1880 – In the National League, the Boston Red Caps sign Jim Whitney, considered one of the best pitchers in California, at a salary of $150 per month.

1886 – The Executive Council of the Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players, formed the previous year, meets and chooses officers. Monte Ward is re-elected president, Dan Brouthers vice president, and Tim Keefe secretary-treasurer.

1889 – The Joint Rules Committee of the National League and the American Association makes only minor changes in the playing rules, the most important of which is to allow two substitutes per team, up from one last season.

1891 – The National League meets and dismisses the charges of collusion and game throwing against the eastern clubs brought by the Chicago Colts, thereby formally giving the Boston Beaneaters the pennant. The league also plans its strategy for conquering the American Association by consolidating the four strongest Association clubs into a 12-team league for next year.

Responding to Chicago’s protest that Eastern teams helped Boston capture the circuit’s championship, the National League rules the title still belongs to the Beaneaters. The pennant winners won 23 of their last 30 games, including 18 in a row.

Responding to Chicago’s protest that Eastern teams helped Boston capture the circuit’s championship, the National League rules the title still belongs to the Beaneaters. The pennant winners won 23 of their last 30 games, including 18 in a row.

1899 – Chicago Orphans star outfielder Bill Lange returns to San Francisco, CA and vows he will never appear on the diamond again. He is only 28 and hit .325 this season.

1903 – Jimmy Collins signs a contract to manage the Boston Americans for three years. They will acquire the name Red Sox during his tenure.

Eddie Collins fired as manager and player by Sox - replaced by Ray Schalk

Eddie Collins fired as manager and player by Sox – replaced by Ray Schalk

1926 – The Chicago White Sox fire one future Hall of Famer and replace him with another. Second baseman-manager Eddie Collins is released by the White Sox, despite his record of 81-72 and .344 batting average. He will rejoin the Philadelphia Athletics as a player-coach. In his place, Chicago hires catcher Ray Schalk, who will guide the White Sox to a record of 70-83 next season.

“Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” – SATCHEL PAIGE, commenting on his longevity.The California Winter League holds Satchel Paige Day to honor the legend’s accomplishments in this multi-racial circuit. The right-hander takes no prisoners, throwing a three-hit 5-0 shutout with 14 strikeouts in the Armistice Day contest, against Joe Pirrone’s All-Stars, a team made up of big leaguers who came to the west coast to play winter league ball to earn some extra money.

“Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” – SATCHEL PAIGE, commenting on his longevity. The California Winter League holds Satchel Paige Day to honor the legend’s accomplishments in this multi-racial circuit. The right-hander takes no prisoners, throwing a three-hit 5-0 shutout with 14 strikeouts in the Armistice Day contest, against Joe Pirrone’s All-Stars, a team made up of big leaguers who came to the west coast to play winter league ball to earn some extra money.

Brooklyn Dodgers acquire Kirby Higbe from the Philadelphia Phillies for catcher Mickey Livingston, pitchers Bill Crouch, and Vito Tamulis, and $100,000

1940 – Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Larry MacPhail still needs a starting pitcher to make his team a threat to the Reds. He acquires pitcher Kirby Higbe from the Philadelphia Phillies for catcher Mickey Livingston, pitchers Bill Crouch and Vito Tamulis, and $100,000. Higbe, who won 14 games in 1940, will win 22 games next season to lead National League pitchers.

Joe DiMaggio, who copped the honor in 1939, wins the American League Most Valuable Player award for the second time in his career. The Yankee Clipper edges Ted Williams, who hit .406 this season when a writer leaves the Red Sox right-fielder off the ballot.

1943 – The Most Valuable Player Awards for both leagues are named. Yankees pitcher Spud Chandler wins it in the American League and Cardinals outfielder Stan Musial in the National League.

Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees undergoes surgery for bone spurs

Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees undergoes surgery for bone spurs

1948 – Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees undergoes surgery for bone spurs on his right heel. DiMaggio will miss 65 games in 1949 because of continuing problems with his heel.

