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    from the Chronology

    Dec 29, 2006 - The Marlins sign free agent 3B Aaron Boone to a contract.

    Dec 28, 2006 - The Giants sign free agent P Barry Zito to a 7 year, $126 million contract. Several teams, including the Mets, with a five year $75 million offer, and the Rangers, came up short.

    Dec 26, 2006 - The Angels agree on a 1-year contract with free agent INF Shea Hillenbrand.

    Dec 24, 2006 - The Brewers sign free agent P Jeff Suppan to a 4 year, $42 million contract, with an option for 2011.

    Dec 23, 2006 - The Rangers acquire P Brandon McCarthy and OF David Paisano from the White Sox in exchange for Ps John Danks, Nick Masset and Jacob Rasner.

    Dec 22, 2006 - The Yankees bring back free agent P Andy Pettitte signing him to a one-year contract. Pettitte has never had a losing or .500 season; only Babe Ruth can match that among pitchers with 10 or more seasons.

    Dec 21, 2006 - The Reds acquire 1B Jeff Conine from the Phillies for INF Brad Key and OF Javon Moran.

    Dec 20, 2006 - The Braves agree to terms with free agent INF Chris Woodward on a 1-year contract.

    Dec 20, 2006 - The Padres sign free agent 2B Marcus Giles to a contract.

    Dec 20, 2006 - The Phillies agree to a 1-year deal with free agent C Rod Barajas.

    Dec 19, 2006 - The Cubs sign free agent P Jason Marquis to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 17, 2006 - The White Sox sign free agent C Toby Hall to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 16, 2006 - The White Sox trade 1B/OF Ross Gload to the Royals for P Andrew Sisco.

    Dec 15, 2006 - The Cubs sign free agent P Ted Lilly, 40, to a 4-year contract.

    Dec 15, 2006 - The Angels send P Brendan Donnelly to the Red Sox for rookie P Phil Seibel.

    Dec 14, 2006 - The Red Sox are the winners in a sealed bid auction announcing the signing of Japanese pitching ace Daisuke Matsuzaka to a 6-year contract.

    Dec 14, 2006 - The Nationals trade 2B Jose Vidro to the Mariners for OF Chris Snelling and P Emiliano Fruto.

    Dec 14, 2006 - The Mariners sign free agent P Miguel Batista to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 13, 2006 - The Padres sign free agent P Greg Maddux to a contract.

    Dec 12, 2006 - The Astros send 24-year-old OF Willy Taveras, who had a 30-game hit streak this year, and Ps Taylor Buchholz and Jason Hirsh, their top minor league pitching prospect, to the Rockies for Ps Jason Jennings and Miguel Asencio.

    Dec 12, 2006 - The Rangers agree to a 1-year contract with free agent P Eric Gagne.

    Dec 12, 2006 - The Twins agree to a 1-year contract with free agent INF Jeff Cirillo.

    Dec 12, 2006 - The Blue Jays agree to a 1-year contract with free agent OF Matt Stairs.

    Dec 11, 2006 - The Orioles sign free agent OF Jay Payton to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 11, 2006 - The Tigers sign free agent P Jose Mesa to a contract.

    Dec 11, 2006 - The Rangers agree to a 1-year contract with free agent OF Kenny Lofton.

    Dec 11, 2006 - The Angels agree to a 1-year contract with free agent P Darren Oliver.

    Dec 8, 2006 - The Dodgers sign free agent P Jason Schmidt to a 3-year contract, and finalize a 1-year deal with free agent OF Luis Gonzalez.

    Dec 8, 2006 - The Rangers sign free agent OF Marlon Byrd to a contract.

    Dec 8, 2006 - The Cardinals sign free agent P Russ Springer to a contract.

    Dec 8, 2006 - The Royals agree to a 1-year deal with free agent P Octavio Dotel.

    Dec 8, 2006 - Free agent C Mike Piazza signs with the Athletics.

    Dec 7, 2006 - The Royals sign a 5-year deal with P Gil Meche.

    Dec 7, 2006 - The Braves trade P Horacio Ramirez to the Mariners for P Rafael Soriano.

    Dec 6, 2006 - The Mets send P Brian Bannister to the Royals in exchange for P Ambiorix Burgos.

    Dec 6, 2006 - The Dodgers agree to a 1-year contract with free agent C Mike Lieberthal.

    Dec 6, 2006 - The Giants sign free agent C Bengie Molina to a 3-year deal.

    Dec 6, 2006 - The Indians sign free agent P Joe Borowski to a contract.

    Dec 6, 2006 - The Athletics agree to a 2-year deal with free agent P Alan Embree.

    Dec 6, 2006 - The Phillies obtain P Freddy Garcia from the White Sox in exchange for Ps Gavin Floyd and Gio Gonzalez.

    Dec 5, 2006 - The Rockies agree to a 1-year contract with free agent P LaTroy Hawkins.

    Dec 5, 2006 - The Red Sox reach a tentative agreement on a 5-year contract with brittle free agent OF J.D. Drew and a 4-year contract with SS Julio Lugo.

    Dec 4, 2006 - The Mariners sign free agent OF Jose Guillen to a contract.

    Dec 3, 2006 - The Braves sign free agent P Tanyon Sturtze to a contract.

    Dec 2, 2006 - The Giants agree to a 3-year contract with free agent OF Dave Roberts.

    Dec 2, 2006 - The Indians sign free agent Ps Roberto Hernandez and Aaron Fultz to contracts.

    Nov 29, 2006 - The Brewers sign free agent INF Craig Counsell to a 2-year deal.

    Nov 28, 2006 - The Dodgers sign free agent P Randy Wolf to a one-year $8 million contract.

    Nov 28, 2006 - The Cardinals sign free agent 2B Adam Kennedy to a 3-year contract and P Kip Wells to a 1-year deal.

    Nov 27, 2006 - The Reds sign free agent C Chad Moeller to a contract.

    Nov 27, 2006 - The Phillies agree on a 3-year $24 million contract with free agent P Adam Eaton. Eaton, 28, was 4-0 with the Padres in 2006 after winning 11 in each of the two previous seasons.

    Nov 27, 2006 - Free agent OF David Dellucci reaches a preliminary agreement with the Indians on a 3-year deal.

    Nov 26, 2006 - The Orioles sign free agent P Danys Baez to a 3-year deal.

    Nov 25, 2006 - The Diamondbacks acquire Ps Doug Davis and Dana Eveland and OF Dave Krynzel from the Brewers in exchange for C Johnny Estrada and Ps Greg Aquino and Claudio Vargas.

    Nov 24, 2006 - The Astros sign free agent OF Carlos Lee to a 6-year deal and free agent P Woody Williams to a 2-year deal.

    Nov 22, 2006 - The Dodgers sign free agent OF Juan Pierre to a 5-year contract.

    Nov 22, 2006 - The Rangers sign free agent OF Gary Matthews Jr. to a 5-year contract.

    Nov 21, 2006 - Minnesota’s Justin Morneau is named AL Most Valuable Player, edging out Derek Jeter of the Yankees.

    Nov 20, 2006 - Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard is named NL Most Valuable Player, beating out Albert Pujols of the Cardinals.

    Nov 20, 2006 - The Cubs sign free agent 2B/OF Alfonso Soriano to an 8-year, $136 million contract. Besides being baseball’s first 40-40-40 man, Soriano further had 22 outfield assists last season.

    Nov 20, 2006 - The Mets sign free agent OF Moises Alou to a contract.

    Nov 20, 2006 - The Marlins send Ps Adam Bostick and Jason Vargas to the Mets in exchange for Ps Matt Lindstrom and Henry Owens. Florida also sends P Chris Resop to the Angels for P Kevin Gregg.

    Nov 20, 2006 - The Reds agree to a 3-year contract with free agent SS Alex Gonzalez, and a 2-year contract with P Mike Stanton. Cincinnati also sends C Jason LaRue to the Royals for a player to be named.

    Nov 20, 2006 - The Orioles sign free agent P Jamie Walker to a 3-year deal.

    Nov 19, 2006 - The Angels sign free agent P Justin Speier to a 4-year contract.

    Nov 19, 2006 - The Rangers agree to a 3-year deal with free agent OF Frank Catalanotto.

    Nov 17, 2006 - The Athletics hire bench coach Bob Geren as their new manager, replacing Ken Macha.

    Nov 17, 2006 - The Blue Jays sign free agent 1B/DH Frank Thomas to a 2-year contract.

    Nov 17, 2006 - The Phillies sign free agent INF Wes Helms to a 2-year contract.

    Nov 17, 2006 - The Mets sign free agent INF Damion Easley to a contract.

    Nov 16, 2006 - The White Sox send reliever Neal Cotts to the crosstown Cubs in exchange for Ps David Aardsma and Carlos Vasquez.

    Nov 16, 2006 - The Commissioner’s office announces that the Cardinals set a record with a $362,173 World Series share, nearly $40,000 more than what White Sox players received in 2005.

    Nov 16, 2006 - Johan Santana win s his 2nd Cy Young Award in 3 years, again as a unanimous choice. New York’s Chien-Ming Wang finishes a distant second.

    Nov 15, 2006 - The Mets send Ps Heath Bell and Royce Ring to the Padres for OF Ben Johnson and P Jon Adkins.

    Nov 15, 2006 - Joe Girardi and Jim Leyland are announced as winners of the Manager of the Year Award in the NL and AL, respectively.

    Nov 14, 2006 - The Nationals name 37-year-old Mets coach Manny Acta as their new manager. Acta becomes the youngest manager in the ML, replacing Frank Robinson, who, for the sake of poetic justice, had been the oldest.

    Nov 14, 2006 - Arizona Diamondbacks P Brandon Webb is named winner of the NL Cy Young Award, beating out Padres reliever Trevor Hoffman.

    Nov 13, 2006 - Justin Verlander of the Tigers and Hanley Ramirez of the Marlins are named winners of the Rookie of the Year Award in the American and National League, respectively. Jonathan Papelbon and Ryan Zimmerman are runners-up.

    Nov 12, 2006 - The Yankees trade P Jaret Wright to the Orioles in exchange for P Chris Britton.

    Nov 10, 2006 - The Yankees send OF Gary Sheffield to the Tigers for 3 minor league Ps—Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan, and Anthony Claggett.

    Nov 8, 2006 - The Padres hire Angels’ pitching coach Bud Black as their new manager.

    Nov 8, 2006 - The Indians obtain 2B Josh Barfield from the Padres in exchange for INF Kevin Kouzmanoff and P Andrew Brown.

    Nov 8, 2006 - The Athletics reach a deal with Cisco Systems Inc. to build a new ballpark in Fremont. If approved by the city, the A’s could begin playing there as soon as 2011.

    Nov 6, 2006 - The Texas Rangers hire Oakland Athletics’ coach Ron Washington as their new manager.

    Nov 3, 2006 - The NL Gold Glove winners are announced. P Greg Maddux wins his 16th award, tying the record shared by P Jim Kaat and 3B Brooks Robinson. SS Omar Vizquel wins his 11th award, while OF Andruw Jones wins his 9th in a row.

    Nov 2, 2006 - The AL Gold Glove winners are announced. Ivan Rodriguez wins his 12th award, extending his record for Cs. OFs Ichiro Suzuki and Torii Hunter and 3B Eric Chavez each win for the 6th straight season.

    Nov 1, 2006 - The commissioner’s office announces that Mets reliever Guillermo Mota is suspended for 50 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. He becomes the 3rd player penalized this year for violating MLB’s toughened drug policy.

    Oct 27, 2006 - Former Padres manager Bruce Bochy agrees to a 3-year term to become manager of the SF Giants.

    Oct 27, 2006 - The Cardinals defeat the Tigers, 4-2, to take the 2006 World Series. Jeff Weaver gets the win for St. Louis, who gets a pair of RBIs from Series MVP David Eckstein. Sean Casey homers for Detroit.

    Oct 26, 2006 - The Cardinals edge the Tigers, 5-4, to take a 3-games-to-1 lead in the WS. Adam Wainwright gets the win in relief for St. Louis, while David Eckstein collect 4 hits, including 3 2Bs. Sean Casey homers for Detroit in a losing cause.

    Oct 25, 2006 - Game 4 of the World Series is postponed due to rain.

    Oct 25, 2006 - Ryan Howard of the Phillies and Derek Jeter of the Yankees are named winners of the Hank Aaron Award as the best overall hitter in the NL and AL respectively.

    Oct 24, 2006 - Chris Carpenter gives the Cardinals a 2-games-to-1 lead in the Series with a 5-0 win over the Tigers. Jim Edmonds drives in a pair of runs for St. Louis.

    Oct 24, 2006 - Mets 1B Carlos Delgado wins the 2006 Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to a ML player who combines community service with excellence on the field.

    Oct 24, 2006 - MLB and the MLB Players Association reach an agreement on a new 5-year Collective Bargaining Agreement, one of the longest labor contracts in baseball history.

    Oct 22, 2006 - The Tigers even the Series with a 3-1 win behind Kenny Rogers. Craig Monroe homers for Detroit, and Carlos Guillen gets 3 hits.

    Oct 21, 2006 - The Cardinals take the opener of the WS with a 7-2 victory over the Tigers. Anthony Reyes gets the win, and Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen hit HRs. Craig Monroe homers for Detroit.

    Oct 19, 2006 - Yadier Molina’s 2-run HR in the 9th inning is the deciding blow as the Cardinals defeat the Mets, 3-1, to win the NLCS and move on to the WS. Randy Flores gets the win in relief. Jeff Suppan is named NLCS MVP.

    Oct 18, 2006 - The Mets edge the Cardinals, 4-2, to even the NLCS at 3 games apiece. Jose Reyes gets 3 hits for the Mets, including a HR, and John Maine gets the win.

    Oct 17, 2006 - Lou Piniella takes over as manager of the Cubs, signing a 3-year deal worth nearly $10 million.

    Oct 17, 2006 - The Cardinals take the lead in the NLCS with a 4-2 win over the Mets. Jeff Weaver hurls 6 innings for the win for St. Louis, with Albert Pujols and Chris Duncan hitting HRs.

    Oct 16, 2006 - The Athletics fire manager Ken Macha.

    Oct 15, 2006 - The Mets even their NLCS with a 12-5 win over the Cardinals. Carlos Delgado drives in 5 runs for New York on a 2B and HR, while Carlos Beltran slugs a pair of homers and David Wright adds a solo shot. Oliver Perez gets the victory.

    Oct 14, 2006 - Magglio Ordonez hits a walkoff 3-run HR with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th to give the Tigers a 6-3 win over the Athletics and a sweep of the ALCS. Wil Ledezma gets the win in relief, and Placido Polanco is named the series MVP. Jay Payton homers in a losing cause for Oakland.

    Oct 14, 2006 - The Cardinals take a 2-games-to-1 lead over the Mets in the NLCS, winning by a score of 5-0 behind Jeff Suppan. Suppan also homers to help his cause.

    Oct 13, 2006 - The Tigers take a commanding 3-games-to-0 lead in the ALCS with a 3-0 win over the Athletics. Kenny Rogers and 2 relievers hold Oakland to just 2 hits. Craig Monroe homers for Detroit. Oakland’s Mark Kiger makes history by becoming the 1st modern day player to make his big league debut in the postseason, entering the game as a defensive replacement at 2B.

    Oct 13, 2006 - The Cardinals even their NLCS with the Mets with a 9-6 victory. Josh Kinney gets the win in relief as St. Louis scores 3 times in the 9th off Billy Wagner. Carlos Delgado hits a pair of HRs for New York, while So Taguchi and Jim Edmonds connect for the Cardinals.

    Oct 12, 2006 - The Mets shut out the Cardinals, 2-0, in the 1st game of the NLCS. Carlos Beltran’s 2-run homer if the big blow for New York. Tom Glavine and a pair or relief pitchers hold St. Louis to 4 hits.

    Oct 11, 2006 - Yankees P Cory Lidle is killed when his single-engine plane slams into a 50-story skyscraper on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Killed with him is his pilot instructor.

    Oct 11, 2006 - The Tigers ride Justin Verlander to an 8-5 win over the Athletics in the ALCS. Curtis Granderson and Alexis Gomez homer for Detroit, overcoming a pair of homers by Milton Bradley and one by Eric Chavez for Oakland.

    Oct 11, 2006 - The opening game of the NLCS between St. Louis and New York is postponed due to rain.

    Oct 10, 2006 - The Tigers down the Athletics, 5-1, to take the opening game of the ALCS. Nate Robertson gets the victory, and Ivan Rodriguez and Brandon Inge hit HRs for Detroit.

    Oct 8, 2006 - The Cardinals defeat the Padres, 6-2, to take their NLDS, 3 games to 1. Cris Carpenter gets the win for St. Louis, while Ron Belliard drives in a pair of runs.

    Oct 7, 2006 - Nomar Garciaparra and Jim Thome are announced as winners of the Comeback Player of the Year award in the NL and AL respectively.

    Oct 7, 2006 - The Mets defeat the Dodgers, 9-5, to sweep their Division series and move into the NLCS. Jeff Kent gets 4 hits for LA, including a HR, but it’s not enough to beat New York’s 14-hit attack led by Shawn Green. Pedro Feliciano gets the win in relief.

    Oct 7, 2006 - The Tigers down the Yankees, 8-3, to win their Division series, 3 games to 1. Jeremy Bonderman goes 8+ innings for the win. He’s aided by HRs by Magglio Ordonez and Craig Monroe.

    Oct 7, 2006 - The Padres keep their hopes alive in their Division series with the Cardinals with a 3-1 win. Chris Young gets the win for SD, with Russell Branyan’s 2-run 2B being the key blow.

    Oct 6, 2006 - The A’s down the Twins, 8-3, to sweep their Division series and move on to the ALCS. Milton Bradley and Eric Chavez homer for Oakland and Dan Haren gets the win. Justin Morneau and Torii Hunter homer in a losing cause for Minnesota.

    Oct 5, 2006 - The Mets down the Dodgers, 4-1, to take a 2-0 lead in the Division Series. Jose Reyes drives in a pair of runs for New York, while Tom Glavine hurls 6 shutout innings and Billy Wagner records his 2nd save in 2 days.

    Oct 5, 2006 - The Cardinals shut out the Padres, 2-0, as Jeff Weaver and 4 relief pitchers combine to throw a 4-hitter. Albert Pujols gets 3 hits and drives in a run for St. Louis.

    Oct 5, 2006 - The Tigers even their Division Series with the Yankees, coming from behind to win by a score of 4-3 with Curtis Granderson’s triple being the deciding blow. Jamie Walker gets the win in relief. Johnny Damon and Carlos Guillen hit HRs for New York and Detroit respectively.

    Oct 4, 2006 - The Rangers fire Buck Showalter as their manager.

    Oct 4, 2006 - The Mets open their NL Division Series against the Dodgers with a 6-5 win. Carlos Delgado gets 4 hits, including a HR for New York, while Cliff Floyd adds a homer and David Wright collects 3 RBIs with a pair of doubles. Guillermo Mota gets the win in relief.

    Oct 4, 2006 - The Athletics take a two games to one lead over the Twins in their series with a 5-2 victory. Mark Kotsay hits an inside-the-park HR for the victors.

    Oct 3, 2006 - The Marlins fire their manager Joe Girardi. Braves 3rd-base coach Fredi Gonzalez is hired to replace him.

    Oct 3, 2006 - The Athletics edge the Twins, 3-2, in the opener of their AL Division Series on the strength of a pair of HRs by Frank Thomas. Barry Zito gets the win for Oakland.

    Oct 3, 2006 - The Yankees clobber the Tigers, 8-4, in Game 1 of their AL Division Series. Derek Jeter goes 5-for-5 for New York, including a 2B and HR. Jason Giambi also homers for the Bronx Bombers while Chien-Ming Wang gets credit for the victory. Curtis Granderson and Craig Monroe homer for Detroit.

    Oct 3, 2006 - The Cardinals win the opener of their NL Division Series against the Padres by a score of 5-1. Cris Carpenter gets the win for St. Louis while Albert Pujols hits a HR.

    Oct 2, 2006 - The Giants cut ties with manager Felipe Alou after 4 years at the helm.

    Oct 2, 2006 - The Cubs drop the other shoe as they decline to renew the contract of manager Dusty Baker after 4 years.

    Oct 1, 2006 - The Indians defeat the Devil Rays, 6-3. TB becomes the 1st team in ML history to lose 100 games and still have a winning record at home. Cleveland OF Grady Sizemore joins Chuck Klein as the only players in history with 50 doubles, 10 triples, 20 homers, and 20 steals in the same season.

    Oct 1, 2006 - The Royals down the Tigers, 10-8. The loss drops Detroit behind the Twins for the AL Central crown, giving the Tigers the wild card spot for the playoffs.

    Oct 1, 2006 - Red Sox rookie P Devern Hansack hurls 5 hitless innings for a rain-shortened 9-0 Boston win over the Orioles. In his 2nd ML outing, Hansack becomes the 9th AL pitcher to allow no hits in a complete game of fewer than 9 innings. It is his 1st ML win.

    Oct 1, 2006 - The Twins defeat the White Sox, 5-1, to clinch the AL Central championship. Joe Mauer becomes the first catcher to win an AL batting title, getting 2 hits in his final contest to finish at .347.

    Oct 1, 2006 - The Cardinals lose to the Brewers, 5-3, but still clinch their 3rd consecutive NL Central division championship.

    Oct 1, 2006 - The Marlins down the Phillies, 3-2, in 11 innings but lose P Dontrelle Willis in the 2nd inning. Willis dives for an infield fly ball and injured his arm. Dan Uggla homers for the Fish, scoring his 105th run of the year. Along with Hanley Ramirez, they are the first pair of rookie teammates since Dale Alexander and Roy Johnson of the 1929 Tigers to each score 100 runs in the same season.

    Oct 1, 2006 - The Dodgers edge the Giants, 4-3, to finish as the NL wild card representative in the playoffs.

    Oct 1, 2006 - The Padres best the Diamondbacks, 7-6, to clinch the NL West Division title.

    Oct 1, 2006 - The Chicago Cubs announce that president Andy MacPhail is resigning effective immediately. MacPhail had been president for 12-years. John McDonough, Cubs senior vice president of marketing and broadcasting, will serve as interim president.

    Sep 30, 2006 - The Mariners edge the Rangers 3-1. Ichiro Suzuki steals his 39th consecutive successful stolen base to extend his AL record. He hasn’t been caught stealing since April 16.

    Sep 30, 2006 - The Royals defeat the Tigers, 9-6. Kansas City begins the game with a double, single, triple, and homer, giving the team a cycle with its first 4 batters.

    Sep 30, 2006 - Down 8-0 after three innings at Wrigley, the Cubs come back on the Rockies to tie at 9 apiece. The Rocks finally push across two runs in the 14th to win 11-9. The two teams each use 10 pitchers, which ties the ML record.

    Sep 30, 2006 - The Angels beat the Athletics, 7-6. Oakland’s Jason Kendall becomes the first player in ML history to catch 140 games in 8 different seasons, breaking Gary Carter’s record.

    Sep 30, 2006 - The Nationals announce that Frank Robinson will not be back as the team’s manager in 2007.

    Sep 29, 2006 - The Phillies pound the Marlins, 14-2. Shane Victorino leads the 18-hit Philadelphia attack with 5 safeties, including a 2B and 3B. Pat Burrell contributes a double and two homers plus two walks.

    Sep 28, 2006 - The Dodgers pound the Rockies, 19-11. Rookie 1B James Loney, filling in for Nomar Garciaparra, ties a 56-year-old Dodgers record with 9 RBIs in the contest. Loney strokes 4 hits, including a double and a pair of homers.

    Sep 28, 2006 - Baltimore’s Daniel Cabrera comes within 2 outs of no-hitting the Yankees, before allowing a single to Robinson Cano on his way to a 1-hit, 7-1 victory.

    Sep 27, 2006 - The Marlins defeat the Reds, 7-2, as Anibal Sanchez wins his 10th game of the year. Florida becomes the 1st team in ML history to have 4 rookie pitchers with 10 wins. Scott Olsen, Josh Johnson, and Ricky Nolasco have also reached the mark. Rookie Hanley Ramirez has a pair of homers for the Fish.

    Sep 27, 2006 - Tampa Bay uses a 9-run 7th inning to beat up the host Red Sox, 11–0. Ty Wigginton has 2 doubles and 3 RBI in the frame, while Rocco Baldelli adds a 3-run homer. Sox starter Josh Beckett pitches 6 2/3 innings and takes the loss, while Tim Corcoran pitches 6 2/3 for the win, just the 3rd on the road for TB since a July 29 drubbing of the Yankees.

    Sep 27, 2006 - The Astros push across a run in the 9th against Salomon Torres to tie the Pirates at 6 all. Houston scores in the top of the 15th to win, 7–6. For Torres, it is his 90th appearance of the year; Torres joins Mike Marshall, Kent Tekulve and Wayne Granger as the only pitchers to appear in 90 or more in a season.

    Sep 27, 2006 - Moises Alou of the Giants became the fourth 40-year-old to steal home since 1957 when he does it on a double steal with Ray Durham. Alou joins Paul Molitor, Minnie Minoso and Dave Concepcion. Alou’s theft gives the Giants a short-lived 3–2 lead, but Arizona wins, 6–3.

    Sep 26, 2006 - The Athletics use 19 hits to down the Mariners, 12-3, to clinch the AL West crown. Jason Kendall and Jay Payton each have 4 hits, and Kendall adds a stolen base.

    Sep 26, 2006 - The Cubs trim the Brewers 14–6, in a game that shows an odd line score: only one team scores in each inning. The Cubs, with 18 hits, plate runs in the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 8th; Milwaukee scores in the 2nd, 4th, 7th and 9th.

    Sep 26, 2006 - Astros P Andy Pettitte allows 10 hits but just three runs in 6 2/3 innings as Houston beats Pittsburgh, 7-4.  The win pushes Pettitte’s record to 14-13: he has never had a losing or even .500 season, the only pitcher with at least 10 seasons other than Babe Ruth who has done that.

    Sep 24, 2006 - The Padres edge the Pirates, 2-1. Trevor Hoffman gets the save for SD to become baseball’s career saves leader. His 43rd save of the year gives Hoffman 479 for his career to break Lee Smith’s record.

    Sep 24, 2006 - The Rockies overcome a grand slam and solo homer by Brian McCann and beat the Braves, 9-8. Matt Holliday matches McCann’s slam with one of his own.

    Sep 24, 2006 - In the Red Sox 13-4 loss to host Toronto, David Ortiz ties the AL single season record with 32 homers on the road (Babe Ruth, 1927). It is Big Papi’s #53 on the year. The Blue Jays get three RBI each from Alexis Rios, Vernon Wells and Lyle Overbay.

    Sep 23, 2006 - The Tigers score 10 runs in the 1st inning on their way to a 15-4 pasting of the Royals.

    Sep 23, 2006 - Nationals 1B Nick Johnson breaks his leg in an 8th inning collision with RF Austin Kearns while going after a David Wright fly ball. Both players leave the game and Johnson will have a titanium rod and screws inserted in a two-hour operation. This year, Johnson set career highs with a .290 batting average, 46 doubles, 23 home runs, 77 RBI, 110 walks and 147 games played. It was Wright’s third hit of the game, a triple, as the Mets win, 12–6.

    Sep 23, 2006 - The Brewers beat the Giants, 10-8. Barry Bonds hits his 734th career HR to break Hank Aaron’s NL record for homers in one league.

    Sep 22, 2006 - The Padres down the Pirates, 6-2 on a 1-hitter. Chris Young takes a no-hitter into the 9th inning, but loses his bid to become the 1st SD pitcher to notch one when Joe Randa hits a 2-run HR.

    Sep 22, 2006 - The Brewers overcome 6 RBI by Barry Bonds and edge the Giants, 13-12. Bonds has two doubles and a homer, while Ray Durham has a double and homer. Milwaukee has no homers. Prince Fielder steals his 7th base of the year; his dad, Cecil, stole only two in his 1,470-game career.

    Sep 22, 2006 - The Nationals squeak by the Mets, 3-2. Alfonso Soriano doubles for Washington to become baseball’s first 40-40-40 player, with 45 homers, 41 stolen bases, and 40 doubles.

    Sep 21, 2006 - The Astros edge the Cardinals, 6-5, with the help of a pair of homers by Lance Berkman. Berkman has now homered on September 21 in each of the last 6 seasons, the 2nd-longest such streak in history. Lou Gehrig homered on 7 consecutive June 8 dates from 1932-38.

    Sep 21, 2006 - At Fenway, the Red Sox blank the Twins, 6–0, behind Josh Beckett’s 8 shutout innings. Keith Foulke pitches the 9th. David Ortiz has 3 hits, including a pair of homers, to set the Sox single season record for homers with 52.

    Sep 20, 2006 - The Yankees lose to the Blue Jays, 3-2, but still clinch the AL East title as the Red Sox lose to the Twins.

    Sep 19, 2006 - The Twins beat the Red Sox, 7-3. Justin Morneau has 5 hits for Minnesota, including a double.

    Sep 19, 2006 - The Mariners down the Rangers, 9-7, in 10 innings. Willie Bloomquist gets 5 hits for Seattle, including a double.

    Sep 19, 2006 - The White Sox shut out the Tigers, 7-0. Freddy Garcia gets the victory, allowing only one hit in 8 innings for the 2nd straight start.

    Sep 18, 2006 - The Tigers clobber the White Sox, 8-2. Rookie Josh Fields hits a HR in his 1st ML at bat for Chicago, as a pinch hitter in the 9th inning.

    Sep 18, 2006 - The Dodgers hit 4 consecutive homers (Jeff Kent, J.D. Drew, Russell Martin, Marlon Anderson) in the 9th inning to tie the Padres, then get a 2-run walkoff blast from Nomar Garciaparra in the last of the 10th to edge San Diego in a nail-biter, 11-10. It is only the 4th time in ML history that a team hits 4 consecutive homers. Marlon Anderson has five hits for LA, including a triple and two HRs.

    Sep 18, 2006 - Despite being outhit by just 4 hits (19 to 15) the Giants are walloped at Coors Field, 20–6. Garrett Atkins and Jeff Baker each drive in 6 runs. Atkins has a pair of doubles and Baker a pair of homers.

    Sep 18, 2006 - The Mets shut out the Marlins, 4-0, to clinch the NL East title.

    Sep 17, 2006 - The Nationals defeat the Brewers, 6-1. Rookie Chris Schroder strikes out all 6 batters he faces in 2 innings of relief, falling 1 shy of the NL record for consecutive strikeouts by a reliever.

    Sep 16, 2006 - The Brewers top the Nationals, 8-5. Alfonso Soriano steals a base in the 1st inning to become the 4th player in ML history to record 40 HRs and 40 SBs in a season.

    Sep 16, 2006 - At Yankee Stadium, the Red Sox and Yanks split a pair, with the Sox winning the first game, 5-2. New York takes the nitecap, 7-5. Derek Jeter has hits in each game to run his consecutive game hitting streak to 25.

    Sep 16, 2006 - Chone Figgins hits for the cycle, but it is not enough as his Angels fall, 12-6, to the Rangers. Mark Teixeira is 4-for-4 with 4 RBI and Michael Young scores 4 times.

    Sep 13, 2006 - The Rangers rout the Tigers, 11-3, as OF Gary Matthews hits for the cycle in order, singling in the 1st, doubling in the 2nd, tripling in the 4th, and homering in the 6th inning.

    Sep 12, 2006 - The Mets defeat the Marlins, 6-4. The win officially eliminates the Braves from the NL East race, ending Atlanta’s incredible streak of 14 straight division championships.

    Sep 12, 2006 - Bobby Abreu drives in 7 runs, including 3 in the Yankees 9-run first inning, as the Bronx Bombers whip Tampa Bay, 12–4. The Yanks score 3 in the 3rd to give Mike Mussina a 12-run cushion. Yankees DH Hideki Matsui has 4 hits and a walk and SS Derek Jeter has not at bats, but scores three times and drives in a run as he receives three base on balls and is hit once.

    Sep 12, 2006 - The Nationals score an unearned run in the 8th and beat Arizona, 5–4. The Nats catcher Brian Schneider pulls off a nice DP in the 4th inning when, with runners on 1st and 3B, he allows a popped bunt to drop. He fires the ball to SS Felipe Lopez for a force at 2B and the relay to 2B Jose Vidro covering 1B completes the twin killing.

    Sep 12, 2006 - Carlos Guillen greets reliever Ron Mahay with his second homer of the game, a leadoff walkoff 9th inning dinger to give the Tigers a 3-2 victory over the Rangers.

    Sep 11, 2006 - The Marlins pound the Mets, 16-5. RF Cody Ross slugs 3 homers and drives in 7 runs for Florida, while Dan Uggla has 5 hits. Carlos Delgado hits his 40th homer of the year for New York.

    Sep 10, 2006 - Johan Santana strikes out 11 in 6 1/3 innings and wins his 18th 12-1, as the Twins coast past Detroit. He seems to have a lock on winning 20 but will win just one more. No pitcher in the ML will win 20 this year, the first time this has happened on a full-schedule season.

    Sep 8, 2006 - Jamie Moyer pitches 8 innings allowing just one run as the Phillies gaff the Marlins, 3–2. Ryan Howard has 3 hits and drives in all three Phillies runs with a pair of homers, numbers 55 and 56. He will hit just two more as pitchers will give him 28 walks in his next 21 games.

    Sep 8, 2006 - Adam Dunn clubs his 40th homer and Javier Valentin adds a pair in the Reds 9-1 win over Pittsburgh.

    Sep 6, 2006 - The Marlins shut out the Diamondbacks, 2-0, as rookie Anibal Sanchez hurls a no-hitter. It is the first no-hitter in the majors since Randy Johnson’s perfect game on may 18, 2004. The stretch of 6,364 games between no-hitters was the longest in ML history.

    Sep 6, 2006 - The Tigers release Dmitri Young. Young spent a month in a rehab center this summer for alcohol and drug abuse, and later this month he will be sentenced to a year’s probation for assaulting a former girl friend.

    Sep 5, 2006 - Seven of the 13 games played today end in shutouts. It is the largest number on any one day since June 4, 1972.

    Sep 4, 2006 - The Phillies edge the Astros, 3-2, in 11 innings. Charlton Jimerson hits pinch HR in his 1st ML at bat for Houston. Ryan Howard has a homer (#53) for the Phils. No player in history has hit 76 homers in his first 1,000 at bats; Howard reaches 77 in 853 at bats. Aaron had 40 in his first 1,000 at bat; Ruth had 38.

    Sep 4, 2006 - The Nationals Ramon Ortiz allows no hits through 8 innings against the Cardinals before Aaron Miles singles to lead off the 9th. Miles is erased on a DP, but Albert Pujols homers to snap the shutout. Ortiz wins, 4–1.

    Sep 4, 2006 - The Marlins down the Diamondbacks, 8-5. In doing so, they become the 1st team in ML history to climb above .500 after being 20 games under.

    Sep 4, 2006 - Atlanta’s Chuck James and Macay McBride combine to shut out the Mets, 5-0, on a 1 hitter. David Wright’s 2nd-inning single is the only hit allowed by James in his 8 innings of work.

    Sep 4, 2006 - Trailing 5-1, the Yankees explode for 10 runs in the 8th inning and go on to defeat the Royals by a score of 12-5. Jorge Posada and Robinson Cano each have a homer and single in the big inning.

    Sep 3, 2006 - In game 1 of a doubleheader, the Phillies beat the Braves, 8-7, as Ryan Howard hits 3 homers for Philadelphia. Atlanta rebounds to win the nitecap, 3–1.

    Sep 3, 2006 - The Cardinals defeat the Pirates, 6-3, as Albert Pujols hits 3 homers for St. Louis. It is his second three-homer game this year.

    Sep 3, 2006 - The Nationals edge the Diamondbacks, 5-3, scoring four runs in the 8th. Washington becomes the 1st team since 1923 to win 4 in a row when trailing by 2 runs in the 7th inning or later in all four.

    Sep 3, 2006 - The Astros squeak by the Mets, 2-1, despite only getting 1 hit. Aubrey Huff’s 2nd inning single is Houston’s lone safety. Roy Oswalt hurls 7 perfect innings for the Astros.

    Sep 2, 2006 - The Indians edge the Rangers, 6-5. Cleveland rookie Kevin Kouzmanoff, subbing for slugger Travis Hafner, hits a grand slam on the 1st pitch he sees in the ML. By doing so, he becomes the 3rd player in history to hit a grand slam in his 1st AB. The others are Jeremy Hermida (2005) and Bill Duggleby (1898). Kouzmanoff is the first to do it on the first pitch he sees.

    Sep 2, 2006 - The Mariners shrug off a first inning triple play and end a 12-game road losing streak, beating the Devil Rays, 4–3. Cha Seung Baek (2-0) allows one run in 6 2/3 innings. The M’s score a run and have runners on 1st and 3B with no outs. When Raul Ibanez strikes out, Adrian Beltre takes off for 2B and is easily tagged out. When the runner breaks from 3B the return throw to C Dioner Navarro nabs Jose Lopez trying to score. It is the first 2-6-2 triple play in history.

    Aug 31, 2006 - The Red Sox trade P David Wells to the Padres for minor league C George Kottaras, who played on the 2004 Olympic team for Greece.

    Aug 31, 2006 - The Cubs trade veteran 1B Phil Nevin to the Twins for a player to be named later.

    Aug 31, 2006 - The Nationals edge the Phillies, 6–5, in 10 innings scoring the winner on three singles and a wild pitch from Aaron Fultz (3-1). Phillies 1B Ryan Howard sets the team record for homers in a season, with 49. Howard reaches base safely 5 times on 2 hits, 2 walks and a HBP.

    Aug 30, 2006 - The Pirates edge the Cubs, 10-9, in 11 innings in a game that sees each team stroke 20 hits, but no homers. Rookie 2B Ryan Theriot gets 5 hits for Chicago, while teammate Jacque Jones has 4. For the Bucs, Jose Castillo strokes 4. Chicago reliever Ryan Dempster (1-7) blows a 2-run lead in the 11th.

    Aug 30, 2006 - The Athletics defeat the Red Sox, 7-2. Curt Schilling takes the loss for Boston, but in the process becomes the 14th pitcher in ML history to record 3,000 career strikeouts.

    Aug 30, 2006 - At Houston, Roger Clemens pitches 7 innings of shutout ball, striking out 9. He’s matched by the Brewers David Bush who allows 2 hits and no runs in 7 innings. Brad Lidge is credited with the win when the Astros push across a run in the bottom of the 9th for a 1-0 victory.

    Aug 30, 2006 - In a game at Cuba’s Latin American Stadium, Mexico and Puerto Rico are in the sixth inning of a crucial game affecting PR´s qualification when the City of Havana decides to fumigate the Stadium. Within minutes smoke is pouring from the dugouts and stands. The Mexican dugout empties and the players stand on the left field line. The on-deck batter is invisible and everyone in the stands is coughing. The game is delayed for one hour because of the fumigation. (as reported by Pete Bjarkman)

    Aug 29, 2006 - The White Sox defeat the Devil Rays, 12-9. Delmon Young hits a HR in his 1st ML game for TB, becoming just the 2nd No. 1 overall pick from the June draft to homer in his first ML game. Bob Horner turned the trick for the Braves in 1978.

    Aug 29, 2006 - The Braves overcome a pair of homers by Barry Bonds and outscore the Giants, 13-8. For Barry they are homers #726 and #727 and he passes Sammy Sosa with his 69th career multi homer game. Babe Ruth has 72.

    Aug 29, 2006 - In the Phillies 10-6 win over the Nationals, Ryan Howard hits his 48th homer, tying Mike Schmidt (1980) for the team record. Howard has two hits and two walks.

    Aug 29, 2006 - Leading off the bottom of the 16th inning, Ramon Martinez of the Dodgers cracks a homerun off new reliever Ryan Franklin to give LA a 6-5 win over the Reds. Jeff Kent and Brandon Phillips lead their offenses with 4 hits apiece.

    Aug 28, 2006 - Behind Esteban Loaiza’s 7 shutout innings the A's roll over the visiting Red Sox, 9-0. Nick Swisher and Frank Thomas each pole their 28th homers. For Thomas it is career #476, putting him in the 23rd spot on the all-time list ahead of Stan Musial and Willie Stargell.

    Aug 27, 2006 - At Anaheim, the Yankees get two homers each from Bernie Williams and Derek Jeter to beat the Angels, 11-8, and avoid a three game sweep. Williams adds a double and drives in 6 runs. The Angels are the only team Joe Torre has a losing record against as the Yankee manager; the Haloes are 53-51 against the Yanks with Torre as the skipper.

    Aug 27, 2006 - The Astros bomb the Pirates, 12-1, behind 7 innings pitched by Jason Hirsch. Willy Taveras has 2 hits to run his hit streak to 30 games.

    Aug 24, 2006 - The Red Sox edge the Angels, 2-1. Jered Weaver gets the 1st loss of his career for the Angels. He had won his first 9 decisions, tying Whitey Ford for the AL record by beginning his career with 9 straight wins as a starter.

    Aug 24, 2006 - Jon Garland (15-4) stops the Tigers as the White Sox win, 10–0. Jermaine Dye hits 2 homers and a double and LF Pablo Ozuna has 3 hits. Ozuna also makes a rare 5-7-3 putout on Sean Casey’s line drive that is tipped by the third baseman. Casey thinks it is caught and stops running.

    Aug 23, 2006 - The Royals score 10 runs in the 1st inning against the Indians, then go on to blow the lead and lose 15-13 in 10 innings.

    Aug 22, 2006 - The Mets obtain OF Shawn Green from the Diamondbacks in exchange for minor league P Evan MacLane.

    Aug 22, 2006 - The Phillies obtain INF Jose Hernandez from the Pirates for cash.

    Aug 22, 2006 - The Orioles defeat the Twins, 6-3, as OF Nick Markakis slams 3 homers.

    Aug 20, 2006 - Toronto’s Roy Halladay (16-3) wins his 16th decision, beating the Orioles, 9-2, but he will fail to win another game this year.

    Aug 19, 2006 - Seattle trades veteran Jamie Moyer to the Phillies for Andy Baldwin and Andrew Barb.

    Aug 18, 2006 - The Yankees outlast the Red Sox, 14-11, in the 2nd game of their day-night doubleheader. The game lasts 4 hours and 45 minutes, setting a record for the longest 9-inning game in ML history. The doubleheader also clocks a record at 8:40.

    Aug 17, 2006 - The White Sox edge the Royals, 5-4. For the 1st time in ML history, both teams hit leadoff HRs in each of the first 2 innings. David DeJesus hits the first pitch of the game for a homer. In the bottom of the 1st, Pablo Ozuna leads off with a homer for Chicago. Emil Brown homers for KC to start the 2nd inning, and Jermaine Dye homers to open the bottom of the 2nd.

    Aug 17, 2006 - The Toronto Blue Jays trade 3B-OF Eric Hinske to the Red Sox for a player to be named later.

    Aug 16, 2006 - In the Red Sox 6-4 win over the Tigers, plate umpire Bruce Froemming works his 5,000th career game, becoming only the 2nd umpire, after Bill Klem, to reach that milestone.

    Aug 16, 2006 - Bobby Abreu ties a ML record (Frank Thomas) with his 8th straight season with 100 walks as the Orioles edge the Yankees, 3-2. Max Bishop (1926-33) almost had 8 straight seasons, but one year had 97.

    Aug 15, 2006 - Huh? Trailing Oakland 9–2 in the bottom of the 6th. Seattle’s Jake Woods intentionally walks Jay Payton with one out to load the bases for Nick Swisher, who is 3-for-3 with 4 RBI. The dubious strategy pays off when Swisher swishes, but Marco Scutaro then draws a walk to drive home one of his four runs in the game. Kirk Saarloos is the winner in the 11–2 A's victory.

    Aug 15, 2006 - In Anaheim’s 9-7 win over Texas, an argument in the 4th inning results in ejections for Texas P Vicente Padilla and manager Buck Showalter. When the dust settles Rangers Ps Scott Feldman (6 games) and Padilla (5), Showalter (3) and Angels 2B Adam Kennedy (4), Ps Brendan Donnelly (4) and Kevin Gregg (3) and manager Mike Scioscia (3) will all earn suspensions.

    Aug 15, 2006 - The Phillies defeat the Mets, 11-4, despite 3 homers by Jose Reyes. The 7th player to ever perform the feat for New York, Reyes is the 8th player to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game for the franchise. With the Mets bullpen depleted, Orlando Hernandez stays in for 4 innings and gets cuffed around for all 11 runs, the most a Mets starter has given up since Jack Fisher gave up 11 in 1967.

    Aug 15, 2006 - The Cubs and Astros go 18 innings before Chicago, using every player on the roster, emerges an 8-6 winner. The Cubs pound starter Roger Clemens for 5 runs in 6 innings. Cesar Izturis has 4 hits for the Cubs. The Cubs and Astros used 18 pitchers, tying a NL record, who throw 542 offerings. The teams combined to use 46 players with the Cubs using their entire 25-man roster.

    Aug 15, 2006 - The Diamondbacks edge the Rockies, 2-1, also in 18 innings. It is the first time in ML history that two games on the same day last 18 innings. The D'Backs and Rockies used 42 players including 15 hurlers who threw 514 pitches.

    Aug 15, 2006 - The Nationals Pedro Astacio, allowing two hits, and the Cards Chris Carpenter each throw 5-0 shutouts. Washington beats Atlanta and St. Louis whips Cincinnati. Astacio, released in 2005 by the Rangers, is perfect for 4 2/3 innings, giving Washington its first complete game pitched this year.

    Aug 15, 2006 - Tigers 2B Placido Polanco suffered a separated shoulder and is expected to be out for the rest of the season.

    Aug 15, 2006 - The morning before his scheduled rehab start for Columbus (IL) Yankees P Carl Pavano is injured when his Porsche collides with a truck. Pavano, out since June with various ailments, doesn’t say anything about the accident but pitches with discomfort before seeking medical help. An exam reveals two fractured ribs. Pavano is in the 2nd year of a 4-year contract.

    Aug 14, 2006 - The Braves pound the Nationals, 10-4. Matt Diaz has four hits and a walk in his first 5 plate appearances and ties an NL record by getting a hit in 10 straight ABs. His streak ends with a ground out in the 9th inning. Chipper Jones has four hits, including 3 consecutive HRs for Atlanta.

    Aug 13, 2006 - He should’ve used the force. The Indians score 11 runs in the 1st inning off Luke Hudson, who manages just one out, on their way to a 13-0 whitewashing of the Royals. It is the most runs allowed in the first inning by a pitcher since Kid Nichols on September 21, 1897. Hudson is the first pitcher in 40 years to not record an out against the 1st ten batters he faces. Travis Hafner hits his 6th grand slam of the season off Hudson to tie Don Mattingly’s ML record set in 1987.

    Aug 13, 2006 - The Reds down the Phillies, 7-5, in 11 innings as Juan Castro and Ken Griffey, Jr. drive in the final runs. The Phils tied it in the 9th on a 2-out single by Ryan Howard, who earlier hit his 41st homer. Edwin Encarnacion, Adam Dunn and Rich Aurilia hit consecutive HRs for Cincinnati in the 6th inning.

    Aug 13, 2006 - In pitching 8 shutout innings against the Giants, Greg Maddux sets a major-league record becoming the first pitcher to make at least 25 starts in 20 consecutive seasons. Maddux had shared the record of 25 in 19 straight with Cy Young, Warren Spahn and Tom Glavine. The 1-0 win today goes to Takashi Saito when Russell Martin hits a walkoff homer in the 10th off Vinnie Chulk.

    Aug 13, 2006 - The Red Sox defeat the Orioles, 11-9. Manny Ramirez is held hitless, ending his 27-game hitting streak for Boston.

    Aug 12, 2006 - With their pitching staff shot after a 14-inning marathon 6-5 yesterday. the Reds summon 35-year-old Chris Michalak from Louisville and he stops the Phils on one run and three hits in 6 2/3 innings in a 9-7 Reds win. It is Michalak’s first big league win since September 2, 2001.

    Aug 12, 2006 - At Fenway, the Red Sox trip the Orioles, 8-7. Wily Mo Pena has a double, triple and homer and Manny Ramirez runs his consective game hit streak to 27.

    Aug 11, 2006 - For the second time in three days, Texas INF Mark DeRosa drives in 6 runs in a game. He has 6 ribbies today on 3 hits as Texas beats Seattle, 14–7. On August 9, DeRosa had 4 hits and 2 homers as Texas blanked the A's 14-0 behind 7 shutout innings by Vicente Padilla. Acquired two weeks ago by the Rangers pitcher Kip Wells goes on the 15 day DL. Wells has had two foot injuries and two MRIs in two weeks, and leaves the game with a 12-4 score in the 4th inning.

    Aug 10, 2006 - Red Sox P Curt Schilling (14-5) takes a pounding-, going 7 1/3 innings and allowing 11 hits against the Royals. Ten of the hits are for extra bases and Schilling ties the AL mark for pitchers with it. The record is held by by Dale Gear (1901) and Luis Tiant, Jr. (1969). Emil Brown has a HR and double off of Schilling and Reggie Sanders has three doubles. They are all needed as Kansas City scores 3 in the 8th to win, 5–4.

    Aug 8, 2006 - In Oakland’s 7-6 win over the Rangers, the A's Jason Kendall turns the fourth unassisted DP of his career. It happens when Mark DeRosa strikes out, then is called for interfering with Kendall's throw to try and catch Jerry Hairston, Jr., stealing second. The play ends the game

    Aug 6, 2006 - The Tigers win their 13th shutout of the year, edging Cleveland, 1–0. C.C. Sabathia’s error allows the only run of the game. Wilfredo Ledezma pitches 5 2/3 innings striking out 5 in the win.

    Aug 5, 2006 - The Orioles down the Yankees, 5-0, as rookie Adam Loewen and 2 relievers hold New York to 1 hit. Bobby Abreu’s 1st inning single is the Yankees only safety.

    Aug 5, 2006 - The Rangers finally figure out how to hold Vladimir Guerrero hitless: walk him. He goes 0-for-1 but scores 3 runs on 4 walks as Anaheim wins, 10-3. This snaps Guererro’s 44-game hitting streak against Texas extending over the past three seasons he’s faced them. He hit in all 18 games in each of the past two seasons, and the first eight of this year.

    Aug 5, 2006 - The Padres defeat the Nationals, 6-3. Trevor Hoffman gets the save for SD, setting a ML record with his 11th 30-save season.

    Aug 5, 2006 - The Tigers edge the Indians, 4-3. Rookie P Fausto Carmona takes the loss in relief for Cleveland, becoming just the 2nd pitcher in history to lose 4 games in relief in a week. Carmona also lost on Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday and loses his short-lived job as Tribe closer.

    Aug 4, 2006 - The Orioles trade C Javy Lopez and cash to the Red Sox for a player to be named.

    Aug 4, 2006 - The Phillies defeat the Mets, 5-3. Philadelphia 2B Chase Utley goes hitless in 5 at bats to end his 35-game hitting streak, tied for the 8th-longest on the all-time list.

    Aug 3, 2006 - Barry Bonds’ 715th HR ball fetches a winning auction bid of $220,100 from exotic car merchant Marc Chase.

    Aug 3, 2006 - The Twins top the Royals 8-2 behind Brad Radke’s 8 innings pitched. Radke (10-8) joins Jim Kaat as the only Twins pitchers to win 10 or more games in 10 seasons; Kaat won at least 10 in 12 straight from 1962 to 1973.

    Aug 3, 2006 - In the first game of a rescheduled doubleheader at Wrigley, Stephen Drew of the Diamondbacks homers and triples to drive in 4 runs as the visitors win, 10-2. The Cubs then win, 7-3, as Chicago rookie OF Matt Murton ties a ML record with 4 doubles in the contest. He drives in 5 runs.

    Aug 1, 2006 - The Tigers beat the Devil Rays, 10-4. Detroit SS Carlos Guillen becomes the 10th Tiger player in history to hit for the cycle.

    Jul 31, 2006 - David Ortiz hits two homers, the second a walkoff blast, to give the Red Sox a 9-8 win over Cleveland. "Big Papi" has four RBI and surpasses the previous pre-August high for the Sox of 104 set by both Ted Williams and Vern Stephens in 1949. Both finished in a dead heat atop the majors that season with 159 ribbies. just six batters reached 100 RBIs by the end of July from 1940 through 1993, with Stephens doing it twice in back-to-back seasons. Ortiz will end with 137 ribbies this year, below his mark for the previous two seasons.

    Jul 31, 2006 - The Dodgers load up sending minor leaguers Joel Guzman and Sergio Pedroza to Devil Rays to obtain SS Julio Lugo. They also get 4-time Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux from the Cubs for INF Cesar Izturis.

    Jul 31, 2006 - The Padres get 2B Todd Walker from the Cubs for P Jose Ceda and cash.

    Jul 31, 2006 - The Rockies acquire Ps Jeremy Affeldt and Denny Bautista from the Royals for P Scott Dohmann and 1B Ryan Shealy.

    Jul 31, 2006 - With Pittsburgh cleaning house, the Mets send OF Xavier Nady to the Pirates for Ps Roberto Hernandez and Oliver Perez.

    Jul 31, 2006 - The Pirates also send P Kip Wells to the Rangers for P Jesse Chavez, and trade OF/1B Craig Wilson to the Yankees for P Shawn Chacon.

    Jul 31, 2006 - The Rangers trade P Joselo Diaz to the Royals for 1B/OF Matt Stairs.

    Jul 30, 2006 - Bruce Sutter is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame along with 17 honorees from The Negro Leagues.

    Jul 30, 2006 - In the Mets 10-6 win over the Braves, Carlos Beltran hits his 3rd grand slam this month to tie a ML record. He is the 9th player in history to do so. The Mets’ 6th slam of the month also ties a mark set by the Expos in 1996 and matched by the Indians 3 years later.

    Jul 30, 2006 - The Cardinals and Indians swap second baseman as the Birds acquire Ron Belliard and the Indians get Hector Luna.

    Jul 30, 2006 - The Yankees obtain All-Star OF Bobby Abreu and P Cory Lidle from the Phillies in exchange for 4 minor league prospects—P Matt Smith, SS C.J. Henry, C Jesus Sanchez and P Carlos Monasteries.

    Jul 30, 2006 - The Reds send P Justin Germano to the Phillies in exchange for P Rheal Cormier. Cincinnati also gets P Kyle Lohse from the Twins for P Zach Ward.

    Jul 30, 2006 - The Tigers acquire 1B Sean Casey from the Pirates for P Brian Rogers.

    Jul 30, 2006 - In Cleveland’s 7-3 loss to Seattle, Indians reliever Tom Mastny makes his ML debut and becomes the first player born in Indonesia to play in the majors. Mastny was born on the island of Borneo in 1981.

    Jul 30, 2006 - The Braves trade P Jorge Sosa to the Cardinals for P Rich Scalamandre.

    Jul 29, 2006 - At Yankee Stadium, the Devil Rays pound the Yankees, 19-6. Tomas Perez ties a ML record with 4 doubles as he goes 5-for-5. The Devil Rays will win just 2 more road games this year.

    Jul 29, 2006 - In a game marked by 37 hits, the White Sox defeat the Orioles by score of 13-11. Jim Thome scores 4 runs, and A.J. Pierzynski goes 5-for-5, including a HR, for Chicago. Nick Markakis and Miguel Tejada each have 4 hits for the O’s.

    Jul 28, 2006 - The Diamondbacks edge the Astros, 8-7. Luke Scott hits for the cycle for Houston, becoming the 1st Astros rookie ever to do so. Scott ground out his first at bat, but hit a HR in the 4th, a triple in the 5th, and a double in the 7th. His single comes in the 11th inning

    Jul 28, 2006 - The Red Sox release veteran reliever Rudy Seanez who, in 3 days, will sign with the Padres.

    Jul 28, 2006 - The Dodgers obtain INF Wilson Betemit from the Braves for INF Willy Aybar and P Danys Baez.

    Jul 28, 2006 - The Phillies send 3B David Bell to the Brewers for P Wilfrido Laureano.

    Jul 28, 2006 - After Carlos Lee rejects a contract extension of 4 year $48 million, the Brewers trade him and OF Nelson Cruz to the Rangers for Ps Francisco Cordero and Julian Cordero, and OFs Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix. After the season Lee will sign with the Rangers for $100 million for 6 years.

    Jul 28, 2006 - The Giants obtain veteran P Mike Stanton from the Nationals in exchange for P Shairon Martis.

    Jul 26, 2006 - The Indians send 1B Ben Broussard and cash to the Mariners for OF Shin-Soo Choo and a player to be named.

    Jul 25, 2006 - The Dodgers send P Odalis Perez and minor league Ps Blake Johnson and Julio Pimental to the Royals for P Elmer Dessens.

    Jul 25, 2006 - The Brewers acquire 2B Tony Graffanino from the Royals in exchange for P Jorge De La Rosa.

    Jul 25, 2006 - The Diamondbacks edge the Phillies, 6-5, in 11 innings. Philadelphia starter Ryan Madson ties a ML record with 4 wild pitches in the 4th inning. He also hits two batter and allows 5 earned runs, though he doesn’t figure in the decision.

    Jul 24, 2006 - The White Sox obtain P Mike MacDougal from the Royals for minor league Ps Tyler Lumsden and Daniel Cortes.

    Jul 24, 2006 - The Tigers score 5 runs in the 1st inning on their way to a 9-7 win over the Indians. Detroit becomes the first team in 115 years to score 5 or more runs in the first inning of 3 consecutive games.

    Jul 23, 2006 - Jered Weaver becomes the first rookie in 25 years to win his first 7 starts as he leads the Angels to a 3-1 victory over the Royals.

    Jul 23, 2006 - The Twins defeat the Indians, 3-1. Cleveland sets a franchise record for a 9-inning game by having 17 batters strike out.

    Jul 22, 2006 - The Devil Rays score 10 times in the 5th inning against the Orioles, as Julio Lugo hits two homers in the frame and Russell Branyan adds a homer and double. Baltimore comes back with 9 runs of their own in the 7th inning, but falls short as Tampa Bay holds on to win, 13-12. Baltimore strokes 22 hits in a losing cause, including 5 by Corey Patterson. The last time two teams scored 9 or more runs in an inning in the same game was June 3, 1933. According to Retrosheet, the Orioles, are the first team since 1957 to bat over .500 collectively in a game and lose; the O's bat .537 (22-for-41).

    Jul 22, 2006 - Alfonso Soriano has three doubles and a triple to pace the Nationals to a 7-3 win over the Cubs. Soriano scores twice but is thrown out at the plate twice also. He joins Grady Sizemore of the Indians as the only players this season to be thrown out at the plate twice in a game; Sizemore was thrown out twice on May 9 by the Royals. Aramis Ramirez has a pair of homers for the Cubs.

    Jul 21, 2006 - The Blue Jays defeat the Yankees, 7-3. Alex Rodriguez hits career #450, a 3-run homer for New York, becoming the youngest player ever to reach the plateau. A.J. Burnett goes 7 1/3 innings for the win, and Troy Glaus hits a homer and drives in 4 runs for the Jays.

    Jul 21, 2006 - The Blue Jays send 3B Shea Hillenbrand and P Vinnie Chulk to the Giants for reliever Jeremy Accardo.

    Jul 21, 2006 - The Phils top the Braves, 6–5, as Cory Lidle goes 8 inings for the win. Chipper Jones has a hit to run his hit streak to 20 games.

    Jul 21, 2006 - The Tigers defeat the visiting Athletics, 7–4, behind Justin Verlander (12-4). Verlander wins his 12th game and is the first pitcher since Alex Kellner of the 1949 A's to win 12 by his team’s 96th game.

    Jul 20, 2006 - The Class A Oneonta Tigers beat the Brooklyn Cyclones 6-1 in 26 innings in the longest game in New York-Penn League history, and one of the longest games in the history of pro baseball.

