“Baseball is known as our national pastime, but the game has deep roots and a rich history here in New York State. From the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in storied Cooperstown to the Mets and Yankees — the pinnacles of Major League Baseball, to our recently crowned Little League World Series champions from Maine-Endwell, New York State is clearly the epicenter of baseball greatness. It is time that we formally recognize baseball as our official state sport.” – JAMES SEWARD, New York state senator. New York State Sen. James Seward (R-Milford), thanks to a suggestion from a group of fourth-graders at Cooperstown Elementary School, announces he has introduced legislation (S.4288) to designate baseball as New York’s official state sport. In a press release, Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson says he “enthusiastically supports” the proposed bill, citing Cooperstown serves as the spiritual home of baseball.

“Baseball is known as our national pastime, but the game has deep roots and a rich history here in New York State. From the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in storied Cooperstown to the Mets and Yankees — the pinnacles of Major League Baseball, to our recently crowned Little League World Series champions from Maine-Endwell, New York State is clearly the epicenter of baseball greatness. It is time that we formally recognize baseball as our official state sport.” – JAMES SEWARD, New York state senator. New York State Sen. James Seward (R-Milford), thanks to a suggestion from a group of fourth-graders at Cooperstown Elementary School, announces he has introduced legislation (S.4288) to designate baseball as New York’s official state sport. In a press release, Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson says he “enthusiastically supports” the proposed bill, citing Cooperstown serves as the spiritual home of baseball.

South Africa eliminates New Zealand from the 2017 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers 

2016 – South Africa eliminates New Zealand from the 2017 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers with a 9-2 win to earn a rematch with host Australia; a spot in the 2017 World Baseball Classic will be at stake tomorrow. Jared Elario, Lloyd Stevens and Robert Lewis-Walker provide strong pitching while Keegan Swanepoel gets 4 hits, Anthony Phillips 4 walks and 3 runs and Kyle Botha 3 RBI for South Africa. Control is somewhat of an issue as pitchers combine for 17 walks.

Pitcher Jenrry Mejia becomes the first player to be permanently banned from baseball for a third failed drug test

Pitcher Jenrry Mejia becomes the first player to be permanently banned from baseball for a third failed drug test. In the midst of serving a 162-game suspension for a second offense dating back to the previous July, Mejia again tests positive for a banned steroid, prompting the unprecedented punishment under Major League Baseball’s joint drug treatment and prevention program. He will still be eligible to apply for reinstatement after two years – if he trespasses no more.

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame names its class of 2016: Pat Hentgen, Dennis Martinez, Wayne Norton, Tony Kubek, Howard Starkman and William Shuttleworth 

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame names its class of 2016: Pat Hentgen, Dennis Martinez, Wayne Norton, Tony Kubek, Howard Starkman and William Shuttleworth 

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame names its class of 2016: Pat Hentgen (first Toronto Blue Jay to win the American League Cy Young Award), Dennis Martinez (only Montreal Expo to throw a perfect game, second in franchise history in wins), Wayne Norton (former AAA player and noted international scout as well as Team Canada executive), Tony Kubek (former Blue Jays announcer), Howard Starkman (Blue Jays executive) and William Shuttleworth (Canadian baseball pioneer).

Yankees suffer a blow as one of their best young hitters Greg Bird

The Yankees suffer a blow as one of their best young hitters, 1B Greg Bird, who filled in very well when Mark Teixeira went down with a season-ending injury last August, needs to undergo surgery after re-aggravating a shoulder injury in off-season workouts. He will miss the entire season as a result.

2016 – The Diamondbacks acquire SS Jean Segura from Milwaukee in a deal for P Chase Anderson, 2B Aaron Hill and prospect Isan Diaz. P Tyler Wagner also heads to Arizona in the trade.

2016 – The Diamondbacks acquire SS Jean Segura from Milwaukee in a deal for P Chase Anderson, 2B Aaron Hill and prospect Isan Diaz. P Tyler Wagner also heads to Arizona in the trade.

Clearing up a logjam in the outfield, the Rockies trade OF Corey Dickerson and 3B Kevin Padlo to the Rays in return for Ps Jake McGee and German Marquez.

Clearing up a logjam in the outfield, the Rockies trade OF Corey Dickerson and 3B Kevin Padlo to the Rays in return for Ps Jake McGee and German Marquez.

In an Oklahoma City ceremony, Cy Young Award recipient Dallas Keuchel receives the Warren Spahn Award, an honor given baseball’s top left-handed pitcher. The 28 year-old southpaw, who posted a 20-8 record along with an ERA of 2.48 for the Astros this season, is the first Oklahoman to collect the prestigious pitching prize named in honor of the crafty left-hander.

In an Oklahoma City ceremony, Cy Young Award recipient Dallas Keuchel receives the Warren Spahn Award, an honor given baseball’s top left-handed pitcher. The 28 year-old southpaw, who posted a 20-8 record along with an ERA of 2.48 for the Astros this season, is the first Oklahoman to collect the prestigious pitching prize named in honor of the crafty left-hander.

Greg Frady is named to the German Baseball Hall of Fame. He had managed the German national team to a Bronze Medal in the 2010 European Championship, their first European Championship medal in 35 years, and guided them to three Baseball World Cups after no Baseball World Cup appearances since the early 1970s.

Greg Frady is named to the German Baseball Hall of Fame. He had managed the German national team to a Bronze Medal in the 2010 European Championship, their first European Championship medal in 35 years, and guided them to three Baseball World Cups after no Baseball World Cup appearances since the early 1970s.

The Mets make a couple of moves to defend their National League pennant, re-signing free agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and adding reliever Antonio Bastardo. Cespedes, the star of the team’s late surge in 2015, returns after protracted negotiations, signing for three years and $75 million, while the price tag for Bastardo is $12 million over two years.

The Mets make a couple of moves to defend their National League pennant, re-signing free agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and adding reliever Antonio Bastardo. Cespedes, the star of the team’s late surge in 2015, returns after protracted negotiations, signing for three years and $75 million, while the price tag for Bastardo is $12 million over two years.