2019 – In a very rare occurrence, position players take the mound for both teams in the Dodgers’ 18 – 5 win over the Diamondbacks. The two teams’ bullpens are worn out after playing a 13-inning game the previous night, so with a large deficit in the 7th, Arizona sends back-up catcher John Ryan Murphy to pitch, and he gives up 7 more runs in 2 innings. The Dodgers then ask their own back-up catcher, Russell Martin, to close out the win in the 9th, and he obliges by setting down the side on 10 pitches.

ByTom

2019 – In a very rare occurrence, position players take the mound for both teams in the Dodgers’ 18 – 5 win over the Diamondbacks. The two teams’ bullpens are worn out after playing a 13-inning game the previous night, so with a large deficit in the 7th, Arizona sends back-up catcher John Ryan Murphy to pitch, and he gives up 7 more runs in 2 innings. The Dodgers then ask their own back-up catcher, Russell Martin, to close out the win in the 9th, and he obliges by setting down the side on 10 pitches.

2018 – For the second straight day, the Giants defeat the Dodgers, 1 – 0, thanks to a solo homer by 2B Joe Panik. After pulling the trick against ace Clayton Kershaw on Opening Day yesterday, Panik connects off closer Kenley Jansen in the 9th inning, after starter Alex Wood had limited the Giants to one hit over the first eight frames. The Dodgers manage just one hit off three Giants pitchers, but will get their revenge over the next two days, defeating the Giants by a combined score of 14-0.

ByThis Day in Baseball

2018 – For the second straight day, the Giants defeat the Dodgers, 1 – 0, thanks to a solo homer by 2B Joe Panik. After pulling the trick against ace Clayton Kershaw on Opening Day yesterday, Panik connects off closer Kenley Jansen in the 9th inning, after starter Alex Wood had limited the Giants to one hit over the first eight frames. The Dodgers manage just one hit off three Giants pitchers, but will get their revenge over the next two days, defeating the Giants by a combined score of 14-0.

The Mets make a couple of trades to bolster their bullpen, sending P Cory Mazzoni and a player to be named later to the Padres for Alex Torres, and OF Matt den Dekker to Washington in return for Jerry Blevins. Both pitchers acquired by the Mets are lefthanded.

ByTom

The Mets make a couple of trades to bolster their bullpen, sending P Cory Mazzoni and a player to be named later to the Padres for Alex Torres, and OF Matt den Dekker to Washington in return for Jerry Blevins. Both pitchers acquired by the Mets are lefthanded.

As had been rumored, the Cubs announce that they have sent top prospect Kris Bryant to their minor league camp, even though he has had an outstanding spring training. Agent Scott Boras expresses outrage, claiming the move is motivated by financial and not baseball reasons, while the Players’ Association threatens some form or retaliation. However, Major League Baseball reminds everyone that teams have the sole right to determine which players end up on their roster, as confirmed under the Basic Agreement. Bryant will be called up on April 17th and will end up winning the Rookie of the Year Award.

ByTom

As had been rumored, the Cubs announce that they have sent top prospect Kris Bryant to their minor league camp, even though he has had an outstanding spring training. Agent Scott Boras expresses outrage, claiming the move is motivated by financial and not baseball reasons, while the Players’ Association threatens some form or retaliation. However, Major League Baseball reminds everyone that teams have the sole right to determine which players end up on their roster, as confirmed under the Basic Agreement. Bryant will be called up on April 17th and will end up winning the Rookie of the Year Award.

MLB opens its season stateside

ByThis Day in Baseball

Major League Baseball opens its season stateside, one week after playing a two-game series in Sydney, Australia. The Dodgers, who won both games in Sydney, are again involved, visiting San Diego where they lose, 3 – 1, in front of the biggest crowd in Petco Park history – 45,567. Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu holds the Padres scoreless for 7 innings, but Seth Smith ties the game with a pinch homer off Brian Wilson to lead off the 8th. Yasmani Grandal scores the winning run later that inning after stealing the first base of his professional career.

2011 – Two persons are selected by Major League Baseball from among 10,000 applicants to live the ultimate fan dream this season. 37-year-old Mike O’Hara, a New York Yankees fan from Los Angeles, CA, and 25-year-old ex-actor Ryan Wagner of Baltimore, MD will spend the season in the “MLB Fan Cave” watching every single one of the 2,430 regular-season games and every postseason contest in a room equiped with multiple television screens at 4th and Broadway in New York City. They will blog about the experience for mlb.com and various social networking web sites and be featured on MLB.TV. Their lair will be visible from the street through 14-foot windows, and they will be joined from time to time by visitors, including a large number of major league ballplayers, for parties, interviews and special events.

ByTom

2011 – Two persons are selected by Major League Baseball from among 10,000 applicants to live the ultimate fan dream this season. 37-year-old Mike O’Hara, a New York Yankees fan from Los Angeles, CA, and 25-year-old ex-actor Ryan Wagner of Baltimore, MD will spend the season in the “MLB Fan Cave” watching every single one of the 2,430 regular-season games and every postseason contest in a room equiped with multiple television screens at 4th and Broadway in New York City. They will blog about the experience for mlb.com and various social networking web sites and be featured on MLB.TV. Their lair will be visible from the street through 14-foot windows, and they will be joined from time to time by visitors, including a large number of major league ballplayers, for parties, interviews and special events.

The Cubs round out their roster by releasing veteran 1B Kevin Millar and sending OF Micah Hoffpauir and Sam Fuld and C Chris Robinson to the minor leagues. When the dust settles, Chad Tracy has secured a spot on the Cubbies’ bench.

ByTom

The Cubs round out their roster by releasing veteran 1B Kevin Millar and sending OF Micah Hoffpauir and Sam Fuld and C Chris Robinson to the minor leagues. When the dust settles, Chad Tracy has secured a spot on the Cubbies’ bench.

Aroldis Chapman will not start the year in the Cincinnati Reds’ starting rotation

ByTom

Because of back spasms, heralded Cuban signee Aroldis Chapman will not start the year in the Cincinnati Reds’ starting rotation. However, the 22-year-old impressed everyone in spring training with his velocity and command and is expected to make his major league debut sooner rather than later.

Dontrelle Willis’ comeback is on the right track Jim Leyland has made the team as the fifth starter

Dontrelle Willis’ comeback is on the right track Jim Leyland has made the team as the fifth starter

ByTom

Dontrelle Willis’ comeback is on the right track, as he is advised by Tigers manager Jim Leyland that he has made the team as the fifth starter. The Tigers also trade P Nate Robertson to Florida for left-handed pitching prospect Jay Voss.