former major league infielder Doug Ault dies in Tarpon Springs, Florida, from a self-inflicted gun shot wound

ByThis Day in Baseball

On December 22, 2004, former major league infielder Doug Ault dies in Tarpon Springs, Florida, from a self-inflicted gun shot wound. Ault slugged a pair of home runs in the Blue Jays first game in franchise history on opening day in 1977, and later managed in the Toronto organization.

2001 – The Texas Rangers sign highly-sought free agent pitcher Chan Ho Park to a five-year, $65 million contract. The Korean right-hander led the Dodgers last year in wins (15), starts (35), innings pitched (234.0), strikeouts (218) and opponents’ batting average (.187).

ByTom

2001 – The Texas Rangers sign highly-sought free agent pitcher Chan Ho Park to a five-year, $65 million contract. The Korean right-hander led the Dodgers last year in wins (15), starts (35), innings pitched (234.0), strikeouts (218) and opponents’ batting average (.187).

2000 – The Seattle Mariners sign 2B Bret Boone to a $3.25 million, one-year deal. The former San Diego Padres second baseman played in only 127 games season due to a bruised right knee which ended his season in late August, but will be re-born in Seattle.

ByThis Day in Baseball

2000 – The Seattle Mariners sign 2B Bret Boone to a $3.25 million, one-year deal. The former San Diego Padres second baseman played in only 127 games season due to a bruised right knee which ended his season in late August, but will be re-born in Seattle.

The Atlanta Braves obtain 2B Quilvio Veras, 1B Wally Joyner, and OF Reggie Sanders from the San Diego Padres in exchange for 1B Ryan Klesko, 2B Bret Boone, and P Jason Shiell.

ByTom

The Atlanta Braves obtain 2B Quilvio Veras, 1B Wally Joyner, and OF Reggie Sanders from the San Diego Padres in exchange for 1B Ryan Klesko, 2B Bret Boone, and P Jason Shiell.

P Kip Wells, drafted in the first round by the Chicago White Sox, finally signs for $1.495 million plus an invite to the White Sox spring camp.

ByTom

P Kip Wells, drafted in the first round by the Chicago White Sox, finally signs for $1.495 million plus an invite to the White Sox spring camp.

The Montreal Expos obtain P Hideki Irabu from the New York Yankees in exchange for P Jake Westbrook and two players to be named, Ps Christian Parker and Ted Lilly. Both Westbrook and Lilly will become All-Stars while Irabu will win 2 games in two seasons in Montreal before being released for disciplinary reasons.

ByTom

The Montreal Expos obtain P Hideki Irabu from the New York Yankees in exchange for P Jake Westbrook and two players to be named, Ps Christian Parker and Ted Lilly. Both Westbrook and Lilly will become All-Stars while Irabu will win 2 games in two seasons in Montreal before being released for disciplinary reasons.

John Rocker SI

In an interview in Si John Rocker offends everyone.

ByTom

In an interview in Sports Illustrated magazine, Atlanta Braves P John Rocker offends virtually every race and ethnic group in a hateful outburst. Community leaders, media, management, coaches and teammates alike call for action to be taken against the lefthander who had 38 saves for Atlanta this past season.

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1997 – Reliever John Hudek is traded to the New York Mets for outfielder Carl Everett. The righthander comes from nowhere to make the All-Star team in 1994 but returns to reality, leaving Houston with a 5-7 record and 29 saves over four injury-plagued seasons.

ByTom

1997 – Reliever John Hudek is traded to the New York Mets for outfielder Carl Everett. The righthander comes from nowhere to make the All-Star team in 1994 but returns to reality, leaving Houston with a 5-7 record and 29 saves over four injury-plagued seasons.