Joe DiMaggio undergoes surgery to remove bone spurs on his right heel at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. The Yankee Clipper will not return to the Bronx Bombers’ lineup until June 28, hitting a single and a two-run homer in his first two at-bats in the team’s 5-4 victory over Boston at Fenway Park.

Joe DiMaggio undergoes surgery to remove bone spurs on his right heel at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. The Yankee Clipper will not return to the Bronx Bombers’ lineup until June 28, hitting a single and a two-run homer in his first two at-bats in the team’s 5-4 victory over Boston at Fenway Park.

1953 – Jimmy Dykes, recently released as the manager of the Philadelphia Athletics, succeeds Marty Marion as the Baltimore Orioles manager.

1958 – The American League announces that the Kansas City Athletics will play 52 night games in 1959, a new AL mark.

The American League announces the A’s will play a league record 52 night games during the upcoming season. Kansas City will end the campaign 19 games behind New York and finish in seventh place, but will the team compile a stellar 43-34, record in home games next year.

The American League announces the A’s will play a league record 52 night games during the upcoming season. Kansas City will end the campaign 19 games behind New York and finish in seventh place, but will the team compile a stellar 43-34, record in home games next year.

His major league peers select Ken Hubbs as the recipient of the Gold Glove for his performance at second base. The 21 year-old Cubs infielder is the first rookie to be honored with the prestigious fielding award.

1970 – Baltimore Orioles first baseman Boog Powell, who batted .297 with 35 home runs and 114 RBI, is named American League Most Valuable Player, beating Tony Oliva of the Minnesota Twins by a 234-157 margin.

1981 – Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela becomes the first rookie ever to win a Cy Young Award, edging Tom Seaver of the Cincinnati Reds by a 70-67 margin for National League honors. Valenzuela was the first rookie since Herb Score in 1955 to lead his league in strikeouts with 180.

Dodger hurler Fernando Valenzuela (13-7, 2.48) becomes the first rookie ever to win the Cy Young Award. The 20 year-old southpaw, also selected as the NL’s Rookie of the Year, edges Reds’ right-hander Tom Seaver (14-2, 2.54) in the BBWAA voting for the strike-shortened season, 70-67.

Dodger hurler Fernando Valenzuela (13-7, 2.48) becomes the first rookie ever to win the Cy Young Award. The 20 year-old southpaw, also selected as the NL’s Rookie of the Year, edges Reds’ right-hander Tom Seaver (14-2, 2.54) in the BBWAA voting for the strike-shortened season, 70-67.

1982 – Joe Altobelli succeeds the retired Earl Weaver as Baltimore Orioles manager. Altobelli is the second Yankees coach to take a managing job this month, and will be the Orioles’ first new pilot since 1968.

The Orioles get their first new manager since 1968 when Joe Altobelli succeeds the retiring Baltimore skipper, Earl Weaver. The former San Francisco manager will compile a 212-167 (.559) record during his 2+ seasons with the team and will lead the club to a World Championship his first year in Baltimore.

Mike Scott of the Astros beats Fernando Valenzuela of the Dodgers for the National League Cy Young Award, garnering 15 first-place votes to Valenzuela’s 9.

45-year-old player-manager Pete Rose is dropped from the Reds’ 40-man major league roster to make room for pitcher Pat Pacillo. Rose will continue to manage the club.

Roger Clemens becomes the first pitcher since Jim Palmer in 1975-1976 to win consecutive Cy Young Awards, collecting 21 of 28 first-place votes to easily beat runner-up Jimmy Key, for 1987 Cy Young honors.

Jim Frey, who managed the Chicago Cubs to the 1984 NL East division title, and spent last season as a broadcaster for the Cubs, is named the club’s director of baseball operations. His first major move will be to hire longtime friend Don Zimmer as manager on November 20th.

Randy Johnson and Chuck Finley combine to pitch a no-hitter for a team of All-Stars in Japan

1990 – Pitchers Chuck Finley of the California Angels and Randy Johnson of the Seattle Mariners combine to pitch a no-hitter in the finale of an eight-game exhibition series between American and Japanese All-Star teams. But Japan still wins the series 4-3 with one tie, the first time since 1970 that a touring U.S. team has left Japan with a losing record.

