Two all-time greats pass away today, as long-time Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver dies at 82 and St. Louis Cardinals slugger Stan Musial is a victim of Alzheimer’s disease at 92 later in the day. Both were members of the Hall of Fame.

ByTom

Two all-time greats pass away today, as long-time Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver dies at 82 and St. Louis Cardinals slugger Stan Musial is a victim of Alzheimer’s disease at 92 later in the day. Both were members of the Hall of Fame.

Dominican Republic authorities arrest Indians­ pitcher Fausto Carmona on charges of using a false identity as he leaves the United States consulate where he is applying for a visa. A police spokesman explains that Carmona’s real name is “Roberto Hernandez Heredia”, and that he is three years older than his listed age. The arrest is part of a joint operation with U.S. immigration authorities to curb visa fraud in the Caribbean country; the campaign earlier nabbed Marlins pitcher Leo Nunez on similar charges last September.

ByTom

Dominican Republic authorities arrest Indians­ pitcher Fausto Carmona on charges of using a false identity as he leaves the United States consulate where he is applying for a visa. A police spokesman explains that Carmona’s real name is “Roberto Hernandez Heredia”, and that he is three years older than his listed age. The arrest is part of a joint operation with U.S. immigration authorities to curb visa fraud in the Caribbean country; the campaign earlier nabbed Marlins pitcher Leo Nunez on similar charges last September.

Ryan Braun, facing a 50-game suspension for showing abnormally high levels of testosterone in a PED test last season, pleads his case before a three-member panel in New York, NY. He strongly denies knowingly taking a banned substance. Ironically, Braun is in the “Big Apple” to receive his MVP Award at the annual dinner of the local chapter of the BBWAA, where he is to make his first statement since news of his positive test became public.

ByTom

Ryan Braun, facing a 50-game suspension for showing abnormally high levels of testosterone in a PED test last season, pleads his case before a three-member panel in New York, NY. He strongly denies knowingly taking a banned substance. Ironically, Braun is in the “Big Apple” to receive his MVP Award at the annual dinner of the local chapter of the BBWAA, where he is to make his first statement since news of his positive test became public.

After months of toing and froing, the Minnesota Twins and P Carl Pavano agree on a two-year contract worth $16.5 million. Pavano led the Twins with a 17-11 record in 2010, his second straight solid season after four disastrous years with the New York Yankees from 2005 to 2008.

ByTom

After months of toing and froing, the Minnesota Twins and P Carl Pavano agree on a two-year contract worth $16.5 million. Pavano led the Twins with a 17-11 record in 2010, his second straight solid season after four disastrous years with the New York Yankees from 2005 to 2008.

In other signings, the A’s ink lefty reliever Brian Fuentes for the next two years, while the Padres add righty Chad Qualls to their bullpen.

ByTom

In other signings, the A’s ink lefty reliever Brian Fuentes for the next two years, while the Padres add righty Chad Qualls to their bullpen.

2010 – Free agent catcher Bengie Molina re-signs for one year with the Giants in what is considered a surprise move, first because top catching prospect Buster Posey seems poised to play regularly for San Francisco, and also because the Mets had been expected to bring in Molina to be their starting catcher this season.

ByTom

2010 – Free agent catcher Bengie Molina re-signs for one year with the Giants in what is considered a surprise move, first because top catching prospect Buster Posey seems poised to play regularly for San Francisco, and also because the Mets had been expected to bring in Molina to be their starting catcher this season.

Jonathan Papelbon inks a deal with the Red Sox for the largest salary ever given to a relief pitcher with just four years of major league service. The 29 year-old reliever, who has 151 career saves for Boston, agrees to a $9.35 million, one-year contract to continue to be the team’s closer.

ByTom

Jonathan Papelbon inks a deal with the Red Sox for the largest salary ever given to a relief pitcher with just four years of major league service. The 29 year-old reliever, who has 151 career saves for Boston, agrees to a $9.35 million, one-year contract to continue to be the team’s closer.

Bill Werber, the oldest ex-major leaguer and last living teammate of Babe Ruth, dies at the age of 100. The former infielder, who played for the Yankees, Red Sox, A’s, Reds, and Giants, became the first player to appear in a televised game when he batted leadoff for Cincinnati in a contest played against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field on August 26, 1939.

Bill Werber, the oldest ex-major leaguer and last living teammate of Babe Ruth, dies at the age of 100. The former infielder, who played for the Yankees, Red Sox, A’s, Reds, and Giants, became the first player to appear in a televised game when he batted leadoff for Cincinnati in a contest played against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field on August 26, 1939.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Bill Werber, the oldest ex-major leaguer and last living teammate of Babe Ruth, dies at the age of 100. The former infielder, who played for the Yankees, Red Sox, A’s, Reds, and Giants, became the first player to appear in a televised game when he batted leadoff for Cincinnati in a contest played against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field on August 26, 1939.

Stephen Drew and the Diamondbacks avoid arbitration by coming to terms on a $3.4 million, one-year deal. The 26 year-old shortstop, selected as the team’s 15th pick in the 2004 amateur draft, has compiled a .270 batting average during his four seasons with Arizona.

ByTom

Stephen Drew and the Diamondbacks avoid arbitration by coming to terms on a $3.4 million, one-year deal. The 26 year-old shortstop, selected as the team’s 15th pick in the 2004 amateur draft, has compiled a .270 batting average during his four seasons with Arizona.

Baseball officials are cautiously expecting good news soon from the George W. Bush administration that would clear the way for Cuba to participate in the first World Baseball Classic. Meanwhile, Fidel Castro suggests the United States doesn’t want to play Cuba in the WBC. The U.S. Treasury Department last month denied MLB’s application for Cuba to play its scheduled first-round games in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory. Later rounds are to be played on the U.S. mainland. The license is required under 45-year-old American sanctions against Cuba. The International Baseball Federation has said it will not sanction the tournament if Cuba isn’t allowed to play.

ByTom

Baseball officials are cautiously expecting good news soon from the George W. Bush administration that would clear the way for Cuba to participate in the first World Baseball Classic. Meanwhile, Fidel Castro suggests the United States doesn’t want to play Cuba in the WBC. The U.S. Treasury Department last month denied MLB’s application for Cuba to play its scheduled first-round games in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory. Later rounds are to be played on the U.S. mainland. The license is required under 45-year-old American sanctions against Cuba. The International Baseball Federation has said it will not sanction the tournament if Cuba isn’t allowed to play.