Barely a week into his major league career, Twins 2B Tsuyoshi Nishioka suffers a broken fibula in a collision with a sliding Nick Swisher of the Yankees, who is trying to break up a double play. The Yankees win the game, 4 – 3. A.J. Burnett is the winner, benefiting from a three-run rally in the 4th inning.

ByTom

Barely a week into his major league career, Twins 2B Tsuyoshi Nishioka suffers a broken fibula in a collision with a sliding Nick Swisher of the Yankees, who is trying to break up a double play. The Yankees win the game, 4 – 3. A.J. Burnett is the winner, benefiting from a three-run rally in the 4th inning.

New Yankees centerfielder Curtis Granderson quickly makes his presence felt with the Bronx Bombers. After homering in his first at-bat for the team on Opening day, April 4th, he hits a game-winning long ball off Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon in the 10th inning of today’s game, which started as a pitching duel between Andy Pettitte and John Lackey, giving the Yankees a 3 – 1 victory. Chan Ho Park redeems his poor opening day performance with three innings of one-hit ball in relief to earn his first win in pinstripes, while Mariano Rivera picks up his second save in as many days.

ByTom

New Yankees centerfielder Curtis Granderson quickly makes his presence felt with the Bronx Bombers. After homering in his first at-bat for the team on Opening day, April 4th, he hits a game-winning long ball off Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon in the 10th inning of today’s game, which started as a pitching duel between Andy Pettitte and John Lackey, giving the Yankees a 3 – 1 victory. Chan Ho Park redeems his poor opening day performance with three innings of one-hit ball in relief to earn his first win in pinstripes, while Mariano Rivera picks up his second save in as many days.

According to its annual report, Forbes Magazine estimates the value of the Yankees to be worth approximately $1.6 billion, nearly twice as much as any other major league franchise. The World Champs, who moved into a new ballpark last season, made $441 million in net revenue after adjustments were made for its payment to baseball’s revenue-sharing program and the costs of financing its new stadium.

ByTom

According to its annual report, Forbes Magazine estimates the value of the Yankees to be worth approximately $1.6 billion, nearly twice as much as any other major league franchise. The World Champs, who moved into a new ballpark last season, made $441 million in net revenue after adjustments were made for its payment to baseball’s revenue-sharing program and the costs of financing its new stadium.

Ninety-seven years after his grandfather, Boston mayor John ‘Honey Fitz’ Fitzgerald, threw out the first pitch at the first major league game played at Fenway Park, U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy also tosses the ceremonial first pitch for the Red Sox at a season opener. The sell-out crowd enthusiastically cheers the 77 year-old long-time Massachusetts law maker, who was diagnosed last spring with a malignant brain tumor, when he tosses the ball from in front of the mound to a nearby Jim Rice, a newly elected member of the Hall of Fame.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Ninety-seven years after his grandfather, Boston mayor John ‘Honey Fitz’ Fitzgerald, threw out the first pitch at the first major league game played at Fenway Park, U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy also tosses the ceremonial first pitch for the Red Sox at a season opener. The sell-out crowd enthusiastically cheers the 77 year-old long-time Massachusetts law maker, who was diagnosed last spring with a malignant brain tumor, when he tosses the ball from in front of the mound to a nearby Jim Rice, a newly elected member of the Hall of Fame.

2006 – Los Angeles Dodgers closer Eric Gagné will have surgery to remove a nerve from his pitching elbow – his second arm operation in less than a year – leaving his season in doubt. Gagné saved 152 games for the Dodgers from 2002 to 2004 and was a near-unanimous winner of the 2003 National League Cy Young Award. He had a 1-0 record with a 2.70 ERA and eight saves while appearing in 14 games in 2005.

ByTom

2006 – Los Angeles Dodgers closer Eric Gagné will have surgery to remove a nerve from his pitching elbow – his second arm operation in less than a year – leaving his season in doubt. Gagné saved 152 games for the Dodgers from 2002 to 2004 and was a near-unanimous winner of the 2003 National League Cy Young Award. He had a 1-0 record with a 2.70 ERA and eight saves while appearing in 14 games in 2005.

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41-year-old Roger Clemens makes his debut as an Astro a memorable one, blanking the Giants on one hit over seven innings to earn his 311th career victory, a 10-1 blowout

ByTom

2004 – What retirement? 41-year-old Roger Clemens makes his debut as an Astro a memorable one, blanking the Giants on one hit over seven innings to earn his 311th career victory, a 10-1 blowout. Homers by Richard Hidalgo, Jeff Bagwell and Jeff Kent support The Rocket who fans nine, including slugger Barry Bonds twice. Clemens also singles in his first at-bat as a National Leaguer. 

2004 – Adam LaRoche of the Atlanta Braves collects the first two hits of his career in one inning. En route to an 18 – 10 win over the Mets, the rookie first baseman singles and doubles during the Braves’ 33-minute, 11-run 4th inning.

ByTom

2004 – Adam LaRoche of the Atlanta Braves collects the first two hits of his career in one inning. En route to an 18 – 10 win over the Mets, the rookie first baseman singles and doubles during the Braves’ 33-minute, 11-run 4th inning.

Seven months before a November deadline, the Boston Red Sox exercise their 2004 contract option on Pedro Martinez

Seven months before a November deadline, the Boston Red Sox exercise their 2004 contract option on Pedro Martinez

ByTom

2003 – Seven months before a November deadline, the Boston Red Sox exercise their 2004 contract option on Pedro Martinez, making him the highest-paid pitcher for a season in major league history. A three-time Cy Young Award winner, Martinez will earn $17.5 million next season.

ESPN becomes the first network to ask players, coaches, and umpires to wear a microphone during a game

ByTom

ESPN becomes the first network to ask players, coaches, and umpires to wear a microphone during a game. The innovative concept begins when A’s catcher Ramon Hernandez is wired during the nationally televised Sunday night contest, a 6-5 Oakland victory over Seattle at Safeco Field.

Enron Field’s first regular-season opener goes much the same way as the Astrodome – a 4-1 loss to Philadelphia

ByThis Day in Baseball

2000 – Enron Field’s first regular-season opener goes much the same way as the Astrodome – a 4-1 loss to Philadelphia. Craig Biggio leads off the season with a single but it isn’t until Richard Hidalgo homers in the seventh that the sellout crowd has more to cheer. For trivia buffs, Randy Wolf gets to howl as Enron’s first winning pitcher much like Chris Short 35 years before.