Roll of the Dice: 1996 & Beyond

[Moriarty9]

It's been awhile since I've done a published dynasty, and I found myself unsure in which way I wanted to proceed. Ultimately, I left it to chance. I opened up OOTP16 to start a new historical game and randomly chose 1996 as my starting point. From there, I decided to let it run on autopilot for at least one season and choose from a naturally occurring job opening.

How many options will I have come the offseason? Will I take one, or will I defer it for just one more year, starting my run in 1998?

It's all a roll of the dice, and we'll see where it takes us.

[Moriarty9]

JANUARY

• Philadelphia Phillies trade C Benito Santiago to the California Angels for 2B Randy Velarde. Santiago ends up with a career year, hitting .304 with 29 HR, 80 RBI, and 85 runs scored. Velarde plays in 85 games before suffering a season-ending injury in early July, hitting .295 with 4 homers, scoring 32 times.
• Baltimore Orioles trade RHP Scott Erickson & OF Gene Kingsale to the Cleveland Indians for OF Jeromy Burnitz. Erickson struggled, going 9-15 with a 4.84 ERA for Cleveland, while Kingsale went just 0-for-1 in the big leagues. Burnitz had a breakthrough season, hitting .278 with 35 HR, 118 RBI, 100 runs scored, and hit a league-leading 10 triples.
• St. Louis Cardinals trade veteran LHP Rick Honeycutt & OF Dmitri Young to the Detroit Tigers for C John Flaherty. Honeycutt appears in 72 games, going 2-5 with 21 saves and a 3.91 ERA, while Flaherty established himself with a .268 average, 13 HR and 71 RBI in 139 games.

MARCH

• Cleveland Indians OF Albert Belle suffers a torn labrum in spring training, and is lost for the season.

MAY

• Cincinnati Reds SS Barry Larkin signs a 5-year contract extension worth $34.5 million.
• Oakland Athletics trade OF Jason Giambi to the Houston Astros for INF Bill Spiers. Giambi shines with Houston, hitting .282 with 32 HR, 112 RBI, and scoring 109 runs in 157 games. Spiers is a complimentary player for Oakland, hitting .263 with a pair of home runs, 35 RBI, 41 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 132 games.

JUNE

• Boston Red Sox RHP Aaron Sele threw a no-hitter against the Milwaukee Brewers. The lone blemish being a fielding error as Sele allowed no hits and issued no walks while striking out six.
• Chicago White Sox 1B Frank Thomas signs a 7-year extension worth $56.6 million.

JULY

• Chicago Cubs trade veteran 2B Ryne Sandberg to the Atlanta Braves for RHP Joe Borowski. Sandberg has his best season since 1992, hitting .259 with 27 HR, 90 RBI, and 81 runs scored in 152 games. Borowski goes 3-0 with a 5.44 ERA in 42 appearances.
• St. Louis Cardinals OF Ray Lankford signs a 6-year extension worth $30.78 million.
• New York Mets trade OF Carl Everett to the Colorado Rockies for OF Dante Bichette. After hitting .293 with 23 HR and 62 RBI in 84 games before the trade, Bichette struggled at Shea Stadium, hitting just .240 with 6 HR and 28 RBI in 44 games with the Mets.
• Raul Ibanez was traded for the fourth time in 1996. He was first traded by the Seattle Mariners to the Toronto Blue Jays in May, then to the San Francisco Giants in June, then to the Pittsburgh Pirates in July, and ultimately to the Minnesota Twins in late July.
• Boston Red Sox C Mike Stanley traded to the Chicago White Sox for OF Dave Martinez. Stanley hit .280 with 23 HR and 98 RBI in 145 games, while Martinez hit .301 with 5 HR, 97 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases.

AUGUST

• Seattle Mariners OF Ken Griffey, Jr. signs a 5-year extension worth $31.1 million.
• Cleveland Indians 1B Eddie Murray hits his 500th career home run.