In an exhibition game between American and Japanese All-Star teams, Angels’ ace Chuck Finley and Randy Johnson of the Mariners combine to hurl a no-hitter in the finale of an eight-game series. Japan takes the series 4-3 with one tie, making it the first time since 1970 that a team of major leaguers has left the Land of the Rising Sun with a losing record.

The Pirates and Barry Bonds agree on a deal which will keep the outfielder in Pittsburgh for another season. The contract is worth $4.7 million, making the deal the richest one-year commitment in baseball history.

Marty Cordova of the Minnesota Twins is named American League Rookie of the Year, winning by six points over Garret Anderson of the California Angels, who outhit him by 44 points (.321 to .277).

Gaffney Street, near the former site of Braves Field in Boston, MA, is renamed Harry Agganis Way, after the former Boston University and Boston Red Sox star, who died during the 1955 season.

1996 – John Smoltz, who won a major league-high 24 games for the Atlanta Braves, wins the 1996 National League Cy Young Award in a runaway. Smoltz, the NL leader in strikeouts (276), innings pitched (253.2), and winning percentage (.750), receives 26 of 28 first-place votes. Kevin Brown of the Florida Marlins, the major-league ERA leader (1.89), receives the other two first-place votes. Since 1991, five of the six Cy Young winners have been Braves.

Milwaukee Brewers owner Bud Selig meets with Don Fehr, the players’ labor leader, in a futile attempt to convince Fehr to accept the owners’ demands. With the deadline for an agreement at midnight on the 14th, there is virtually no hope that the two sides will agree. If the two sides reach the deadline without an agreement, the interleague schedule for next year will be wiped out, and a traditional schedule follow.

John Smoltz (24-8, 2.94) is named first on 26 of 28 BBWAA writers’ ballots to win the National League Cy Young Award, outdistancing Florida’s Kevin Brown, who finishes second in the voting. The right-handed starter is the fourth consecutive Atlanta pitcher to win the honor, with teammate Tom Glavine being the previous recipient of the prestigious pitching prize from 1993-1995.

The Mets trade Rico Brogna to the Phillies for relievers Toby Borland and Ricardo Jordan. The first baseman, diagnosed with a form of spinal arthritis in 1991, proves to be a good acquisition for Philadelphia when the 27 year-old infielder spends 3+ seasons as an everyday player in the City of Brotherly Love.

John Smoltz (24-8, 2.94) is named first on 26 of 28 BBWAA writers’ ballots to win the National League Cy Young Award, outdistancing Florida’s Kevin Brown, who finishes second in the voting. The right-handed starter is the fourth consecutive Atlanta pitcher to win the honor, with teammate Tom Glavine being the previous recipient of the prestigious pitching prize from 1993-1995.

Pedro Martinez wins the 1997 NL cy young award

Pedro Martinez of the Montreal Expos breaks the stranglehold the veteran Greg Maddux and the Atlanta Braves have on the National League Cy Young Award. Since 1991, either Maddux or a Braves pitcher has captured the award. Martinez posted a 17-8 record with 305 strikeouts, a 1.90 ERA, and 13 complete games, giving Canada a clean sweep of the Cy Young this year. Roger Clemens of the Toronto Blue Jays won the American League award a day earlier. It’s a bittersweet moment for Montreal, as Martinez will be traded away a week later.

Mike Kelly becomes the first major leaguer obtained in a trade by the Rays when Reds deal the 27 year-old outfielder for a player to be named later. Next week, Tampa Bay will send Dmitri Young to the Reds to complete the trade.

Beginning to dismantle their World Champion team, the Marlins trade Moises Alou to the Astros for two pitchers, Oscar Henriquez and Manuel Barrios, and a player to be named later. The outfielder had helped lead Florida to the postseason, batting .292 with 23 home runs and 115 RBIs.

The Chicago White Sox trade outfielder Mike Cameron to the Cincinnati Reds for first baseman Paul Konerko.