    Jul 20, 2006 - The Braves obtain veteran reliever Bob Wickman from the Indians in exchange for minor league C Max Ramirez.

    Jul 19, 2006 - The Phils trip the Padres, 5–4, as Bobby Abreu drives in 3 runs and Phils C Chris Coste drives in 2 with a double and homer. At 33, Coste is the third-oldest major-leaguer to hit his first homer since 1963; the only players older were Alan Zinter (34 in 2002) and So Taguchi (34 in 2003). Geoff Geary (6-0) wins in relief.

    Jul 18, 2006 - The Mets defeat the Reds, 8-3. Carlos Beltran hits a grand slam for New York, becoming the 23rd player in history to hit a slam in consecutive games.

    Jul 18, 2006 - The Red Sox edge the Royals, 1-0, as rookies Jon Lester and Jonathan Papelbon combine on a 1-hitter. Mark Teahen’s 2nd inning single is KC’s only safety in Lester’s 8 innings.

    Jul 18, 2006 - The Braves rout the Cardinals, 14-5. Atlanta becomes the 1st team since the 1930 Yankees to score 10 or more runs in 5 straight games. Andruw Jones goes 5-for-5 for the Braves, including a pair of homers and a double.

    Jul 18, 2006 - 94-year-old Negro League player Buck O'Neil draws 2 walks in the Northern League All-Star Game to become the oldest man ever to play professional baseball.

    Jul 16, 2006 - The Yankees defeat the White Sox, 6-4, as Mariano Rivera records his 400th career save.

    Jul 16, 2006 - The Mets score a franchise record 11 runs in the 6th inning on their way to a 13-7 victory over the Cubs. They tie a ML mark by hitting 2 grand slams in the frame—courtesy of Cliff Floyd and Carlos Beltran—then add another 2-run shot by David Wright.

    Jul 16, 2006 - The Braves beat the Padres, 10-5. Chipper Jones homers in the contest giving him an extra-base hit in 14 straight games to tie a ML record set by Paul Waner in 1927.

    Jul 15, 2006 - For the 1st time in nearly 3 decades, a full day of ML games are played without a save being recorded. There were 6 blown saves in the 15-game slate. The last time such an event occurred was on September 15, 1978.

    Jul 14, 2006 - The Yankees edge the White Sox, 6-5, ending Jose Contreras’ streak of 17 consecutive wins that had extended over 2 seasons. It was the 2nd-longest streak in the majors over the last 40 years. Contreras’ last loss came on August 15 of last season.

    Jul 13, 2006 - The Reds and Nationals complete a controversial (to Reds fans) eight-player trade that sends OF Austin Kearns, SS Felipe Lopez, and P Ryan Wagner to Washington in exchange for Ps Gary Majewski, Bill Bray and Daryl Thompson, SS Royce Clayton, and INF Brendan Harris. It will be revealed that Majewski had taken a cortisone shot days before the trade and had been on anti-inflammatories since March. The Reds will feel that the Nationals GM Jim Bowden, formerly with the Reds, withheld information, which the Nats deny. Majewski will struggle before going on the DL on August 7.

    Jul 13, 2006 - The Rangers rout the Orioles, 15-1, as Mark Teixeira connects for 3 homers and drives in 7 runs.

    Jul 12, 2006 - The Devil Rays trade 3B Aubrey Huff to the Astros for minor league prospects Mitch Talbot and Ben Zobrist.

    Jul 11, 2006 - The American League edges the National League, 3-2, in the annual All-Star Game. MVP Michael Young’s 2-run double with 2 outs in the top of the 9th inning is the deciding blow.

    Jul 11, 2006 - 83-year-old Jim Eriotes becomes the oldest person ever to play in a professional baseball game. Eriotes srikes out on 4 pitches for the Sioux Falls Canaries in their game against the St. Joe (Mo.) Blacksnakes. He’ll hold the record for less than two weeks as Negro League veteran Buck O'Neil will best it.

    Jul 10, 2006 - Ryan Howard of the Phillies outslugs David Wright of the Mets to win the All-Star Home Run Derby.

    Jul 9, 2006 - The White Sox beat the Red Sox, 6-5, in 19 innings, hitting 4 singles in the last frame off Rudy Seanez. Jermaine Dye hits a 2-out solo HR in the 9th to tie, and both teams plate 2 runs in the 11th to keep the marathon going. Red Sox 3B Mike Lowell has 3 hits (1 HR), while 2B Mark Loretta (2 H, 2 HBP), CF Coco Crisp (2 H (2 2B), 2 BB, 1 SB) and 1B Kevin Youkilis (4 BB—also 0 for 5) reach base safely 4 times, Trot Nixon is 0 for 9 and Jason Varitek is 0 for 8.

    Jul 8, 2006 - The Mets and Marlins split a doubleheader, with Florida winning the opener by a score of 3-2 and New York taking the nightcap, 17-3. The starting pitchers in the twinbill are Jason Johnson and Ricky Nolasco for the Marlins and John Maine and Mike Pelfrey for the Mets. It is the first time since 1977 that all 4 starting pitchers in a doubleheader are rookies. Nolasco lasts just 1 1/3 innings in game 2, allowing 9 runs. The Mets coast as Jose Valentin has a grand slam and drives in 7 runs in two consecutive innings, tying a NL mark. Cliff Floyd has a homer and 3 RBI, and Carlos Beltran scores 4 runs and also goes deep.

    Jul 8, 2006 - Dodger closer Eric Gagne undergoes surgery for a herniated disk in his back and will miss the rest of the season. He made just 16 appearances this year.

    Jul 8, 2006 - Albert Pujols hits a homer, off Roy Oswalt's 2nd pitch, in the 10th to lift the Cards to a 7-6 win over the Astros. The game goes into extra innings after Brad Lidge allows 2 runs in the top of the 9th, one on a solo HR by Scott Spiezio. Houston starter Roger Clemens allows 2 earned runs in 6 innings.

    Jul 7, 2006 - The Indians shut out the Orioles, 9-0. Travis Hafner hits his 5th grand slam of the season for Cleveland becoming the 1st player in ML history to hit 5 before the All-Star break. Only 3 other players have hit 5 in a season.

    Jul 7, 2006 - The Angels defeat the Athletics, 3-0, on John Lackey’s 1-hitter. Lackey surrenders a leadoff double to Mark Kotsay in the 1st inning, then retires the next 27 batters in a row. The last pitcher to retire 27 in a row following a leadoff hit was Jerry Reuss in 1982. Orlando Cabrera goes 0-for-4 for LA, ending his streak of reaching base safely in 63 consecutive games—the longest run in the majors since at least 1960. Cabrera’s is the 6th longest in history according to historian Herm Krabbenhoft.

    Jul 7, 2006 - David Ortiz hits his 30th HR, the first Red Sox player to reach that number before the All-star break. Big Papi will hit #31 tomorrow in a 9-6 win over the White Sox.

    Jul 7, 2006 - Cubs starter Kerry Wood goes on DL and will be diagnosed with torn rotator cuff, possibly ending his career. The oft-injured Wood had 66 IP last year, just 19 2/3 IP this year.

    Jul 6, 2006 - The Reds acquire P Eddie Guardado, who lost his closer’s role, from the Mariners in exchange for minor league P Travis Chick and cash. Guardado’s elbow will go out in August and he won’t appear after August 19.

    Jul 4, 2006 - The Mets down the Pirates, 7-6, as Billy Wagner records his 300th career save.

    Jul 4, 2006 - The Indians score 9 runs in the 5th inning en route to a 19-1 thrashing of the Yankees. Victor Martinez gets 5 hits for Cleveland, including a 2B and HR.

    Jul 3, 2006 - The Dodgers rout the Diamondbacks, 10-4, as Nomar Garciaparra ties a ML record by being hit by pitches 3 times.

    Jul 3, 2006 - The Giants defeat the Rockies, 9-6, giving Felipe Alou his 1,000th win as a manager.

    Jul 3, 2006 - The Devil Rays shut out the Red Sox behind Scott Kazmir, 3-0. Kazmir becomes the youngest pitcher to reach 10 wins this early in a season since John Smoltz did it for Atlanta in 1989.

    Jul 2, 2006 - The Red Sox edge the Marlins, 4-3. The win gives Boston a 16-2 mark against the NL this season, tying the highest victory total in interleague history. The Twins match that mark with an 8-0 win over the Brewers.

    Jul 2, 2006 - The Angels beat the Dodgers, 4-0. Orlando Cabrera reaches base safely in his 59th straight game for the longest such streak since 1960. Ted Williams holds the all-time mark at 84 games in a row.

    Jul 2, 2006 - At Wrigley Field, the Cubs outslug the White Sox to win, 15-11, in a game featuring nine homeruns. Winning pitcher Carlos Zambrano hits his 3rd of the year, off loser Mark Buehrle. In a birthday present to Angel Pagan, Sox reliever Cliff Politte serves up two gopher balls. Juan Uribe has 4 RBI for the Sox, including a 3-run homer.

    Jul 2, 2006 - At Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Bombers belt the Mets, 16-7. Carlos Beltran has four hits and a pair of homers for the Mets, while Alex Rodriguez hits a pair, including a grand slam, for the Yanks to drive in 7 runs.

    Jul 2, 2006 - Minnesota’s Joe Mauer, Johan Santana, and Francisco Liriano are named the AL’s player, pitcher, and rookie of the month for June. It is the 1st time that all 3 players have come from the same team.

    Jul 2, 2006 - The Republicans defeat the Democrats, 12-1, in the annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game at RFK Stadium. The Republican victory is their sixth straight and their eighth out of the last 10 contests. Illinois Congressman John Shimkus, pitches a seven-hit complete game for the Grand Old Party. Roll Call, the congressional newspaper, began sponsoring the game annually in 1962 and, since then, the Republicans have dominated the Democrats going 31-13 with one tie. The game was originally organized in 1909 by former major-leaguer John Tener, a Republican Congressman from Pennsylvania, but was played only intermittently until Roll Call stepped in.

    Jul 1, 2006 - The Orioles down the Braves, 7-4. Baltimore’s Miguel Tejada plays in his 1,000th consecutive game, the longest active streak in the ML.

    Jul 1, 2006 - The Red Sox hook the Marlins, 11–5, as David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez each hit two homers and drive in nine of the 11 runs. Mike Lowell has three doubles. The Sox make two errors, however, ending their ML record streak of 17 straight games without an error. They will have 108 games without errors for the season, a ML mark, and field .9891, also a record.

    Jun 30, 2006 - The Devil Rays defeat the Nationals, 11-1. Washington’s Mike Stanton makes the 1,071st appearance of his career to tie him for 3rd place on the all-time list. Jesse Orosco is 1st with 1,252.

    Jun 30, 2006 - The Angels recall Jered Weaver from Salt Lake City and send down his brother Jeff. Five days later the Angels will sell Jeff and his contract to the Cardinals.

    Jun 30, 2006 - The Yankees shut out the Mets, 1-0, as 5 pitchers combine on a one-hitter in a rain-delayed game. Endy Chavez’s leadoff 6th inning single in the Mets’ only safety.

    Jun 30, 2006 - The Marlins end the Red Sox 12-game winning streak with a 5-2 victory.

    Jun 30, 2006 - Trailing by 3 runs, the Reds defeat the Indians, 9-8, on Adam Dunn’s walkoff grand slam with 2 outs in the 9th inning. Dunn’s ultimate slam, off Bob Wickman, is just the 15th in ML history.

    Jun 29, 2006 - The Pirates edge the White Sox, 7-6, ending their club-record 13-game losing streak.

    Jun 27, 2006 - The Devil Rays trade P Mark Hendrickson, C Toby Hall, and $1 million to the Dodgers for P Jae Seo, C Dioner Navarro, and a player to be named.

    Jun 27, 2006 - The Twins defeat the Dodgers, 9-2. Joe Mauer goes 5-for-5 for Minnesota, raising his BA to a ML-leading .389.

    Jun 27, 2006 - At Rogers Centre, A.J. Burnett tosses a CG shutout as the Blue Jays beat the Washington Nationals, 6–0. Burnett allows 6 hits and Aaron Hill and Lyle Overbay hit homers. Helping to spice things up is Toronto pitcher Gustavo Chacin, who worked offseason in a lab helping technicians at a Canadian perfumer, Leslie Cosmetics, come up with a new cologne called "Chacin." Samples of Chacin are handed out to the first 10,000 fans attending today’s game.

    Jun 26, 2006 - Oregon State defeats North Carolina, 3-2, to win the College World Series.

    Jun 25, 2006 - The Mariners defeat the Padres, 9-4. Richie Sexson gets 5 hits for Seattle, including a double and 2 homers.

    Jun 23, 2006 - The Reds shut out the Indians, 3-0. Ryan Freel gets 5 hits for Cincinnati, including a double.

    Jun 22, 2006 - The White Sox defeat the Cardinals, 1-0, despite getting only one hit. The lone safety off St. Louis rookie Anthony Reyes is a HR by Jim Thome in the 7th inning.

    Jun 22, 2006 - Florida’s Joe Borchard and Wes Helms hit back-to-back pinch homers in the top of the 9th against Baltimore to snap a 5-5 tie and give the Marlins the 8-5 win. Borchard’s is a 2-run HR. Ramon Hernandez has a pair of homers for the Orioles.

    Jun 21, 2006 - At New York, the Reds score two runs in the 9th on Brandon Phillips’ single and edge the Mets, 6–5. The bright spot for the Mets is Jose Reyes, who hits for the cycle. The 23-year-old Reyes is the youngest major-league switch hitter to hit for the cycle.

    Jun 21, 2006 - Jason Marquis of the St. Louis Cardinals goes five innings against the White Sox and allows all 13 earned runs in the 13-5 loss. He is just the fourth pitcher since 1958 to allow that many. The others since 1958 who gave up at least 13 were Bill Travers of the 1977 Milwaukee Brewers (at Cleveland, 7.2 IP, 14 ER), David Wells of the 1992 Toronto Blue Jays (at Milwaukee, 4.1 IP, 13 ER) and Mike Oquist of the 1998 Oakland Athletics (vs. New York Yankees, 5.0 IP, 14 ER). Marquis allows 14 hits, 8 for extra bases, including four homers: Paul Konerko in the 1st, Jim Thome, who has 4 hits, in the 2nd; Joe Crede in the 3rd and Juan Uribe in the 5th.

    Jun 21, 2006 - Ichiro Suzuki is 2-for-5 in the Mariners 8–5 win over the host Dodgers and urns his consecutive game batting streak to 20 games. He is the first batter since Joe DiMaggio (1936-41) to record four hitting streaks of 20 or more games in his first six seasons; Ichiro has posted 22 hitting streaks of 10 games or more since joining the Mariners in 2001.

    Jun 21, 2006 - The Arizona Diamondbacks hand pitcher Russ Ortiz (0-5) his release while still owing him $22.5 million on the four-year $33 million contract to which they signed him before the 2005 season. According to the Washington Post, Ortiz became the most expensive cut player in baseball history. The Orioles will sign Ortiz on June 25, but he will go 0-3 with the Birds and his ERA will top eight.

    Jun 20, 2006 - Milwaukee’s Rick Helling starts well against Detroit, striking out the side on 9 pitches in the first inning. It is downhill from there as he gives up seven runs in the next inning and a third as Detroit rolls, 10–1. Magglio Ordonez has two homers and Zach Miner allows just 5 hits in 9 innings pitched.

    Jun 20, 2006 - The Yankees score four in the 8th to overtake the Phillies, winning 9-7. Bernie Williams has 5 hits, including a pair of doubles. Jason Giambi hits a homer and passes Bobby Bonds into 84th place on the all time HR list, with 333. Jorge Posada adds a homer and they are all needed as Ryan Howard has two homers and a triple to drive in all 7 runs.

    Jun 20, 2006 - The White Sox score 11 in the 3rd inning and go on to roast the Cardinals, 20–6. Joe Crede has 4 hits, including 2 homers and a double and Jermaine Dye also has 4 hits. A.J. Pierzynski has a double and homer.

    Jun 19, 2006 - Behind P Jeremy Bonderman, the Tigers beat the Brewers, 3–1. Bonderman strikes out 12 including six in a row. Prince Fielder’s homerun is the only Brew score.

    Jun 18, 2006 - The Mets defeat the Orioles, 9-4. Baltimore P Adam Loewen takes the loss in his 4th ML start. The opposing P in each of the 4 games has been a Cy Young Award winner—Randy Johnson, Roy Halladay (twice), and Tom Glavine.

    Jun 18, 2006 - Mark Prior and Roberto Novoa each give up four homeruns as the Tigers club the Cubs, 12–3.

    Jun 18, 2006 - For the second time this season, Michael Young has five hits to lead the Rangers to a 10-7 win over the Diamondbacks. Young has a homer and double and drives in the tie breaking run in the 3-run 8th inning.

    Jun 18, 2006 - Can’t take the late nights. Steve Karsay unexpectedly announces his retirement a night after he earns a win by pitching the last two frames of the A's 17-inning 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Karsay retires having earned a win in his first and last ML appearances; he defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in his first major-league game, also for the A's, in 1993.

    Jun 15, 2006 - The Mets edge the Phillies, 5-4. New York sets a ML record by winning its 8th consecutive game on the road when scoring in the 1st inning. The 1939 Yankees did it 7 straight games

    Jun 14, 2006 - The Rockies down the Nationals, 14-8. Colorado’s Cory Sullivan becomes the 8th player in ML history with 4 sacrifice bunts in a game.

    Jun 13, 2006 - The Yankees and Indians, the two highest scoring teams in the ML, play to a 1–0 decision with the Yanks prevailing on Robinson Cano’s homer off of Paul Byrd. Chien-Ming Wang (7-2) is the winner. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this is the 1st time that the highest scoring team in the majors beat the 2nd highest in a 1-0 game since 1964 (Twins 1, Yankees 0) and only the 4th time since 1900. For Yankees CF Bernie Williams it is his 2000th ML game.

    Jun 13, 2006 - After an intentional walk to Torii Hunter loads the bases in the 12th, Jason Kubel hits a walkoff grand slam to give the Twins a 5–2 win over the visiting Red Sox.

    Jun 12, 2006 - The White Sox defeat the Rangers, 8-3. Jose Contreras wins his 15th consecutive decision (last eight in 2005, first seven in 2006) for Chicago, tying a franchise record shared by LaMarr Hoyt (1983-84) and Wilson Alvarez (1993-94). Of the last 10 pitchers to win 15 straight decisions—dating back more than 30 years—only one played in the National League: Rick Sutcliffe, of the Cubs, who broadcast today’s game for ESPN. Sutcliffe won 16 straight decisions in 1984-85.

    Jun 11, 2006 - The Devil Rays beat the Royals, 8-2. In the process, Tampa Bay becomes the first team since 1940 to hit six homeruns and hit into a triple play in the same game.

    Jun 10, 2006 - The Devil Rays beat the Royals, 9-5. KC OF Reggie Sanders hits his 300th career HR to become the 5th player in ML history with 300 homers and 300 stolen bases. The others are Barry and Bobby Bonds, Willie Mays, and Andre Dawson.

    Jun 10, 2006 - Daniel Cabrera pitches 6 scoreless innings for the Orioles who take an 9-0 lead into the bottom of the 7th then hold on as the Twins score 7 runs. Michael Cuddyer hits a grand slam in the Twins’ five-run 7th. For the 4th game in a row Joe Mauer is on base 4 times. Carlos Silva is the losing P but he does retire the side on three pitches in the 2nd as he did it last year in a 74-pitch game.

    Jun 9, 2006 - The Mets trade 2B Kaz Matsui to the Rockies for utilityman Eli Marrero.

    Jun 7, 2006 - The Rockies down the Pirates, 16-9. Colorado ties a ML record with 5 sacrifice flies in the contest.

    Jun 6, 2006 - The Reds obtain P Esteban Yan from the Angels in exchange for minor league P Kyle Edens.

    Jun 6, 2006 - The Royals select former U. of Tennessee pitcher Luke Hochevar with the 1st pick of the ML draft. Hochevar had been drafted by the Dodgers last year, but failed to reach a deal with the team. The next five picks are all from college: Stanford’s Gregory Reynolds (Col); Evan Longoria (TB); Brad Lincoln (Pit); Brandon Morrow (Sea); Andrew Miller (Det). Picking 7th, the Dodgers take high schooler Clayton Kershaw; the draft will eventually comprise of 36% high schoolers. The Cubs surprise with the 13th pick and take Clemson’s Tyler Colvin, projected by Baseball America as a 5th rounder. Picking 18th, the Phillies choose the first of a number of ML offspring as they select Doug Drabek’s son, Kyle. The Dodgers will pick Preston Mattingly, Don’s son, and the Mets will take Jesse Barfield’s son, Jeremy. The Papelbon brothers Jeremy (19th round, Cubs) and Josh (48th round, Red Sox) are both taken out of the U. of North Florida. The Orioles draft the Figueroa twins, Stephen and Justin, sons of Bien Figueroa, Baltimore’s class A manager for Frederick. In the 5th round, the Cubs take Notre Dame all-American Wide Receiver Jeff Samardzija, a P, and eventually sign him for a guaranteed $10 million contract, including a $2.5 million signing bonus. Samardzija, who holds all of Notre Dame’s notable receiving records, was considered a questionable baseball signing. They also pay $1.3 million to 11th round high schooler Chris Huseby. Huseby barely pitched in the spring while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Not drafted are Jeffrey Maier, who hit .403 in Division 3, but is better known as the 12-year-old who interfered with a ball to help the Yankees, and Danny Almonte, who made headlines as an overage Little League P.

    Jun 6, 2006 - Federal investigators search Diamondbacks P Jason Grimsley’s house as part of an investigation into steroid use in baseball. Grimsley originally cooperated with the probe, making “extensive statements” about illegal drug use. He admitted using human growth hormone, amphetamines, and steroids during his career. Grimsley will be released at his own request on Wednesday.

    Jun 6, 2006 - The Giants defeat the Marlins, 2-1, as Jason Schmidt ties a 102-year-old franchise record for strikeouts by fanning 16 Florida batters. Christy Mathewson previously did so in 1904.

    Jun 5, 2006 - The Reds defeat the Cardinals, 8-7. Ken Griffey, Jr. homers to tie Fred McGriff’s ML record of connecting in 43 different stadiums.

    Jun 4, 2006 - At Camden Yards, the Orioles play Small ball, cuffing Aaron Small for 7 earned runs in 2 2/3 innings, and Scott Erickson for another 4 runs. The O’s win 11-3. The Birds hit 3 homers off of Small, one by Javy Lopez, who also homers off of Erickson. The Yankees will release the vet Erickson on the June 19.

    Jun 3, 2006 - Damion Easley has four hits, including three homers, and drives in 7 runs to give the Diamondbacks a game 2 win, 13–9, and a sweep of the Braves. Easley doesn’t play in game 1 but Arizona wins, 4–2.

    Jun 3, 2006 - This is easy. Nationals reliever Bill Bray makes his ML debut against the Brewers in the 9th with Corey Koskie on 1B, two outs and Washington trailing 3-2. Bray throws one pitch and C Brian Schneider throws out Koskie trying to steal. Schneider then clubs a two-run homer to make Bray the winning pitcher.

    Jun 1, 2006 - The Indians top the White Sox, 12–8, as Ben Broussard has four hits and Ron Belliard drives in four runs. Jim Thome (3) and Jermaine Dye (5) drive in all the Sox scores. Dye has a pair of homers.

    May 30, 2006 - At the Rogers Centre, Vernon Wells connects for three homers to pace the Blue Jays to an 8-5 win over Boston. Gustavo Chacin (6-1) is the winner.

    May 28, 2006 - The Rockies defeat the Giants, 6-3, and Barry Bonds hits his 715th HR in the 4th inning to move past Babe Ruth into 2nd place on the all-time career list.

    May 28, 2006 - After the Chicago Cubs rally for four runs in the 9th to tie, the Braves edge them, 13-12, in 11 innings. Atlanta hits a club record 8 homers in the victory at windy Wrigley Field as Marcus Giles, Edgar Renteria (2), Andruw Jones, Adam LaRoche (2), Ryan Langerhans, and Brayan Pena go deep. For the Cuban born Pena, it is his first ML homer. The Cubs, with no homers, bang out 16 hits, including 4 by Tony Womack, to hang in there before Giles’s single in the 11th scores the winner. The Braves are helped when Aramis Ramirez is hit in the head by a pop fly.

    May 27, 2006 - The Pirates edge the Astros, 8-7, in 18 innings. Jason Bay hits a homer in his 5th consecutive game for Pittsburgh, the first Pirate player to do so in 50 years.

    May 27, 2006 - Twins rookie Boof Bonser allows three 1st inning singles, then gets three swinging K’s to escape without a score. He’s not so lucky in the 2nd, allowing 4 runs, but that is all the Mariners can muster off him as the Twins win, 9-5, scoring 7 runs in 6 innings off of Jamie Moyer. The Twins are helped by a triple play in the 8th.

    May 26, 2006 - The Royals down the Yankees, 7-6, to end their 13-game losing streak.

    May 26, 2006 - Carlos Zambrano walks 4 in the 1st inning against Atlanta, then loses his no-hit bid in the 7th when Jacque Jones loses a ball in the sun. The Braves rally for 3 runs in the 9th, one on a bases loaded walk by Ryan Dempster, to beat the Cubs, 6-5. Chicago has now lost 19 of 23 games.

    May 26, 2006 - The Angels call up Jered Weaver, who joins his brother Jeff. The reunion lasts until June 16, when Jared (4-0) goes back down to Salt Lake City.

    May 26, 2006 - The Angels call up Jered Weaver, who joins his brother Jeff. The reunion lasts until June 16, when Jared (4-0) goes back down to Salt Lake City.

    May 24, 2006 - Quit now, Adam. In the Cardinals 10-4 win over the Giants, 10-4, rookie Adam Wainwright pitches 3 innings in relief for the victory, and homers in his first ML at bat, on the first pitch.

    May 24, 2006 - The Devil Rays beat the Blue Jays, 10-8. Carl Crawford goes 5-for-5 for Tampa Bay, including 1 HR, 4 stolen bases and 5 runs.

    May 23, 2006 - The Mets outlast the Phillies, 9-8, in 16 innings on Carlos Beltran’s walkoff HR.

    May 22, 2006 - The Braves beat the Padres, 3-1. San Diego hurler Jake Peavy strikes out 16 Atlanta batters in only 7 innings in a losing effort.

    May 22, 2006 - The Dodgers defeat the Rockies, 6-1. LA’s Jae Seo and Colorado’s Byung-Hyun Kim become the first Korean-born starting pitchers to meet in a ML game.

    May 21, 2006 - The Giants down the Athletics, 6-0, behind rookie Matt Cain’s 1-hitter. Oakland’s only hit is a 3rd inning 2B by Jay Payton.

    May 21, 2006 - The Indians defeat the Pirates, 3-2, in 10 innings. Bob Wickman gets the win in relief for Cleveland, his first win since August 10, 2002. The streak of 105 games was the longest active stretch in the ML without a win.

    May 20, 2006 - The Giants defeat the Athletics, 4-2 in 10 innings. Barry Bonds hits career homerun number 714 in the 2nd inning to tie Babe Ruth for 2nd place on the all-time list.

    May 20, 2006 - Behind Freddy Garcia’s eight shutout innings, the White Sox beat their crosstown rivals the Cubs, 7–0. But the real beating occurs in the 2nd inning when Cubs C Michael Barrett slugs Sox C A.J. Pierzynski who scores hard from 3B on a fly to left. By the time the dust settles, the two catchers are ejected as well as Cubs Brian Anderson and John Mabry. Barrett will be slapped with a ten-game suspension next week.

    May 19, 2006 - The Dodgers score 9 runs in the 6th inning and go on to pound the Angels, 16-3, stroking 25 hits in the process. Rookie Andre Ethier goes 5-for-5 with a homer and 3 RBI.

    May 17, 2006 - The Cubs beat the Nationals, 5-0, as rookie Sean Marshall and 3 relievers combine on a 1-hitter. Alfonso Soriano’s leadoff single in the 6th is Washington’s only hit.

    May 17, 2006 - The Padres club the Diamondbacks, 14-10, as Brian Giles drives in 7 runs.

    May 16, 2006 - The Yankees bounce back from a 9-0 deficit to defeat the Rangers, 14-13. The comeback matched the biggest in Yankees history.

    May 14, 2006 - Not here for my bat, Skip. P Clay Hensley of the Padres fires a 2-hitter in shutting out the Cubs, 9–0. Hensley also ties a ML record by striking out 5 times. On the opposite end, teammate Brian Giles walks five times, the only time in the past 50 years that teammates have done both in a game. According to Retrosheet, only once in the past 50 years have players in the same game had 5 walks and 5 K’s, but they were not teammates.

    May 11, 2006 - The visiting Braves down the Marlins, 9-1. Matt Diaz strokes 5 hits, including a double, for Atlanta.

    May 11, 2006 - At Turner Field, Georgia beats Georgia Tech, 5-4, in 11 innings in front of 19,119. 26,755 tickets had been sold for the game but it was delayed a day because of rain.

    May 10, 2006 - The Marlins stop the Braves, 11–3, and also stop Edgar Renteria’s 23-game hitting streak from the start of the season. Renteria maintained his streak despite missing nine games in April after straining his left rib cage in the Braves' 12th game of the year. Miguel Cabrera has four hits for the Fish including a home run, and Joe Borchard drives in 4 runs, 3 on a 3-run HR. Josh Johnson gets the win with 6 scoreless innings.

    May 7, 2006 - The Yankees defeat the Rangers, 8-5, to give Joe Torre his 1,000th win as Yankee manager. He is the 4th person to reach the level, joining Joe McCarthy, Casey Stengel, and Miller Huggins.

    May 7, 2006 - Welcome to the bigs, rook. Giants rookie Kevin Frandsen gets hit with a pitch for the 5th time in his first 10 games, a painful ML record. The previous mark was held by Reed Johnson who was hit five times in his first 15 games. Frandsen scores a run and the Giants get homers from Barry Bonds and Mike Sweeney, but the Phillies rough up Matt Morris for 7 runs in 5 innings and win, 9–5.

    May 6, 2006 - Mets P Victor Zambrano tears a flexor tendon in his elbow and will be out for the rest of the season.

    May 5, 2006 - The Mets come from behind 4 times to defeat the Braves, 8-7, in 14 innings. Jose Reyes gets 5 hits for New York, including a triple.

    May 4, 2006 - The Angels beat the Tigers, 7-2. Rookie C Mike Napoli hits a homer in his 1st ML at bat for LA, becoming the 92nd player to accomplish the feat. Don Rose and Dave Machemer are the only other Angels to turn the trick.

    May 3, 2006 - MLB announces the sale of the Washington Nationals to a group led by real estate developer Theodore Lerner.

    May 2, 2006 - The A's score 6 runs in the top of the 9th against the Angels to ice the game, 10-4. Two of the runs in the 9th are allowed by Chris Bootcheck, who will be placed on the 15 day DL after it turns out he pulled a left hamstring muscle running in from the bullpen in the 4th inning to join a brawl.

    May 1, 2006 - The Braves defeat the Rockies, 2-0, on Tim Hudson’s one-hitter. Opposing P Jason Jennings’ 3rd inning single is Colorado’s only safety.

    May 1, 2006 - The Padres trade C Doug Mirabelli back to the Red Sox for C Josh Bard, minor league P Cla Meredith, a 23-year-old reliever, and cash. Bard was leading the AL in passed balls and the Sox hurriedly put Mirabelli in the lineup to catch Tim Wakefield. Mirabelli has a police escort to Fenway and changed uniforms in the cab. With Mirabelli catching, Wakefield goes 7 innings and leaves with the game tied 3 apiece against the Yankees. David Ortiz clubs a 3-run HR in the 8th and the Sox win, 7–3.

    Apr 29, 2006 - The Cardinals’ Albert Pujols sets a new ML record by hitting his 14th HR for the month of April as St. Louis edges Washington, 2-1.

    Apr 29, 2006 - In a 17-6 win over Toronto, the Yankees became the 15th team to score in every inning in which they batted (excluding rain shortened games). It was the 2nd time in team history (1939) the Bombers scored in every frame matching the Cleveland Spiders as the only team to score a run in every inning of a full-length game twice in franchise history; the Spiders accomplished the feat in 1889 and 1894. Yankees 1B Jason Giambi has a homer and 4 RBI and reaches base 4 times, while Johnny Damon scores 5 runs. Reed Johnson gets hit by pitches three times for the Jays. He joins Damion Easley as the only players since 1957 to be hit by a pitch three times in a game twice in their careers.

    Apr 29, 2006 - The Tigers pound out 23 hits as they maul the Twins, 18-1. Justin Verlander is the easy winner as batterymate Pudge Rodriguez has 4 hits and Carlos Guillen has 2 homers and 5 RBI.

    Apr 29, 2006 - Kansas City’s Reggie Sanders hits a first inning grand slam off Esteban Loaiza of Oakland but loses it when the game is rained out in the 3rd inning.

    Apr 27, 2006 - The Indians pound the Red Sox, 15-3. Ben Broussard hits a pair of homers and drives in 8 runs for Cleveland.

    Apr 27, 2006 - Tampa Bay’s top prospect Delmon Young is suspended indefinitely by the International League, a day after throwing a bat that hit a replacement umpire in the chest.

    Apr 26, 2006 - The Royals defeat the Twins, 3-1. Minnesota becomes the 3rd team in AL history to trail in each of their first 20 games of the season, joining the 1910 Browns (28) and 1988 Orioles (21).

    Apr 26, 2006 - The Diamondbacks edge the Padres, 3-2. Mike Piazza hits his 400th career HR in the 9th inning for SD.

    Apr 26, 2006 - Barry Bonds hits a 2-out 2-run pinch homer in 9th to give the Giants a 7-7 tie with the Mets, but the New Yorkers score a pair in the 11th to win, 9-7. Barry lines out to end the game. Earlier, Julio Franco hits a 2-run pinch single, then swipes 2B, the oldest player in 97 years to steal a base. Arlie Latham, a player-coach for the New York Giants set the record by swiping a bag on August 18, 1909 in a 14-1 laugher when he was 49 years old.

    Apr 26, 2006 - Oakland defeats Texas, 6-4. Texas closer Francisco Cordero sets a ML record with his 5th blown save of the month, a new mark for April.

    Apr 26, 2006 - The Reds shutout the Nationals, 5-0, as Bronson Arroyo, Kent Mercker, and David Weathers combine for a 1-hitter. Ryan Zimmerman’s 4th inning single is Washington’s only hit.

    Apr 26, 2006 - In Creighton’s 9-1 loss to the Kansas Jayhawks, Creighton reliever Pat Venditte tosses two perfect innings. The ambidextrous Venditte retires six batters, three right-handed and three left-handed, and records a strikeout with each arm. Nick Czyz allows one hit in the win.

    Apr 25, 2006 - The Red Sox beat the Indians, 8-6. Jonathan Papelbon records his 9th save in 9 chances, tying the ML record for saves by a rookie in April. KC’s Mike MacDougal set the mark in 2003. The win goes to Keith Foulke, who pitches one inning in relief of Curt Schilling, who throws 133 pitches in 6 2/3 innings. David Ortiz homers in the 7th and Manny Ramirez hits a 3-run homer in the 8th.

    Apr 25, 2006 - The Mets top the Giants, 5–1, as Barry Bonds hits #710. He is now four homers behind Ruth.

    Apr 23, 2006 - Jason Giambi has two homers and a double to drive in five runs in the Yankees 7-1 win over the Orioles. O's SS Miguel Tejada is the teams only offensive producer with 4 hits including a homer. He has all 3 hits that winning P Randy Johnson gives up, plus one more off of Mo Rivera, for all 4 Baltimore hits, tying a ML mark

    Apr 22, 2006 - The Brewers shut out the Reds, 11-0. Milwaukee ties a ML record with 5 HRs in the 4th inning, four of them off of Brandon Claussen, tying another record. Bill Hall, Damian Miller, Brady Clark, J.J. Hardy, and Prince Fielder (off reliever Chris Hammond) all connect in the frame. It is only the fifth time in major-league history that a team has gone yard five times in one frame. It's happened four times in the NL, all against Reds pitching, and just once in the AL.

    Apr 22, 2006 - Arizona takes a 5-0 lead against Los Angeles and hangs on for a 5-4 win. Chad Tracy is 4-for-4 with 3 doubles for the Diamondbacks. Kenny Lofton of the Dodgers joins Steve Finley of the Giants as the only active players with 100 career triples when he hits a three-bagger. Lofton is playing for his 10th team, just the 10th major-leaguer to do so. He joins Todd Zeile and Tommy Davis as the only position players to work for that many.

    Apr 21, 2006 - The Blue Jays defeat the Red Sox, 7-6, in 12 innings despite a pair of HRs by Manny Ramirez. Ramirez becomes the 4th person in ML history to hit 200 or more homers for 2 different teams—the Indians and the Sox. Jimmie Foxx, Mark McGwire, and Rafael Palmeiro also performed the feat. The Jays score 4 runs in the 8th on 3 homers—by Russ Adams, Vernon Wells and Troy Glaus, then score the winner in the 12th on Lyle Overbay's double off of Rudy Seanez.

    Apr 21, 2006 - The White Sox hold their annual Dog Day celebration and attract 325 canines in addition to the 31,827 humans. Behind Mark Buehrle (3-0) they make the Twins heel, 7–1, beating Johan Santana (0-3).

    Apr 21, 2006 - The Rangers down the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 13-7. Michael Young gets 5 hits for Texas, including 3 doubles.

    Apr 21, 2006 - The Astros edge the Pirates, 3-2, as Morgan Ensberg homers for the 6th consecutive game, a new Houston club record.

    Apr 21, 2006 - Albert Pujols blasts a two-run homer for the 1,000th hit of his career, and drives in 4 runs as the Cards deal the visiting Cubs a 9-3 defeat. Pujols, at 26 years and 95 days of age, is the sixth-youngest player among active major-leaguers to reach that milestone. Ken Griffey, Jr., was the youngest reaching the 1,000 mark in 1995 when he was 25 years and 268 days old.

    Apr 20, 2006 - According to Forbes magazine, the New York Yankees are the 1st baseball team valued at more than $1 billion.

    Apr 20, 2006 - The Mets rally for 6 runs in the 8th inning and defeat the Padres, 7-2. Julio Franco hits a pinch 2-run HR in the inning to become the oldest player in history, at age 47, to hit a homer. He surpasses the record set by Philadelphia Athletics P Jack Quinn in 1930 who homered at 46 years and 357 days of age. Kaz Matsui hits an inside-the-park HR in the 3rd inning, making him the 1st person in ML history to homer in his first AB of the season in each of his first 3 seasons.

    Apr 20, 2006 - The Nationals down the Phillies, 10-4, to give Frank Robinson his 1,000th win as a manager. He is the 53rd skipper to reach the milestone.

    Apr 19, 2006 - A bird flies into the visiting clubhouse at Camden Yards in Baltimore about two hours before game time. As soon as it lands on the carpet, it reportedly strolls directly over to the locker of Cleveland Indians P Paul Byrd. The Orioles then flip the bird to the Indians, pummeling them 18-9 on 21 hits. Each team hits three homers with the Orioles getting three-run homers from Ramon Hernandez and Jay Gibbons. Every starter for the Birds records a multi-hit game.

    Apr 19, 2006 - The Cubs (9-5) score three unearned runs in the 8th to beat the Dodgers, 5–4, but lose Derrek Lee, who breaks two bones in his right wrist in a collision at first base. When he returns to action on June 25, the club will be 28-45.

    Apr 18, 2006 - The NL Central leaders, the Houston Astros (10-4), reach the .500 mark as a franchise when they even their record at 3,507-3,507. But it isn’t easy as they edge the Brewers, 13-12. Milwaukee scores 10 runs in the last three innings on 2 homers by Carlos Lee and one by Prince Fielder. Roy Oswalt (3-0) is the winning pitcher. The Astros join 12 other clubs with overall records of .500 or better.

    Apr 17, 2006 - The Cardinals edge the Pirates, 2-1. In the first inning, Albert Pujols ties a ML record by hitting a HR in his 4th consecutive AB. Jason Marquis makes the 2-run homer stand up by pitching 8 innings and allowing one run.

    Apr 17, 2006 - The Giants score 3 runs in the last 2 innings to edge the host Diamondbacks, 10-9. Diamondback reliever Casey Daigle joins his wife Jennie Finch to become the only husband-wife team to strike out Barry Bonds; Finch, the Olympic softball star, struck out Bonds for a bit on "This Week in Baseball" last summer and Daigle whiffs Bonds in the 6th.

    Apr 17, 2006 - After the Mariners take a 9th inning lead at Fenway, the Sox answer when Mark Loretta hits a 2-out, 2-run homer to give Boston a 7–6 win. David Ortiz hits a pair of homers in the game. The Red Sox tied an obscure record by winning their 18th straight one-run game at Fenway going back to last season; only two other major-league teams did this, the 1925-26 St. Louis Browns and the 1963-64 Baltimore Orioles.

    Apr 17, 2006 - The Mets defeat the Braves, 4-3, to give Pedro Martinez his 200th career win. By winning, New York opens up a 5-game lead over the 2nd place Braves, making them the 1st team in big league history to build a cushion that big after only 12 games of the season.

    Apr 16, 2006 - In St. Louis, Albert Pujols slugs 3 consecutive HRs, including a walk-off shot in the 9th, to help the Cardinals to an 8-7 win over the Reds. It is the 2nd three-HR game in Pujols’ career.

    Apr 16, 2006 - The Phillies defeat the Rockies, 1-0, behind Brett Myers and 2 relievers. It is only the 2nd 1-0 game in the 11-year history of Coors Field.

    Apr 16, 2006 - Braves P John Smoltz outduels Jake Peavy as he allows 4 hits to beat the Padres, 2-0.

    Apr 16, 2006 - Curse of the bobblehead? On Huston Street bobblehead day, the closer relieves with the A's ahead of Texas 3–1 in the 9th. He gives up four runs on five hits, including a 2-run homer by Mark Teixeira, and takes the 5–3 loss. Eric Chavez is 4-for-4 with 2 doubles for the A’s.

    Apr 15, 2006 - The Athletics edge the Rangers, 5-4. Oakland gets back-to-back-to-back HRs from Eric Chavez, Frank Thomas and Milton Bradley in the 6th inning off 3 consecutive pitches.

    Apr 15, 2006 - The Cardinals triple the Reds, 9–3, taking a 6–0 lead after three innings. Albert Pujols homers and Hector Luna homers and drives in three runs. Scott Spiezio adds a seventh inning pinch home run, to join his father, Ed, as the first father-son duo to have each homered for the Redbirds. The senior Spiezio played for the club from 1964 to 1968 hitting five long balls. It was the 28th time that a father and son have hit at least one homer for the same major-league team.

    Apr 14, 2006 - The Pirates place 1B Sean Casey on the 16 day DL after John Mabry inadvertently strikes Casey in the back with his elbow. Casey suffers 2 fractures in his lower back and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. The Bucs will call up utilityman Mike Edwards and move P Kip Wells from the 15 to the 60-day DL.

    Apr 14, 2006 - Kevin Millwood of the Rangers tops Barry Zito of the A's as both go 7 innings in the 6-3 Texas win. Frank Thomas of the A's hits his 200th HR as a DH to join Babe Ruth and Ernie Banks as the only big-leaguers to hit 200 or more homers at two different positions. Ruth hit 357 as a right fielder and 313 as a left fielder, Banks hit 210 as a first baseman and 277 as a shortstop. Thomas hit 249 as a first baseman.

    Apr 13, 2006 - The Dodgers rout the Pirates, 13-5, with the help of 7 RBIs from reserve C Cody Ross, who hits a grand slam and 3-run HR in successive at bats. Ross becomes one of the few MLers in history to begin his career by hitting grand slams for each of his 1st two homers. The only other active player to perform the feat was Craig Counsell in 1997-98.

    Apr 12, 2006 - The Rangers pound the Angels, 11-3. Vladimir Guerrero singles in the 4th inning, and has now hit safely in all 39 career games against Texas. It is the longest streak by any player against one team since divisional play began in 1969.

    Apr 11, 2006 - In the Yankees home Opener, the Bronx Bombers use a 5-run 8th to up end the Royals, 9-7. Derek Jeter’s 3-run homer is the big blow in the frame. Jason Giambi hits 3-run homer in the 1st to start the Yankee scoring. Yankee Stadium public address announcer Bob Sheppard misses the game due to a hip injury; Sheppard hadn't missed an opener since he began his announcing gig in 1951, a period of 55 years or 20,083 days.

    Apr 11, 2006 - Japanese outfielder Tomoaki Kanemoto sets a new world record for playing every inning in the most consecutive games, 904, breaking Cal Ripken, Jr.'s record of 903.

    Apr 11, 2006 - The California Supreme Court rules 6-1 that being hit in the head is "an inherent risk of baseball" and, therefore, a junior college player cannot sue to recover damages caused by a beaning he suffered in 2001.

    Apr 11, 2006 - Anthony Velazquez sets a high school record as he throws his second consecutive perfect game. The junior at Bayside High in New York City, who goes by the nickname "Tiki," recorded his first perfecto on April 11 against John Browne High then followed with another slice of perfection against Flushing High. The only other U.S. high school pitchers to throw two perfect games in their careers were Ken Beardslee in the late 1940s and L.J. Grantham in 1958 and 1959.

    Apr 11, 2006 - Anthony Velazquez sets a high school record as he throws his second consecutive perfect game. The junior at Bayside High in New York City, who goes by the nickname "Tiki," recorded his first perfecto on April 11 against John Browne High then followed with another slice of perfection against Flushing High. The only other U.S. high school pitchers to throw two perfect games in their careers were Ken Beardslee in the late 1940s and L.J. Grantham in 1958 and 1959.

    Apr 10, 2006 - The Cardinals defeat the Brewers, 6-4, in the 1st game played in the new $365 million Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The new stadium will seat 40,713 through July 12 and 46,861 after that date. Mark Mulder gets credit for the victory, and also hits a HR in the contest.

    Apr 10, 2006 - Tampa Bay loses to the Orioles, 6–3, in the Devil Ray’s home opener. The sellout crowd is just the fourth sell-out at their home park, Tropicana Field, since they began playing there in 1998.

    Apr 9, 2006 - As the Rockies down the Padres, 10-4, Colorado OF Cory Sullivan ties a ML record by hitting 2 triples in the 5th inning. He is the 5th MLer to do so and the 1st since Gil Coan in 1951. The last NL player to hit 2 triples in a frame was Curt Walker in 1926.

    Apr 9, 2006 - The Cubs use a five-run 8th to double the Cards, 8-4. The big blow is Michael Barrett’s grand slam off Jason Isringhausen. Cubs SS Ronny Cedeno has 4 hits. In his debut, starter Sean Marshall becomes the 1,800th Cubs player.

    Apr 9, 2006 - In the Indians 3–2 win over the Twins, Bob Wickman passes Doug Jones to become the Indians all-time saves leader when he earns his 130th save. Johan Santana (0-2) gives up all 3 Tribe runs.

    Apr 8, 2006 - Barry Zito, Kiko Calero, Joe Kennedy, and Huston Street combine to 1-hit the Mariners as the Athletics cruise to a 3-0 victory. Richie Sexson’s 2nd-inning 2B is Seattle’s only hit.

    Apr 8, 2006 - The Giants double the Braves, 12-6. The Giants starting outfield of Barry Bonds (41), Steve Finley (41), and Moises Alou (39) is the oldest in ML history.

    Apr 7, 2006 - The Tigers defeat the Rangers, 5-2, as Chris Shelton becomes the 3rd player to hit 5 HRs in his teams first 4 games. Lou Brock (1967) and Barry Bonds (2002) are the others who have accomplished the feat.

    Apr 7, 2006 - The Brewers down the Diamondbacks, 3-1, for their 4th consecutive win. Derrick Turnbow gets the save for Milwaukee, becoming the 1st P to save each of his team’s first 4 games of the season since the save became an official statistic in 1969.

    Apr 6, 2006 - Using his newly perfected knuckleball, Texas P R.A. Dickey ties a post-1900 major league record by surrendering six HRs to the Tigers in a 10-6 Detroit victory. The only ML pitcher to give up more homers was Charlie Sweeney of the St. Louis Maroons who allowed seven to the Detroit Wolverines (AA) on June 12, 1886. Detroit clouts 7 round-trippers in the contest, and sets a major league record with 15 homers in their first three games, breaking the mark of 10, set by the 1998 Mariners. The Tigers set a team record for any 3-game span, breaking the mark of 14, set in 1997.

    Apr 6, 2006 - The Phillies lose their 3rd straight game to the Cardinals, 4-2, and Jimmy Rollins loses his 38-game hitting streak as he is held hitless in 4 ABs. Rollins hit .379 (64-for-169) during his two-season streak and fell just 7 games short of the all-time record of 45 held by Willie Keeler. "Wee Willie" got a hit in the final game of the 1896 season then posted at least one safety in 44 straight games to begin 1897. Rollins joins Vada Pinson (31 games 1965-66), Ron LeFlore (31 games 1975-76) and Hal Morris (32 games 1996-97) as the only players since 1960 with 30-gamers over two years.

    Apr 6, 2006 - Devil Rays P Mark Hendrickson hurls a complete game 3-hit shutout, defeating the Orioles, 2-0. It is the 1st complete game shutout for TB since 2003. The streak of 349 consecutive games without a complete game shutout is 2nd in AL history behind the 1994-96 Brewers (386).

    Apr 6, 2006 - Pedro Feliz honors three former major-leaguers (including his own manager, Felipe Alou) when he drives in Barry Bonds, Moises Alou and Lance Niekro with a bases-clearing double during the Giants' six-run 3rd against the Braves’ off of Jorge Sosa. According to Dave Vincent, Feliz is the first major-leaguer in the last 49 years to drive in three sons of ex-major-leaguers on the same play. Further research reveals that it is only the 11th time since 1957 that three sons of big leaguers were on base at the same time. Doing some record setting of their own in the 6-4 loss, Brave batterymates Brian McCann (C) and Jorge Sosa (P) became only the 11th such duo to hit back-to-back homers in the majors when they go yard consecutively. It is the first ML hit and homer for Sosa, who will have two more hits, both homers, this year.

    Apr 5, 2006 - The Tigers defeat the Royals, 14-3. C Ivan Rodriguez leads the Detroit attack with 5 hits, including 3 doubles and a HR, while CF Curtis Granderson adds a HR. Tiger P Jeremy Bonderman allows a run in 6 2/3 IP. The Tigers will win again tomorrow and set a record for the most homeruns (15) in the first three games of a season.

    Apr 5, 2006 - Paced by Torii Hunter’s 4 hits, including a grand slam, and 6 RBI, the Twins roll to a 13-4 win over the Angels. Shannon Stewart and Luis Rodriguez also homer to back Brad Radke’s 6 innings and a win.

    Apr 5, 2006 - The A's use a five-run 8th to beat the visiting Yankees, 9-4. Yankees RF Gary Sheffield hits his 450th career HR and passes Frank Thomas and Jeff Bagwell into 28th place on the all time HR list. Thomas, now playing for the A’s, has some satisfaction, collecting 3 RBI.

    Apr 5, 2006 - Dwight Gooden is sentenced to a year + a day in prison for violating his probation by using cocaine.

    Apr 5, 2006 - In the Reds 8-6 victory over the Cubs, Ken Griffey, Jr. hits the 537th HR of his career to move past Mickey Mantle into 12th position on the all-time list. Winning pitcher Bronson Arroyo clubs his first ML homer, off Glendon Rusch. He’ll hit another off Rusch in two weeks.

    Apr 5, 2006 - The Phils Jimmy Rollins has a single in 4-3 loss to Cards to run his consecutive game hit streak to 38. Skip Schumaker hits his first ML HR and Albert Pujols also homers.

    Apr 3, 2006 - The Cardinals down the Phillies, 13-5, in their season opener. Jimmy Rollins strokes an 8th inning double for Philadelphia, extending his 2-season hitting streak to 37 games.

    Apr 3, 2006 - The Orioles open their season with a 9-6 win over the Devil Rays. CF Luis Matos becomes the first player in Orioles history to homer in back-to-back opening days since Frank Robinson in 1969-70.

    Apr 3, 2006 - The Florida Marlins set a modern major-league record by starting six rookies in their opener. They collect five hits but no runs as they lose to the Astros, 1–0. Roy Oswalt goes 8 innings for the win.

    Apr 3, 2006 - The Red Sox become the first team to start an Opening Day infield that has none of the team's starting infielders from the previous postseason. The Sox open with Mike Lowell-3B, Alex Gonzalez-SS, Mark Loretta-2B, Kevin Youkilis-1B. Lowell homers as does David Ortiz to back Curt Schilling’s win, 7–3. Schilling’s batterymate, Jason Varitek is the first Red Sox catcher to start Opening Day for seven straight seasons.

    Apr 3, 2006 - The Yankees roll by the A's, 15-2 as Alex Rodriguez has a grand slam and 5 RBI. Hideki Matsui has 4 hits, including a 3-run homer, to drive in 4. Randy Johnson, with 7 IP, is the recipient of the offense. A's starter Barry Zito joins Brad Havens (1983) and Dave Stewart (1995) as the only Opening Day starters since 1945 to give up seven or more runs and record just four outs. The A's are wearing a right-sleeve arm patch on their home uniforms in memory of Bill King, their lead radio announcer since 1981. The patch features a microphone emblazoned with King's name and his signature call, "Holy Toledo." The Blue Jays are paying tribute to Tom Cheek who broadcast 4,306 consecutive regular-season games beginning with the team's first ever in 1977. The team will wear a left-sleeve arm patch featuring a microphone and the initials "TC."

    Apr 3, 2006 - Anaheim tips the Mariners in their season opener, 5–4, when Orlando Cabrera drives in 2 runs in the top of the 9th with his 3rd hit of the game. Mariner Kenji Johjima became the first C in 122 years to homer in his first game in the majors; the last C to accomplish the feat was Jerry Moore in 1884.

    Apr 2, 2006 - The White Sox open the season with a 10-4 win over the Indians. Jim Thome homers in his 1st game for Chicago and Brandon McCarthy gets the win in relief in a game that is held up nearly 3 hours because of rain.

    Apr 1, 2006 - The Rangers trade OF David Dellucci to the Phillies in exchange for P Robinson Tejeda and OF Jake Blalock, brother of Texas OF Hank.

    Mar 31, 2006 - The ball that Babe Ruth hit for his last HR at Yankee Stadium is sold for $86,250 at auction. The ball was hit in an exhibition game off Walter Johnson on August 23, 1942.

    Mar 30, 2006 - The Royals trade utilityman Joe McEwing to the Astros for a player to be named.

    Mar 30, 2006 - Major League Baseball announces an investigation into the use of steroids. Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell is appointed to lead the investigation.

    Mar 29, 2006 - The Indians sign CF Grady Sizemore to a 6-year, $23.45 million contract. It is the largest contract ever for a player with less than 2 years experience, breaking the mark held by Nomar Garciaparra.

    Mar 26, 2006 - The Athletics and Diamondbacks exchange Ps with Brad Halsey going to Oakland and Juan Cruz to Arizona.

    Mar 25, 2006 - The Astros place 1B Jeff Bagwell on the 15 day DL. Bagwell admits that his career could be over. Dr. James Andrews told him that he has numerous degenerative bone spurs in his shoulder which need to be removed; but, the doctors thought that removing them during his last shoulder surgery would either slow down or prevent him from recovering.

    Mar 24, 2006 - After first signing with the Red Sox and then allegedly signing with the A's, Juan Gonzalez is now working out with the Rockies. The Boston Herald calls Gonzalez signing with the A's "a complete figment of his imagination."

    Mar 24, 2006 - Tigers P Kenny Rogers makes a plea bargain in which he will attend an anger management class in order to resolve the charges resulting from him knocking down a cameraman late last June.

    Mar 21, 2006 - The Padres trade C David Ross to the Reds for P Bobby Basham.

    Mar 20, 2006 - Pitching for power. The Reds trade OF Wily Mo Pena to the Red Sox for P Bronson Arroyo. Arroyo, 14-10 in 2005, was slated for the bullpen. Pena, 24, hit .254 last year with 19 homers.

    Mar 20, 2006 - The White Sox and Mariners exchange former 1st round picks, with Chicago sending OF Joe Borchard to Seattle in exchange for P Matt Thornton.

    Mar 20, 2006 - Alfonso Soriano of the Nationals refuses to take the field when he is listed as the team’s starting LF. He has told the club he wants to remain at 2B. The team says it will place him on the disqualified list if he doesn’t agree to the position change. The suspension is avoided when Soriano takes the field on the 22nd.

    Mar 20, 2006 - Japan defeats Cuba, 10-6, to win the inaugural World Baseball Classic. Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is named MVP.

    Mar 19, 2006 - After Randy Johnson throws 6 shutout innings in a grapefruit league game, reliever Al Leiter pitches to one batter before leaving and announcing his retirement.

    Mar 8, 2006 - The Diamondbacks send INF Alex Cintron to the White Sox in exchange for P Jeff Bajenaru.

    Mar 5, 2006 - Major League Baseball signs a lease for a new stadium for the Nationals to be built along the Anacostia River.

    Mar 3, 2006 - Korea shuts out Chinese Taipei, 2-0, in the 1st game of the inaugural World Baseball Classic, played in Tokyo, Japan.

    Feb 27, 2006 - A committee of 12 baseball historians elects 17 candidates to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The electees include 7 Negro leagues players (Ray Brown, Willard Brown, Andy Cooper, Biz Mackey, Mule Suttles, Christobel Torriente, and Jud Wilson), 5 pre-Negro leagues players (Frank Grant, Pete Hill, Jose Mendez, Louis Santop, and Ben Taylor), 4 Negro leagues executives (Effa Manley, Alex Pompez, Cum Posey, and J.L. Wilkinson), and one pre-Negro leagues executive (Sol White). Manley becomes the first woman elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

    Feb 27, 2006 - The Nationals sign free agent pitcher Pedro Astacio to a contract.

    Feb 27, 2006 - Former St. Louis Cardinals hurler Rick Ankiel trying to make the team as an outfielder, injures his left knee during an intrasquad game. He will undergo season-ending surgery on May 26.

    Feb 15, 2006 - The Angels sign free agent P Jeff Weaver to a one-year $8.3 million contract.

    Feb 14, 2006 - Spring training begins as pitchers and catchers report to nine teams.

    Feb 12, 2006 - The Reds sign free agent 1B Scott Hatteberg to a contract.

    Feb 9, 2006 - The Rockies sign free agent P Josh Fogg to a contract.

    Feb 8, 2006 - Johnny Damon takes out a full-page ad in the Boston Globe thanking Red Sox fans for supporting him. The ad is in the form of a letter.

    Feb 8, 2006 - The Reds hire 52-year-old Wayne Krivsky as GM. Krivsky was the assistant GM with the Twins for the past 8 years.

    Feb 8, 2006 - The Phillies sign free agent SS Alex Gonzalez to a contract.

    Feb 7, 2006 - The Diamondbacks sign free agent OF Jeff DaVanon to a contract.

    Feb 6, 2006 - The Blue Jays sign free agent C Bengie Molina to a contract.

    Feb 3, 2006 - The Giants announce that the name of their ballpark will be changed from SBC Park to ATT&T Park beginning in March. It is the 3rd name for the stadium, which was originally called Pacific Bell Park.

    Feb 2, 2006 - The Dodgers extend the contract of announcer Vin Scully through 2008, which will be his 59th year with the Dodgers. Scully, 78, began announcing for the Dodgers in 1950.

    Feb 2, 2006 - The Nationals sign free agent P Felix Rodriguez to a contract.

