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1987 – A sign of things to come. Astros lose their home spring opener to Montreal, 19-3. Bob Knepper and Jeff Heathcock are knocked silly before the bullpen comes to the rescue. Five Houston errors worsen the mood. Knepper would slump from a 17-12 1986 season to 8-17 the next year, his ERA climbing by over two runs. 

ByTom

1987 – A sign of things to come. Astros lose their home spring opener to Montreal, 19-3. Bob Knepper and Jeff Heathcock are knocked silly before the bullpen comes to the rescue. Five Houston errors worsen the mood. Knepper would slump from a 17-12 1986 season to 8-17 the next year, his ERA climbing by over two runs. 

Kris Bryant (.292, 39, 102), who made $652K in his rookie year, becomes the highest-paid second-year player when he comes to terms with the World Champion Cubs on a contract reportedly worth $1.05 million. The Chicago third baseman’s deal surpasses the previous record major league record of one million dollars, given to sophomore outfielder Mike Trout in 2014 by the Angels.

ByTom

Kris Bryant (.292, 39, 102), who made $652K in his rookie year, becomes the highest-paid second-year player when he comes to terms with the World Champion Cubs on a contract reportedly worth $1.05 million. The Chicago third baseman’s deal surpasses the previous record major league record of one million dollars, given to sophomore outfielder Mike Trout in 2014 by the Angels.

“Major League Baseball’s greatest responsibility is to ensure that today’s youth become active participants in our game as players and fans. The ‘MLB Little League Classic’ exemplifies our entire sport’s commitment to building a stronger connection between young people and the National Pastime” – ROB MANFRED,Commissioner of Baseball.Major League Baseball announces the first “MLB Little League Classic” will be played between Cardinals and Pirates on August 20 at Williamsport’s BB&T Ballpark, the second-oldest minor league ballpark in the United States which was formerly known as Bowman Field when it opened 1926. The regular season game, originally scheduled to be played at PNC Park, will take place in conjunction with the Little League World Series that will be taking place in nearby Howard J. Lamade Stadium.

ByTom

“Major League Baseball’s greatest responsibility is to ensure that today’s youth become active participants in our game as players and fans. The ‘MLB Little League Classic’ exemplifies our entire sport’s commitment to building a stronger connection between young people and the National Pastime” – ROB MANFRED,Commissioner of Baseball.Major League Baseball announces the first “MLB Little League Classic” will be played between Cardinals and Pirates on August 20 at Williamsport’s BB&T Ballpark, the second-oldest minor league ballpark in the United States which was formerly known as Bowman Field when it opened 1926. The regular season game, originally scheduled to be played at PNC Park, will take place in conjunction with the Little League World Series that will be taking place in nearby Howard J. Lamade Stadium.

In an eery reminder of last year’s almost fatal spring training accident, the Orioles’ Nolan Reimold is hit in the head by a pitch by Tampa Bay’s Alex Cobb in the 1st inning of a Grapefruit League game. Reimold stays face down on the ground for several minutes before being taken to Peace River Hospital in Port Charlotte, FL. However, preliminary tests reveal no significant injury.

ByTom

In an eery reminder of last year’s almost fatal spring training accident, the Orioles’ Nolan Reimold is hit in the head by a pitch by Tampa Bay’s Alex Cobb in the 1st inning of a Grapefruit League game. Reimold stays face down on the ground for several minutes before being taken to Peace River Hospital in Port Charlotte, FL. However, preliminary tests reveal no significant injury.

Umpire Harry Wendelstedt, who officiated during 33 seasons in the National League and also trained two generations of umpires at his “Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School”, dies in Florida at the age of 74.

ByTom

Umpire Harry Wendelstedt, who officiated during 33 seasons in the National League and also trained two generations of umpires at his “Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School”, dies in Florida at the age of 74.

At a spring training game in Kissimmee, FL, Braves minor league manager Luis Salazar is hit in the face by a foul ball off the bat of Brian McCann while standing in the dugout. Salazar immediately collapses and passes out and, bleeding abundantly, is transported by helicopter to a medical facility in Orlando, FL as trainers fear for his life. He regains consciousness in hospital, but has several facial fractures and will lose an eye as a result of the accident.

ByTom

At a spring training game in Kissimmee, FL, Braves minor league manager Luis Salazar is hit in the face by a foul ball off the bat of Brian McCann while standing in the dugout. Salazar immediately collapses and passes out and, bleeding abundantly, is transported by helicopter to a medical facility in Orlando, FL as trainers fear for his life. He regains consciousness in hospital, but has several facial fractures and will lose an eye as a result of the accident.

In Glendale, AZ, Dodgers P Jon Garland leaves the game in the second inning with a strained oblique muscle. He is likely to miss the beginning of the season as a result.

ByTom

In Glendale, AZ, Dodgers P Jon Garland leaves the game in the second inning with a strained oblique muscle. He is likely to miss the beginning of the season as a result.

Amidst much hoopla, Stephen Strasburg throws two scoreless innings against Detroit in his much anticipated first exhibition start for the Nationals this spring. The former San Diego State right-hander, the recipient of the Golden Spikes award as best amateur baseball player in the nation, was selected as the number one overall pick in last year’s draft, signing a record $15.1 million, four-year deal with Washington.

ByTom

Amidst much hoopla, Stephen Strasburg throws two scoreless innings against Detroit in his much anticipated first exhibition start for the Nationals this spring. The former San Diego State right-hander, the recipient of the Golden Spikes award as best amateur baseball player in the nation, was selected as the number one overall pick in last year’s draft, signing a record $15.1 million, four-year deal with Washington.

At Cracker Jack Stadium, Adrian Beltre hits his third home run in two games and Albert Pujols and Moises Alou also homer, leading the Dominican Republic past Italy, 8 – 3. Meanwhile, Ramón Hernandez homers and starter Kelvim Escobar allows one hit and strikes out five in 4 2/3 innings, leading Venezuela to a 2 – 0 win over Australia

ByTom

At Cracker Jack Stadium, Adrian Beltre hits his third home run in two games and Albert Pujols and Moises Alou also homer, leading the Dominican Republic past Italy, 8 – 3. Meanwhile, Ramón Hernandez homers and starter Kelvim Escobar allows one hit and strikes out five in 4 2/3 innings, leading Venezuela to a 2 – 0 win over Australia