Buck O’Neil, who passed away in October, is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously by President George W. Bush for his “excellence and determination both on and off the baseball field.” Accepting the country’s highest civilian honor on behalf of the Negro league baseball legend is his 91 year-old brother, Warren.

ByTom

Buck O’Neil, who passed away in October, is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously by President George W. Bush for his “excellence and determination both on and off the baseball field.” Accepting the country’s highest civilian honor on behalf of the Negro league baseball legend is his 91 year-old brother, Warren.

After the District of Columbia Council votes to require private financing for at least half of the construction costs of a Nationals’ new ballpark, Major League Baseball suspends all sales of the team’s merchandise and tickets. The decision may make anything with the National League’s newest logo quite a collector’s item.

ByTom

After the District of Columbia Council votes to require private financing for at least half of the construction costs of a Nationals’ new ballpark, Major League Baseball suspends all sales of the team’s merchandise and tickets. The decision may make anything with the National League’s newest logo quite a collector’s item.

After offering a four-year deal worth approximately $53 million, the Mets announce officially the club has come to terms with Pedro Martinez (16-9, 3.90 ERA). The former Red Sox ace, who posted a 117-37 record in seven seasons with Boston, criticizes his former team for not being more aggressive in retaining his services.

ByTom

After offering a four-year deal worth approximately $53 million, the Mets announce officially the club has come to terms with Pedro Martinez (16-9, 3.90 ERA). The former Red Sox ace, who posted a 117-37 record in seven seasons with Boston, criticizes his former team for not being more aggressive in retaining his services.

Coming off an injury-shortened season with the Diamondbacks, Richie Sexson (.233, 9, 23) agrees to a $50 million, four-year deal with the Mariners. The 29-year-old free agent first baseman will be reunited with Seattle’s new manager Mike Hargrove, his former skipper in Cleveland from 1997 to 2000.

ByTom

Coming off an injury-shortened season with the Diamondbacks, Richie Sexson (.233, 9, 23) agrees to a $50 million, four-year deal with the Mariners. The 29-year-old free agent first baseman will be reunited with Seattle’s new manager Mike Hargrove, his former skipper in Cleveland from 1997 to 2000.

A four-way trade is announced at the winter meetings in Nashville. The A’s get 1B Erubiel Durazo from the Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks get P Elmer Dessens, who sported the 5th best ERA (3.03) in the National League, from the Reds. The Reds get SS Felipe Lopez from the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays get Jason Arnold from Oakland.

ByTom

A four-way trade is announced at the winter meetings in Nashville. The A’s get 1B Erubiel Durazo from the Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks get P Elmer Dessens, who sported the 5th best ERA (3.03) in the National League, from the Reds. The Reds get SS Felipe Lopez from the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays get Jason Arnold from Oakland.

The Mets trade slick-fielding SS Rey Ordonez to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for two minor leaguers to be named. The Mets also throw in $4.25 million to help offset Ordonez’s $6.25 million salary. Ordonez, who had called the Mets fans “stupid”, departs as 3B Edgardo Alfonzo signs a four-year deal with the Giants, opening up the left side of the Mets infield. Nineteen-year-old Jose Reyes, the Mets’ top prospect, is expected to have first shot at the shortstop’s job.

ByTom

The Mets trade slick-fielding SS Rey Ordonez to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for two minor leaguers to be named. The Mets also throw in $4.25 million to help offset Ordonez’s $6.25 million salary. Ordonez, who had called the Mets fans “stupid”, departs as 3B Edgardo Alfonzo signs a four-year deal with the Giants, opening up the left side of the Mets infield. Nineteen-year-old Jose Reyes, the Mets’ top prospect, is expected to have first shot at the shortstop’s job.

2001 – The Mariners acquire 32-year-old two-time All-Star third baseman Jeff Cirillo (.312, 17, 83) from the Rockies in exchange for reliever Jose Paniagua and minor leaguers Dennis Stark and Brian Fuentes.

ByTom

2001 – The Mariners acquire 32-year-old two-time All-Star third baseman Jeff Cirillo (.312, 17, 83) from the Rockies in exchange for reliever Jose Paniagua and minor leaguers Dennis Stark and Brian Fuentes.