2004 – Avoiding an arbitration hearing, the St. Louis Cardinals and Albert Pujols agree to a $100 million, seven-year deal. The 24-year slugging 1B/OF, who hit .359 with 43 home runs and 124 RBI in 2003, was the runner up to Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants in National League MVP voting.
2002 – The Minnesota Supreme Court refuses to consider an appeal of an injunction that forces the Twins to fulfill their Metrodome lease this year. The decision puts an end for this season any possibility of contraction in major league baseball.
1998 – Free agent DH/OF Jose Canseco signs to a one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
1994 – Astros unveil new uniforms that do away with orange as a team color, rainbow stripes on the jersies, and the “H” on the cap. The new look will feature midnight blue and metallic gold with a flying star on the caps and jersies.
Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors votes unanimously to make all players on baseball’s permanently banned list ineligible for Hall of Fame consideration
1990 – The St. Petersburg Pelicans get home runs from Lamar Johnson and Steve Kemp and rout the West Palm Beach Tropics, 12 – 4, to win the first – and only – championship of the Senior Professional Baseball Association.
Philadelphia Phillies slugger Greg Luzinski announces his retirement
federal judge upholds a recent decision by arbitrator Peter Seitz, who had granted free agency to pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally
1971 – Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announces former Negro League players will have a separate wing in the Hall of Fame. Due to the controversy the announcement causes, it is decided inclusion in regular Hall of Fame is more fitting and more of an honor for the former black players.
On February 4, 1969, 42-year-old Bowie Kuhn is named commissioner, succeeding Spike Eckert. Kuhn receives a one-year contract paying him $100,000. Major league owners turned to Kuhn after failing to agree on either of two other candidates, Mike Burke of the New York Yankees and Charles Feeney of the San Francisco Giants. The early favorite,…