Randy Johnson, who won his 300th game with the San Francisco Giants last season, announces his retirement, ending a 22-year career that began with the Montreal Expos in 1988. The 6’10” lefthander amassed 4875 strikeouts, the second-most in major league history after Nolan Ryan, and pitched both a no-hitter and a perfect game while winning five Cy Young Awards.
According to reports, a preliminary agreement has been reached between the Cubs and free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley on a $30 million, three-year deal. The switch-hitting All-Star, who batted .321 and led the American League with a .436 on-base percentage, will fill the team’s need for a left-handed presence in the middle of the lineup.
The Tampa Bay Rays come to terms with Pat Burrell, whose Phillies beat Tampa Bay in the 2008 World Series. The deal is for two years and $16 million. Burrell hit 33 homers and drew 102 walks last season, but his production will plummet in Tampa.
Felipe Alou is named special assistant to Brian Sabean, general manager of the Giants. The team’s 72 year-old former manager (2003-06), handling both major league and minor League scouting assignments, will provide insights on personnel for the GM.
Major League Baseball files for mediation against the District of Columbia after the city failed to approve a lease for the Washington Nationals’ new ballpark by the December 31st deadline.
The Texas Rangers complete their six-player trade with the San Diego Padres to acquire starting pitcher Adam Eaton. Texas also gets relief pitcher Akinori Otsuka and minor league catcher Billy Killian, sending pitcher Chris Young, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and outfielder Terrmel Sledge to San Diego in a deal that will turn out to be outrageously in favor of the Padres.
Jeff Conine and the Baltimore Orioles finalize a $1.7 million, one-year contract. Conine, who was with the Orioles from 1999 to 2003, hit .304 and had a .374 on-base percentage in 131 games for the Florida Marlins last season, batting .327 after the All-Star break.
On January 5, 2004, former reliever Tug McGraw dies at the age of 59. One of the most popular players in Phillies’ history, McGraw recorded the final out in Philadelphia’s first World Series title in 1980. He also served as the cheerleader and reliever for the 1973 “You Gotta Believe” New York Mets. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@…
Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, who has won seven batting titles in the Pacific League, is signed by the Seattle Mariners to a $14,088,000, three-year contract.
The plan to name a new downtown Montréal, QC ballpark “Labatt Park” dim as the Canadian Labatt Brewing Company announces it is ending its 15-year sponsorship of the Expos. The company cites the lack of a local television contract and stalled stadium plans as factors in the decision.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!