January 15, 2020 …The sign-stealing scandal taking over Major League Baseball has sparked plenty of reaction from former and current players and coaches, along with other prominent figures in the sport One of those former players is ex-Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, who isn’t one to shy away from sharing his opinions…
2019 – The 2019 Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame Election results are announced. Kazuyoshi Tatsunami, the all-time NPB doubles leader, is elected on the players ballot. The veterans committee selects Hiroshi Gondo while the special committee picks high school federation executive Haruo Wakimura.
The history of sports is both vast and rich, thanks to the existence of so many different events and the longevity associated with them. With so much history to cull through, We offer the opportunity to look back and see what memorable things happened or milestones were reached on January 15 in baseball history. …
2018 – For the second time this off-season, the Giants acquire an aging franchise player in the hope of extending the team’s window of contention. After 3B Evan Longoria, acquired from the Rays a month ago, it is now OF Andrew McCutchen who moves to the West Coast. The Giants send P Kyle Crick, OF Bryan Reynolds and $500,000 in international bonus allocation to the Pirates, who for their part have traded a second star player in three days, after ace pitcher Gerrit Cole.
The Puerto Rican League issues its 2014-2015 awards. Gigantes de Carolina right fielder Anthony García is named MVP after leading the league in homers and RBI, while ERA record-setter Iván Maldonado is both Pitcher of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year. Infielder T.J. Rivera wins Rookie of the Year and Alex Cora is Manager of the Year.
At the last owners meeting chaired by outgoing Commissioner Bud Selig, owners decide to use a pitch clock during minor league games at the AA and AAA level this season in an experiment to quicken the pace of games.
2014 – The Dodgers sign P Clayton Kershaw to the biggest deal in baseball history, as the seven-year, $215 million package averages to $30.7 million per season, making Kershaw the highest-paid player in baseball, a title held until now by Alex Rodriguez. The deal is also the largest ever for a pitcher in total value, although still below Rodriguez’s deal, which was for $275 million.
2013 – The Nationals sign Yankees closer Rafael Soriano to a two-year contract for $28 million.
After watching their bullpen implode in the NLDS last season, the Nationals sign Rafael Soriano to a two-year, $28 million deal to be the club’s closer. The 33 year-old right-handed reliever, who had a league-leading 45 saves for the Rays in 2011, filled in for the injured Mariano Rivera last season and saved 42 games for the Yankees.
2012 – Three pitchers find new homes today: Bartolo Colon agrees to a deal with Oakland; Joel Zumaya comes to terms with the Twins; and Joel Pineiro signs with the Phillies.