END OF SEASON

• Atlanta Braves (99-63) wins the NL East, Cincinnati Reds (101-61) wins the NL Central, Los Angeles Dodgers (94-68) wins the NL West, while the St. Louis Cardinals (95-67) wins the Wild Card.
• Baltimore Orioles (96-66) wins the AL East, Minnesota Twins (93-69) wins the AL Central, Seattle Mariners (82-80) wins the AL West, while the Boston Red Sox (94-68) wins the Wild Card.
• The Chicago White Sox won 92 games, but fail to make the playoffs.
• Four teams lose 100+ games: Oakland Athletics (100), Chicago Cubs (103), Detroit Tigers (104), and Colorado Rockies (108).

LEAGUE LEADERS

• Batting Average: Alex Rodriguez, SEA (.382) / Tony Gwynn, SD (.384)
• Hits: Reggie Jefferson, BOS (241) / Tony Gwynn, SD (264)
• Home Runs: Juan Gonzalez, TEX (54) / Andres Galarraga, COL (54)
• RBI: Juan Gonzalez, TEX (149) / Larry Walker, COL (161)
• Runs: Mo Vaughn, BOS (148) / Rickey Henderson, SD (141)
• Stolen Bases: Chuck Knoblauch, MIN (49) / Rickey Henderson, SD (65)
• ERA: Randy Johnson, SEA (1.82) / Greg Maddux, ATL (1.89)
• Wins: Randy Johnson, SEA (22) / Joey Hamilton, SD (22)
• Saves: Roberto Hernandez, CHW (41) / Mark Wohlers, ATL (42)
• Innings Pitched: David Wells, BAL (257) / Greg Maddux, ATL (257 1/3)
• Strikeouts: Randy Johnson, SEA (321) / Curt Schilling, PHI (264)

WORLD SERIES

• Game 1: Seattle Mariners beat Los Angeles Dodgers, 12-1 at Dodger Stadium. Randy Johnson strikes out 11 in the win.
• Game 2: Los Angeles Dodgers beat Seattle Mariners, 5-0 at Dodger Stadium. Hideo Nomo fans 11, holds Seattle to two hits.
• Game 3: Seattle Mariners beat Los Angeles Dodgers, 7-6 at the Kingdome. Dan Wilson delivers a two-run walk-off single in the ninth inning, scoring Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey, Jr.
• Game 4: Seattle Mariners beat Los Angeles Dodgers, 2-1 at the Kingdome. Ken Griffey, Jr. drives in two runs for Seattle.
• Game 5: Seattle Mariners beat Los Angeles Dodgers, 6-4 at the Kingdome. Jay Buhner scores three times while Paul Sorrento drives in three as the Mariners win the World Series, 4-1.

[Moriarty9]

The Montreal Expos fired GM Jose Jaquez and manager Felipe Alou.
The Oakland Athletics fired manager Art Howe.

Though not fired, two other openings occurred as contracts were not extended. Will Cruz will not return as GM of the Los Angeles Dodgers, despite the club's 94-68 season. Morgan Ford was not offered a new contract after the Texas Rangers posted 75-87 record.

[Moriarty9]

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

• Derek Jeter, NYY: .315, 209 H, 36 2B, 10 3B, 19 HR, 96 RBI, 128 R, 29 SB
• Alan Benes, STL: 15-7, 2.81 ERA, 221 IP, 206 K, 1.26 WHIP

MANAGER OF THE YEAR

• Lou Piniella, SEA: 82-80, AL West Champions, AL Champions
• Bobby Cox, ATL: 99-63, NL East Champions, Lost in NLCS

CY YOUNG

• Randy Johnson, SEA: 22-3, 1.82 ERA, 252 IP, 321 K, 0.88 WHIP
• Greg Maddux, ATL: 21-6, 1.89 ERA, 257 1/3 IP, 197 K, 0.98 WHIP

MVP

• Randy Johnson, SEA: 22-3, 1.82 ERA, 252 IP, 321 K, 0.88 WHIP
• Greg Maddux, ATL: 21-6, 1.89 ERA, 257 1/3 IP, 197 K, 0.98 WHIP

[Moriarty9]

