The Silver Slugger Awards are handed out today and J.D. Martinez does something unprecedented, winning the award in the American League both as a designated hitter and as an outfielder.
2016 – Winners of the Gold Glove are announced in both leagues. Yadier Molina’s eight-year reign as the National League’s best defensive catcher ends, as the honor goes to Buster Posey. Other first-time winners include SS Francisco Lindor and 2B Ian Kinsler in the AL, and 1B Anthony Rizzo in the NL.
The Orioles announced the hiring of Dan Duquette as their executive vice president for baseball operations, replacing Andy MacPhail. The 53 year-old former Red Sox general manager (1994-2002), who inked a three-year deal with the Birds, takes over a franchise that has suffered through 14 successive losing seasons.
The 2012 Silver Slugger Awards are announced. Leading the field in the American League is 3B Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers, winner of the Triple Crown, alongside veteran SS Derek Jeter and Cabrera’s main rival for the MVP Award, Angels rookie OF Mike Trout. The National League winners include three members of the Washington Nationals: 1B Adam LaRoche, SS Ian Desmond and P Stephen Strasburg.
The Blue Jays make the first free agent signing of the off-season, inking IF Maicer Izturis, who played for the Angels last season, to a three-year contract. The Jays also purchase P Jeremy Jeffress from the Royals, continuing a busy off-season for GM Alex Anthopoulos.
Hall of Fame executive Lee MacPhail dies at 95 in Delray Beach, FL. He was general manager of the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees before serving as American League President from 1974 to 1984, during an era of frequent clashes with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.
2011 – A court in the Dominican Republic clears Orioles pitcher Alfredo Simon of all charges related to a December 31st shooting incident for which Simon was detained for two months this winter. The case is dropped after witnesses fail to appear at two scheduled hearings.
Jhonny Peralta and the Tigers come to terms on an $11.25 million, two-year contract keeping the shortstop in Detroit. The agreement solidifies the left side of the team’s infield for the next couple of years with the re-signing of third baseman Brandon Inge to a similar deal three weeks ago.
2010 – The Oakland Athletics win the right to negotiate with Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma, whose name was placed on the posting system by his team, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Pacific League. The A’s, who maintained the lowest ERA in the American League in 2010, now have 30 days to come to an agreement with Iwakuma, considered the second-best pitcher in Japan after Yu Darvish, but will fail to reach a deal.
ESPN announces Jon Miller and Joe Morgan will no longer do Sunday Night Baseball, ending the pair’s 21-year tenure behind the mike. Network executive vice president Norby Williamson thanked the Hall of Famers for their outstanding body of work but did not name any replacements.