February 22

2019 – Newspapers in Montreal, QC report that a prospective ownership group led by Stephen Bronfman has proposed an innovative solution to resolve the chronic ballpark problems of the Tampa Bay Rays: have the team play a significant portion of its season in Montreal, without breaking its punitive lease on sub-par Tropicana Field which runs until 2027. The team could then move permanently to Montreal if it still cannot find a new home in the Tampa area.

2018 – The Rays find a taker for All-Star OF/DH Corey Dickerson, whom they designated for assignment on February 17th in an apparent cost-cutting move, sending him to the Pirates in return for P Daniel Hudson and minor league IF Tristan Gray.

2017 – Major League Baseball adopts a significant rule change, as part of a strategy to speed up the game: a pitcher will no longer need to throw four pitches deliberately outside the strike zone in order to issue an intentional walk, but instead the defensive team’s manager will simply need to signal his intention to the home plate umpire, who will immediately direct the batter to advance to first base. However, given that there is on average one intentional walk every 2.5 games, the change is expected to have only a minimal impact on playing time.

2014 – The Orioles sign free agent OF Nelson Cruz for one year at $8 million.

2012 – Two relievers find new homes in their bids to extend their careers. David Aardsma, the former Seattle Mariners closer who missed all of 2011 because of a hip problem and Tommy John surgery, signs a one-year deal with the Yankees, while the Angels ink 39-year-old Jason Isringhausen to a minor league deal.

The Mets, who had not gone to arbitration with a player in 16 years, come out on the short end of the hearing when southpaw Oliver Perez (15-10, 3.56) gets a favorable decision in his case from arbitrators Steven Wolf, Robert Bailey, and Elizabeth Neumeier. The southpaw is awarded $6.5 million for this year, rather than the club’s offer of $4,725,000.

2006 – The Los Angeles Dodgers announce the team has extended the contract of Vin Scully through 2008. The Hall of Fame broadcaster, considered by many to be the best announcer in history, is beginning his 57th year in the Dodger organization, which is believed to be the longest tenure of any on-air individual in sports history.

Jerry Coleman is the recipient of the Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award. The 80 year-old San Diego play-by-play broadcaster, who was the MVP of the 1950 World Series, has spent 41 years in the booth calling games for the Yankees, Angels, and Padres.

Tom Umberg, a California state assemblyman, introduces legislation which would require pro franchises to use disclaimers if they do not play the majority of home games in the location used in their name. With his “Truth in Sports Advertising Act”, the Anaheim Democrat is trying prevent the local team from changing its name to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.