Tag: November 8

In the first trade of the off-season, the Rays send OFs Mallex Smith and Jake Fraley to the Mariners in return for C Mike Zunino and OF Guillermo Heredia. Smith had previously been part of the M’s, but for only 77 minutes, before being traded to the Rays in 2017.

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.

2015 – The first Premier 12 opens, replacing the Baseball World Cup with top players from Asia’s big three leagues improving the talent level, though MLB 40-man roster players and Caribbean winter league players are not present, limited Western Hemisphere talent. In the 2015 Premier 12 starting game at the Sapporo Dome, the Japanese national team beats rival South Korea, 5-0. Shohei Otani fans 10 and allows two hits in six innings while throwing 100 mph and Korea blows bases-loaded chances in the 8th and 9th against the bullpen. Takeya Nakamura has the first Premier 12 hit, Ryosuke Hirata drives in Sho Nakata with the first run and Hayato Sakamoto socks the first homer.

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.

The Gold Gloves are given out for Nippon Pro Baseball in 2012. Yakult Swallows 3B Shinya Miyamoto, a month shy of 42 years old, becomes the oldest winner ever (breaking his own record), taking his 10th award. In the Pacific League, Atsunori Inaba (40 yrs, 3 mos) becomes the oldest winner in that loop. He takes his first award at 1B after having won four in the outfield.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Former Boston players Bill Lee, Mo Vaughn, Mike Greenwell, Wes Ferrell, Frank Sullivan, and Everett Scott, as well as former scout George Digby and former executive Ed Kenney Sr., are inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame. The team also recognizes Ted Williams’ homer in his last at-bat and Curt Schilling’s performance (bloody sock) in Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS for their special significance in Red Sox history.

The Brewers hire Willie Randolph as bench coach to work with the team’s new manager Ken Macha. The 54 year-old former Mets manager compiled a 302-253 record during his 3+ years tenure in New York before being dismissed in June.

Former Boston players Bill Lee, Mo Vaughn, Mike Greenwell, Wes Ferrell, Frank Sullivan, and Everett Scott, as well as former scout George Digby and former executive Ed Kenney Sr., are inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame. The team also recognizes Ted Williams’ homer in his last at-bat and Curt Schilling’s performance (bloody sock) in Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS for their special significance in Red Sox history.

The Brewers hire Willie Randolph as bench coach to work with the team’s new manager Ken Macha. The 54 year-old former Mets manager compiled a 302-253 record during his 3+ years tenure in New York before being dismissed in June.

In front of 7,000 fans at Straub Park, Tampa Bay announces the team is changing its name from the Devil Rays to the Rays, revealing uniforms featuring the colors of Columbia blue, Navy blue, and gold with a yellow sunburst logo, that will replace the 11 year-old franchise’s original hues of green and blue and its insignia of a cartilaginous fish. Other options considered for names included the ‘Aces,’ ‘Bandits,’ ‘Cannons,’ ‘Dukes,’ ‘Stripes,’ and the ‘Nine,’ the personal favorite of team owner Stuart Sternberg.

In the 2007 Baseball World Cup, the Cuban national team survives a 7 – 3 scare from a German national team that had never before won a Baseball World Cup game.

In front of 7,000 fans at Straub Park, Tampa Bay announces the team is changing its name from the Devil Rays to the Rays, revealing uniforms featuring the colors of Columbia blue, Navy blue, and gold with a yellow sunburst logo, that will replace the 11 year-old franchise’s original hues of green and blue and its insignia of a cartilaginous fish. Other options considered for names included the ‘Aces,’ ‘Bandits,’ ‘Cannons,’ ‘Dukes,’ ‘Stripes,’ and the ‘Nine,’ the personal favorite of team owner Stuart Sternberg.

Also in the 2007 Baseball World Cup, Australia sees a game decided in the bottom of the 9th for the second straight day. Trailing the Netherlands, 3 – 2, with closer Michiel van Kampen entering, Australia rallies. Brad Harman singles and Dutch SS Mike Duursma makes an error on a potential double play ball. Luke Hughes brings home Harman with a sacrifice fly and Trent Oeltjen doubles in the winning run.

Joining Dean Chance, Bartolo Colon becomes the second Angels’ pitcher, the first in 41 years, to win the Cy Young Award. The 32 year-old Halo hurler from the Dominican Republic, who led the American League with 21 victories, is the only player named on every ballot.

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Bartolo Colón, who led the American League with 21 wins, receives the Cy Young Award. Colón is the second pitcher in Angels history to win the award. Dean Chance was the winner in 1964, back when there was one award for the two leagues. Colón receives 17 of 28 first-place votes cast and finishes with 118 points. Closer Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees finishes second with 8 first-place votes and 68 points, while Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins, who was the 2004 winner, is third with 3 first-place votes and 51 points.

Commissioner Bud Selig has made it clear he doesn’t want instant replay. Even Angels manager Mike Scioscia, who had a dreadful call go against his team in the American League Championship Series, says to leave calls to the human element of umpiring. That, however, won’t stop general managers from debating the issue this week.

Infielder Neifi Perez and the Chicago Cubs agrees to a $5 million, two-year contract. Perez, who became a free agent in October, hit .274 with nine home runs and 54 RBI last season.

The New York Yankees let Tino Martinez go, declining their $3 million option on the popular first baseman. Martinez returned to New York in 2005 and hit .241 in part-time duty with 17 home runs and 49 RBI. He was a staple in the Yankees’ lineup from 1996 to 2001, helping the team to four World Series championships and five American League pennants with his clutch hitting and reliable defense.