• Montreal Expos hire Thad Jones as manager, signing him to a one-year deal. Jones, 53, served as Felipe Alou's bench coach in 1996. He is considered to be a player's manager.
• Texas Rangers hire Antonio Montoya, 36, as GM.
• Montreal Expos hire Fred Wetherwax, 39, as GM.
• Los Angeles Dodgers hire Donald Lee, 36, as GM.
• OF Barry Bonds signs a 2-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers worth $15.2 million. The Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals were the early favorites to sign Bonds.
• RHP John Burkett signs a 5-year deal with the Detroit Tigers worth $23.2 million, including a 2001 team option.
• OF Jose Canseco re-signs a 4-year deal with the Boston Red Sox, earning $23.6 million, including a player option in 2000. Canseco had also been in heavy talks with the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies.
• RHP Curt Schilling signs a 6-year deal with the Chicago White Sox worth $38.6 million, including a player option for 2002. Schilling had been rumored to have negotiated with the Anaheim Angels, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, and Toronto Blue Jays.
• C Ivan Rodriguez signs a 6-year deal with the Colorado Rockies worth $28.56 million. Rodriguez was expected to return to the Texas Rangers, but had also been linked to the New York Yankees.
• 1B Jeff Bagwell signs a 7-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers worth $48.7 million. The Dodgers had been the odds-on favorite from the start of the offseason.
• RHP Mike Mussina signs a 4-year deal with the Detroit Tigers worth $21.2 million. Mussina holds a player option for the 2000 season.
• RHP Kevin Brown re-signs with the Florida Marlins, a 6-year deal worth $44.1 million. The final year of the contract is a vesting option.
• OF Ellis Burks signs a 5-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, worth $24.2 million.
• 3B Vinny Castilla signs a 7-year deal with the Boston Red Sox, worth $31.48 million, including a team option for the 2003 season. Castilla had also been linked to the Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins, and New York Yankees.
• OF Albert Belle signs a 2-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles, worth $8.92 million. Having missed the 1996 season with an injury, the second year on the deal is a vesting option. Belle was linked to numerous teams this offseason, including the Boston Red Sox, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, and Texas Rangers, in addition to a possible return to the Cleveland Indians.
• RHP Roger Clemens signs a 2-year $12.8 million extension with the Boston Red Sox, including a 1999 team option.
• 1B Mark McGwire signs a 4-year deal with the Cleveland Indians, worth $25.8 million, including a player option in 2000. McGwire was expected to sign with the Angels, near his home, but was also the subject of speculation with the Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, Seattle Mariners, and St. Louis Cardinals.
• OF Bernie Williams spurned the New York Yankees by signing a 5-year deal with the Boston Red Sox, worth $33.44 million.
• Oakland Athletics hire Rich Powell as manager, signing the 72-year-old to a three-year contract.
• 3B Tim Naehring, out of a job when the Boston Red Sox signed Vinny Castilla, signed a 3-year deal with the Florida Marlins worth $6.6 million.
• 2B Chuck Knoblauch appeared destined for the west coast, linked heavily to the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, and Seattle Mariners, but was a surprise signing by the Boston Red Sox to a 7-year deal worth $59.7 million.
• LHP Randy Johnson signed a contract extension with the Seattle Mariners. The reigning Cy Young and MVP winner will earn $8.5 million in 1998, with a player option in 1999.
• 1B Andres Galarraga signs a 3-year deal with the New York Yankees worth $14.04 million, including a vesting option in 1999.
• With the Yankees signing Galarraga, 1B Tino Martinez made his decision, signing a 6-year deal worth $41.7 million.
• 1B Mark Grace surprised Cubs fans by signing a 2-year deal worth $6.88 million with the St. Louis Cardinals, including a vesting option for the 1998 season.
• An arms race continued as the New York Yankees signed 3B Matt Williams to a 4-year deal worth $17.44 million.
• OF Moises Alou signs a 4-year deal with the Texas Rangers worth $23.2 million. Alou had been rumored to be in talks with the Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Florida Marlins, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, and Texas Rangers.
• The Boston Red Sox traded OF Reggie Jefferson (.349, 19 HR, 112 RBI) to the Cincinnati Reds for RHP Mark Portugal (8-6, 4.94 ERA).

[Moriarty9]

COOPERSTOWN, NY — The Baseball Hall of Fame will not be inducting any new members this summer, it was announced this morning.