    Jan 29, 2006 - The Padres sign 37-year-old C Mike Piazza to a one year contract. Piazza turned down an offer from the Phillies for a chance to catch regularly in San Diego.

    Jan 27, 2006 - The Phillies send OF Jason Michaels to the Indians for P Arthur Rhodes.

    Jan 27, 2006 - The Red Sox send 3B Andy Marte, P Guillermo Mota, C Kelly Shoppach, and cash considerations or a player to be named later to the Indians for OF Coco Crisp, P David Riske, and C Josh Bard.

    Jan 25, 2006 - The A's signed free agent DH Frank Thomas to a 1 year, $500,000 contract.

    Jan 24, 2006 - The Red Sox give Theo Epstein the title of GM again. Larry Lucchino, team president states, "Theo returns as general manager to an organization that is different from the one he left on Oct. 31. The 14-year relationship between Theo and me, and the passage of time over the last three months, have helped to put behind us the friction that developed during last year's negotiations."

    Jan 24, 2006 - Red Sox P Guillermo Mota fails a physical, which puts the proposed Red Sox-Indians trade in danger. The trade will send OF Coco Crisp, P David Riske and C Josh Bard to the Red Sox for Mota, 3B Andy Marte and C Kelly Shoppach.

    Jan 24, 2006 - The Orioles re-sign RF Jay Gibbons to a 4 year, $21.1 million contract, to avoid salary arbitration. Gibbons would have been eligible for free agency after the season.

    Jan 23, 2006 - The Cubs sign free agent P Wade Miller to a contract.

    Jan 21, 2006 - The Mets trade P Kris Benson and his wife to the Orioles for Ps Jorge Julio and John Maine. Anna will file for divorce in March, saying her marriage to Kris is "irretrievably broken", then reverse her call a few weeks later.

    Jan 19, 2006 - P Bronson Arroyo signs a three-year contract with the Red Sox, giving them a hometown discount of $11.25 million for three years.

    Jan 14, 2006 - The Dodgers obtain Ps Danys Baez and Lance Carter from the Devil Rays for Ps Edwin Jackson and Chuck Tiffany.

    Jan 12, 2006 - The Indians sign free agent 1B Eduardo Perez to a contract.

    Jan 12, 2006 - The Orioles cowboy up and sign free agent 1B Kevin Millar to a contract.

    Jan 12, 2006 - The Reds sign free agent P Grant Balfour to a contract.

    Jan 12, 2006 - The Devil Rays sign free agent P Dan Miceli to a 2-year contract.

    Jan 11, 2006 - The Red Sox sign free agent reliever Julian Tavarez to a two-year $6.7 million contract.

    Jan 10, 2006 - Bruce Sutter is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his 13th year on the ballot. The relief star becomes the first hurler elected to the Hall with no career starts. Outfielder Jim Rice finishes second in the balloting, falling 53 votes shy, one ahead of reliever Goose Gossage.

    Jan 10, 2006 - The Padres sign free agent P Shawn Estes to a contract.

    Jan 10, 2006 - The Devil Rays sign free agent INF Ty Wigginton to a contract.

    Jan 10, 2006 - The Mets ink their top pick from last June’s draft signing Mike Pelfrey for $5.25 million.

    Jan 9, 2006 - The Cubs trade former five-tool bluechipper CF Corey Patterson to the Orioles for minor leaguers SS Nate Spears and P Carlos Perez.

    Jan 9, 2006 - The Astros sign free agent P Trever Miller to a contract.

    Jan 6, 2006 - The Red Sox sign free agent 1B J.T. Snow to a contract.

    Jan 6, 2006 - The Blue Jays help their crowded 3B situation by trading 3B Cory Koskie to the Brewers for minor league P Brian Wolfe.

    Jan 5, 2006 - The Yankees sign free agent INF Miguel Cairo to a contract.

    Jan 5, 2006 - The Phillies sign free agent P Ryan Franklin to a contract.

    Jan 4, 2006 - The Mets trade pitchers Jae Seo and Tim Hamulack to the Dodgers for pitchers Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll. The Mets get relievers, the Dodgers get starters.

    Jan 4, 2006 - The Orioles sign free agent 1B Jeff Conine to a contract.

    Jan 4, 2006 - The Pirates sign OF Jeromy Burnitz to a contract.

    Jan 3, 2006 - The Astros sign free agent CF Preston Wilson to either a 1 year, $4.5 million or 4 year, $28 million contract. Wilson will get $4 million in 2006 and at the end of the season, the team has an option for 3 years, $24 million or a $500,000 buyout.

    Dec 29, 2005 - The Yankees sign free agent P Octavio Dotel to a 1 year‚ $2 million contract. Dotel had Tommy John surgery in May and pitched just 15+ innings in 2005.

    Dec 28, 2005 - The White Sox re-sign P Jon Garland to a 3 year‚ $29 million contract‚ to avoid salary arbitration. Garland would have been eligible for free agency after the 2006 season.

    Dec 27, 2005 - The Diamondbacks trade 3B Troy Glaus and minor league SS Sergio Santos to the Blue Jays for Gold Glove 2B Orlando Hudson and P Miguel Batista. The high-priced Glaus hit 37 homers in 2005 while driving in 97 Diamondbacks‚ and piles onto the logjam at 3B in Toronto.

    Dec 26, 2005 - Four-Time All-Star relief pitcher Jeff Reardon is arrested on robbery charges after holding up a jewelry store in Palm Springs Gardens‚ Florida‚ a town he has lived in without incident for 20 years. "He said it was the medication that made him do it and that he was sorry‚" said policeman David O'Neill. Reardon had a son who died of a drug overdose several years ago.In late August 2006, he will be found not guilt by reason of insanity. Two court-appointed psychiatrists, along with two defense psychiatrists, will testify that Reardon was under the influence of a dozen prescription medications and that there was no reasonable explanation for the robbery.

    Dec 26, 2005 - The Rangers sign free agent P Kevin Millwood‚ who pitched for the Indians last year‚ to a 5 year‚ $60 million contract.

    Dec 26, 2005 - Take Millwood's locker. The Indians sign free agent P Jason Johnson‚ 10-10 with the Orioles last year‚ to a 1 year‚ $4 million contract.

    Dec 24, 2005 - Merry Christmas‚ Mike. The Nationals sign free agent P Mike Stanton to a 1 year‚ $1 million contract.

    Dec 20, 2005 - The Yankees sign free agent CF Johnny Damon to a 4 year‚ $52 million contract. Damon spurns the Red Sox offer for less as his agent lowers the demand for a 7-year contract to 4 years. The Red Sox will reciprocate by inking Yankee backup catcher John Flaherty. The Sox also sign free agent P Rudy Seanez to a 1 year‚ $2.1 million contract‚ with an option for 2007.

    Dec 20, 2005 - The Padres trade pitchers Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka and minor league C Billy Killian to the Rangers for P Chris Young‚ the recently acquired OF Terrmel Sledge and 1B Adrian Gonzalez.

    Dec 20, 2005 - The Cardinals sign P Sidney Ponson to a 1 year contract.

    Dec 20, 2005 - The Cubs sign free agent Twins RF Jacque Jones to a 3 year‚ $16 million contract.

    Dec 20, 2005 - The Orioles sign free agent 1B-LF Jeff Conine to a 1 year‚ $1.7 million contract‚ with an option for 2007.

    Dec 20, 2005 - The Reds re-sign C Jason LaRue to a 2 year‚ $9.1 million contract‚ to avoid salary arbitration. The Reds also sign free agent P Chris Hammond to a 1 year‚ $800‚000 contract‚ with a mutual option for 2007.

    Dec 20, 2005 - The Royals trade OF Matt Diaz to the Braves for minor league P Ricardo Rodriguez.

    Dec 18, 2005 - Pitching in the Mexican League for Mexicali‚ 45-year-old Fernando Valenzuela loses‚ 1-0‚ to Hermosillo. Fernando‚ the Dodgers Spanish language announcer during the regular season‚ will go 4-2 in 10 starts‚ 2nd on the team in wins.

    Dec 16, 2005 - The Marlins trade well-traveled P Ron Villone (5-5) to the Yankees for minor league P Ben Julianel.

    Dec 16, 2005 - The Royals sign a mouthful of free agents inking 1B Doug Mientkiewicz (1 year‚ $1.85 million)‚ 2B Mark Grudzielanek ($1 year‚ 4 million plus a player option for 2006 if he has 500 PA)‚ C Paul Bako (1 year‚ $700‚000) and P Scott Elarton (2 years‚ $8 million).

    Dec 15, 2005 - The Cardinals sign free agent closer Braden Looper‚ formerly of the Mets‚ to a 3 year‚ $13.5 million contract.

    Dec 15, 2005 - The Twins sign 3B Tony Batista to a 1 year‚ $1.25 million contract. Batista played in Japan in 2005.

    Dec 13, 2005 - The Diamondbacks trade P Javier Vazquez to the White Sox for pitchers Orlando Hernandez and Luis Vizcaino and minor league OF Chris Young.

    Dec 13, 2005 - The Dodgers trade troubled but talented OF Milton Bradley and INF Antonio Perez to the A's for minor league OF Andre Ethier. Ethier was the Texas League Player of the Year in 2005.

    Dec 13, 2005 - The Diamondbacks sign free agent P Jason Grimsley to a 1 year‚ $825‚000 contract.

    Dec 13, 2005 - The Astros re-sign free agent C Brad Ausmus to a 2 year‚ $7.5 million contract.

    Dec 9, 2005 - The Twins trade P J.C. Romero to the Angels for minor league INF Alexi Casilla. The Angels designate C Josh Paul for assignment.

    Dec 9, 2005 - The Mets sign 47-year-old free agent Julio Franco to a 2 year‚ $2.2 million contract. They also state that when his playing days are through they will make him a minor league manager.

    Dec 9, 2005 - The Pirates sign free agent P Roberto Hernandez to a 1 year‚ $2.75 million contract.

    Dec 9, 2005 - The Indians sign free agent utility man Lou Merloni to a minor league contract.

    Dec 9, 2005 - The Braves sign free agent C Todd Pratt to a 1 year contract.

    Dec 9, 2005 - The Padres claim C Pete LaForest off waivers from the Devil Rays‚ sign OF Jack Cust to a minor league contract‚ with an invitation to spring training‚ and sell P Chris Oxspring to the Hanshin Tigers.

    Dec 8, 2005 - The Red Sox trade SS Edgar Renteria and cash to the Braves for 3B Andy Marte. Marte‚ 21‚ is the Braves highest rated prospect‚ according to Baseball America.

    Dec 8, 2005 - The Tigers sign free agent Ps Kenny Rogers (2 years‚ $16 million) and Todd Jones (2 years‚ $11 million).

    Dec 8, 2005 - The Orioles sign free agent C Ramon Hernandez to a 4 year‚ $27.5 million contract.

    Dec 8, 2005 - The White Sox trade P Damaso Marte to the Pirates for utility man Rob Mackowiak.

    Dec 8, 2005 - The Yankees trade 2B-OF Tony Womack to the Reds for minor leaguers INF Kevin Howard and OF Ben Himes. With the money freed up by dealing Womack‚ the Yankees sign free agent P Mike Myers‚ recently of the Red Sox‚ to a 2 year‚ $2.4 million contract.

    Dec 8, 2005 - The Reds trade 1B Sean Casey to the Pirates for P David Williams. Casey hit .312 this past season and .324 in 2004.

    Dec 8, 2005 - The Rockies signed free agent P Jose Mesa to a 1 year‚ $2.515 million contract‚ with an option for 2007.

    Dec 7, 2005 - At the winter meetings‚ heavy trading and re-signing action occurs.

    Dec 7, 2005 - The Rangers trade 2B Alfonso Soriano to the Nationals for OF-1B Brad Wilkerson‚ OF Terrmel Sledge and minor league P Armando Galarraga.

    Dec 7, 2005 - The Blue Jays ink free agent pitcher A.J. Burnett to a 5 year‚ $55 million contract.

    Dec 7, 2005 - In a move that makes way for Prince Fielder‚ the Brewers trade 1B Lyle Overbay to the Blue Jays for OF Gabe Gross‚ P Dave Bush and minor league P Zach Jackson.

    Dec 7, 2005 - The Mariners re-sign free agent P Jamie Moyer to a 1 year‚ $5.5 million contract.

    Dec 7, 2005 - The Indians re-sign free agent P Bob Wickman to a 1 year‚ $5 million contract.

    Dec 7, 2005 - The Marlins shed the last of their high priced talent trading CF speedster Juan Pierre to the Cubs for P Sergio Mitre and minor league Ps Ricky Nolasco and Renyel Pinto.

    Dec 7, 2005 - The Cardinals trade P Ray King to the Rockies for OF Larry Bigbie and INF Aaron Miles.

    Dec 7, 2005 - The Mariners traded C Yorvit Torrealba to the Rockies for a player to be named later. The Rockies designate C Miguel Ojeda for assignment.

    Dec 7, 2005 - The Royals re-sign utility man Joe McEwing to a minor league contract‚ with an invitation to spring training‚ and release P D.J. Carrasco. Carrasco will go to Japan.

    Dec 7, 2005 - The Braves trade all-star C Johnny Estrada to the Diamondbacks for pitchers Lance Cormier and Oscar Villarreal. The Braves send P Danny Kolb to the Brewers for P Wes Obermueller.

    Dec 7, 2005 - The Padres trade 3B Sean Burroughs to the Devil Rays for P Dewon Brazelton and also trade 2B Mark Loretta to the Red Sox for C Doug Mirabelli. The Sox will hurriedly bring back Mirabelli on May 1st to once catch Tim Wakefield. The Padres re-sign free agent P Trevor Hoffman to a 2 year‚ $13.5 million contract‚ with an option for 2008.

    Dec 7, 2005 - The Pirates trade P Mark Redman to the Royals for P Jonah Bayliss and a player to be named later.

    Dec 7, 2005 - The Orioles and Giants swap pitchers with Steve Kline going to the Giants and LaTroy Hawkins and cash coming to Baltimore.

    Dec 7, 2005 - The Blue Jays trade P Chad Gaudin to the A's for a player to be named later.

    Dec 7, 2005 - John Olerud announces his retirement.

    Dec 7, 2005 - The Dodgers hire former Red Sox manager Grady Little as their new manager.

    Nov 30, 2005 - The Yankees sign free agent C Kelly Stinnett to a contract.

    Nov 30, 2005 - The Phillies sign free agent P Julio Santana to a contract.

    Nov 29, 2005 - The Phillies sign free agent INF Abraham Nunez to a 2-year contract.

    Nov 28, 2005 - The Blue Jays sign free agent closer B. J. Ryan to a 5-year contract.

    Nov 28, 2005 - The Athletics reach agreement on a 3-year deal with free agent P Esteban Loaiza.

    Nov 28, 2005 - The Mets reach agreement on a 4-year deal with the much-pursued free agent closer Billy Wagner. They also acquire OF Tike Redman from the Pirates for cash

    Nov 24, 2005 - The Marlins continue to shed contracts by sending 1B Carlos Delgado and cash to the Mets for 1B Mike Jacobs‚ P Yusmeiro Petit‚ and INF Grant Psomas.

    Nov 24, 2005 - The Marlins send P Josh Beckett‚ 3B Mike Lowell‚ and P Guillermo Mota to the Red Sox for blue chip SS Hanley Ramirez and pitching prospects Anibal Sanchez‚ Jesus Delgado‚ and Harvey Garcia.

    Nov 23, 2005 - Free agent P Bobby Howry signs a 3-year contract with the Cubs.

    Nov 23, 2005 - The Phillies send 1B Jim Thome and cash to the White Sox in exchange for OF Aaron Rowand and minor league Ps Giovany Gonzalez and Daniel Haigwood. The move signals the end of Frank Thomas in a White Sox uniform.

    Nov 21, 2005 - Japanese catcher Kenji Jojima finalizes a three-year contract with the Mariners that will pay him $16.5 million. He will become the 1st Japanese catcher to play in the ML.

    Nov 21, 2005 - The Cubs trade IF Bobby Hill to the Padres for a player to be named.

    Nov 18, 2005 - The Mets send OF Mike Cameron to the Padres. In return‚ NY gets OF/1B Xavier Nady.

    Nov 18, 2005 - The Nationals sign free agent INF/OF Marlon Anderson to a 2-year deal.

    Nov 17, 2005 - Free agent P Scott Eyre signs a 3-year deal with the Cubs.

    Nov 17, 2005 - MLB owners vote unanimously to approve a toughened steroids policy. The new standards call for a 50-game suspension for a 1st offense‚ 100 games for a 2nd offense‚ and a lifetime ban for a 3rd offense.

    Nov 16, 2005 - The Padres sign free agent 3B Geoff Blum to a contract.

    Nov 15, 2005 - The Cardinals' Albert Pujols wins the NL Most Valuable Player Award‚ edging out Andruw Jones of Atlanta.

    Nov 14, 2005 - Alex Rodriguez beats out David Ortiz for the AL Most Valuable Player Award. It is Rodriguez's 2nd MVP award‚ and the first for a Yankee since 1985.

    Nov 14, 2005 - The Devil Rays hire former Angels bench coach Joe Maddon as their manager to replace Lou Piniella.

    Nov 10, 2005 - Cardinals P Chris Carpenter (21-5) edges out Florida's Dontrelle Willis for the NL Cy Young Award for 2005. Carpenter is the first pitcher since the Dead Ball Era to make 16 starts in a row in which he went at least 7 innings and allowed three or fewer earned runs. Roger Clemens‚ who posted a 1.87 ERA in 211 innings‚ finishes third.

    Nov 10, 2005 - Orioles owner Peter Angelos fires co-GM Jim Beattie.

    Nov 9, 2005 - Ozzie Guillen of the White Sox and Bobby Cox of the Braves are named Manager of the Year in the AL and NL respectively.

    Nov 9, 2005 - Free agent RP Ugueth Urbina is formally charged with attempted murder in Caracas‚ Venezuela. The 31-year-old right-hander is accused of joining a group of men in attacking and injuring five workers with machetes and pouring gasoline on them last month.

    Nov 8, 2005 - In Venezuela‚ pitcher Ugueth Urbina is arrested on a charge of attempted murder. Last month‚ a group of men allegedly wielded machetes at several employees at his family's ranch‚ then poured gasoline on them in an attempt to set them on fire. Five workers were injured‚ and one of them suffered burns on the back and right arm‚ police said. One victim accused Urbina of being among the attackers. Urbina's lawyer said the pitcher was sleeping at the time and was not involved. Urbina is a free agent after playing the last season with the Phillies. It was the second violent incident for the Urbina family. Urbina's mother was kidnapped by drug traffickers in September 2004 and held for $6 million. She was rescued five months later in a mountainous area in southern Venezuela.

    Nov 8, 2005 - Angels P Bartolo Colon is named the AL Cy Young Award winner.

    Nov 7, 2005 - Phillies 1B Ryan Howard is named the NL Rookie of the Year. Howard hit 22 homers in 88 games filling in at first when Jim Thome was injured. The American League Rookie of the Year Award goes to Oakland closer Huston Street. It is the second straight year an Oakland player has won it. Five AL rookies got first place votes.

    Nov 7, 2005 - Pete Rose‚ Jr. pleads guilt to federal charges that he distributed GBL‚ a drug that converts into GHB‚ a workout and sleep aid also known as the "date rape drug." He faces up to two years in prison and could be fined $1 million. Rose acknowledges that he distributed the drug to teammates while playing for the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts.

    Nov 3, 2005 - The Nationals send veteran 3B Vinny Castilla to the Padres in exchange for P Brian Lawrence.

    Nov 3, 2005 - Braves OF Andruw Jones is voted ML Player of the Year by his fellow players in the 2005 Players Choice awards.

    Nov 2, 2005 - SS Omar Vizquel wins his 10th Gold Glove Award as the winners for the NL are announced. At age 38‚ he becomes the oldest middle IF ever cited. P Greg Maddux of the Cubs wins his 15th award‚ while OFs Jim Edmonds and Andruw Jones each wins his 8th.

    Nov 1, 2005 - Outfielders Ichiro Suzuki and Torii Hunter‚ and 3B Eric Chavez each wins his 5th consecutive Gold Glove Award as the winners are announced for the AL.

    Oct 29, 2005 - The Dodgers abruptly shift from a manager search to a general manager search dismissing Paul DePodesta two years into his five-year contract. Owner Frank McCourt delivers the news to DePodesta in the morning and holds an afternoon press conference.

    Oct 28, 2005 - The Washington Nationals sign free agent IF Damian Jackson to a contract.

    Oct 26, 2005 - The White Sox shut out the Astros‚ 1-0‚ to sweep the WS and win their first championship since 1917. Freddy Garcia gets credit for the win‚ as Jermaine Dye drives home the game's only run. Dye is named the Series MVP.

    Oct 25, 2005 - Geoff Blum's 14th inning HR off Ezequiel Astacio leads the White Sox to a 7-5 victory over the Astros in Game 3 of the WS. Houston led‚ 4-0‚ before Chicago scored 5 runs in the 5th inning off Roy Oswalt to take the lead. Joe Crede also homers for the Sox‚ while Jason Lane connects for the Astros. Damaso Marte gets the win in relief. At 5 hours 41 minutes‚ the contest is the longest in Series history in terms of time. It also ties the mark for longest game in terms of innings played.

    Oct 25, 2005 - Braves P John Smoltz is announced as the winner of the 2005 Roberto Clemente Award for the player who best exemplifies baseball both on and off the field.

    Oct 23, 2005 - Scott Posednik's walkoff HR in the bottom of the 9h inning off Brad Lidge gives the White Sox a 7-6 victory over the Astros and a 2-ges-to-0 lead in the WS. Paul Konerko's GS in the 7th put Chicago in the lead. Morgan Ensberg hits a solo HR for Houston‚ while Neal Cotts gets the win in relief.

    Oct 22, 2005 - The White Sox take Game 1 of the WS with a 5-3 victory over the Astros. Jose Contreras gets the win for Chicago‚ and Joe Crede homers and makes a pair of great defensive plays in the field. Jermaine Dye also homers for Chicago while Mike Lamb connects for Houston. Contreras hits 3 batters in the game to tie a WS record set by Bruce Kison.

    Oct 20, 2005 - The Marlins sign Yankees coach Joe Girardi as their new manager.

    Oct 19, 2005 - The Astros clinch the first pennant in their history as they defeat the Cardinals‚ 5-1‚ to win the NLCS 4-games-to-2. Roy Oswalt gets the victory for Houston while Jason Lane hits a HR. Oswalt is named the series MVP for his 2 victories.

    Oct 17, 2005 - Albert Pujols' 3-run HR off Brad Lidge with 2 outs in the 9th inning gives the Cardinals a 5-4 comeback win over the Astros and keeps their pennant hopes alive. Lance Berkman's 3-run homer in the 7th had given Houston a 4-2 lead. The Astros still lead the Series‚ 3-games-to-2. Jason Isringhausen gets the win in relief for St. Louis.

    Oct 16, 2005 - The White Sox clinch their first pennant since 1959 as they defeat the Angels‚ 6-3‚ behind Jose Contreras. Joe Crede homers and drives in 3 runs for Chicago and Paul Konerko is named MVP of the ALCS.

    Oct 16, 2005 - The Astros take a 3-games-to-1 lead over the Cardinals with a 2-1 victory in Game 4 of the NLCS. Jason Lane homers for Houston‚ and Brad Qualls gets the win in relief.

    Oct 15, 2005 - The White Sox take a commanding 3-games-to-1 lead over the Angels in the ALCS with an 8-2 victory behind Freddy Garcia. Paul Konerko hits a 3-run HR for Chicago‚ while AJ Pierzynski also connects.

    Oct 15, 2005 - The Astros defeat the Cardinals‚ 4-3‚ to take the lead in the NLCS. Roger Clemens gets credit for the victory‚ and Mike Lamb hits a 2-run HR for Houston.

    Oct 14, 2005 - The White Sox defeat the Angels‚ 5-2‚ to take the lead in the ALCS. Jon Garland hurls a 4-hit complete game for the win and Paul Konerko gets 3 hits‚ including a HR‚ and drives in 3 runs for Chicago. Orlando Cabrera's 2-run homer accounts for both Los Angeles runs.

    Oct 13, 2005 - The Astros down the Cardinals‚ 4-1‚ behind Roy Oswalt to even the NLCS at a game apiece. Albert Pujols homers to account for the only St. Louis run.

    Oct 12, 2005 - Interim manager Sam Perlozzo signs a 3-year contract to manage the Orioles.

    Oct 11, 2005 - The Angels defeat the White Sox‚ 3-2‚ in the opener of the ALCS. Paul Byrd gets the win for LA with the aid of a HR by Garret Anderson. Joe Crede homers for Chicago.

    Oct 11, 2005 - Former Dodgers manager Jim Tracy signs a 3-year pact to manage the Pirates.

    Oct 10, 2005 - The Angels beat the Yankees‚ 5-3‚ to win their Division Series. Rookie Ervin Santana gets the win in relief of Bartolo Colon who is forced to leave the game in the 2nd inning with a shoulder injury. Garret Anderson homers for LA while Derek Jeter connects for NY.

    Oct 9, 2005 - The Yankees down the Angels‚ 3-2‚ to even their Division Series. Al Leiter gets the win for NY in relief of Shawn Chacon.

    Oct 9, 2005 - Chris Burke's 18th inning‚ walkoff HR ends the longest postseason game in ML history‚ giving the Astros a 7-6 win over the Braves and moving them into the NLCS. Lance Berkman and Brad Ausmus also homer for Houston‚ while Adam LaRoche hits a grand slam and Brian McCann a solo blast for the Braves.

    Oct 8, 2005 - The Cardinals clinch their Division Series with the Padres with a 7-4 victory. Matt Morris gets the win and David Eckstein homers for St. Louis. Reggie Sanders drives home 2 runs for the Cards to give him an NLDS record 10. Dave Roberts and Ramon Hernandez homer for SD.

    Oct 8, 2005 - The Astros take Game 3 of their Division Series with the Braves‚ 7-3‚ behind Roy Oswalt. Mike Lamb homers for Houston‚ and Craig Biggio adds 3 hits. Morgan Ensberg and Jason Lane each drive in a pair of runs.

    Oct 8, 2005 - Game 4 of the Yankees-Angels Division Series is postponed because of rain.

    Oct 7, 2005 - The White Sox eliminate the Red Sox with a 5-3 victory to give them a sweep of their Division Series. Freddy Garcia gets the win for Chicago with help from Orlando Hernandez out of the bullpen. Paul Konerko homers for the ChiSox while David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez connect for Boston.

    Oct 7, 2005 - The Angels pound out 19 hits on their way to an 11-7 victory over the Yankees and a 2-games-to-1 lead in their Division Series. Bengie Molina hits his 3rd HR of the series for LA. Garret Anderson-who gets 4 hits and drives in 5 runs-also homers for the Angels. Derek Jeter and Hideki Matsui hit round-trippers for NY.

    Oct 6, 2005 - The Cardinals down the Padres‚ 6-2‚ behind Mark Mulder to take a 2-gaes-to-0 lead over the Padres in their Division Series.

    Oct 6, 2005 - The Braves even their Division Series with the Astros behind John Smoltz‚ winning 7-1. Rookie Brian McCann's 3-run HR off Roger Clemens is the big blow for Atlanta. The victory is Smoltz's 15th in postseason play‚ breaking a tie with Andy Pettitte for most postseason wins.

    Oct 5, 2005 - Orlando Cabrera's 2-run single in the 7th inning leads the Angels to a come-from-behind 5-3 victory over the Yankees to even their Division Series at 1 game apiece. Three errors help bury NY. Jorge Posada homers for the Yanks‚ and Juan Rivera and Bengie Molina connect for Los Angeles. Kelvim Escobar gets the win in relief.

    Oct 5, 2005 - Morgan Ensberg knocks in 5 runs to pace the Astros to a 10-5 win over the Braves in the first game of their Division Series. The win goes to Andy Pettitte‚ his 14th in postseason play to tie him with John Smoltz for the ML record. Chipper and Andruw Jones each homer for Atlanta.

    Oct 5, 2005 - Tadahito Iguchi hits a 3-run HR to lead the White Sox to a 5-4 win over the Red sox and a 2-games-to-0 lead in their Division Series. Tony Graffanino's error on a potential double play grounder sets the stage for Iguchi's heroics. Mark Buehrle gets the win for Chicago.

    Oct 5, 2005 - Ken Macha and the Athletics are unable to reach an agreement on a new contract‚ ending his term as Oakland's manager.

    Oct 4, 2005 - The Yankees score 3 runs in the 1st inning on Robinson Cano's bases loaded triple‚ then hold on for a 4-2 victory over the Angels in the opening game of their Division Series. Mike Mussina gets the win for NY‚ while Bengie Molina homers in a losing cause for Los Angeles.

    Oct 4, 2005 - The White Sox pound out an ALDS-record 5 HRs‚ including a pair by A.J. Pierczynski‚ to rout the Red Sox‚ 14-2‚ in the opener of the Division Series. Paul Konerko‚ Juan Uribe‚ and Scott Posednik also connect for Chicago‚ while Jose Contreras gets the win.

    Oct 4, 2005 - The Cardinals down the Padres‚ 8-5‚ behind Chris Carpenter to take the first game of their division Series. Reggie Sanders hits a grand slam for St. Louis and sets an NLDS record with 6 RBIs. Jim Edmonds also homers for the Cards and Eric Young connects for SD.

    Oct 4, 2005 - Jon Daniels‚ 28‚ succeeds John Hart as the Rangers GM. Tampa Bay will follow suit by hiring 28-year-old Andrew Friedman as GM.

    Oct 3, 2005 - The Dodgers announce that manager Jim Tracy will step down as manager after five seasons at the helm.

    Oct 2, 2005 - The Phillies defeat the Nationals‚ 9-3‚ as Jimmy Rollins hits safely in his 36th consecutive game. The hit gives him sole possession of the 9th-longest streak in ML history.

    Oct 2, 2005 - The Marlins down the Braves‚ 7-6‚ in 10 innings. Juan Pierre gets 5 hits to lead Florida. Following the game‚ Jack McKeon announces his retirement as manager of the Marlins. McKeon had had problems with his player sduring the year and at one point faulted relievers Matt Perisho and Nate Bump for a team wide insurrection. When the two were dumped‚ Perisho accused McKeon of calling him "Mike" when delivering the news.

    Oct 2, 2005 - The Astros defeat the Cubs‚ 6-4‚ to clinch the NL wild card spot in the playoffs. Roy Oswalt wins his 20th game of the season for Houston.

    Oct 2, 2005 - The Red Sox down the Yankees‚ 10-1‚ to clinch the AL wild card spot in the playoffs. The Sox lead the majors in runs scored for the 3rd straight year: the last team to do it three straight was the Dodgers in 1951-53‚ and the last AL club to do it was the Red Sox of 1948-50.

    Oct 2, 2005 - Alan Trammell is fired as manager of the Tigers Tomorrow they name former Pittsburgh skipper Jim Leyland as their new manager.

    Oct 2, 2005 - Felipe Lopez, Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns hit consecutive homers in the third inning to knock Matt Morris out of the box. Down 5–1, the Cardinals use eight relievers while emerging with a 7-5 win. Reggie Sanders and Chris Duncan go back-to back in the fifth inning. It is the first major-league homer for Duncan, the son of former major league catcher and current Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan.

    Oct 1, 2005 - The Yankees clinch their 8th straight AL East title with an 8-4 win over the Red Sox. Although Boston could still tie NY with a win on Sunday‚ the Yankees won the season series to ensure them first place in the division. The Yankees and Red Sox both set new home attendance records this season; the Sox passed the three million mark at Fenway for the first time and the Yankees joined the Blue Jays and Rockies as the only teams to draw four million in a season.

    Aug 31, 2005 - The Rangers defeat the White Sox‚ 9-2. SS Michael Young hits his 20th HR of the year for Texas‚ joining the other 3 members of the Rangers infield in performing the feat. The quartet of Young‚ 1B Mark Teixeira‚ 2B Alfonso Soriano‚ 3B Hank Blalock‚ and SS Young also accomplished the deed last season. Prior to that‚ the 1940 Red Sox were the only other club to perform the feat.

    Aug 31, 2005 - The Angels cool off the A's‚ winning 2-1 behind John Lackey's 7 scoreless innings. The Angels score both runs in the 4th‚ ending the scoring when Maicer Izturis singles to center‚ scoring a run‚ but is out trying to stretch when Jay Payton runs the ball in and tags Izturis at second for the 3rd out.

    Aug 31, 2005 - The Dodgers shut out the Cubs‚ 7-0‚ behind Derek Lowe's 1-hitter. Jerry Hairston's leadoff single is Chicago's only safety. Lowe retires 27 straight batters.

    Aug 31, 2005 - The Cardinals down the Marlins‚ 10-5. Florida's only bright spot is a PH grand slam by rookie Jeremy Hermida in his 1st ML at bat. He becomes the 1st player ever to accomplish the feat in a pinch-hitting appearance. Pitcher Bill Duggleby is the only other player ever to hit a slam in his 1st AB‚ doing so for the Phillies in 1898. Albert Pujols drives in his 100th run of the year for St. Louis. In doing so‚ he joins Ted Williams‚ Joe DiMaggio‚ and Al Simmons as the only players in history to reach the mark in each of their first 5 ML seasons.

    Aug 30, 2005 - The Angels obtain P Jason Christiansen from the Giants in exchange for minor league Ps Dusty Bergman and Ronnie Ray.

    Aug 30, 2005 - The Mariners down the Athletics‚ 4-1‚ as Ichiro Suzuki becomes the 1st player in ML history to reach 200 hits in each of his first 5 seasons.

    Aug 29, 2005 - Days before Kerry Wood undergoes season-ending arthroscopic surgery‚ the Cubs continue to write off the season by trading OF Todd Hollandsworth to the Braves for minor league pitchers Todd Blackford and Angelo Burrows.

    Aug 29, 2005 - In one of the latest trades in history‚ the Red Sox acquire Mike Stanton from the Nationals to have him for the final three-game series against the Yankees.

    Aug 29, 2005 - Interim manager Jerry Narron is named skipper of the Reds for the 2006 season.

    Aug 28, 2005 - Hawaii defeats Curacao‚ 7-6‚ on a walkoff HR by Michael Memea to win the Little League WS.

    Aug 28, 2005 - The Padres defeat the Giants‚ 9-1‚ to clinch the 4th division title in franchise history.

    Aug 28, 2005 - Wookie of the year candidate‚ Chewbacca‚ throws out the first pitch at Fenway. Chewie is there to promote a Star Wars exhibition at a local museum. But the main exhibition is by Ted Lilly‚ who beats the Red Sox‚ 7-2‚ to leave Boston tied with Cleveland for the wild card and a game back of New York for the AL East. The Jays hit three homers off Bronson Arroyo‚ including one by Frank Catalanotto‚ who adds a double and triple.

    Aug 28, 2005 - Scott McClung pitches 8 innings as Tampa Bay downs to the Indians‚ 1-0.

    Aug 27, 2005 - The Cubs trounce the Marlins‚ 14-3. Prior to the game‚ Chicago holds a ceremony to retire Ryne Sandberg's uniform number.

    Aug 27, 2005 - The Yankees obtain OF Matt Lawton from the Cubs in exchange for minor league P Justin Berg.

    Aug 27, 2005 - The Braves clinch their 14th consecutive division title with a 12-3 win over the Rockies

    Aug 26, 2005 - Victor Martinez has his 2nd straight 4-hit game and Travis Hafner has 2 homers as Cleveland beats the Blue Jays‚ 9-3. Grady Sizemore has a clean steal of home in the 1st.

    Aug 26, 2005 - The Marlins ask pitcher A.J. Burnett to leave the team and say they won't offer him a multiyear deal when he becomes a free agent during the offseason. Burnett criticized manager Jack McKeon and the coaching staff yesterday.

    Aug 25, 2005 - With 3 hits and a homer from Travis Hafner‚ 4 hits from Victor Martinez‚ and a grand slam from Rafeal Belliard‚ the Indians roll over Tampa Bay‚ 12-4. Martinez had 7 straight hits before making an out in his last at bat. Travis Lee drives in all 4 TB runs.

    Aug 24, 2005 - The Mets crush the Diamondbacks‚ 18-4‚ behind a 20-hit barrage. Rookie Mike Jacobs gets 4 hits‚ including a 2B and pair of HRs‚ and scores 5 runs in his 4th ML game. With the homers‚ Jacobs becomes the 1st player in ML history to hit 4 HRs in his 1st 4 days since his ML debut. David Wright also gets 4 hits‚ including a 2B and a pair of HRs. David Wright ties a NL record by scoring 8 runs in two consecutive games.

    Aug 24, 2005 - The Padres down the Astros‚ 7-4‚ as Trevor Hoffman gets his 425th save to move past John Franco into 2nd place behind Lee Smith on the all-time saves list.

    Aug 23, 2005 - The Twins edge the White Sox‚ 1-0‚ despite getting only one hit. Jacque Jones' leadoff HR in the 8th inning accounts for Chicago's only hit off of Freddy Garcia.

    Aug 23, 2005 - The Dodgers Oscar Robles knocks in 4 runs and Jeff Weaver has 3 hits and 3 RBI to pace LA to an 8-3 win over Colorado. Weaver extends his record to 12-8 while Robles extends his attempted steals streak to 0-for-7. Robles won't try it again the rest of the year and it will stand as a rookie record (Dave Meier of the Twins was 0-for-6 in 1985). The Dodgers ignore the pre-game clubhouse tumult when Milton Bradley lashes back at Jeff Kent saying‚ "The problem is he doesn't know how to deal with African American people. I think that's the cause of everything." Kent had criticized Bradley regarding his base running in a game against Florida.

    Aug 23, 2005 - With the help of 2 errors in the 9th inning‚ the Indians beat the Royals 7-6‚ to stay in the hunt for the AL Central title. It is their 9th straight win over KC. Travis Hafner hits a homer in his 6th straight game‚ tying a club mark of Jim Thome's. Thome had 7 HRs in his 6 games.

    Aug 22, 2005 - Chipper Jones drills a 2-run HR in the 4th against Carlos Zambrano‚ then does the same in the 9th against reliever Kerry Wood‚ and the Braves win‚ 4-2. Tim Hudson is the CG winner.

    Aug 21, 2005 - The Nationals down the Mets‚ 7-4. as NY rookie Mike Jacobs hits a 3-run HR as a PH in his 1st ML at bat.

    Aug 21, 2005 - The White Sox beat the Yankees‚ 6-2‚ scoring all its runs in the 4th inning‚ clocking Randy Johnson for 4 HRs in the frame‚ including 3 in a row. The Big Unit had never given up 4 homers in an inning.

    Aug 20, 2005 - The Royals defeat the A's‚ 2-1‚ to stop their club-record 19-game losing streak. It is the longest such streak in the ML in 17 years. The A's leave 11 on base.

    Aug 20, 2005 - The Tigers edge the Blue Jays‚ 3-2‚ when Magglio Ordonez hits an RBI double in the bottom of the 13th. Franklyn German (4-0) earns the win. Craig Monroe and Ivan Rodriguez hit solo HRs for the Bengals. Detroit turns 3 DPS including a rare double play in the 6th on a sacrifice fly‚ just the third time this century that two outfield assists are recorded on the same play. On Frank Catalanotto's sac fly to CF‚ Frank Menachino‚ on 2B‚ attempts to reach 3B and is caught (8-2-5-6-7-4).

    Aug 20, 2005 - Four Red Sox-Ramirez‚ Ortiz‚ Varitek and Nixon-collect 4 hits apiece to pace Boston to a 15-2 shellacking of Tampa Bay. Manny Ramirez has 2 homers and 3 RBI‚ and David Ortiz hits HRs #45 and #46‚ while Trot Nixon has a triple and homer. The 4 hitters with 4 hits ties the AL record held by five clubs and last accomplished by the Twins on June 2‚ 2002.

    Aug 20, 2005 - The Rockies wallop 23 hits on their way to a 20-1 pasting of the Padres. OF Matt Holliday drives home 8 runs for Colorado in the rout. Sean Burroughs becomes the first position player this season‚ and the 169th since 1960‚ to pitch when Padres manager Bruce Bochy puts him on the mound in the eighth.

    Aug 20, 2005 - Bartolo Colon becomes the 1st AL pitcher to reach 20 wins as he hurls the Angels to a 2-1 victory over the Rangers.

    Aug 18, 2005 - The Rangers defeat the Mariners‚ 8-6. They hit 5 HRs in the contest to break the ML record for most HRs at home‚ surpassing the Colorado Rockies who hit 149 in 1996.

    Aug 17, 2005 - The Astros shut out the Brewers‚ 7-0. Craig Biggio hits his NL-career record 43rd leadoff HR for Houston.

    Aug 17, 2005 - The Phillies score 10 runs in the 9th inning to send the Marlins to a shocking 10-2 defeat. * The Phils are just the 3rd team to have been shut out going into the 9th and then scoring 10 runs‚ joining the 1912 Reds (vs. Cubs‚ who trailed 9-0‚ scored 10 in the top of the 9th and lost when they gave up 2 in the bottom of the inning) and 1962 White Sox (vs. Indians‚ trailed 2-0‚ won 10-2). Phillies 3B David Bell has 3 hits.

    Aug 17, 2005 - The Cardinals become the 1st team to clinch a spot in the playoffs by beating the Cubs‚ 5-1. It is their 4th division title in the past 6 years.

    Aug 17, 2005 - Cuba downs South Korea‚ 3-0‚ to win its 8th straight baseball World Cup‚ and its 24th since the competition began in 1938.

    Aug 16, 2005 - The Giants edge the Reds‚ 10-8. Both Pedro Feliz and Deivi Cruz get 5 hits for SF. Feliz's hits include a 2B and 3B‚ while Cruz's include a 2B and HR.

    Aug 16, 2005 - The Tigers Craig Monroe hits a 10th inning grand slam in 10-7 loss‚ just the 4th times in ML history a player has hit a grand slam in extra innings in a loss. David Ortiz hits a game-tying HR in the 9th‚ then hits a 3-run homer in the Red Sox 7-run 10th. Jason Varitek adds a 2-run homer in the 10th‚ his second of the game.

    Aug 16, 2005 - At age 87‚ Bobby Bragan makes a historic appearance as the oldest manager of a pro baseball team. Bragan takes over at the helm of the Fort Worth Cats to surpass Connie Mack's record by 8 days. True to form he gets tossed in the 3rd inning when he asks why the ump ejected one of his players. When told that the player had said the ump was calling a lousy game‚ Bragan said he agreed with the player.

    Aug 16, 2005 - Felipe Lopez gets a career-high 5 hits‚ including a double‚ to lead the Reds to an 8-2 victory over the Pirates.

    Aug 16, 2005 - Rod Barajas has a 2-run homer for Texas off 19-year-old Felix Hernandez and Texas triumphs over Seattle‚ 5-2. It is the 246th HR for the Rangers‚ tying the club record‚ and the 4th highest total in ML history. Michael Young extends his batting streak to 14 games with a pair of hits‚ and reaches the 200 hit mark. The Ranger shortstop joins Charlie Gehringer‚ Rogers Hornsby‚ Johnny Pesky and Derek Jeter as the only middle infielders to record three or more consecutive seasons of 200 hits.

    Aug 16, 2005 - Former Atlanta Braves pitcher Rick Camp is sentenced to federal prison for roughly three years for conspiring to steal more than $2 million from a mental health agency. Camp‚ a lobbyist‚ is sentenced along with four others‚ including former state Rep. Robin Williams‚ who will serve 10 years

    Aug 15, 2005 - The Giants down the Reds‚ 7-3‚ as Randy Winn hits for the cycle. It is Winn's first appearance at SF's Great American Ball Park since being obtained in a trade with the Mariners on July 30.

    Aug 14, 2005 - Tampa Bay's Travis Lee cracks a pinch hit homerun off Bob Wickman for the game's only score and TB beats Cleveland‚ 1-0. This is just the 3rd time a solo pinch homer has accounted for the only score (Bill Taylor in 1954 and Candy Maldonado in 1985).

    Aug 14, 2005 - The Red Sox defeat the Blue Jays‚ 5-3. David Ortiz hits his 42nd HR of the season for Boston. It is his 38th as a designated hitter‚ setting a new ML record. Edgar Martinez held the previous mark of 37 set in 2000.

    Aug 14, 2005 - The Phillies beat the Braves‚ 12-4‚ despite Andruw Jones' league-leading 50th HR of the season‚ and 300th of his career. By doing so‚ Jones becomes the 12th player in ML history to reach 300 before his 30th birthday.

    Aug 13, 2005 - The Braves down the Diamondbacks‚ 9-5 as ancient Julio Franco has a 3-run HR and 4 RBIs. Hot hitting rookie Jeff Francouer (.388) is just 1-for-4 but does throw out a runner. He will notch 9 outfield assists in his first 35 games.

    Aug 13, 2005 - Clint Barmes 2-run single ignites a six-run 2nd inning for the Rockies and they beat the Dodgers‚ 6-4. Sunny Kim (5-2) is the winner. The Dodgers outfield helps the Rocks' scoring as each Dodger outfielder is charged with an error. Left fielder Rickie Ledee starts with a throwing error‚ RF Jose Cruz‚ Jr.‚ follows with a fielding error on the next play. One play later‚ CF Jason Werth completes the trifecta by bobbling a ball for the third outfield error of the inning. According to Retrosheet‚ it was the first time since 1960 that all three of a team's outfielders have been charged with an error in the same inning.

    Aug 13, 2005 - For the third time this season the Yankees score 17+ runs against the Devil Rays‚ winning today 17-3. This was the 3rd time the Yankees scored 17+ runs in a game against the Devil Rays. The last time a team did that to another team was the 1939 Yankees‚ vs. the Athletics.

    Aug 13, 2005 - Despite the loss‚ the Devil Rays win the season series‚ 11-6.

    Aug 13, 2005 - Josh Beckett and the Marlins beat the Astros‚ 4-2‚ in Houston. Paul LoDuca's 2-run HR in the 8th snaps a 2-2 tie. Carlos Delgado has 3 hits including his 30th homerun of the year‚ the 9th straight season he's reached that plateau. Only 3 players in history have longer streaks with Barry Bonds doing it 13 straight seasons.

    Aug 13, 2005 - Luis Gonzalez of the Diamondbacks is recognized for his philanthropic efforts by being named winner of the Branch Rickey Award for 2005.

    Aug 12, 2005 - Dontrell Willis gives up a 6th inning HR to Randy Winn and that spells a loss as San Francisco edges Florida‚ 1-0. Noah Lowry is the winning pitcher and raises his BA to .289 with 2 hits.

    Aug 12, 2005 - Josh Towers‚ backed by 4 homers‚ pitches a CG shutout as Toronto whips the Orioles‚ 12-0.

    Aug 12, 2005 - Behind Dan Haran's 7+ shutout innings‚ the Oakland A's slow baseball's hottest team‚ Cleveland‚ 2-0. It ends the Indians' 7-game win streak. Jason Kendall has 2 hits‚ an RBI‚ and is hit by a pitch for the 194th time in his career‚ 8th on the list.

    Aug 12, 2005 - Devil Rays' OF prospect Delmon Young is named Minor League Player of the Year for 2005 by Baseball America. The Rays did not call up Young in September‚ causing Young and his agent to blast the Rays.

    Aug 11, 2005 - Jason Kendall and the A's steal a win from the Angels‚ 5-4‚ and moves into first place in 1st place in the AL west. When reliever Francisco Rodrguez muffs a routine throw from the catcher‚ Kendall alertly sprints from 3B to score the winning run in the 9th. It is the 2nd one-run win for the streaking A's over the Angels. The A's trailed LA by 8 1/2 games on July 18 and have now won 20 of 23.

    Aug 11, 2005 - In Kansas City‚ Jeff Lieter hits a 7th inning grand slam‚ off D.J. Carrasco‚ to propel the Indians to a 4-2 win over the Royals. For the Royals it is their 13th consecutive loss.

    Aug 11, 2005 - Greg Maddux (9-9) stops the Cubs' eight-game losing streak with an 11-4 complete game victory over St. Louis. It is his 314th career win‚ tying him for 16th on the all-time list.

    Aug 10, 2005 - Marlins 3B Mike Lowell pulls to hidden ball trick to nab Luis Terrero at 3B in the 8th inning and prevent the potential tying run from scoring. Reliever Todd Jones sells the trick by walking around the mound to help Lowell pull the ruse off for the second time in a year. Florida beats the Diamondbacks‚ 10-5.

    Aug 9, 2005 - The Indians score 11 runs in the 9th inning to come from behind and record a 13-7 win over the Royals. The loss is KC's 11th in a row.

    Aug 8, 2005 - The Tigers defeat the blue Jays‚ 9-8‚ in 12 innings. Alex Rios gets 5 hits for Toronto in a losing cause‚ including a HR.

    Aug 8, 2005 - The Rockies and Marlins play a doubleheader‚ necessitated by a snowout on April 27 and 28. The Rockies start two Kims‚ Sunny and Byung-Hyun Kim and win 4-3 and 5-3. Sunny Kim was picked up on waivers August 5 from the Nationals. Game 1 is won in the 11th on Dustan Mohr's walk off homer with two out. In the second game Byung-Hyun pitches 7 strong inning for the win. Danny Ardoin hits a 2-run HR in the bottom of the 6th for the lead. The last time two pitchers with the same name started in a doubleheader was in 1974‚ when the Cleveland Indians started brothers Gaylord and Jim Perry against the Boston Red Sox.

    Aug 8, 2005 - Miguel Cabrera leads the Marlins to an 8-4 victory over the Nationals. Cabrera belts his 30th HR of the season and drives in 3 runs. By doing so‚ he becomes the youngest player in ML history to reach 30 homers and 100 RBI in back-to-back seasons.

    Aug 7, 2005 - In a battle of Zambranos‚ the Mets' Victor defeats the Cubs' Carlos‚ 6-1. It is the 4th time in ML history that starting pitchers with the same last name face each other‚ and the 2nd time that each had the same number of career wins going into the contest.

    Aug 7, 2005 - The Diamondbacks defeat the Rockies‚ 9-4. Craig Counsell leads the Arizona attack with 5 hits.

    Aug 7, 2005 - Manny Ramirez is 4-for-4 with a HR and 3 RBI to back Tim Wakefield in the Red Sox 11-7 victory over the Twins. Manny doubles in the 5-run 1st inning when the Sox bat around against Joe Mays. Wakefield (11-9) goes 8 innings to join Cy Young and Roger Clemens as the only pitchers to pitch 2‚000 innings in a Boston uniform.

    Aug 7, 2005 - David Eckstein hits a 9th inning grand slam off Chris Reitsma to give the Cardinals a 5-3 win over the Braves. Eckstein also hit a walkoff grand slam as a member of the California Angels in 2002. The last time a Card hit a game-winning grand slam was Tommy Herr on April 18‚ 1987.

    Aug 7, 2005 - Dontrelle Willis tosses a shutout in Cincinnati‚ winning‚ 2-0‚ over the Reds. Willis has yet to be scored on in 16 innings at the Great American Ball Park. Both runs are unearned and come on three throwing errors in the first 5 innings by Reds P Ramon Ortiz. Each one is a pickoff attempt on Juan Pierre. When Ortiz walks Pierre in the 7th‚ a loud voice shouts‚ "Don't throw to first base." It could have been Reds manager Jerry Narron who said later‚ "I probably should have told him before the game only try it if you can make a good throw."

    Aug 7, 2005 - The Marlins beat the Nationals‚ 12-1‚ as Dontrelle Willis becomes the 2nd pitcher this year to win 20 games in the NL.

    Aug 7, 2005 - The A's‚ down by 4 runs to the Mariners going into the bottom of the ninth inning. score five runs in the bottom of the frame to win the game. 8-7. The last time the A's scored 5 in the 9th to overcome a 4-run deficit was July 4‚ 1957‚ according to the Elias Sports Bureau. After Mark Kotsay and Eric Chavez hit 2-run doubles‚ Steve Swisher walks with the bases loaded to score the winner.

    Aug 7, 2005 - Mariners SS Mike Morse is suspended 10 days for violating ML baseball's steroids policy. Morse admits to having taken steroids in 2003‚ but claims to being clean since then.

    Aug 7, 2005 - Orioles 1B Rafael Palmeiro leaves the team‚ to rehabilitate his right ankle and knee‚ and says he plans on returning before the season's over. No‚ he doesn't.

    Aug 6, 2005 - The Cubs Glendon Rusch loses his perfect game in the 7th but beats the Cardinals‚ 5-2. Derrek Lee‚ on his 30th birthday‚ hits his 40th HR‚ and Corey Patterson also homers. Cardinals rightfielder Hector Luna makes two errors on two separate plays on the same batter in the same at bat. Neifi Perez hit a foul flyball and Luna drops it for an error. Perez hits another ball down the line for a double‚ which Luna misplays for another error.

    Aug 6, 2005 - The Pirates fire Lloyd McClendon as manager. Bench coach Pete Mackanin is named interim skipper for the remainder of the season.

    Aug 5, 2005 - The Cardinals trounce the Braves‚ 11-3. Albert Pujols becomes the 1st player in ML history to hit 30 HRs in each of his first 5 seasons.

    Aug 5, 2005 - The Brewers defeat the Reds‚ 6-1 as Jeoff Jenkins gets 5 hits for Milwaukee‚ including a pair of doubles.

    Aug 5, 2005 - Felix Fernandez‚ 19‚ gives up 4 hits in 7 innings as Seattle downs the A's‚ 2-0. Joe Blanton is the hard-luck loser. Blanton is helped by two unassisted double plays‚ one on a popped bunt to Eric Chavez and one by his batterymate. Jason Kendall. When Yorvit Torrealba strikes out in the 5th and then is called for interference as Kendall tried to throw out Yuniesky Betancourt stealing second. Kendall earned his other U-DP in 2001 while with the Pittsburgh Pirates. According to Retrosheet‚ Mike Piazza of the New York Mets leads all active backstops with four.

    Aug 5, 2005 - Livan Hernandez gives up a 2-run HR in the 9th‚ but he wins his 15th as the Nationals use a 4-run 8th to defeat the Marlins‚ 5-2. Hernandez has a pair of hits‚ giving him 152 for his career‚ and drives in a run. According to the Elias Sports Bureau‚ Livan Hernandez joins Don Newcombe (238 hits)‚ Rick Rhoden (181)‚ Mike Hampton (161) and Mickey McDermott (156) as the only pitchers since 1946 to amass at least 150 hits in their careers.

    Aug 4, 2005 - The Brewers defeat the Mets‚ 12-9. Geoff Jenkins accounts for 5 of Milwaukee's 21 hits with 4 singles and a 2B.

    Aug 4, 2005 - The Orioles fire manager Lee Mazzilli‚ and name bench coach Sam Perlozzo the interim manager for the remainder of the season. It won't help. The Orioles will join the 1978 A's as the only teams since 1900 to be 14 games over .500 then fall at least 14 games under .500 in the course of a season.

    Aug 4, 2005 - At Atlanta‚ Jason LaRue hits a pinch grand slam in the 12th to power the Reds to a 8-3 win over the Braves. The Reds overcome two homers and a triple by Marcus Giles to win their first in 6 games. Ken Giffey‚ Jr‚ hits his 536th career homer to tie Mantle on the all-time list‚ but leaves the game in the 12th with an apparent twisted ankle. But he is out for the rest of the year having pulled part of a tendon off the bone.

    Aug 3, 2005 - The Marlins upend the Mets‚ 5-4‚ to give manager Jack McKeon the 1‚000th win of his career. McKeon is the 52nd skipper to reach the level‚ and now ranks 7th on the active list.

    Aug 3, 2005 - The Cardinals down the Astros‚ 4-2‚ as Chris Carpenter becomes the 1st pitcher this year to reach 20 wins. By doing so‚ he also becomes the 1st pitcher since Bob Gibson in 1970 to win 10 consecutive road decisions‚ and the 1st since Gibson in 1968 to win 11 straight decisions overall.

    Aug 2, 2005 - For the 2nd straight year the minor leagues set an attendance record with 41‚333‚279 million fans. Thirteen of 15 leagues showed improvement with the PCL becoming the first league to top 7 million fans in a season.

    Aug 2, 2005 - Nineteen-year old Marlins batboy Nick Cirillo is suspended 6 games by the team for accepting a dare from pitcher Brad Penny. Penny offered Cirillo $500 before a game last month if he could drink a gallon of milk in an hour without throwing up. Cirillo said he drank the milk in 59 minutes‚ then vomited outside the clubhouse‚ so he didn't collect the money.

    Aug 1, 2005 - Orioles 1B/OF Rafael Palmeiro is suspended 10 days for violating MLB's steroids policy. Tomorrow Mariners P Ryan Franklin is also suspended 10 days for the same reason.

    Jul 31, 2005 - For the second day in a row‚ the Yankees rally from a 4-run deficit to win against the Angels‚ 8-7 in 11 innings. Chris Bootcheck‚ making his first ML start‚ allows one run in 6 innings‚ while Bengi and Jose Molina each hit HRs off Randy Johnson to give the Angels a 6-2 lead. The Yanks tie it up but Mariano Rivera gives up a run in the 10th before the Yanks again tie. Tony Womack drives in the game winner in the 11th. Jason Giambi has a pair of homers to give him 300 for his career and 14 for the month‚ tying him with Mantle who hit 14 in a month in 1961. The Molina homers are just the 21st time a pair of brothers have homered for the same team in the same game; the last pair to do it were the Giambi brothers on August 11‚ 2001.

    Jul 31, 2005 - Ryne Sandberg and Wade Boggs are inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

    Jul 31, 2005 - The Braves acquire P Kyle Farnsworth from the Tigers in exchange for pitchers Roman Colon and Zach Miner.

    Jul 31, 2005 - The Cubs exchange outfielders with the Pirates‚ sending recently acquired Jody Gerut to Pittsburgh for Matt Lawton. Lawton won't last the month in the Friendly Confines‚ as the Cubs send him to the Yankees for a minor leaguer.

    Jul 31, 2005 - The Red Sox get OF Jose Cruz Jr. from the Diamondbacks‚ sending IF Kenny Perez and P Kyle Bono to Arizona.

    Jul 31, 2005 - The Padres trade 1B/OF Phil Nevin to the Rangers for pitcher Chan Ho Park and cash. Nevin had turned down trade offers from several East coast teams.

    Jul 31, 2005 - The Mariners send OF Randy Winn to the Giants for C Yorvit Torrealba and P Jesse Foppert.

    Jul 30, 2005 - Devil Rays down the Royals‚ 7-3. Rookie OF Jonny Gomes becomes the first player in Devil Rays history to hit 3 HRs in a game. He is the first rookie to accomplish the feat since Colorado's Jose Ortiz did so in 2001.

    Jul 30, 2005 - After the Red Sox fax an offer for Byrnes to the Rockies‚ and then renege citing as the reason the demands of the attempt to trade Manny Ramirez‚ the Orioles send OF Larry Bigbie to the Rockies for OF Eric Byrnes. The Rockies owner publicly criticizes the Sox.

    Jul 28, 2005 - The Blue Jays defeat the Angels‚ 2-1‚ in 18 innings. Orlando Hudson's RBI single ends the longest game of the season and the longest in Jays' history. Pete Walker throws 3 innings for the win.

    Jul 28, 2005 - The Yankees acquire P Shawn Chacon from the Rockies in exchange for minor league pitchers Ramon Ramirez and Eduardo Sierra. Ramirez was signed by the Yankees in a deal with the Hiroshima Carp.

    Jul 27, 2005 - The Reds beat the Dodgers‚ 7-6‚ as Ryan Freel sets a franchise record by stealing 5 bases.

