Brandon Phillips hits his 28th home run of the yeargiving him the record for a Cincinnati Reds second baseman, surpassing Joe Morgan’s 27 in 1976

2007 – The Reds beat the Mets, 7 – 0. Brandon Phillips hits his 28th home run of the year, coming in the 1st inning against John Maine with Alex Gonzalez aboard. This gives him the record for a Cincinnati Reds second baseman, surpassing Joe Morgan’s 27 in 1976. In his third major league start, Tom Shearn tosses six scoreless frames for the win, while Reds 1B Joey Votto homers in his first major league start.

The Boston Red Sox finish up their deal for slick-fielding shortstop Alex Gonzalez

The Boston Red Sox finish up their deal for slick-fielding shortstop Alex Gonzalez, plugging their last big hole after a major offseason upheaval. Gonzalez, who spent his first eight major league seasons with the Florida Marlins, will reportedly get a one-year contract worth $3 million. An All-Star in 1999, Gonzalez also helped the Marlins win the World Series in 2003. He committed 32 errors in the last two seasons (16 each), compared to the 30 committed by Edgar Renteria in his only season with the Red Sox.

The long-anticipated trade of Nomar Garciaparra is finally accomplished

The long-anticipated trade of Nomar Garciaparra is finally accomplished

The long-anticipated trade of Nomar Garciaparra is finally accomplished as the Red Sox shortstop is traded to the Cubs in a four-team deal which includes the Twins and Expos. Chicago first acquires shortstop Orlando Cabrera from the Expos for shortstop Alex Gonzalez, relief pitcher Francis Beltran and minor leaguer Brendan Harris. They then pry 1B Doug Mientkiewicz from the Twins for minor league southpaw Justin Jones. Finally, Chicago flips its two new acquisitions to the Bosox for Garciaparra, prospect Matt Murton and cash.

The Florida Marlins win in dramatic fashion, 4 – 3, over the Yankees, in Game 4 of the World Series 

2003 – The Florida Marlins win in dramatic fashion, 4 – 3, over the Yankees, in Game 4 of the World Series behind a lead-off home run by Alex Gonzalez in the bottom of the 12th inning. Miguel Cabrera also homers for Florida as Braden Looper has the win in relief.