Kyler Murray announces that he is giving up baseball to concentrate on becoming an NFL quarterback

ByTom

2019 – Kyler Murray, the 9th overall pick in the 2018 amateur draft by the Oakland A’s, announces that he is giving up baseball to concentrate on becoming an NFL quarterback. Murray, an outfielder, was originally committed to give professional baseball a try and accepted a $4.66 signing bonus from the A’s, but his plans changed after a tremendous season as a junior at the University of Oklahoma that saw him win the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player in the nation. He has declared for the NFL draft and is expected to be a top pick.

2013 – OF Michael Bourn, one the last remaining unsigned big name free agents this off-season, reaches a four-year deal with the Cleveland Indians, worth $48 million.

ByTom

2013 – OF Michael Bourn, one the last remaining unsigned big name free agents this off-season, reaches a four-year deal with the Cleveland Indians, worth $48 million.

New York Mets sign veteran Japanese lefthander Hisanori Takahashi

ByTom

The Mets round out their squad as spring training is about to get under way, signing veteran Japanese lefthander Hisanori Takahashi, 1B Mike Jacobs and C Shawn Riggans to minor league contracts. Takahashi, unrelated to Ken Takahashi who pitched for New York last year, was 10-6 with a 2.94 ERA with the Yomiuri Giants in 2009; he joins Ryota Igarashi, who was signed earlier this off-season, on the Mets’ pitching staff.

Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas retire

Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas retire

ByTom

Two long-time baseball icons officially hang their spikes today, although neither played last season. Pitcher Tom Glavine, after 305 wins and two Cy Young Awards, accepts a position in the Atlanta Braves’ front office as a special assistant to team President John Schuerholz, putting an end to any desire for a comeback attempt, which would have required undergoing another arm surgery. For his part, 1B/DH Frank Thomas, nicknamed “The Big Hurt”, veteran of 19 seasons during which he hit .301 with 521 homers and 1704 RBI, announces he will not attempt a comeback either. He last played for the Oakland Athletics in 2008 but could find no takers for his services last season.

Ernie Harwell will receive the Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award
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Ernie Harwell will receive the Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award

ByThis Day in Baseball

Ernie Harwell, the long-time voice of the Tigers, will receive the Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports Broadcasting during WFUV Radio’s Spring Gala at Fordham University. The 92 year-old Hall of Fame broadcaster is the third recipient of the VSLA, named for the former alum and Dodger broadcast icon, joining inaugural honoree Vin Scully (2008) and Dick Enberg (2009).

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Miguel Tejada pleads guilty lying to congressional investigators about performance enhancing drugs

ByTom

2009 – Miguel Tejada pleads guilty in Washington D.C. to lying to congressional investigators about performance enhancing drugs. He claims he also purchased but did not use human growth hormone which he bought from former Oakland teammate Adam Piatt. He is later sentenced to one year probation, 100 hours of community service and a $5,000 fine. 

Avoiding salary arbitration, AL’s reigning batting champ Joe Mauer

Avoiding salary arbitration, AL’s reigning batting champ Joe Mauer

ByTom

Avoiding salary arbitration, AL’s reigning batting champ Joe Mauer (.347, 13, 84) and the Twins come to terms on a $33 million, four-year contract. The hometown 23 year-old All-Star backstop is the first catcher to lead the majors in batting average and the first to win the batting title in the American League.