In a swap of high-priced unwanteds, the Mets send pitcher Mel Rojas to the Dodgers for outfielder Bobby Bonilla. Neither will help, but the little-used, outspoken Bonilla, with a two-year contract, will be a heavier burden than Rojas.

The Detroit Tigers sign free agent third baseman Dean Palmer to a five-year contract.

In one of the best trades ever made in franchise history, the White Sox send center fielder Mike Cameron to the Reds for Paul Konerko, a top prospect Cincinnati had acquired from the Dodgers. The first baseman/DH, who will become a mainstay in Chicago’s offense for well over a decade, hits for a .294 batting average, belts 24 home runs, and drives in 81 runs during his first season in the Windy City.

In one of the best trades ever made in franchise history, the White Sox send center fielder Mike Cameron to the Reds for Paul Konerko, a top prospect Cincinnati had acquired from the Dodgers. The first baseman/DH, who will become a mainstay in Chicago’s offense for well over a decade, hits for a .294 batting average, belts 24 home runs, and drives in 81 runs during his first season in the Windy City.

Jimy Williams of the Boston Red Sox is named the American League Manager of the Year.

Toronto trades pitchers Pat Hentgen and Paul Spoljaric to the Cardinals in exchange for P Lance Painter, C Alberto Castillo and P Matt DeWitt.

2001 – St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Mark McGwire announces his retirement, saying “I am unable to perform at a level equal to the salary the organization would be paying me.” McGwire’s 583 career home runs place him fifth on the all-time list.

St. Louis first baseman Mark McGwire tells ESPN he plans to retire, ending his 16-year big league career. The prolific home run hitter, who ranks fifth all-time with 583 career homers, decided not to sign the two-year, $30 million extension the Cardinals had offered.

2002 – San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds wins his major league record fifth Most Valuable Player Award, becoming the unanimous choice of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Barry Bonds becomes the first player in major league history to win the Most Valuable Player Award five times. The 38 year-old Giant left fielder, who also won the award with the Pirates in 1990 and ’92 and with San Francisco in 1993 and last season, was the National League’s batting champion with a .370 average and broke 1941 Ted Williams’ on-base percentage record with an amazing .582 OBP.

Barry Bonds becomes the first player in major league history to win the Most Valuable Player Award five times. The 38 year-old Giant left fielder, who also won the award with the Pirates in 1990 and ’92 and with San Francisco in 1993 and last season, was the National League’s batting champion with a .370 average and broke 1941 Ted Williams’ on-base percentage record with an amazing .582 OBP.

Roy Halladay of the Blue Jays easily wins the American League Cy Young Award, garnering 26 of 28 first-place votes. The 26 year-old right-hander finished the season 22-7, including winning 15 straight decisions from May 1 to July 27.

Johan Santana (20-6, 265, 2.61), winning the American League top pitching honor with 28 first-place votes, becomes the 18th unanimous Cy Young winner selected by the BBWAA. The 25 year-old Venezuelan southpaw joins Jim Perry (1970) and Frank Viola (1988) as the only Twin hurlers to earn the award.

2005 – John Shelby is hired by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a first base and outfield coach, becoming the third member of Jim Tracy’s staff with the Los Angeles Dodgers to join him in Pittsburgh. Shelby, like pitching coach Jim Colborn and bench coach Jim Lett, was a member of Tracy’s staff in Los Angeles last season. Shelby is a former major league outfielder who played for the Orioles, Dodgers and Tigers, and was a Dodgers coach for eight seasons, six of them as first base coach. He had been on the Dodgers’ coaching staff since 1998 after previously managing four seasons in the organization’s farm system.

Although the team has declined to comment, several newspapers and internet sites report the Mets’ new ballpark will be known as Citi Field. The deal with CitiCorp, the nation’s largest bank, may be worth as much as $20 million annually for 20 years, making it the richest naming rights agreement in sports history, exceeding the 32-year, $300 million contract between the NFL’s Texans and Reliant Energy Inc.