Pittsburgh Pirates star Dave Parker was the top vote getter on the ballot, receiving 46.7% of the votes cast. Fenway favorite Dwight Evans was second, receiving 38.2%. Rick Reuschel was a distant third at 19.1%, just ahead of Fred Lynn (18.4%) and Keith Hernandez (17.3%).

[Moriarty9]

FEBRUARY

• Montreal Expos RHP Pedro Martinez suffered a torn flexor tendon in his elbow, and is expected to be sidelined for 15 months.
• New York Yankees RHP Ramiro Mendez suffered a torn rotator cuff and will miss the season.

APRIL

• Minnesota Twins 1B Paul Molitor collected his 3,000th hit.
• New York Mets traded 3B Butch Huskey to the Baltimore Orioles for OF Tony Tarasco.
• Seattle Mariners traded 1B Paul Sorrento to the New York Mets for OF Bernard Gilkey. Sorrento hit .249 with 18 HR and 55 RBI in 147 games. Gilkey hit .299 with 18 HR, 77 RBI, 100 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases in 160 games.
• Florida Marlins traded RHP Jay Powell to the Orioles for OF Jeffrey Hammonds. Powell went 6-2 with 2 saves and a 3.94 ERA in 44 games while Hammonds had a breakout season, hitting .270 with 22 home runs, 100 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 150 games.
• The Boston Red Sox were hit with season-ending losses as right-handed pitchers Mark Portugal and Aaron Sele suffered injuries.
• Montreal Expos OF Vladimir Guerrero suffered a season-ending fractured ankle. After surgery, Guerrero opted to retire at just 22-years-old, ending a very promising career.

MAY

• Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Hideo Nomo no-hit the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. Nomo struck out 11 and walked two.

JUNE

• San Diego Padres OF Rickey Henderson was lost for the season with a ruptured tendon in a finger. He hit .237 with 3 HR, 34 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases in 61 games for San Diego.
• Milwaukee Brewers OF Greg Vaughn signed a 4-year contract extension worth $12.64 million.

JULY

• Boston Red Sox traded 3B Vinny Castilla to the Milwaukee Brewers for 1B Dave Nilsson. Castilla, signed to a 7-year deal in the offseason, hit .307 with 40 HR and 132 RBI in 157 games between Boston and Milwaukee. Nilsson hit .305 with 17 HR, 95 RBI, and 96 runs scored in 157 games.
• Chicago White Sox traded LHP Wilson Alvarez to the Kansas City Royals for OF Michael Tucker. Alvarez struggled with the Royals, going 6-4 with a 4.46 ERA down the stretch, finishing the year with a combined record of 17-6 with a 3.24 ERA and 185 strikeouts. Tucker hit .261 with 22 HR and 108 RBI in 151 games.
• Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Jon Lieber no-hit the New York Mets at Three Rivers Stadium. Lieber walked one and fanned 12.
• Atlanta Braves traded 1B Fred McGriff to the San Francisco Giants for RHP Dan Miceli. McGriff hit .289 with 16 HR and 74 RBI in 136 games. Miceli struggled with Atlanta, posting a hefty 5.46 ERA in 30 games for the Braves, finishing the year with a combined 7-0 with 1 save and a 4.25 ERA in 75 games.
• Baltimore Orioles traded RHP Garrett Stephenson to the Texas Rangers for OF Moises Alou. Stephenson went 3-8 with a 6.18 ERA in 12 starts for Texas, 13-15 with a 5.71 ERA overall. Alou, signed to a 4-year deal in the offseason, hit .293 with 20 HR and 83 RBI in 146 games.

AUGUST

• Seattle Mariners LHP Randy Johnson no-hit the Cleveland Indians at the Kingdome. Johnson fanned 11, walking five.
• Cleveland Indians 1B Mark McGwire surpassed Roger Maris for the single-season home run record, hitting his 62nd home run of the year. McGwire finished the year with 76 home runs.
• Philadelphia Phillies RHP Juan Guzman no-hit the San Diego Padres at Veterans Stadium. Guzman walked five, striking out 9.
• Dodgers RHP Hideo Nomo threw his second no-hitter of the year, issuing one walk and fanning 13 against the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium.

