A new Hall of Fame Classic contest, replacing the discontinued annual exhibition game between major league teams, will be played in Cooperstown featuring the game’s legends and old-timers. The event will be played on Father’s Day and will be part of a weekend of planned activities and programs, which will include a skills clinic, a hitting contest, and autograph sessions.

ByTom

A new Hall of Fame Classic contest, replacing the discontinued annual exhibition game between major league teams, will be played in Cooperstown featuring the game’s legends and old-timers. The event will be played on Father’s Day and will be part of a weekend of planned activities and programs, which will include a skills clinic, a hitting contest, and autograph sessions.

Frank Thomas agrees to an $18.12 million, two-year deal to join the Blue Jays. After spending 16 years with the White Sox, the 38 year-old designated hitter had a comeback season with the A’s last season, leading the club into the playoffs, batting .270 with 39 homers and driving in 114 runs.

ByTom

Frank Thomas agrees to an $18.12 million, two-year deal to join the Blue Jays. After spending 16 years with the White Sox, the 38 year-old designated hitter had a comeback season with the A’s last season, leading the club into the playoffs, batting .270 with 39 homers and driving in 114 runs.

Jason Bay, coming off two of the best career-starting seasons in Pittsburgh Pirates history, agrees to an $18.25 million, four-year contract that covers his arbitration-eligible seasons. In 2004, Bay hit .282 with 26 home runs and 82 RBI in 120 games played while becoming the first Rookie of the Year in club history. He won the award despite missing the first five weeks of the season after shoulder surgery. Bay followed by hitting .306 with 32 homers, 101 RBI, 110 runs scored, 21 stolen bases and a .402 on-base percentage in 2005 despite playing on a team that lost 95 games. He finished 12th in the National League MVP voting after playing in all 162 games.

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Jason Bay, coming off two of the best career-starting seasons in Pittsburgh Pirates history, agrees to an $18.25 million, four-year contract that covers his arbitration-eligible seasons. In 2004, Bay hit .282 with 26 home runs and 82 RBI in 120 games played while becoming the first Rookie of the Year in club history. He won the award despite missing the first five weeks of the season after shoulder surgery. Bay followed by hitting .306 with 32 homers, 101 RBI, 110 runs scored, 21 stolen bases and a .402 on-base percentage in 2005 despite playing on a team that lost 95 games. He finished 12th in the National League MVP voting after playing in all 162 games.

Major League Baseball owners vote unanimously to approve the toughened steroids policy agreed to with the players’ association earlier this week. Owners also approve transferring control of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to Stuart Sternberg from founding owner Vince Naimoli.

ByBaseball

Major League Baseball owners vote unanimously to approve the toughened steroids policy agreed to with the players’ association earlier this week. Owners also approve transferring control of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to Stuart Sternberg from founding owner Vince Naimoli.

Troy Percival signs a two-year, $12 million deal, surprising everyone, including his agent, by announcing he wants to play in Detroit next season

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2004 – After being wined and dined by Detroit Tigers legend Al Kaline and team owner Mike Ilitch, free agent Troy Percival signs a two-year, $12 million deal, surprising everyone, including his agent, by announcing he wants to play in Detroit next season. Before the preliminary meeting in the Motor City, the former Angels closer had been scheduled to meet with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs later in the week. Bothered by arm problems in 2005, Percival will finish 1-3 with eight saves and a 5.76 ERA in just 26 games pitched.

Pittsburgh catcher Jason Kendall signs the richest deal in Pirates’ history. The $60 million, six-year contract extension, which includes a $4 million signing bonus, starts with a base salary of $6 million in 2002 and peaks at $13 million in 2007.

ByTom

Pittsburgh catcher Jason Kendall signs the richest deal in Pirates’ history. The $60 million, six-year contract extension, which includes a $4 million signing bonus, starts with a base salary of $6 million in 2002 and peaks at $13 million in 2007.

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jason Kendall signs the richest contract in team history. The $60 million, six-year contract extension, which includes a $4 million signing bonus, starts with a base salary of $6 million in 2002 and peaks at $13 million in 2007.

ByBaseball

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jason Kendall signs the richest contract in team history. The $60 million, six-year contract extension, which includes a $4 million signing bonus, starts with a base salary of $6 million in 2002 and peaks at $13 million in 2007.