Blue Jays pitcher T.J. House is hit in the back of the head by a line drive in the 9th inning of a Grapefruit League game against the Tigers. He lies on the ground for 10 minutes before being evacuated to a hospital while the game is terminated prematurely as a result of his injury.

ByTom

Blue Jays pitcher T.J. House is hit in the back of the head by a line drive in the 9th inning of a Grapefruit League game against the Tigers. He lies on the ground for 10 minutes before being evacuated to a hospital while the game is terminated prematurely as a result of his injury.

Kris Bryant (.292, 39, 102), who made $652K in his rookie year, becomes the highest-paid second-year player when he comes to terms with the World Champion Cubs on a contract reportedly worth $1.05 million. The Chicago third baseman’s deal surpasses the previous record major league record of one million dollars, given to sophomore outfielder Mike Trout in 2014 by the Angels.

ByTom

Kris Bryant (.292, 39, 102), who made $652K in his rookie year, becomes the highest-paid second-year player when he comes to terms with the World Champion Cubs on a contract reportedly worth $1.05 million. The Chicago third baseman’s deal surpasses the previous record major league record of one million dollars, given to sophomore outfielder Mike Trout in 2014 by the Angels.

“Major League Baseball’s greatest responsibility is to ensure that today’s youth become active participants in our game as players and fans. The ‘MLB Little League Classic’ exemplifies our entire sport’s commitment to building a stronger connection between young people and the National Pastime” – ROB MANFRED,Commissioner of Baseball.Major League Baseball announces the first “MLB Little League Classic” will be played between Cardinals and Pirates on August 20 at Williamsport’s BB&T Ballpark, the second-oldest minor league ballpark in the United States which was formerly known as Bowman Field when it opened 1926. The regular season game, originally scheduled to be played at PNC Park, will take place in conjunction with the Little League World Series that will be taking place in nearby Howard J. Lamade Stadium.

ByTom

“Major League Baseball’s greatest responsibility is to ensure that today’s youth become active participants in our game as players and fans. The ‘MLB Little League Classic’ exemplifies our entire sport’s commitment to building a stronger connection between young people and the National Pastime” – ROB MANFRED,Commissioner of Baseball.Major League Baseball announces the first “MLB Little League Classic” will be played between Cardinals and Pirates on August 20 at Williamsport’s BB&T Ballpark, the second-oldest minor league ballpark in the United States which was formerly known as Bowman Field when it opened 1926. The regular season game, originally scheduled to be played at PNC Park, will take place in conjunction with the Little League World Series that will be taking place in nearby Howard J. Lamade Stadium.

October 7 each year in honor of Moses Fleetwood Walker

October 7 each year in honor of Moses Fleetwood Walker

ByTom

“When Moses Fleetwood Walker walked onto a field in Toledo, he did more than play a game. He was more than just an athlete. He did more than throw, catch, or hit. That day and every day he played he started a conversation.” – CRAIG BROWN, an adjunct professor at Kent State University. By a vote of 93-1, the Ohio House passes Bill 59, setting aside October 7 each year in honor of Moses Fleetwood Walker, the first-openly African American to play under contract in the major leagues. In 1884, the bare-handed backstop caught for the American Association’s Toledo Blue Stockings, until a rib injury and the team’s excessive payroll led to his release late in the season.

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2017 – The Astros are the visiting team in their first game held at their new spring training home in West Palm Beach, FL. That’s because the opponent was the facility’s other tenant, the Washington Nationals. The Nats won it, 4-3, on a walk-off home run by Michael Taylor in the ninth. 

ByTom

2017 – The Astros are the visiting team in their first game held at their new spring training home in West Palm Beach, FL. That’s because the opponent was the facility’s other tenant, the Washington Nationals. The Nats won it, 4-3, on a walk-off home run by Michael Taylor in the ninth. 

Major League Baseball adopts a significant rule change a pitcher will no longer need to throw four pitches deliberately outside the strike zone in order to issue an intentional walk

ByThis Day in Baseball

2017 – Major League Baseball adopts a significant rule change, as part of a strategy to speed up the game: a pitcher will no longer need to throw four pitches deliberately outside the strike zone in order to issue an intentional walk, but instead the defensive team’s manager will simply need to signal his intention to the home plate umpire, who will immediately direct the batter to advance to first base. However, given that there is on average one intentional walk every 2.5 games, the change is expected to have only a minimal impact on playing time.

2017 – C Matt Wieters inks a two-year contract worth $21 million with the Nationals; he is set to replace Wilson Ramos who left through free agency a few months earlier.

ByTom

2017 – C Matt Wieters inks a two-year contract worth $21 million with the Nationals; he is set to replace Wilson Ramos who left through free agency a few months earlier.

Cardinals top pitching prospect Alex Reyes is injured and will require Tommy John surgery

ByTom

2017 – As pitchers and catchers begin to report for spring training, the Cardinals get some bad news: top pitching prospect Alex Reyes is diagnosed with a complete tear of his ulnar collateral ligament and will require Tommy John surgery, putting him out of action for the entire season. It’s also a loss for the Dominican Republic national team, which was counting on Reyes for the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Reds trade one of their most iconic players 2B Brandon Phillips

ByTom

2017 – The Reds continue their rebuilding as they trade one of their most iconic players, 2B Brandon Phillips, to Atlanta for Ps Andrew McKirahan and Carlos Portuondo. The Reds have two top middle infield prospects ready to take over for Phillips in Jose Peraza and Dilson Herrera.

Long-time Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch passes away at 88

Long-time Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch passes away at 88

ByTom

2017 – Long-time Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch passes away at 88. Having made his fortune through a pizza chain, Ilitch purchased both the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League in 1982 and the Tigers a decade later. While the Tigers reached the World Series twice during his years as owner but never won the big prize, he is credited with revitalizing the franchise.