Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, a member of the 500 Home Run Club, a Triple Crown winner, the first player to win the MVP Award in both leagues, and the first African-American manager in major league history, passes away in hospice care in Los Angeles, CA at the age of 83. He was also a senior executive for Major League Baseball and was still serving as the honorary President of the American League.
The long-rumored trade of All-Star C J.T. Realmuto is finally completed as the Phillies agree to send three young players – C Jorge Alfaro and Ps Sixto Sanchez and Will Stewart – in return for the outstanding young backstop.
A class action suit is brought to federal court by former minor league players, who allege the Major League Baseball and all 30 of its teams have violated the Fair Labor Standards Act and other state wage laws by not paying the players performing in the minor leagues overtime and minimum wage. The case filed as Senne v. the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball, which was initially scheduled to be heard in heard in February of 2017, will be postponed indefinitely until U.S. district court Joseph C. Spero decides the question of class certification.
In a major reversal, Alex Rodriguez decides to drop his lawsuit against Major League Baseball and the Players Association. He will serve his one-year suspension for his role in the Biogenesis scandal and will attempt to come back in 2015. He will also not attend the Yankees spring training opening shortly, where his presence would have been a major distraction.
P Bronson Arroyo signs a two-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Mariners sign ace pitcher Felix Hernandez to a seven-year contract for $175 million, making him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history. The M’s also sign veteran lefty Joe Saunders to a one-year contract, but for considerably less money.
The fallout from the Mitchell Report continues when Brian McNamee gives a seven-hour deposition to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Meanwhile, Roger Clemens lobbies congressmen and continues to claim McNamee lied about Clemens’ use of steroids.
2005 – The Detroit Tigers sign All-Star right fielder Magglio Ordóñez for five years for a reported $75 million. The contract for the free agent slugger, recovering from knee surgery, includes options which could extend his stay in Detroit for an additional two years making the deal worth nearly $100 million.
Dennis Martinez announces his retirement
Dave Winfield announces his retirement at the age of 44