Pitcher Jenrry Mejia becomes the first player to be permanently banned from baseball for a third failed drug test

ByTom

Pitcher Jenrry Mejia becomes the first player to be permanently banned from baseball for a third failed drug test. In the midst of serving a 162-game suspension for a second offense dating back to the previous July, Mejia again tests positive for a banned steroid, prompting the unprecedented punishment under Major League Baseball’s joint drug treatment and prevention program. He will still be eligible to apply for reinstatement after two years – if he trespasses no more.

“Doris From Rego Park” makes its debut on Jonathan Schwartz’s weekend program on WNYC-FM

ByTom

“Doris From Rego Park” makes its debut on Jonathan Schwartz’s weekend program on WNYC-FM. The song, written and performed by Don Rosler, is a tribute to Doris Bauer, the Mets fan who became a New York institution as a late-night caller to WFAN sports radio before she died in 2003.

BUD SELIG chastises Alex Rodriguez

ByTom

“While Alex deserves credit for publicly confronting the issue, there is no valid excuse for using such substances, and those who use them have shamed the game.” – BUD SELIG, commenting Alex Rodriguez’s admission of using PEDs.Three days after Alex Rodriguez apologizes for using steroids, commissioner Bud Selig chastises the Yankee superstar, and all the other players, who used such substances, for bringing shame to the game. The third baseman’s apology followed a SI.com report that he was one of 104 players who tested positive in tests taken in 2003 to determine the extent of steroid use in the national pastime.

The Major League Baseball Players Association looks to appeal 9th U.S. Circuit Court decision

ByTom

The Major League Baseball Players Association asks the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider its 2-1 decision which would allow the names and urine samples of more than 100 players who tested positive for performance enhancing drugs to be made available to authorities investigating the use of steroids in baseball. The 1993 samples were collected by MLB to gauge the prevalence of steroid use with players and owners agreeing the results would be confidential.

2006 – The Chicago Cubs and pitcher Carlos Zambrano agree to terms on a one-year contract; first baseman Shea Hillenbrand and pitcher Pete Walker sign with the Toronto Blue Jays on one-year contracts, and the Washington Nationals sell the contract of infielder Jamey Carroll to the Colorado Rockies.

ByTom

2006 – The Chicago Cubs and pitcher Carlos Zambrano agree to terms on a one-year contract; first baseman Shea Hillenbrand and pitcher Pete Walker sign with the Toronto Blue Jays on one-year contracts, and the Washington Nationals sell the contract of infielder Jamey Carroll to the Colorado Rockies.

The Battle Over Wrigley Field’s Rooftop Views

ByTom

2003 – Federal judge James Holderman gives the Chicago Cubs and the owners of rooftop bleachers which provide fans a view of Wrigley Field a year to settle their dispute. The team believes the seating provided above the field on the rooftops directly competes with the club for ticket sales and the surrounding neighbors, in turn, have not been sympathetic to team’s expansion plans.

Florida Marlins sold to former Expos owner Jeffrey Loria

ByTom

2002 – One day after the acquisition of the Montreal Expos by Major League Baseball as a result of the sale of the Florida Marlins to former Expos owner Jeffrey Loria, a number of personnel changes are announced: the Expos name Frank Robinson as manager, Tony Tavares as president of the club and Omar Minaya as the major leagues’ first Hispanic general manager; south of the border, former Expos manager Jeff Torborg will manage the Marlins with former Expos’ interim general manager Larry Beinfest as the GM and David Samson taking over the duties of team president.