2018 – Grapefruit League games are usually pretty laid-back affairs, as the final score is of minor concern to players, managers and fans alike. However, today, umpire Tom Hallion is apparently keen on working out the rust from his ejection gesture, as he gives the thumb no less than five times in a meaningless game between the Tigers and Phillies. Things start in the 5th inning when he tosses Tigers pitcher Matt Boyd for supposedly throwing at Odubel Herrera, then in the 8th he gives the heave-ho to Phillies P Parker Frazier for losing control of a slow curve that ends on Derek Hill’s leg. When manager Gabe Kapler comes out to point out the absurdity of the call, he is sent off as well. Then in the 9th, it’s Pedro Beato who gets his time on the mound shortened for pitching inside to Dylan Rosa, and he’s quickly followed to the clubhouse by bench coach Rob Thomson when he attempts to remind Hallion that this is a spring training game and guys are just trying to throw some pitches against live batters.

ByTom

2018 – Grapefruit League games are usually pretty laid-back affairs, as the final score is of minor concern to players, managers and fans alike. However, today, umpire Tom Hallion is apparently keen on working out the rust from his ejection gesture, as he gives the thumb no less than five times in a meaningless game between the Tigers and Phillies. Things start in the 5th inning when he tosses Tigers pitcher Matt Boyd for supposedly throwing at Odubel Herrera, then in the 8th he gives the heave-ho to Phillies P Parker Frazier for losing control of a slow curve that ends on Derek Hill’s leg. When manager Gabe Kapler comes out to point out the absurdity of the call, he is sent off as well. Then in the 9th, it’s Pedro Beato who gets his time on the mound shortened for pitching inside to Dylan Rosa, and he’s quickly followed to the clubhouse by bench coach Rob Thomson when he attempts to remind Hallion that this is a spring training game and guys are just trying to throw some pitches against live batters.

The Dodgers announce that OF Andre Ethier will be out at least three months with a fractured right tibia, the result of fouling a ball off his leg on March 18th.

ByTom

The Dodgers announce that OF Andre Ethier will be out at least three months with a fractured right tibia, the result of fouling a ball off his leg on March 18th.

The Rays defeat the Cuban national team, 4 – 1, in a historic exhibition game played at Estadio Latinoamericano in Havana, Cuba. Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro are in attendance as the ballgame, which is the first by a major league team in Cuba since the 1999 Baltimore Orioles-Cuban National Team Exhibition Series, and only the second since the 1959 Cuban Revolution.

ByTom

The Rays defeat the Cuban national team, 4 – 1, in a historic exhibition game played at Estadio Latinoamericano in Havana, Cuba. Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro are in attendance as the ballgame, which is the first by a major league team in Cuba since the 1999 Baltimore Orioles-Cuban National Team Exhibition Series, and only the second since the 1959 Cuban Revolution.

2015 – Yankees prospect Jose Pirela runs into the center field fence at full speed in trying to chase down a drive off the bat of the Mets’ Juan Lagares. He suffers a concussion and has to be taken to hospital, but escapes more serious injury. Meanwhile, Lagares circles the bases with an inside-the-park home run.

ByTom

2015 – Yankees prospect Jose Pirela runs into the center field fence at full speed in trying to chase down a drive off the bat of the Mets’ Juan Lagares. He suffers a concussion and has to be taken to hospital, but escapes more serious injury. Meanwhile, Lagares circles the bases with an inside-the-park home run.

MLB regular season begins in Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney, Australia

ByTom

Major League Baseball’s regular season begins with the first of two games played at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney, Australia. The Dodgers defeat the Diamondbacks, 3 – 1, behind a vintage performance from defending Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, and a pair of extra-base hits by OF Scott Van Slyke, including the first homer to be hit in the southern hemisphere. Ironically, Van Slyke is only in the starting line-up because OFs Carl Crawford and Matt Kemp have failed to make the trip. It is the first time a regular season game has been played in Australia.

2013 – Major League Baseball files a lawsuit against Anthony Bosch and five others connected with the Miami clinic “Biogenesis” that allegedly provided PEDs to a number of players. The suit charges that the defendants “knowingly participated in a scheme to solicit or induce major league players to purchase or obtain performance-enhancing substances in violation of MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.” The suit seeks monetary damages and other relief.

ByTom

2013 – Major League Baseball files a lawsuit against Anthony Bosch and five others connected with the Miami clinic “Biogenesis” that allegedly provided PEDs to a number of players. The suit charges that the defendants “knowingly participated in a scheme to solicit or induce major league players to purchase or obtain performance-enhancing substances in violation of MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.” The suit seeks monetary damages and other relief.

Major League Baseball announces it is setting up a new league for amateur players in the Dominican Republic, in order to give them an opportunity to perform against top competition without having to commit to a professional contract at a very young age. The lack of high school or equivalent competition has hampered the development of the game in the D.R., whose national teams have performed poorly in international competitions in spite of the large number of professional players born in the country.

ByTom

Major League Baseball announces it is setting up a new league for amateur players in the Dominican Republic, in order to give them an opportunity to perform against top competition without having to commit to a professional contract at a very young age. The lack of high school or equivalent competition has hampered the development of the game in the D.R., whose national teams have performed poorly in international competitions in spite of the large number of professional players born in the country.

New Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine gets an early introduction to the fierce rivalry with the Yankees. After the Sox tie a spring training game, 4 – 4, on a squeeze bunt by Jason Repko in the bottom of the 9th inning, Valentine has reliever Clayton Mortensen on the mound ready to pitch the 10th when rival manager Joe Girardi announces that his team is leaving Fort Myers, FL immediately, taking a bus back to their base in Tampa, FL. Girardi later justifies his last-minute decision by the fact that he has used all of the pitchers he had planned to bring into the game, but Valentine is still irked.

ByTom

New Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine gets an early introduction to the fierce rivalry with the Yankees. After the Sox tie a spring training game, 4 – 4, on a squeeze bunt by Jason Repko in the bottom of the 9th inning, Valentine has reliever Clayton Mortensen on the mound ready to pitch the 10th when rival manager Joe Girardi announces that his team is leaving Fort Myers, FL immediately, taking a bus back to their base in Tampa, FL. Girardi later justifies his last-minute decision by the fact that he has used all of the pitchers he had planned to bring into the game, but Valentine is still irked.

Braves 3B Chipper Jones, one of the greatest switch-hitters of all time, announces that he will retire after this season. Jones, who will turn 40 next month, hopes to remain with the Braves – the only team he has played for – in some capacity after hanging up his spikes.

ByTom

Braves 3B Chipper Jones, one of the greatest switch-hitters of all time, announces that he will retire after this season. Jones, who will turn 40 next month, hopes to remain with the Braves – the only team he has played for – in some capacity after hanging up his spikes.