The Cubs sign two Cuban defectors who once played for the junior national team, OF Rubi Silva and C Yaniel Cabeza, both 21 and already veterans of the Serie Nacional.

ByTom

The Cubs sign two Cuban defectors who once played for the junior national team, OF Rubi Silva and C Yaniel Cabeza, both 21 and already veterans of the Serie Nacional.

The Naranjeros de Hermosillo win the Mexican Pacific League title with a 1 – 0 victory over Mazatlan in the decisive game of the championship finals. Juan Delgadillo pitches 7 2/3 shutout innings for the win, outdueling Walter Silva, while veteran Vinny Castilla drives in the game’s only run on a 1st-inning sacrifice fly. Hermosillo joins the Leones del Caracas (Venezuelan League), Indios de Mayagüez (Puerto Rican League) and Leones del Escogido (Dominican League) in the 2010 Caribbean Series, set to begin on February 2nd on Margarita Island, off the coast of Venezuela.

ByTom

The Naranjeros de Hermosillo win the Mexican Pacific League title with a 1 – 0 victory over Mazatlan in the decisive game of the championship finals. Juan Delgadillo pitches 7 2/3 shutout innings for the win, outdueling Walter Silva, while veteran Vinny Castilla drives in the game’s only run on a 1st-inning sacrifice fly. Hermosillo joins the Leones del Caracas (Venezuelan League), Indios de Mayagüez (Puerto Rican League) and Leones del Escogido (Dominican League) in the 2010 Caribbean Series, set to begin on February 2nd on Margarita Island, off the coast of Venezuela.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette runs a front-page story that Pittsburgh Penguins owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle made an offer to buy the Pittsburgh Pirates from Bob Nutting in 2009. Pirates sources deny that there was a concrete offer and Nutting also indicates he has no interest in selling the team.

ByTom

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette runs a front-page story that Pittsburgh Penguins owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle made an offer to buy the Pittsburgh Pirates from Bob Nutting in 2009. Pirates sources deny that there was a concrete offer and Nutting also indicates he has no interest in selling the team.

2009 – The Tigres de Aragua take their fifth title in six Venezuelan League seasons, topping the Leones del Caracas, 4 games to 3, in the finals despite a worse record in the regular season and in the playoffs. Victor Moreno improves to 4-0, 0.77 in the postseason, getting the victory in relief of Jeff Farnsworth. 3B Matt Tolbert’s three-run homer is a key blow in the 7 – 3 victory.

ByTom

2009 – The Tigres de Aragua take their fifth title in six Venezuelan League seasons, topping the Leones del Caracas, 4 games to 3, in the finals despite a worse record in the regular season and in the playoffs. Victor Moreno improves to 4-0, 0.77 in the postseason, getting the victory in relief of Jeff Farnsworth. 3B Matt Tolbert’s three-run homer is a key blow in the 7 – 3 victory.

The Mets avoid salary arbitration with John Maine (10-8, 4.18) when both sides agree to a $2.6 million, one-year deal. The 25 year-old right-handed starter, who missed the last five weeks of the season due to an injury to his pitching shoulder, is expected to play a major role this year in the team’s pitching rotation.

ByTom

The Mets avoid salary arbitration with John Maine (10-8, 4.18) when both sides agree to a $2.6 million, one-year deal. The 25 year-old right-handed starter, who missed the last five weeks of the season due to an injury to his pitching shoulder, is expected to play a major role this year in the team’s pitching rotation.

Jason Varitek reaches a preliminary agreement with the Red Sox for a reported guaranteed $5 million, one year contract which includes options for the 2010 season. The team’s catcher and captain, a 12-year veteran, accepts much less than he would have made had he taken the team’s arbitration offer made in December.

ByTom

Jason Varitek reaches a preliminary agreement with the Red Sox for a reported guaranteed $5 million, one year contract which includes options for the 2010 season. The team’s catcher and captain, a 12-year veteran, accepts much less than he would have made had he taken the team’s arbitration offer made in December.

Jon Garland agrees to a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks worth at least $7.25 million. The 29 year-old right-hander, who will fill Randy Johnson’s spot as a starter, joins a strong Arizona rotation, which includes Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Max Scherzer, and Doug Davis.

ByTom

Jon Garland agrees to a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks worth at least $7.25 million. The 29 year-old right-hander, who will fill Randy Johnson’s spot as a starter, joins a strong Arizona rotation, which includes Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Max Scherzer, and Doug Davis.

Appearing on CNN’s “Larry King Live”, Joe Torre answers questions concerning the inflammatory excerpts of his book, The Yankee Years, which caused a firestorm of reaction from former players and fans after they were released last week. The Dodgers skipper, who managed the Bronx Bombers for a dozen seasons, tells the host he believes the controversy will die down and people will cool down after they get a chance to read the actual book.

ByTom

Appearing on CNN’s “Larry King Live”, Joe Torre answers questions concerning the inflammatory excerpts of his book, The Yankee Years, which caused a firestorm of reaction from former players and fans after they were released last week. The Dodgers skipper, who managed the Bronx Bombers for a dozen seasons, tells the host he believes the controversy will die down and people will cool down after they get a chance to read the actual book.

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2007 – The City of Houston proclaims Jeff Bagwell Day to celebrate the 15-year career of the Astros slugger. The proclamation coincides with a hitting camp Bagwell is conducting at Minute Maid Park and a pitching camp run by the legendary Nolan Ryan. 

ByTom

2007 – The City of Houston proclaims Jeff Bagwell Day to celebrate the 15-year career of the Astros slugger. The proclamation coincides with a hitting camp Bagwell is conducting at Minute Maid Park and a pitching camp run by the legendary Nolan Ryan.