2000
» The Cubs open the major league season in the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, by defeating the Mets, 5-3, in the first big league game ever played outside of North America. Jon Lieber gets the victory and new ace Mike Hampton takes the loss. Shane Andrews hits the first home run of the new millennium. Mark Grace and Mike Piazza also homer.
The Astros and Phils swap lefty pitchers, with Houston getting Yorkis Perez and the Phils receiving Trever Miller.
Diamondbacks slugger Matt Williams breaks a bone in his right foot in the D'Backs last exhibition game in Tucson versus the Mariners when the All-star 3B fouls a Frankie Rodriguez pitch off his foot. Williams broke the same bone in 1995 and missed 68 games.
1999
» The Braves announce that P Kerry Ligtenberg will undergo reconstructive surgery on his right elbow and be out for the season. Ligtenberg was diagnosed with a partially torn ligament in his elbow on March 12.
The Padres obtain C–IF Phil Nevin and minor league P Keith Volkman from the Angels in exchange for IF Andy Sheets and minor league OF Gus Kennedy. Nevin will go on the DL in three days because of a strained muscle.
The Pirates acquire catcher Tim Laker from the Dodgers for a player to be named later. Much later -- 26 months. The deal will finally be completed in early July 2001 when LA selects P Jason Ryan from Nashville (AAA). Laker will be gone from the Bucs by then.
1996
» The Giants sign pitcher Mark Gardner, released by the Florida Marlins.
1995
» Players vote to return to work if a U.S. District Court judge supports the NLRB's unfair labor practices complaint against the owners. By a vote of 26-2, owners support the use of replacement players.
1994
» The Padres trade 2B Harold Reynolds to the Angels in exchange for P Hilly Hathaway.
1978
» The Orioles release reliever Ed Farmer, who will reemerge with the White Sox.
1973
» Orange baseballs, the brainchild of Oakland owner Charlie Finley, are used in the A's 11–5 exhibition loss to the Indians.
1961
» Powel Crosley's will directs the Reds to stay in Cincinnati and be run under nonprofit ownership. The late Crosley's daughter and husband, Stanley Kess, will head the foundation.
1960
» The Giants send P Al Worthington to the Red Sox for OF Jim Marshall.
1954
» After the Cubs go 5–15 in spring training, Phil Cavarretta gives Cubs owner Phil Wrigley an honest assessment of the team's chances, and is fired for his "defeatist attitude." He's the first manager to be given the gate during spring training. Stan Hack replaces him. Cavarretta is right; the Cubs will drop to 7th.
1948
» At St. Pete, the Yankees and Red Sox battle for 17 innings and end in a 2–2 tie. This spring training contest, one of the longest ever, takes four hours and two minutes.
1944
» Oakland loans Los Angeles three players for a PCL exhibition game after five Los Angeles players suffer various injuries in an automobile accident. Los Angeles beats Oakland 6–2.
1942
» The Cards beat the Yankees, 3–2. to win the championship of St. Petersburg, six games to 3. The Yanks have been tied but never beaten since 1926, when they dropped the local series to the Braves.
1935
» The Cardinals release Dazzy Vance, who returns to Brooklyn for his final season.
1933
» Chicago Cubs OF Kiki Cuyler, who missed the first half of 1932 with a broken left leg, breaks his other leg in another spring training accident. He will be out until June 22.
1913
» In a pre-season matchup, Washington pummels the Phillies, 12–1. Grover Cleveland Alexander, pitching the middle three innings, is hit hard.
1907
» Boston OF Cozy Dolan, who played the full schedule of NL games in 1906, dies of typhoid fever in Louisville. The Doves cancel the remainder of spring training.
1905
» A committee of Washington writers votes for "Nationals" as the AL team nickname, but "Senators" continues as the general favorite.
1886
» According to today's Sporting News, the Reds are placing "telephone bulletins" in the suburbs to inform fans of the "exact conditions of the grounds" one hour before game time.