February 3

In a SRO news conference at Yankee Stadium, Andy Pettitte becomes the first ‘Core of Four’ teammate, a group which includes shortstop Derek Jeter, catcher Jorge Posada, and closer Mariano Rivera, to announce his retirement. The 38 year-old southpaw, who compiled a 240-138 record during his sixteen years in the major leagues, tells the reporters, “my body would get to where it needs to be, but my heart’s not where it needs to be.”

The Phillies sign OF Freddy Guzman to a minor league contract, while the Brewers claim P Marco Estrada off waivers from Washington. Milwaukee designates P Tim Dillard for assignment to make room for Estrada on its roster.

Justin Verlander (11-17, 4.84) agrees to a one-year contract worth $3,675,000 to stay with the Tigers, a dramatic increase from last season. The 2006 AL Rookie of the Year’s original five-year contract, which slated the right-hander for a $600,000 salary in 2009, could be terminated if he had enough service time to become eligible for arbitration.

Oliver Perez agrees to a $36 million, three-year deal to stay with the Mets. The 29 year-old inconsistent southpaw, who has posted a 26-20 record with New York since being obtained from Pittsburgh during the 2006 season, will be part of the team’s starting rotation.

Garrett Atkins (.286, 21, 99) avoids arbitration, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Rockies. The 29 year-old third baseman’s $7.05 million contract makes him the second-highest paid player on the team, trailing only Todd Helton.

Miguel Tejada hits a three-run home run to help the Dominican Republic’s Licey Tigers rally past Mexico’s Mazatlan Reindeer, 10 – 6, in the Caribbean World Series. In the second game, Marco Scutaro hits a grand slam to propel the Caracas Lions of Venezuela to a 6 – 1 victory against Puerto Rico’s Carolina Giants. Scutaro and his Caracas teammates are 2-0 in round-robin play. The Dominican Republic is also undefeated after two games.

The San Francisco Giants rename their stadium as a result of continuous changes in the corporate world that pay handsomely for sports naming rights, giving the stadium its third identity since its opening in 2000. The Giants’ ballpark is changing its name to AT&T Park beginning in March. The stadium was originally called “Pacific Bell Park” and was later renamed “SBC Park”. The ballpark is scheduled to host the 2007 All-Star Game.

2002 – New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada signs a five-year contract with the club. Terms are not announced, but Posada was asking for $7.75 million in arbitration, which would have made the 30-year-old the second best-paid catcher in major league history.