SEPTEMBER

• Detroit Tigers RHP Felipe Lira threw baseball's sixth no-hitter of the season. Lira's Tigers edged the Anaheim Angels, 1-0, as he walked three and fanned three in the no-no.

END OF SEASON

• New York Yankees (108-54) win the AL East, Chicago White Sox (95-67) win the AL Central, Seattle Mariners (89-73) win the AL West, and the Baltimore Orioles (98-64) win the Wild Card.
• Atlanta Braves (112-50) win the NL East, Cincinnati Reds (82-80) win the NL Central, Los Angeles Dodgers (103-59) win the NL West, and the Florida Marlins (91-71) win the Wild Card.
• The Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers each lost 110 games.

LEAGUE LEADERS

• Batting Average: Roberto Alomar, BAL (.360) / Larry Walker, COL (.359)
• Hits: Alex Rodriguez, SEA (227) / Chipper Jones, ATL (216)
• Home Runs: Mark McGwire, CLE (76) / Barry Bonds, LA (43)
• RBI: Nomar Garciaparra, BOS (157) / Barry Bonds, LA (134)
• Runs: Mark McGwire, CLE (152) / Jeff Bagwell, LA (155)
• Stolen Bases: Chuck Knoblauch, BOS (48) / Tony Womack, PIT (61)
• ERA: Randy Johnson, SEA (2.79) / John Smiley, CIN (2.08)
• Wins: Geremi Gonzalez, NYY & Mike Mussina, DET (22) / John Smoltz, ATL (21)
• Saves: Mariano Rivera, NYY (45) / Trevor Hoffman, SD (46)
• Innings Pitched: Mike Mussina, DET (258) / Jeff Fassero, MON (259 2/3)
• Strikeouts: Randy Johnson, SEA (300) / John Smoltz, ATL (286)

WORLD SERIES

• Game 1: Atlanta Braves beat Seattle Mariners, 6-1 at Turner Field. Chipper Jones hit a three-run home run as Jason Schmidt earned the win for Atlanta.
• Game 2: Atlanta Braves beat Seattle Mariners, 7-2 at Turner Field. Andruw Jones and Javy Lopez had three hits each while Greg Maddux picked up the victory.
• Game 3: Atlanta Braves beat Seattle Mariners, 5-3 at the Kingdome. John Smoltz struck out 11 and Chipper Jones homered for Atlanta.
• Game 4: Atlanta Braves beat Seattle Mariners, 7-6 at the Kingdome. Mariners pitcher Roberto Hernandez walked Jeff Blauser with the bases loaded, pushing Javy Lopez across with the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning, resulting in a four-game World Series sweep for the Braves.

Atlanta Braves 3B Chipper Jones was the World Series MVP.

[Moriarty9]

After he made a number of high profile moves in the offseason, only to see the on-field performance go from 94 wins in 1996 to 86 wins this season, the Boston Red Sox have fired GM Ashton Cramer.

Denny McLain has been fired as manager of the New York Mets after a 65-97 season.

Hopes were high in St. Louis as the Cardinals were coming off a 95 win season in 1996, but a 77-85 record has resulted in the firing on GM Bill Creed.

Though the San Diego Padres had their second consecutive winning season, the club has decided to take the team in another direction, firing manager Bruce Bochy.

Other front office jobs are open due to expiring contracts and retirements, including the GM position with the Texas Rangers. The expansion Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks are also pursuing a GM for their new clubs.

[Moriarty9]

PHOENIX — With the expansion draft rapidly approaching, the Arizona Diamondbacks today publicly introduced Clayton Kelley as the club's first General Manager.

Kelley, 35, said he hoped to build a team that will proudly represent Arizona in a positive and productive manner.

"We've got a lot of work ahead of us," said Kelley. "We've got to assemble a full coaching staff, look at upcoming free agents, and be prepped for the expansion draft."

[Moriarty9]

PHOENIX — In their inaugural amateur draft, the Arizona Diamondbacks took pitcher Chris Carpenter with the first overall pick.

Diamondbacks GM Clayton Kelley said Carpenter, a 22-year-old from New Hampshire, is projected to be a future "number one" who has "above average stuff" with "well above average" breaking pitches.

