IN THE NEWS: Padres P Carlton Loewer suffers a broken leg after falling from a tree while hunting. At the very least, he will miss spring training. While pitching for the Phillies last year, Loewer missed almost four months due to a stress fracture in his arm, an injury that doctors say could easily have resulted in a situation in which the arm broke while he was throwing a pitch.
IN THE NEWS: Major league baseball officials order Atlanta Braves P John Rocker is to undergo psychological testing following derogatory remarks he made in an interview with Sports Illustrated magazine. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig says he will listen to what the doctors say before deciding what punishment—if any—will be handed down to the pitcher.
Gene Budig resigns as American League president and is appointed a senior adviser to baseball commissioner Bud Selig. The American and National leagues will be disbanded as legal entities later this month, with their functions consolidated in the commissioner's office.
IN THE NEWS: The Mariners sign free agent P Aaron Sele to a 2-year $15 million contract after Orioles owner Peter Angelos nixes a negotiated 4-year $29 million because of questions of Sele's physical condition. Sele had been offered a four year, $28 million deal by the Rangers, but didn't act on it. "Sele fell out of the sky," marvels M's GM Pat Gillick. Sele will win 17, just one of seven pitchers to win 15 or more games in each of the past three seasons (Martinez, Maddux, Johnson, Wells, Burba, Nagy).
IN THE NEWS: The baseball writers elect C Carlton Fisk and 1B Tony Perez to the Hall of Fame. Fisk is chosen in his 2nd year on the ballot, while Perez is picked on his 9th try.
IN THE NEWS: The Brewers obtain P Jaime Navarro and John Snyder from the White Sox for SS Jose Valentin and P Cal Eldred. Navarro, the majors loss leader (43) the past three seasons, was disgruntled with the Sox. Valentin will compete with Mike Caruso for the SS job.
With Aaron Sele signing with the Mariners, the Rangers ink free agent pitcher Darren Oliver to a 3-year deal worth $19 million.
IN THE NEWS: The Devil Rays sign free agent P Steve Trachsel to a one-year contract. Trachsel (8-18) led the Cubs in innings pitched (206) and was expected to ink a multi-year contract.
IN THE NEWS: The Mets stock up in Joneses, acquiring their 2nd Bobby Jones, along with P Lariel Gonzalez, from the Rockies for P Masato Yoshii.
The Brewers trade OF Alex Ochoa to the Reds for OF Mark Sweeney and a player to be named.
The Royals sign free agent P Ricky Bottalico. Bottalico had 34 saves for the Phils in 1996-97, but in the past two seasons has not fully recovered from elbow surgery.
IN THE NEWS: Free agent C Dave Nilsson signs a contract to play with the Chunichi Dragons of the Japanese League. This will allow him to play for Australia in the upcoming Olympics in Sydney.
IN THE NEWS: Major league baseball owners vote to approve the $320 million sale of the Indians to Larry Dolan and his family trusts. They also vote to give Commissioner Bud Selig power "without limitation" to ensure "there is an appropriate level of long-term competitive balance among the clubs." He can override all of baseball's rules, and even attempt to impose a salary cap if he thinks it necessary to reach an agreement with the players following the 2001 season.
IN THE NEWS: Baseball owners vote to give all their internet rights to the commissioner's office. Bud Selig is expected to parcel out monies in 30 equal amounts.
IN THE NEWS: The National Labor Relations Board refuses to overturn the election which removed Richie Phillips and the Major League Umpires Association from power. A new union will represent the arbiters.
The Tigers sign free agent P Hideo Nomo to a one-year contract. Nomo's agent had declined a multi-year contract with the Brewers, expecting more on the open market.
IN THE NEWS: The Rockies sign free agent closer Billy Taylor.
Yankee prospect D'Angelo Jimenez suffers a broken neck when a car he is driving in the Dominican Republic collides with a bus. Jimenez is not paralyzed but will miss the 2000 season. He figured to be the Yankee reserve infielder, taking over the role that Luis Sojo, now with the Pirates, filled last season.
IN THE NEWS: The Mets announce that singer Garth Brooks will participate in spring training with the team. The 37-year-old singer worked out last spring with the Padres going 1-for-22.
IN THE NEWS: Braves reliever John Rocker is suspended from baseball until May 1st by Commissioner Bud Selig for his racial and ethnic remarks in an article published in Sports Illustrated last month. He's also fined an undisclosed amount and ordered to undergo sensitivity training.
BALLPLAYERS | TEAMS | CHRONOLOGY | TODAY | BOOKS | NEWSLETTER | ERRATA | FAQ
