2018 – Spring training is a time to clear out the cobwebs for everyone – including those who provide the entertainment between innings. Today, a Grapefruit League game between the Cardinals and Astros at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, FL is delayed for several minutes as the driver of a promotional car which made a drive-through around the field is unable to get it out as planned through a door in the outfield fence. A production truck is apparently parked too close behind the opening, making for too tight a turn. The driver tries to make something like a thirty-point turn before giving up and exiting through another gate at the opposing end of the field.

ByTom

2018 – Spring training is a time to clear out the cobwebs for everyone – including those who provide the entertainment between innings. Today, a Grapefruit League game between the Cardinals and Astros at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, FL is delayed for several minutes as the driver of a promotional car which made a drive-through around the field is unable to get it out as planned through a door in the outfield fence. A production truck is apparently parked too close behind the opening, making for too tight a turn. The driver tries to make something like a thirty-point turn before giving up and exiting through another gate at the opposing end of the field.

The players’ union and MLB agree to a slide rule in the aftermath of Ruben Tejada’s broken leg during the NLDS. The new policy, the direct result of Chase Utley attempt to break up a double play that injured the Mets infielder, will be reviewable and will continue to allow contact to be permissible with the fielder, but the runner cannot change his path to disrupt the play deliberately.

ByTom

The players’ union and MLB agree to a slide rule in the aftermath of Ruben Tejada’s broken leg during the NLDS. The new policy, the direct result of Chase Utley attempt to break up a double play that injured the Mets infielder, will be reviewable and will continue to allow contact to be permissible with the fielder, but the runner cannot change his path to disrupt the play deliberately.

2016 – Major League Baseball announces changes to the rules that touch on two aspects of play: first limiting the length of mound visits by coaches and managers, and the amount of time between innings, in order to speed up play; and second defining what constitutes a legal slide into a base. The latter is the result of a number of injuries last season to fielders attempting to complete a double play, notably Jung-ho Kang and Ruben Tejada.

ByTom

2016 – Major League Baseball announces changes to the rules that touch on two aspects of play: first limiting the length of mound visits by coaches and managers, and the amount of time between innings, in order to speed up play; and second defining what constitutes a legal slide into a base. The latter is the result of a number of injuries last season to fielders attempting to complete a double play, notably Jung-ho Kang and Ruben Tejada.

2013 – Major League Baseball announces changes to its umpiring crews for the coming season, following the resignation of three veteran umpires, Derryl Cousins, Ed Rapuano and Tim Tschida, over the winter. Jim Joyce, Ted Barrett and Fieldin Culbreth are all named crew chiefs, while Vic Carapazza, Manny Gonzalez and Alan Porter are added to the full-time umpiring staff; all three have taken part in a number of games as fill-in umpires over the past few seasons.

ByTom

2013 – Major League Baseball announces changes to its umpiring crews for the coming season, following the resignation of three veteran umpires, Derryl Cousins, Ed Rapuano and Tim Tschida, over the winter. Jim Joyce, Ted Barrett and Fieldin Culbreth are all named crew chiefs, while Vic Carapazza, Manny Gonzalez and Alan Porter are added to the full-time umpiring staff; all three have taken part in a number of games as fill-in umpires over the past few seasons.

Oft-injured fireballing reliever Joel Zumaya suffers another setback, after throwing only 13 pitches in a batting practice session for the Twins. He leaves the mound in obvious pain and will be diagnosed tomorrow with a torn ligament in his elbow, putting him out for the season, and ending his career.

ByTom

Oft-injured fireballing reliever Joel Zumaya suffers another setback, after throwing only 13 pitches in a batting practice session for the Twins. He leaves the mound in obvious pain and will be diagnosed tomorrow with a torn ligament in his elbow, putting him out for the season, and ending his career.

On their Twitter account, the Mets send out an image of the patch the team will wear this season in memory of Gary Carter, who died earlier in the month of brain cancer at the age of 57. The black oval will feature the nickname of the former New York catcher, Kid, and his number 8.

ByThis Day in Baseball

On their Twitter account, the Mets send out an image of the patch the team will wear this season in memory of Gary Carter, who died earlier in the month of brain cancer at the age of 57. The black oval will feature the nickname of the former New York catcher, Kid, and his number 8.

The Rangers void Khalil Greene’s contract, announcing the reason for the action is a private matter, and is being done in the best interest of the ballplayer. The 30 year-old utility infielder, who missed 49 games with the Cardinals last season because of social anxiety, was unable to report to spring training last week as a result of his unidentified problem.

ByTom

The Rangers void Khalil Greene’s contract, announcing the reason for the action is a private matter, and is being done in the best interest of the ballplayer. The 30 year-old utility infielder, who missed 49 games with the Cardinals last season because of social anxiety, was unable to report to spring training last week as a result of his unidentified problem.

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2009 – Third base prospect Chris Johnson mashes a home run estimated at up to 600 feet in the 6-3 victory over the Washington Nationals that opens the spring schedule. Reclamation projects Mike Hampton and Russ Ortiz get off to good starts, each tossing a pair of shutout innings. It will be three weeks before they win another Grapefruit League game. 

ByTom

2009 – Third base prospect Chris Johnson mashes a home run estimated at up to 600 feet in the 6-3 victory over the Washington Nationals that opens the spring schedule. Reclamation projects Mike Hampton and Russ Ortiz get off to good starts, each tossing a pair of shutout innings. It will be three weeks before they win another Grapefruit League game. 

2005 – Kerry Konrad, a New York Yankees fan whose $2,325 bid won an eBay auction giving him the one-day naming rights to the Fleet Center Arena in Boston, wants to call it the “Derek Jeter Center,” after the Yankees’ shortstop and team captain. But instead, the Manhattan lawyer agrees to call it the “Jimmy Fund Center,” after a Boston friend and Red Sox fan donated an additional $6,275 for the children charitable effort, bringing the total amount to $8,600, symbolizing the 86 years between Red Sox World Championships.

ByTom

2005 – Kerry Konrad, a New York Yankees fan whose $2,325 bid won an eBay auction giving him the one-day naming rights to the Fleet Center Arena in Boston, wants to call it the “Derek Jeter Center,” after the Yankees’ shortstop and team captain. But instead, the Manhattan lawyer agrees to call it the “Jimmy Fund Center,” after a Boston friend and Red Sox fan donated an additional $6,275 for the children charitable effort, bringing the total amount to $8,600, symbolizing the 86 years between Red Sox World Championships.

2003 – Toronto Blue Jays World Series hero Joe Carter is selected to be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on June 28th. Pete Rose, who collected his 4000th hit with the Montreal Expos, was one of the 46 nominees considered, but was not chosen by 75 per cent of the voters.

ByTom

2003 – Toronto Blue Jays World Series hero Joe Carter is selected to be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on June 28th. Pete Rose, who collected his 4000th hit with the Montreal Expos, was one of the 46 nominees considered, but was not chosen by 75 per cent of the voters.