In the second round, Arizona again tapped a pitcher, selecting right-hander Scott Elarton. Kelley said the 21-year-old Elarton has "great potential" with "top-notch movement on all his pitches."

Later in the draft, the Diamondbacks selected infielder Craig Wilson, left-handed pitcher Bruce Chen, firstbaseman Scott McClain, and right-handed pitcher Denny Harriger.

[Moriarty9]

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

• Nomar Garciaparra, BOS: .337, 211 H, 42 2B, 11 3B, 33 HR, 157 RBI, 125 R, 25 SB
• Andruw Jones, ATL: .272, 31 2B, 7 3B, 33 HR, 107 RBI, 108 R, 30 SB

MANAGER OF THE YEAR

• Davey Johnson, BAL: 98-64, AL Wild Card, Lost in ALCS
• Bobby Cox, ATL: 112-50, NL East Champions, Won World Series

CY YOUNG

• Randy Johnson, SEA: 21-8, 2.79 ERA, 254 2/3 IP, 300 K, 1.02 WHIP
• John Smoltz, ATL: 21-5, 2.85 ERA, 253 IP, 286 K, 1.02 WHIP

MVP

• Mark McGwire, CLE: .298, 76 HR, 155 RBI, 152 R
• Barry Bonds, LA: .315, 43 HR, 134 RBI, 133 R, 39 SB

[Moriarty9]

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays have populated their franchise rosters through today's expansion draft.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Troy O'Leary (.266, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 43 G) was taken by the Devil Rays to open the expansion draft, followed by Cincinnati Reds secondbaseman Bret Boone (.255, 13 HR, 59 RBI) going to the Diamondbacks.

The Devil Rays went on to select, in order, outfielder Eduardo Perez, catcher Eddie Perez, pitcher Kevin Tapani, pitcher Steve Avery, pitcher Jason Bere, thirdbaseman Tim Naehring, pitcher Brian Moehler, pitcher Roger Salkeld, pitcher Chad Ogea, pitcher Steve Sparks, shortstop Ricky Gutierrez, outfielder Glenn Murray, outfielder Scott Bullett, outfielder Manny Martinez, pitcher Felipe Lira, secondbaseman Kevin Jordan, pitcher Jim Mecir, pitcher Dan Miceli, firstbaseman Desi Wilson, pitcher Bob Wickman, catcher Chris Widger, pitcher Doug Brocail, outfielder Jose Malave, shortstop Orlando Miller, secondbaseman Delino DeShields, outfielder Tim Unroe, thirdbaseman Mike Busch, pitcher Mark Petkovsek, outfielder Allen Battle, outfielder J.R. Phillips, catcher Jorge Fabregas, pitcher Joe Roa, outfielder David Hulse, and firstbaseman Jeff Manto.

The Diamondbacks selected, in order, pitcher Kenny Rogers, pitcher Eddie Guardado, shortstop Alex Arias, pitcher Tim Wakefield, pitcher Mike James, outfielder Dave McCarty, pitcher Scott Kamieniecki, pitcher Andres Berumen, pitcher Brad Woodall, catcher Doug Mirabelli, infielder Denny Hocking, outfielder Darren Bragg, outfielder Damon Mashore, shortstop Esteban Beltre, outfielder Alex Cole, outfielder Mark Smith, pitcher Kevin Ritz, catcher Mike Difelice, outfielder Chad Fonville, outfielder Rudy Pemberton, pitcher Greg Hansell, outfielder Tim Hyers, shortstop Pat Listach, pitcher Joey Eischen, pitcher Mike Remlinger, shortstop Manny Alexander, thirdbaseman Bill Selby, pitcher Marc Wilkins, outfielder Dwayne Hosey, catcher Alberto Castillo, pitcher Brian Boehringer, pitcher Rheal Cormier, outfielder Todd Dunn, and outfielder Jerry Brooks.