Although the team has declined to comment, several newspapers and internet sites report the Mets’ new ballpark will be known as Citi Field. The deal with CitiCorp, the nation’s largest bank, may be worth as much as $20 million annually for 20 years, making it the richest naming rights agreement in sports history, exceeding the 32-year, $300 million contract between the NFL’s Texans and Reliant Energy Inc.

Yadel Martí comes one out away from the second perfect game in Baseball World Cup history but Lino Connell of the Venezuelan national team singles to break up the Cuban hurler’s gem. A balanced Cuban offense helps in the 10 – 0 rout.

Also in the 2007 Baseball World Cup, the German national team wins its first game ever in a World Cup, beating Thailand, 2 – 0. Jens Heymer scores the winning run, Michael Otto throws 6 1/3 shutout innings and Dirk Fries gets the victory in relief.

The Chunichi Dragons avenge an earlier loss by beating the SK Wyverns in the Konami Cup. Tournament MVP Hirokazu Ibata singles in the winning run in the 9th inning against Mike Romano.

Tim Lincecum wins the 2008 National League Cy Young Award in his first full season in the majors. Lincecum led the league in strikeouts and was second in both wins and ERA. Brandon Webb finishes second for the second consecutive season. The NL Western Division has now produced 8 of the last 10 NL Cy Young Award winners.

The Chinatrust Whales fold, the second CPBL team to go under following the season due to gambling scandals. The league is now left with only four teams, its lowest total since it was founded.

The Nationals pick up outfielder Josh Willingham and pitcher Scott Olsen from the Marlins for prospect Emilio Bonifacio and minor leaguers Jake Smolinski and P.J. Dean.

The Yomiuri Giants trade scandal-plagued All-Star infielder Tomohiro Nioka and pitcher Masanori Hayashi to the Nippon Ham Fighters for ex-major leaguer and closer Micheal Nakamura and outfielder Takahito Kudoh.

Joining Mike McCormick, who copped the honor in 1967, Tim Lincecum (18-5, 2.62) becomes the second San Francisco Giant hurler to win the NL Cy Young Award. The 24 year-old right-hander, finishing his first full big league season, receives 23 out of 32 first-place votes cast by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America to finish ahead of Arizona’s Brandon Webb and New York’s Johan Santana.

The Nationals, which posted baseball’s worst record last season, begin revamping their team, sending second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and two minor leaguers to the Marlins in exchange for right-hander Scott Olsen and outfielder Josh Willingham. The trade gives Washington much-needed starting pitching and adds a left-fielder to an outfield corps which consists of Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, and Austin Kearns.

Joining Mike McCormick, who copped the honor in 1967, Tim Lincecum (18-5, 2.62) becomes the second San Francisco Giant hurler to win the NL Cy Young Award. The 24 year-old right-hander, finishing his first full big league season, receives 23 out of 32 first-place votes cast by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America to finish ahead of Arizona’s Brandon Webb and New York’s Johan Santana.

The Nationals, which posted baseball’s worst record last season, begin revamping their team, sending second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and two minor leaguers to the Marlins in exchange for right-hander Scott Olsen and outfielder Josh Willingham. The trade gives Washington much-needed starting pitching and adds a left-fielder to an outfield corps which consists of Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, and Austin Kearns.

2009 – The National League announces Gold Glove Award winners. Dodgers second baseman Orlando Hudson is the most titled of the honorees, receiving his fourth award – his third in the NL.

Winners of the Silver Slugger Award in both leagues are announced. Familiar names include 1B Albert Pujols, OF Matt Holliday and Ryan Braun and C Brian McCann in the National League, and C Joe Mauer and DH Vladimir Guerrero in the American League. First-time winners include SS Troy Tulowitzki and OF Carlos Gonzalez (NL) and Carl Crawford (AL) who all combine their new silverware with their first Gold Glove, picked up earlier in the week.

Nippon Pro Baseball announces the 2010 Gold Glove winners. Kenji Johjima of the Hanshin Tigers wins the award in the Central League, becoming the first catcher to do so in both the CL and the Pacific League. For the first time in the award’s 39-year history, no first baseman is deemed worthy in the CL.

