In a news conference at Dodger Stadium, general manager Paul DePodesta announces the team has signed former Red Sox starter Derek Lowe to a $36 million, four-year deal. Lowe, who has the second most wins over the past three years, is the first pitcher to win three deciding decisions in post-season history.

ByTom

In a news conference at Dodger Stadium, general manager Paul DePodesta announces the team has signed former Red Sox starter Derek Lowe to a $36 million, four-year deal. Lowe, who has the second most wins over the past three years, is the first pitcher to win three deciding decisions in post-season history.

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Less than three months since retiring, pitcher Roger Clemens returns to sign a $5 million-dollar, one-year contract with the Astros. The 41-year-old holds a record six Cy Young awards. Clemens cites his Houston home and his friendship with Yankee-turned-Astro teammate Andy Pettitte among his reasons for pitching another season. The deal includes a ten-year personal services contract to remain with the organization once he retires for good. Clemens winds up giving the Astros a season to remember. 

ByTom

Less than three months since retiring, pitcher Roger Clemens returns to sign a $5 million-dollar, one-year contract with the Astros. The 41-year-old holds a record six Cy Young awards. Clemens cites his Houston home and his friendship with Yankee-turned-Astro teammate Andy Pettitte among his reasons for pitching another season. The deal includes a ten-year personal services contract to remain with the organization once he retires for good. Clemens winds up giving the Astros a season to remember. 

2000 – The Milwaukee Brewers obtain pitchers Jaime Navarro and John Snyder from the Chicago White Sox for shortstop Jose Valentin and pitcher Cal Eldred. Navarro, the majors’ loss leader (43) the past three seasons, was disgruntled with the Sox. Valentin will compete with Mike Caruso for the SS job.

ByTom

2000 – The Milwaukee Brewers obtain pitchers Jaime Navarro and John Snyder from the Chicago White Sox for shortstop Jose Valentin and pitcher Cal Eldred. Navarro, the majors’ loss leader (43) the past three seasons, was disgruntled with the Sox. Valentin will compete with Mike Caruso for the SS job.

Mark McGwire 70th home run ball is sold at an auction for $2.7 million

Mark McGwire 70th home run ball is sold at an auction for $2.7 million

ByTom

1999 – Setting an all-time record, the ball that Mark McGwire hit for his 70th home run is sold at an auction for $2.7 million by Guernsey’s Auction House in Manhattan. The buyer is later revealed to be Todd McFarlane, creator of the Spawn comic books series. The price tag surpasses the record $126,500 which bought a Babe Ruth home run ball last year.

1997 – The San Diego Padres acquire the rights to 27-year-old Japanese hard-throwing pitcher Hideki Irabu from the Chiba Lotte Marines. Irabu says he only wants to play for the New York Yankees and will force a trade to the Bronx Bombers.

ByTom

1997 – The San Diego Padres acquire the rights to 27-year-old Japanese hard-throwing pitcher Hideki Irabu from the Chiba Lotte Marines. Irabu says he only wants to play for the New York Yankees and will force a trade to the Bronx Bombers.

left-handed pitcher Steve Carlton is elected to the Hall of Fame by the baseball writers

left-handed pitcher Steve Carlton is elected to the Hall of Fame by the baseball writers

ByThis Day in Baseball

On January 12, 1994, Steve Carlton, on the greatest left-handed pitchers in baseball history and the winner of 329 games, 4,136 strikeouts and four Cy Young Awards, is elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA receiving almost 96% of the vote. Orlando Cepeda falls seven votes short of the 75% required for election….

Juan Marichal and Brooks Robinson Elected into Hall of Fame

Juan Marichal and Brooks Robinson Elected into Hall of Fame

ByThis Day in Baseball

On January 12, 1983, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America elects two players to the Hall of Fame: pitching great Juan Marichal, who toiled for the San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers. The pride of both the Dominican Republic and the Giants, Juan Antonio Marichal Sanchez won 243 games and lost…