2018 – Ignoring resistance from the Players Association, Commissioner Rob Manfred unilaterally announces two measures to speed up the pace of play: the introduction of a 20-second pitch clock with no runners on base, and a change to the definition of mound visits to include those made by the catcher or by an infielder. Previously, only visits by a manager or coach would count, with the second resulting in the automatic replacement of the pitcher by a reliever. The players’ reluctance is seen as a reaction to the slow free agent market this off-season that has resulted in a number of top-notch players still being unsigned a month before the opening of spring training. On February 19th, the Commissioner will come to an agreement with the MLBPA not to introduce the clock, but to go ahead with other measures to speed up the pace of play.

2018 – Ignoring resistance from the Players Association, Commissioner Rob Manfred unilaterally announces two measures to speed up the pace of play: the introduction of a 20-second pitch clock with no runners on base, and a change to the definition of mound visits to include those made by the catcher or by an infielder. Previously, only visits by a manager or coach would count, with the second resulting in the automatic replacement of the pitcher by a reliever. The players’ reluctance is seen as a reaction to the slow free agent market this off-season that has resulted in a number of top-notch players still being unsigned a month before the opening of spring training. On February 19th, the Commissioner will come to an agreement with the MLBPA not to introduce the clock, but to go ahead with other measures to speed up the pace of play.

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2017 – First baseman Jeff Bagwell is voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame with 86.2% of the vote, along with catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who played briefly with the Astros, and outfielder Tim Raines. It was Bagwell’s seventh year on the ballot. 

2017 – First baseman Jeff Bagwell is voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame with 86.2% of the vote, along with catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who played briefly with the Astros, and outfielder Tim Raines. It was Bagwell’s seventh year on the ballot. 

2017 – The Baseball Writers Association of America elects three players to the Hall of Fame: former Houston Astros 1B Jeff Bagwell receives 86.2% of the vote to make it on his seventh try, while lead-off man Tim Raines is just behind him with 86% in his 10th and final year of eligibility. C Ivan Rodriguez also makes it, on his first attempt, clearing the 75% threshold by four votes. Falling just short are RP Trevor Hoffman and OF Vladimir Guerrero, who miss by 5 and 15 votes, respectively.

2017 – The Baseball Writers Association of America elects three players to the Hall of Fame: former Houston Astros 1B Jeff Bagwell receives 86.2% of the vote to make it on his seventh try, while lead-off man Tim Raines is just behind him with 86% in his 10th and final year of eligibility. C Ivan Rodriguez also makes it, on his first attempt, clearing the 75% threshold by four votes. Falling just short are RP Trevor Hoffman and OF Vladimir Guerrero, who miss by 5 and 15 votes, respectively.

The 2015-2016 Venezuelan League awards are given out. Tiburones de La Guaira slugger Alex Cabrera becomes the league’s first three-time MVP when the 44-year-old leads in homers and ties for the RBI lead. Cabrera is tied for the league’s all-time home run lead at year’s end. Bravos de Margarita youngster Jose Osuna (.330/.395/.519) wins Rookie of the Year while Raul Rivero (7-4, 2.03 for the Cardenales de Lara) is Pitcher of the Year. Navegantes del Magallanes fireman Hassan Pena becomes the first player to win three straight Closer of the Year awards after setting a new save mark.

The 2015-2016 Venezuelan League awards are given out. Tiburones de La Guaira slugger Alex Cabrera becomes the league’s first three-time MVP when the 44-year-old leads in homers and ties for the RBI lead. Cabrera is tied for the league’s all-time home run lead at year’s end. Bravos de Margarita youngster Jose Osuna (.330/.395/.519) wins Rookie of the Year while Raul Rivero (7-4, 2.03 for the Cardenales de Lara) is Pitcher of the Year. Navegantes del Magallanes fireman Hassan Pena becomes the first player to win three straight Closer of the Year awards after setting a new save mark.

The Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame elects five members, its biggest class in ten years. Kimiyasu Kudoh, a eight-time Japan Series champion and four-time ERA leader, goes in on his first ballot. The sportswriter committee also picks Masaaki Saito, a three-time Sawamura Award winner and one-time MVP. The Expert Division picks the late Kihachi Enomoto, a 12-time All-Star and two-time batting champion. The Special Selection Committee names Takizo Matsumoto, who helped revive Japanese baseball after World War II, and Masatake Yamanaka,who set the Tokyo Big Six University League record for wins and managed Japan in the 1992 Olympics.

The Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame elects five members, its biggest class in ten years. Kimiyasu Kudoh, a eight-time Japan Series champion and four-time ERA leader, goes in on his first ballot. The sportswriter committee also picks Masaaki Saito, a three-time Sawamura Award winner and one-time MVP. The Expert Division picks the late Kihachi Enomoto, a 12-time All-Star and two-time batting champion. The Special Selection Committee names Takizo Matsumoto, who helped revive Japanese baseball after World War II, and Masatake Yamanaka,who set the Tokyo Big Six University League record for wins and managed Japan in the 1992 Olympics.

The Puerto Rican League also issues its seasonal awards. The MVP goes to Kennys Vargas of the Indios de Mayagüez, who led the loop in homers, slugging, total bases and OPS. Rookie of the Year is Joe Jiménez of the Gigantes de Carolina (0-2, 6 Sv, 2.80) while Adalberto Flores (5-2, 2.04) of the Santurce Crabbers is Pitcher of the Year. Other awards go to Jonathan Sánchez (Comeback Player of the Year) and Pat Kelly (Manager of the Year) while the All-Stars are C Johnny Monell Jr., 1B Vargas, 2B Jesmuel Valentin, SS Elmer Reyes, 3B T.J. Rivera, RF Anthony Garcia, CF Reymond Fuentes, LF Ruben Sosa, RHP Adalberto Flores, LHP Sánchez, RP Fernando Cabrera and DH Randy Ruiz.

The Puerto Rican League also issues its seasonal awards. The MVP goes to Kennys Vargas of the Indios de Mayagüez, who led the loop in homers, slugging, total bases and OPS. Rookie of the Year is Joe Jiménez of the Gigantes de Carolina (0-2, 6 Sv, 2.80) while Adalberto Flores (5-2, 2.04) of the Santurce Crabbers is Pitcher of the Year. Other awards go to Jonathan Sánchez (Comeback Player of the Year) and Pat Kelly (Manager of the Year) while the All-Stars are C Johnny Monell Jr., 1B Vargas, 2B Jesmuel Valentin, SS Elmer Reyes, 3B T.J. Rivera, RF Anthony Garcia, CF Reymond Fuentes, LF Ruben Sosa, RHP Adalberto Flores, LHP Sánchez, RP Fernando Cabrera and DH Randy Ruiz.

The Tigers sign one the last remaining marquee free agents on the market, inking OF Justin Upton to a six-year deal worth $132.75 million.

The Tigers sign one the last remaining marquee free agents on the market, inking OF Justin Upton to a six-year deal worth $132.75 million.

Game 7 of the Mexican Pacific League semi-finals between the Águilas de Mexicali and Mayos de Navojoa ends in thrilling fashion, on a 16th-inning squeeze bunt dropped by C.J. Retherford on a full count, scoring Chris Roberson from third base. Mexicali wins the game and will face Mazatlan in the finals.

Game 7 of the Mexican Pacific League semi-finals between the Águilas de Mexicali and Mayos de Navojoa ends in thrilling fashion, on a 16th-inning squeeze bunt dropped by C.J. Retherford on a full count, scoring Chris Roberson from third base. Mexicali wins the game and will face Mazatlan in the finals.

Reports circulate that the prime free agent of this off-season, P Max Scherzer, has agreed on a seven-year deal with the Washington Nationals. Terms of the deal released the next day indicate it is worth $210 million.

Reports circulate that the prime free agent of this off-season, P Max Scherzer, has agreed on a seven-year deal with the Washington Nationals. Terms of the deal released the next day indicate it is worth $210 million.

2015 – Reports circulate that the prime free agent of this off-season, P Max Scherzer, has agreed on a seven-year deal with the Washington Nationals. Terms of the deal released the next day indicate it is worth $210 million.