In his major league debut, 6′ 11″ pitcher Jon Rauch of the Chicago White Sox throws a perfect 1 1/3 innings in a 7 – 4 loss to the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. The Louisville, Kentucky native, who was a member of the 2000 US Olympic baseball team, becomes the tallest pitcher to appear in a major league game.

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In his major league debut, 6′ 11″ pitcher Jon Rauch of the Chicago White Sox throws a perfect 1 1/3 innings in a 7 – 4 loss to the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. The Louisville, Kentucky native, who was a member of the 2000 US Olympic baseball team, becomes the tallest pitcher to appear in a major league game.

For the first time in major league history, a Japanese position player participates in a regular season game. Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, hitless in his first three at-bats, singles in the 7th inning to ignite a two-run rally, and bunts for another single in the 8th in his debut at Safeco Field. He will go on the be both the American League Rookie of the Year and MVP this year.

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For the first time in major league history, a Japanese position player participates in a regular season game. Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, hitless in his first three at-bats, singles in the 7th inning to ignite a two-run rally, and bunts for another single in the 8th in his debut at Safeco Field. He will go on the be both the American League Rookie of the Year and MVP this year.

On Opening Day, New York Yankees fireballer Roger Clemens becomes the all-time American League career strikeout leader, passing Walter Johnson. Kansas City Royalsinfielder Joe Randa is his 3,509th victim. Clemens now takes over the seventh spot in major league history from Johnson.

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On Opening Day, New York Yankees fireballer Roger Clemens becomes the all-time American League career strikeout leader, passing Walter Johnson. Kansas City Royalsinfielder Joe Randa is his 3,509th victim. Clemens now takes over the seventh spot in major league history from Johnson.

San Francisco Giants starter Livan Hernandez beats the San Diego Padres, 3 – 2, with relief help from Robb Nen, who strikes outs the three batters he faces. Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn collects his 3,110th hit, tying him with Dave Winfield on the all-time list. With his start today, Gwynn becomes the fifth player in National League history to spend 20+ years while playing his entire career with one team. The others are: Cap Anson (1871-1897 Cubs), Mel Ott (1926-1947 Giants), Stan Musial (1941-1944, 1946-1963 Cardinals), and Willie Stargell (1962-1982 Pirates).

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San Francisco Giants starter Livan Hernandez beats the San Diego Padres, 3 – 2, with relief help from Robb Nen, who strikes outs the three batters he faces. Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn collects his 3,110th hit, tying him with Dave Winfield on the all-time list. With his start today, Gwynn becomes the fifth player in National League history to spend 20+ years while playing his entire career with one team. The others are: Cap Anson (1871-1897 Cubs), Mel Ott (1926-1947 Giants), Stan Musial (1941-1944, 1946-1963 Cardinals), and Willie Stargell (1962-1982 Pirates).

2000 – At Ameriquest Field in Arlington, Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers ties the Minnesota Twins’ Frank Viola for third place in consecutive home wins when he defeats the Chicago White Sox. Rogers has won 19 consecutive home games and hasn’t lost on his own turf since June 28, 1997, a span of 1,012 days. Ray Kremer of the Pittsburgh Piratesholds the record of 22 consecutive home wins in 1926 and 1927, and Lefty Grove of the Boston Red Sox is second with 20 straight home wins from 1938 to 1941.

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2000 – At Ameriquest Field in Arlington, Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers ties the Minnesota Twins’ Frank Viola for third place in consecutive home wins when he defeats the Chicago White Sox. Rogers has won 19 consecutive home games and hasn’t lost on his own turf since June 28, 1997, a span of 1,012 days. Ray Kremer of the Pittsburgh Piratesholds the record of 22 consecutive home wins in 1926 and 1927, and Lefty Grove of the Boston Red Sox is second with 20 straight home wins from 1938 to 1941.

1998 – By hitting a home run in Colorado’s 6 – 4 victory over Arizona at Bank One Ballpark, Ellis Burks sets a major league record by having homered in 33 different stadiums.

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1998 – By hitting a home run in Colorado’s 6 – 4 victory over Arizona at Bank One Ballpark, Ellis Burks sets a major league record by having homered in 33 different stadiums.

With the help of Jeromy Burnitz’s grand slam in the top of the frame, the Brewers record their first National League victory when they beat Atlanta in 11 innings, 8-6. The franchise, which started in Seattle in 1969 before moving to Milwaukee a year later, played in the American League for the first 29 years of its existence before switching circuits, a move necessitated by the restructuring of each league from two divisions into three.

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With the help of Jeromy Burnitz’s grand slam in the top of the frame, the Brewers record their first National League victory when they beat Atlanta in 11 innings, 8-6. The franchise, which started in Seattle in 1969 before moving to Milwaukee a year later, played in the American League for the first 29 years of its existence before switching circuits, a move necessitated by the restructuring of each league from two divisions into three.

For the first time in Major League Baseball history, the salary of one player is more than the payroll of an entire team. The Chicago White Sox will pay Albert Belle $10 million for the season which is $928,333 more than the entire Pittsburgh Pirates payroll.

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For the first time in Major League Baseball history, the salary of one player is more than the payroll of an entire team. The Chicago White Sox will pay Albert Belle $10 million for the season which is $928,333 more than the entire Pittsburgh Pirates payroll.

Tino Martinez leads the Yankees to a 16 – 2 romp over the Mariners at the Kingdome. The former M’s first baseman hits three home runs — a solo job, a two-run tater and a three-run shot. With the game out of reach and the crowd chanting his name, he has two opportunities to hit a grand slam, but fails to become the first player to hit home runs for the cycle. He ends the game going 4-for-6 with 7 RBI, a walk and 5 runs scored.

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Tino Martinez leads the Yankees to a 16 – 2 romp over the Mariners at the Kingdome. The former M’s first baseman hits three home runs — a solo job, a two-run tater and a three-run shot. With the game out of reach and the crowd chanting his name, he has two opportunities to hit a grand slam, but fails to become the first player to hit home runs for the cycle. He ends the game going 4-for-6 with 7 RBI, a walk and 5 runs scored.

Gary Sheffield (.314, 42, 120) and the Marlins agree to a six-year, $61 million contract extension. The deal is the largest in total dollars in baseball history, but is only the third highest annual salary, behind Albert Belle’s (1996-2000 White Sox – $11 million) and Barry Bonds’ (1993-98 Giants – $11,131,157).

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Gary Sheffield (.314, 42, 120) and the Marlins agree to a six-year, $61 million contract extension. The deal is the largest in total dollars in baseball history, but is only the third highest annual salary, behind Albert Belle’s (1996-2000 White Sox – $11 million) and Barry Bonds’ (1993-98 Giants – $11,131,157).