    Jul 26, 2005 - The Giants down the Cubs‚ 3-2‚ in 11 innings. Chicago starter Greg Maddux becomes the 13th pitcher in ML history to record 3‚000 strikeouts when he fans Omar Vizquel in the 3rd inning.

    Jul 25, 2005 - The Athletics wallop the Indians‚ 13-4. The game marks the first time since the DH rule was adopted in 1973 that both team's DHs bat 9th. Dan Johnson goes 3-for-3 for Oakland while Jason Dubois goes hitless in 3 ABs for the Tribe.

    Jul 25, 2005 - Behind the pitching of Andy Pettitte‚ the Astros defeat the Phillies 7-1‚ beating Cory Lidle. Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman hit back to back homers twice‚ connecting in the 1st and 3rd innings‚ a first in Astros history

    Jul 23, 2005 - The Padres obtain 3B Joe Randa from the Reds. In return‚ the Padres send pitchers Justin Germano and Travis Chick to the Reds.

    Jul 21, 2005 - The Phillies send veteran P Todd Worrell to the Diamondbacks in exchange for IF Matt Kata.

    Jul 20, 2005 - The Dodgers score 9 runs in the 5th inning on their way to a 10-2 victory over the Phillies.

    Jul 20, 2005 - The Red Sox acquire B Tony Graffanino from the Royals for OF Chip Ambres and P Juan Cedeno.

    Jul 18, 2005 - The Devil Rays edge the Red Sox‚ 3-1. Johnny Damon goes 0-for-5 for Boston‚ to put an end to his 29-game hitting streak‚ the longest in the majors this season. Only three Sox have reached 30 consecutive games. The Sox lose 2B Mark Bellhorn to a thumb injury and will initially put him on the DL‚ then cut him. Bellhorn is hitting .216 with 109 strikeouts in 283 AB.

    Jul 18, 2005 - At Americaquest Field‚ the Yankees edge the Rangers‚ 11-10‚ getting homers from Posada‚ Matsui and Sheffield. Texas is paced by Alfonso Soriano who has 4 hits‚ including his 23rd HR‚ and 4 RBI.

    Jul 18, 2005 - Soriano will have 36 homers this year and joins Ryne Sandberg and Bret Boone as the only 2B in major league history to have 4 straight 20-homer seasons.

    Jul 18, 2005 - The Indians send OF Jody Gerut to the Cubs. In return‚ Cleveland gets bluechipper Jason Dubois.

    Jul 16, 2005 - The Yankees obtain P Al Leiter from the Marlins for a player to be named. Leiter will pitch tomorrow night and win.

    Jul 15, 2005 - The Orioles beat the Mariners‚ 6-3. Baltimore's Rafael Palmeiro doubles in the 5th inning for the 3‚000th hit of his ML career. Palmeiro is the 26th player to reach he milestone‚ and just the 4th to have 3‚000 hits and 500 HRs. Hank Aaron‚ Willie Mays‚ and Eddie Murray are the only others to have done so.

    Jul 14, 2005 - Rich Harden of the Athletics takes a perfect game into the 8th inning before Alfonse Soriano's one-out single stops it. Harden finishes with a 2-hit‚ 6-0 win over Texas giving the A's their 14th win in 17 games. Eric Chavez's homer off Chan Ho Park (8-4) is all the scoring Harden needs.

    Jul 13, 2005 - The Red Sox obtain P Chad Bradford from the Athletics in exchange for OF Jay Payton.

    Jul 13, 2005 - The Rockies acquire OF Eric Byrnes‚ minor league IF Omar Quintanilla‚ and cash from the Athletics. In return‚ Colorado sends pitchers Joe Kennedy and Jay Witasick to Oakland.

    Jul 13, 2005 - The Nationals trade P Zach Day‚ OF J.J. Davis‚ and a player to be named to the Rockies for OF Preston Wilson and cash.

    Jul 12, 2005 - The American League downs the National League‚ 7-5‚ in the All-Star Game. Miguel Tejada is named the game's MVP.

    Jul 11, 2005 - The Twins acquire 2B Bret Boone from the Mariners for a player to be named‚ but they wil release the former MVP in three weeks.

    Jul 11, 2005 - Bobby Abreu wins the All-Star Home Run Derby by clouting a record 41 round-trippers. Ivan Rodriguez finishes 2nd in the contest.

    Jul 11, 2005 - Major League Baseball announces plans for an 18-day World Baseball Classic to be held next March.

    Jul 9, 2005 - The Orioles down the Red Sox‚ 9-1‚ as Rafael Palmeiro drives in 6 runs and Miguel Tejada goes 5-for-5 including two doubles and a triple. Palmiero hits a 3-run HR in the bottom of the 3rd after O's CF Luis Matos robs David Ortiz of a 3-run homer by reaching over the fence to grab the fly. Johnn Damon has 2 hits to extend his hitting streak to 24 games.

    Jul 9, 2005 - A bitter cup of coffee. As the Cubs defeat the Marlins‚ 8-2‚ Chicago OF Adam Greenberg makes his ML debut in the 9th inning and is hit in the head by the first pitch he sees from Valerio de los Santos. Greenberg will go on the DL‚ then go to the minors‚ then be released on November.

    Jul 9, 2005 - The Rockies defeat the Padres‚ 1-0‚ behind Jason Jennings 7 innings pitched It is the first 1-0 game in the history of hitter-friendly Coors Field; there have been three 2-0 games. Coming in the 847th game at Coors‚ it breaks the previous record of 635 games held by the Philadelphia Athletics of the American Association from 1882 to 1891 at the Jefferson Street Grounds.

    Jul 8, 2005 - The Tigers beat the Devil Rays‚ 7-3. TB outfielder Carl Crawford becomes just the 5th player in ML history to steal 150 bases and have 500 hits before turning 24 years old. Ty Cobb‚ Cesar Cedeno‚ Sherry Magee‚ and Rickey Henderson are the only others to have turned the trick.

    Jul 8, 2005 - Indians reliever Rafael Betancourt receives a 10-day suspension from baseball for testing positive for a banned substance.

    Jul 8, 2005 - The International Olympic Committee announces that baseball and softball will be dropped for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

    Jul 7, 2005 - The Indians trade 2B Alex Cora to the Red Sox in exchange for IF Ramon Vazquez.

    Jul 6, 2005 - The Marlins come from behind against the Brewers to win‚ 5-4‚ in the 12th inning on Juan Encarnacion's RBI single. Nine of the first 17 Brewers reach base against AJ Burnett before he retires 10 in a row. The next 18 hitters don't reach base either for a total of 28 in a row. Marlin pitchers strike out 22 batters‚ including 14 by Burnett‚ who ties the franchise record.

    Jul 4, 2005 - The Dodgers edge the Rockies‚ 4-3‚ in 11 innings. Rookie SS Oscar Robles gets 5 hits for LA.

    Jul 1, 2005 - Led by Reed Johnson‚ who did not even start the game‚ the Blue Jays roll to a 15-2 victory over the Red Sox. Johnson comes in as a pinch hitter for Frank Catalanotto in the 6th and hits a grand slam‚ then follows with a two-run single in the 7th. Ted Lilly is the winning pitcher.

    Jul 1, 2005 - The Twins down the last-place Devil Rays‚ 7-4‚ when Jacque Jones hits a 3-run triple in the 4-run 8th inning. The win goes to Jesse Crain (8-0) in relief of Johan Santana. The Canadian born Crain gives up a 2-run HR to Jorge Cantu but gets the win; coupled with his 3-0 record last year‚ he sets a mark for most consecutive relief wins (11) to start a career.

    Jul 1, 2005 - The Yankees send veteran Paul Quantrill to the Padres for pitchers Darrell May and Tim Redding and cash.

    Jun 30, 2005 - The Rangers pound the Angels‚ 18-5‚ as Kevin Mench hits 3 HRs in 3 successive innings and drives home 5 runs. He's just the 8th major leaguer to hit three in three straight innings. The last was Shea Hillenbrand‚ in 2003.

    Jun 29, 2005 - The Astros defeat the Rockies‚ 7-1 as Craig Biggio sets the modern record for being hit by pitches with the 268th of his career to break a tie with former record-holder Don Baylor.

    Jun 29, 2005 - The Rangers defeat the Angels‚ 7-6‚ in 11 innings. Prior to the game‚ Texas P Kenny Rogers has a run-in with 2 photographers that will ultimately result in his receiving a 20-game suspension from ML baseball.

    Jun 28, 2005 - Travis Hafner has 3 hits‚ including the go-ahead grand slam in the top of the 9th‚ to power the Indians to a 12-8 win over Boston. Hafner drives in 6 runs. Grady Sizemore scores 4 runs for the Tribe on no hits

    Jun 26, 2005 - The Cubs set down the White Sox‚ 2-0. Mark Prior‚ Jerome Williams‚ and Ryan Dempster combine to throw Chicago's 3rd 1-hitter of the season. Pablo Ozuna's single in the 3rd inning is the White Sox only hit.

    Jun 26, 2005 - The Red Sox defeat the Phillies‚ 12-8‚ for their 7th straight win. Manny Ramirez hits a grand slam for Boston‚ the 19th of his career to tie him with Eddie Murray for 2nd place on the all-time list.

    Jun 26, 2005 - The Pirates turned six double plays and beat the Cardinals in 10 innings. 5-4. The 6 twin killings is a franchise record and each one of the DPs is different (In order the scoring is 2-4; 5-4-3; 9-4; 4-6-3; 5-2-3; and 6-4-3). Pirate pitchers allow 11 hits and walk 8. Jason Bay has a 3-run HR in the 3rd and a game-tying solo shot in the top of the 9th. Jose Castillo hits a solo in the 10th for the victory.

    Jun 26, 2005 - Texas beats Florida‚ 6-2‚ to win its 6th College World Series title. David Maroul‚ the Longhorns #8 hitter‚ is named the series' outstanding player.

    Jun 25, 2005 - The Mets down the Yankees‚ 10-3‚ behind the pitching of Tom Glavine and two homers by Cliff Floyd. David Wright also has a homer and double. Both teams are now at .500 (37-37).

    Jun 25, 2005 - The Astros retire Jimmy Wynn's uniform #24 prior to their game with the Texas Rangers.

    Jun 24, 2005 - The Mets defeat the Yankees‚ 6-4 behind Pedro Martinez's strong 8 innings pitched. The Mets set a NL record by hitting 3 sacrifice flies (Castro‚ Reyes‚ Cameron) in the 3-run 2nd inning. One of the balls is dropped by Bernie Williams for an error. The last team to have three sac flies in an inning was the White Sox whodid it against Cleveland in the 1st game of a doubleheader on July 1‚ 1962. The Mets tie another NL mark with 4 sac flies in the game.

    Jun 24, 2005 - Nebraska junior 3B Alex Gordon wins the Golden Spikes award as college baseball's best player. Gordon was selected by the Royals with the 2nd pick in this year's amateur draft.

    Jun 22, 2005 - The Yankees trail the Devil Rays‚ 10-2‚ before rallying to score 13 in the 8th and and winning 20-11. According to Elias‚ they tie the major league record for largest margin of victory by a team with a 8+ run comeback. The record was originally set by the Indians‚ who also trailed the Devil Rays 10-2 and beat them 20-11‚ in 1999. Yankees SS Derek Jeter has 5 hits (1 2B‚ 1 HR)‚ while DH Hideki Matsui has 4 hits (1 2B‚ 1 HR‚ 1 BB). The 31 runs is the biggest total at home for the Yankees‚ while the 3 homers with 2 out ties a June 28‚1939 mark.

    Jun 21, 2005 - The Yankees overcome a 10-2 deficit and score 13 runs in the 8th inning on their way to a 20-11 shellacking of the Devil Rays. The Bombers set a total bases record in the frame with 27‚ while the two teams combine for a AL record-tying 77 total bases (TB 32‚ NY‚ 45) in the game. Derek Jeter leads the 23-hit NY attack with 5 hits‚ including a 2B and HR and scores 5 runs; Gary Sheffield hits a pair of homers and drives in 7 runs.

    Jun 21, 2005 - The Angels trip the Rangers‚ 8-6‚ as Darin Erstad has 3 hits and extends his hitting streak to 21 consecutive games.

    Jun 21, 2005 - The Reds fire manager Dave Miley (27-43) and replace him with bench coach Jerry Narron for the remainder of the season.

    Jun 19, 2005 - Rafael Palmeiro hits his 560th career HR and Sosa adds a clutch-RBI single to push the Orioles to a 4-2 win over Colorado. 20-year-old Hayden Penn (2-0) goes 6 2/3 innings for the win. Manager Lee Mazzilli is thrown out of the game in the 6th inning for protesting a foul call. He tosses a tray of bubble gum onto the field and will earn a one-game suspension for it. In 2003 Devil Rays pitcher Jeremi Gonzalez tossed a bucket of sun flower seeds onto the field and earned no time off; last year Billy Wagner got a two-game suspension for tossing a stack of cups and then followed by trying to heave the water cooler onto the field.

    Jun 18, 2005 - The Orioles beat the Rockies‚ 7-2‚ as Sammy Sosa hits the 583rd HR of his career to tie Mark McGwire for 6th place on the all-time list.

    Jun 18, 2005 - In inter-league play‚ Derek Jeter hits his first career (5‚770 at bats) grand slam to pace the Yankees to an 8-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Jeter connects in the 6th inning‚ off Joe Borowksi‚ then adds a solo shot in the 8th. Jason Dubois's first ML homer‚ off Chien-Ming Wang‚ is the only score for the Cubs.

    Jun 18, 2005 - The Homer (Michigan) HS baseball team loses to Saginaw Nouvel in the Michigan State Division III final. The aptly named Homer team set a high school record for the longest winning streak two weeks ago with 74 straight wins.

    Jun 17, 2005 - The Braves double the Reds‚ 10-5‚ as Andruw Jones and Kelly Johnson each homer twice for Atlanta. One of Johnson's homers is a grand slam as he drives in 6 runs to join fellow rookie Ryan Langerhans who drove in 6 runs on May 8. The 1987 Red Sox were the last to have a pair of rookies each drive home six. Felipe Lopez has 3 RBIs on 4 hits‚ including a HR‚ for the Reds.

    Jun 17, 2005 - That's called slamming the door. Jason Shmidt of the Giants pitches 8 shutout innings against the Tigers‚ but gives up singles to the first three hitters in the 9th. Tyler Walker relieves with the bases loaded and proceeds to strike out three straight batters for the save as the Giants win‚ 4-0. Walker is the first to do this since the save became an official stat in 1969. Schmidt's batterymate Methany has 3 hits.

    Jun 16, 2005 - The White Sox score 10 runs in the 6th inning on their way to a 12-6 come-from-behind victory over the Diamondbacks.

    Jun 14, 2005 - The Cardinals shut out the Blue Jay‚ 7-0‚ behind Chris Carpenter's one-hitter. Russ Adams' 2-out double in the 6th inning is Toronto's only safety.

    Jun 14, 2005 - The Red Sox down the Reds‚ 7-0‚ as David Wells‚ Mike Timlin‚ and Keith Foulke combine on a one-hitter. Ryan Freel's 6th inning single is the only Cincinnati hit.

    Jun 14, 2005 - The Mariners defeat the Phillies‚ 3-1. Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki collects his 1‚000th major league hit in the 1st inning‚ becoming just the 3rd player since 1900 to reach the plateau in less than 700 games.

    Jun 14, 2005 - The Nationals down the Angels‚ 6-3. Even before a pitch is thrown in the 7th, Nationals manager Frank Robinson calls for an inspection of Angels reliever Brendan Donnelly's glove. Both benches clear and Robinson and Angels manager Mike Scioscia have to be physically separated. Donnelly is ejected from the game for having a foreign substance on his glove, and he will eventually be suspended for 10 days for the offense.

    Jun 13, 2005 - The Red Sox trounce the Reds‚ 10-3. In a ceremony prior to the game‚ the Sox honor Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk and the 12th inning HR he hit to win Game 6 of the 1976 WS by naming the foul pole where it landed the "Fisk Pole."

    Jun 12, 2005 - The Athletics defeat the Braves‚ 11-5‚ as Eric Chavez gets 5 hits‚ including a pair of HRs. Chavez also had a double and 4 RBI.

    Jun 12, 2005 - The Dodgers edge the Twins‚ 4-3‚ as Hee-Seop Choi connects for 3 HRs‚ giving him a total of 6 in the 3-game series.

    Jun 11, 2005 - Marlon Anderson hits a rare pinch hit game-tying inside-the-park homerun in the 9th inning as the Mets match the Angels‚ 2-2. The Angels plate a run in the top of the 10th but Cliff Floyd's 3-run homer in the bottom of the frame ends it‚ 5-3.

    Jun 10, 2005 - The Orioles down the Reds‚ 4-3. The interleague matchup marks the first time in history that three 500-HR players appear in the same game-Sammy Sosa‚ Rafael Palmeiro‚ and Ken Griffey Jr.

    Jun 10, 2005 - In their first meeting since 1918‚ the Cubs beat the Red Sox‚ 14-6‚ at Wrigley using a 20-hit attack. Winning pitcher Greg Maddux hits his 1st homer in six years and Jeromy Burnitz hits 2 homers and Todd Hollandsworth one. David Ortiz has a pair of homers for the Sox.

    Jun 10, 2005 - The Brewers trade 2B Junior Spivey to the Nationals for P Tomo Ohka.

    Jun 10, 2005 - The 1919 contract that sent Babe Ruth from the Red Sox to the Yankees brings a staggering $996‚000 at auction.

    Jun 10, 2005 - Terry Mulholland of Minnesota and Mike MacDougal of Kansas City both throw one pitch and each pockets a loss when that is hit for a home run. Hee-Seop Choi of the Dodgers hits his 2nd of the game of Mulholland in the 9th to give LA a 6-5 win. Eric Gagne is the winner as the Dodgers relievers retire 21 batters in a row following Moreau's triple in the 3rd. It is the first meeting of the two teams since the 1965 WS.

    Jun 10, 2005 - After blowing an 11-3 lead in the 8th‚ Troy Glaus of Arizona homers off Mike MacDougal in the 10th to give Arizona a 12-11 win over Kansas City. The D'Backs took the lead on Shawn Green's two homers and 5 RBI‚ but 10 walks to the Royals help bring them back. Ruben Gotay (HR) and David DeJesus (3B) each drive in 2 runs in the Royals' 6-run 8th. KC starting pitcher Zack Greinke hits a homer but they pay him to pitch and he allows 15 hits and 11 runs in 4+ innings‚ recording just 13 outs. Greinke joins Eppa Rixey (1927)‚ Bill Sherdel (1931) and Scott Sanders (1998) as the only pitchers to give up 15 hits while recording 13 outs or fewer in a game (Elias Sports Bureau)‚

    Jun 8, 2005 - The Yankees pound the Brewers‚ 12-3‚ as Alex Rodriguez strokes the 400th HR of his career. He becomes the 40th-and youngest-player to reach the plateau.

    Jun 8, 2005 - The Phillies obtain P Ugueth Urbina and IF Ramon Martinez from the Tigers in exchange for IF Placido Polanco. According to Booth Newspapers‚ the Tigers decided to trade Urbina after he drank too much and fought with his teammates during a flight to Los Angeles.

    Jun 8, 2005 - The Royals send OF/C Eli Marrero to the Orioles. KC get minor league IF Pete Maestrales in return.

    Jun 7, 2005 - The Diamondbacks select high school SS Justin Upton with the 1st pick of the baseball amateur draft. Alex Gordon‚ a 3B from the U of Nebraska‚ goes #2 to Kansas City. Seattle takes USC catcher Jeff Clement with #3‚ while Ryan Zimmerman of U of Washington goes to the Nationals with the #4 pick. Washington will bring him up in 2005 and he will hit a sparkling .397 (23-58). Pitcher Joey Devine‚ picked #21 by St. Louis‚ is the other first round pick to make it to the Bigs this year‚ becoming the first player from this year's amateur draft to play in the majors when he makes his debut on August 20. Devine will be 0-1. Ryan Braun‚ a first team all-American DH (Baseball America) goes to Milwaukee with the 5th pick. Cal State-Fullerton P Ricky Romero goes to the Blue Jays at #6. Picking 9th‚ the Mets take 6'7" Wichita State pitcher Mike Pelfray‚ who is still available because of his agent Scott Boras. Questions about his signability will be answered in early 2005 when he signs for $5.25 million.

    Jun 7, 2005 - After Carl Crawford hits a 3-run HR in the 2nd against the Reds‚ Tampa Bay blows the 6-1 lead and loses 9-7. Winning pitcher Randy Keisler pitches 6 1/3 innings for the win‚ the first Reds reliever to pitch 6 innings in 15 years. He also hits a HR and a double‚ the first reliever with two extra base hits in 35 years. Ken Griffey‚ Jr. chips in with his 510th career homer.

    Jun 7, 2005 - The Blue Jays lose more than a 6-7 decision to Texas when ace Roy Halladay (12-4) is struck on the leg by a line drive off the bat of Kevin Mench. It is diagnosed as a non displaced fracture in his lower left leg and he will miss the season.

    Jun 6, 2005 - Bambi's revenge. Colorado SS Clint Barmes‚ hitting .329‚ falls while carrying frozen venison up a flight of stairs and breaks his collarbone. Barmes initially says he was carrying groceries up the stairs‚ but later‚ he will change his story saying it was not groceries‚ but a package of deer meat that he got from Todd Helton. Helton will confirm that they were riding all terrain vehicles‚ but insists that breach of contract was unrelated to the injury. The Rockies place SS Clint Barmes on the 60 day DL but he is out for the season. The Rocks call up C Danny Ardoin and INF Tim Olson.

    Jun 5, 2005 - Mike Lieberthal's controversial 3-run HR in the 6th lifts the Phillies to a 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks. Lieberthal's hit is first ruled a double but then is changed to a HR on appeal. Arizona manager Bob Melvin gets tossed for arguing otherwise. Luis Gonzalez's 300th career HR in the 8th closes the gap to 6-5.

    Jun 3, 2005 - The Diamondbacks obtain P Matt Herges from the Giants for OF Doug DeVore.

    Jun 1, 2005 - The Twins down the Indians‚ 6-2. Torii Hunter is the story for Minnesota as he goes 5-for-5‚ with a double and a grand slam‚ and drives in all 6 runs.

    Jun 1, 2005 - In Boston, the Orioles down the Red Sox, 9-3, behind the pitching of Sidney Ponson. Sammy Sosa, Benji Gil and Miguel Tejada hits HRs over the Green Monster against Tim Wakefield. Tejada adds 3 doubles for 4 extra base hits. For Sosa, it is 16 years between homers at Fenway (June 21, 1989), a ML record.

    Jun 1, 2005 - Florida loses its 9th in a row in Pittsburgh‚ 9-1‚ and drops a game behind the Braves in the NL East. Rob Mackowksi hits his 2nd career grand slam and Jack Wilson is 4-for-4 to pace the attack. The last Marlin win in Pittsburgh was September 8‚ 2002

    Jun 1, 2005 - Roy Oswalt improves to 14-0 against the Reds‚ a ML record‚ as Houston wins 4-1. Lance Berkman homers to back Oswalts pitching. Pedro Martinex is 13-0 against Seattle.

    Jun 1, 2005 - The Cubs trounce the Dodgers‚ 9-5. Derrek Lee continues his torrid hitting with 5 hits‚ including a HR‚ to raise his BA to .380.

    May 31, 2005 - The Royals hire Buddy Bell as their new manager.

    May 31, 2005 - The Cubs down the Dodgers‚ 2-1‚ in 10 innings. Carlos Zambrano‚ Michael Wuertz‚ and Ryan Dempster combine to hold Los Angeles to one hit-a 3rd inning bloop double by Cesar Izturis.

    May 31, 2005 - Making his 2005 debut‚ Indians outfielder Juan Gonzalez aggravates a strained hamstring running out a ground ball in the first inning. He'll miss the rest of the year except for this one at bat. Victor Martinez hits a 2-run homer in the 6th to help C.C. Sabathia to the win.

    May 28, 2005 - The Red Sox pound out 27 hits in a 17-1 rout of the Yankees. Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez each get 4 hits for Boston.

    May 28, 2005 - In Phoenix‚ Javier Vazquez holds off a Dodger rally in 6th and clubs a homer in the 7th off reliever Duaner Sanchez to tie the game. He then gets lifted before throwing another pitch as the Diamondbacks earn a 5-4 win over Los Angeles. Luis Terrero‚ batting against Sanchez‚ hits a bouncer up the middle that goes high over Sanchez's head. Sanchez throws his glove at the ball and hits it‚ knocking it down. His throw to first is late but no matter as Terrero is awarded a unique infield triple.

    May 27, 2005 - The Mets defeat the Marlins‚ 12-4. SS Jose Reyes clouts 2 triples for New York‚ giving him 7 in his last 10 games. It is the most triples hit in 10 games by any major leaguer.

    May 27, 2005 - Cubs P Mark Prior has to leave the game‚ in the 4th inning after being hit in the elbow by a line drive off the bat of Brad Hawpe. A MRI shows a fracture that will sideline the ace indefinitely‚ but he will be back in action next month. Todd Wellemeyer fills in to earn the 10-3 win over the Rockies. Derrek Lee hits two homers‚ Neifi Perez has a HR and 4 RBI‚ and Corey Patterson adds a solo shot.

    May 25, 2005 - The Astros break a 7-game losing streak beating Greg Maddux and the Chicago Cubs‚ 5-1. Maddux gets 17 of his 23 outs on the ground in the loss. LaTroy Hawkins of the Cubs retire the Houston Astros in the 9th inning on three pitched balls.

    May 23, 2005 - Lefthander Mark Mulder of the St. Louis Cardinals becomes just the 12th NL pitcher since 1976 to throw a complete game shutout of 10 innings or more when he blanks the Houston Astros, 1-0, in 10. Greg Maddux in 1988 posted the last NL extra-inning shutout in 1988.

    May 22, 2005 - The Twins score 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th off Derrick Turnbow to tie the Brewers at 5 apiece. Shannon Stewart's homer is the big blow. The Twins then win in 11 innings‚ 6-5. Lew Ford has 3 hits and 3 runs including the game-winner. Minnesota ties their team record with 17 strikeouts in an extra inning game. The mark was set in 1987.

    May 21, 2005 - The Rangers explode for 8 runs in the 2nd inning on their way to an 18-3 win over the Astros. Mark Teixeira‚ Rod Barajas‚ Hank Blalock‚ and Laynce Nix all homer in the frame to tie a club record.

    May 21, 2005 - The Braves score 6 runs off starter Tim Wakefield and beat the Red Sox‚ 7-5. Rookie Kyle Davies wins in his ML debut‚ the furst Brave pitcher to do so since David Nied debuted on Spetember 1‚ 1992.

    May 21, 2005 - The Mets batter Randy Johnson for 9 hits in 3+ innings and beat the Yankees‚ 7-1. Kris Benson pitches into the 7th inning before being lifted for Dae-Sung Koo. Koo K's two and then in the bottom of the inning hits a double over Bernie Williams' head in CF. Koo goes to 3rd on a sac bunt and continues home when Posada is late covering the plate and scores sliding. Koo later admits he has not been on base in nearly 20 years.

    May 20, 2005 - Minnesota's Carlos Silva throws just 74 pitches in a 7-1 complete game win against the Milwaukee Brewers. The only Brewer run is a homer by Damian Miller. Juan Catro has a HR for the Twins and Nick Punto 4 hits.

    May 18, 2005 - The Mets down the Reds‚ 10-6‚ to give them a sweep of their 3-game series. Sean Casey gets 5 hits for Cincinnati‚ including a 2B and HR‚ in a losing cause.

    May 18, 2005 - Mets groundskeeper Pepe Valila is arrested as part of a $360 million Mafia gambling ring. Valila will admit to placing bets within Shea Stadium for two Mets employees and will be suspended today from his $80‚000 a year job and later fired. Mets clubhouse manager Nick Priore is named as one of the Mets employees placing a bet.

    May 18, 2005 - The Mariners defeat the Yankees‚ 7-6‚ to snap New York's 10-game winning streak.

    May 17, 2005 - The Indians pound Ervin Santana in his ML debut‚ sending the Angels down to defeat‚ 13-5. In the first 10 pitches he throws‚ Santana is clocked for a cycle‚ surrendering a triple‚ double‚ single‚ and HR.

    May 15, 2005 - The Mariners defeat the Red Sox‚ 5-4. Manny Ramirez hits the 400th HR of his career for Boston in a losing cause. He is the 39th player in ML history-and the 5th fastest-to reach the number.

    May 15, 2005 - Brandon Backe tosses a 4-hitter as the Astros shut out the Giants‚ 9-0. Morgan Ensberg clouts 3 HRs and drives in 5 of the runs.

    May 15, 2005 - The Orioles down the White Sox‚ 6-2. The game marks the first time this season that Chicago has not led a contest. The run of 37 straight games is the 3rd-longest ever.

    May 14, 2005 - Kevin Brown allows 5 runs in 6 innings but still wins his 100th AL game as the Yankees pummel Oakland‚ 15-6. Brown has now won 100 games in each league‚ the 9th player to do so. He's backed by homers from Derek Jeter‚ Arod‚ Posada‚ and Tino Martinez‚ who drives in 5 runs.

    May 14, 2005 - For the second time in a week‚ White Sox leadoff batter Scott Podsednik steals four bases‚ in a 9-6 loss to the Orioles. Rickey Henderson‚ of the Yankees in 1991‚ was the last to do it twice in a season. Scott steals 2B and 3B on his two singles Tomorrow‚ Tony Womack of the Yankees will steal 4 bases for the second time in four days to match Podsednik.

    May 11, 2005 - The Padres down the Reds‚ 7-2. Mark Loretta leads the Pods attack with 5 hits‚ including a double.

    May 10, 2005 - Tony Pena resigns as manager of the Royals and coach Bob Schaeffer takes over the position on an interim basis. Last year‚ with the Royals at 7-15‚ Pena vowed‚ "We are going to win the Central." They finished last and this year had dropped 16 of their last 19.

    May 9, 2005 - Oakland knuckles under to Tim Wakefield (4-1) and the Red Sox‚ 13-5‚ as Trot Nixon and Kevin Millar help with homeruns. A's manager Ken Macha of the Oakland A's gets thumbed out by ump Mark Carlsen‚ the first ejection he's evr had had. He was never rejected as a player beginning in 1974.

    May 8, 2005 - The Cardinals score 11 runs in the 1st inning and go on to defeat the Padres‚ 15-5.

    May 8, 2005 - Behind Mike Hampton's 2-hitter‚ the Braves pound the Astros‚ 16-0. The Braves sweep the 4-game series and hand Houston its 11th straight road loss. Hampton hits his 15th career HR to go along with 2 homers and a double by rookie Ryan Langerhans (6 RBI)‚ and one each by Andruw Jones and Eddie Perez.

    May 8, 2005 - It took a while for the Saints to wake up Sunday morning but when they did they brought their bats. Tim Marks' two-run RBI single in a three-run eighth inning lifted St. Paul to a 6-6 tie with Sioux Falls in the earliest professional baseball game ever started: 5:35 a.m. A crowd of 2‚253-including some 280 fans who stayed overnight-attended at Midway Stadium. The game was called after nine innings due to mutual agreement.

    May 6, 2005 - The Dodgers explode for 10 runs in the 1st inning and go on to trounce the Reds‚ 13-6. Jeff Kent matches a franchise record with 5 RBIs in the frame‚ while Hee-seop Choi has 2 homers‚ one in the 1st inning. Veteran Paul Wilson is guilty of allowing most of the runs‚ giving up 8 runs‚ all earned‚ on 5 hits‚ a walk and two hit batsmen. He and Blake Stein are the only pitchers since 1960 to give up 8 runs without recording an out.

    May 6, 2005 - The Padres defeat the Cardinals‚ 6-5‚ as Trevor Hofman gets his 400th career save. He becomes the 3rd pitcher in history to reach the plateau‚ following Lee Smith (478) and John Franco (424).

    May 2, 2005 - In the greatest comeback in team history‚ the Cardinals score 7 runs in the 9th inning to overcome a 6-run deficit and give them a 10-9 win over the Reds. It is the first time the Reds blow a 6-run 9th inning lead since 1952.

    May 2, 2005 - The Yankees shrug off Andy Phillips's record-tying 5 strikeouts and beat Tampa Bay‚ 6-2.

    May 1, 2005 - The Brewers defeat the Reds‚ 13-3. Lyle Overbay leads the 19-hit Milwaukee attack with 5 safeties‚ including a double and HR.

    May 1, 2005 - The Angels edge the Twins‚ 2-1‚ with HRs by Vladimir Guerrero and Jose Molina accounting for their only 2 hits. The loss goes to Johan Santana‚ ending Santana's 17-game winning streak (over 2 seasons).

    Apr 30, 2005 - The Athletics defeat the Mariners‚ 6-5‚ in 10 innings. Oakland's Mark Kotsay strokes 5 hits‚ including a game-winning single.

    Apr 30, 2005 - The Nationals down the Mets‚ 5-3‚ in a rain-soaked game that is called before the bottom half of the 8th inning. In an unusual move‚ both managers protest the contest due to the horrible playing conditions.

    Apr 30, 2005 - Commissioner Bud Selig asks players to agree to a 50-game suspension for first-time steroid offenders and a lifetime ban for a third violation under what he calls a "three strikes and you are out approach" to doping. Selig proposes a 100-game ban for a second offense‚ and also asks the union to ban amphetamines and to have more frequent random drug tests.

    Apr 29, 2005 - The Cubs defeat the Astros‚ 3-2‚ in the first matchup of 300-game winners in nearly 18 years. Greg Maddux outduels Roger Clemens for his 306th career victory‚ even though The Rocket has two hits off him. The last match-up of 300 game winners in the National League was 1892.

    Apr 27, 2005 - The Cardinals defeat the Brewers‚ 6-3‚ as 2B Mark Grudzielanek hits for the cycle.

    Apr 27, 2005 - The Pirates edge the Astros‚ 2-0‚ behind Kip Wells. Jose Mesa sets Houston down in order in the 9th for his 300th career save. He becomes the 19th pitcher in ML history to reach the mark.

    Apr 26, 2005 - The Yankees pound the Angels‚ 12-4. Alex Rodriguez strokes 3 HRs and a single for NY‚ and becomes the 11th player in history to drive in 10 runs in a game.

    Apr 26, 2005 - The Blue Jays defeat the Devil Rays‚ 7-5. TB starter Dewon Brazelton takes the loss‚ giving him a lifetime record of 0-13 on the road. He is the first pitcher in 56 years to begin his career with that many consecutive road losses. Cincinnati's Kent Peterson did so in 1947-49.

    Apr 25, 2005 - The Red Sox drub the Toronto Blue Jays‚ 12-7 jumping on the first two pitchers for the Jays‚ Bush and League. Together the two (a.k.a. Dave and Brandon) surrendered nine runs in four and two-thirds innings.

    Apr 19, 2005 - The Mets slug a team record 7 HRs in a 16-4 pasting of the Phillies. Jose Reyes and Victor Diaz each hit a pair of round-trippers and Mike Piazza‚ Doug Mientkiewicz‚ and David Wright also homer. Wright's blast is a grand slam.

    Apr 18, 2005 - The Yankees score an AL record-tying (for the inning) 13 runs in the 2nd inning on their way to a 19-8 thrashing of the Devil Rays. Alex Rodriguez leads the 20-hit attack with 5 safeties‚ including 2 doubles and a pair of HRs‚ and 6 RBI. He scores 5 runs. Tino Martinez also drives home 6 runs for NY. The last time the Yankees scored 13 runs in an inning was in 1945; the team record of 14 in an inning was set in 1920 against the Senators.

    Apr 18, 2005 - The Dodgers down the Brewers‚ 7-3‚ as Milton Bradley becomes the 7th Dodger to hit HRs from both sides of the plate in the same game.

    Apr 16, 2005 - In the 8-0 Blue Jay win at Texas‚ Reed Johnson ties a big-league record when he is hit by a pitch three times; the Blue Jay outfielder is the 21st player plunked thrice. Johnny Gomes will tie this on August 15.

    Apr 15, 2005 - The Mets down the Marlins‚ 4-0‚ behind Aaron Heilman's 1-hit shutout. Luis Castillo's 4th inning infield single is the only safety recorded by Florida as Heilman hurls the 1st complete game of his career.

    Apr 15, 2005 - San Francisco scores 9 runs off Jamey Wright in 4 innings and scales the Rockies‚ 13-6. Noah Lowry is just slightly better allowing 9 hits and 6 runs in 5+ innings for the win. Pedro Feliz helps with a grand slam and 5 RBI‚ whiel the Rocks get offense from Clint Barmes‚ with 4 hits including 2 homers‚ and Mike Restovich with 3 hits. It won't assure Restovich of a job‚ however: he was acquired from the Twins on April 6‚ who had gotten him from Tampa Bay on March 31. Colorado will send him to Pittsburgh on May 11‚ and the Bucs will pass on him in November. In January 2006 the Cubs will sign him.

    Apr 15, 2005 - The Astros pound the Reds‚ 11-2‚ collecting 9 extra base hits including a pair of homers by Jason Lane. It is the 12th straight win for Houston over Cincinnati. The scoring might have been greater except for a unassisted DP by Reds catcher Jason LaRue who snags a popped bunt and tags the runner from 3B.

    Apr 14, 2005 - The Nationals beat the Diamondbacks‚ 5-3‚ in the first game played in Washington‚ DC‚ since 1971. Livan Hernandez gets the win for Washington and Vinny Castilla hits a HR and drives in 4 runs.

    Apr 13, 2005 - The Mariners defeat the Royals‚ 2-1‚ to give manager Mike Hargrove his 1‚000th career victory. He is the 51st skipper in history to reach the mark.

    Apr 12, 2005 - The Twins fight back to defeat the Tigers‚ 5-4. Shannon Stewart's ground rule double off Troy Percival in the bottom of the 9th plates the winning run. It is the first run scored by the Twins off Percival in 40 innings over the past 6 years.

    Apr 10, 2005 - Atlanta's John Smoltz pitches 7+ innings striking out 15 batters‚ but he loses‚ 6-1 to the Mets. Pedro Martinez is even better‚ allowing 2 hits in a complete game victory. Smoltz is just the 15th pitcher since 1960 to strike out 15 batters and lose (according to Retrosheet).

    Apr 9, 2005 - The Brewers manage only 1 hit off Victor Zambrano‚ Chad Fox‚ and LaTroy Hawkins-a 2nd inning single by Russell Branyan-as the Cubs set them down 4-0. It is the 1st loss of the season for Milwaukee‚ the last undefeated ML team.

    Apr 9, 2005 - The Blue Jays down the Red Sox‚ 12-5. Toronto jumps out to a 5-1 advantage in the 3rd inning on consecutive HRs by Vernon Wells‚ Corey Koskie‚ and Shea Hillenbrand.

    Apr 7, 2005 - Down 5-2‚ the Cleveland Indians Casey Blake, Coco Crisp and Ron Belliard hit three home runs in the 9th inning to tie the White Sox. Cleveland scores 6 more in the 11th to win the game, 11-5.

    Apr 6, 2005 - The Nationals defeat the Phillies‚ 7-3‚ for the team's first win while representing the city of Washington. Brad Wilkerson is the hero for the Nationals‚ hitting for the 2nd cycle of his career. He also accomplished the feat against the Pirates on June 24‚ 2003.

    Apr 5, 2005 - The Twins down the Mariners‚ 8-4‚ as Cy Young winner Johan Santana wins his 1st game of the season. In giving up 4 runs‚ however‚ Santana's streak of 22 straight starts allowing 3 or fewer runs is halted. It is the 2nd-longest streak of its kind in ML history.

    Apr 4, 2005 - The Detroit Tigers defeat the Kansas City Royals‚ 11-2‚ as Dmitri Young drives in five runs while becoming the third player in history to hit three homers on opening day. George Bell (1987) and Tuffy Rhodes (1994) were the others. Jeremy Bonderman gets the win for Detroit‚ becoming the youngest starter to win on opening day since Dwight Gooden in 1986.

    Apr 4, 2005 - The Washington Nationals fall to the Phillies‚ 8-4‚ in their first regular season game since relocating from Montreal.

    Apr 4, 2005 - Rookie Clint Barmes' 2-run HR off Trevor Hoffman in the bottom of the 9th gives the Rockies a 12-10 comeback win over the Padres. Aaron Miles has 5 hits for Colorado‚ including a pair of doubles.

    Apr 4, 2005 - The Mariners defeat the Twins‚ 5-1‚ as Seattle 1B Richie Sexson hits HRs in his first 2 plate appearances for his new team‚ and drives home all 5 of their runs.

    Apr 4, 2005 - The Chicago Cubs pound out 23 hits as they cruise to a 16-6 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Chicago third baseman Aramis Ramirez‚ who inked a four-year $42 million contract this morning‚ is 3-for-4 with a homer and 4 RBIs. Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano gets tossed in the fifth inning.

    Apr 4, 2005 - Seattle's Damian Moss and Ryan Christianson are among 38 players suspended for violating baseball's minor league steroids policy‚ a group that includes eight players from the Mariners' organization. Oakland's David Castillo is suspended for 60 games‚ the penalty for a third violation. All the others are suspended for 15 games‚ the ban given to first offenders.

    Apr 3, 2005 - The Yankees defeat the Red Sox‚ 9-2‚ to open the 2005 baseball season. Randy Johnson gets the win for NY‚ while Hideki Matsui gets 3 hits‚ including a HR‚ drives home 3 runs‚ and robs Kevin Millar of a 2-run HR.

    Apr 3, 2005 - Devil Rays OF Alex Sanchez is suspended 10 days for violating baseball's new policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

    Mar 31, 2005 - The Devil Rays acquire IF Nick Green from the Braves for P Jorge Sosa.

    Mar 30, 2005 - The Pirates get C David Ross from the Dodgers for cash.

    Mar 30, 2005 - The Rockies obtain P Byung-Hyun Kim from the Red Sox in exchange for P Chris Narveson‚ C Charles Johnson‚ and cash.

    Mar 29, 2005 - The Angels obtain P Bret Prinz from the Yankees for C Wil Nieves.

    Mar 29, 2005 - The Cardinals send lefty Mike Myers to the Red Sox. In return‚ St. Louis receives OF Carlos de la Cruz and P Kevin Ool.

    Mar 29, 2005 - The Indians trade P Cliff Bartosh to the Cubs for P Ronald Bay.

    Mar 29, 2005 - The Mets get IF Benji Gil from the Mariners for cash.

    Mar 28, 2005 - The Astros get C Humberto Quintero from the Padres in exchange for P Tim Redding and cash.

    Mar 24, 2005 - In Tucson‚ a swarm of bees interrupts a Cactus League game between the Rockies and the Diamondbacks. The bees chase Rocks pitcher Darren Oliver from the mound and the game is delayed 20 minutes. Oliver thinks it is the coconut oil gel in his hair that attracted them. By the time play is resumed the bees have spread all over the field and SS Sergio Santos is chased to deep center field. The game is called after five innings.

    Mar 24, 2005 - In Jupiter‚ Cards PH Rick Ankiel hits an 8th in double in a 5-1 win over the Nationals. It is Ankiel's first hit since switching from pitching to playing the outfield.

    Mar 22, 2005 - The Red Sox send OF Adam Hyzdu to the Padres. In return‚ SD sends P Blaine Neal to Boston.

    Mar 22, 2005 - During a 10-minute impromptu press conference Barry Bonds uses the word "tired" 14 times and raises the issue of his retirement blaming the press for his troubles. Bonds, using crutches after his second knee operation in two months, continues to be plagued with questions about steroids. And two days ago Kimberly Bell talked about her nine-year relationship with the married Bonds. She alleged that Bonds used steroids, gave her $80,000 he supposedly had received for signing baseballs, and told her how to deposit the money to avoid an IRS audit. Ms. Bell has supplied no evidence to support the allegations regarding Bonds's steroid use, while Bond's former business partner, who claims it was he who gave Bell the $80,000, admits he has no idea whether Bonds paid taxes on the money.

    Mar 21, 2005 - A line drive fractures the arm of Cubs reliever Joe Borowski Kansas City Royals. Borkowski was recovering from a partially torn rotator cuff injury that ended his 2004 season last June.

    Mar 20, 2005 - The Mets trade C Jason Phillips to the Dodgers for P Kaz Ishii and cash considerations.

    Mar 17, 2005 - Several prominent modern day major league players testify before a House hearing on steroid use in the major leagues. Former HR king Mark McGwire refuses to deny he used the illegal substances‚ repeatedly saying he's "not here to talk about the past." Rafael Palmiero comes off the best‚ condemning steroid use and wagging his finger at the Senators saying‚ "he's never taken them."

    Mar 2, 2005 - The Veterans Committee fails to elect anyone to the Hall of Fame. Gil Hodges and Ron Santo come closest‚ each receiving 65 percent of the vote. A mark of 75 percent is needed for election.

    Mar 2, 2005 - Jackie Robinson is posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal‚ more than a half century after breaking baseball's color barrier. Robinson is the second baseball player ever to get the award. The first was Roberto Clemente in 1973.

    Feb 22, 2005 - Jerry Coleman is announced as the 2005 winner of the Ford C. Frick Award honoring baseball broadcasters.

    Feb 16, 2005 - The Yankees sign free agent IF Rey Sanchez to a contract.

    Feb 14, 2005 - Juiced: Wild Times‚ Rampant 'Roids‚ Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big‚ by former Oakland Athletics star Jose Canseco‚ is published. In the book‚ Canseco says he injected Mark McGwire‚ and introduced Ivan Rodriguez‚ Juan Gonzalez‚ Rafael Palmeiro‚ and Jason Giambi to steroids. All those named deny the accusations.

    Feb 13, 2005 - The White Sox trade OF Alex Escobar to the Nationals for OF Jerry Owens.

    Feb 9, 2005 - The Tigers obtain P Kyle Farnsworth from the Cubs. In return‚ Chicago receives P Roberto Novoa‚ IF Scott Moore‚ and OF Clarence Flowers.

    Feb 7, 2005 - Mazatlan Venados of Mexico wins the Caribbean Series with a 4-3 win over the Dominican team‚ Cibao Aguilas.

    Feb 6, 2005 - The Diamondbacks trade P Casey Fossum to the Devil Rays in exchange for OF Jose Cruz Jr.

    Feb 4, 2005 - The Rangers sign free agent P Pedro Astacio to a contract.

    Feb 2, 2005 - The Cubs send OF Sammy Sosa to the Orioles for 2B Jerry Hairston‚ IF Mike Fontenot‚ and P Dave Crouthers. Chicago then signs free agent OF Jeromy Burnitz to a contract.

    Feb 2, 2005 - The Marlins sign free agent P Jim Mecir to a contract.

    Jan 27, 2005 - The Mets acquire 1B Doug Mientkiewicz from the Red Sox in exchange for minor league 1B Ian Bladergroen.

    Jan 27, 2005 - The Marlins sign free agent 1B Carlos Delgado to a 4-year contract.

    Jan 24, 2005 - The Diamondbacks sign free agent 1B Tony Clark to a contract.

    Jan 23, 2005 - The Yankees sign free agent SS Rey Sanchez to a contract.

    Jan 23, 2005 - The Astros sign free agent P John Franco to a contract.

    Jan 21, 2005 - The Orioles sign free agent P Steve Reed to a contract.

    Jan 19, 2005 - The Braves sign free agent OF Brian Jordan to a contract.

    Jan 19, 2005 - The Brewers sign free P Ricky Bottalico to a contract.

    Jan 19, 2005 - The Nationals sign free agent Ps Esteban Loaiza and Antonio Osuna to contracts.

    Jan 18, 2005 - The Indians sign free agent IF Alex Cora to a two-year contract.

    Jan 17, 2005 - The Devil Rays sign free agent 2B Roberto Alomar to a contract.

    Jan 13, 2005 - Major League Baseball announces an agreement on a new steroid-testing policy with the Players Association‚ effective from 2005 through 2008.

    Jan 13, 2005 - The Dodgers sign free agent C Paul Bako to a contract.

    Jan 13, 2005 - The Devil Rays sign free agent OF Danny Bautista to a contract.

    Jan 12, 2005 - The Diamondbacks sign free agent P Shawn Estes‚ 15-8 with the Rockies. Arizona also sends IF Shea Hillenbrand to the Blue Jays in exchange for P Adam Peterson.

    Jan 11, 2005 - The Yankees obtain P Randy Johnson from the Diamondbacks. Arizona receives pitchers Javier Vazquez and Bret Halsey‚ C Dioner Navarro‚ and cash from NY. Arizona then sends Navarro and Ps Danny Muegge‚ Beltran Perez‚ and William Juarez to the Dodgers in exchange for OF Shawn Green and cash.

    Jan 11, 2005 - The Mets sign free agent OF Carlos Beltran to a 7-year contract.

    Jan 11, 2005 - The Phillies sign free agent P Terry Adams to a contract.

    Jan 11, 2005 - The Toronto Blue Jays sign free agent P Scott Schoeneweis to a 2-year contract.

    Jan 11, 2005 - The Padres sign free agent P Chris Hammond to a contract.

    Jan 11, 2005 - The Dodgers sign free agent P Derek Lowe to a 4-year contract.

    Jan 10, 2005 - The Cubs obtain P Stephen Randolph from the Diamondbacks in exchange for a player to be named.

    Jan 10, 2005 - The Mets sign free agent IF Miguel Cairo to a contract.

    Jan 10, 2005 - The Blue Jays sign free agent P Billy Koch to a contract.

    Jan 8, 2005 - The Indians sign free agent P Kevin Millwood to a contract.

    Jan 7, 2005 - The Braves sign free agent P Gabe White to a contract.

    Jan 6, 2005 - The White Sox sign free agent C AJ Pierzynski to a contract.

    Jan 6, 2005 - The Rockies sign free agent OF Dustan Mohr and IF Desi Relaford to contracts.

    Jan 6, 2005 - The Tigers acquire C Vance Wilson from the Mets in exchange for Minor league SS Anderson Hernandez.

    Jan 6, 2005 - The Marlins sign free agent P John Riedling to a contract.

    Jan 6, 2005 - The Cardinals sign free agent 2B Mark Grudzielanek to a contract.

    Jan 5, 2005 - The Devil Rays sign free agent IF Alex Gonzalez to a contract.

    Jan 4, 2005 - Wade Boggs and Ryne Sandberg are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the sportswriters‚ Boggs in his 1st year of eligibility.

    Jan 4, 2005 - The Tigers sign free agent SS Ramon Martinez to a contract.

    Jan 3, 2005 - The Anaheim Angels announce the change of their name to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

    Dec 31, 2004 - The Yankees sign an insurance policy‚ inking free agent 1B Tino Martinez to a contract.

    Dec 29, 2004 - The Yankees sign free agent P Jaret Wright to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 27, 2004 - The Reds sign free agent P Eric Milton to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 27, 2004 - The Giants sign free agent OF Moises Alou to a contract.

    Dec 27, 2004 - Three more umpires will be rehired by major league baseball and six more will split $2.3 million in severance pay as part of a settlement of the dispute that cost 22 umps their jobs in 1999. The umpires will be brought back as part of a new five-year labor contract‚ a deal that also settles the nearly two-year-old grievance umpires filed over a computer system baseball has used to evaluate plate umps. Bob Davidson‚ an 18-year major league veteran‚ will get the next big league opening. Davidson‚ 52‚ umpired last season in the Class-A Midwest League. To resolve the grievance over the computer system‚ baseball agreed that umpires whose ball-and-strike calls are rated below standard by Questec will be evaluated by umpire supervisors based on videotape and in-game inspection.

    Dec 25, 2004 - The Royals sign free agent P Jose Lima to a contract.

    Dec 23, 2004 - The Red Sox sign free agent P Wade Miller to a contract.

    Dec 23, 2004 - The Dodgers sign free agent OF J.D. Drew to a 5-year contract.

    Dec 23, 2004 - The Cardinals sign free agent SS David Eckstein to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 22, 2004 - The Red Sox sign free agent P Matt Clement to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 22, 2004 - The Yankees sign free agent P Carl Pavano to a 4-year contract. The young ace pitched for the Marlins last year.

    Dec 22, 2004 - The White Sox sign free agent pitcher Orlando Hernandez to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 22, 2004 - No joke. The Cardinals sign free agent P Mike Myers to a contract.

    Dec 22, 2004 - The Padres sign free agent OF Mark Sweeney to a contract.

    Dec 22, 2004 - The Devil Rays sign free agent 1B Josh Phelps to a contract.

    Dec 21, 2004 - The Reds sign free agent 3B Joe Randa to a contract.

    Dec 21, 2004 - The Yankees sign free agent 2B Tony Womack to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 20, 2004 - The Orioles obtain IF Chris Gomez from the Phillies for cash. They also sign free agent P Steve Kline to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 20, 2004 - The Reds sign free agent P Kent Mercker to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 20, 2004 - The Angels sign free agent SS Orlando Cabrera to a 4-year contract.

    Dec 20, 2004 - The Rockies and Mariners exchange pitchers‚ with Aaron Taylor going to Colorado and Sean Green to Seattle.

    Dec 20, 2004 - The Dodgers sign free agent SS Jose Valentin to a contract.

    Dec 20, 2004 - The Padres acquire OF Dave Roberts from the Red Sox‚ sending OF Jay Payton‚ IF Ramon Vazquez‚ and P David Pauley to Boston.

    Dec 18, 2004 - The Athletics send star pitcher Mark Mulder to the Cardinals in exchange for pitchers Danny Haren and Kiko Calero and C Daric Barton.

    Dec 17, 2004 - The Red Sox sign free agent SS Edgar Renteria‚ recently with the Cardinals‚ to a 4-year contract.

    Dec 17, 2004 - The Marlins sign free agent P Antonio Alfonseca to a contract.

    Dec 17, 2004 - The Mariners sign free agent 3B Adrian Beltre to a 5-year contract.

    Dec 16, 2004 - The Braves obtain ace pitcher Tim Hudson from the Athletics in exchange for pitchers Dan Meyer and Juan Cruz‚ and OF Charles Thomas.

    Dec 16, 2004 - The Mets sign free agent P Pedro Martinez to a 4-year contract.

    Dec 16, 2004 - The Pirates acquire veteran catcher Benito Santiago and cash from the Royals for P Leo Nunez.

    Dec 15, 2004 - The Diamondbacks sign free agent IF Craig Counsell‚ a former D'back‚ to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 15, 2004 - The Red Sox sign free agent P John Halama to a contract.

    Dec 15, 2004 - The Reds sign free agent Ps David Weathers and Ben Weber to contracts.

    Dec 15, 2004 - The Athletics get IF Keith Ginter from the Brewers for P Justin Lehr and OF Nelson Cruz.

    Dec 15, 2004 - The Cardinals sign free agent C Einar Diaz to a contract.

    Dec 15, 2004 - The Mariners sign free agent 1B Richie Sexson to a 4-year contract.

    Dec 14, 2004 - The Angels send P Ramon Ortiz to the Reds in exchange for minor league P Dustin Moseley. Anaheim also signs free agent P Paul Byrd to a contract.

    Dec 14, 2004 - The Diamondbacks sign free agent SS Royce Clayton to a contract.

    Dec 14, 2004 - The Red Sox sign free agent P David Wells to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 14, 2004 - The Indians sign free agent IF Jose Hernandez to a contract.

    Dec 14, 2004 - The Blue Jays sign free agent 3B Corey Koskie to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 13, 2004 - The Angels sign free agent P Esteban Yan to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 13, 2004 - The White Sox acquire OF Scott Posednik‚ P Luis Vizcaino‚ and a player to be named to the Brewers for OF Carlos Lee.

    Dec 13, 2004 - The Marlins sign free agent P Todd Jones to a contract.

    Dec 12, 2004 - The Blue Jays trade C Kevin Cash to the Devil Rays in exchange for P Chad Gaudin.

    Dec 11, 2004 - The Pirates traded newly-acquired P Arthur Rhodes to the Indians for OF Matt Lawton.

    Dec 11, 2004 - The Brewers obtained P Jose Capellan and a player to be named from the Braves in exchange for closer Danny Kolb. Kolb (0-4) had 39 saves and just 21 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings. He is the first pitcher with more than 30 saves and less than 30 K's.

    Dec 10, 2004 - The Angels sign free agent OF Steve Finley to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 10, 2004 - The Diamondbacks sign free agent P Russ Ortiz to a 4-year contract.

    Dec 10, 2004 - The Marlins sign free agent P Alfonso Alfonseca to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 10, 2004 - The Rangers sign free agent OF Richard Hidalgo to a contract.

    Dec 9, 2004 - The Diamondbacks sign free agent 3B Troy Glaus to a 4-year contract.

    Dec 9, 2004 - The White Sox sign free agent OF Jermaine Dye to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 9, 2004 - The Dodgers agree to a 2-year contract with free agent 2B Jeff Kent.

    Dec 9, 2004 - The Padres sign free agent IF Eric Young to a contract.

    Dec 8, 2004 - The Red Sox sign free agent P Matt Mantei to a contract.

    Dec 8, 2004 - The White Sox sign free agent P Dustin Hermanson to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 8, 2004 - The Marlins sign free agent P Al Leiter to a contract.

    Dec 8, 2004 - The Phillies sign free agent P Jon Lieber to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 8, 2004 - The Padres sign free agent P Woody Williams and IF Geoff Blum to contracts.

    Dec 8, 2004 - The Rangers sign free agent C Sandy Alomar to a contract.

    Dec 6, 2004 - Baseball officials report that they are closer to an agreement on a drug-testing program that will incorporate more tests‚ and stiffer penalties. Donald Fehr says he expects the plan to be in place by spring training.

    Dec 3, 2004 - The Yankees trade P Felix Heredia to the Mets for P Mike Stanton. They also send OF Kenny Lofton to the Phillies for P Felix Rodriguez.

    Dec 3, 2004 - The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Barry Bonds admitted to the grand jury that he used a clear substance and a cream that were supplied by Balco but that he didn't believe they were steroids. Yesterday the Chronicle reported that Jason Giambi told the grand jury he knowingly took steroids provided by Bonds's trainer.

    Dec 1, 2004 - The Giants sign free agent P Armando Benitez to a 3-year contract.

    Nov 30, 2004 - In an interview on the Howard Stern show‚ Anna Benson‚ pin-up star wife of Mets pitcher Kris Benson‚ says that if she ever caught her husband cheating on her she would f**ck the whole Mets team‚ including coaches, bat boys, and groundskeepers. When Stern mentions the rumor that Kris was traded by the Pirates because Anna was a pain in the ass‚ she does not deny the stories. The former stripper also takes credit for negotiating Kris's Mets contract.

    Nov 27, 2004 - The Pirates trade All-Star C Jason Kendall to the Athletics for pitchers Mark Redman and Arthur Rhodes.

    Nov 24, 2004 - The Twins sign free agent C Mike Redmond and free agent SS Juan Castro to 2-year contracts.

    Nov 22, 2004 - ML baseball announces the new nickname of the Washington NL franchise-formerly the Montreal Expos-will be the Nationals.

    Nov 19, 2004 - The Washington-bound Expos trade OF Juan Rivera and INF Maicer Izturis to the Angels in exchange for OF Jose Guillen.

    Nov 18, 2004 - The Tigers sign free agent P Troy Percival to a 2-year contract‚ leaving the A's in need of a closer.

    Nov 16, 2004 - Vladimir Guerrero is named the AL MVP for the 2004 season.

    Nov 16, 2004 - The Expos sign free agent 3B Vinny Castilla to a 2-year pact‚ and free agent SS Cristian Guzman to a 4-year deal.

    Nov 15, 2004 - Barry Bonds wins his record 7th NL MVP award‚ and his 4th in a row.

    Nov 14, 2004 - The Giants sign free agent SS Omar Vizquel to a 3-year contract.

