Major League Baseball officials order Atlanta Braves reliever John Rocker is to undergo psychological testing following derogatory remarks he made in an interview with Sports Illustrated magazine. Commissioner Bud Selig says he will listen to what the doctors say before deciding what punishment – if any – will be handed down to the pitcher.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Major League Baseball officials order Atlanta Braves reliever John Rocker is to undergo psychological testing following derogatory remarks he made in an interview with Sports Illustrated magazine. Commissioner Bud Selig says he will listen to what the doctors say before deciding what punishment – if any – will be handed down to the pitcher.

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Houston signs veteran pitcher and former Cy Young winner Dwight “Doc” Gooden to a free agent contract. He pitches in the debut of Enron Field but gets into only one game during the regular season before he is sent to Tampa Bay. 

ByTom

Houston signs veteran pitcher and former Cy Young winner Dwight “Doc” Gooden to a free agent contract. He pitches in the debut of Enron Field but gets into only one game during the regular season before he is sent to Tampa Bay. 

Nolan Ryan is the first passenger to board the Nolan Ryan Express

Nolan Ryan is the first passenger to board the Nolan Ryan Express

ByTom

Nolan Ryan is the first passenger to board the Nolan Ryan Express, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737. Ryan autographs both sides of the aircraft’s nose on two specially designed decals each featuring a baseball with airplane wings and a Southwest colored tail. In July, Ryan will again board the NLE to fly to the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Cooperstown, New York.

Surgery makes the news as the New York Mets prize rookie outfielder Jay Payton undergoes arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder. Also, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Paul Quantrill has surgery to repair a fractured right thigh and a metal rod is inserted in his leg. He was injured in a snowmobile accident at his home in Port Hope, ON.

ByTom

Surgery makes the news as the New York Mets prize rookie outfielder Jay Payton undergoes arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder. Also, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Paul Quantrill has surgery to repair a fractured right thigh and a metal rod is inserted in his leg. He was injured in a snowmobile accident at his home in Port Hope, ON.

Former Atlanta Braves knuckleballer Phil Niekro is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America
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Former Atlanta Braves knuckleballer Phil Niekro is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America

ByThis Day in Baseball

Former Atlanta Braves knuckleballer Phil Niekro is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America, becoming the 227th member of the Hall. He receives 80.34% of the vote, as former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton falls nine votes short of election. Niekro is only the 87th player to be elected by the BBWAA.

Los Angeles Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley announces plans to sell the team, which has been controlled by his family since 1950. The club is expected to command a record price.

ByTom

Los Angeles Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley announces plans to sell the team, which has been controlled by his family since 1950. The club is expected to command a record price.

1994 – Free agent signings include pitchers Jay Howell by the Texas Rangers, Jeff Brantley by the Cincinnati Reds, and shortstop Walt Weiss by the Colorado Rockies.

ByTom

1994 – Free agent signings include pitchers Jay Howell by the Texas Rangers, Jeff Brantley by the Cincinnati Reds, and shortstop Walt Weiss by the Colorado Rockies.

1988 – Free agent slugger Jack Clark signs with the New York Yankees, while Paul Molitor re-signs with the Milwaukee Brewers.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1988 – Free agent slugger Jack Clark signs with the New York Yankees, while Paul Molitor re-signs with the Milwaukee Brewers.

goose gossage san diego padres

Padres land golden goose

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Padres, outbidding a dozen teams, come to terms with Yankee free-agent Goose Gossage, agreeing to a five-year deal with the right-handed reliever reportedly worth more than $5.5 million. During his four seasons in San Diego as the team’s closer, the 32 year-old will average close to 21 saves per season while winning 25 games, helping the Friars reach their first-ever World Series this year.