Long-time Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon agrees to a four-year $50 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, pending a physical examination.

The re-named Miami Marlins unveil their new logo and team colors at the site of their new ballpark, scheduled to open in time for the start of the 2012 season.

For their efforts in leading the Dutch national team to their historic title at the 2011 Baseball World Cup, three of the team’s members are knighted. Queen Beatrix orders the knighting of technical director Robert Eenhoorn (a former manager and player for the national team), manager Brian Farley and catcher Sidney de Jong.

Also in the Netherlands, the 2011 Hoofdklasse awards are given out. Amsterdam Pirates shortstop Vince Rooi is named MVP; he had finished second in average, OBP and slugging, trailing different players in every department. His teammate Rob Cordemans wins his 6th Pitcher of the Year award, second in league history behind Herman Beidschat’s 10. Cordemans was almost untouchable (9-1, 0.31, .135 opponent average, 127 K in 88 IP), leading the league in both ERA and whiffs; he followed the season by beating the Cuban national team in the Gold Medal game of the 2011 World Cup.

The Miami Marlins officially unveil their new name, logo, and uniforms in an elaborate Friday night ceremony held for 800 celebs and VIPs in their new downtown ballpark. The team’s new colorful merchandise will go on sale for the first time after the event, being made available to the general public at 11 p.m.

The Miami Marlins officially unveil their new name, logo, and uniforms in an elaborate Friday night ceremony held for 800 celebs and VIPs in their new downtown ballpark. The team’s new colorful merchandise will go on sale for the first time after the event, being made available to the general public at 11 p.m.

2012 – The Yomiuri Giants win the 2012 Asia Series, beating the Lamigo Monkeys, 6 – 3, in the finale. The Giants get strong pitching from starter Ryosuke Miyaguni (1 run in 6 innings) while backup catcher Kazunari Sanematsu delivers a two-run homer. Shortstop Hayato Sakamoto is named Series MVP.

Rakuten Golden Eagles skipper Senichi Hoshino wins his second Matsutaro Shoriki Award, this time unanimously, after piloting Rakuten to its first Japan Series title.

Pitcher Jose Fernandez of the Marlins is voted the National League Rookie of the Year, while OF Wil Myers of the Tampa Bay Rays, who was obtained in a big off-season trade, is the winner in the American League.

General Manager Ben Cherington of the Boston Red Sox is named The Sporting News Executive of the Year for his remarkable work in rebuilding the team after it finished last in the AL Central in 2012, taking it all the way to a World Series title.

Rays outfielder Wil Myers, obtained in the off-season from the Royals along with three other prospects in exchange for James Shields and Wade Davis, wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award. The 22 year-old North Carolina native, who received 23 of 30 first-place votes from the BBWAA, joins third baseman Evan Longoria (2008) and right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (2011) as the third Tampa Bay player in the last six years to cop the freshman honor.

The Dodgers confirm their manager Don Mattingly will return for his fourth season with the team. The skipper’s future in Los Angeles was uncertain early in the season until the club went on a record-setting 42-8 tear en route to the NL West division title

The Braves announce the franchise will be leaving Turner Field, a ballpark that is newer than 13 of the other 29 major league stadiums when their initial 20-year lease expires after the 2016 season. Team executives, disappointed with Atlanta’s inability to support needed renovations for the venue, cite their fan base is unwilling to attend games because of the city’s crippling downtown traffic congestion and the lack of adequate parking around the stadium.

Jose Fernandez (12-6, 2.19) receives 26 of 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America to easily win the National League’s Rookie of the Year award. The 21 year-old right-hander, who defected from Cuba with his mother and sister in 2008, becomes the fourth Marlin player in the last 11 years to cop the freshman honor, joining Chris Coghlan (2009), Hanley Ramirez (2006) and Dontrelle Willis (2003).

The Twins announce Joe Mauer, who missed the last six weeks of the season, will move from catcher to first base on a full-time basis next season. A concussion the 30 year-old sustained when he took a foul tip off the mask in mid-August prompted the team’s decision to change All-Star backstop’s position.