[Moriarty9]

• Boston Red Sox hire Will Cruz as GM.
• New York Mets hire Gregg Parker as manager.
• Montreal Expos sign LHP John Franco (4-5, 17 Saves, 2.96 ERA) to a two-year deal worth $7.68 million, including a vesting option for the 1999 season.
• OF Paul O'Neill (.306, 20 HR, 74 RBI, 83 R) signs a two-year deal worth $16.2 million, including a team option for 1999, with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Morgan Ford, who served as Texas Rangers GM in 1996, has been hired as the inaugural GM of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
• OF Henry Rodriguez (.259, 29 HR, 100 RBI) signs a two-year deal worth $4.88 million with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• LHP David Wells (19-7, 3.39 ERA) signs a two-year deal worth $19.6 million with the San Diego Padres. It had been a two-team race for Boomer's services, with the Minnesota Twins left as the runner up.
• The Baltimore Orioles signed 3B Ken Caminiti (.294, 38 HR, 123 RBI, 107 R) to a two-year deal worth $18.2 million.
• After one unsuccessful year as GM of the Texas Rangers, Antonio Montoya has accepted the same position with the St. Louis Cardinals. Montoya was signed to only a one-year deal.
• The San Diego Padres signed 1B Rafael Palmeiro (.275, 40 HR, 145 RBI, 109 R) to a two-year deal worth $15.2 million.
• SS Jay Bell (.303, 19 HR, 104 RBI) signed a four-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles worth $25.8 million. Bell had been linked to numerous teams, including the A's, Braves, Giants, Reds, and Rockies.
• Todd Hundley (.215, 33 HR, 85 RBI), the top catcher on the market, signed a three-year deal with the Minnesota Twins worth $11.32 million. He had spent his eight-year career with the New York Mets.
• The Anaheim Angels were a surprise destination for 1B Mike Stanley (.311, 21 HR, 95 RBI). Stanley, 34, appeared likely to return to the New York Yankees, with whom he played from 1992-1995, but instead signed an $8.6 million deal with the Angels, with a team option for the 1999 season at an additional $8.6 million.
• 3B Todd Zeile (.308, 29 HR, 119 RBI, 112 R) appeared in 79 games with the Chicago Cubs in 1995, and will return to Wrigley Field after signing a four-year deal worth $17.44 million, including a team option for the 2001 season.
• Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Domingo Rubio has been hired as the manager of the San Diego Padres. He signed a three-year contract with the Padres.
• The Texas Rangers have hired, with a one-year deal, Armando Parra as their new GM.
• The Atlanta Braves traded OF Scarborough Green to the Chicago Cubs for INF Jose Hernandez. Green is a speedy minor league outfielder while Hernandez hit .263 with 20 home runs and 96 RBI last season.
• OF Roberto Kelly (.335, 24 HR, 121 RBI) signed a four-year deal with the San Diego Padres worth $17.36 million.
• RHP Rick Aguilera is heading to the Atlanta Braves, traded by the St. Louis Cardinals for OF Matt Mieske. Aguilera split last season with the Twins and Cardinals, going 4-4 with 20 saves and a 3.84 ERA. Mieske split the year with the Braves and Brewers, hitting .286 with 4 HR and 32 RBI in 89 games.
• OF Otis Nixon (.289, 33 R, 18 SB, 72 G) signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, worth $700,000.
• SS Mark Loretta was traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for RHP Mike Morgan and OF Adrian Brown. Loretta hit .292 with 10 home runs and scoring 70 times in 124 games last season. Morgan will join his tenth big league club after going 6-0 with 2 saves and a 5.94 ERA in 70 games last season.
• The Houston Astros traded RHP John Johnstone to the St. Louis Cardinals for INF David Bell. Johnstone went 4-2 with a save and a 1.52 ERA in 41 1/3 innings at the big league level while Bell hit .211 in just 19 big league at bats last year.
• The Arizona Diamondbacks signed INF Mike Benjamin (.343, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 76 G) to a one-year deal worth $370,000.
• The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to minor league contracts with LHP Scott Aldred, 2B Bret Barberie, and LHP Ken Grundt.