    Nov 11, 2004 - The Twins' Johan Santana is named the unanimous winner of the AL Cy Young Award.

    Nov 10, 2004 - Bobby Cox of Atlanta and Buck Showalter of Texas are named Manager of the Year in the NL and AL respectively.

    Nov 9, 2004 - Roger Clemens is named the NL Cy Young Award winner. At 42‚ Clemens becomes the oldest to win the award. It is his record 7th Cy Young‚ won with 4 different teams.

    Nov 8, 2004 - Pittsburgh's Jason Bay and Oakland's Bobby Crosby are named Rookie of the Year in the NL and AL respectively.

    Nov 6, 2004 - At an auction in Louisville‚ a Louisville Slugger bat signed by ``Shoeless'' Joe Jackson sells for $137‚500. Cracked on the handle and worn on the barrel‚ the bat‚ made in 1910 or 1911‚ has Jackson's signature along the hitting area in bold ink. The bat is the featured piece among 412 items sold. The Louisville Slugger Museum planned to use the funds raised by the auction to pursue other pieces of baseball memorabilia. Also‚ a bat used by Ty Cobb goes for $132‚000‚ a record for a Cobb bat. The bat's value was enhanced by grease-penciled writing on the barrel. The markings were made by a Hillerich & Bradsby receiving agent working at the factory during Cobb's era. They indicate that Cobb probably used the bat‚ then had it sent back to Louisville to have more made exactly like it. A Cleveland Indians jersey worn by Satchel Paige sells for $110‚000. A letter handwritten by Babe Ruth‚ with six of his signatures at the bottom‚ and its original envelope went for $41‚800. A baseball signed by Ruth and Lou Gehrig went for $31‚900.

    Nov 5, 2004 - Four days after hiring him‚ the Diamondbacks fire manager Wally Backman for failing to inform them that he had been arrested twice over the past couple of years. Bob Melvin is hired to take his place.

    Nov 3, 2004 - The Mets name Yankee coach Willie Randolph as their new manager.

    Nov 3, 2004 - The Phillies name Charlie Manuel as their new manager.

    Nov 1, 2004 - The Diamondbacks name Wally Backman as their new manager.

    Oct 27, 2004 - The Red Sox win their first WS in 86 years with a 3-0 victory over the Cardinals behind Derek Lowe. Johnny Damon hits a HR for the Sox. Manny Ramirez is voted Series MVP‚ as he leads Boston to the 4-game sweep with a .412 BA and 4 RBI.

    Oct 26, 2004 - The Red Sox win Game 3 of the WS with a 4-1 win over the Cardinals. Pedro Martinez hurls 7 shut out innings for Boston to put St. Louis in a 3-games-to-0 hole. Manny Ramirez homers and drives in a pair of runs for the Sox‚ while Larry Walker hits one out for the Cards.

    Oct 24, 2004 - Boston takes a 2-game lead in the WS with a 6-2 win over St. Louis in Game 2. Curt Schilling gets the win for the Red Sox. Orlando Cabrera‚ Mark Bellhorn‚ and Jason Varitek each drive in a pair of runs.

    Oct 23, 2004 - The Red Sox take the opener of the WS with an 11-9 win over the Cardinals. Mark Bellhorn's 2-run 8th inning HR is the deciding blow as Boston bounces back after blowing an early 7-2 lead. David Ortiz also homered for the Sox‚ while Larry Walker connected for St. Louis.

    Oct 21, 2004 - The Cardinals advance to the WS with a 5-2 win in Game 7 of the NLCS against the Astros. Scott Rolen homers for St. Louis‚ while Craig Biggio connects for Houston.

    Oct 20, 2004 - The Red Sox defeat the Yankees‚ 10-3‚ to become the first team in history to come back from a 3-to-0 deficit and win a postseason series. Johnny Damon is the hero for Boston with a pair of HRs‚ including a grand slam‚ and 6 RBI. David Ortiz and Mark Bellhorn also homer for the Sox.

    Oct 20, 2004 - The Cardinals tie their NLCS with the Astros with a 6-4‚ 12-inning victory. Jim Edmonds' walkoff HR is the deciding blow. Albert Pujols also homer for St. Louis‚ while Mike Lamb connects for Houston.

    Oct 20, 2004 - The Seattle Mariners name Mike Hargrove as their manager.

    Oct 19, 2004 - In another thriller‚ the Red Sox even their ALCS with the Yankees by defeating NY by a score of 4-2. Chuck Schilling pitches 7 solid innings for Boston‚ while Mark Bellhorn hits a HR. Bernie Williams homers for the Yanks.

    Oct 18, 2004 - The Red Sox outlast the Yankees‚ 5-4‚ in 14 innings to force a Game 6 of their ALCS. David Ortiz again is the hero‚ driving home the winning run with a bloop single. Ortiz also homers‚ as does Bernie Williams for NY.

    Oct 18, 2004 - The Astros win their 3rd in a row‚ shutting out St. Louis 3-0 on Jeff Kent's 9th inning walkoff HR. The Cardinals manage only 1 hit off Brandon Backe (8 innings) and Brad Lidge (1 inning)-Tony Womack's single in the 6th.

    Oct 17, 2004 - The Red Sox stay alive in the ALCS with a 6-4‚ 12 inning win over the Yankees. David Ortiz's 2-run walkoff homer wins it in the 12th after the Sox tied the score off Mariano Rivera in the 9th. Ortiz drives home 4 runs for Boston‚ while Alex Rodriguez homers for NY.

    Oct 17, 2004 - The Astros tie the NLCS match with the Cardinals with a 6-5 victory. Carlos Beltran and Lance Berkman homer for Houston‚ and Albert Pujols for St. Louis. Beltran's blast makes 5 consecutive post-season games in which he has homered for a new record.

    Oct 16, 2004 - Roger Clemens keeps Houston's hopes alive in the NLCS with a 5-2 win over St. Louis. Lance Berkman‚ Carlos Beltran‚ and Jeff Kent homer for the Astros; Jim Edmonds and Larry Walker connect for the Cardinals.

    Oct 16, 2004 - The Yankees maul the Red Sox‚ 19-8‚ to take a commanding 3-games-to-0 lead in the ALCS. The 19 runs are an LCS record. Hideki Matsui leads the way for NY with 5 hits‚ 5 RBI‚ and 5 runs scored. Alex Rodriguez also score 5 for the Yankees. Gary Sheffield and Bernie Williams each have 4 hits. Matsui hits a pair of HRs‚ and Rodriguez and Sheffield connect once each for NY. Jason Varitek and Trot Nixon homer for Boston.

    Oct 14, 2004 - The Cardinals use the long ball to go 1 up in their NLCS with a 6-4 win over the Astros. Scott Rolen hit a pair of HRs‚ with Albert Pujols and Larry Walker also connecting for St. Louis. Morgan Ensberg and Carlos Beltran homer for Houston.

    Oct 13, 2004 - The Yankees go up 2-to-0 over the Red Sox with a 3-1 win. Jon Lieber gets the victory with John Olerud's 2-run homer in the 6th inning the key blow.

    Oct 13, 2004 - The Cardinals trounce the Astros‚ 10-7‚ in the opener of the NLCS. Albert Pujols homers for St. Louis‚ while Mike Lamb‚ Lance Berkman‚ Jeff Kent‚ and Carlos Beltran all connect in a losing cause for Houston.

    Oct 12, 2004 - The Yankees take the opening game of the ALCS with a 10-7 victory over the Red Sox. NY almost blows an 8-0 lead‚ but holds on to win behind the pitching of Mike Mussina and the hitting of Hideki Matsui (5 RBIs). Kenny Lofton homers for the Yanks and Jason Varitek connects for Boston.

    Oct 11, 2004 - The Houston Astros move on to the NLCS for the first time in their history‚ defeating the Braves‚ 12-3‚ to take their Division Series. Carlos Beltran is the hero for Houston with 4 hits‚ including 2 HRs‚ and 5 RBIs. Jeff Bagwell also homers for the Astros‚ while Johnny Estrada and Rafael Furcal connect for Atlanta.

    Oct 11, 2004 - Ken Caminiti‚ the 1996 NL MVP‚ dies at 41. After he stopped playing Caminiti admitted in a cover article in Sports Illustrated that he used steroids.

    Oct 10, 2004 - Houston blows a 3-run lead and loses to Atlanta‚ 6-5‚ to even their Division Series at 2 games apiece. Adam LaRoche's 3-run homer in the 6th inning ties the score at 5-5‚ and J.D. Drew's single in the 9th wins it for the Braves. Craig Biggio hits a HR for the Astros.

    Oct 10, 2004 - The Cardinals top the Dodgers‚ 6-2‚ to win their Division Series and move on to the NLCS. Jeff Suppan hurls 7 innings of 2-hit ball for St. Louis. Albert Pujols and Reggie Sanders homer for the Cardinals‚ and Jason Werth for LA.

    Oct 9, 2004 - The Yankees finish off the Twins with a come-from-behind 6-5 win in 11 innings to win their Division Series. Ruben Sierra's 3-run HR ties the game in the 8th inning and Alex Rodriguez scores the winning run on a wild pitch. Henry Blanco homers for Minnesota.

    Oct 9, 2004 - The Astros move a game up on the Braves in their Division Series with an 8-5 win. Carlos Beltran's homer paces Houston while Andruw Jones and Johnny Estrada connect for Atlanta.

    Oct 9, 2004 - The Dodgers stave off elimination in their Division Series with the Cardinals behind Jose Lima's 5-hit shutout‚ winning by a score of 4-0. Shawn Green hits a pair of homers to pace LA.

    Oct 8, 2004 - The Yankees take a 2-to-1 lead in their Division Series with the Twins with an 8-4 win behind Kevin Brown. Derek Jeter drives in 3 runs for NY while Hideki Matsui and Bernie Williams homer. Jacque Jones hits one out for Minnesota.

    Oct 8, 2004 - The Red Sox complete a 3-game sweep over the Angels in their Division Series on David Ortiz's 2-run walkoff HR in the bottom of the 10th inning. Vladimir Guerrero brings Anaheim back from a 6-1 deficit with a grand slam in the 7th inning‚ but Ortiz's 4th hit of the game wins it for Boston.

    Oct 7, 2004 - The Cardinals again down the Dodgers by a score of 8-3 to take a 2-to-0 lead in their division Series. Mike Matheny drives in 4 runs for St. Louis‚ while Milton Bradley‚ Shawn Green‚ and Jason Werth all homer for LA.

    Oct 7, 2004 - The Braves even their Division Series against Houston with a 4-2 win in 11 innings. Rafael Furcal's walkoff homer is the deciding blow. Raul Chavez and Jeff Bagwell clout round-trippers for the Astros.

    Oct 7, 2004 - The Cubs fine OF Sammy Sosa $87‚400 (one day's pay) for arriving late and leaving early at the Cubs' regular-season finale at Wrigley Field on Sunday. This incident leads to speculation that he's going to be on the trading block.

    Oct 6, 2004 - The Yankees edge the Twins‚ 7-6‚ in 12 innings to even their Division Series at a game apiece. Alex Rodriguez gets 4 hits for NY‚ including a HR. Derek Jeter and Gary Sheffield also homer for the Bronx Bombers while Torii Hunter connects for Minnesota.

    Oct 6, 2004 - The Red Sox take a 2-to-0 lead in their Division Series with the Angels with an 8-3 victory behind Pedro Martinez. Jason Varitek homers for Boston.

    Oct 6, 2004 - The Astros down the Braves‚ 9-3‚ behind Roger Clemens. Carlos Beltran‚ Jason Lane‚ Lance Berkman‚ and Brad Ausmus homer to lead the Houston attack. Andruw Jones also homers for Atlanta.

    Oct 5, 2004 - The Twins shutout the Yankees behind Johan Santana‚ 2-0‚ to take the opener of their Division Series. Minnesota turns a postseason-record 5 DPs in the contest and Jacque Jones hits a HR.

    Oct 5, 2004 - The Red Sox take the opener of their Division Series against the Angels behind Chuck Schilling‚ 9-3. Boston scores 7 runs in the 4th inning to break open the game. Manny Ramirez and Kevin Millar homer for the Sox‚ while Darin Erstad and Troy Glaus connect for Anaheim.

    Oct 5, 2004 - The Cardinals clout 5 HRs to tie the NL record for a postseason game and go on to defeat the Dodgers‚ 8-3‚ in the game 1 of their Division Series. Larry Walker homers twice‚ while Albert Pujols‚ Jim Edmonds‚ and Mike Matheny hit one round-tripper apiece for St. Louis. Tom Wilson hits a solo blast for LA in the 9th. Woody Williams gets the victory while Odalis Perez is charged with the loss.

    Oct 4, 2004 - The Mariners fire Bob Melvin as their manager.

    Oct 2, 2004 - Steve Finley's grand slam caps a 7-run 9th inning rally to give the Dodgers a 7-3 win over the Giants and the NL West title.

    Oct 2, 2004 - The Angels clinch the AL West title with a 5-4 win over the Athletics.

    Oct 2, 2004 - The Marlins down the Phillies‚ 4-3‚ hours after Larry Bowa is fired as Philadelphia's manager.

    Oct 2, 2004 - Josh Fogg (11-10) goes 6 innings as the Pirates beat the Reds‚ 3-1. Todd Van Poppel gives up 3 runs in 5 innings to finish the year with a 6.09 ERA and a career ERA of 5.58. His 5.58 moves him ahead of Pat Mahomes (5.47) for the highest ERA for any pitcher with 300 or more appearances in the bigs.

    Oct 2, 2004 - Shawn Estes goes 4 innings‚ his shortest start in the past 27‚ as his Rockies lose to the Astros‚ 9-3. Houston rockets 6 home runs‚ 2 each by Jeff Kent and Craig Biggio.

    Oct 2, 2004 - The Expos beat the Mets‚ 6-3. Todd Zeile hits a HR in his final ML at bat‚ duplicating a feat also performed by Ted Williams.

    Oct 1, 2004 - The Mariners defeat the Rangers‚ 8-3‚ as Ichiro Suzuki gets 3 hits to give him a new ML-record 259 for the season. The old mark of 257 was set by George Sisler 84 years ago. Suzuki's single in the 1st inning was the 919th hit of his career to break Bill Terry's record for most hits over a 4-year span.

    Sep 29, 2004 - The Braves down the Mets‚ 6-3‚ for manager Bobby Cox's 2‚000th win as skipper. He is the 9th man to reach 2‚000.

    Sep 29, 2004 - Cubs reliever LaTroy Hawkins blows his 2nd save in five days and the Cubs eventually lose to the Reds‚ 4-2. Chicago slips a half-game behind Houston in the wild-card standings.

    Sep 29, 2004 - The Indians defeat the Royals‚ 5-2. After the game‚ Cleveland P Kyle Denney is hit in the right calf by a bullet that comes through the side of the team bus. He probably avoids more serious injury when the bullet hits the tough leather of the knee-high boot he is wearing as part of a rookie hazing ritual.

    Sep 29, 2004 - Major League Baseball announces that the Montreal Expos will relocate to Washington‚ DC for the 2005 season.

    Sep 28, 2004 - Omar Infante and Bobby Higgenson homer off Jose Contreras to lead off the game for Detroit and it is the margin of victory as the Tigers beat the White Sox‚ 6-4.

    Sep 26, 2004 - In a bench-clearing game at Fenway‚ the Red Sox down the Yankees‚ 11-4. Curt Schilling pitches 7 innings of one-hit ball‚ while the Red Sox jump on Kevin Brown in the 1st and Estaban Loaiza in the 2nd inning to post a 7-0 lead. Pedro Astacio‚ Brad Halsey and Joe Torre all get tossed in the 8th. Bill Mueller homers for Boston while Andy Phillips‚ in his first ML at bat‚ homers on the first pitch he sees. He is the 20th rookie to pinch hit a homer on his first at bat.

    Sep 24, 2004 - The Braves clinch their 13th consecutive division title with an 8-7 win over the Marlins.

    Sep 22, 2004 - The Mariners pound out 24 hits in a 16-6 rout of the Angels. Raul Ibanez ties an AL record with 6 hits for Seattle. Ichiro Suzuki gets 4 more hits to give him 247 on the season.

    Sep 21, 2004 - The Mariners down the Angels‚ 7-3‚ as Ichiro Suzuki gets 5 hits in a game for the 4th time this season. He is within 14 hits of George Sisler's all-time season record of 257 hits.

    Sep 18, 2004 - The Cardinals knock off the Diamondbacks‚ 7-0‚ to lower their number to 2 games to clinch a division title. It is a costly win as starter Chris Carpenter leaves in the 4th with an injury that will prevent him from pitching in the post season. Reggie Sanders has an RBI and 2 steals to give him his 4th 20 homer‚ 20 SB season.

    Sep 18, 2004 - For the second day in a row‚ the Orioles score in double digits to beat the Twins‚ 12-3. Rookie Daniel Cabrera (12-7) notches the win with 6 IP. Miguel Tejada homers twice‚ has 5 RBI‚ and leads the AL with 131 RBI. Brian Roberts breaks the Orioles' 103-year-old franchise record for most doubles by a switch hitter when he connected for his 47th two-bagger: in 1901‚ John Anderson of the Milwaukee Brewers hit 46. Roberts ties Cal Ripken's club mark of 47 doubles set in 1983.

    Sep 17, 2004 - The Giants defeat the Padres‚ 4-1‚ as Barry Bonds hits the 700th HR of his ML career. The blast comes off SD hurler Jake Peavy in the 3rd inning. Barry will ends the season with more homeruns than strikeouts (45 to 41)‚ just the second player since 1959 to do that (minimum 10 homers). The other was George Brett in 1980.

    Sep 17, 2004 - The Mariners beat the Athletics‚ 6-3. Ichiro Suzuki gets his 199th single of the season to break Wee Willie Keeler's old mark.

    Sep 17, 2004 - The Cubs edge the Reds‚ 13-4‚ on the strength of 3 HRs and 5 RBI by Aramis Ramirez.

    Sep 15, 2004 - The Diamondbacks edge the Rockies‚ 3-2‚ as Randy Johnson moves past Steve Carlton to become baseball's leader in strikeouts for a left-hander. Johnson now has 4‚139 to move into third place on the all-time list behind Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens.

    Sep 15, 2004 - With the Expos leading 2-1‚ they load the bases with 2 out in the 4th inning against Florida ace Carl Pavano. As Brian Schneider steps off 3B‚ Mike Lowell tags him with the hidden ball trick. It is the first in the majors in 5 years.

    Sep 15, 2004 - Derrek Lee‚ Sammy Sosa and Michael Barrett hit back-to-back-to-back HRs in a 13-5 win over the Pirates. Lee's homer is his 30th‚ giving the Cubs four players with 30 homers for the first time in club history.

    Sep 14, 2004 - The Mets fire manager Art Howe‚ effective at the end of the season.

    Sep 14, 2004 - Corey Patterson hits a 2-run homer in the 8th to tie the Pirates‚ 2-2‚ then hits a walkoff homer in the 12th for a 3-2 Cubs win.

    Sep 13, 2004 - The Marlins down the Expos‚ 6-3‚ in a game played at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago because of Hurricane Ivan. The two teams thereby set a record by playing a game in their 21st different stadium in a single season.

    Sep 13, 2004 - The Cubs knock off the Pirates‚ 7-2. Sammy Sosa hits his 30th HR of the year to become the 3rd player in history to hit 30 or more HRs 10 seasons in a row.

    Sep 13, 2004 - In Oakland‚ Texas reliever Frank Francisco is arrested on a charge of aggravated battery after he tosses a chair into the right-field box seats and hits two spectators in the head and woman's nose is broken when the chair bounces and hits her. Francisco will be suspended for the rest of the season by ML baseball. With two outs in the 9th inning‚ the Rangers' Alfonso Soriano ties the game 5-5 with his 2nd homer of the night. Moments later‚ the Texas bench and bullpen clears. After a delay of 19 minutes‚ the Athletics win 7-6 in the 10th inning when Eric Chavez hits a single following 3 walks and an error. Chavez ties the game in the 8th after Mark Teixeira hits his 35th homer‚ off starter Tim Hudson. "Tonight‚ it went over the line‚'' Rangers manager Buck Showalter said after the game. "It was a real break from the normal trash you hear from fans. We've had problems about every time we've come here." Texas reliever Doug Brocail is seen screaming at a male fan‚ and the pitcher has to be restrained by his teammates and bullpen coach Mark Connor.

    Sep 13, 2004 - Kansas City outhits the Yankees by just 2‚ but a 10-run 5th innings helps as the Royals flush the Yanks‚ 17-8. Angel Berroa scores 5 runs for KC.

    Sep 12, 2004 - The Orioles lose to the Yankee‚ 9-7. In the process‚ they set an AL record by using 10 pitchers in the game.

    Sep 11, 2004 - The Phillies defeat the Mets in 13 innings by a score of 11-9. The teams combine to use a ML record 18 pitchers in the contest‚ 10 by the Phillies to tie a NL mark.

    Sep 11, 2004 - Texas beats Toronto‚ 10-7 despite the Jays hitting two pinch homeruns in the 8th inning. Eric Hinske and Chris Gomez hit the pinch homers‚ the latter hitting his off Ron Mahay‚ who gets one out and the win. Mark Teixeira has a 3-run homer for Texas.

    Sep 11, 2004 - The Cubs best the Marlins‚ 5-2 on Derrek Lee's 3-run double in the 8th. Relief P LaTroy Hawkins strikes out the side on 9 pitches in the 9th inning to nail down the victory for Chicago.

    Sep 9, 2004 - The Royals score a team-record 26 runs on their way to a 26-5 win over the Tigers in the 1st game of a DH. KC scores in 7 of their 9 times up‚ including plating 11 runs in the 3rd. Joe Randa strokes 6 hits and scores a ML record-tying 6 runs for the Royals‚ becoming the 1st AL player ever to record 6 of each in a 9-inning game. The Royals are shut out by Detroit in the 2nd game‚ 8-0.

    Sep 9, 2004 - The Mariners down the Red Sox‚ 7-1‚ as Ichiro Suzuki breaks his own AL record for singles in a season with 194. He set the mark as a rookie in 2001.

    Sep 9, 2004 - The Phillies get homers from their first two batters‚ Jimmy Rollins and Placido Polanco‚ leading off the game and go on to beat the Braves‚ 9-4. Lieberthal and Burrell add homers to back Ryan Madosn (9-2).

    Sep 9, 2004 - The Tribune Company‚ owners of the Cubs‚ misses the Mark with a check. Mark Guthrie‚ 43‚ a former newspaper carrier for the Hartford Courant‚ which is owned by the Tribune‚ receives a check meant for former pitcher Mark Guthrie. A year ago‚ the Tribune's payroll department mixed the two men up and deposited $301‚000 of the baseball player's pay into the newspaper carrier's bank account. It took five weeks for the company to detect the error. The deliveryman noticed the money‚ but didn't touch it. He knew it was a mistake‚ and cooperated with Tribune. But Guthrie of Connecticut stopped the last $26‚000 from being taken out of his account until the company proved to him that he would not suffer any tax ramifications over the company's error. Guthrie‚ the baseball player‚ didn't get picked up by the Cubs and is now a free agent. Guthrie the newspaper carrier was also dropped by the media conglomerate due to the lawsuit‚ and is presumably also a free agent.

    Sep 8, 2004 - The Indians down the Mariners‚ 8-5. Seattle rookie Greg Dobbs hits a pinch-hit HR in the 9th inning in his 1st ML at bat. He is the first Mariner player ever to accomplish the feat.

    Sep 8, 2004 - The Astros hand the Reds a 5-2 loss. Pitcher Jose Acevedo ties a ML record by surrendering 4 Houston HRs in the 1st inning.

    Sep 7, 2004 - The Dodgers defeat the Diamondbacks‚ 8-2. Robin Ventura hits a pinch grand slam for LA‚ moving into a tie with Willie McCovey for 3rd place on the all-time list with 18. Hideo Nomo (4-11) wins his first game since April 21.

    Sep 5, 2004 - The Mariners lose to the White Sox‚ 8-7‚ despite 5 hits by Ichiro Suzuki. It is the 3rd time this season Suzuki has had 5 or more hits in a game. He now leads the majors with 223 hits‚ 34 short of George Sisler's all-time record.

    Sep 4, 2004 - The Rockies down the Padres‚ 8-2. Prior to the game‚ the Friars retires former All-Star OF Tony Gwynn's jersey No. 19.

    Sep 3, 2004 - The Baltimore Orioles top the Yankees 3-1 behind Rodrigo Lopez. The loss goes to Kevin Brown who pitches 6 innings and then‚ frustrated on a grounder he botched‚ punches a concrete wall inside the Yankees' clubhouse‚ breaking two bones in his left (non-throwing) hand that will require surgery. The pitcher‚ making $15.7 million‚ will miss the rest of the season. New York leads in the East by 2 1/2 games.

    Sep 3, 2004 - The Marlins three-game series with the Cubs is postponed by Hurricane Frances.

    Sep 2, 2004 - The Giants acquire P Dave Burba from the Brewers for minor league P Josh Habel.

    Sep 2, 2004 - The Yankees score 1 in the 1st and five in the 2nd off Indian starter Cliff Lee enroute to a 9-1 win. A-Rod homers and Gary Sheffield has 3 hits and 3 RBI to reach the 100 RBI mark. He joins 19th century star Dan Brouthers who drove in 100 RBIs for 5 different teams between 1887 and 1894. Sheffield also drove in 100 for the Padres‚ Marlins‚ Dodgers‚ and Braves. Joining him today with 100 RBIs is Victor Martinez who hits a solo homer off Steve Karsay‚ who is making his first appearance since 2003.

    Sep 1, 2004 - The Marlins edge the Mets‚ 5-4. Armando Benitez gets the save in relief. It is his 10th save of the year against NY for a new ML record for saves against a club in a year. He will add one more save to give him 11 against his former teammates.

    Sep 1, 2004 - Minnesota's Terry Mulholland goes 6 innings and allows 2 runs in the Twins 4-2 win over Baltimore. Mulholland and catcher Pat Borders‚ who was obtained yesterday from Seattle for B.J. Garbe‚ are the first pair of 40-something batterymates since Curt Davis and Clyde Sukeforth for the Dodgers in 1945.

    Aug 31, 2004 - The Indians bomb the Yankees‚ 22-0‚ to tie a record for the most lopsided shutout in history. Omar Vizquel ties an AL mark with 6 hits for Cleveland.

    Aug 31, 2004 - The Cubs acquire OF Ben Grieve from the Brewers for a player to be named and cash. Chicago also obtains C Mike DiFelice from Detroit for a player to be named.

    Aug 30, 2004 - The Cubs defeat the Expos‚ 5-2‚ to give Dusty Baker his 1‚000th win as a manager.

    Aug 30, 2004 - The Astros down the Reds‚ 11-3. Jeff Bagwell steals a base for Houston‚ thus becoming the 11th player in ML history to have 400 HRs and 200 stolen bases.

    Aug 29, 2004 - The Cardinals shut out the Pirates‚ 4-0. Albert Pujols becomes the 4th player in history to start his ML career with 4 straight seasons with at least 100 RBIs. The others are Hall of Famers Al Simmons‚ Joe DiMaggio‚ and Ted Williams.

    Aug 28, 2004 - The Dodgers defeat the Mets‚ 4-2‚ as Adrian Beltre goes 5-for-5‚ including his league-leading 42nd HR.

    Aug 28, 2004 - The Yankees pound the Blue Jays‚ 18-6‚ as Tony Clark slugs 3 HRs. Clark and Ruben Sierra each drive in 5 runs.

    Aug 27, 2004 - The Astros jump on Cubs starter Kerry Wood‚ who lasts 4+ innings‚ and continue against Kyle Farnsworth. The Astros Roy Oswalt wins 15-7‚ surviving a confrontation with Cubs C Michael Barrett when he steps in the batter's box; he plunked Barrett five days ago and he and Wood were ejected. Kent Mercker later hits Oswalt. Carlos Beltran hits 2 homers‚ and has now homered in each of his last 5 games. He also steals two bases‚ matching Howard Johnson who hit 2 HRs and stole twice on July 11‚ 1987. Jeff Bagwell and Lance Berkman hit back-to-back homers‚ and Jeff Kent also goes deep. Nomar Garciaparra and Derrek Lee homer for the Cubs. Farnsworth‚ after giving up 6 runs in the 9th‚ kicks an electric fan and sprains his right knee; tomorrow he goes on the 15-day disabled list.

    Aug 27, 2004 - Despite combining for 9 homers‚ Seattle beats Kansas City by on a 7-5 score. The Mariners have 9 hits‚ 8 for extra bases‚ including 3 homers in the 5th off rookie starter Zack Greinke. The Royals have 2 homers in the same inning to tie a ML record.

    Aug 26, 2004 - The Mariners fall to the Royals‚ 7-3‚ despite Ichiro Suzuki's 200th hit of the season. With the HR‚ Suzuki becomes the 1st player to reach 200 hits in each of his 1st 4 ML seasons.

    Aug 25, 2004 - The Angels crush the Royals‚ 21-6‚ as Jeff DaVanon became the first Angels player in 13 years to hit for the cycle. The last to do so was Hall of Famer Dave Winfield.

    Aug 25, 2004 - Cuba defeats Australia‚ 6-2‚ to take the gold medal in baseball at the Athens Olympics.

    Aug 21, 2004 - The Dodgers down the Braves‚ 7-4. LA P Jeff Weaver ties a ML record in the first inning when he hits 3 consecutive batters with pitches.

    Aug 21, 2004 - The Mets down the Giants‚ 11-9‚ scoring two unearned runsin the 12th for the victory. The two combine to tie the NL record for double plays in an extra inning game with 10 (SF-6). Cliff Floyd has a 3-run HR for the Mets while Barry Bonds is 4-for-4 with two doubles‚ a triple‚ and two walks.

    Aug 20, 2004 - Randy Johnson fans 14 as the Diamondbacks lose to the Reds‚ 2-0. It is the 200th time in his career that he fans 10 or more in a game.

    Aug 20, 2004 - ML baseball owners vote to extend Bud Selig's term as commissioner three more years‚ through 2009.

    Aug 19, 2004 - After Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek hits a game-tying three-run homer in the 8th, off JJ Putz, Bret Boone answers with a walkoff grand slam in the bottom of the 9th as Seattle wins 8–4. Boone has 6 RBIs for the day.

    Aug 17, 2004 - The Rangers crush the Indians‚ 16-4‚ as Mark Texeira becomes the 2nd player in Texas history to hit for the cycle. Texeira drives in 7 runs with a 2-run double in the 3rd‚ a 3-run HR in the 4th‚ a 2-run triple in the 5th‚ and a leadoff single in the 7th. Oddibe McDowell is the only other Ranger to accomplish the feat‚ doing so on July 23‚ 1985.

    Aug 17, 2004 - The Mariners crush the Royals‚ 16-3‚ as Raul Ibanez strokes a career-high 5 hits and scores 4 runs. Ichiro Suzuki has 4 hits and 5 RBIs and hits a leadoff HR for the 2nd straight game. Bret Boone chips in with a pair of homers.

    Aug 17, 2004 - Jason Jennings goes 7 innings and is credited with the win in the Rockies 6-4 victory over the visiting Mets. Matt Holliday has a homer and scores 3 runs. New York loses recently acquired pitcher Victor Zambrano for the season when he runs off the mound after walking a batter in the 3rd. They will lose him exactly the same way in May 2006.

    Aug 17, 2004 - The Devil Rays down the Angels‚ 8-3‚ as Tampa Bay SS BJ Upton becomes the 1st teenager in more than 6 years to homer in a ML game. The last to do so was Aramis Ramirez on June 16‚ 1998.

    Aug 13, 2004 - The Giants rout the Phillies by a score of 16-6. JT Snow hits 3 HRs for SF‚ drives in 4 runs‚ and scores 5 himself. Barry Bonds is walked 3 times‚ twice intentionally. The 2 intentional walks give him a ML record 86 on the season‚ helping the Giants break their 2-year-old ML record of intentional walks in a season with 104.

    Aug 13, 2004 - The Royals hit a ML-record tying 2 grand slams in a 10-3 romp over Oakland. Rookies Abraham Nunez and John Buck both connect with the bags full for KC. Nunez's salami breaks up Mark Mulder's 1-0 shutout in the 6th and is the first grand slam allowed by Mulder.

    Aug 13, 2004 - Starting pitcher Jon Rauch of the Expos homers off Houston's Roger Clemens (Shawn Estes is the only other pitcher to do so) but leaves with a bad back and a 4-0 lead. The Astros tie it up and then score a run in the 12th on a homer by Morgan Ensberg. Alex Gonzalez matches that in the bottom of the frame and Terrmel Sledge drives in the winner with a single as the Expos win‚ 6-5.

    Aug 12, 2004 - The Phillies drub the Rockies‚ 15-4‚ as Randy Wolf becomes the 1st pitcher to homer twice in a game since Robert Person on June 2‚ 2002.

    Aug 12, 2004 - The Indians trounce the Blue Jays‚ 6-2. Ben Broussard hits his 2nd pinch grand slam of the season for Cleveland and becomes only the 4th player in ML history to ever do so.

    Aug 12, 2004 - It is all Pedro as the Red Sox down Tampa Bay‚ 6-0. Martinez (13-4) goes the distance with 10 strikeouts and no walks as he allows 6 hits. The Sox might've had more except for TB centerfielder Rocco Baldelli‚ who throws out two consecutive runners (Millar and Varitek) at home in the 5th. Baldelli threw out a runner against the Sox last week as well.

    Aug 10, 2004 - The White Sox down the Royals‚ 9-3‚ as Willie Harris goes 5-for-5.

    Aug 10, 2004 - The Pirates defeat the Giants‚ 8-7‚ but Barry Bonds sets a ML record by reaching 30 HRs for the 13th straight season.

    Aug 10, 2004 - The Dodgers beat the host Reds‚ 5-2‚ in spite of a mammoth HR by Adam Dunn. Believed to be one of the longest homers in ML history‚ it is measured at 535 feet. The ball carries over the batter's eye beyond the centerfield fence‚ bounces on Mehring Way 20 feet beyond the stadium‚ and lands on a piece of driftwood in the Ohio River. Since the river is actually claimed by Kentucky‚ the homer is probably the first in ML history to carry into another state.

    Aug 8, 2004 - The Blue Jays lose their 5th straight game‚ 8-2‚ to the Yankees. Shortly after the game‚ Toronto fires Carlos Tosca as its manager and replaces him on an interim basis with coach John Gibbons.

    Aug 8, 2004 - The Red Sox defeat the Tigers‚ 11-9‚ despite 7 Detroit home runs. Tim Wakefield records the win for Boston despite tying a ML record by allowing 6 of the homers. Wakefield is the 6th modern pitcher to yield 6 round-trippers‚ but the first since Philadelphia's George Caster did so 64 years ago against the Red Sox. The last pitcher to give up 6 homers and still win the game was Brooklyn's Hollis Thurston in 1932.

    Aug 8, 2004 - The Athletics beat the Twins‚ 6-5‚ in 18 innings. It is the 2nd-longest game in the 23-year history of the Metrodome.

    Aug 8, 2004 - The Cardinals defeat the Mets‚ 6-2‚ as Edgar Renteria gets 5 hits for St. Louis.

    Aug 7, 2004 - At SBC Park‚ Greg Maddux leads the Cubs to an 8-4 victory over the Giants for the 300th win of his career. He becomes the 22nd hurler to reach the magic number.

    Aug 7, 2004 - The Angels beat the Royals 7-5 as Troy Percival becomes the 6th pitcher in history with 9 straight seasons of 20 or more saves.

    Aug 7, 2004 - The Mariners defeat the Devil Rays‚ 6-2. Seattle manager Bob Melvin is ejected before the game begins for arguing with crew chief Joe West about a controversial interference call in Friday night's game.

    Aug 6, 2004 - The Cardinals obtain OF Larry Walker from the Rockies in a trade for P Jason Burch and 2 players to be named.

    Aug 6, 2004 - The Red Sox acquire P Mike Myers from the Mariners for a player to be named or cash.

    Aug 6, 2004 - The Blue Jays send DH-1B Josh Phelps to the Indians in exchange for 1B Eric Crozier.

    Aug 4, 2004 - The Cardinals defeat the Expos‚ 5-4. St. Louis C Mike Matheny commits a throwing error to end his ML-record streak of 252 consecutive errorless games.

    Aug 1, 2004 - In Nomar Garciaparra's first appearance in a Cubs uniform‚ he has an RBI single and makes several fine fielding plays in the Cubs 6-3 win over the Phils.

    Jul 31, 2004 - The Angels edge the Mariners‚ 9-8‚ in 11 innings. Seattle OF Ichiro Suzuki hits a game-tying HR in the 9th to give him 50 hits for the month. He becomes the 1st player since Joe Medwick in 1936 to have two 50-hit months in the same season. He is also the 1st player since Pete Rose to have three 50-hit months in his career.

    Jul 31, 2004 - As part of a 4-team trade‚ the Red Sox send SS Nomar Garciaparra‚ P Matt Murton‚ and cash to the Cubs. They acquire 1B Doug Mientkewicz and SS Orlando Cabrera from Montreal. P Justin Jones goes from Chicago to the Twins. The Cubs also send infielders Alex Gonzalez and Brendan Harris and P Francis Beltran to the Expos.

    Jul 31, 2004 - The Red Sox obtain speedster Dave Roberts from the Dodgers.

    Jul 31, 2004 - The White Sox send P Esteban Loaiza‚ a 20-game winner last season‚ to the Yankees for P Jose Contreras.

    Jul 31, 2004 - The Diamondbacks send OF Steve Finley and C Brent Mayne to the Dodgers for C Koyle Hill‚ P Bill Murphy‚ and OF Reggie Abercrombie.

    Jul 31, 2004 - The Braves obtain P Tom Martin and cash from the Dodgers for P Matt Merricks.

    Jul 31, 2004 - The Royals send P Rudy Seanez to the Marlins for OF Abraham Nunez.

    Jul 30, 2004 - The Cubs down the Phillies‚ 10-7‚ as Aramis Ramirez hits 3 HRs.

    Jul 30, 2004 - In a swap criticized by New York media‚ the Mets acquire pitchers Victor Zambrano and Bartolome Fortunado from the Devil Rays in exchange for highly touted pitchers Scott Kazmir and Jose Diaz. It is Zambrano poster day for the Devil Rays. The Mets also obtain pitcher Kris Benson and IF Jeff Keppinger from the Pirates for IF Ty Wigginton‚ P Matt Peterson‚ and IF Jose Bautista‚ whom they acquired from KC for C Justin Huber. While Bautista did not get into a game for the Mets‚ the Pirates will be the 4th team he suits up for this year.

    Jul 30, 2004 - The Reds get P Josh Hancock and INF Anderson Machado from the Phillies for P Todd Jones and OF Brad Correll. Hancock will record his first ML win tomorrow when he enters the Cincinnati-Houston game in the 13th inning and is victorious when Jason LaRue doubles in the winner. The game is the completion of today’s rain-delayed suspended game: Hancock was not a member of the Reds when the game started.

    Jul 30, 2004 - The Marlins acquire C Paul LoDuca‚ OF Juan Encarnacion‚ and P Guillermo Mota from the Dodgers in exchange for pitchers Brad Penny and Bill Murphy and 1B Hee Seop Choi.

    Jul 30, 2004 - The Phillies send OF Ricky Ledee and P Alfredo Simon to the Giants for P Felix Rodriguez.

    Jul 30, 2004 - The Padres obtain IF Dave Hansen from Seattle for P Jon Huber.

    Jul 29, 2004 - Al Leiter gets good run support and tosses 6 innings as the Mets beat Montreal‚ 10-1. Eric Valet hits for the cycle‚ Mike Cameron bangs 2 homers and Richard Hidalo hits one.

    Jul 27, 2004 - Was it something I said? The Twins defeat the White Sox‚ 7-3 and Minnesota's Corey Koskie ties a ML record by being hit by pitches 3 times in the game.

    Jul 26, 2004 - The Diamondbacks beat Hosuton 4-1 behind Brandon Webb‚ snapping their losing streak at 14 games. the D'Backs had a losing streak of 11 games in June‚ making them the first team since the 1962 Mets to fashion two losing streaks of that length in the same year.

    Jul 26, 2004 - The Brewers get IF-OF Russell Branyan from the Indians for future considerations.

    Jul 25, 2004 - Pitcher Dennis Eckersley‚ IF Paul Molitor‚ writer Murray Chass‚ and broadcaster Lon Simmons are inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

    Jul 25, 2004 - The Mariners defeat the Angels‚ 6-2. P Kevin Gregg ties a post-1900 ML regular-season record for the Angels by throwing 4 wild pitches in the 8th inning.

    Jul 22, 2004 - The Yankees win‚ 1-0‚ over the Blue Jays when Ruben Sierra hits a game-ending HR in the 9th inning. Mariano Rivera is the winner with an inning pitched.

    Jul 22, 2004 - The Astros obtain P Darren Oliver from the Marlins in exchange for a player to be named or cash.

    Jul 20, 2004 - The Cardinals pound the Cubs‚ 11-8‚ as Albert Pujols goes 5-for-5 with 3 HRs‚ a 2B‚ and 5 RBIs.

    Jul 20, 2004 - The Indians trounce the Angels‚ 14-5‚ as Travis Hafner slugs 3 HRs for the Tribe. The 3 homers give him 5 in 2 games‚ tying a major league record.

    Jul 20, 2004 - The A's defeat the Blue Jays‚ 1-0‚ in 14 innings. In just his 3rd ML start‚ Toronto P David Bush takes a no-hitter into the 8th inning before surrendering a safety.

    Jul 19, 2004 - The Twins defeat the Tigers‚ 3-1‚ as Terry Mulholland becomes the 3rd active pitcher to post a victory against all 30 ML teams. Al Leiter and Kevin Brown are the only others to accomplish the feat.

    Jul 19, 2004 - The Orioles obtain OF Karim Garcia from the Mets for P Mike DeJean.

    Jul 19, 2004 - The Padres get SS Rich Aurilia from the Mariners in exchange for a player to be named or cash.

    Jul 19, 2004 - Portland (PCL) Beavers' Tagg Bozied hits a game-ending and season-ending grand slam against Tacoma‚ greeting his teammates at home with a jump on the plate. In doing so‚ he ruptures the patellar tendon in his right knee and has to leave the field in an ambulance.

    Jul 18, 2004 - The White Sox acquire OF Carl Everett from the Expos for P Jon Rauch and minor league P Gary Majewski.

    Jul 17, 2004 - The Padres defeat the Astros‚ 7-4. Lance Berkman‚ who wears uniform number 17‚ hit his 17th HR of the season (on July 17). His last homer came a month ago on June 17.

    Jul 16, 2004 - The Phillies defeat the Mets‚ 5-1. Bobby Abreu becomes just the 4th player in ML history to record at least 20 HRs and 20 steals in 6 consecutive seasons. Willie Mays‚ Bobby Bonds‚ and Barry Bonds are the others.

    Jul 16, 2004 - Mike Maroth hurls a one-hitter as the Tigers down the Yankees‚ 8-0. Gary Sheffield's 4th-inning double is the only hit for New York.

    Jul 16, 2004 - Against the Expos‚ Jacque Jones homers in the 9th to tie the score at 4-4 and then the Twins win it in the 11th on a leadoff HR into the LF stands by Luis Rivas. Expo manager Frank Robinson is ejected for protesting that the hit was foul: replays show Robby correct. This is Robinson's 3rd ejection as a manager of the Expos and he and Don Zimmer‚ Leo Durocher and Casey Stengel are the only major leaguers ejected from games in six decades.

    Jul 16, 2004 - The Indians trounce the Mariners‚ 18-6. Victor Martinez goes 5-for-5‚ with 3 HRs and 7 RBI for the Tribe. Cleveland hits 8 homers all told: only two teams have hit more in a game.

    Jul 15, 2004 - Class A Lancaster (Calif.) JetHawks P Mike Schultz ties a pro baseball record by fanning 5 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes batters in the 7th inning of a game won by the Quakes by a score of 19-4. Two of his victims reach base on 3rd-strike wild pitches.

    Jul 13, 2004 - The AL downs the NL‚ 9-4‚ in the annual All-Star Game. The AL scores a record 6 runs in the 1st inning off Roger Clemens‚ including HRs by MVP Alfonso Soriano and Manny Ramirez.

    Jul 13, 2004 - Houston fires Jimy Williams as manager and replaces him with former Astro Phil Garner.

    Jul 11, 2004 - The Rangers edge the Red Sox‚ 6-5‚ as Eric Young goes 5-for-5.

    Jul 11, 2004 - The Expos down the Pirates‚ 2-1‚ as Scott Downs becomes the 1st left-handed starting pitcher to win for Montreal in 500 games. The last to do so was Matt Blank on June 21‚ 2001.

    Jul 8, 2004 - The Blue Jays edge the Mariners‚ 10-8. Edgar Martinez drives in 2 runs for the losers to become the career RBI leader among designated hitters with 979.

    Jul 8, 2004 - The Diamondbacks beat the Giants‚ 8-4. Alex Cintron homers from both sides of the plate for Arizona.

    Jul 7, 2004 - The Dodgers down the Diamondbacks‚ 11-0‚ as Kazuhisa Ishii hurls a 1-hitter.

    Jul 7, 2004 - The Blue Jays defeat the Mariners‚ 12-4‚ as Josh Phelps homers twice and drives home 7 runs.

    Jul 6, 2004 - The White Sox re-signed P Freddy Garcia to a 3 year‚ $27 million contract extension. A possible key to the agreement is the fact that Sox manager Guillan is a second cousin to Garcia's fiance.

    Jul 5, 2004 - The Dodgers defeat the Diamondbacks‚ 6-5 in 10 innings‚ but P Eric Gagne's streak of 84 consecutive saves finally ends. Gagne gives up 2 runs in the 9th inning as Arizona ties the score at 5-5.

    Jul 4, 2004 - The Athletics down the Giants‚ 9-6. Barry Bonds draws 2 walks from Oakland pitchers to become baseball's all-time leader with 2‚191.

    Jul 4, 2004 - Don't mess with Texas. The Rangers rout Andy Pettitte (4-2) and beat the Astros‚ 18-3‚ as Joaquin Benoit goes 6 innings for the win. Texas has a pair of grand slams‚ one by Blaylock and a 9th inning slam by Mark Teixiera. Kevin Mench has 4 hits including a pair of homers‚ while Soriano has a homer off Pettitte.

    Jul 4, 2004 - The Rockies bounce back from a club record-tying 8-run deficit to edge the Tigers‚ 10-8.

    Jul 2, 2004 - The Pirates take two games from the Brewers‚ winning by scores of 8-1 and 13-2. OF Jason Bay drives home 8 runs in the 2nd game‚ the 2nd time he has done so in less than a year. He has only 48 career RBIs.

    Jul 2, 2004 - The Baltimore Orioles beat Philadelphia 7-6 in 16 innings. The Orioles pitching staff registers 19 Philly strikeouts and issues 18 walks.

    Jul 2, 2004 - The Diamondbacks fire manager Bob Brenly. Al Pedrique takes over as manager on an interim basis.

    Jun 28, 2004 - The Phils down the Expos‚ 14-6‚ as 3B David Bell hits for the cycle. Bell doubles in the 2nd inning‚ homers in the 4th‚ singles in the 6th‚ and triples in the 7th. His grandfather‚ Gus‚ also hit for the cycle for Pittsburgh in 1951.

    Jun 28, 2004 - The Brewers shut out the Angels‚ 1-0‚ in 17 innings on Scott Posednik's 2-out double. Ben Sheets retires the first 20 batters he faces before losing his perfect game in the 7th inning on Vladimir Guerrero's single. It is the only hit Sheets surrenders in 9 innings of work. The Brewers tie a ML record by striking out 26 times in the contest. Geoff Jenkins fans 6 times‚ also tying a record.

    Jun 27, 2004 - Cal State Fullerton wins the College WS title with a 3-2 win over Texas.

    Jun 27, 2004 - After Danny Bautista of Arizona hits a 3-run homer in the 8th to tie Detroit, Carlos Pena answers with a walkoff grand slam off Mike Koplove in the bottom of the 9th. Detroit wins, 9-5.

    Jun 25, 2004 - The Rockies defeat the Indians‚ 10-8‚ in 10 innings on Larry Walker's 3rd HR of the game.

    Jun 25, 2004 - The Devil Rays shut out the Marlins‚ 2-0‚ behind Dewon Brazelton. Brazelton loses a no-hit bid on Mike Lowell's double with 2 outs in the 8th inning. The win brings TB's record to 35-35‚ enabling them to join the 1899 Louisville Colonels as the only teams in ML history to reach .500 after being 18 games below at any point during the season.

    Jun 25, 2004 - Major league baseball and its players ban the use of androstenedione‚ the steroid-like substance made famous by Mark McGwire when he hit 70 HRs in 1998.

    Jun 25, 2004 - The Angels collect 22 hits‚ including 4 homers‚ in trouncing the Dodgers‚ 13-0. 2B Adam Kennedy has 4 hits including a HR. For only the fifth time since 1974‚ the Dodgers use a position player to pitch as Jim Tracy calls on Robin Ventura. Ventura‚ the 5th pitcher used‚ faces just four batters while pitching a scoreless ninth with three fly outs and one hit.

    Jun 24, 2004 - A day after their win streak ends the Devil Rays slam the Blue Jays‚ 19-13‚ setting teams records for runs (19) and hits (24) in the process. Julio Lugo goes 5-7 to set a club record for hits. Aubrey Huff has 2 singles in the 6th and Jose Cruz‚ Jr and Carl Crawford homer in the frame.

    Jun 24, 2004 - The Rangers down the Mariners‚ 9-7‚ in 18 innings as Alfonso Soriano hits a 2-run walkoff HR to win it.

    Jun 24, 2004 - In a 9-3 loss to the Giants‚ Dodger catcher Paul Lo Duca swipes home on the front end of a double steal with Juan Encarnacion. Brett Tomko‚ the eventual winner is on the mound. Lo Duca is the first Dodger since pitcher Darren Dreifort in 2001 to steal home. Hideo Nomo allows 7 runs in 5+ innings to take the loss.

    Jun 24, 2004 - The Royals send soon-to-be free agent Carlos Beltran to the Astros in a three-team deal. KC receives minor league 3B Mark Teahen and P Mike Wood from the Athletics and C John Buck from Houston. The Athletics get P Octavio Dotel from the Astros.

    Jun 23, 2004 - The Tampa Bay Devil Rays (33-35) winning streak of 12 straight games ends in extra innings as the Toronto Blue Jays win 2-1 in 10 innings. The 12 consecutive wins are a club record eclipsing the previous D'Ray high-water mark of six straight.

    Jun 23, 2004 - Pitcher Luis Ramirez sets a new pro record by striking out 12 consecutive batters in a game for Class A Aberdeen (Md.).

    Jun 22, 2004 - The White Sox defeat the Indians‚ 11-9. Chicago reliever Shingo Takatsu surrenders a single to Ron Belliard to end his streak of having retired 29 consecutive batters since May 26.

    Jun 20, 2004 - The Reds beat the Cardinals‚ 6-0‚ as Ken Griffey Jr. hits the 500th HR of his ML career. Griffey is the 20th player to reach the plateau.

    Jun 20, 2004 - The Giants down the Red Sox‚ 4-0‚ as Jason Schmidt hurls his second one-hitter of the season. Kevin Youkilis' double leading off the 6th inning is Boston's only safety.

    Jun 18, 2004 - This is getting boring. For the third game in a row the Kansas City Royals win‚ 10-4‚ beating the Phillies. The defeated the Braves by the same score in their previous two games. Matt Stairs has 2 homers and a double and Angel Berroa is a homer short of the cycle. Former 1st-round pick Chris George (1-0) goes 6+ innings for the win. Elias Sports Bureau says that the Royals are the first team to win three straight games by the same score while scoring at least 10 runs in each.

    Jun 17, 2004 - The Marlins obtain relief P Billy Koch and cash from the White Sox in exchange for IF Wilson Valdez.

    Jun 17, 2004 - The Mets get OF Richard Hidalgo and cash from the Astros‚ sending pitchers David Weathers and Jeremy Griffiths to Houston.

    Jun 16, 2004 - Florida's Carl Pavano allows just 3 hits and walks no one as the Marlins trip the White Sox‚ 4-0. Mike Lowell's 16th HR is all the scoring Pavano needs. Carlos Lee of the Sox has his 28-game hit streak stopped‚ but the outfielder does break the team record shared by Luke Appling and Albert Belle.

    Jun 14, 2004 - The Phillies beat the Reds‚ 10-7‚ a rain-shortened 8 inning game. Philadelphia 1B Jim Thome becomes the 37th player in ML history to reach the 400 HR plateau with a 1st inning blast off Jose Acevedo.

    Jun 13, 2004 - The Cubs outlast the Angels in 15 innings by a score of 6-5. Derrek Lee gets a career-high 5 hits for Chicago‚ including a HR and 2 RBIs.

    Jun 13, 2004 - The Astros down the Brewers‚ 5-4. Houston's Brad Liege ties a ML record by striking out 4 batters in the 7th inning.

    Jun 13, 2004 - Seattle beats Montreal‚ 8-1‚ as Pat Borders of the Mariners notches a stolen base. He went 3‚661 days between stolen bases‚ last stealing one on June 5‚ 1994.

    Jun 13, 2004 - The Giants defeat the Orioles‚ 7-3‚ as Barry Bonds hits the 676th HR of his career. The blast makes the Giants the first franchise in baseball history to have three players hit 500 homers with the club. Willie Mays had 646 and Mel Ott hit 511.

    Jun 12, 2004 - The Giants knock off the Orioles‚ 9-6. Barry Bonds hits the 675th HR of his career for SF‚ and Rafael Palmeiro hits his 537th for Baltimore. It is only the 3rd time in history that two players with 500 homers connect in the same game. Willie Mays and Ernie Banks did so in 1970‚ and Mays and Hank Aaron the following year.

    Jun 11, 2004 - The Yankees lose to the Padres‚ 10-2‚ to end NY's 13-game interleague winning streak‚ the longest such streak since the advent of interleague play.

    Jun 10, 2004 - The Cubs down the Cardinals‚ 12-3‚ scoring 10 runs in the 4th inning. Chicago ties a team record with 11 hits in the frame‚ 9 of them straight.

    Jun 8, 2004 - The Astros defeat the Mariners‚ 1-0‚ as Roger Clemens becomes the oldest pitcher to begin a season 9-0. It is the 319th win of his big league career.

    Jun 8, 2004 - The Brewers shut out the Angels‚ 1-0‚ in 17 innings on Scott Posednik's 2-out double. Ben Sheets retires the first 20 batters he faces before losing his perfect game in the 7th inning on Vladimir Guerrero's single. It is the only hit Sheets surrenders in 9 innings of work. The Brewers tie a ML record by striking out 26 times in the contest. Geoff Jenkins fans 6 times‚ also tying a record.

    Jun 6, 2004 - In 50 rounds in baseball's 2004 amateur draft a total of 1‚498 players are taken; 559 right-handed pitchers‚ 234 left-handed pitchers‚ 331 infielders‚ 248 outfielders and 126 catchers. The 30 big-league clubs drafted 996 college players‚ 494 high-schoolers and eight players affiliated with neither a high school nor a college. California leads the way among the 50 states providing 270 draftees while Florida was second with 172. The Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins selected the most players choosing 54 each. The Padres‚ picking first‚ take into account signability and select prep SS Matt Bush. Detroit takes Justin Verlander with the 2nd pick and Milwaukee chooses Mark Rogers with #5. A day after Rice loses to Texas A&M in the College WS‚ three of its pitchers are chosen in the top 10: the Mets pick Phillip Humber at #3‚ Tampa Bay takes 6'9" Jeff Niemann‚ who was 17-0 as a sophomore‚ at #4‚ and Baltimore uses their #9 pick to take Wade Townsend. None of the three will sign this year‚ and Humber will sign January 11‚ 2005‚ a day before a change in the federal tax law makes signing bonuses subject to Medicaire and Social Security taxes. Townsend will return to Rice‚ though he will not play baseball. Several brothers of major leaguers go on the first round: Jared Weaver‚ brother of Jeff‚ goes to the Angels with #12‚ and highly rated SS Stephen Drew‚ brother of JD‚ goes to the D'backs at #15. The Cubs top pick‚ P Grant Johnson‚ won't sign till August‚ miss the fall season to go back to Notre Dame‚ and miss the spring 2005 with an injury. He'll finally debut in low class A in June 2005.

    Jun 5, 2004 - Ken Griffey‚ Jr. hits his 496 career HR and Adam Dunn hits 2‚ including a 3-run shot in the 10th‚ as the Reds beat the visiting Montreal Expos.

    Jun 5, 2004 - Todd Helton and Royce Clayton hit 2-run homers to pace the Rockies to an 11-2 win over the Giants. Barry Bonds is walked 3 times‚ twice intentionally‚ and hits a double. Yesterday‚ Jeff Fassero ignored manager Clint Hurdle's instructions and pitched to Bonds‚ who hit his 15th homer.

    Jun 4, 2004 - Mark Prior makes his season debut for the Cubs‚ but the Cubs loses 2-1‚ to the Pirates‚ Prior goes 6 shutout innings. The Cubs hit the million mark in attendance‚ their quickest in history.

    Jun 3, 2004 - Atlanta's Julio Franco becomes the oldest player in ML history to hit a grand slam as he connects in the 1st inning of the Braves' 8-4 win over the Phillies.

    Jun 3, 2004 - Cards catcher Yadier Molina‚ 21‚ is 2-for-4 in his ML debut. He joins catching brothers Bengie and Jose‚ the first trio of brothers to play at the same time since the Cruz brothers‚ in 1977.

    Jun 2, 2004 - Vladimir Guerrero strokes 2 HRs and drives in a team-record 9 runs in the Angels' 10-7 win over the Red Sox. Five of the RBI come off Pedro Martinez‚ who takes the loss for Boston‚ but does record the 2‚500th strikeout of his ML career in the process. He is the 26th pitcher to reach the mark. David Eckstein gets 5 hits and scores 4 runs for the Angels as their top 3 hitters (Guerrero‚ 4-for-4‚ Phillips‚ 3-for-4) go 12-for-13.

    Jun 1, 2004 - The Cardinals drub the Pirates‚ 8-1‚ as Albert Pujols goes 5-for-5‚ including a pair of doubles and a HR.

    Jun 1, 2004 - Scott Podsednik hits a leadoff HR for the Brewers and starter Doug Davis pitches 6 shutout innings as Milwaukee beats Los Angeles‚ 4-1. Podsednik will hit another leadoff HR tomorrow.

    May 31, 2004 - A Roman Catholic nun from southeastern Indiana wins $10‚000 in a contest during a Cincinnati Reds game with Florida‚ with the Reds winning‚ 9-7. Sister Susanna Helms wins the money after her name was on the Reds radio broadcast to win the $10‚000 if the Reds hit back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning. Barry Larkin and Sean Casey‚ with his second of the game‚ connect. Sean Casey has a pair of homers and Ken Griffey‚ Jr. adds a three-run homer in the 7th.

    May 28, 2004 - The Yankees defeat the Devil Rays‚ 7-5‚ as Mariano Rivera records the 300th save of his ML career. He is the 17th pitcher to reach the mark.

    May 28, 2004 - Casey Blake of Cleveland hits a game-ending homer off Jim Mecir of Oakland in the 9th inning as the Tribe wins 1-0.

    May 28, 2004 - Rob Mackowiak of the Pittsburgh Pirates has a day to remember. In the morning‚ his wife gives birth to his first son. Later that day‚ his walk-off grand slam in the 9th inning offsets an eight-inning grand slam by Michael Barrett and gives the Pirates a 9-5 win over the Chicago Cubs in the first game of a doubleheader. In the second game‚ Mackowiak hits a 2-run HR in the bottom of the 9th to tie the score. Pittsburgh goes on to win the game in the 10th‚ 5-4‚ on Craig Wilson's homer. It is just the 3rd time in history that a doubleheader has ended with two walkoff homers: the other times were July 25‚ 1967 and May 12‚ 1962.

