» June 4, 1990: The Braves wisely select Florida high school SS Chipper Jones with the first pick in the annual free-agent draft. The Tigers follow with Tony Clark and the Phils use the 3rd pick on Mike Lieberthal. The A's use their 14th choice to take the much sought after Todd Van Poppel, passed over because of his stated intention to pitch at the University of Texas. The A's change his mind and he signs on July 16th for $1.2 million. Picking 20th, the Orioles take Stanford's Mike Mussina. Late in the 6th round, the independent Class A Miami Miracle drafts Mike Lansing under a never-before-used rule. The rule will be abolished, but Lansing will play two years with the Miracle and make the majors with the Expos. Troy Percival (Angels) and Mike Hampton (Mariners) go in the 6th round, Rusty Greer (Rangers) in the 10th, and on the 12th round, the Twins take SS Pat Meares. The White Sox end up with the best draft, taking Alex Fernandez (1st round), Bob Wickman (2nd), Robert Ellis (3rd), James Baldwin (4th), Ray Durham (5th), Brandon Wilson (18th), and Jason Bere (36th). After selecting Carl Everett with the 10th overall pick, the Yanks pull two winners out of the low rounds: Andy Pettitte in the 20th round and Jorge Posada in the 24th.

» August 26, 1991: Number one draft pick Brien Taylor is signed to a guaranteed $1.55 million contract by the Yankees. It is the largest deal ever given to an amateur player, surpassing the $1.2 million paid to Todd Van Poppel by Oakland in 1990.

» July 17, 1998: The Rangers trade P Todd Van Poppel and promising minor leaguer Warren Morris to the Pirates in exchange for P Esteban Loaiza.

» April 6, 2001: The Phillies retire Jim Bunning's uniform number before their home opener, a 3–2 loss to the Cubs. The game is delayed an hour, 51 minutes by rain. Cubs reliever Todd Van Poppel strikes out all five batters he faces while Jeff Fassero gets his 2nd save in two nights. Previously, his last save was June 30, 1993. Julio Zuleta hits the first Cub homer of the year.

» November 26, 2001: The Rangers sign free agent P Todd Van Poppel to a 3-year contract.

» September 3, 2002: Three Rangers pitchers combine to 1–hit the Orioles, winning by a score of 7–1. Starter Aaron Myette was ejected after throwing two pitches and replaced by Todd Van Poppel who threw two hitless innings. Van Poppel was in turn replaced by rookie Joaquin Benoit who did not give up a hit until Jerry Hairston's leadoff triple in the 9th. Benoit got credit for a 7–inning save, the longest since saves were first recorded in 1969.