The Indians bring back 1B Russell Branyan, whom they originally drafted in 1994 and who played for the team until 2002. Coming off his best year in the majors, in which he slugged 31 homers for Seattle, Branyan missed the last month of the season with an ailing back and his health remains a concern.

ByTom

The Indians bring back 1B Russell Branyan, whom they originally drafted in 1994 and who played for the team until 2002. Coming off his best year in the majors, in which he slugged 31 homers for Seattle, Branyan missed the last month of the season with an ailing back and his health remains a concern.

The Nationals sign former Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang to a one-year contract. Wang saw his 2008 season end early with a foot injury, and struggled to a 1-6 record while being bothered with various ailments in 2009. He won’t return to a major league mound until 2011.

ByTom

The Nationals sign former Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang to a one-year contract. Wang saw his 2008 season end early with a foot injury, and struggled to a 1-6 record while being bothered with various ailments in 2009. He won’t return to a major league mound until 2011.

|

2009 – Routine physicals at the beginning of spring training sometimes reveal the unexpected. Returning pitcher Mike Hampton is told he has an irregular heartbeat and is sent back to Houston for tests and a minor procedure. Doctors then determine no procedure was necessary and fly him back to Florida the next day. 

ByTom

2009 – Routine physicals at the beginning of spring training sometimes reveal the unexpected. Returning pitcher Mike Hampton is told he has an irregular heartbeat and is sent back to Houston for tests and a minor procedure. Doctors then determine no procedure was necessary and fly him back to Florida the next day. 

Baseball’s Playing Rules Committee approves several changes, making it the first time since 1996 the rules of the game has been altered. The new regulations include a ten-game suspension scuffing a baseball, elimination of tie games halted after the fifth inning due to weather by resuming the contest before the next scheduled start at the same ballpark, prohibiting players going into a dugout to make a catch, and allowing pitchers to wear multicolored gloves.

ByTom

Baseball’s Playing Rules Committee approves several changes, making it the first time since 1996 the rules of the game has been altered. The new regulations include a ten-game suspension scuffing a baseball, elimination of tie games halted after the fifth inning due to weather by resuming the contest before the next scheduled start at the same ballpark, prohibiting players going into a dugout to make a catch, and allowing pitchers to wear multicolored gloves.

2003 – Although banned by Major League Baseball for a Cooperstown induction, Pete Rose becomes a member of the “Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame”. Charlie Hustle joins 1998 inductee Shoeless Joe Jackson, who is also banned from becoming a member of the Hall of Fame.

ByTom

2003 – Although banned by Major League Baseball for a Cooperstown induction, Pete Rose becomes a member of the “Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame”. Charlie Hustle joins 1998 inductee Shoeless Joe Jackson, who is also banned from becoming a member of the Hall of Fame.

Yankee premier reliever Mariano Rivera (7-4, 2.85, 36 saves) signs a four-year approximately $40 million contract with the Bronx Bombers. The 31 year-old Panama native surpassed Dennis Eckersley’s major league record with 16 saves in postseason games.

ByTom

Yankee premier reliever Mariano Rivera (7-4, 2.85, 36 saves) signs a four-year approximately $40 million contract with the Bronx Bombers. The 31 year-old Panama native surpassed Dennis Eckersley’s major league record with 16 saves in postseason games.

1996 – General Mills announces a special edition Wheaties cereal box honoring Negro League superstars Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson and Cool Papa Bell.

ByTom

1996 – General Mills announces a special edition Wheaties cereal box honoring Negro League superstars Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson and Cool Papa Bell.

Orel Hershiser becomes the first player in major league history to sign a contract that calls for a $3 million salary

Orel Hershiser becomes the first player in major league history to sign a contract that calls for a $3 million salary

ByThis Day in Baseball

1989 – Orel Hershiser becomes the first player in major league history to sign a contract that calls for a $3 million salary by inking a three-year, $7.9 million contract with the Dodgers that will pay him $3,166,667 in 1991.