    May 27, 2004 - The Tigers down the Royals‚ 17-7‚ tying a team record in the process by stroking 27 hits. Carlos Pena goes 6-for-6 in the contest‚ with 5 RBIs. Pena powers two homers‚ a double and three singles in the game while batting eighth. The first baseman's six-hit effort made him just the 18th major-leaguer to register both a six-hit and a three-homer game during his career. Pena also became the first player in over 100 years to register six hits in a game while batting eighth. Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson was the last before Pena when he rapped out six hits in a game from the eight hole in 1892. Shawn Green was the last player to garner six hits and three dingers in the same game when he registered six knocks and four long balls in 2002.

    May 26, 2004 - The Pirates defeat the Cardinals‚ 11-8‚ as OF Daryle Ward becomes the 20th player in the team's history to hit for the cycle. Ward and his father‚ Gary‚ become the first father-son team to perform the feat.

    May 26, 2004 - In a 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks. Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants homers and reaches 100 walks breaking his own major-league record for earliest to 100 in a season. In tomorrow's 5-4 win over Arizona‚ Barry will get 3 more walks‚ all intentional. In 2002‚ Bonds cracked the century mark on June 29‚ the earliest ever‚ and finished the season with a major-league record 198 bases on balls shattering his own mark of 178 set the year before.

    May 26, 2004 - The Marlins shut out the Reds‚ 3-0‚ as Tommy Phelps‚ Matt Perisho‚ and Armando Benitez combine on a 1-hitter.

    May 26, 2004 - The Mariners beat the Indians‚ 7-3‚ as Edgar Martinez becomes the all-time HR leader among DHs with the 236th of his career. He had previously been tied with Harold Baines.

    May 25, 2004 - Illinois high school pitcher Joe Labek strikes out 40 batters‚ a new high school record‚ but loses 2-1 in 24 innings. Labek‚ pitching for Ridgewood‚ came on in relief in the 4th inning of a game against Evergreen Park on May 17. The scoreless game was suspended after 12 innings and resumed today. Both teams score in the 18th and Evergreen Park scores in the 24th on a double‚ walk and bloop single. Labek strikes out 3 in the 24th to break the old record of 37‚ set in 1971 by Asher‚ Oklahoma pitcher Billy Brimm in a 17-inning game.

    May 23, 2004 - The Mets down the Rockies‚ 4-0‚ as Tom Glavine hurls a 1-hitter. Glavine loses his no-hitter with 2 outs in the 8th inning as Kit Pellow doubles. Kaz Matsui leads off the game with a HR for NY‚ the 5th time he has done so this year to tie Chili Davis for the most leadoff homers for an NL rookie. He hit one yesterday.

    May 23, 2004 - Randy Johnson and the Diamondbacks defeat the Marlins‚ 4-3. Johnson sets down the first 6 Florida batters he faces‚ giving him a streak of 39 in a row over 3 starts‚ 2 shy of Jim Barr's ML record.

    May 20, 2004 - Los Angeles Dodger farmhand Chuck Tiffany of the Single-A Columbus Catfish has 2 wins this season‚ both no-hitters. The South Atlantic League lefty notched his first victory on May 3 when he combined with reliever Marcos Carvajal to no-hit the Greensboro Bats. Today Tiffany twirls a 7-inning perfect game against the Bats for his second win.

    May 18, 2004 - Randy Johnson hurls the 17th perfect game in ML history as he defeats the Braves by a score of 2-0. Johnson becomes the oldest pitcher to ever hurl a perfecto‚ and just the 5th hurler in history to toss a no-hitter in both the National and American leagues.

    May 18, 2004 - Jeremy Burnitz and Matt Holliday hit back to back homers twice‚ connecting in the 2nd and 7th‚ to lead the Rockies to an 8-3 win over the Reds.

    May 18, 2004 - The Giants down the Cubs‚ 1-0‚ behind the 1-hit pitching of Jason Schmidt. Michael Barrett's 2-out infield single in the 5th inning is Chicago's only safety. Schmidt throws 144 pitches in his complete game win‚ the highest pitch total in a game over the past two seasons. Besides Schmidt‚ Kerry Wood of the Chicago Cubs and Mark Redman‚ then of the Florida Marlins‚ are the only pitchers over the last two years to surpass the 140-pitch mark.

    May 16, 2004 - The Brewers knock off the Braves‚ 4-1‚ as Ben Sheets sets a franchise record with 18 strikeouts. Sheets' previous high was 10.

    May 16, 2004 - In San Diego‚ Sammy Sosa has two violent sneezes that will put him on the DL for a month with a strained back.

    May 13, 2004 - Dodger pitcher Jose Lima‚ lead singer of Bando Mambo‚ sings the National Anthem and God Bless America before the Dodgers-Cubs game‚ He also pitches 5 2/3 scoreless innings‚ of relief his longest ML relief outing. This comes after the Cubs score 6 runs against starter Hideo Nomo in the 2nd inning and roll to a 7-3 win. Carlos Zambrano strikes out 11 in 8 IP. Lima is believed to be the first player to sing the National Anthem since the Cubs Dwight Smith on July 21‚ 1989.

    May 13, 2004 - Andruw Jones has a 3-run HR in the 1st and Adam LaRoche has 4 doubles in the Braves‚ 11-6‚ win over the Brewers. Alfonseca (5-0)‚ with 1 2/3 innings of relief is the winner.

    May 13, 2004 - Frank Catalanatto has 3 doubles and 4 RBIs and Orlando Hudscon scores 5 runs as Toronto beats visiting Boston‚ 12-6.

    May 12, 2004 - The Dodgers shut out the Cubs‚ 4-0‚ behind Wilson Alvarez. The final 2 runs come on a 7th-inning HR by Joey Cora after Cora fouls off 14 consecutive pitches.

    May 12, 2004 - The Mets Kaz Matsui hits a leadoff home run off Randy Johnson for the only score of the game as the Mets beat Arizona‚ 1-0.

    May 10, 2004 - The Mets pound out 17 hits‚ including 5 by Ty Wigginton‚ but still fall to the Diamondbacks‚ 12-8. Luis Gonzalez clouts 3 homers for Arizona.

    May 8, 2004 - The Rangers edge the Tigers‚ 16-15‚ in 10 innings. Detroit scores 8 runs in the top half of the 5th inning to take a 14-4 lead. Texas bounces back with 10 runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning to tie the score. The 18 runs are the most ever scored in the 5th inning of a ML game. Alfonso Soriano gets an AL-record-tying 6 hits for the Rangers‚ including a double.

    May 7, 2004 - The Cubs beat Colorado‚ 11-0‚ behind the pitching of Carlos Zambrano. The cubs score 6 in the 2nd inning knocking out Shawn Estes in his shortest stint of the year.

    May 6, 2004 - The Cubs pound the Diamondbacks‚ 11-3. Derek Lee gets 5 of Chicago's 15 hits‚ including a HR‚ and drives in 5 runs.

    May 5, 2004 - The Mets defeat the Giants‚ 8-2‚ as Mike Piazza becomes baseball's all-time HR leader among catchers with number 352. It is the 363rd homer of his career all told.

    May 5, 2004 - The Astros down the Pirates‚ 6-2‚ behind Roger Clemens. Clemens strikes out 9 batters to move ahead of Steve Carlton into 2nd place on the all-time list behind Nolan Ryan.

    May 2, 2004 - The Atlanta Braves end a 5-7 road trip by making an Atlanta-record tying seven errors in a 13-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies. The Braves become the 17th team since 1974 to make seven miscues in a contest. The last team to record more than seven was the 1974 Kansas City Royals who had eight in a game against the Oakland A's. Braves third baseman Mark DeRosa leads the parade with four errors while Marcus Giles made two and Jesse Garcia‚ one. DeRosa's total is one short of the N.L. record held by another Brave Dave Brain‚ who's 5 E's came in an 11-error game by the Boston Braves on June 11‚ 1906.

    May 2, 2004 - In Japan‚ American Tuffy Rhodes hit his 300th career homer‚ connecting in the bottom of the eighth inning at the Tokyo Dome‚ where his Yomiuri Giants lost to the Hiroshima Carp‚ 4-3. Rhodes‚ who joined the Giants in the offseason after eight seasons with the Kintetsu Buffaloes of the Pacific League‚ has the most home runs of any foreign player in Japanese baseball history. Rhodes‚ who tied Japan's single-season home run record of 55 in 2001‚ played for the Boston Red Sox‚ Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs before coming to Japan.

    May 1, 2004 - The Giants defeat the Marlins‚ 6-3. Barry Bonds is walked intentionally 4 times‚ the most in a 9-inning game since the stat became official in 1955.

    May 1, 2004 - The Yankees rout the Royals‚ 12-4‚ as Ruben Sierra hits 2 HRs and drives in 7 runs.

    May 1, 2004 - The Blue Jays pound out 18 hits in defeating the White Sox‚ 10-6. Frank Catalanotto strokes an AL-record-tying 6 hits for Toronto‚ including a double.

    Apr 29, 2004 - The Cardinals beat the Phillies‚ 5-4‚ in 13 innings. The win makes St. Louis manager Tony LaRussa only the 2nd manager in history (along with Sparky Anderson) to win 700 games with 2 different teams.

    Apr 29, 2004 - The Giants lose to the Marlins‚ 4-3‚ despite Barry Bonds' 668th career home run. The blast gives the slugger and his late father‚ Bobby‚ a total of 1‚000 career round-trippers.

    Apr 28, 2004 - The Brewers defeat the Reds‚ 10-9‚ in 10 innings. In doing so‚ they post the biggest rally in team history‚ overcoming a 9-0 deficit.

    Apr 28, 2004 - The Cubs down the Diamondbacks‚ 4-3‚ despite 3 solo HRs by Steve Finley. It is the 4th three-HR game of his career.

    Apr 27, 2004 - The Brewers edge the Reds‚ 9-8‚ as C Chad Moeller becomes the 5th Brewer in history to hit for the cycle. Moeller adds 4 RBIs as he breaks out of a 3-for-24 slump in grand fashion.

    Apr 27, 2004 - A day after being shut out by Randy Johnson‚ the Cubs fail to score against Brandon Webb‚ who throws 7 innings. The Diamondbacks beat the Cubs‚ 10-1. Danny Bautista extends his hitting streak to 19 games for the D'Backs. Steve Finley hits a homer and steals his 300th base.

    Apr 26, 2004 - In a 9-0 win over the Cubs Richie Sexson of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits the longest home run ever at the BOB in Phoenix. In fact‚ the ball hit Sexson's own photo on the scoreboard and breaks a few lights‚ 503 feet from home plate. It's the 200th HR of his career. Randy Johnson goes 7 innings allowing 2 hits and striking out 10.

    Apr 25, 2004 - Little League Baseball grants its northern Virginia district jurisdiction over the planet Mars. The idea is the brainchild of district Administrator Michael Pobat‚ who wants a theme as northern Virginia prepares to host the annual state tournament this year. Believing the Martian theme might be a way to get kids excited about science and technology‚ he successfully petitioned Little League to annex the planet into the northern Virginia district.

    Apr 25, 2004 - The Cubs Matt Clement takes a no-hitter into the 7th against the Mets and strikes out a career-high 13 as the Cubs sweep the Mets with the 4-1 win.

    Apr 25, 2004 - Manny Ramirez hits a 2-run homer to provide all the scoring as the Boston Red Sox beat the Yankees‚ 2-0. Pedro Martinez allows 4 hits in 7 innings for the win.

    Apr 25, 2004 - The Rangers defeat the Mariners‚ 14-6. Laynce Nix‚ Rod Barajas‚ and Adrian Gonzalez hit consecutive homers for Texas in the 6th inning‚ with Gonzalez's being the 1st of his ML career. Kevin Mench scores 5 runs.

    Apr 23, 2004 - The Tigers score 11 runs in the 6th inning on their way to a 17-3 thumping of the Indians.

    Apr 22, 2004 - The Diamondbacks defeat the Brewers‚ 1-9‚ in 15 innings. Danny Bautista paces Arizona's 20-hit attack with 5 safeties‚ including a double‚ 2 HRs‚ and 5 RBIs.

    Apr 21, 2004 - The Cubs score 8 runs in the 1st inning on their way to a 12-1 victory over the Pirates. Corey Patterson leads the way for Chicago with 5 hits‚ including a double.

    Apr 21, 2004 - The Marlins defeat the Phillies‚ 8-7‚ in 12 innings. Mike Lowell hits 3 HRs for Florida. He is the first Fish to hit 3 homers in a game.

    Apr 21, 2004 - The Brewers ride an 8-run 7th inning to a 10-6 win over the Diamondbacks and Randy Johnson.

    Apr 20, 2004 - The Padres down the Giants‚ 9-5. Barry Bonds homers in his 7th consecutive game for SF‚ leaving him just one shy of the ML mark shared by Dale Long‚ Don Mattingly‚ and Ken Griffey Jr.

    Apr 19, 2004 - The Seattle Mariners became just the third team since 1974 to win a game on a balk in extra innings edging the A's‚ 2-1. With runners on first and third and two out in the bottom of the 14th inning‚ Oakland A's reliever Justin Duchscherer was called for a balk to score Quentin McCracken from third and give the Mariners a 2-1 win over the A's. Duchscherer faked a throw to third then threw to first baseman Eric Karros in an attempt to pick off the runner there. However‚ home plate umpire Paul Emmel ruled that the reliever had stepped toward the plate rather than to first and‚ under rule 8.05c‚ had committed a balk. Seatttle starter Freddy Garcia pitches 7 scoreless innings but closer Eddie Guardero gives up a HR to Jermaine Dye in the 9th to tie it.

    Apr 19, 2004 - After Jeff D'Amico gives up 4 runs without recording an out‚ Jake Westbrook relieves and pitches 7 hitless innings against Detroit. Two relievers allow 3 runs apiece after Jake leaves‚ and the Tigers beat the Indians‚ 10-4. Westbrook is the first pitcher since 1969 to pitch 7 perfect innings in relief; the previous highs were the 6.2 perfect innings pitched by Casey Cox in 1969 and John Montague in 1977.

    Apr 18, 2004 - The Pirates beat the Mets‚ 8-1‚ as P Kris Benson ties a ML record with 4 sacrifices. He becomes the 7th player to accomplish the feat‚ and only the 2nd since 1920.

    Apr 16, 2004 - The Indians defeat the Tigers‚ 10-3‚ behind Jody Gerut's 5 hits. Gerut collects a single‚ 3 doubles‚ and a HR and drives home 3 runs.

    Apr 16, 2004 - Tony Womakc and Reggie Sanders hits homers off Denny Stark to lead off the game against the Rockies. Sanders hits another 3-run HR off Stark‚ who allows 11 runs in 2 + innings. St. Louis wins‚ 13-5.

    Apr 16, 2004 - On back-to-back pitches Sammy Sosa and Moises Alou homer to help the Cubs beat the Reds‚ 11-10. Sosa's is his 512th as a Cub‚ tying Ernie Banks for the club record. Sammy will hit a pair of solo homers on the 18th to take the club lead. Dusty Baker is ejected today for arguing the umps call that the Cubs batted out of order. Kerry Wood will be ejected tomorrow for arguing calls and both he and Baker will be fined for inciting the crowd.

    Apr 15, 2004 - The Marlins defeat the Expos‚ 3-0‚ to become the first team since the 1995 Orioles to sweep a 3-game series with shutouts. Carl Pavano and 2 relievers do the whitewashing today to followup wins by Penny and Willis. It is the 4th consecutive time the Marlins have shut out Montreal. The Expos have scored just 10 runs in their first 9 games‚ which is the 2nd lowest figure ever‚ ahead of just the 1907 Brooklyn Superbas.

    Apr 14, 2004 - The Yankees defeat the Devil Rays‚ 5-1‚ as Kevin Brown wins the 200th game of his ML career. Together with Mike Mussina‚ they become the first teammates to reach the milestone in the same season‚ doing so in consecutive games.

    Apr 14, 2004 - The Rockies pound the Diamondbacks‚ 14-4‚ as rookie 2B Aaron Miles becomes the first player in Colorado history to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game.

    Apr 13, 2004 - The Giants beat the Astros‚ 4-2‚ behind a pair of HRs by Marquis Grissom‚ and the 661st of Barry Bonds' ML career. The homer moves Bonds ahead of his godfather‚ Willie Mays‚ into third place on the all-time list.

    Apr 12, 2004 - The Phillies open new Citizens Bank Park with a 4-1 loss to the Reds.

    Apr 12, 2004 - Travis Hafner hits a grand slam to power the Indians to a 6-3 win over the Twins.

    Apr 12, 2004 - Through today‚ there had been six pinch hit homers in the bigs in 2004 with all coming in the ninth inning.

    Apr 11, 2004 - The Yankees defeat the White Sox‚ 5-4‚ as Mike Mussina records his 200th career victory.

    Apr 9, 2004 - High-lighted by Jeff Bagwell's grand slam‚ the Astros score 9 runs in the 6th inning on their way to a 13-7 win over the Brewers.

    Apr 9, 2004 - The Cubs Todd Hollandsworth hits a pinch homer in the 9th off John Smoltz to tie the game with the Braves. Tom Goodwin's sac fly in the 15th is the game winner.

    Apr 9, 2004 - The Royals defeat the Indians‚ 3-1. They become the first team in modern ML history to start 4 different lefthanded pitchers in the first 4 games of the season.

    Apr 8, 2004 - The Milwaukee Brewers down the St. Louis Cardinals‚ 11-5‚ as Scott Podsednik has four hits and Brady Clark knocks in four runs. Albert Pujols smacks a pair of homers for the Birds. Catcher Cody McKay makes his major league debut as a pinch-hitter for St. Louis‚ then goes to the mound and hurls 2 hitless innings‚ walking one. He is the 20th position player to pitch two innings or more in a major-league game since 1973. Jose Oquendo posted the longest pitching stint by a position player since 1973 going four innings against the Atlanta Braves on May 14‚ 1988. Dave Burba of the Brewers registers his first major-league save since June 8‚ 1991‚ a span of 4‚668 days.

    Apr 8, 2004 - The Padres tie the game in the 9th and score the winning run in the 10th to defeat the Giants‚ 4-3‚ in the first regular season game at new PETCO Park.

    Apr 7, 2004 - The Braves overcome a 6-0 deficit and pound out 19 hits on their way to an 18-10 win over the Mets. Atlanta takes the lead for good by scoring 11 runs in the 4th inning. Mike Piazza goes 5-for-5 for NY‚ including a pair of HRs. He becomes the first catcher in modern ML history to hit 3 HRs in the first 2 games of the season. Rookie Adam LaRoche‚ Johnny Estrada and Julio Franco combined for six hits and seven RBIs in the 4th inning. LaRoche is the first N.L. player to garner two hits in an inning in his big-league debut; the feat has been accomplished three times in the A.L.

    Apr 7, 2004 - The Astros defeat the Giants‚ 10-1‚ as Roger Clemens hurls 7 innings of 1-hit ball in his NL debut. The game marks the first time in history that a pitcher with at least 300 wins (Clemens) faces a hitter with 600 or more homers (Barry Bonds).

    Apr 7, 2004 - The Red Sox top the Orioles‚ 10-3‚ as OF Johnny Damon strokes 5 hits‚ including a double.

    Apr 7, 2004 - Montreal Expo pitcher Chad Bentz makes the Expos opening day roster despite having a deformed right hand. Bentz‚ like Jim Abbott before him‚ pitches with his left hand then switches his glove to his left hand to field. Bentz made his debut against the Florida Marlins on April 7. The southpaw attended Long Beach State on a baseball scholarship and was drafted by the Expos in the seventh round of the 2001 amateur draft.

    Apr 6, 2004 - The World Champion Florida Marlins open their 2004 season with a 4-3 win over the Montreal Expos. The game marks the first time that 2 WS MVPs oppose each other on Opening Day‚ with 2003 winner Josh Beckett going for Florida and 1997 winner Livan Hernandez on the mound for Montreal. Like Beckett, Hernandez was a member of the Marlins when he won his World Series MVP.

    Apr 6, 2004 - The Mets open their season with a 7-2 win over the Braves. SS Kazuo Matsui, making his American baseball debut, opens the game with a home run on the first pitch from Russ Russ Ortiz‚ becoming only the 20th player in baseball history to homer on the first major league pitch he sees. Matsui adds a pair of doubles and two walks in his debut.He is the 3rd player in Met history to homer in his first AB‚ joining Mike Fitzgerald and Benny Ayala.

    Apr 6, 2004 - The Giants down the Astros‚ 7-5‚ as rookie P David Aardsma gets the win in his first ML appearance. With his first pitch of the game, Aardsma also replaces Hank Aaron in the top spot in baseball's all-time alphabetical listing.

    Apr 5, 2004 - The Brewers defeat the Cardinals‚ 8-6‚ on Opening Day in St. Louis. President George Bush throws out the first ball‚ marking the first time a president performs the honor in St. Louis.

    Apr 5, 2004 - Behind the pitching of Kerry Wood‚ the Cubs beat the Reds‚ 7-4 in Cincinnati. Wood is the first Cub pitcher to win back-to-back openers since Claude Passeau in 1941-42.

    Apr 5, 2004 - Barry Bonds hits a 3-run homer off Roy Oswalt to tie the Astros 4-4‚ and J.T. Snow hits a sac fly in the 9th to win‚ 5-4. Bonds is 3-for-3 with 2 doubles to go with his 659th career homer. His 3 extra base hits puts him ahead of Lou Gehrig into 5th on the career extra base hits vs. league average list and‚ with 1 walk‚ he passes Ted Williams for 2nd on career walks vs. league average.

    Apr 5, 2004 - The A's confirmed that 2B Mark Ellis has a torn labrum and will have to miss the entire 2004 season.

    Apr 4, 2004 - The Marlins and Padres exchange pitchers‚ with Ben Howard going to Florida and Blaine Neal to SD.

    Apr 4, 2004 - The Expos acquire C Einar Diaz‚ P Justin Echols‚ and cash from the Rangers. Montreal sends C/IF Josh McKinley and P Chris Young to Texas.

    Apr 4, 2004 - The Mets trade OF Roger Cedeno to the Cardinals‚ getting C Chris Widger and IF Wilson Delgado in return.

    Apr 4, 2004 - The Mariners get IF Jolbert Cabrera from the Dodgers for pitchers Aaron Looper and Ryan Ketchner.

    Apr 4, 2004 - The Dodgers send OF Jason Romano to Tampa Bay in exchange for SS Antonio Perez.

    Apr 2, 2004 - The Dodgers send P Steve Colyer and a player to be named to the Tigers for OF Cody Ross.

    Apr 1, 2004 - Indians CF Milton Bradley left the team and is reportedly on the trading block. In an exhibition game yesterday Bradley did not run out a pop fly that dropped for a single‚ and was promptly pulled. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer‚ even if he's not traded by Opening Day‚ he won't be with the Indians on Monday. They are right. On the 3rd he goes to the Dodgers for minor league blue chipper Franklin Gutierrez and a player to be named later.

    Mar 31, 2004 - The Blue Jays and Dodgers trade Jasons with the sending OF Jason Werth to the Dodgers for P Jason Frasor.

    Mar 31, 2004 - The Giants obtain pitchers Wayne Franklin and Leo Estrella from the Brewers for pitchers Carlo Vallanueva and Glenn Woolard.

    Mar 31, 2004 - The Astros traded 15-game winner Jeriome Robertson to the Indians for minor league OF Luke Scott and the rights for the Indians to keep minor league OF Willy Taveras. Taveras was taken in the Rule 5 draft and‚ since he isn't going to the team‚ the Indians would have had to offer him back to the Astros for $25‚000. But‚ as part of the deal‚ the Indians get to keep him and send him to the minors‚ without the Astros taking him back.

    Mar 30, 2004 - The Yankees and Devil Rays open the 2004 season in Japan‚ with Tampa Bay pounding out an 8-3 victory behind the pitching of Victor Zambrano and the hitting of Tino Martinez. Martinez strokes 3 hits‚ including the 300th HR of his career.

    Mar 30, 2004 - The Dodgers get OF Jason Grabowski from the A's in exchange for cash considerations.

    Mar 30, 2004 - The Cardinals and Padres exchange OFs‚ with Kerry Robinson going to SD and Brian Hunter going to St. Louis.

    Mar 29, 2004 - The Indians send IF Ricky Gutierrez to the Mets for a player to be named.

    Mar 29, 2004 - Jayson for Jason. The Blue Jays traded OF Jayson Werth to the Dodgers for P Jason Frasor. The Cardinals traded OF Kerry Robinson to the Padres for OF Brian Hunter.

    Mar 27, 2004 - The Mets send OF Timo Perez to the White Sox in exchange for P Matt Ginter.

    Mar 27, 2004 - The Tigers sign free agent P Ugueth Urbina to a contract‚ and after 3 innings of minor league work‚ will bring him up.

    Mar 26, 2004 - The Reds send P Chris Reitsma to the Braves for pitchers Jung Keun Bong and Bubba Nelson.

    Mar 25, 2004 - The Cubs trade Ps Juan Cruz and Steve Smyth to the Braves for pitcher Andy Pratt and IF Richard Lewis.

    Mar 25, 2004 - The Astros get IF Mike Lamb from the Yankees for P Juan DeLeon.

    Mar 25, 2004 - The Expos and Diamondbacks exchange pitchers‚ with John Patterson going to Montreal and Randy Choate to Arizona.

    Mar 22, 2004 - The Cardinals acquire IF/OF Tony Womack from the Red Sox for P Matt Duff.

    Mar 21, 2004 - Tattoos are taboo for Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Justin Miller. Baseball tells Miller he must wear long-sleeved shirts under his uniform when he pitches because the tattoos on his arm are a distraction to hitters. More than 50 percent of Miller's body is covered by tattoos. "We had (umpire supervisor) Jim McKean come in the other day and said that someone had complained about Justin's tattoos and some of them are colored‚'' Toronto manager Carlos Tosca said. "All they have done is ask that he wear sleeves when he pitches.''

    Mar 20, 2004 - ML baseball announces the Devil Rays OF Josh Hamilton has been suspended for the 2004 season for violating baseball's drug policy.

    Mar 11, 2004 - A new college attendance record is set at newly built Petco Park as Tony Gwynn's Aztecs of San Diego State host Houston before 40‚106. SD's Scott Shoemaker strikes out 14 in a 4-0 win.

    Mar 10, 2004 - Senator John McCain tells ML baseball Commisssioner Bud Selig and union chief Donald Fehr they must come up with comprehensive steroid testing plan or Congress will act.

    Mar 2, 2004 - The Yankees sign free agent 1B Travis Lee to a contract.

    Feb 26, 2004 - The baseball interfered with by Cubs' fan Steve Bartmen in Game 6 of last year's NLCS is blown up in an attempt to exorcise the curse that has kept the Cubs from reaching the WS since 1945. The ball was bought by Grant DePorter at a December auction for $113‚824.

    Feb 23, 2004 - The Pirates sign free agent OF Raul Mondesi to a contract.

    Feb 23, 2004 - Former major league umpire Al Clark pleads guilty to a single count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud for his part in selling baseballs that he and a memorabilia dealer falsely claimed were used in historic games. The games included the ones when Cal Ripken Jr. tied and broke Lou Gehrig's record for the longest playing streak. In May he will be sentenced to four months in prison.

    Feb 19, 2004 - The Pirates sign free agent 1B Randall Simon to a contract.

    Feb 18, 2004 - Free agent P Greg Maddux agrees to a 3-year deal to return to the Cubs.

    Feb 16, 2004 - In the most heralded move of the year the Yankees obtain AL MVP Alex Rodriguez from the Rangers in exchange for 2B Alfonso Soriano and a player to be named. Rodriguez goes to the Yankees three weeks after he and the Red Sox could not conclude a deal that would satisfy the players' union.

    Feb 9, 2004 - The Mariners sign free agent P Ron Villone to a contract.

    Feb 6, 2004 - The Dominican Republic clinches the Caribbean Series with a 4-3 win over Puerto Rico. Jose Offerman had 3 hits and scores 3 runs for the winners. It is the Dominican Republic 15th Series crown to lead all participant countries.

    Feb 6, 2004 - The Cubs reach a tentative deal with the city that will allow them to start adding additional night games‚ starting this year. The Cubs have been limited to 18 night games a year and that number would grow by 4 a year‚ up to 30 in 2006.

    Feb 6, 2004 - The Yankees acquire 3B Mike Lamb from the Rangers in exchange for minor league P Jose Garcia.

    Feb 5, 2004 - The Red Sox sign free agent DH Ellis Burks to a contract.

    Feb 5, 2004 - The Padres sign free agent P Antonio Osuna to a contract.

    Feb 3, 2004 - The Marlins sign free agent IF Wil Cordero to a contract.

    Feb 2, 2004 - The Tigers sign free agent C Ivan Rodriguez to a 4-yr. contract.

    Feb 2, 2004 - The Athletics sign free agent 1B Eric Karros to a contract.

    Jan 29, 2004 - Major league owners unanimously approve the sale of the Dodgers to Frank McCourt for $430 million. McCourt will own a 52 percent share of the team with Fox retaining a 48 percent non-controlling interest worth $205 million.

    Jan 29, 2004 - The Marlins sign free agent P Darren Oliver to a contract.

    Jan 28, 2004 - The Mets sign veteran free agent 3B Todd Zeile to a contract.

    Jan 26, 2004 - Seattle Mariners' lefthander Jamie Moyer wins the Hutch Award which the baseball writers annually bestow on a player who demonstrates courage while overcoming personal and professional adversity. The honor derives its name from Fred Hutchinson, a popular former major league pitcher and the manager of the 1961 National League champion Cincinnati Reds. Hutchinson died after battling lung cancer on November 12, 1964.

    Jan 26, 2004 - The Mets acquire P Shawn Sedlacek from the Royals in exchange for pitcher Jaime Cerda.

    Jan 23, 2004 - The White Sox sign all-time Japanese saves leader Shingo Takatsu to a contract.

    Jan 22, 2004 - The Devil Rays sign free agent P Damian Moss to a contract.

    Jan 22, 2004 - The Cubs sign free agent P Ryan Dempster to a contract.

    Jan 16, 2004 - You can always use a Palmeiro The Astros sign free agent OF Orlando Palmeiro to a contract.

    Jan 14, 2004 - The Angels sign free agent IF Shane Halter to a contract.

    Jan 14, 2004 - The Orioles sign free agent P Sidney Ponson to a 3 -year contract.

    Jan 13, 2004 - The Padres sign free agent OF Jay Payton to a 2 -year contract.

    Jan 13, 2004 - The Rangers sign free agent P Kenny Rogers to a 2-year contract.

    Jan 13, 2004 - After going 21-10 for the New York Yankees in 2003, Andy Pettitte is announced as the winner of the Warren Spahn Award‚ presented annually to the top left-handed pitcher in the majors. Pettitte will move to the Houston Astros as a free agent and win just 6 games in 2004‚ but notch his 10th straight winning season out of 10; Babe Ruth is the only other pitcher who has pitched at least 10 seasons without incurring a losing record in any of them.

    Jan 12, 2004 - The Angels sign free agent OF Vladimir Guerrero to a 5-year contract.

    Jan 12, 2004 - The Reds sign free agent OF John Vander Wal to a contract.

    Jan 12, 2004 - The Astros sign recently retired P Roger Clemens to a contract.

    Jan 12, 2004 - The Phillies sign free agent OF Doug Glanville to a contract.

    Jan 11, 2004 - The owners of rooftop seats and beer gardens overlooking Wrigley Field "have agreed to pay the Chicago Cubs a $15 to $25 fee for each rooftop ticket sold" under a tentative deal that could earn the team $2M a season‚ according to Toomey & Spielman of the Chicago Sun Times who noted the deal has been agreed to by 11 of 13 rooftop owners. The 20-year deal "calls for the Cubs to drop a copyright infringement lawsuit against the rooftop owners" that was to go to trial on February 23. The team also agreed "to compensate rooftops whose sightlines would be blocked if bleachers are expanded in the next eight years."

    Jan 10, 2004 - The Orioles sign free agent 1B Rafael Palmeiro to a contract.

    Jan 9, 2004 - The Cardinals sign free agent P Julian Tavarez to a two-year contract and free agent 2B Marlon Anderson to a one-year contract.

    Jan 9, 2004 - The Giants sign free agent P Brett Tomko to a contract.

    Jan 8, 2004 - The Indians sign free agent P Jose Jimenez to a contract.

    Jan 8, 2004 - The Tigers obtain IF Carlos Guillen from the Mariners in exchange for IFs Ramon Santiago and Juan Gonzalez.

    Jan 8, 2004 - The Mariners sign free agent SS Rich Aurilia to a contract.

    Jan 8, 2004 - The Devil Rays sign free agent 1B Robert Fick to a contract.

    Jan 7, 2004 - The White Sox sign free agent P Cliff Politte to a contract.

    Jan 7, 2004 - The Blue Jays sign free agent SS Chris Gomez and P Terry Adams to contracts.

    Jan 6, 2004 - Anaheim Angels reliever Derrick Turnbow becomes the first Major League Baseball-affiliated player to test positive for illegal use of performance enhancing drugs since professional players were included in international competition four years ago.

    Jan 6, 2004 - Paul Molitor and Dennis Eckersley are named to the Hall of Fame by the baseball writers.

    Jan 6, 2004 - The White Sox sign free agent 2B Roberto Alomar to a contract.

    Jan 6, 2004 - The Royals sign free agent OF Juan Gonzalez to a contract.

    Jan 6, 2004 - The Dodgers sign free agent OF Bubba Trammell to a contract.

    Jan 6, 2004 - The Mets sign free agent P Braden Looper to a 2 -year contract.

    Jan 6, 2004 - The Padres get 3B Jeff Cirillo‚ P Brian Sweeney‚ and cash from the Mariners in exchange for C Wiki Gonzalez‚ IF Dave Hansen‚ P Kevin Jarvis‚ and OF Vince Faison.

    Jan 6, 2004 - The Devil Rays sign free agent P Danys Baez to a 2 -year contract.

    Jan 5, 2004 - On ABC's ''Good Morning America.'' Pete Rose admits that he bet on baseball games‚ though he claims he never bet on the Reds. Pete's book‚ in which he admits the same‚ is out this week. He claims he told Bud Selig that he bet ''four or five times a week‚ but I never bet against my own team‚ and I never made any bets from the clubhouse.'' When Selig asked why‚ Rose replied‚ ''I didn't think I'd get caught.'' Rose agreed to the lifetime ban in August 1989 and applied for reinstatement in 1997‚ but Selig hasn't ruled on the request. In the book‚ Rose admits placing bets with Ronald Peters through Thomas Gioiosa and Paul Janszen-the three were the primary witnesses in the 1989 investigation by baseball lawyer John Dowd that led to the agreement in which Rose accepted a lifetime ban. Dowd concluded Rose bet on baseball from 1985-87 and detailed 412 baseball wagers between April 8-July 5‚ 1987‚ including 52 on Cincinnati to win.

    Jan 5, 2004 - The Royals announce the signing of slugger Juan Gonzalez to a one-year contract. The Indians acquire P Scott Stewart from the Expos. In return‚ they send IF Maicer Izturis and OF Ryan Church to Montreal.

    Jan 5, 2004 - The Rangers sign free agent IF Eric Young to a contract.

    Dec 31, 2003 - Let's celebrate the new year. The Padres sign free agent P David Wells to a contract as Wells spurns the Yankees offer. Supposedly‚ the Padre contract does not contain a weight clause‚ which the Yankees insisted upon.

    Dec 31, 2003 - The Orioles sign free agent P Mike DeJean to a contract.

    Dec 30, 2003 - The Tigers sign free agent P Jason Johnson to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 30, 2003 - The government announces a ban on the sale of ephedra‚ the herbal supplement linked to the death earlier this year of Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler.

    Dec 29, 2003 - The Angels announce that their 37-year old stadium has been renamed Angel Stadium.

    Dec 29, 2003 - The Reds sign free agent P Cory Lidle to a contract.

    Dec 29, 2003 - The Rangers sign free agent OF David Dellucci to a contract.

    Dec 29, 2003 - The Devil Rays sign free agent Brook Fordyce to a contract.

    Dec 27, 2003 - The Rangers sign free agent OF Brian Jordan to a contract.

    Dec 27, 2003 - The Blue Jays sign free agent P Valerio De Los Santos to a contract.

    Dec 26, 2003 - The Expos sign free agent 3B Tony Batista to a contract.

    Dec 25, 2003 - Merry Christmas‚ Ron. The Indians sign free agent 2B Ron Belliard to a contract.

    Dec 24, 2003 - The Yankees receive an $11.8 million luxury tax bill for being the only one of the 30 ML teams to exceed the $117 million salary threshold last year.

    Dec 23, 2003 - The Diamondbacks sign free agent pitchers Shane Reynolds and knuckleballer Steve Sparks to contracts.

    Dec 23, 2003 - Three hours before the Texas deadline on Alex Rodriguez‚ the Red Sox get their infielder‚ signing free agent 2B Pokey Reese to a one year contract. GM Epstein says they'll give up a bit on offense but that Reese is a defensive improvement over 2B Todd Walker. At 5 p.m.‚ Texas owner Tom Hicks declares any deal with Boston is dead and that A-Rod is a Ranger for the next year.

    Dec 23, 2003 - The Cubs sign free agent 2B Todd Walker to a contract.

    Dec 23, 2003 - The Yankees sign free agent OF Kenny Lofton and free agent P Tom Gordon to 2-year contracts.

    Dec 23, 2003 - The Pirates sign free agent 3B Chris Stynes to a contract.

    Dec 22, 2003 - The Orioles sign free agent C Javy Lopez to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 22, 2003 - The Athletics sign free agent P Arthur Rhodes to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 22, 2003 - The Brewers sign free agent OF Ben Grieve to a contract.

    Dec 22, 2003 - The Yankees sign free agent P Paul Quantrill to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 22, 2003 - The Braves sign free agent P Armando Almanza to a contract.

    Dec 22, 2003 - The Rockies sign free agent C Todd Greene to a contract.

    Dec 21, 2003 - The Cubs send C Damian Miller and cash to the Athletics to complete an earlier trade.

    Dec 21, 2003 - The Marlins sign free agent P Armando Benitez to a contract.

    Dec 20, 2003 - The Rockies sign free agent OF Jeromy Burnitz to a contract.

    Dec 19, 2003 - The Cubs obtain OF-IF Jose Macias from the Expos for P Wilton Chavez.

    Dec 19, 2003 - The Yankees sign free agent IF Miguel Cairo to a contract.

    Dec 19, 2003 - The Angels agree to a 2-year contract with free agent OF Jose Guillen.

    Dec 19, 2003 - The Braves sign free agent P Antonio Alfonseca to a contract.

    Dec 18, 2003 - The Yankees send P Chris Hammond and cash to the Athletics in exchange for P Eduardo Sierra and IF J.T. Stotts.

    Dec 18, 2003 - The Mets sign free agent OF Mike Cameron to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 18, 2003 - The Cubs sign free agent P Kent Mercker and free agent OF Todd Hollandsworth to contracts.

    Dec 18, 2003 - The Tigers sign free agent C Mike DiFelice to a contract.

    Dec 18, 2003 - The Twins sign free agent C Henry Blanco to a contract.

    Dec 17, 2003 - The Yankees sign free agent OF Gary Sheffield to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 17, 2003 - The Mariners sign free agent IF Scott Spiezio to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 17, 2003 - The Braves sign free agent C Eddie Perez to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 16, 2003 - The Marlins trade P Mark Redman to the Athletics for P Mike Neu‚ who signs a 3-year deal‚ and either a player to be named or cash considerations. Redman‚ a 21st C workhorse‚ with three outings this year of 130+ pitches faded in the 2nd half of the season.

    Dec 16, 2003 - The Red Sox acquire IF Mark Bellhorn from the Rockies for a player to be named.

    Dec 16, 2003 - One day after acquiring him in a trade with the Expos‚ the Athletics send C Michael Barrett to the Cubs for a player to be named.

    Dec 16, 2003 - The Cardinals sign free agent OF Reggie Sanders to a 2-year contract. For Reggie‚ it is his 7th team in 7 years‚ all in the NL. Not once did he change teams in mid season. Only Shorty Radford (1885-1892) played for more teams in straight seasons with 8.

    Dec 15, 2003 - The Giants obtain OF Dustan Mohr from the Twins for a player to be named.

    Dec 15, 2003 - The Athletics acquire C Michael Barrett from the Expos for a player to be named.

    Dec 15, 2003 - The Mariners get OF Quinton McCracken from the Diamondbacks in exchange for IF Greg Colbrunn.

    Dec 15, 2003 - The Mariners agree to a 3-year contract with free agent 1B Scott Spiezio.

    Dec 15, 2003 - The Phillies sign free agent P Roberto Hernandez to a contract.

    Dec 15, 2003 - The Cardinals reach agreement on a 2-year contract with free agent P Jeff Suppan.

    Dec 15, 2003 - Free agent OF Carl Everett agrees to a 2-year contract with the Expos.

    Dec 15, 2003 - The Pirates and Indians each lose 5 players in the Rule 5 draft. Pittsburgh C Chris Shelton went to the Tigers with the first overall pick.

    Dec 14, 2003 - Murray Chass of The New York Times wins the J.G. Taylor Spink Award. He will be inducted into the writers' wing of the baseball Hall of Fame next summer.

    Dec 14, 2003 - The Blue Jays‚ Devil Rays‚ and Rockies exchange pitchers in a 3-team deal. Justin Speier goes from Colorado to Toronto‚ Joe Kennedy moves from TB to Colorado‚ and Mark Hendrickson switches from Toronto to TB. The Rockies also receive a player to be named or cash considerations from the Blue Jays.

    Dec 14, 2003 - The Orioles sign free agent SS Miguel Tejada to a 6-year contract.

    Dec 14, 2003 - The Devil Rays sign free agent OF Jose Cruz, Jr. to a 2-year contract and free agent SS Rey Sanchez to a 1-year deal.

    Dec 14, 2003 - The Royals sign free agent SS Tony Graffanino to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 14, 2003 - The Devil Rays acquire IF Geoff Blum from the Astros for P Brandon Backe.

    Dec 13, 2003 - The Yankees obtain P Kevin Brown from the Dodgers in exchange for P Jeff Weaver‚ minor league P Yhency Brazoban‚ a player to be named‚ and $2.6 million.

    Dec 13, 2003 - The Cardinals send OF J.D. Drew and C Eli Marrero to the Braves for Ps Jason Marquis‚ Ray King‚ and Adam Wainwright.

    Dec 13, 2003 - The Marlins trade OF Juan Encarnacion to the Dodgers for a player to be named.

    Dec 13, 2003 - The Tigers sign free agent OF Rondell White to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 13, 2003 - The Red Sox sign free agent closer Keith Foulke to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 12, 2003 - In the first move of baseball's winter meetings‚ the Blue Jays sign free agent P Miguel Batista to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 10, 2003 - The Rockies sign free agent 3B Vinny Castilla‚ bringing him back to Coors Field.

    Dec 10, 2003 - The Mets sign Japanese SS Kaz Matsui to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 10, 2003 - The Rangers sign free agent 1B Brad Fullmer to a contract.

    Dec 10, 2003 - The Devil Rays sign free agent 1B-OF Eduardo Perez to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 10, 2003 - The Astros sign free agent hometown lefty Andy Pettitte to a 3-year contract after the Yankees take their sweet time tendering him an offer. Newspaper conjecture that Roger Clemens will come out of retirement to join him on the Astros‚ but the Rocket decides to stay retired.

    Dec 10, 2003 - The Royals sign free agent C Benito Santiago to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 10, 2003 - The Tigers sign free agent 2B Fernando Vina to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 9, 2003 - The Angels sign free agent P Bartolo Colon to a 4-year contract.

    Dec 9, 2003 - The Mariners sign free agent P Eddie Guardado to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 9, 2003 - The Phillies sign free agent P Tim Worrell to a 2-year contract‚ continuing a tradition of signing the lesser brother ball player: Tim joins Vince DiMaggio‚ Ken Brett‚ Mike Maddux‚ Rick Surhoff‚ Mark Leiter‚ Jeremy Giambi and Frank Torre.

    Dec 9, 2003 - The Braves sign free agent P John Thomson to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 9, 2003 - The Royals sign free agent P Scott Sullivan to a 2-year contract and free agent OF Matt Stairs to a 1-year deal.

    Dec 8, 2003 - The Blue Jays sign free agent P Kerry Ligtenberg to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 7, 2003 - The Giants sign free agent OF Michael Tucker to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 4, 2003 - The Expos send P Javier Vazquez to the Yankees‚ who will sign him next month to a 4-year‚ $45 million contract. In return‚ Montreal gets 1B Nick Johnson‚ OF Juan Rivera‚ and P Randy Choate from NY.

    Dec 4, 2003 - The Red Sox hire former Philadelphia manager Terry Francona as their new skipper‚ replacing the deposed Grady Little.

    Dec 3, 2003 - The Phillies continue to bolster their pitching staff by acquiring Eric Milton from the Twins. Philadelphia sends P Carlos Silva‚ INF Nick Punto‚ and a player to be named to Minnesota.

    Dec 3, 2003 - The Cubs sign free agent P LaTroy Hawkins to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 2, 2003 - The White Sox acquire IF Juan Uribe from the Rockies in exchange for minor league IF Aaron Miles.

    Dec 1, 2003 - The Diamondbacks steal slugger Richie Sexson from the Brewers in a 9-player deal. Arizona also receives P Shane Nance and a player to be named while sending INF Craig Counsell‚ 2B Junior Spivey‚ 1B Lyle Overbay‚ C Chad Moeller‚ and Ps Jorge De La Rosa and Chris Capuano to Milwaukee.

    Nov 28, 2003 - The Diamondbacks trade ace Curt Schilling to the Red Sox for pitcher Casey Fossum‚ Brandon Lyon and 2 minor leaguers. Schilling negotiates his own contract with the Red Sox. Reportedly‚ the Yankees offered more than the Red Sox-Nick Johnson's name is mentioned-but Arizona owner Jerry Colangelo is still annoyed at George Steinbrenner for resigning David Wells after Boomer had come to an agreement with the Diamondbacks.

    Nov 26, 2003 - The Athletics send All-Star C Ramon Hernandez and OF Terrence Long to the Padres. In return‚ Oakland gets OF Mark Kotsay.

    Nov 25, 2003 - In a cost-cutting measure‚ the Marlins trade 1B Derek Lee to the Cubs for 1B Hee Seop Choi and a minor league player to be named.

    Nov 24, 2003 - The Angels sign free agent P Kelvim Escobar to a 3-year contract.

    Nov 22, 2003 - Boston SS Nomar Garciaparra marries US soccer star Mia Hamm in Santa Barbara‚ California.

    Nov 21, 2003 - The Cardinals send 1B Tino Martinez to the Devil Rays. In return‚ St. Louis gets minor league P Evan Rust and a player to be named.

    Nov 19, 2003 - The Mariners sign free agent OF Raul Ibanez to a 3-year contract.

    Nov 18, 2003 - Barry Bonds wins his record 6th MVP award‚ and his 3rd in a row. Bonds becomes the 2nd-oldest player to win the honor as he outdistances runner-up Albert Pujols of the Cardinals.

    Nov 18, 2003 - The Athletics trade P Ted Lilly to the Blue Jays in exchange for OF Bobby Kielty‚ acquired from the Twins for Shannon Stewart in mid season‚ and either $10‚000 or a minor league player to be named.

    Nov 18, 2003 - The Blue Jays sign free agent P Pat Hentgen to a contract.

    Nov 17, 2003 - Texas SS Alex Rodriguez wins the AL MVP award‚ edging out Carlos Delgado of Toronto. Rodriguez joins Andre Dawson as the only players from a last-place team to win the honor.

    Nov 14, 2003 - The Giants obtain All-Star C A.J. Pierzynski in a trade with the Twins. The Giants will also receive a player to be named or cash in the deal which sent minor league Ps Boof Bonser and Francisco Liriano to Minnesota.

    Nov 13, 2003 - LA closer Eric Gagne is the overwhelming winner of the NL Cy Young Award. Gagne gets 28 of 32 first-place votes in outdistancing runner-up Jason Schmidt of the Giants. Gagne becomes the first reliever since Mark Davis in 1989 to win the award.

    Nov 13, 2003 - ML baseball announces that more than 5% of this year's random drug tests for steroids came back positive. Because of this‚ testing with penalties will begin next season. A positive first test will result in treatment‚ and a second in a 15-day suspension or fine of up to $10‚000.

    Nov 12, 2003 - Tony Pena of the Royals and Jack McKeon of the Marlins are named Manager of the Year in the AL and NL‚ respectively.

    Nov 11, 2003 - Roy Halladay of the Blue Jays is named the AL Cy Young Award winner‚ easily outdistancing Chicago's Esteban Loaiza. Halladay compiled a 22-7 mark with a 3.25 ERA for Toronto. Halladay is the first pitcher since Mike Cuellar in 1974 to win 22 games in a season without posting a victory in April.

    Nov 11, 2003 - SF general manager Brian Sabean is named Executive of the Year by The Sporting News.

    Nov 11, 2003 - The Astros sign free agent P Dan Miceli to a contract.

    Nov 10, 2003 - KC SS Angel Berroa and Florida P Dontrelle Willis are named Rookie of the Year in the AL and NL respectively. NY's Hideki Matsui and Milwaukee's Scott Posednik are the runner-ups.

    Nov 7, 2003 - The Orioles hire former Yankees coach Lee Mazzilli to be their new manager‚ replacing Mike Hargrove.

    Nov 5, 2003 - Cincinnati Reds OF Dernell Stenson is found dead on a residential street in an Arizona suburb after being shot and apparently run over. Stenson made his ML debut this past season‚ appearing in 37 games for the Reds. He was in Arizona for the Arizona Fall League.

    Nov 5, 2003 - Atlanta OF Andruw Jones wins his 6th straight Gold Glove Award as the NL awards are announced. St. Louis OF Jim Edmonds also wins for the 6th time.

    Nov 5, 2003 - Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols are named the Outstanding Player of the Year in their respective leagues in a vote of ML players.

    Nov 4, 2003 - Seven repeat winners‚ including four Seattle Mariners‚ are named American League Gold Glove Award winners. Yankee hurler Mike Mussina wins for the 6th time.

    Nov 3, 2003 - In the first big trade of the offseason‚ the Phillies obtain relief ace Billy Wagner from the Astros in exchange for P Brandon Duckworth and minor league hurlers Taylor Buchholz and Ezequiel Astacio.

    Nov 3, 2003 - The White Sox hire former SS Ozzie Guillen as manager‚ replacing fired skipper Jerry Manuel.

    Nov 3, 2003 - Former Mets manager Bobby Valentine signs a 3-year contract to manage the Lotte Marines of the Japanese League.

    Oct 29, 2003 - Barry Bonds wins his record 11th Silver Slugger Award‚ given to the top offensive players in each league.

    Oct 27, 2003 - The Red Sox announce that manager Grady Little's contract will not be renewed for 2004. They also say it has nothing to do with Little's decision to stay with Pedro Martinez in game 7 of the ALCS. They also ask the question: 'what do Grady Little and Don Zimmer have in common? Neither could take out Pedro.'

    Oct 25, 2003 - The Marlins win their 2nd world championship as World Series MVP Josh Beckett hurls a 5-hit shutout in defeating the Yankees‚ 2-0‚ in Game 6 of the WS. Luis Castillo's 5th-inning single brings home Florida's 1st run‚ and the only one Beckett needs as he outduels Andy Pettitte. Thus the Marlin conclude their 2nd winning season in the past 11 years in the same manner they concluded their first winning season.

    Oct 23, 2003 - The Marlins move to one game away from a world championship as they defeat the Yankees‚ 6-4‚ to take a 3-games-to-2 lead in the World Series. Winning pitcher Brad Penny's 2-run single gives Florida a lead they never surrender. Jason Giambi hits a pinch-hit HR in the 9th to bring the Yankees within 2 runs‚ but Bernie Williams' attempt for a game-tying homer falls short at the warning track in center field.

    Oct 22, 2003 - Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez are honored with the Hank Aaron Award‚ which goes to the top offensive player of the year in each league.

    Oct 21, 2003 - The Yankees beat the Marlins‚ 6-1‚ behind the pitching of Mike Mussina and the hitting of Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams. Jeter gets 3 hits off losing starter Josh Beckett (the only hits Beckett allows)‚ while Williams and Aaron Boone hit HRs. Williams' homer is his record 19th in postseason play. His 65 RBI are also a new postseason record.

    Oct 21, 2003 - Seattle Mariner P Jamie Moyer wins the Roberto Clemente Award for excellence on the field and in the community.

    Oct 19, 2003 - The Yankees bounce back behind Andy Pettitte to tie the Series at 1 game apiece with a 6-1 triumph in Game 2. Hideki Matsui's 3-run HR in the 1st inning is all Pettitte needs. Alfonso Soriano also homers for NY. Mark Redman takes the loss for the Marlins.

    Oct 18, 2003 - The Marlins surprise the Yankees with a 3-2 victory in the opening game of the World Series. Juan Pierre has a 2-run single for Florida‚ as Brad Penny defeats David Wells.

    Oct 16, 2003 - Aaron Boone's walkoff HR on Tim Wakefield's 1st pitch in the bottom half of the 11th inning gives the Yankees a 6-5 come from behind win over the Red Sox and their 39th AL pennant. Boston blows a 4-0 lead as New York comes back to score 3 runs in the 8th off tired starter Pedro Martinez to tie the score. Sox manager Little's decision to stay with Pedro will cost him his job. Jason Giambi hits a pair of HRs for NY‚ while ALCS Most Valuable Player Mariano Rivera hurls 3 innings in relief for the win.

    Oct 15, 2003 - The Red Sox rally for 3 runs in the 7th inning to come from behind and pull out a 9-6 victory over the Yankees to send the ALCS to a 7th game. Boston slugs 16 hits‚ including 4 by Nomar Garciaparra‚ and gets HRs from Jason Varitek and Trot Nixon.

    Oct 15, 2003 - The Marlins complete a stunning comeback by defeating the Cubs‚ 9-6‚ to win their 3rd straight game and the NLCS. HRs by Kerry Wood and Moises Alou give Chicago a 5-3 lead‚ but Florida bounces back to take the lead on Luis Castillo's RBI single in the 6th. Miguel Cabrera hits a 3-run homer for the Marlins. Ivan Rodriguez is named the NLCS Most Valuable Player.

    Oct 14, 2003 - David Wells hurls the Yankees to a 4-2 win over the Red Sox and a 3-games-to-2 lead in the ALCS. Karim Garcia's 2-run single in the 3rd is the key blow for NY while Manny Ramirez homers for Boston.

    Oct 14, 2003 - Trailing 3-0 with 1 out in the 8th inning‚ the Marlins explode for 8 runs and go on to defeat the Cubs‚ 8-3‚ to send the NLCS to a 7th game. A key play occurs when a Cubs fan named Bartman reaches for a foul ball that Chicago LF Moises Alou appears ready to catch at the edge of the stands. An error by SS Alex Gonzalez and a bases loaded triple by Mike Mordecai are other key plays in the inning.

    Oct 14, 2003 - The Giants announce that Pacific Bell Park will be renamed SBC Park beginning January 1‚ 2004.

    Oct 13, 2003 - Tim Wakefield earns his 2nd victory of the series‚ leading the Red Sox to a 3-2 win over the Yankees to even the ALCS at 2 games apiece. Todd Walker and Trot Nixon homer for Boston‚ while Ruben Sierra's 9th inning round-tripper gets NY to within a run.

    Oct 12, 2003 - The Marlins stave off elimination with a 4-0 win over the Cubs in the NLCS. Josh Beckett dominates Chicago with a 2-hitter‚ while Mike Lowell‚ Ivan Rodriguez‚ and Jeff Conine all homer for Florida.

    Oct 12, 2003 - With Game 4 of the AL championship series postponed by rain‚ attention is on Don Zimmer‚ who apologizes for yesterday's melee. "I'm embarrassed at what happened‚'' Zimmer said‚ fighting back tears. "I'm embarrassed for the Yankees‚ the Red Sox‚ the fans‚ the umpires and my family.'' Zimmer is fined $5‚000 by Bob Watson‚ baseball's vice president in charge of discipline‚ Martinez is fined $50‚000‚ Ramirez $25‚000 and Garcia $10‚000. Boston owner John Henry‚ pleased with Zimmer's apology‚ says he "wouldn't mind seeing the same thing coming from our side.'' Red Sox first baseman Kevin Millar says he hoped Zimmer's remarks would put an end to the "sideshow." Boston center fielder Johnny Damon acknowledges that the Red Sox also were to blame in the brawl. "If I was involved‚ I'd apologize. But then‚ Zimmer wasn't coming after my life‚ he was coming after Pedro's." It is not Zimmer's last press conference; he will announce after the Series that he is fed up with Steinbrenner's interference and that he is retiring.

    Oct 11, 2003 - In a game marked by several brawls‚ including a memorable one in which Boston hurler Pedro Martinez throws 72-year-old New York coach Don Zimmer to the ground‚ the Yankees defeat the Red Sox‚ 4-3‚ to take Game 3 of the ALCS. Zim's slow charge to the mound followed a Padro pitch behind Karim Garcia's head in the 4th inning. Garcia followed with a hard slide into 2B upending Todd Walker. When the Red Sox came to bat‚ Manny Ramirez took exception to a pitch from Roger Clemens that sailed high. Although it is barely inside‚ he shouts at Clemens‚ moving at him with bat in hand‚ and both benches empty. Clemens posts the 11th postseason win of his career while Derek Jeter homers for NY.

    Oct 11, 2003 - The Cubs pound the Marlins for an 8-3 victory and a 3-games-to-1 lead in the NLCS behind Matt Clement. Aramis Ramirez's 1st inning grand slam gives the Cubs a lead they never relinquish. Ramirez also hits another homer as the two teams combine to set a new record for most HRs in an NLCS with 16. Ramirez finishes the game with 6 RBI.

    Oct 10, 2003 - Doug Glanville's RBI triple in the 11th inning gives the Cubs a 5-4 win in the third game of the NLCS. Randall Simon hits a 2-run HR for Chicago.

    Oct 10, 2003 - Boston real estate developer Frank McCourt reaches an agreement with News Corp to buy the LA Dodgers.

    Oct 9, 2003 - The Yankees even their series with the Red Sox by defeating Boston behind Andy Pettitte‚ 6-2. Nick Johnson hits a 2-run HR for New York while Jason Varitek hits a solo homer for Boston.

    Oct 8, 2003 - Mark Prior handcuffs the Marlins as the Cubs pound out 4 HRs on their way to a 12-3 win over Florida to tie their NLCS at 1 game apiece. Alex Gonzalez homers twice for Chicago‚ while Sammy Sosa and Aramis Ramirez also connect. Kenny Lofton ties an NLCS record with 4 hits.

    Oct 8, 2003 - Tim Wakefield's knuckleball baffles the Yankees as the Red Sox take the opening game of the ALCS by a score of 5-2. David Ortiz‚ Todd Walker‚ and Manny Ramirez all homer for Boston.

    Oct 7, 2003 - The Marlins defeat the Cubs‚ 9-8‚ on Mike Lowell's pinch-hit HR in the 11th inning. The Cubs had tied the game at 8-8 on Sammy Sosa's 2-outs‚ 2-run homer in the bottom half of the 9th to send the game into extra innings. The two teams combine to hit 7 HRs to set an NLCS record.

