Former Cy Young Award winner Dwight Gooden is back in trouble with the law. He faces charges of driving under the influence of drugs, child endangerment, and leaving the scene of an accident, after a 9:00 am crash in Franklin Lakes, NJ. Gooden’s problems with substance abuse in the 1980s and 1990s were well-publicized, but he had apparently turned his life around in recent years, serving as a senior vice-president of the Atlantic League’s Newark Bears until last November.

ByTom

Former Cy Young Award winner Dwight Gooden is back in trouble with the law. He faces charges of driving under the influence of drugs, child endangerment, and leaving the scene of an accident, after a 9:00 am crash in Franklin Lakes, NJ. Gooden’s problems with substance abuse in the 1980s and 1990s were well-publicized, but he had apparently turned his life around in recent years, serving as a senior vice-president of the Atlantic League’s Newark Bears until last November.

The probation sentence of Orioles 3B Miguel Tejada is extended by six months because he failed to complete the required 100 hours of community service in due time. Tejada was handed the sentence a year ago as a consequence of misleading Congress and withholding information during testimony regarding the use of steroids in baseball in 2005; he agreed to a $5000 fine and to community service in lieu of a prison sentence.

ByTom

The probation sentence of Orioles 3B Miguel Tejada is extended by six months because he failed to complete the required 100 hours of community service in due time. Tejada was handed the sentence a year ago as a consequence of misleading Congress and withholding information during testimony regarding the use of steroids in baseball in 2005; he agreed to a $5000 fine and to community service in lieu of a prison sentence.

The Twins agree to a new deal with their All-Star closer, signing Joe Nathan (1.88, 37 saves) to a $47 million, four-year contract, which includes a 2012 club option. The 33 year-old right-hander’s 160 saves over the past four seasons is tied with Mariano Rivera of the Yankees for most in the American League.

ByTom

The Twins agree to a new deal with their All-Star closer, signing Joe Nathan (1.88, 37 saves) to a $47 million, four-year contract, which includes a 2012 club option. The 33 year-old right-hander’s 160 saves over the past four seasons is tied with Mariano Rivera of the Yankees for most in the American League.

Minor league umpires plan to strike when the season starts next month and file an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board.

ByTom

Minor league umpires plan to strike when the season starts next month and file an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board.

At Mickey Mantle’s restaurant in New York City, the U.S. Postal Service unveils the “Baseball Sluggers” postage stamps which will be issued on July 15 at Yankee Stadium before the game against the White Sox. The four featured Hall of Famers all have roots in New York with Mickey Mantle (Yankees), Mel Ott (Giants), and Roy Campanella (Dodgers) playing their entire careers in the Big Apple, and the fourth, Hank Greenberg, setting schoolboy records at James Monroe High School in the Bronx.

ByTom

At Mickey Mantle’s restaurant in New York City, the U.S. Postal Service unveils the “Baseball Sluggers” postage stamps which will be issued on July 15 at Yankee Stadium before the game against the White Sox. The four featured Hall of Famers all have roots in New York with Mickey Mantle (Yankees), Mel Ott (Giants), and Roy Campanella (Dodgers) playing their entire careers in the Big Apple, and the fourth, Hank Greenberg, setting schoolboy records at James Monroe High School in the Bronx.

The Arizona Diamondbacks release reliever Felix Heredia, and the Boston Red Sox claim first baseman Hee-Seop Choi off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

ByTom

The Arizona Diamondbacks release reliever Felix Heredia, and the Boston Red Sox claim first baseman Hee-Seop Choi off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Kansas City Royals will start the season without pitcher Zack Greinke, and it remains uncertain when he will return. Greinke left spring training February 26th for unspecified personal reasons to return to his home in Orlando, Florida. He is later diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, but will make a remarkable comeback after undergoing treatment which will cause him to miss most of this season, and will win the 2009 American League Cy Young Award.

ByTom

The Kansas City Royals will start the season without pitcher Zack Greinke, and it remains uncertain when he will return. Greinke left spring training February 26th for unspecified personal reasons to return to his home in Orlando, Florida. He is later diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, but will make a remarkable comeback after undergoing treatment which will cause him to miss most of this season, and will win the 2009 American League Cy Young Award.

During an exhibition game against the Giants, Diamondback hurler Randy Johnson’s fastball hits and instantly kills a dove flying in front of home plate. The bird appears to explode as the National League Cy Young winner’s pitch sends it over catcher Rod Barajas’ head.

ByTom

During an exhibition game against the Giants, Diamondback hurler Randy Johnson’s fastball hits and instantly kills a dove flying in front of home plate. The bird appears to explode as the National League Cy Young winner’s pitch sends it over catcher Rod Barajas’ head.

2001 – Durable pitcher Tim Belcher announces his retirement. In a 14-season majors career, Belcher posted a 146-140 record with 1,519 strikeouts and a 4.24 ERA in 2,442.2 innings for seven teams. He was the first overall choice of the 1983 amateur draft but failed to come to terms with the Minnesota Twins.

ByTom

2001 – Durable pitcher Tim Belcher announces his retirement. In a 14-season majors career, Belcher posted a 146-140 record with 1,519 strikeouts and a 4.24 ERA in 2,442.2 innings for seven teams. He was the first overall choice of the 1983 amateur draft but failed to come to terms with the Minnesota Twins.

1996 – At Tampa’s Legends Field, Yankees infielder Tony Fernandez fractures his right elbow in an exhibition game against the Astros, and is placed on the 60-day disabled list.

ByTom

1996 – At Tampa’s Legends Field, Yankees infielder Tony Fernandez fractures his right elbow in an exhibition game against the Astros, and is placed on the 60-day disabled list.