The Montreal Expos agree to a one-year contract to telecast 55 games this season – 46 on Réseau des sports, 12 on The Sports Network, and three on both. The approximately $2 million pact with French-language RDS ends the year-long local television blackout imposed by owner Jeffrey Loria which resulted in the departure of Dave van Horne, a respected play-by-play announcer, and the loss of the team’s main sponsor, Labatt Brewery, which cited the lack of local TV rights as a factor in ending its 15-year relationship with the club.

ByTom

The Montreal Expos agree to a one-year contract to telecast 55 games this season – 46 on Réseau des sports, 12 on The Sports Network, and three on both. The approximately $2 million pact with French-language RDS ends the year-long local television blackout imposed by owner Jeffrey Loria which resulted in the departure of Dave van Horne, a respected play-by-play announcer, and the loss of the team’s main sponsor, Labatt Brewery, which cited the lack of local TV rights as a factor in ending its 15-year relationship with the club.

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Houston inks a pair of free agent hurlers. One of them is lefty Pete Schourek, who has a history of arm problems and demands to only be used as a starter. He goes 7-6 in 15 starts before being sold to Boston in mid-season. 

ByTom

Houston inks a pair of free agent hurlers. One of them is lefty Pete Schourek, who has a history of arm problems and demands to only be used as a starter. He goes 7-6 in 15 starts before being sold to Boston in mid-season. 

1996 – Free agent IF Mike Gallego is signed by the Cardinals. In other transactions, Atlanta trades OF Mike Kelly to Cincinnati for minor league pitcher Chad Fox, and Oakland sends P Todd Stottlemyre to the Cardinals in exchange for P Jay Witasick and three prospects.

ByTom

1996 – Free agent IF Mike Gallego is signed by the Cardinals. In other transactions, Atlanta trades OF Mike Kelly to Cincinnati for minor league pitcher Chad Fox, and Oakland sends P Todd Stottlemyre to the Cardinals in exchange for P Jay Witasick and three prospects.

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Johnny Temple dies at age 66 in White Rock, SC. A five-time all-star in Cincinnati, he has a .263 average over two seasons with the Colt .45s as a reserve then comes back to Houston as a sportscaster for KHOU-TV. 

ByTom

Johnny Temple dies at age 66 in White Rock, SC. A five-time all-star in Cincinnati, he has a .263 average over two seasons with the Colt .45s as a reserve then comes back to Houston as a sportscaster for KHOU-TV. 

Alan Wiggins

Former Padres and Orioles infielder Alan Wiggins dies in a Los Angeles, CA hospital at age 32, reportedly from complications due to AIDS.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1991 – Former Padres and Orioles infielder Alan Wiggins dies in a Los Angeles, CA hospital at age 32, reportedly from complications due to AIDS.

A spring training lockout of major league players will begin February 15th unless there is a new agreement, according to an announcement made by the owners. The work stoppage will last 32 days.

ByTom

A spring training lockout of major league players will begin February 15th unless there is a new agreement, according to an announcement made by the owners. The work stoppage will last 32 days.