 ballot for him.

ByTom

The BBWAA bars Miami Herald columnist Dan Le Batard from voting in future Hall of Fame elections and suspends him for a year after he reveals that he asked readers of the web site Deadspin to fill in his 2014 ballot for him.

The Tigers announce that pitching ace Justin Verlander has undergone core muscle surgery as treatment for a sports hernia suffered during off-season conditioning drills.

ByTom

The Tigers announce that pitching ace Justin Verlander has undergone core muscle surgery as treatment for a sports hernia suffered during off-season conditioning drills.