    Oct 7, 2003 - The House of Representatives approves legislation to award a Congressional Gold Medal for Jackie Robinson‚ the first black to play in the ML in the modern era.

    Oct 6, 2003 - The Red Sox complete their comeback‚ defeating the Athletics for the 3rd straight game‚ 4-3‚ to advance to the ALCS against the Yankees. Manny Ramirez's 3-run HR is the big blow in the game. Boston starter-turned-reliever Derek Lowe strikes out Terrence Long with the bases loaded for the final out. Red Sox OF Johnny Damon is forced to leave the game in the 7th inning with a concussion after a collision with 2B Damian Jackson.

    Oct 5, 2003 - The Yankees pound the Twins behind David Wells‚ 8-1‚ to win their Division Series. New York strokes 4 doubles in a 4-run 6th inning to move into the ALCS.

    Oct 5, 2003 - David Ortiz's 2-run double in the 8th inning helps Boston to a 5-4 victory over Oakland and sends their Division Series to a deciding seventh game. Johnny Damon and Todd Walker homer for the Sox.

    Oct 5, 2003 - The Cubs beat the Braves‚ 5-1‚ to win their first postseason series since 1908 and move on to the NLCS. Kerry Wood gets the win for Chicago while Aramis Ramirez hits a HR.

    Oct 4, 2003 - The Marlins defeat the Giants‚ 7-6‚ to win their Division Series and move on to the NLCS. The game ends in bang-bang fashion as Jeff Conine throws out JT Snow at home plate as Snow tries to score the tying run.

    Oct 4, 2003 - The Athletics lose to the Red Sox‚ 3-1 in 11 innings‚ on Trot Nixon's walkoff homer. The loss ties the series at 2 games apiece. The pinch-hit walk-off home run Nixon is the fifth such long ball in postseason history.‚ and the 1st in the pinch since Kirk Gibson's famous homer off Dennis Eckersley to win Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.

    Oct 4, 2003 - The Yankees move into the lead in their series with the Twins with a 3-1 win behind Roger Clemens. The Rocket surrenders only 1 run and 5 hits sin 7 innings. Hideki Matsui hits a HR for NY.

    Oct 4, 2003 - The Braves stay alive in their series with the Cubs‚ riding a pair of 2-run HRs by Chipper Jones to a 6-4 victory. John Smoltz preserves the win by getting Sammy Sosa on a long drive to centerfield in a bid to tie the score with 2 outs in the 9th.

    Oct 3, 2003 - The Marlins down the Giants‚ 4-3‚ to take a 2-games-to-1 lead in their Division Series. Ivan Rodriguez's 2-run single in the 11th inning is the game-winner. Rodriguez also hits a 2-run HR.

    Oct 3, 2003 - Chicago beats Atlanta‚ 3-1‚ to move ahead of the Braves‚ 2-1‚ in their series. Mark Prior hurls a 2-hitter and out-duels Greg Maddux.

    Oct 2, 2003 - Oakland's Barry Zito shuts down the Red Sox‚ 5-1‚ to give the Athletics a 2-0 lead in their Division Series. Oakland scores all its runs in the 2nd inning‚ with Eric Byrnes' 2-run double a key blow.

    Oct 2, 2003 - The Yankees even their series with Minnesota with a 4-1 victory behind Andy Pettitte. Jason Giambi hits a 2-run single and Pettitte fans 10 for New York.

    Oct 1, 2003 - Mark DeRosa's 2-out‚ 2-run double in the 8th inning sparks the Braves to a 5-3 win over the Cubs to tie their Division Series at a game apiece. Atlanta P Mike Hampton ties a postseason record by striking out 6 Cubs in a row in the 2nd and 3rd innings.

    Oct 1, 2003 - The Giants blow a 4-1 lead and lose to the Marlins‚ 9-5. Juan Pierre's bases loaded double in the 6th is the key blow for Florida. Juan Encarnacion homers for the Marlins to even the series at one game apiece.

    Oct 1, 2003 - Oakland C Ramon Hernandez lays down a perfect 2-outs squeeze bunt in the bottom half of the 12th inning to give the Athletics a victory in the first game of their Division Series against the Red Sox. Erubiel Durazo's 2-outs hit in the 9th ties the game and sends it into extra innings. Todd Walker gets 4 hits for Boston‚ including a pair of HRs. Jason Varitek also homers for the Sox. Rookie Rich Harden gets the win in relief for Oakland.

    Oct 1, 2003 - In a decision announced several months ago‚ the Hudson Valley Renegades (NY-Penn League) and the Fort Myers Miracle (Florida State League) trade General Managers. Renegades President/GM Steve Gliner heads to the Sunshine State and Miracle GM Dave Burke comes to New York. Same ownership group.

    Sep 30, 2003 - The Twins end their 13-game losing streak to the Yankees by beating the New Yorkers‚ 3-1‚ to take the opening game of their Division Series.

    Sep 30, 2003 - Jason Schmidt hurls a 3-hit shutout as the Giants down the Marlins‚ 2-0‚ to take the first game of their Division Series. The Giants only get 3 hits themselves in the pitcher's duel between Schmidt and Florida's Josh Beckett.

    Sep 30, 2003 - Kerry Wood is the story for Chicago as the Cubs beat the Braves‚ 4-2‚ in the opener of their Division Series. In addition to allowing just 2 hits in 7 innings for the win‚ Wood also drives in 2 runs with a double. Marcus Giles homers for Atlanta.

    Sep 29, 2003 - The Orioles fire manager Mike Hargrove after four consecutive losing seasons under his command.

    Sep 29, 2003 - The White Sox fire manager Jerry Manuel after six years at the helm.

    Sep 28, 2003 - The Yankees win‚ 3-1‚ over Baltimore as David Wells (15-7) goes 7 2/3 innings for his 200th career victory and last win as a Yankee. Acting manager Roger Clemens removes him in the 8th. Drew Henson hits a seeing-eye single for his first and only ML hit. He later scores. A day after the Patriots win the 2004 Superbowl behind Henson's former Michigan teammate Tom Brady‚ he gives up baseball and $12 million for NFL football.

    Sep 28, 2003 - The Dodgers conclude the season with a 12-3 loss at San Francisco‚ as Bonds has 2 hits but no homers. Despite the 12 runs‚ the dodgers finish with a team ERA of 3.16‚ best in the NL by .57. This is the biggest difference between the best ERA and the 2nd best since the 1907 also had a .57.

    Sep 27, 2003 - The Cubs clinch the NL Central crown with a doubleheader sweep of the Pirates‚ 4-2 and 7-2. It is their 1st division title in 14 years. For the first time since 1937‚ the Cubs are not swept in a three-game series the entire season.

    Sep 27, 2003 - The Cardinals defeat the Diamondbacks‚ 3-2‚ as Edgar Renteria becomes the 1st NL SS in 18 years to drive in 100 runs. Todd Helton of the Rookies narrowly loses the N.L. batting title to Albert Pujols of the Cardinals on the final day of the season‚ He trailed Pujols by as much as 56 points before making his charge. Also leading the NL is Mike Matheny of the Cardinals‚ the first catcher since Charles Johnson in 1997 to sport a 1.000 fielding percentage.

    Sep 27, 2003 - At Kansas City‚ Carl Everett and Joe Crede drive in four runs apiece and Bartolo Colon notches his 100th career win as the Chicago White Sox rolled to 19-3 rout of the Kansas City Royals. The Sox record a season-high 21 hits‚ including a season-high 7 doubles‚ (and no homers) and clinch 2nd place in the AL Central.

    Sep 27, 2003 - Ryan Madson of the Philadelphia Phillies became the 16‚000th player in major-league history when he makes his debut in a game against the Atlanta Braves. Madson calmly strode in from the bullpen in the sixth inning and proceeds to retire six straight batters in a two-inning relief performance as the Phillies beat the Braves‚ 7-6. Javy Lopez hits his 42nd HR of the season to set a new ML record for a catcher.

    Sep 27, 2003 - Roy Halladay wins his 22nd‚ as the Blue Jays beat the Indians‚ 5-4.

    Sep 26, 2003 - The Marlins defeat the Mets‚ 4-3‚ to clinch the NL wild-card spot in the playoffs.

    Sep 26, 2003 - Yankee rookie P Jorge De Paula makes his ML debut with 6 1/3 hitless innings against the Baltimore Orioles in the 2nd game of a doubleheader. He is removed after allowing a single to Larry Bigbie‚ but does not get a decision as the Orioles win‚ 3-2 in 10 innings. New York takes the opener‚ 11-2.

    Sep 26, 2003 - The White Sox down the Royals‚ 11-2. KC's Carlos Beltran hits a leadoff homer in the 4th to become just the 6th player since 1900 to have 100 runs‚ 100 RBI‚ and 30 stolen bases in three seasons.

    Sep 25, 2003 - The Red Sox upend the Orioles‚ 14-3‚ to clinch the wild-card playoff spot.

    Sep 25, 2003 - The Blue Jays outscore the Devil Rays‚ 10-8‚ as Carlos Delgado becomes the 15th player in history to hit 4 homers in a game. His 1st homer of the game is also the 300th of his career. He has shown a progression of power as he's reached home run milestones: he hit one homer in a game for his first career dinger‚ hit a pair in a game for his 100th‚ hit a threesome to reach 200 and hit 4 today.

    Sep 25, 2003 - The Reds beat the Cubs‚ 9-7‚ despite a pair of HRs by Sammy Sosa. His 3 RBI for the night gives his 100 for the season‚ making him the 1st NL player to reach the mark in 9 straight years.

    Sep 23, 2003 - The Giants score 10 runs in the 2nd inning and go on to defeat the Astros‚ 10-3. Edgardo Alfonso's grand slam is the big blow in the frame.

    Sep 23, 2003 - The Rockies pound out 17 hits on their way to a 20-9 trouncing of the Diamondbacks. Ron Belliard ties a franchise record with 8 RBI for the night.

    Sep 23, 2003 - The Yankees‚ Twins‚ and Athletics all clinch AL division titles. Oakland clinches by defeating Texas‚ 4-3 in 10 innings‚ while New York shuts out Chicago‚ 7-0‚ to take the East crown. After defeating the Indians‚ the Twins clinch the Central title when the tigers knock off the Royals.

    Sep 22, 2003 - The Royals down the Tigers‚ 12-6‚ handing Detroit its 118th loss of the season for a new AL record.

    Sep 22, 2003 - The White Sox beat the Yankees‚ 6-3 in 10 innings‚ despite a pair of HRs by Alfonso Soriano for NY. Soriano's homer in the first is his 13th leadoff homer of the season to set a new ML mark.

    Sep 22, 2003 - In a 7-5 win over the Orioles‚ the Boston Red Sox break a major-league record when Kevin Millar lines a double to left field in the eighth inning becoming the 8th Bosox player this season to hit 30 doubles. The previous record was 7 players with 30 two-baggers shared by four teams‚ the last being the 2001 Florida Marlins. Millar joins Bill Mueller‚ David Ortiz‚ Todd Walker‚ Nomar Garciaparra‚ Manny Ramirez‚ Johnny Damon‚ and Jason Varitek to set the record.

    Sep 21, 2003 - Greg Maddux becomes the first pitcher to win 15 or more games in 16 consecutive seasons as the Braves shut out the Marlins‚ 8-0. Maddux had shared the ML record of 15 seasons in a row with Cy Young.

    Sep 21, 2003 - After a 7-5 Dodger win over the Giants‚ Mark Allen Antenorcruz‚ a 25-year-old Giant fan who lives in Covina‚ is murdered in the Dodger Stadium parking lot following an argument. Antenorcruz attended the game with his family‚ who have season tickets. The police said the argument was related to the game and that alcohol was involved.

    Sep 19, 2003 - Russ Ortiz wins his 20th‚ outpitching Josh Beckett (8-8) to give Atlanta a 1-0 win over the Marlins. He gives up only 3 hits‚ one to Derrek Lee who is caught stealing. Lee will end up with 30+ homers and 20 stolen bases. Javy Lopez doubles in the 2nd and scores the games only run.

    Sep 18, 2003 - The Astros defeat the Rockies‚ 6-0. It marks the 1st time Colorado has been shut out at home since July 5‚ 1999‚ a span of 361 games which had been an ML record.

    Sep 18, 2003 - The Blue Jays hand the Tigers their 114th loss of the season‚ defeating Detroit by a score of 10-6. Mike Maroth becomes the 1st pitcher in 29 years to lost 21 games.

    Sep 18, 2003 - Major League Baseball asks players to shift about a quarter of the Expos' home games next year from Montreal to San Juan or Monterey.

    Sep 17, 2003 - The Giants down the Padres‚ 8-3‚ to clinch the NL West division title. In doing so‚ they become just the 9th wire-to-wire winner of a division or pennant in ML history. Shortly before the game ends‚ a fan tries to climb down the outside of the right-field wall and falls 24 feet to his death.

    Sep 16, 2003 - Despite blowing a 3-run lead and losing to Montreal‚ 5-4‚ the Braves become the 1st ML team to clinch a playoff berth.

    Sep 16, 2003 - The Astros pound the Rockies‚ 14-4‚ as Richard Hidalgo hits 3 homers and drives in 5 runs for Houston.

    Sep 15, 2003 - The Rangers defeat the Mariners‚ 6-4. Rafael Palmeiro hits his 35th HR of the season‚ making him just the 2nd player in history to reach 35 homers and 100 RBI in 9 consecutive seasons. Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx is the only other player to perform the feat.

    Sep 14, 2003 - The Tigers become the fist team in 34 years to lose 110 games in a season by dropping a 7-2 decision to the Royals. The last teams to reach the mark were the 1969 expansion Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres.

    Sep 14, 2003 - The Diamondbacks shut out the Rockies‚ 5-0‚ as Randy Johnson hurls a 1-hitter. Rene Reyes' 5th-inning single is Colorado's only safety.

    Sep 14, 2003 - The Expos down the Mets‚ 7-3‚ as Vladimir Guerrero hits for the cycle.

    Sep 11, 2003 - The White Sox release P Jose Paniagua. Paniagua pitched in only one game for the White Sox‚ but gave up 4runs in 1/3 IP‚ and made an obscene gesture to the home plate umpire while walking off the field.

    Sep 11, 2003 - Seattle tops Texas‚ 8-2‚ behind 8 strong innings from Gil Meche (15-10). According to the Elias Sports Bureau‚ Meche is the first pitcher since Whitey Ford in 1953 to win at least 15 after missing the previous two seasons.

    Sep 10, 2003 - Albert Pujols homers twice as the Cardinals defeat the Rockies‚ 10-2. the win is St. Louis manager Tony LaRussa's 2‚000th‚ making him the 8th man in ML history to reach that mark.

    Sep 10, 2003 - The Yankees rout the Tigers by a score of 15-5 as C Jorge Posada hits a grand slam and drives in 7 runs.

    Sep 9, 2003 - In an 18-5 laugher over Atlanta‚ the Phils hits two grand slams and a 3-run homer. Mike Liebrthal hits the 3-run homer while Tomas Perez has a grand slam and 5 RBIs. Jason Michael‚ who enters in the 5th with the Phils up 13-2‚ adds another grand slam. Atlanta has 3 homers‚ one each by Javy Lopez‚ Mark DeRosa and Julio Franco.

    Sep 8, 2003 - The Dodgers pound the Diamondbacks‚ 10-3‚ as SS Cesar Izturis goes 5-for-5 with a 2-runs HR and 3 runs scored.

    Sep 6, 2003 - Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay pitches the first extra inning complete game shutout in the majors since Jack Morris‚ in the classic Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. The last time it was done in the regular season was by Dave Stewart‚ on August 1‚ 1990. Halladay takes a no-hitter into the 8th against Detroit‚ and finishes with a 3-hit‚ 1-0 victory. Tiger starter Nate Cornejo pitches 9 shutout innings before giving way to Fernando Rodney. Bobby Kielty's single drives home the winner.

    Sep 6, 2003 - At Yankee Stadium. Tim Wakefield allows 4 hits in 7 innings as the Red Sox wallop Roger Clemens to move 1 1/2 games behind the Yankees in the AL East. Nomar Garciaparra hits a 2-run homer to ignite a 6-run 4th inning. Luis Sojo‚‚ who appeared in the Yankees old-timers game earlier in the year‚ pinch hits for Jason Giambi in the 9th and fouls out.

    Sep 6, 2003 - At Milwaukee‚ the Cubs Mark Prior (15-5) strikes out 7 in 7 innings to win his 7th straight‚ beating the Brewers‚ 4-2. Randall Simon hits a 2-run homer for Chicago and gets a big cheer when it is announced that all 330 fans sitting in section 112‚ behind the Cubs dugout‚ would receive free Polish sausages‚ courtesy of Simon. Simon's last appearance at Miller Park was in a Pirates uniform on July 9 when he whacked a woman dressed as a sausage during a race.

    Sep 6, 2003 - In a 9-2 win over the Pirates‚ Greg Maddux pitches 7+ innings for the victory. Gary Sheffield has 3 hits including his 35th HR.

    Sep 5, 2003 - The Blue Jays down the Tigers‚ 8-6‚ handing Mike Maroth his 20th loss of the season. Maroth becomes the 1st P in 23 years to lose 20 games in a season.

    Sep 5, 2003 - After three national anthems are played in San Juan‚ the Expos defeat the Marlins‚ 6-2‚ as Todd Zeile hits a pair of HRs. In doing so‚ he becomes the 1st player in ML history to homer for 11 different teams. When Zeile went yard for the New York Yankees earlier this season‚ he tied two 19th century players‚ Dan Brouthers and Tom Brown‚ with homers for 10 different teams. The Yanks released Zeile on August 17 and Montreal signed him. With Zeile at bat in the 4th inning‚ the lights go out and the game is delayed 1 hour 14 minutes.

    Sep 2, 2003 - The Dodgers down the Astros‚ 4-1‚ as Eric Gagne sets a ML record with his 55th consecutive save. The old mark was held by Tom Gordon of the Red Sox.. Gagne is 44-0 this year in saves‚ another ML mark.

    Sep 2, 2003 - Sammy Sosa hits a 2-run walkoff homer (his career 9th) in the 15th inning to give the Cubs a 4-2 win over the Cardinals. It is the opener of a doubleheader.

    Aug 31, 2003 - The Rangers edge the Twins‚ 11-10‚ as Alex Rodriguez becomes just the 2nd player in ML history with 6 straight seasons of 40 or more HRs. Babe Ruth is the only other player to accomplish the feat.

    Aug 31, 2003 - Roger Clemens of the Yankees became the first pitcher to win 100 games at Fenway Park when he defeats the Red Sox‚ 8-4. In his last regular-season start there. Rocket finishes his career at Fenway with a 100-55 record in 199 appearances; no other pitcher has recorded more than 71 victories at the stadium.

    Aug 31, 2003 - Minutes before the start of the game‚ Barry Bonds is removed from the lineup and hospitalized for exhaustion. Jason Schmidt then pitches into the 9th inning to give the Giants a 3-1 win over the Diamondbacks. Bonds homered off Randy Johnson yesterday and then was removed from the game because he had an accelerated heartbeat. It was his first game back following the death of his father.

    Aug 30, 2003 - The Phillies down the Mets‚ 4-2. NY's runs come on a HR by Jason Phillips‚ the 5‚000th round-tripper in franchise history.

    Aug 30, 2003 - The Mariners score 10 runs with 2 outs in the 5th inning and go on to defeat the Orioles‚ 13-1.

    Aug 30, 2003 - The White Sox down the Tigers‚ 5-2‚ handing Detroit its 100th loss of the season. Detroit becomes the 3rd team in modern times to reach the century mark in losses before September.

    Aug 30, 2003 - The Yanks knock Pedro Martinez out of the box‚ scoring 5 runs in 4 innings en route to a 10-7 win. Nick Johnson has 4 hits and 4 RBI‚ while Jorge Posada has a pair of homers to back Pettitte's pitching. On one of Posada's homers Sox fan Marty Martin throws the ball back on the field. He is then tossed out of Fenway for throwing an object onto the field.

    Aug 30, 2003 - A storm forces the cancellation of the Royals-Angels game in Kansas City. It drops 7.3 inches of rain in the area around Kauffman Stadium in a 23-hour period beginning at 9 a.m.

    Aug 28, 2003 - The Dodgers defeat the Astros‚ 6-3‚ as Eric Gagne sets a ML record with his 44th straight save of the season. Former record-holder Tom Gordon began the 1998 season with 43 in a row.

    Aug 28, 2003 - Marlins' backup C Ramon Castro is arrested and charged with rape in Pittsburgh following Florida's game with the Pirates.

    Aug 28, 2003 - Pay up! The Brewers top the host Cincinnati Reds‚ 4-3‚ for their 10th straight win. Brewers manager Ned Yost fulfills on a vow he made to his team that‚ if they won 10 straight‚ he and his coaches would dress up as Hooters waitresses. They wear the outfits‚ including the chain's trademark orange hot pants‚ on the team's charter to Chicago and on the bus to their hotel. The Cubs will beat them tomorrow‚ 4-2‚ but the Brewers will take the next 2 from Chicago.

    Aug 26, 2003 - The Royals get OF Rondell White from the Padres for minor league pitchers Chris Tierney and Brian Sanches.

    Aug 26, 2003 - The Pirates trade slugger Brian Giles to the Padres. Giles is one of 5 players with 35 or more homers in the last 4 seasons. In return‚ Pittsburgh gets P Oliver Perez‚ much-traveled minor league OF Jason Bay‚ and a player to be named. Bay will win Rookie of the Year honors in 2004.

    Aug 25, 2003 - The Royals acquire P Brian Anderson from the Indians in exchange for a pair of minor leaguers-1B/OF Trey Dyson and P Kieran Mattison-and cash considerations.

    Aug 25, 2003 - The Yankees claim Reds lefty reliever Felix Heredia off waivers to keep Cincinnati from trading him to an AL East team.

    Aug 25, 2003 - Yuutaro Tanaka dominates the championship game of the 57th Little League WS‚ leading Tokyo‚ Japan‚ to a 10-1 victory over Boynton Beach‚ Florida.

    Aug 25, 2003 - The lowly Tigers release Steve Sparks‚ who will‚ sign a minor-league contract with the Oakland A's. The A's will recall him on September 3. It is a win swing of 110 games for the knuckler.

    Aug 24, 2003 - The A's ride grand slams by Ramon Hernandez and Miguel Tejada to a 17-2 triumph over the Blue Jays. It is the 1st time in the franchise's 103-year history that two players connected for slams in the same game. Prior to today‚ Oakland had not hit one this season. Mike Neu earns the first save of his career when he pitches the final three innings.

    Aug 24, 2003 - Professional golfer Phil Mickelson tries his hand at baseball in a tryout with the Toledo Mud Hens‚ the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Mickelson‚ who golfs left but throws right‚ offers a bounty of $300 to any player who can hit a home run off him. Unfortunately for the golfer‚ his pitching prowess did not impress Mud Hens or Tigers management. Most of the 10 batters he faces are pitchers and former major-leaguer Gene Kingsale was his only strikeout victim. But‚ he gives up no homers.

    Aug 23, 2003 - The Phillies beat the Cardinals‚ 9-4‚ in the process ending Albert Pujols' hitting streak at 30 games. It is the longest streak in the ML this season‚ and ties him with Stan Musial for the second-longest in St. Louis history. Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby hit in 33 straight games for the Cardinals' record. Pujols will go hitless in his next 13 at bats.

    Aug 23, 2003 - Baltimore beats Mike Mussina and the Yankees‚ 7-2‚ behind Rodrigo Lopez's complete game. Jay Gibbon has a homer and a double. Before the game‚ the Yankees retire number 49 in honor of Ron Guidry. The Yanks showered their former captain with gifts including an SUV‚ a tractor‚ golf clubs‚ a ring and even throw in some mountain bikes for Guidry's kids. Guidry‚ who hates to fly‚ is given five round trip train tickets from his home in Louisiana to New York City.

    Aug 22, 2003 - Sammy Sosa hits a home run off Curt Schilling‚ his 500th HR as a Cub. Only 10 players in history have hit that many for one team. It is also Sammy's 30th of the season‚ the 9th straight season he's reached that level.

    Aug 22, 2003 - The White Sox shore up their bullpen by acquiring P Scott Sullivan from the Reds for a player to be named.

    Aug 20, 2003 - The Pirates rout the Cardinals‚ 14-0‚ scoring 10 runs in the 5th inning. OF Reggie Sanders hits a pair of homers in the frame‚ including a grand slam‚ to tie the ML record.

    Aug 20, 2003 - In the Giants 2-1 win over the visiting Braves‚ starter Josh Foppert is lifted in the 4th inning when his right hand becomes numb. It turns out to be a torn ulnar collateral ligament and the phenom undergoes Tommy John surgery. He won't return until the 2005 season.

    Aug 19, 2003 - The Giants pick up 2B Eric Young from the Brewers in a trade for minor league P Greg Bruso.

    Aug 19, 2003 - The Rockies send IF Tony Womack to the Cubs for minor league P Enmanuel Ramirez and cash considerations.

    Aug 18, 2003 - The Expos knock of the suddenly slumping Giants‚ 4-0‚ behind a 3-hitter by Javier Vazquez. Without Bonds‚ the Giants lose all 4 games to Montreal and finish the season series‚ 0-7‚ the first time in their 128-year history they have been swept in a season series (they were 0-3 vs. Texas in 1999). Montreal also took all 6 games this year with Milwaukee and swept the Padres‚ 12-0‚ in 1994. Despite the loss‚ the Giants are still 8/5 games ahead of the Diamondbacks in the NL West.

    Aug 18, 2003 - The Mets shut out the Rockies‚ 8-0‚ as Steve Trachsel hurls his 2nd one-hitter of the season. Colorado pitcher Chin-hui Tsao's double in the 6th inning is the Rockies' only hit.

    Aug 17, 2003 - The Angels down the Tigers‚ 11-6‚ as Garret Anderson becomes the Angels' career hits leader. His 3 hits move him ahead of Brian Downing's club mark.

    Aug 17, 2003 - Up 2-0 in the 9th, San Francisco Giants starter Sidney Ponson exits with the bases loaded and one out. Todd Worrell strikes out the next batter but then serves up a walkoff grand slam to Montreal Expos outfielder Brad Wilkerson. The Expos win, 4-2.

    Aug 16, 2003 - In a 5-4 loss to the host Phillies‚ Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals becomes just the 38th major-leaguer to produce a hit streak of 30 games or more when he singles in the 7th inning. The feat has been accomplished 40 times overall with George Sisler and Ty Cobb the only big-leaguers who produced multiple streaks of 30 or more. Pujols has batted .390 (46-for-118) during the streak and has kept it alive six times by getting a hit in his final at bat.

    Aug 16, 2003 - Boston's Pedro Martinez stops the Mariners‚ 5-1‚ to run his record against the M's to a perfect 11-0. He now matches Randy Johnson for the best current record against one team: Big Unit is 11-0 against the Cubs.

    Aug 16, 2003 - The Pirates send 1B Randall Simon to the Cubs for minor league OF Ray Sadler.

    Aug 15, 2003 - The Mets defeat the Rockies‚ 5-0‚ as Tom Glavine wins the 250th game of his ML career. Home plate umpire Justin Kelmm is forced to leave the game in the 8th inning after being hit in the head by a broken bat.

    Aug 15, 2003 - Yanks manager Joe Torre and staff fail to catch two Orioles (Tony Batista and Jay Gibbons) batting out of order in the first inning. New York rallies after the bullpen fails to win‚ 6-4‚ on Aaron Boone's 3-run HR inside the RF foul pole.

    Aug 14, 2003 - In an 8-3 win over the Twins‚ Travis Hafner of the Cleveland Indians became the 22nd major-leaguer to hit for the cycle as a rookie. He barely legs out a triple in his final at bat becoming the first Indian to cycle since Andre Thornton in 1978. The first rookie to hit for a cycle was Bill Van Dyke in 1890 while playing for the American Association's Toledo Maumees. Brian Anderson is the winner with 8 1/3 IP. The Twins‚ who were shutout in 14 innings yesterday‚ score 3 meaningless runs in the bottom of the 9th.

    Aug 14, 2003 - A major blackout in the Northeast causes the cancellation of the Mets-Giants game at Shea Stadium

    Aug 13, 2003 - Mike Mordecai hits his 2nd homer of the year and his second extra-inning homer to give Florida a 2-1 win over the Dodgers. Mordecai hit a game winning extra inning HR on July 23‚ his first homer in two years. His last homer before that‚ for Montreal on August 8‚ 2001‚ was also an extra-inning game winner. The winning pitcher today is rookie Nate Bump (4-0) who also was the winner on Mordecai's last homer.

    Aug 12, 2003 - The Braves obtain P Kent Mercker from the Reds for a player to be named. Atlanta also unveils a statue of Hall of Fame great Warren Spahn outside Turner Field.

    Aug 12, 2003 - Pat Gillick of the Seattle Mariners resigns after a 4-year run. He becomes the third GM to leave his position‚ voluntarily or not‚ in 2003. The first GM to leave this year was the Mets Steve Phillips who was fired in mid-June and replaced by his assistant Jim Duquette on an interim basis. Jim Bowden of the Reds was the next GM handed his walking papers. He was fired in late July and replaced by assistants Brad Kullman and Leland Maddux as interim co-GM's.

    Aug 11, 2003 - The Royals beat the Yankees‚ 12-9‚ as the teams set an AL record by stroking 19 doubles. KC strokes 11 of the 2-baggers‚ just 1 shy of the AL mark.

    Aug 11, 2003 - The Astros down the Cubs‚ 3-1. Chicago's Kerry Wood becomes the youngest pitcher in history to reach the 1‚000 strikeout mark‚ doing so in 134 games. Roger Clemens achieved the feat in 143 contests.

    Aug 10, 2003 - Sammy Sosa clubs 2 home runs good for 3 RBI‚ as the Cubs down Kevin Brown and the Dodgers‚ 3-1.

    Aug 10, 2003 - Rafael Furcal of Atlanta turns a rare unassisted triple play‚ the 12th in history‚ against the Cardinals to keep the Braves in the game. But St. Louis ties the score with a run in the 8th off starter Ramirez and Albert Pujols then clubs a solo homer off John Smoltz to give the host Redbirds a 3-2 win. Gary Sheffield‚ Perez‚ and Metheny also hit home runs.

    Aug 10, 2003 - Bronson Arroyo of Pawtucket hurls just the 4th 9-inning perfect game in the International League's 120-year history‚ downing Buffalo by a score of 7-0.

    Aug 9, 2003 - The Red Sox defeat the Orioles‚ 6-4‚ as Kevin Millar hits a 2-run HR in the 8th inning. Millar's blast is the 10‚000th in Fenway Park history.

    Aug 9, 2003 - The Indians sweep a doubleheader from the Angels by identical scores of 3-2. In the 2nd contest‚ Cleveland's P Jason Boyd turns an unassisted DP.

    Aug 8, 2003 - The Dodgers defeat the Cubs‚ 3-1‚ as Eric Gagne sets an ML record for most consecutive saves from the beginning of the season with 39. It is Gagne's 48th straight save overall‚ 2nd on the all-time list to Tom Gordon's 54.

    Aug 6, 2003 - The Yankees send relief P Armando Benitez to the Mariners in exchange for fellow reliever Jeff Nelson. It's Nelson's second tour of duty with the Yanks.

    Aug 5, 2003 - Major League Baseball announces plans to build its first owned and operated Youth Baseball Academy on the campus of Compton Community College as part of its Urban Youth Initiative.

    Aug 3, 2003 - The Rockies pound out 24 hits in a 16-4 win over the Pirates. Jay Payton hits a pair of HRs and drives in 7 runs for Colorado.

    Aug 3, 2003 - Eddie Murray and Gary Carter are inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown‚ along with announcer Bob Uecker and sportswriter Hal McCoy.

    Aug 2, 2003 - The Mariners down the White Sox‚ 10-0‚ behind John Olerud's 2 HRs and 7 RBIs.

    Aug 1, 2003 - The Angels shut out the Blue Jays‚ 5-0‚ ending Roy Halladay's 15-game winning streak.

    Jul 31, 2003 - Oakland wins its 9th straight‚ edging Tampa Bay‚ 4-3. Rookie Rich Harden earns the win with 10 K's in 7 innings. Devil Ray coaches Lee Elia and John McLaren are tossed in the 5th for protesting a call‚ and TB starter Jermi Gonzalez‚ who goes 8 innings in the loss‚ is also tossed‚ one of the few times in memory that a pitcher throws a CG and earns an ejection. After pitching the 8th‚ Gonzalez‚ who had complained about ump Joe Brinkman's calls‚ continued his grumbling and finally fired a bucket of sunflower seeds onto the field‚ earning him an ejection (which does not appear in the box score).

    Jul 31, 2003 - Did you guys even unpack? The Pirates trade pitchers Brandon Lyon and to the Red Sox for left-hander Mike Gonzalez. Just a week ago, the Red Sox had swapped Lyon and Martinez to the Pirates for Gonzalez, but Lyon had a sore arm and the deal was rescinded. Whoops. On the mulligan today, the Pirates add pitcher Jeff Suppan‚ while Boston throws in minor league infielder Freddy Sanchez. Suppan will start just 10 games for the Sox, while Sanchez and Gonzalez will star for the Bucs.

    Jul 31, 2003 - The Reds acquire pitchers Brandon Claussen and Charlie Manning and cash from the Yankees for 3B Aaron Boone. They also send P Gabe White to the Yanks for a player to be named. The deal had been for the 2 Reds players for the Yankee players and about $1.4 million‚ but Selig vetoed the deal because it exceeded the $1 million limit‚ forcing the teams to make it 2 transactions.

    Jul 31, 2003 - The Devil Rays send P Al Levine to the Royals for cash.

    Jul 31, 2003 - The Dodgers get 3B Robin Ventura from the Yankees for OF Bubba Crosby and P Scott Procter. Ventura became available when the Yanks obtained Boone from the Reds.

    Jul 31, 2003 - The Giants‚ vulnerable with Rueter going on the DL‚ obtain P Sidney Ponson from the Orioles for a hefty package including pitchers Kurt Ainsworth‚ Damian Moss‚ and blue chipper Ryan Hannaman. It is more of a rental as Ponson will resign with the Orioles in January saying. "I love Baltimore."

    Jul 31, 2003 - In Arlington, the Boston Red Sox get solo homers from David Ortiz and Trot Trot Nixon but Texas Rangers shortstop Alex Rodriguezbreaks a 3-3 tie with a walkoff grand slam in the 9th to win it for his team, 7-3.

    Jul 31, 2003 - In Arlington, the Boston Red Sox get solo homers from David Ortiz and Trot Trot Nixon but Texas Rangers shortstop Alex Rodriguez breaks a 3-3 tie with a walkoff grand slam in the 9th to win it for his team, 7-3.

    Jul 30, 2003 - The White Sox pound the Royals‚ 15-4‚ behind 3 HRs and 6 RBIs from Jose Valentin.

    Jul 30, 2003 - The Mariners score 9 runs in the 1st inning and go on to defeat the Tigers‚ 13-3.

    Jul 30, 2003 - The A's send pitchers Aaron Harang‚ Jeff Bruksch‚ and Joe Valentin to the Reds. In return‚ Oakland receives OF Jose Guillen.

    Jul 30, 2003 - The Cubs obtain OF Doug Glanville from the Rangers in exchange for OF Jason Fransz and cash.

    Jul 29, 2003 - The Red Sox down the Rangers‚ 14-7‚ as Bill Mueller becomes the 1st player in history to hit grand slams from both sides of the plate in the same game. Mueller hits one from the right side in the 7th inning and from the left side an inning later. He also hits a solo HR in the 3rd to give him 3 HRs and 9 RBIs on the day.

    Jul 29, 2003 - The Braves beat the Astros‚ 6-3‚ behind the hot hitting of Marcus Giles. Giles goes 5-for-5 to give him 9 consecutive hits‚ just one off the NL record.

    Jul 29, 2003 - The Diamondbacks get OF Raul Mondesi from the Yankees for OF David Dellucci‚ P Bret Prinz‚ and C Jon-Mark Sprowl.

    Jul 29, 2003 - The White Sox obtain pitchers Scott Schoeneweis and Doug Nickle from the Angels for pitchers Gary Glover‚ Scott Dunn‚ and Tim Bittner.

    Jul 29, 2003 - The Reds send P Scott Williamson to the Red Sox for minor league P Phil Dumatrait‚ a player to be named‚ and cash in excess of $1 million‚ which is more than the amount allowable. The Yankees protest to Selig in vain.

    Jul 29, 2003 - The Mariners get vet SS Rey Sanchez from the Mets for minor league OF Kenny Kelly.

    Jul 28, 2003 - The Rangers rout the Mariners‚ 10-1‚ behind Rafael Palmeiro's 2 HRs and 7 RBIs.

    Jul 28, 2003 - The Reds fire manager Bob Boone and replace him on an interim basis with Dave Miley. General manager Jim Bowden is also fired‚ as are coaches Tim Foli and Tom Robson.

    Jul 27, 2003 - The Expos club the Braves‚ 13-10. Atlanta's Marcus Giles ties a ML record with 4 consecutive doubles in the game.

    Jul 27, 2003 - The Blue Jays upend the Orioles‚ 10-1‚ as Roy Halladay wins his 15th consecutive decision.

    Jul 27, 2003 - Gary Carter and Eddie Murray are enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

    Jul 27, 2003 - Former Metrodome superintendent Dick Ericson tells the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he tried to manipulate the outcome of Twins games by the use of electric fans in the late innings. The power of the electric fans needed to be increased near the end of games to keep the roof inflated as doors were opened for spectators to leave. Ericson said he would increase the number of fans blowing from between first and third bases‚ starting in the last of the eighth if the Twins were behind‚ thus giving the Twins the chance at two innings of batting in these conditions and with only one inning at bat for the visiting team. Despite Ericson's admission‚ which was backed up by another Metrodome employee‚ it remains unclear how much effect the added fans had on the distance of fly balls. Ericson also made clear that he manipulated the air flow on his own‚ not at the request of the Twins nor the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission. Bobby Valentine‚ when he was managing the Texas Rangers‚ was the most vociferous in suggesting that electric fans behind the plate were turned on to blow air toward the outfield when the Twins were at bat. The Twins scoffed at the charges.

    Jul 26, 2003 - The Indians score 8 runs in the 2nd inning and go on to defeat the Mariners‚ 9-2.

    Jul 25, 2003 - The White Sox ride Frank Thomas' 400th career HR to a 7-2 win over the Devil Rays. Thomas becomes the 36th player to reach the milestone.

    Jul 25, 2003 - The Rockies defeat the Brewers‚ 7-3‚ as Chin-Hui Tsao‚ the 1st Taiwanese P in ML history gets the victory.

    Jul 24, 2003 - The Phillies trounce the Cubs‚ 14-6‚ scoring 9 runs in the 6th inning. Bobby Abreu ties a team record by driving home 5 runs in the frame.

    Jul 23, 2003 - The Yankees top the Orioles‚ 4-2‚ as Andy Pettitte wins his 7th straight game. Pettitte becomes the first pitcher to win 12 games in each of his first 9 seasons since Stan Coveleski turned the trick (1916-26).

    Jul 22, 2003 - The Pirates send OF Kenny Lofton and 3B Aramis Ramirez to the Cubs in exchange for IF Jose Hernandez‚ P Matt Brulack‚ and a player to be named. Pittsburgh also sends pitchers Scott Sauerbeck and Mike Gonzalez to the Red Sox for pitchers Brandon Lyon and Anastacio Martinez.

    Jul 22, 2003 - The Yankees acquire vet P Jesse Orosco from the Padres for a player to be named.

    Jul 21, 2003 - The Cubs trounce the Braves‚ 15-6. Tom Goodwin gets 5 of Chicago's 21 hits in the rout‚ with Matty Alou going 4-for-6 with 2 doubles and 5 RBI. Mark Grudzielanek has 4 hits and 4 runs‚ and Sosa has a homer and 4 RBI.

    Jul 21, 2003 - In a 5-3 win over the visiting Astros‚ Matt Stairs of the Pirates becomes the first player to hit two home runs into the Allegheny River at PNC Park; Stairs hit his first river ball while playing for the Cubs two years ago. Josh Fogg (6-4) is the winning pitcher.

    Jul 20, 2003 - The Braves score 8 runs in the 8th inning and go on to beat the Mets‚ 11-8.

    Jul 20, 2003 - The Astros down the Reds‚ 6-3‚ as Jeff Bagwell hits a pair of HRs to give him 400 for his career. He is the 35th player in history to reach that mark.

    Jul 20, 2003 - The Cardinals beat the Dodgers‚ 10-7‚ as Luis Pujols hits the 100th HR of his career. He becomes the 4th player to reach that number in his 1st 3 ML seasons‚ and the 7th youngest to get 100.

    Jul 20, 2003 - The Pirates trade P Mike Williams to the Phillies for minor league P Frank Brooks.

    Jul 19, 2003 - Lance Berkman‚ Richard Hidalgo‚ and Morgan Ensberg hit consecutive homers for Houston in the 1st inning and the Astros go on to defeat the Reds‚ 9-8. Ryan Wagner‚ the Reds' number one draft pick this season‚ became the first member of the 2003 draft class to make the majors; Wagner played a total of nine games in the minors prior to his call up.

    Jul 19, 2003 - The Braves beat the Mets‚ 7-4‚ as John Smoltz collects his 100th career save. He becomes the 15th pitcher in history to record both 100 career saves and victories.

    Jul 19, 2003 - The Rangers take advantage of Victor Zambrano's wildness to defeat the Devil Rays‚ 7-3. Zambrano hits 4 batters with pitches to tie the major league mark.

    Jul 18, 2003 - The Braves beat the Mets‚ 11-4. Gary Sheffield goes 5-for-5 for Atlanta‚ with a pair of HRs.

    Jul 18, 2003 - The Indians trade OF Shane Spencer and P Ricardo Rodriguez to the Rangers for OF Ryan Ludwick.

    Jul 18, 2003 - The Diamondbacks send SS Tony Womack to the Rockies in exchange for P Mike Watson.

    Jul 17, 2003 - Kansas City beats Seattle‚ 7-1. Royals' SS Angel Berroa hits his 10th HR of the year for KC to become the 16th rookie SS in history to reach double figures in HRs.

    Jul 16, 2003 - Minnie Minoso becomes the 1st player to play professional baseball in 7 decades when he walks in the 1st inning as DH for the St. Paul Saints in their Northern League game against Gary. Minoso currently works in the Chicago White Sox community relations department.

    Jul 16, 2003 - The Mets send P Armando Benitez to the Yankees for pitcher Jason Anderson‚ Anderson Garcia‚ and Ryan Bicondoa. Benitez will compile a 1.93 ERA in 3 weeks in pinstripes before the Yanks trade him to Seattle for Jeff Nelson.

    Jul 16, 2003 - The Blue Jays trade OF Shannon Stewart to the Twins in exchange for OF Bobby Kielty.

    Jul 15, 2003 - The American League defeats the National League in the All-Star Game‚ 7-6‚ on Hank Blalock's 2-run homer in the bottom of the 8th inning. Anaheim's Garret Anderson gets a double and a HR for the AL and is named the games's MVP‚ while his Angels teammate Brendan Donnelly is the winning pitcher. Donnelly has now won a WS game and an All-star game‚ and yet has only one regular season career victory. His 2nd career win will come on July 28.

    Jul 14, 2003 - Anaheim OF Garret Anderson defeats St. Louis' Luis Pujols in the finals of the All-Star Home Run Derby.

    Jul 14, 2003 - The Mets send OF Jeromy Burnitz to the Dodgers in exchange for minor leaguers Victor Diaz‚ Joselo Diaz‚ and Kole Strayhorn.

    Jul 14, 2003 - The Dodgers sign OF Rickey Henderson to a contract.

    Jul 13, 2003 - The Rockies trade C Ben Petrick to the Tigers for P Adam Bernero.

    Jul 13, 2003 - The Giants get P Matt Herges from the Padres. In return‚ SD gets minor league P Clay Hensley and a player to be named.

    Jul 12, 2003 - The White Sox defeat the Indians‚ 7-4 in 10 innings‚ in the 1st game of a day-night doubleheader. Paul Konerko's 3-run HR is the winning blow. Tom Gordon gets the save for Chicago‚ becoming the 14th pitcher in history to notch at least 100 career wins and 100 saves.

    Jul 12, 2003 - The Giants beat the Diamondbacks‚ 8-1. Barry Bonds hits his 30th HR of the year to join Jimmie Foxx as the only players with 12 straight 30-HR seasons.

    Jul 11, 2003 - Pittsburgh 1B Randall Simon is suspended for 3 games and fined $2‚000 for hitting one of the Milwaukee sausage mascots with his bat during the sausage race held between innings of the July 9 game between the Pirates and Brewers. The whacking caused a collision of sausages‚ prompting manager Ned Yost to say‚ "I just looked over and saw our wieners in a wad."

    Jul 11, 2003 - The Marlins obtain P Ugueth Urbina from the Rangers in exchange for 3 minor leaguers: 1B Adrian Gonzalez‚ OF Will Smith‚ and P Ryan Snare.

    Jul 11, 2003 - The Cubs young ace Mark Prior injures his shoulder in a collision with Atlanta's Marcus Giles in the second inning‚ but pitches till the 6th. Giles leaves the game with a mild concussion. Prior will be out till August 5‚ when he returns with a 3-hit shutout over the Padres. Bruised today in the collision‚ he is further roughed up by Vinny Castilla and Andruw Jones‚ who hit 2-run homers off him. Mike Hampton is the winner‚ despite giving up a solo HR to Sammy Sosa‚ number 516.

    Jul 10, 2003 - The Republicans defeat the Democrats in the annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game‚ 5-3. The Republican victory is a mild upset since the GOP was without their star pitcher from past years‚ former Oklahoma Congressman Steve Largent. Roll Call began sponsoring the game annually in 1962 and‚ since then‚ the Republicans lead the Democrats‚ 28-14. The game was originally organized in 1909 by former major-leaguer John Tener‚ a Republican Congressman from Pennsylvania‚ but was played only intermittently until Roll Call stepped in.

    Jul 8, 2003 - The Indians down the Yankees behind Billy Traber's 1-hitter‚ 4-1. It is Traber's first complete game in his brief career. John Flaherty's leadoff single in the 3rd is NY's only hit.

    Jul 7, 2003 - The Diamondbacks down the Rockies‚ 14-6. Colorado's Shea Hillenbrand becomes the 7th player in history to hit HRs in 3 consecutive innings‚ doing so in the 4th‚ 5th‚ and 6th. He has 5 hits for the day-adding a single and double-and drives home 7 runs. Sammy Sosa hit three in three last year.

    Jul 6, 2003 - In a duel between All-star bound pitchers‚ Woody Williams of the Cardinals beats the Cubs Mark Prior‚ 4-1 in Chicago. The Cubs also lose CF Corey Patterson who tears his ACL trying to beat out a grounder in the 8th inning. Patterson is hitting .298 and leading the team in hits and steals‚ but he is out for the season.

    Jul 5, 2003 - The Indians trounce the Twins‚ 13-2‚ as Casey Blake stroke 5 hits-including a 2B and 2 HRs-and drives in 7 runs.

    Jul 4, 2003 - The Red Sox slug 7 HRs in downing the Yankees‚ 10-3. It is the most homers ever given up in a game by the New Yorkers in their 100-year history.

    Jul 4, 2003 - Trailing 5-0 going into the 8th inning‚ the Orioles strike for 8 runs and go on to beat the Blue Jays‚ 8-5.

    Jul 4, 2003 - The Cardinals defeat the Cubs‚ 11-8‚ despite 3 HRs by Moises Alou.

    Jul 2, 2003 - Mark Clement combines with 3 relief pitchers to hurl a 1-hit shutout over the Phillies‚ as the Cubs win by a score of 1-0. Sammy Sosa's leadoff HR in the 9th off Turk Wendell is the game's only run. David Bell's single is the only hit for Philadelphia.

    Jul 2, 2003 - The Royals obtain P Curtis Leskanic and cash from the Brewers. Milwaukee receives minor league P Wes Obermueller and IF Alejandro Machado.

    Jul 1, 2003 - The Marlins pound the Braves‚ 20-1‚ knocking 25 hits in the process. Both runs and hits are new team marks for Florida.

    Jul 1, 2003 - The Rockies end the Diamondbacks' franchise-record 12-game winning streak with a 7-4 win over Arizona.

    Jul 1, 2003 - The Mets send 2B Roberto Alomar to the White Sox for Ps Royce Ring and Edwin Almonte‚ and IF Andrew Salvo.

    Jul 1, 2003 - The White Sox acquire OF Carl Everett from the Rangers in exchange for 2 or 3 minor leaguers to be named.

    Jun 30, 2003 - The Royals drop out of first place in the AL Central‚ losing a pair to the Indians‚ 10-5 and 8-5. Casey Blake has a homer in each game and drives in 5 runs in game 1 and two more in the nitecap.

    Jun 29, 2003 - Oakland defeats SF‚ 5-2‚ as OF Eric Byrnes hits for the cycle. Byrnes gets 5 hits-4 for extra bases-for the day‚ including two doubles‚ a triple and a homer.

    Jun 29, 2003 - The Diamondbacks send the Tigers to their 61st loss of the season‚ winning 5-3 in 10 innings. The Tigers‚ with a record of 18-61‚ become the 1st team in history to lose 60 games before July 1.

    Jun 28, 2003 - A day after a 25-8 whipping by the Bosox‚ the Marlins stage their biggest comeback in team history. Trailing 9-2 in the 8th inning against starter Tim Wakefield‚ the Marlins score 4 runs in the 8th and 4 runs in the 9th to win‚ 10-9.

    Jun 28, 2003 - Barry Bonds‚ who splashed #634 into the Bay last night‚ hits #635 today as the Giants edge the A's 8-7 in 10 innings. San Francisco wins on Pedro Feliz's single in the 10th.

    Jun 28, 2003 - After winning yesterday on Jose Valentin's HR in the 9th‚ the White Sox beat the Cubs again in the 9th‚ winning 7-6 before a crowd of 45‚440.

    Jun 28, 2003 - The Cardinals batter the Royals‚ 13-9 as Jim Edmonds has 4 extra base hits‚ including 2 homers. This is his 2nd four extra-base-hit game this year‚ tying a ML record. Rookie Bo Hart has 4 hits and scores 4 runs for his 7th multi-hit game in 9 outings. He is hitting .489.

    Jun 28, 2003 - Led by Hideki Matsui the Yankees sweep a day-night doubleheader from the crosstown Mets‚ winning the 1st by a score of 7-1 at Yankee Stadium and the nightcap‚ 9-8‚ at Shea Stadium. It is the 3rd time in history that two teams play two games at two different stadiums in the same day. Matsui has a grand slam in game 1 as Roger Clemens shuts down the Mets. Matsui has 4 hits in game 2 ans he is on base 9 out of 10 plate appearances. For the second time this season‚ Alfonse Soriano leads off with a homer and a teammate follows with a HR. This time it is Jeter who follows suit.

    Jun 27, 2003 - The Red Sox tie a team record by getting 28 hits in a 25-8 thrashing of the Marlins. Boston scores 14 runs in the 1st inning‚ setting a ML mark by plating 10 runs before an out is made. Johnny Damon becomes the 2nd player in history to get 3 hits in an inning‚ with a single‚ double‚ and triple in the frame. Damon gets 5 hits altogether. The Sox also tie a mark with 5 players in the inning scoring twice‚ and most runs in the 1st inning. Carl Pavano and Tejara allow 10 runs without recording an out for manager Jack McKeon; The last time that happened to the 1st two pitchers was 31 years ago at Kansas city when Wayne Simpson and Ken Wright failed to record an out for-you guessed it-manager Jack McKeon. Paced by Bill Mueller's 6 RBI‚ the Sox have 6 players with 3+ RBI.

    Jun 27, 2003 - Jason Michaels hits a 3-run homer in the top of the 17th‚ off Omar Daal‚ as the Phillies hold on to beat the Orioles‚ 4-2. The two teams burn through 15 pitchers in the game.

    Jun 27, 2003 - The Blue Jays defeat the Expos‚ 6-5‚ as Roy Halladay has his streak of 11 consecutive victories in 11 starts ended with a no-decision.

    Jun 27, 2003 - The Rangers top the Astros‚ 10-7. Houston's Dave Matranga homers in his 1st ML at bat‚ doing so as a pinch-hitter in the 5th inning.

    Jun 26, 2003 - Geoff Jenkins' 3-run HR in the 9th inning leads Milwaukee to a 5-3 win over the Cubs. Chicago's Mark Prior fans 16 Brewers in 8 innings.

    Jun 25, 2003 - The Red Sox score 9 runs in the 8th inning to cap an 11-2 win over the Tigers.

    Jun 25, 2003 - In Chicago‚ the Brewers score 6 runs in the 10th to double up the Cubs‚ 12-6. Jenkins and Brook Kieschnick hits homers in the 10th‚ the latter a pinch roundtripper. Eddie Perez adds a pinch triple in the 10th and Kevin Ginter hits a pinch HR in the 7th for Milwaukee. The pair of pinch homers ties the ML mark.

    Jun 25, 2003 - The Yankees obtain OF Karim Garcia and P Dan Miceli from the Indians in exchange for a player to be named.

    Jun 24, 2003 - The Red Sox trounce the Tigers‚ 10-1‚ as Nomar Garciaparra gets 5 hits‚ and Kevin Millar adds 4 hits and 5 RBI. Derek Lowe is the winner with 8 innings of work.

    Jun 24, 2003 - OF Brad Wilkerson hits for the cycle to lead Montreal to a 6-4 victory over Pittsburgh. Wilkerson singles in the 2nd‚ doubles in the 5th‚ triples in the 6th‚ and homers in the 7th to become the 5th Expo to accomplish the feat.

    Jun 24, 2003 - The Cubs pound 6 HRs in a 9-1 win over the Brewers. Kerry Wood‚ Mark Grudzielanek‚ and Alex Gonzalez homer in succession in the 6th inning. It is the 9th time in team history that 3 players have homered in a row.

    Jun 23, 2003 - The Giants squeak by the Dodgers‚ 3-2 in 11 innings. Barry Bonds scores the winning run after stealing the 500th base of his career. He becomes the 1st player in history to have 500 steals and 500 HRs.

    Jun 23, 2003 - Behind Phillip Humber's 5-hitter‚ Rice University trounces Stanford‚ 14-2‚ to win the College WS. It is the school's 1st NCAA title in any sport.

    Jun 22, 2003 - Brett Myers shuts out the Red Sox on 3 hits as the Phillies beat the Red Sox for thesecond day in a row‚ 5-0. Abreau‚ Byrd‚ and Rollins hit homeruns.

    Jun 21, 2003 - The Phillies defeat the Red Sox‚ 6-5 on pinch-hitter Todd Pratt's 2-out‚ 2-run HR in the 13th inning. The Phils score 3 in the frame. Nomar Garciaparra strokes a team-record tying 6 hits for Boston‚ and adds a walk. Todd Walker has two homers‚ off Wolf‚ and Kevin Millar has a pair of doubles and a triple. Jim Thome clouts homers in the 8th and the 12th

    Jun 21, 2003 - The Pirates edge the Indians‚ 7-6‚ in 15 innings for their 2nd consecutive 15-inning victory over the Tribe. It is the first time since 1996 that two teams have played back-to-back 15 inning affairs.

    Jun 21, 2003 - The red-hot Dodgers beat Anaheim‚ 4-2‚ capitalizing on Adrian Beltre's 3-run HR. Eric Gagne picks up his 27th save despite allowing 3 hits in the 9th. For the 3rd time (April 27‚ June 18) this season‚ Bengie Molina pinch hits for his brother‚ Jose‚ singling against Gagne for a run.

    Jun 20, 2003 - Florida beats Tampa Bay‚ 3-1‚ in 11 innings as rookie Miguel Cabrera hits a walkoff HR in his ML debut. He is only the 3rd player in history to perform the feat‚ joining Josh Bard (8/23/02) and Billy Parker (9/9/71).

    Jun 20, 2003 - At San Diego, the home team Padres enter the bottom of the 9th down 3–0 to the Seattle Mariners. M’s reliever Jeff Nelson then gives up 5 runs, including a 2-out walkoff grand slam by Rondell White as the Pads sink the Mariners, 5-3. Nelson’s collapse negates a fine effort by Mariners starter Gil Meche.

    Jun 19, 2003 - The A's upend the Rangers‚ 9-2‚ behind Miguel Tejada's 5 hits. One of Tejada's safeties is a HR off starting pitcher Mario Ramos‚ who is making his ML debut.

    Jun 19, 2003 - Montreal's Juan Rivera hits 2 homers in a 9-run 2nd inning of slugfest against the White Sox. His 2nd homer is a grand slam. The Expos need it as they win‚ 17-14. Terrmel Sledge‚ who comes in as a defensive replacment‚ hits a 2-run homer in the 8th to give Montreal some breathing room.

    Jun 19, 2003 - Jason Schmidt of the Giants shuts out the Dodgers‚ 2-0‚ limiting LA to 3 hits. In the process‚ he ends Paul LoDuca's 25-game hitting streak.

    Jun 19, 2003 - The Rockies trade All-Star SS Jose Hernandez to the Cubs in exchange for IF Mark Bellhorn and minor league P Travis Anderson.

    Jun 17, 2003 - The Devil Rays defeat the Yankees‚ 11-2‚ in the 1st game of a doubleheader. Tampa Bay sets a team record with 18 hits in a 9-inning game‚ and would have scored even more were it not for 6 NY double plays-one shy of the AL mark. NY comes back to win the nightcap‚ 10-2.

    Jun 17, 2003 - The Mets shut out the Marlins‚ 5-0‚ as Jae Seo and two relief pitchers combine to toss a 1-hitter. Juan Encarnacion's 5th inning single is Florida's only hit. It is the 3rd straight 1-hitter the Mets have been involved in‚ believed to be a ML record.

    Jun 17, 2003 - The Royals ride a team-record 12-run 7th inning to a 14-7 victory over the Twins. Trailing 3-1‚ KC sends 16 men to the plate in the stanza to take a 13-3 lead.

    Jun 17, 2003 - The Dodgers Kevin Brown wins his 10th‚ game‚ and 9th in a row‚ beating San Francisco‚ 4-2. He leaves the game with a groin injury‚ but will not miss a start. He won't win his 11th till August.

    Jun 16, 2003 - The Marlins squeak by the Mets‚ 1-0‚ as rookie Dontrelle Willis hurls a 1-hitter. Ty Wigginton‚'s 4th inning single is NY's only hit as Willis hurls the first complete game of his career in his 8th big league start. Ivan Rodriguez's HR accounts for the only run of the contest.

    Jun 15, 2003 - The Blue Jays edge the Cubs‚ 5-4‚ in 10 innings. Toronto rookie OF Reed Johnson leads off the game for the Blue Jays with a HR‚ then hits a walk-off homer in the 10th to win it. The last player to start and finish a game with a HR was Darin Erstad of the Angels in 2000.

    Jun 15, 2003 - The Mets shut out the Angels‚ 8-0‚ behind Steve Trachsel's one-hitter. David Eckstein's 2-out single in the 6th in Anaheim's only safety. Rookie SS Jose Reyes hits a grand slam to lead NY‚ becoming just the 2nd player in team history (in addition to Jack Hamilton) to hit a grand slam as his 1st ML homer.

    Jun 14, 2003 - Philadelphia scores 10 runs in the 8th inning and goes on to post a 12-2 win over the Reds.

    Jun 13, 2003 - The Yankees defeat the Cardinals‚ 5-2‚ as Roger Clemens becomes the 21st pitcher in history to win 300 games. Clemens finishes with 10 strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings to become the 3rd pitcher to surpass 4‚000 for his career.

