2000 – Pedro Martinez of the Boston Red Sox becomes the first pitcher to win the American League Cy Young Award unanimously in consecutive years. Martinez, who posted an 18-6 mark with a 1.74 ERA, has copped the “top pitcher” honor three of the last four seasons.
1998 – The ball thrown by Boston Red Sox pitcher Howard Ehmke and hit by Babe Ruth for the first home run in Yankee Stadium history is sold at an auction for $126,500 (110,000 bid + 15% commission). Mark Scala found the 1923 historic ball in the attic of his grandmother’s home several years ago.
1997 – Larry Walker of the Colorado Rockies is named National League MVP, becoming the first Canadian in either league to win the honor. Walker, who hit .366 with 49 home runs and 130 RBI, caps off a big week for Canada. Earlier in the week, pitchers Roger Clemens of the Toronto Blue Jays and Pedro Martinez of the Montreal Expos each won the Cy Young Award.
Padres third baseman Ken Caminiti is selected as the fourth unanimous winner of the National League’s Most Valuable Player award, joining Orlando Cepeda (1967 Cardinals), Mike Schmidt (1980 Phillies), and Jeff Bagwell (1994 Astros). The oft-injured San Diego infielder admitted 2002 in a Sports Illustrated cover story that he had used steroids during his 1996 MVP season, and for several seasons afterward.
The Cleveland Indians trade pitcher Julian Tavarez and infielders Jose Vizcaino and Jeff Kent to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for slugging third baseman Matt Williams.
Reds’ shortstop Barry Larkin wins the National League’s Most Valuable Player award, with Colorado outfielder Dante Bichette and Atlanta right-hander Greg Maddux as the runners-up in a close election. The Cincinnati infielder, the first shortstop since Maury Wills in 1962 to cop the prestigious prize, provided excellent defense and batted .319 to help his team to capture the NL West Division.
Atlanta Braves pitcher Greg Maddux wins the National League Cy Young Award for an unprecedented fourth straight time. Maddux had a remarkable 19-2 record with a 1.63 ERA, the second year his ERA is below 1.80.
A’s hurler Bob Welch (27-6, 2.95, 127) wins the AL Cy Young Award. The 34 year-old right-hander’s 27 wins are the most victories in the majors since 1972 when Steve Carlton won that many for the last-place Phillies.
1989 – After 16 years with the same team, outfielder Jim Rice is released by the Boston Red Sox. Rice retires from the game with 382 home runs and a .298 average. He will eventually be elected to the Hall of Fame.
Jim Frey, the team’s former manager and broadcaster, is named the Cubs’ Director of Baseball Operations. The first major move made by the skipper of the 1984 Chicago squad that won the NL East title will be to name Don Zimmer, a longtime friend, as Chicago’s field boss.