2011 – Edgar Renteria, the MVP of the last World Series, signs a one-year deal with the Reds. He states in an interview that he had to choose Cincinnati because the Giants’ offer of half the salary and a back-up role was “a total disrespect”. The Reds also sign OF Fred Lewis, who was the Blue Jays’ starting LF last year.

ByTom

2011 – Edgar Renteria, the MVP of the last World Series, signs a one-year deal with the Reds. He states in an interview that he had to choose Cincinnati because the Giants’ offer of half the salary and a back-up role was “a total disrespect”. The Reds also sign OF Fred Lewis, who was the Blue Jays’ starting LF last year.

The Giants sign Aubrey Huff to a one-year contract. He will play first base after being mainly a designated hitter with Baltimore and Detroit last season, and will be a key cog in the Giants drive to their first World Championship in San Francisco.

ByTom

The Giants sign Aubrey Huff to a one-year contract. He will play first base after being mainly a designated hitter with Baltimore and Detroit last season, and will be a key cog in the Giants drive to their first World Championship in San Francisco.

Bruce sutter

Relief pitcher Bruce Sutter is elected to the Hall of Fame along with 17 Negro League Players

ByThis Day in Baseball

Relief pitcher Bruce Sutter is elected to the Hall of Fame. With 75% of the votes cast by BBWAA members needed for election. Sutter receives 76.9%, slugger Jim Rice is second with 64.8%, followed by reliever Goose Gossage at 64.6%. Sutter, who is credited with perfecting the split-fingered fastball, which is a pitch many major leaguers use in some form today, joins Hoyt Wilhelm, Rollie Fingers and Dennis Eckersley as the only relief pitchers in Cooperstown. In a special election, seventeen Negro Leagues figures are also elected: Ray Brown, Willard Brown, Andy Cooper, Frank Grant, Pete Hill, Biz Mackey, Effa Manley, Jose Mendez, Alex Pompez, Cum Posey, Louis Santop, Mule Suttles, Ben Taylor, Cristóbal Torriente, Sol White, J.L. Wilkinson, and Jud Wilson. Manley is the first woman ever elected to the Hall, and the 18 inductees are the largest class in the Hall’s history.

“In light of this disclosure and your apparent unwillingness to reveal other financial information that you assert supports your decision to eliminate two baseball teams, I regret that I must call on you to resign as commissioner of major league baseball.” – JOHN CONYERS, JR., U.S. Representative (D-MI), citing a conflict of interest.Representative John Conyers Jr., the House Judiciary Committee’s ranking Democrat, said he would back off asking Bud Selig to resign if the commissioner dropped his threat to eliminate teams this season. Selig, in a two-page letter to the Michigan lawmaker, was unequivocal in his response, stating the suggestions made were wholly unacceptable.

ByTom

“In light of this disclosure and your apparent unwillingness to reveal other financial information that you assert supports your decision to eliminate two baseball teams, I regret that I must call on you to resign as commissioner of major league baseball.” – JOHN CONYERS, JR., U.S. Representative (D-MI), citing a conflict of interest.Representative John Conyers Jr., the House Judiciary Committee’s ranking Democrat, said he would back off asking Bud Selig to resign if the commissioner dropped his threat to eliminate teams this season. Selig, in a two-page letter to the Michigan lawmaker, was unequivocal in his response, stating the suggestions made were wholly unacceptable.

The New York Yankees sign pitcher David Wells to a two-year, $7-million contract to re-join the team. After posting a 34-14 record including a perfect game, in 1997 and 1998, Wells was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Roger Clemens. In Toronto, Wells had his only 20-win season.

ByTom

The New York Yankees sign pitcher David Wells to a two-year, $7-million contract to re-join the team. After posting a 34-14 record including a perfect game, in 1997 and 1998, Wells was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Roger Clemens. In Toronto, Wells had his only 20-win season.

Commissioner Bud Selig asks the players to accept a luxury tax that would slow the increase of salaries. Selig also proposes that teams vastly increase the amount of local revenue they share.

ByTom

Commissioner Bud Selig asks the players to accept a luxury tax that would slow the increase of salaries. Selig also proposes that teams vastly increase the amount of local revenue they share.

Free agent signings include outfielder Brian Hunter by the Philadelphia Phillies and infielder Ron Coomer by the Chicago Cubs. Coomer will go on the disabled list April 4th with a knee injury, opening the door for Julio Zuleta.

ByTom

Free agent signings include outfielder Brian Hunter by the Philadelphia Phillies and infielder Ron Coomer by the Chicago Cubs. Coomer will go on the disabled list April 4th with a knee injury, opening the door for Julio Zuleta.