The Dodgers confirm their manager Don Mattingly will return for his fourth season with the team. The skipper’s future in Los Angeles was uncertain early in the season until the club went on a record-setting 42-8 tear en route to the NL West division title

The Braves announce the franchise will be leaving Turner Field, a ballpark that is newer than 13 of the other 29 major league stadiums when their initial 20-year lease expires after the 2016 season. Team executives, disappointed with Atlanta’s inability to support needed renovations for the venue, cite their fan base is unwilling to attend games because of the city’s crippling downtown traffic congestion and the lack of adequate parking around the stadium.

Jose Fernandez (12-6, 2.19) receives 26 of 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America to easily win the National League’s Rookie of the Year award. The 21 year-old right-hander, who defected from Cuba with his mother and sister in 2008, becomes the fourth Marlin player in the last 11 years to cop the freshman honor, joining Chris Coghlan (2009), Hanley Ramirez (2006) and Dontrelle Willis (2003).

The Twins announce Joe Mauer, who missed the last six weeks of the season, will move from catcher to first base on a full-time basis next season. A concussion the 30 year-old sustained when he took a foul tip off the mask in mid-August prompted the team’s decision to change All-Star backstop’s position.

The Samsung Lions win their fourth straight Korean Series title, matching the 1986-1989 Haitai Tigers for the most consecutive titles. They top the Nexen Heroes, 11 – 1, in Game 6 of the 2014 Korean Series as Seung-hwan Yoon allows one run in six innings and Yamaico Navarro drives in five; Navarro hits his 4th homer to tie Tyrone Woods’ record for a Korean Series. For his efforts, Navarro wins Korean Series MVP, the first foreigner to win since Woods in 2001.

In his first season as a major league skipper, Matt Williams wins the National League Manager of the Year Award for leading the Nationals to the best record in the circuit; in the American League, Buck Showalter wins for the third time after taking the Orioles to a division title.

Buck Showalter, who led the Orioles to a divisional title for the first time since 1997, is selected as the American League Manager of the Year by the BBWAA. The Baltimore skipper cops the honor for the third time (1994 Yankees and 2004 Rangers ) in his career, joining Bobby Cox, Tony LaRussa, Dusty Baker, Jim Leyland, and Lou Piniella in winning the award three or more times.

2015 – The Yankees trade back-up C John Ryan Murphy to the Twins in return for athletic CF Aaron Hicks.

2016 – In off-season dealings, the Braves sign their second 40-something starting pitcher in two days, inking Bartolo Colon to a contract one day after adding R.A. Dickey. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays sign free agent DH Kendrys Morales and Cuban prospect Lourdes Gurriel Jr., sending signals that the era of Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, who are both free agents, may be over.

2009 – Michael Bourn wins the Gold Glove Award for National League outfielders. The Houston-born speedster is the first Houston outfielder to win the award since Cesar Cedeno in 1976. 

1998 – Larry Dierker is named National League Manager of the Year, outpacing San Diego’s Bruce Bochy, whose team eliminated Houston in the playoffs. He’s the second Astro skipper to claim the award. 

1997 – Outfielder Moises Alou is acquired for pitchers Oscar Henriquez, Manny Barrios and Mark Johnson. Alou’s four seasons in Houston are marked with superb play and controversy. In three of those years, he averages 31 homers, 115 RBIs and a .331 batting average. In the other year, he misses the entire season with a knee injury that leaves others questioning his commitment to the team. 

1996 – Luman Harris dies in Pell City, AL at age 81. Harris coached the Colt .45s until he became manager late in the 1964 campaign. He lasts through the 1965 season with a 70-105 record. His best days are with Atlanta (1968-1973) where he skippers the first Western Division winners in 1969. 

1986 – Mike Scott wins the N.L. Cy Young Award. Scott wins 18 games and leads the league in ERA (2.22) and strikeouts (306). Fernando Valenzuela of Los Angeles finishes second with the other nine of the 24 first-place votes.