Dick Williams, who managed in Boston, Oakland, California, Montreal, San Diego, and Seattle, is elected into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Along with Bill McKechnie, another Hall of Famer, the fiery skipper is the only other manager to appear in the World Series with three different teams (1967 Red Sox, 1972-73 A’s, and 1984 Padres).
In an effort to replace Billy Wagner, who joined the Mets as a free agent earlier in the week, the Phillies sign right-hander Tom Gordon to be the team’s closer. The 38 year-old former Yankee set up man agrees to an $18 million, three-year deal to hurl for the City of Brotherly Love.
Mike Lowell signs a four-year, $32 million deal with the Marlins. The All-Star third baseman’s contract, however, reverts to a one-year deal with a player option for 2005 if the teams fail to secure financing for a new ballpark by November 1, 2004.
Uncertain of re-signing starter Kevin Millwood, the Philadelphia Phillies trade reliever Carlos Silva, infielder Nick Punto, and pitcher Danny Mota to the Minnesota Twins for starter Eric Milton. Milton, who missed most of last season after knee surgery, will join the starting rotation which will includes Randy Wolf, Vicente Padilla and Brett Myers.
The Oakland Athletics send P Billy Koch and two minor leaguers to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for P Keith Foulke, C Mark Johnson, minor league P Joe Valentine, and cash considerations.
The Los Angeles Dodgers trade 1B Eric Karros, 2B Mark Grudzielanek and cash to the Chicago Cubs. In return, the Dodgers get C Todd Hundley and OF Chad Hermansen.
2001 – Although Enron Corporation has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the corporation says it is current on its payments and plans to keep the company’s name on the Houston Astros’ new ballpark. The downtown stadium will be known as Enron Field as long as Enron continues to exist and makes regular payments on its 30-year, $100 million commitment, according to team officials.
1997 – The Tampa Bay Devil Rays agree to terms with free agents P Wilson Alvarez, to a five-year contract, and OF Dave Martinez to a two-year contract.
1996 – John Bateman dies in Sand Spring, TX at age 56. The native Texan would enjoy a ten-year big-league career with a .230 batting average and 81 home runs.
1996 – The Florida Marlins sign free agent OF Jim Eisenreich to a two-year contract.
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