2016 – To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the California League announces the California League Hall of Fame. The initial class is composed primarily of Hall of Fame players who appeared in the league, but does include some players who did star in the Cal League such as league hit record holder Vada Pinson, 2001 league MVP Xavier Nady and league co-founder Sam Lynn.

ByTom

2016 – To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the California League announces the California League Hall of Fame. The initial class is composed primarily of Hall of Fame players who appeared in the league, but does include some players who did star in the Cal League such as league hit record holder Vada Pinson, 2001 league MVP Xavier Nady and league co-founder Sam Lynn.

The Reds announce that Pete Rose will become the 86th member of the team’s Hall of Fame when he is inducted in June. The Cincinnati native, who is banned from baseball for gambling on the sport, will be additionally honored by having his #14 uniform, which he wore from 1963-78 and from 1984-86, retired, and will have a statue of him dedicated at Great American Ball Park.

ByTom

The Reds announce that Pete Rose will become the 86th member of the team’s Hall of Fame when he is inducted in June. The Cincinnati native, who is banned from baseball for gambling on the sport, will be additionally honored by having his #14 uniform, which he wore from 1963-78 and from 1984-86, retired, and will have a statue of him dedicated at Great American Ball Park.

2016 – In settling a class action lawsuit filed by fans, Major League Baseball announces changes to its policy regarding the streaming of live games over the internet on MLB.TV. Fans will now be able to buy a package that covers their favorite team and that allows them to circumvent local blackouts, while the cost of the league-wide full package will be reduced by 15%. However, the settlement does not cover certain regional networks not owned by DirecTV, MLB’s principal broadcasting partner. The suit was filed because, while MLB.TV promised subscribers that they could watch all MLB games lives, local blackouts meant that in reality, fans who bought the package were often unable to follow the games of their local teams, a frustrating situation in markets where the local cable sports network is either not made available by every provider or is part of an expensive premium package.

ByTom

2016 – In settling a class action lawsuit filed by fans, Major League Baseball announces changes to its policy regarding the streaming of live games over the internet on MLB.TV. Fans will now be able to buy a package that covers their favorite team and that allows them to circumvent local blackouts, while the cost of the league-wide full package will be reduced by 15%. However, the settlement does not cover certain regional networks not owned by DirecTV, MLB’s principal broadcasting partner. The suit was filed because, while MLB.TV promised subscribers that they could watch all MLB games lives, local blackouts meant that in reality, fans who bought the package were often unable to follow the games of their local teams, a frustrating situation in markets where the local cable sports network is either not made available by every provider or is part of an expensive premium package.

Game 7 of the Mexican Pacific League semi-finals between the Águilas de Mexicali and Mayos de Navojoa ends in thrilling fashion, on a 16th-inning squeeze bunt dropped by C.J. Retherford on a full count, scoring Chris Roberson from third base. Mexicali wins the game and will face Mazatlan in the finals.

ByTom

Game 7 of the Mexican Pacific League semi-finals between the Águilas de Mexicali and Mayos de Navojoa ends in thrilling fashion, on a 16th-inning squeeze bunt dropped by C.J. Retherford on a full count, scoring Chris Roberson from third base. Mexicali wins the game and will face Mazatlan in the finals.

The 2015-2016 Venezuelan League awards are given out. Tiburones de La Guaira slugger Alex Cabrera becomes the league’s first three-time MVP when the 44-year-old leads in homers and ties for the RBI lead. Cabrera is tied for the league’s all-time home run lead at year’s end. Bravos de Margarita youngster Jose Osuna (.330/.395/.519) wins Rookie of the Year while Raul Rivero (7-4, 2.03 for the Cardenales de Lara) is Pitcher of the Year. Navegantes del Magallanes fireman Hassan Pena becomes the first player to win three straight Closer of the Year awards after setting a new save mark.

ByTom

The 2015-2016 Venezuelan League awards are given out. Tiburones de La Guaira slugger Alex Cabrera becomes the league’s first three-time MVP when the 44-year-old leads in homers and ties for the RBI lead. Cabrera is tied for the league’s all-time home run lead at year’s end. Bravos de Margarita youngster Jose Osuna (.330/.395/.519) wins Rookie of the Year while Raul Rivero (7-4, 2.03 for the Cardenales de Lara) is Pitcher of the Year. Navegantes del Magallanes fireman Hassan Pena becomes the first player to win three straight Closer of the Year awards after setting a new save mark.

The Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame elects five members, its biggest class in ten years. Kimiyasu Kudoh, a eight-time Japan Series champion and four-time ERA leader, goes in on his first ballot. The sportswriter committee also picks Masaaki Saito, a three-time Sawamura Award winner and one-time MVP. The Expert Division picks the late Kihachi Enomoto, a 12-time All-Star and two-time batting champion. The Special Selection Committee names Takizo Matsumoto, who helped revive Japanese baseball after World War II, and Masatake Yamanaka,who set the Tokyo Big Six University League record for wins and managed Japan in the 1992 Olympics.

ByTom

The Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame elects five members, its biggest class in ten years. Kimiyasu Kudoh, a eight-time Japan Series champion and four-time ERA leader, goes in on his first ballot. The sportswriter committee also picks Masaaki Saito, a three-time Sawamura Award winner and one-time MVP. The Expert Division picks the late Kihachi Enomoto, a 12-time All-Star and two-time batting champion. The Special Selection Committee names Takizo Matsumoto, who helped revive Japanese baseball after World War II, and Masatake Yamanaka,who set the Tokyo Big Six University League record for wins and managed Japan in the 1992 Olympics.

The Puerto Rican League also issues its seasonal awards. The MVP goes to Kennys Vargas of the Indios de Mayagüez, who led the loop in homers, slugging, total bases and OPS. Rookie of the Year is Joe Jiménez of the Gigantes de Carolina (0-2, 6 Sv, 2.80) while Adalberto Flores (5-2, 2.04) of the Santurce Crabbers is Pitcher of the Year. Other awards go to Jonathan Sánchez (Comeback Player of the Year) and Pat Kelly (Manager of the Year) while the All-Stars are C Johnny Monell Jr., 1B Vargas, 2B Jesmuel Valentin, SS Elmer Reyes, 3B T.J. Rivera, RF Anthony Garcia, CF Reymond Fuentes, LF Ruben Sosa, RHP Adalberto Flores, LHP Sánchez, RP Fernando Cabrera and DH Randy Ruiz.

ByTom

The Puerto Rican League also issues its seasonal awards. The MVP goes to Kennys Vargas of the Indios de Mayagüez, who led the loop in homers, slugging, total bases and OPS. Rookie of the Year is Joe Jiménez of the Gigantes de Carolina (0-2, 6 Sv, 2.80) while Adalberto Flores (5-2, 2.04) of the Santurce Crabbers is Pitcher of the Year. Other awards go to Jonathan Sánchez (Comeback Player of the Year) and Pat Kelly (Manager of the Year) while the All-Stars are C Johnny Monell Jr., 1B Vargas, 2B Jesmuel Valentin, SS Elmer Reyes, 3B T.J. Rivera, RF Anthony Garcia, CF Reymond Fuentes, LF Ruben Sosa, RHP Adalberto Flores, LHP Sánchez, RP Fernando Cabrera and DH Randy Ruiz.

The Tigers sign one the last remaining marquee free agents on the market, inking OF Justin Upton to a six-year deal worth $132.75 million.

ByTom

The Tigers sign one the last remaining marquee free agents on the market, inking OF Justin Upton to a six-year deal worth $132.75 million.

Chris Davis

The Orioles grant the largest contract in their history when they re-sign 1B Chris Davis for 7 years and $161 million

ByTom

The Orioles grant the largest contract in their history when they re-sign 1B Chris Davis for 7 years and $161 million. Meanwhile, the Royals ink P Ian Kennedy for 5 years and $70 million.

2016 – The St. Petersburg, FL city council votes to allow the Tampa Bay Rays to explore potential ballpark sites outside the city, including in Tampa, FL across the Bay. The team has played in St. Pete since its creation in the expansion of 1998, but has been unable to find an appropriate site for new digs there, while being held prisoner by a long-term lease in outdated Tropicana Field.

ByTom

2016 – The St. Petersburg, FL city council votes to allow the Tampa Bay Rays to explore potential ballpark sites outside the city, including in Tampa, FL across the Bay. The team has played in St. Pete since its creation in the expansion of 1998, but has been unable to find an appropriate site for new digs there, while being held prisoner by a long-term lease in outdated Tropicana Field.