Jason Bay (.282, 26, 82) becomes the first Pirates player, as well as the first Canadian, to win the National League Rookie of the Year. The 26 year-old British Columbia native married his college girlfriend, Kristen, two days ago.

Receiving 27 of 28 first-place votes, Bobby Crosby (.239, 22, 64) wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award. The Oakland shortstop, who is the son of former big leaguer infielder Ed Crosby, joins Harry Byrd (1952), Jose Canseco (1986), Mark McGwire (1987), Walt Weiss (1988), and Ben Grieve (1998) as the sixth A’s freshman to be honored by the BBWAA.

Jason Bay, who hit .282 with 26 home runs and 82 RBI, becomes the first Pittsburgh Pirates player, as well as the first Canadian, to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

Receiving 27 of 28 first-place votes, Oakland Athletics shortstop Bobby Crosby wins the 2004 American League Rookie of the Year Award. Crosby, who is the son of former big league infielder Ed Crosby, hit .239 with 22 home runs and 64 RBI.

Receiving 27 of 28 first-place votes, Bobby Crosby (.239, 22, 64) wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award. The Oakland shortstop, who is the son of former big leaguer infielder Ed Crosby, joins Harry Byrd (1952), Jose Canseco (1986), Mark McGwire (1987), Walt Weiss (1988), and Ben Grieve (1998) as the sixth A’s freshman to be honored by the BBWAA.

Jerry Manuel is selected by the BBWAA as the American League Manager of the Year. The White Sox skipper led his club to their first playoff appearance in seven years despite having the 21st lowest payroll of the 30 major league teams.

After leading the Chicago White Sox to their first playoff appearance in seven years despite having one of the lowest payrolls in the majors (21st out of 30), Jerry Manuel is selected by the BBWAA as the American League Manager of the Year.

The Colorado Rockies obtain pitcher Ron Villone from the Cincinnati Reds for two minor league players to be named.

Cincinnati Reds reliever Scott Williamson is named Rookie of the Year in the National League. Williamson was not on the Reds’ roster at the beginning of the year, but ended with a 12-7 record, 19 saves, a 2.41 ERA, and 107 strikeouts in 93.1 innings pitched.

The Dodgers trade disgruntled outfielder Raúl Mondesi and pitcher Pedro Borbón, Jr. to Toronto for OF Shawn Green and IF Jorge Núñez. Green said he wanted to play in a metropolitan city with a large Jewish population, but apparently the California native didn’t include Toronto in that category.

The U.S. House of Representatives passes a resolution calling for Shoeless Joe Jackson to be honored. The resolution stops short of calling for his induction into the Hall of Fame. “It is worthy for this body to take a few minutes to stand up for fairness and right an old wrong,” said Rep. Jim DeMint, the author of the resolution who represents Jackson’s hometown of Greenville, SC. Jackson was eligible for the Hall of Fame until 1991 but was never voted in either by the Baseball Writers Association of America or the Veterans Committee. In 1991, the Hall’s board adopted a resolution prohibiting players on the permanently banned list. The resolution will now go to the US Senate.

The U.S. House of Representatives passes H. Res. 269, calling for former White Sox outfielder ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson to be honored. Representative Jim DeMint (R-SC), who represents Jackson’s hometown of Greenville, drafted the resolution to pay tribute to the local legend, who was banned from professional baseball due to his involvement in the 1919 Black Sox scandal and thus is ineligible from becoming a member of the Hall of Fame.

The U.S. House of Representatives passes H. Res. 269, calling for former White Sox outfielder ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson to be honored. Representative Jim DeMint (R-SC), who represents Jackson’s hometown of Greenville, drafted the resolution to pay tribute to the local legend, who was banned from professional baseball due to his involvement in the 1919 Black Sox scandal and thus is ineligible from becoming a member of the Hall of Fame.

The Colorado Rockies sign free agent pitcher Brian Bohanon to a three-year contract.

Chicago Cubs right fielder Sammy Sosa is named the National League MVP. Sosa hit 66 home runs and led the National League in RBI with 158 while carrying his team to the playoffs.

The New York Mets announce general manager Steve Phillips will take a paid leave of absence while a threatened sexual harassment lawsuit against him is resolved. Phillips acknowledges having had an extramarital affair with a woman, but denies having harassed her. Frank Cashen will replace Phillips on an interim basis.

1991 – Cal Ripken, Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles is named the American League MVP, beating out Cecil Fielder of Detroit. The Gold Glove shortstop hit .323 with 34 home runs and 114 RBI.

1990 – Free agent slugger Darryl Strawberry signs a five-year contract with his hometown Los Angeles Dodgers, formally ending his eight-year stay with the New York Mets. He is the all-time home run leader for the Mets with 252.

Darryl Strawberry, the Mets all-time home run leader (252), ends his eight-year turbulent tenure with New York. The slugging right fielder signs a five-year free-agent deal with his hometown Dodgers.

1989 – Chicago Cubs outfielder Jerome Walton wins the 1989 National League Rookie of the Year Award, collecting 22 of 24 first-place votes to defeat teammate Dwight Smith. They are the first NL’ers to finish 1-2 in the voting since Philadelphia Phillies rookies Jack Sanford and Ed Bouchee in 1957. Walton also becomes the first Cubs player to win rookie honors since Billy Williams, in 1961.

1983 – Atlanta Braves outfielder Dale Murphy, who hit .302 with 36 home runs, 121 RBI and 30 stolen bases in the National League, joins Ernie Banks, Joe Morgan and Mike Schmidt as one of the players who has won the MVP Award in consecutive years. Murphy receives 21 of the 24 first-place votes cast.