    Jun 13, 2003 - The Devil Rays beat the Pirates‚ 7-1‚ as Victor Zambrano combines with 3 relievers to limit Pittsburgh to 1 hit. The Pirates only hit is a bloop single by Jack Wilson leading off the 5th inning. Zambrano walks 5‚ throws a team-record 4 wild pitches‚ and ties another team mark with 3 hit batsmen.

    Jun 12, 2003 - The Blue Jays upend the Pirates‚ 5-4‚ ending Aramis Ramirez's 22-game hitting streak in the process.

    Jun 12, 2003 - Southern University's All-American 2B Rickie Weeks‚ the all-time NCAA leading hitter‚ is named winner of the Dick Howser Award as the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's player of the year.

    Jun 11, 2003 - The Astros shut out the Yankees‚ 8-0‚ as six Houston pitchers combine to throw a no-hitter-the most ever to do so on a no-no. Starter Roy Oswalt leaves the game in the 2nd inning with a strained groin. He is followed in turn by Peter Munro‚ Kirk Saarloos‚ Brad Lidge‚ Octavio Dotel‚ and Billy Wagner‚ who combine to hold the Yankees hitless for the first time since 1958. It is the longest streak without being no-hit-6‚980 games-in ML history. Dotel ties a record by striking out 4 New Yorkers in the 8th inning. The Yankees tie the AL record by striking out 8 consecutive times. It was the 4th time it's happened‚ the first since the Mariners struck out 8 consecutive times off Roger Clemens in his first 20 K game (April 29‚ 1986). The major league record is for pitcher used in a shutout is 8‚ by the Red Sox‚ in a 10 inning game on October 3‚ 1999.

    Jun 7, 2003 - The Royals defeat the Rockies‚ 9-5‚ in the 2nd game of their doubleheader as Todd Jones makes his 1st career start for Colorado after 632 relief appearances to set a ML record. Chuck McElroy was the former record holder with 603 relief appearances before his 1st start. The Royals take game 1‚ 13-11‚ scoring 12 runs off Shawn Chacon (8-3) in 3 2/3 innings. Mike Sweeney has a grand slam in the 2nd and Charles Johnson answers that with a grand slam for the Rockies.

    Jun 7, 2003 - At Milwaukee the Red Sox play long ball to edge the Brewers‚ 11-10‚ and move to a half game behind the idle first-place AL-East Yankees. Kevin Millar‚ with a grand slam‚ and Bill Mueller hit pinch homers and Trot Nixon and Jason Varitek hit back-to-back solo homers in the 9th to greet reliever Mike DeJean. Ortiz and Ramirez also homer for the Sox.

    Jun 7, 2003 - Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa is suspended for 8 games for using a corked bat in a 3-2 win over the Devil Rays. The Cubs also lose the services of Hee Seop Choi‚ who suffers a concussion in the 4th when he collides with P Kerry Wood. Choi is knocked out for 17 minutes. His replacement Eric Karros hits a 3-run HR in the 7th as the Cubs beat Roger Clemens and the Yankees‚ 5-2. Clemens was making his 3rd try to win his 300th game.

    Jun 5, 2003 - The Brewers sweep a doubleheader from the Mets‚ winning the 1st game‚ 8-7‚ and the 2nd‚ 5-3. John Franco becomes the 8th pitcher in history to appear in 1‚000 games when he pitches in game two.

    Jun 4, 2003 - The Angels pound out 7 homers in defeating the Expos‚ 11-2. Garrett Anderson hits 3 round-trippers‚ while Jeff DaVanon has his 3rd straight 2-homer game. DaVanon ties the major league record (Gus Zernial‚ 1951; Frank Thomas‚ 1962; Lee May‚ 1969)‚ ties the AL record with 6 HR in 3 games (1st set by Lazzeri in 1936)‚ and becomes the 3rd player to homer from both sides of the plate in consecutive games (Eddie Murray‚ 1987; Ken Caminiti‚ 1995).

    Jun 2, 2003 - The Marlins wallop the A's‚ 13-2. Oakland's Eric Byrnes has his 22-game hitting streak snapped.

    Jun 2, 2003 - The Cubs edge the Devil Ray‚ 3-2‚ but the headline news is Sammy. Sosa is ejected from the game in the 1st inning after apparently driving in a run with a broken-bat ground out. Inspection of the bat reveals it to have cork inside and the run is disallowed.

    Jun 2, 2003 - In the opening round of the June Draft‚ the Devil Rays pick first and take high schooler Delmon Young‚ quickly inking him to a ML contract that includes a $3.7 million bonus. His brother Dmitri was drafted 4th overall in 1991. This will be the first draft in history in which every player drafted in the first two rounds will sign‚ though first round bonuses will average $1.757 million‚ down from last year's average of $2.1 million. Only 16 players of the 307 drafted will not sign‚ a new record (24 in 2000 was the previous mark). The Expos sign all 19 draftees. Picking 2nd‚ the Brewers take 2B Rickie Weeks‚ who set an NCAA record with a career BA of .473. The Tigers take Wake Forest's Kyle Sleeth and the Padres use #4 to pick Tim Stauffer. The Cubs use the 6th pick to take Ryan Harvey‚ an OF from Dunedin High School; he'll sign for $2.4 million. His teammate from last year‚ Brian Dopirak‚ is a Cubs minor leaguer drafted in 2002. The O's ink 2002 draftee Adam Loewen for $4.2 million‚ a week before they would lose his rights‚ then take Nick Markalis with the #7. The best debuts in this class will be put in by Lou Palmisano (Helena‚ .394)‚ a 3rd round pick of Milwaukee‚ and Michael Aubrey (Lake County‚ .348)‚ Cleveland's 1st round pick. The Blue Jays #2 pick Josh Banks will go 7-2 for Auburn.

    Jun 1, 2003 - The Yankees defeat the Tigers in 17 innings by a score of 10-9. New York takes a 7-1 lead as Roger Clemens starts in pursuit of his 300th win‚ but Detroit ties the game in the 7th.

    Jun 1, 2003 - The Mariners score 6 runs in the 1st inning and go on to beat the Twins‚ 9-5. The first 7 Seattle batters hit safely as the team falls one shy of the ML record for consecutive hits to start a game. The 7 hits all come off Kenny Rogers‚ who breaks the AL record of 5 hits to first 5 batters‚ a mark held by 3 pitchers.

    Jun 1, 2003 - The Mets score 8 runs in the 6th inning on their way to a 10-4 triumph over the Braves.

    Jun 1, 2003 - The U.S. House votes 372-0 to congratulate the Chicago Cubs Sammy Sosa on his 500th home run and praise him as a role model. There will be a ceremony on the 5th is to present him with a copy of the House resolution.

    May 31, 2003 - The Cubs down the Astros‚ 1-0‚ in 16 innings. It is the longest 1-0 game for Chicago since a 17-inning win over Boston in 1901. Houston pitchers set a team record with 23 strikeouts in the contest‚ while the Cubs set a club mark by fanning that many times.

    May 31, 2003 - The Pirates beat the Cardinals‚ 4-3‚ as Kenny Lofton's 26-game hitting streak comes to an end. Lofton falls a game short of the Pirates franchise record of 27 games set by Jimmy Williams in 1899. Lofton homered yesterday to match Garciaparra's streak this year of 26 games.

    May 30, 2003 - The Braves slug 4 HRs on their way to a 5-2 win over the Mets. The homers give Atlanta 55 for the month of May‚ tying the NL mark held by the 1947 Giants and the 2000 Cardinals.

    May 30, 2003 - Ken Griffey‚ Jr. hits a game-tying homer in the 9th‚ then adds a go-ahead homer in the 11th to pace the Reds to a 4-3 win over the host Florida Marlins‚ Junior's first homer is off Braden Looper and his 2nd‚ a 2-out shot‚ comes off Armando Almanza.

    May 29, 2003 - The Rockies outscore the visiting Dodgers‚ 12-5‚ behind Todd Helton's 3 home runs and Ron Belliard's 5 hits. Helton adds a single as he bats in six runs.

    May 29, 2003 - The Red Sox‚ in need of a closer‚ trade Shea Hillenbrand to the Diamondbacks for closer Byung Hyun Kim. The Diamondbacks were reportedly not eager to swap the 24-year-old South Korean. Hillenbrand was almost traded last winter to the Expos for Bartolo Colon.

    May 28, 2003 - The Braves pound the Reds‚ 15-3‚ as they become just the second team in history to start a game with 3 consecutive homers: Rafael Furcal‚ Mark DeRosa‚ and Gary Sheffield connect as Atlanta's first 3 hitters. The 1987 Padres are the only other club to accomplish the feat. Javy Lopez also homers in the inning for the Braves‚ to tie the ML record of 4 homers in an inning. They slug a total of 6 in the game. Starter Jeff Austin‚ who serves up the 3 dingers‚ makes his second straight start without retiring a batter.

    May 28, 2003 - The NL West-leading Giants whip the Diamondbacks‚ 10-2‚ as Benito Santiago homers twice and Barry Bonds once.

    May 27, 2003 - The Yankees beat the Red Sox‚ 11-3‚ ending Nomar Garciaparra's 26-game hitting streak in the process.

    May 27, 2003 - The Mariners wallop the Royals‚ 15-7‚ led by Randy Winn‚ who strokes 5 hits‚ including a double.

    May 26, 2003 - At Atlanta‚ the Reds defeat the Braves‚ 7-6‚ in 11 innings when Adam Dunn hits a pinch grand slam off Roberto Hernandez. The Braves then score 3 to make it close. It is the first loss for the Braves in 74 games in which reliever John Smoltz has appeared‚ a major league record.

    May 25, 2003 - The Orioles beat the Rangers in a slugfest‚ 13-10. Melvin Mora leads Baltimore's 18-hit attack with 5 safeties‚ including a pair of doubles.

    May 24, 2003 - At Arizona‚ San Diego's Brian Lawrence allows 2-hits in beating the Diamondbacks‚ 5-1. Rondell White clubs a homer off Curt Schilling‚ and a frustrated Schilling clubs to death a QuesTec camera near the D'Back's dugout.

    May 23, 2003 - The Phillies edge the Expos‚ 4-2‚ as Philadelphia's Jose Mesa becomes the 10th player in history to reach 100 saves with two different teams. He also reached the century mark with the Indians.

    May 23, 2003 - The Cardinals rally from a 7-2 deficit to pull out a 10-8‚ 10 inning win over the Pirates. Albert Pujols strokes 5 hits for St. Louis‚ including a pair of doubles‚ to pace their 17-hit attack.

    May 23, 2003 - In a Class A South Atlantic League game in Lakewood‚ NJ‚ between the BlueClaws and Kannapolis‚ a groundskeeper is ejected from the game. Butler‚ who wanted to protect the field with a tarpaulin‚ walks on the field‚ but the dispute turns heated and he is ejected. Buddy Biancalana's Lakewood team was leading 3-0‚ when it started raining hard. Butler is a three-time Groundskeeper of the Year in the minors and is working his 13th season in the business. He said he told umpires Brandon Cooney and Steve Cummings it was time to cover the field.

    May 22, 2003 - Down 5-3 to the Cleveland Indians going into the bottom of the 9th, the Seattle Mariners score 5 runs off Tribe reliever Danys Baez to win, 8-5. Mariners centerfielder Mike Cameron's no-out walkoff grand slam caps the scoring.

    May 22, 2003 - Down 5-3 to the Cleveland Indians going into the bottom of the 9th, the Seattle Mariners score 5 runs off Tribe reliever Danys Baez to win, 8-5. Mariners centerfielder Mike Cameron hits a walkoff grand slam with no one-out to cap the scoring.

    May 21, 2003 - The Brewers defeat the Padres‚ 10-0‚ as Wayne Franklin hurls the 1st complete game of his ML career. Geoff Jenkins slams 3 HRs in the contest and drives home 4.

    May 19, 2003 - The Indians edge the Tigers‚ 10-9‚ despite a 3-HR‚ 7-RBI performance by Detroit 1B Carlos Pena It was the first three-dinger game by a Tiger player in 1‚059 days and the fifth time in team history that the club lost after receiving such a performance. Three-homer games in the majors generally spell success for the player's team having resulted in 353 wins and 82 losses‚ or an .811 winning percentage.

    May 16, 2003 - The Blue Jays rout the Royals‚ 18-1‚ for the largest margin of victory in team history. Toronto batters record 22 hits in the drubbing.

    May 15, 2003 - Corey Patterson's 2-run HR in the 17th inning leads the Cubs to a 4-2 win over the Brewers. Todd Wellemeyer got the save for Chicago‚ striking out three batters in the bottom half of the 17th in his ML debut. He's the first Cub to record a save in his debut since the stat became official in 1969. The Brewers set an NL record for strikeouts in an extra-inning game with 24. The previous mark was 22‚ by the Dodgers vs. the Reds (1972) and Mets vs. Giants (1964).

    May 15, 2003 - The Braves score 8 runs in the 5th inning on their way to a 15-6 rout of the Padres.

    May 14, 2003 - The Braves down the Dodgers‚ 3-1‚ for their 23rd win in their last 27 games. John Smoltz gets his league-leading 16th save in relief. The Braves have won the last 70 games in which he has appeared-a major league record.

    May 13, 2003 - The San Francisco Giants scored a run on an infield fly. Expos' manager Frank Robinson indicated this was unique in his experience.

    May 11, 2003 - The Marlins fire manager Jeff Torborg and replace him with 72-year-old Jack McKeon. Pitching coach Brad Arnsberg is also relieved of duty.

    May 11, 2003 - The Rangers pound the Indians‚ 17-10‚ as Rafael Palmeiro hits the 500th HR of his illustrious career. Palmeiro becomes the 19th player-and 5th-oldest-to accomplish the feat‚ and the 2nd this season.

    May 11, 2003 - With the Cards leading the Cubs 11-9 at Wrigley Field in the top of the 5th inning, the game is called on account of rain. Starters Matt Clement and Brett Tomko give up all the runs, but they won’t count against their ERA’s. The 23-MPH wind helped Albert Pujols hit a grand slam and boosted homers by Tino Martinez (2), Moises Alou, Corey Patterson, Troy O’Leary, and Alex Gonzalez.

    May 10, 2003 - The Cubs best the Cardinals‚ 3-2‚ in 10 innings on Alex Gonzalez's walk-off HR. It is the 3rd extra-inning‚ game-winning homer this month for Gonzalez‚ tying the team's single-season record held by Ron Santo and Ernie Banks. Gonzalez hit extra-inning homers on May 1 and May 4. The only other player to hit 3 in one calendar month was Ron Gant‚ in 1995. Starter Kerry Wood throws 141 pitches but the win goes to reliever Mike Remlinger.

    May 10, 2003 - The Cubs trade P Alan Benes to the Rangers for a player to be named later. The Rangers sent P Ryan Drese to the minors‚ to make room on the roster for Benes.

    May 8, 2003 - The Reds down the Cardinals‚ 8-6‚ as Aaron Boone connects for 3 solo homers‚ his 2nd 3-homer game. He also did it August 9‚ 2002.

    May 8, 2003 - The Braves sweep the Rockies in a doubleheader‚ winning by scores of 12-6 in the opener and 5-2 in the nightcap. Andruw Jones drives home runs in both games‚ giving him a team-record 9 straight games with an RBI.

    May 8, 2003 - The Angels defeat the Indians‚ 7-1‚ as Garrett Anderson drives home all 7 Anaheim runs to tie a career high.

    May 8, 2003 - The Yankees jump on the Mariners for 10 runs in the 3rd inning on their way to a 16-5 victory.

    May 6, 2003 - Dmitri Young has 2 homers and 2 triples for 15 total bases in leading the Tigers to a 7-6 win over the Orioles. His triple in the 9th drives home the deciding run.

    May 6, 2003 - Jacque Jones is 5-for-5 with 2 homers in the Twins 7-3 victory over Tampa Bay.

    May 5, 2003 - The Royals defeat the Red Sox‚ 7-6. KC's 11-0 start at Kauffman Stadium is the second-best in major league history behind the 1911 Detroit Tigers‚ who won their first 12 home games.

    May 2, 2003 - The Devil Rays defeat the hapless Tigers‚ 2-0‚ behind Joe Kennedy's 1-hitter. It is the 1st 1-hitter in Tampa Bay history. Kennedy allows a single to leadoff hitter Angel Torres in the bottom half of the 1st inning‚ then holds Detroit in check the rest of the way.

    May 2, 2003 - In Toronto‚ the Blue Jays defeat the Angels‚ 3-1. The game is interrupted in the 9th when a fan jumps on the field and jogs toward 2B. Jays second baseman Orlando Hudson shoves him and he is taken away by guards. Tim Salmon stretches his hitting streak to 19 games with a HR.

    May 1, 2003 - Baseball players agree to a two-year experiment to give home-field advantage in the WS to the league that wins the All-Star Game. The two sides also agree to increase the roster size from 30 to 32‚ and to give players‚ managers‚ and coaches a say on who makes the team.

    May 1, 2003 - The Orioles sweep a doubleheader from the Tigers‚ winning by scores of 5-2 and 6-4‚ to drop Detroit's record to 3-23. In the 1st game‚ BJ Ryan earns the win in relief without throwing a single pitch. After relieving Pat Hentgen with two outs in the 7th‚ he picks Omar Infante off first base to end the inning. The Orioles go on to score 3 runs in the bottom half of the inning to make him the pitcher of record on the winning side. He is relieved by Buddy Groom for the 8th and Jorge Julio in the 9th. In the 2nd game‚ Detroit P Mike Maroth hurls 7 innings of hitless ball before giving up a leadoff single to Jay Gibbons in the 8th. Maroth eventually takes the loss‚ dropping his record to 0-7. He misses by one day from becoming the 1st pitcher in history to lose 7 games in April.

    Apr 30, 2003 - The Red Sox score 3 runs in the bottom half of the 9th inning to eke out a 5-4 win over the Royals. KC pitchers hit 3 batters in the inning to tie a ML mark. It is only the 2nd time it has ever been done in the 9th inning.

    Apr 30, 2003 - The Yankees defeat the visiting Mariners‚ 8-5‚ behind Raul Mondesi's grand slam. Mariano Rivera‚ after a month of injury rehab‚ makes his first appearance of the year‚ giving up a run in the 9th.

    Apr 29, 2003 - It shoulda been the Royals. Gene Kingsale misses a game in order to be knighted in his home country of Aruba. Kingsale was joined by Baltimore pitcher Sidney Ponson and Los Angeles pitcher Calvin Maduro. Sir Eugene will be back in the lineup tomorrow.

    Apr 27, 2003 - The Diamondbacks sweep a doubleheader from the Mets‚ winning the 1st game by a score of 6-1 and the 2nd‚ 7-3. New York commits 8 errors in the twinbill and strikes out 27 times to set a new ML mark for futility. Arizona rookie P Brandon Webb hurls 7 shutout innings‚ allowing just 3 hits and striking out 10 in his 1st ML start. Webb is sent down to the minors after the game in order to allow Randy Johnson to come off the DL and pitch the 2nd contest. He strikes out 12.

    Apr 27, 2003 - The Rangers defeat the Yankees‚ 10-7‚ as Alex Rodriguez goes 5-5 and drives in 6 runs. Rodriguez has a pair of doubles in his 3rd career 5-hit game.

    Apr 27, 2003 - The Cardinals outlast the Marlins‚ 7-6‚ in 20 innings. It is the ML's 1st 20-inning game sine 1993.

    Apr 27, 2003 - The Phillies beat the Giants‚ 1-0‚ as Kevin Millwood pitches the 1st no-hitter of the season‚ and only the 2nd in the 33-year history of Veterans Stadium. He strikes out 10 while walking three. Ricky Ledee has 2 of the Phils' 4 hits‚ including a solo homer off Foppert to account for the only score.

    Apr 27, 2003 - The Houston Texans take Yankee minor leaguer Drew Henson in the 6th round of the NFL draft.

    Apr 25, 2003 - Bud Selig announces that he will step down as baseball commissioner when his term ends in December 2006.

    Apr 25, 2003 - The Dodgers score 5 runs in the 9th inning to defeat the Pirates‚ 5-2. Pittsburgh starting P Kip Wells hits a 457-foot HR off the batter's eye in center field‚ becoming only the 2nd player to reach the spot in PNC Park.

    Apr 25, 2003 - The Brewers ride Richie Sexson's 3 HRs to a 12-5 win over the Braves. Sexson adds a double to give him a team-record 14 total bases.

    Apr 25, 2003 - The Mariners shut out the Tigers‚ 6-0‚ sending rookie P Mike Maroth to his 6th defeat. Maroth becomes just the 2nd pitcher in ML history to go 0-6 in April. Dave Stewart of Texas did so in 1984.

    Apr 24, 2003 - KC edges Minnesota‚ 2-1‚ to become just the 10th team in ML history-and the 1st since the 1987 Yankees-to start the year with a 10-0 record at home.

    Apr 24, 2003 - The Phillies pound the Rockies‚ 9-1‚ with 2B Chase Utley's grand slam being the big blow. It is Utley's 1st ML hit in his 3rd AB. The last to make his first hit a grand slam was Boston's Creighton Gubanich in 1999.

    Apr 24, 2003 - The Angels hand Andy Pettitte and the Yankees a 6-2 loss. It is the 1st loss for a NY starting pitcher‚ ending their ML-record streak of starters going 16-0 to begin the year.

    Apr 22, 2003 - The Cubs down the Padres‚ 7-2. San Diego pitcher Brian Lawrence ties a ML record by hitting 3 Chicago players-Alex Gonzalez‚ Sammy Sosa and Hee Seop Choi-with pitches in the 4th inning. All 3 score. Sosa is able to be in the lineup after having a CAT scan following a nasty beaning on Sunday‚ the 20th‚ which broke his helmet.

    Apr 22, 2003 - The Yankees continue their winning ways with an 8-3 victory over the Angels on the 100th anniversary of their 1st game. New York is off to the best start in its history with a 17-3 record. The team's starting pitchers are now 15-0 on the year.

    Apr 21, 2003 - Minor league pitcher Jae Kuk Ryu‚ 20‚ knocks an osprey from its perch at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach before a game in the Class A Florida State League. The bird‚ nicknamed "Ozzy'" by fans‚ is blinded in its right eye and dies six days later. Following public outcry over the mascot incident‚ the Cubs will demote Ryu to the Lansing Lugnuts of the lower-level Midwest League. He is later promoted to the Double-A West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx. After the season Ryu will be sentenced to serve 100 hours of public service for his bird assault.

    Apr 21, 2003 - The Yankees continue their hot start with a 15-1 win over the Twins. With David Wells's victory‚ the NY starting pitchers are now 14-0. The Twins have played 6 series so far and have either swept‚ or been swept‚ in all six.

    Apr 21, 2003 - The Indians defeat the White Sox‚ 9-2‚ despite a HR by Derek Lee. Lee has homered in 5 consecutive games to tie a Chicago mark. Frank Thomas was the last White Sox player to perform the feat.

    Apr 20, 2003 - The Yankees defeat Minnesota‚ 8-2. The win gives New York starting pitchers a 13-0 record‚ the best mark by any starting staff at the beginning of the season since 1900.

    Apr 20, 2003 - The Mets down the Marlins‚ 7-4‚ to Art Howe his 1‚000th win as manager. He is the 49th skipper to reach the milestone‚ and the 5th active one.

    Apr 18, 2003 - The Orioles score 8 runs in the 2nd inning and go on to defeat the Devil Rays‚ 9-7.

    Apr 18, 2003 - The Yankees beat the Twins‚ 11-4. NY starting pitchers have a combined 11-0 record‚ tying the 1990 Milwaukee Brewers for the best start by a rotation in the last 50 years.

    Apr 18, 2003 - Bartolo Colon allows 3 runs in 9 innings against his old team the Indians as the White Sox win‚ 5-3. Frank breaks Luke Appling's team record for walks when he draws 2 bases on balls‚ the 2nd intentional‚ giving him 1‚303 for his 14-season career. Appling compiled 1‚302 walks over 20 seasons with the Pale Hose.

    Apr 17, 2003 - Carlos Baerga leads the Diamondbacks to an 11-2 victory over the Rockies. Baerga clouts a pair of HRs and drives home a career-high 7 runs for Colorado.

    Apr 15, 2003 - The Royals rally for 4 runs in the 9th inning to pull out an 8-5 win over the White Sox. Play is temporarily halted in the 8th inning as a fan runs onto the field and attacks umpire Laz Diaz. The last time the two teams met in Chicago on September 19‚ two fans attacked KC 1B coach Tom Gamboa.

    Apr 13, 2003 - Is 13 bad luck? The Phillies‚ score all 13 of their runs in the 4th inning to set a new team mark‚ and trounce the Reds‚ 13-1.

    Apr 12, 2003 - The Expos down the Mets‚ 5-4. NY 2B Roberto Alomar scores the 1‚417th run of his career to move him past Roberto Clemente into 1st place among Puerto Rican players.

    Apr 11, 2003 - Rookie Runelvys Hernandez becomes the majors' first 3-game winner as KC shuts out Cleveland‚ 1-0‚ for their 8th straight win. The Royals become the 1st team to win their 1st 8 games of the season since the Cincinnati Reds did so in 1990.

    Apr 11, 2003 - Montreal defeats the Mets‚ 10-0‚ in their first of 22 home games they will play in Puerto Rico this season.

    Apr 11, 2003 - Detroit loses to the White Sox‚ 5-0‚ to become the 1st ML team to begin consecutive seasons with 9 straight losses.

    Apr 11, 2003 - The Brewers down Arizona‚ 11-7‚ as Geoff Jenkins has his 1st career 5-hit game for Milwaukee.

    Apr 10, 2003 - The Royals down the Tigers‚ 4-2‚ sending Detroit to its 8th straight defeat to start the season. Tigers' manager Alan Trammell becomes the 1st new manager to begin 0-8 since Malachi Kittridge began the 1904 season at 0-13 with the Washington Senators.

    Apr 10, 2003 - The Rockies top the Cardinals‚ 8-7. In doing so‚ they turn the first triple play in team history when Orlando Palmeiro lines out to 1B Todd Helton with 2 runners going with the pitch in the 6th inning.

    Apr 10, 2003 - The Astros beat the Reds‚ 4-2‚ as Craig Biggio sets an NL record with his 31st career leadoff HR. Rookie Jeriome Robertson picks up his 1st ML win for Houston.

    Apr 9, 2003 - The Royals send the Tigers down to their 7th straight defeat‚ winning by a score of 9-6. Detroit becomes just the 2nd team in history to start successive seasons with 7 straight losses (they lost their first 11 games last year). The Mets were 0-9 in 1962 and 0-8 in 1963.

    Apr 8, 2003 - After delaying their home opener by a day because of impending snow‚ the Yankees beat the Twins‚ 7-3‚ with Hideki Matsui's grand slam the key blow in the game. Matsui becomes the first Yankee in history to hit a grand slam in his first game in Yankee Stadium. He also becomes the first to hit his first Yankee homer with the bases loaded since Horace Clarke did so in 1965. The loss puts the Twins below .500 for the first time since the end of the 2000 season‚ a club-record span of 328 consecutive games.

    Apr 8, 2003 - The Braves got 3 consecutive HRs‚ from Gary Sheffield‚ Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones‚ in the 6th inning against the Marlins. It is the 2nd consecutive year that Andruw Jones is part of a back-to-back-to-back HR trio‚ doing it last June 11‚ with Vinny Castilla and Matt Franco.

    Apr 8, 2003 - St. Louis Cardinals catcher Mike Matheny tags out Jay Payton at the plate and sends the game into extra innings. Matheny hits a three-run homer in the 13th to give his team a 15-12 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Cardinals centerfielder Jim Edmonds has four hits and five RBI while becoming only the sixth major league player to notch seven extra base hits in two consecutive games. The last player to tie this record was Larry Walker on May 22‚ 1996. Todd Helton is 4-for-4 for the losers.

    Apr 8, 2003 - In a 4-2 loss to the Mets‚ Marlins C Ivan Rodriguez ties the modern NL record with 5 walks in a 9-inning game. The last player to accomplish this was Vince Coleman‚ who like Rodriguez‚ had walkaphobia during his career. The Mets allow 7 walks as Al Leiter (2-0) gets the victory.

    Apr 7, 2003 - Gary Sheffield‚ Chipper Jones‚ and Andruw Jones hit consecutive home runs in the bottom half of the 6th inning to lead Atlanta to a 3-0 victory over Florida.

    Apr 7, 2003 - John Wasdin pitches a perfect game for the Nashville Sounds in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League‚ just the second perfecto in the 100-year history of the league. John Halama‚ then with the Tacoma Rainiers‚ pitched the first one in 2001. The 30-year-old Wasdin fires the first perfect game in the team's 26-year history in a 4-0‚ 100-pitch victory over the visiting Albuquerque Isotopes at Greer Stadium. He strikes out 15.

    Apr 6, 2003 - The White Sox score 9 runs in the 8th inning to rally for a 10-2 win over the Tigers. Detroit becomes the 1st team since the 1962-63 Mets to lose their first 6 games of the season in consecutive years.

    Apr 6, 2003 - The Pirates shut out the Phillies‚ 2-0‚ behind Kris Benson. Philadelphia's Jim Thome goes 0-for-4‚ ending his streak of reaching base safely in 60 straight games‚ the longest streak in the majors since Mark McGwire reached base in 62 in a row in 1995-96.

    Apr 6, 2003 - Alfonso Soriano and Nick Johnson hit back-to-back homers to start the game as the Yankees beat Tampa Bay‚ 10-5. Rogers Clemens wins victory #295.

    Apr 6, 2003 - Shea Hillenbrand has a homer‚ 2 doubles‚ and 6 RBI to pace the Red Sox to 12-2 win over the Orioles. Nomar Garciaparra adds a walk‚ double‚ triple‚ and homer‚ and scores 4 times as the Sox jump on nemesis Rodrigo Lopez‚ 4-0 versus Boston last year.

    Apr 5, 2003 - The Phillies pound the unbeaten Pirates‚ 16-1‚ as Jimmy Rollins gets 5 hits-including 3 doubles-and scores 4 runs.

    Apr 5, 2003 - The Royals improve their record to 5-0 with a 3-1 win over the Indians. They become the 1st team in ML history to begin a year with 5 straight wins after losing 100 games the previous season.

    Apr 5, 2003 - The Marlins pound out 23 hits in defeating the Braves‚ 17-1. Greg Maddux is pounded for 3 homers and 9 runs in 2 innings.

    Apr 5, 2003 - In a 9-7 loss to the Cubs‚ Reds star CF Ken Griffey‚ Jr. dislocates his shoulder trying to make a diving catch.

    Apr 4, 2003 - The Reds defeat the Cubs‚ 10-9‚ despite Sammy Sosa's 500th career homerun. Sosa becomes the 18th player in history to reach 500 homers. Scott Sullivan serves up the 500th.

    Apr 4, 2003 - Brad Ausmus hits a 12th inning homer to give the Houston Astros a 6-5 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Jim Edmonds‚ with two homers and two doubles‚ leads the Cards‚ while Albert Pujols also homers.

    Apr 4, 2003 - Seattle Mariners reliever Kazuhiro Sasaki ties the major league record with four strikeouts in the 9th inning against the Texas Rangers. Sasaki strikes out Todd Greene‚ Carl Everett (who reaches on a wild pitch)‚ Mike Young and Mike Lamb. Sasaki gets the save for Ryan Franklin in the 6-4 win over the Rangers.

    Apr 3, 2003 - With a 4-0 loss to Montreal's Javier Vazquez‚ the Braves start 0-3 for the first time since they started 0-10 in1988. The team also loses back to back shutout games for the first time since 1992.

    Apr 2, 2003 - The Angels pound the Rangers‚ 11-5‚ as Texas's Alex Rodriguez becomes the youngest player in history to hit 300 HRs with a 3-run blast in the 5th inning. Jimmie Foxx had been the youngest to accomplish the feat prior to Rodriguez.

    Apr 2, 2003 - The Detroit Tigers became the first team to have four pitchers make their major league debuts in the same game‚ (according to the Elias Sports Bureau). Jeremy Bonderman‚ Wilfredo Ledezma‚ Chris Spurling and Matt Roney all appear in their first ML games for the Tigers‚ who lose 8-1 to the Minnesota Twins.

    Apr 2, 2003 - The Cubs P Matt Clement fires 3 wild pitches in the 1st inning of his start against the Mets. He leaves after 3 innings‚ due to tightness in his lower back‚ after giving up 3 runs in the 1st and one in the 2nd. Al Leiter is the winner‚ 4-1.

    Apr 1, 2003 - The Yankees defeat the Blue Jays‚ 9-7‚ as Toronto SS Mike Bordick's record streak for games without an error ends at 110. He booted Bubba Trammell's grounder in the 3rd inning for his error after 544 chances without a miscue.

    Apr 1, 2003 - Kevin Millar hits a homer in the 16th inning to give the Boston Red Sox a 9-8 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Millar‚ who entered as a pinch-hitter in the 14th‚ lines a 1-2 pitch into the left-field seats off loser Jorge Sosa. The Red Sox make 4 hits after the sixth inning‚ but blow a couple of chances to win before Millar's homer bails out a bullpen that blows a three-run lead in the late innings for the 2nd straight night. The Devil Rays strand a club-record 21 runners.

    Mar 31, 2003 - The Pirates stroke 3 HRs in a 6-run 2nd inning on their way to a 10-1 victory over the Reds in the Opener at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. Reggie Sanders‚ Kenny Lofton‚ and Jason Kendall homer in the frame for Pittsburgh. Ken Griffey Jr.'s first inning double is the first hit in the new ballpark.

    Mar 31, 2003 - The Cubs pound out 16 hits in defeating the Mets‚ 15-2‚ for the most lopsided opening day win since 1951. Corey Patterson has 4 hits‚ a pair of HRs‚ and 7 RBIs to lead the way for Chicago.

    Mar 31, 2003 - The Royals defeat the White Sox‚ 3-0‚ as Runelvys Hernandez combines with 2 relievers on the 3-hit shutout. KC manager Tony Pena had flipped a coin to see whether Hernandez or Jeremy Affeldt would receive the honor of making the opening day start.

    Mar 31, 2003 - The Devil Rays score 5 runs in the bottom half of the 9th inning to defeat the Red Sox‚ 6-4. Carl Crawford's 2-out‚ 3-run blast gives manager Lou Piniella a win in his debut as Tampa Bay's manager.

    Mar 31, 2003 - Runelvys Hernandez wins a coin flip over Jeremy Affeldt to be the Opening Day pitcher for the Royals. Hernandez pitches 6 innings as Kansas City beats the White Sox‚ 3-0.

    Mar 30, 2003 - The Texas Rangers‚ powered by 3 HRs‚ defeat the World Champion Anaheim Angels‚ 6-3‚ to open the 2003 season. Michael Young's 3-run blast in the 4th inning is the big blow‚ as Ismael Valdes picks up the win.

    Mar 28, 2003 - The Tigers released 2B Damian Easley‚ setting a major league record for the most expensive player to be released. He has $14.3 million left on his contract and he breaks the record set earlier in the month by Greg Vaughn‚ he has $9.3 million left on his deal. Easley will ink a deal in 5 days to play for the Marlins.

    Mar 28, 2003 - The Orioles claimed INF Jose Morban off waivers from the Twins and released INFs Jeff Reboulet and John Valentin‚

    Mar 27, 2003 - On Ebay‚ the online auction house‚ a 1976 World Series ring‚ given to Reds pitcher Will McEnaney‚ is sold for $6500.01. It is believed to be the first sale on Ebay of a non-replica WS ring.

    Mar 24, 2003 - The Devil Rays send OF Jason Conti to the Brewers for switch-hitting C Javier Valentin.

    Mar 24, 2003 - The Expos obtain minor leaguer Edwards Guzman and P Livan Hernandez and from the Giants in exchange for P Jim Brower and a player to be named. The trade reunites Livan with his older brother‚ Orlando‚ otherwise known as "El Duque." The brothers last played together on the Cuban National team. A week from now‚ assault charges against Livan for an incident in Miami where he swung golf clubs at a 65-year-old man will be dropped. He will attend anger management classes and perform community service.

    Mar 19, 2003 - The Yankees trade OF Rondell White to the Padres in exchange for OF Bubba Trammell and P Mark Phillips.

    Mar 18, 2003 - Commissioner Bud Selig announces that major league baseball will cancel its season-opening series March 25-26 at the Tokyo Dome between the Mariners and A's because of the war with Iraq. ``Given the uncertainty that now exists throughout the world‚ we believe the safest course of action for the players involved and the many staff personnel who must work the games is to reschedule the opening series‚'' Selig said. ``It would be unfair and terribly unsettling for them to be half a world away.'' The games are rescheduled for April 3 and June 30 in Oakland.

    Mar 14, 2003 - The Pirates sign free agent OF Kenny Lofton to a contract.

    Mar 13, 2003 - The Twins sign free agent P Kenny Rogers to a contract.

    Mar 13, 2003 - Former major league C Bob Uecker is picked for the Ford C. Frick Award‚ and will be inducted into the announcer's wing of the Hall of Fame in July.

    Mar 11, 2003 - Major league baseball announces that approximately 1‚000 games will be broadcast on the Internet this season.

    Mar 11, 2003 - The Orioles send OF-1B Chris Richard to the Rockies in exchange for OF Jack Cust.

    Mar 10, 2003 - The Yankees fine P David Wells $100‚000 for comments in his autobiography that the team feels tarnishes the club's image.

    Mar 10, 2003 - Sixteen members of the White Sox want to refuse to take steroid test‚ but are talked out of it by a few veteran players. By refusing they would register as failing and the players wanted to try to inflate the failure rate. If at least 5% of the players test positive‚ mandatory testing will continue through 2005.

    Mar 10, 2003 - Damian Costantino of Division III Salve Regina singles against Mount Union to extend his hitting streak to an NCAA-record 59 games. Robin Ventura held the old mark of 58 games in a row.

    Feb 27, 2003 - Major league baseball formally bans the drug Ephedrine from use by all minor league players not on a major league 40-man roster.

    Feb 26, 2003 - The Veterans Committee does not vote anyone into the Hall of Fame for the first time since 1993. Gil Hodges is the top vote-getter‚ falling 11 votes shy of winning election.

    Feb 25, 2003 - The Pirates sign free agent OF Reggie Sanders to a contract‚ his 6th NL team in 6 years.

    Feb 21, 2003 - Hall of Fame P Sandy Koufax severs ties with his former team because of a gossip item hinting that Koufax is gay that appeared in the New York Post‚ a newspaper owned by the Dodgers' team ownership.

    Feb 17, 2003 - Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler dies less than 24 hours after being forced to leave a spring training workout due to heatstroke. His death is tied to an over-the-counter supplement‚ which contains the stimulant Ephedrine.

    Feb 17, 2003 - The Braves re-signed P Greg Maddux to a one-year‚ $14.75 million contract‚ which avoids salary arbitration.

    Feb 15, 2003 - The Marlins sell Kevin Millar to the Red Sox for $1.2 million‚ along with an additional $300‚000 that will go to charity. This ends the bizarre episode which began when the Marlins sold Millar to the Japan's Chunichi Dragons for $1.2 million for Millar's rights last month. A pro forma waiver request was interrupted when the Red Sox claimed Millar.

    Feb 14, 2003 - In a letter to the World Umpires Association‚ baseball says that umpires whose calls do not match Questec at least 90 percent of the time will be judged as not meeting standards. In response next month‚ 47 of 68 umpires sign a statement expressing no confidence in the QuesTec system.

    Feb 8, 2003 - The Dominican Republic's Cibao Eagles defeat Puerto Rico to win the Caribbean Series.

    Feb 7, 2003 - The Devil Rays sign free agent 1B Travis Lee.

    Feb 5, 2003 - Umpire John Hirschbeck the head of the umpires' union‚ is given a 10-day suspension for reportedly making personal threats to Rob Manfred‚ executive vice president for labor relations in the commissioner's office. He is the second umpire in less than a week to be given a 10-day suspension because of inappropriate comments. Hirschbeck got into a heated telephone conversation with Manfred last month and made personal threats against him. Hirschbeck was upset that an acquaintance was one of 26 baseball employees laid off on January 22.

    Feb 2, 2003 - The Cardinals sign free agent OF Orlando Palmeiro to a contract.

    Feb 2, 2003 - The Red Sox announce that Jackie Robinson will be nominated for the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his achievements as the first black player in modern major league baseball.

    Jan 31, 2003 - The Chicago White Sox announce that Comiskey Park will now be known as U.S. Cellular Field under a 23-year deal with the wireless service provider that will pay the White Sox $68 million over 20 years. The Sox say a major difference from most stadium sponsorship deals is that the revenue from the naming rights will be used for changes within the ballpark they say will enhance the enjoyment of the game for the fan.

    Jan 31, 2003 - Umpire Bruce Froemming is handed a 10-day suspension without pay and will miss a trip to work the major league opener in Tokyo for using an anti-Semitic slur. Baseball's most senior crew chief made the remark about umpiring administrator Cathy Davis after talking to officials regarding his travel arrangements to Japan. Thinking the phone was disconnected. He referred to her as a ``stupid Jew bitch.'' "I'm sincerely sorry‚'' Froemming said. "I made a stupid remark and I accept my punishment. I've apologized to Ms. Davis. There was no anti-Semitism whatsoever on my part.''

    Jan 28, 2003 - A federal judge tosses out a lawsuit by baseball umpires‚ ruling that Major League Baseball's decision to discipline union head John Hirschbeck is not subject to arbitration. Last May 10. Commissioner Bud Selig sent Hirschbeck a letter stating that Hirschbeck had instructed plate umpire Mark Carlson not to issue a warning to Cincinnati's Gabe White after a pitch sailed over the head of San Francisco's Barry Bonds during an April 28 game in Cincinnati. MLB also claimed that its computerized umpire evaluation system indicated that Hirschbeck had "a high percentage of missed calls of balls and strikes" in a game on May 4. A union lawyer said last summer that the dispute wasn't over discipline of Hirschbeck‚ but was about management's reliance on the Questec computerized evaluation system‚ which the union claims is inaccurate.

    Jan 28, 2003 - The Giants sign free agent OF Jose Cruz Jr. to a contract.

    Jan 25, 2003 - The Dodgers obtain OF Daryle Ward from the Astros in exchange for minor league P Ruddy Lugo.

    Jan 23, 2003 - The Yankees sign free agent P Jon Lieber to a 2-year contract. Recovering from arm surgery‚ Lieber is not expected to pitch till 2004.

    Jan 23, 2003 - The Braves sign free agent P Roberto Hernandez to a contract.

    Jan 22, 2003 - The Marlins sign free agent C Ivan Rodriguez to a contract.

    Jan 22, 2003 - The Red Sox sign free agent 1B David Ortiz‚ who had been released by the Twins‚ to a contract.

    Jan 22, 2003 - The San Diego Padres' new ballpark will be called PETCO Park after the pet supply company agreed to a naming rights deal worth more than $60 million over 22 years. PETCO was founded in San Diego in 1965. The ballpark is scheduled to be completed by opening day 2004. PETA‚ an animal rights group‚ protests the name.

    Jan 20, 2003 - The White Sox sign free agent P Tom Gordon to a contract.

    Jan 20, 2003 - The Cardinals sign free agent P Dustin Hermanson to a contract.

    Jan 19, 2003 - The Rockies agree to contract terms with free agent IF Jose Hernandez and P Steve Reed.

    Jan 17, 2003 - The A's sign free agent P John Halama to a contract.

    Jan 17, 2003 - In an effort to make the All-Star Game more meaningful‚ baseball owners decide unanimously to give the winner of the game the home field advantage in the World Series. The players‚ who are against the idea‚ must still agree to the plan.

    Jan 16, 2003 - The Orioles sign free agent P Kerry Ligtenberg to a contract.

    Jan 16, 2003 - The Phillies sign free agent IF Tyler Houston to a contract.

    Jan 16, 2003 - The Cubs sign free agent P Mark Guthrie to a contract.

    Jan 16, 2003 - The Mariners sign free agent OF/1B John Mabry to a contract.

    Jan 16, 2003 - Alex Rodriguez is announced as the winner of the 1st annual Ted Williams Award for being the best hitter in the majors in 2002.

    Jan 16, 2003 - The Mariners announce they will open the 2003 season with a 2-game series against the A's in Tokyo‚ Japan.

    Jan 15, 2003 - In a 3-team deal‚ the White Sox obtain 20-game winner Bartolo Colon from the Expos. The Yankees send P Orlando Hernandez and $2 million to Chicago for Ps Antonio Osuna and Delvis Lantigua. The Sox then sent Hernandez‚ P Rocky Biddle‚ OF Jeff Liefer‚ and cash to Montreal for Colon and minor league IF Jorge Nunez.

    Jan 15, 2003 - The Rangers sign free agent P Ismael Valdes to a contract.

    Jan 15, 2003 - The White Sox sign free agent OF Armando Rios to a contract.

    Jan 14, 2003 - The Brewers sign free agent P Todd Ritchie to a contract.

    Jan 14, 2003 - The Yankees sign and officially introduce Hideki Matsui‚ a three-time MVP of Japan's Central League for the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants. The power-hitting OF agreed last month to a $21 million‚ three-year contract. Today's news conference is called the biggest in the Yankees 100-year history. Duly impressed‚ ML Baseball asks the Yanks tomorrow to consider opening the season in Japan.

    Jan 13, 2003 - The Braves sign free agent P Mike Venafro to a contract.

    Jan 12, 2003 - The Mets sign free agent OF Tsuyoshi Shinjo to a contract.

    Jan 12, 2003 - The Reds sign free agent P Paul Wilson to a 2-year contract.

    Jan 11, 2003 - The Marlins obtain P Mark Redman from the Tigers in a deal involving 4 other pitchers. The Marlins also get Jason Fuell while Detroit picks up Gary Knotts‚ Nate Robertson‚ and Rob Henkel.

    Jan 10, 2003 - The Royals sign free agent IF Desi Relaford to a two-year contract.

    Jan 10, 2003 - The Marlins sign free agent OF Gerald Williams to a contract.

    Jan 10, 2003 - The Brewers sign free agent P Dave Mlicki to a contract.

    Jan 9, 2003 - The Indians sign free agent OF Shane Spencer to a contract.

    Jan 9, 2003 - The Marlins sign free agent OF Todd Hollandsworth to a contract.

    Jan 8, 2003 - The Red Sox agree on a 2-year contract with free agent 3B Bill Mueller.

    Jan 7, 2003 - Eddie Murray and Gary Carter are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers.

    Jan 7, 2003 - The Rockies sign free agent 3B Chris Stynes to a contract.

    Jan 7, 2003 - The Royals sign free agent P Albie Lopez to a contract.

    Jan 6, 2003 - The Braves sign free agent OF/1B/C Robert Fick to a contract.

    Jan 6, 2003 - The Cardinals sign free agent Ps Joey Hamilton and Al Levine to contracts.

    Jan 3, 2003 - The Cubs sign free agent P Dave Veres to a contract.

    Jan 3, 2003 - The Mariners sign free agent first baseman Glenn Colbrunn to a 2-year contract.

    Jan 3, 2003 - The Rangers sign free agent P John Thomson to a contract.

    Jan 2, 2003 - The Orioles sign free agent P Omar Daal to a 2-year contract.

    Jan 2, 2003 - The Cubs sign free agent IF Ramon Martinez to a contract.

    Dec 30, 2002 - The Angels sign free agent OF Eric Owens to a contract.

    Dec 30, 2002 - The Blue Jays sign free agent OF Frank Catalanotto to a contract.

    Dec 29, 2002 - The Red Sox sign free agent P Ramiro Mendoza to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 29, 2002 - Cinergy Field‚ formerly Riverfront Stadium‚ is demolished. This former home of the Cincinnati Reds was opened in 1970. The site will become the western concourse of Great American Ball Park and will include the Reds' Hall of Fame when it opens in 2004.

    Dec 27, 2002 - The Mets sign free agent SS Rey Sanchez to a contract.

    Dec 26, 2002 - The Rangers sign free agent P Esteban Yan to a contract.

    Dec 25, 2002 - In a meeting with baseball commissioner Bud Selig in Milwaukee‚ Pete Rose admits that he bet on baseball, "Four or five times a week‚ but never against my own team‚ and I never made any bets from the clubhouse." The account of this conversation will be in Rose's book‚ published in January 2004.

    Dec 24, 2002 - The Yankees agree to terms on a 4-year contract with Cuban P Jose Contreras.

    Dec 24, 2002 - The Red Sox sign free agent P Chad Fox to a contract.

    Dec 24, 2002 - The A's sign free agent OF Chris Singleton to a contract.

    Dec 24, 2002 - The Padres sign free agent P Jay Witasick to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 22, 2002 - The Rangers sign free agent P Ugueth Urbina to a contract.

    Dec 22, 2002 - The Blue Jays sign free agent P Tanyon Sturtze to a contract.

    Dec 20, 2002 - The Mets sign free agent OF Cliff Floyd to a 4-year contract.

    Dec 20, 2002 - The Braves trade P Kevin Millwood to the Phillies for C Johnny Estrada. Meanwhile‚ according to Braves GM John Schuerholz‚ "The economics in baseball stink. The economics stink‚ and if this isn't a clear enough signal to the doubters and naysayers‚ to be forced to trade an 18-game winner to your arch enemy . . . The economics stink."

    Dec 20, 2002 - The Cubs sign free agent P Shawn Estes to a contract.

    Dec 20, 2002 - The White Sox sign free agent C Sandy Alomar to a contract.

    Dec 20, 2002 - The Blue Jays sign free agent SS Mike Bordick to a contract.

    Dec 19, 2002 - The Yankees sign Japanese OF Hideki Matsui to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 18, 2002 - The Astros sign free agent 2B Jeff Kent to a 2-year‚ $18.2 million contract‚ with a $9 million option for 2005. Kent will play 2B and all-star second baseman Craig Biggio will move to the OF.

    Dec 18, 2002 - The Red Sox sign free agent P Mike Timlin to a contract.

    Dec 18, 2002 - The Yankees sign free agent 3B Todd Zeile to a contract.

    Dec 18, 2002 - The Rangers sign free agent OF Doug Glanville to a contract.

    Dec 17, 2002 - The Braves sign free agent P Paul Byrd to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 17, 2002 - The Cubs sign free agent OF Troy O'Leary to a one-year contract for $750‚000.

    Dec 16, 2002 - The Mets agree to terms on a 3-year contract with free agent P Mike Stanton.

    Dec 16, 2002 - The Braves obtain P Ray King from the Brewers in exchange for IF Wes Helms and P John Foster.

    Dec 16, 2002 - The Cardinals sign free agent C Joe Girardi to a contract.

    Dec 16, 2002 - The Orioles sign free agent SS Deivi Cruz to a contract.

    Dec 16, 2002 - The Padres sign free agent IF Mark Loretta to a contract.

    Dec 16, 2002 - The Ortizes move. The Twins released 1B David Ortiz yesterday and today the Giants trade P Russ Ortiz to the Braves for P Damian Moss and minor league P Manuel Mateo.

    Dec 15, 2002 - A four way trade is announced at the winter meetings in Nashville. The A's get 1B Erubiel Durazo from the Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks get P Elmer Dessens‚ who sported the 5th best ERA (3.03) in the NL‚ from the Reds. The Reds get SS Felipe Lopez from the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays get Jason Arnold from Oakland.

    Dec 15, 2002 - The Red Sox acquire Jeremy Giambi from the Phillies for P Josh Hancock‚ 24‚ For Giambi‚ it is his 3rd uniform this year.

    Dec 15, 2002 - The Mets trade slick fielding SS Rey Ordonez to the Devil Rays for two minor leaguers to be named. The Mets also throw in $4.25 million to help offset Ordonez's $6.25 million salary. Ordonez‚ who had called the Mets fans "stupid"‚ departs as 3B Edgardo Alfonzo signs a 4-year deal with the Giants‚ opening up the left side of the Mets infield. Nineteen-year-old Jose Reyes‚ the Mets top prospect‚ is expected to have first shot at the shortstop's job.

    Dec 15, 2002 - The Padres traded P Brett Tomko to the Cardinals for P Luther Hackman and a player to be named later.

    Dec 15, 2002 - The Pirates agree to terms with free agent OF Matt Stairs.

    Dec 15, 2002 - The Giants announce that free agent 3B Edgardo Alfonzo has agreed to a 4-year deal.

    Dec 13, 2002 - The Cardinals sign free agent P Chris Carpenter to a contract.

    Dec 12, 2002 - The Red Sox get 2B Todd Walker from the Rockies in return for 2 minor leaguers to be named.

    Dec 12, 2002 - The Yankees sign free agent P Chris Hammond to a 2-year contract.

    Dec 12, 2002 - The Elias Sports Bureau announces that Anaheim OF Darin Erstad set the AL record for consecutive errorless chances for an OF this season and didn't know it at the time.

    Dec 11, 2002 - The Brewers sign free agent SS Royce Clayton to a contract.

    Dec 10, 2002 - The Devil Rays sell 1B Steve Cox to the Yokohama Bay Stars‚ pending Cox clearing waivers.

    Dec 7, 2002 - The Giants sign free agent 2B Ray Durham to a 3-year contract.

    Dec 6, 2002 - In a sinister move‚ the Yankees offer the same two-year $4.6 million contract to three lefty relievers-Mike Stanton ‚ Mark Guthrie and Chris Hammond-and give each 15 minutes to decide. Hammond‚ 37‚ signs for $4.8 million over 2 years. Hammond‚ out of baseball for 2 years‚ had a remarkable season‚ posting a .095 ERA in 63 games and did not allow an earned run after June 28. He is the 3rd pitcher since 1900 to post a sub-one ERA while pitching 70+ innings. The veteran Stanton doesn't bother to respond to the step-child treatment and‚ preferring to remain in the New York area‚ will sign a 3-year contract with the Mets in a week.

    Dec 6, 2002 - The Indians send C Einar Diaz and P Ryan Drese to the Rangers in exchange for P Aaron Myette and 1B Travis Hafner. Indians GM Mark Shapiro denies that the trade is "Jim Thome-motivated." In his last 4 minor league seasons‚ Hafner has averaged .316‚ 23 homers‚ and 93 RBIs.

    Dec 6, 2002 - The MLB Players Association agrees to allow the Montreal Expos to play 22 home games in Puerto Rico next summer.

    Dec 3, 2002 - The Athletics send P Billy Koch and two minor leaguers to the White Sox in exchange for P Keith Foulke‚ C Mark Johnson‚ minor league P Joe Valentine‚ and cash.

    Dec 3, 2002 - The Dodgers trade 1B Eric Karros‚ 2B Mark Grudzielanek and cash to the Cubs. In return‚ they get C Randy Hundley and OF Chad Hermansen.

    Dec 2, 2002 - In the biggest free-agent signing this year‚ the Phillies sign Indians 1B Jim Thome to a 6-year contract.

    Dec 2, 2002 - The Cubs sign free agent P Mike Remlinger to a 3-year $10 million contract.

    Dec 2, 2002 - In support of a national strike‚ the Venezuelan professional league suspends its games. Many of the 8 teams in the league belong to news media owners opposed to President Hugo Chavez. When the strike continues‚ the league will cancel its season on January 13.

    Nov 29, 2002 - The Reds and Padres reach an agreement to trade Ken Griffey, Jr. for Phil Nevin‚ but Nevin‚ with a no-trade clause in his contract‚ nixes the deal. He says he would only agree to a trade to a West Coast team that trains in Arizona. Griffey tore a tendon in his knee during the first week‚ setting up another season limited by leg injuries. He also pulled a hamstring and strained hip muscles‚ limiting him to 70 games‚ a .264 average‚ 8 homers and 23 RBIs. In a week‚ the White Sox will turn down an offer of Griffey for Magglio Ordonez.

    Nov 26, 2002 - The Cubs obtain C Paul Bako from the Braves.

    Nov 25, 2002 - Detroit sends 1B Randall Simon to Pittsburgh for minor league P Adrian Burnside and a pair of minor leaguers to be named.

    Nov 25, 2002 - The Red Sox sign 28-year-old Theo Epstein as their new general manager. He becomes the youngest GM in ML history.

    Nov 22, 2002 - A Diamondbacks-Rockies trade falls apart when Matt Williams chooses to remain in Arizona‚ so he wouldn't have to move his children. Larry Walker also wouldn't agree to the Diamondbacks' desire to defer some of his salary.

    Nov 22, 2002 - Astros RF Richard Hidalgo is shot in the left forearm during a carjacking in Venezuela. He is released from the hospital and is expected to go to Houston for more tests.

    Nov 18, 2002 - The Marlins send P Mike Hampton to the Braves. In return‚ they obtain the young arms of Tim Spooneybarger and Ryan Baker. Spooneybarger had a 2.63 ERA in 51 games as a 22-year-old rookie (he also pitched in 4 games in 2001). Baker‚ 24‚ had a 3.72 ERA in class A.

    Nov 18, 2002 - When the financial dust clears‚ the cash-strapped Rockies move a 6-year $84.5 million commitment they had to Mike Hampton‚ plus the 3-year $6.6 million commitment they had to Juan Pierre. In return they take on $1.1 million due Vic Darensbourg‚ a 3-year $25 million commitment to Charles Johnson as well as a 3-year $28 million contract of Preston Wilson. They also will pay Atlanta $11 million left on Hampton's contract. Colorado saves $26 million over the next 6 years. Florida agrees to pay $34 million on Hampton's contract and takes on Pierre's contract. The net savings to Florida is $13.5 million. The Braves have Hampton for 6 years at a cost of $39.5 million.

    Nov 16, 2002 - In a swap of large contracts‚ the Rockies trade P Mike Hampton and OF Juan Pierre to the Marlins for OF Preston Wilson‚ C Charles Johnson‚ P Vic Darensbourg‚ and INF Pablo Ozuna. It is the start of a three way deal.

    Nov 16, 2002 - Oakland deals P Cory Lidle to Toronto for minor leaguers INF Mike Rouse and P Chris Mowday.

    Nov 15, 2002 - The Mariners name Bob Melvin as their new manager.

    Nov 15, 2002 - The Cubs name Dusty Baker as their new manager‚ signing him to a 4-year deal.

    Nov 14, 2002 - The NL Gold Glove winners are announced. Braves P Greg Maddux wins his 13th straight award.

    Nov 13, 2002 - The Diamondbacks trade C Damian Miller to the Cubs for P David Noyce and OF Gary Johnson.

    Nov 13, 2002 - The Giants announce Felipe Alou as their new manager.

    Nov 13, 2002 - The AL Gold Glove winners are announced. Three Mariners-Bret Boone‚ John Olerud‚ and Ichiro Suzuki-take awards.

    Nov 12, 2002 - Oakland SS Miguel Tejada wins the AL MVP award‚ Texas' Alex Rodriguez finishes second in the voting.

    Nov 11, 2002 - Barry Bonds wins his record 5th MVP award‚ becoming the unanimous choice of the baseball writers.

    Nov 6, 2002 - Oakland's 24-year-old Barry Zito wins the AL Cy Young Award.

    Nov 6, 2002 - Anaheim's Mike Scoscia wins the AL Manager of the Year award while St. Louis' Tony LaRussa takes NL honors.

    Nov 6, 2002 - The Giants announce that manager Dusty Baker won't be returning with the team.

    Nov 5, 2002 - Arizona's Randy Johnson wins the NL Cy Young Award‚ his 5th overall and 4th in a row. Johnson is the first NL player since the Mets' Dwight Gooden to win the pitching triple crown‚ going 24-5 with a 2.37 ERA and 334 strikeouts. He led the major leagues in strikeouts for the ninth time.

    Nov 5, 2002 - The Silver Slugger Award-winners are announced. Barry Bonds and Mike Piazza win their 10th awards.

    Nov 4, 2002 - Toronto Blue Jays third baseman