• 1B Paul Molitor (.308, 6 HR, 110 RBI, 109 R) signed a two-year deal, including a team option for 1999, worth $8.25 million with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Molitor collected his 3,000th hit last season with the Minnesota Twins.
• After 16 seasons of being "Mr. Padre", San Diego declined to offer a new contract to OF Tony Gwynn (.339, 3 HR, 33 RBI, 59 G), leading him to sign a two-year deal with the New York Yankees. The deal, which includes a vesting option for 1999, is worth $13.4 million.
• The Arizona Diamondbacks signed 3B Scott Brosius (.233, 12 HR, 67 RBI) to a one-year deal worth $600,000.
• RHP Tom Candiotti (8-16, 5.98 ERA) has signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, worth $650,000.
• The Arizona Diamondbacks signed LHP Jimmy Key (11-12, 5.64 ERA) to a one-year deal worth $1.4 million.
• RHP Mike Maddux (1-4, 1 Sv, 7.66 ERA, 98 2/3 IP) signed a one-year deal worth $550,000 with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
• The Arizona Diamondbacks signed SS Jose Valentin (.221, 17 HR, 75 R, 13 SB) to a one-year deal worth $600,000, with a player option at the same amount for 1999.
• The Toronto Blue Jays signed RHP Ben McDonald (13-14, 3.14 ERA) to a 7-year deal worth $41.6 million.
• 1B Will Clark (.316, 17 HR, 77 RBI) has signed a one-year contract worth $5.4 million with the St. Louis Cardinals. Clark holds a player option for the same amount for the 1999 season.
• OF Wil Cordero (.264, 7 HR, 71 RBI) signed a one-year deal worth $700,000 with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
• Veteran utility player Tony Phillips (.251, 3 HR, 82 R) signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks worth $600,000.
• Heading into the final year of his deal, Seattle Mariners DH Edgar Martinez (.297, 19 HR, 95 RBI) signed an extension that will pay him $8.5 million in 1999, with a team option for $8.5 million in 2000.
• LHP Denny Neagle (12-15, 3.44 ERA) had been linked to at least seven teams, but ultimately agreed to terms with the Seattle Mariners on a four-year deal worth $32.1 million.
• OF Rickey Henderson (.237, 3 HR, 34 R, 20 SB, 61 G) will suit up for the Florida Marlins in his 20th big league season. Henderson signed a one-year deal worth $1.68 million with the Marlins.
• The Kansas City Royals traded INF Tim Bogar and OF Trot Nixon to the Chicago White Sox for OF Michael Tucker. Bogar hit .236 with 8 HR and 59 RBI last season while Nixon had just 8 big league at bats. Tucker, who split last season between the White Sox and Royals, hit .261 with 22 HR and 108 RBI in 151 games.
• RHP Rod Beck (6-10, 31 Sv, 4.35 ERA) is heading back to the San Francisco Giants on a three-year deal worth $11.92 million. Beck had pitched for the Giants from 1991-1996, being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates with OF Raul Ibanez for 1B Jeff King in July 1996.
• C Darrin Fletcher (.304, 13 HR, 72 RBI) signed a one-year deal worth $3.28 million with the St. Louis Cardinals.
• LHP Jeff Fassero (18-9, 2.53 ERA) signed a two-year deal worth $15.4 million with the Chicago White Sox.
• Looking to work on a deal before the season, the Seattle Mariners and OF Jay Buhner (.259, 40 HR, 97 RBI, 109 R) came to terms on a four-year extension worth $26.6 million.
• OF Albert Belle (.293, 43 HR, 149 RBI) enjoyed his first season with the Baltimore Orioles enough that he is forgoing a return to free agency at season's end, signing an extension that will keep him at Camden Yard through possibly 2000. Belle signed an extension worth $5.3 million in 1999 with a vesting option worth $5.1 million in 2000.
• OF Joe Carter (.246, 19 HR, 83 RBI) signed a one-year deal worth $400,000 with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
• Hoping to recapture the magic of his 1996 season, the Arizona Diamondbacks have signed C Benito Santiago (.214, 7 HR, 51 RBI, 129 G) to a one-year deal worth $331,920.

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COOPERSTOWN, NY — Bert Blyleven will be in a class by himself as the lone inductee into the Hall of Fame this summer.

Blyleven received 77.9% of the vote, enough to be enshrined as one of baseball's immortals. Over 22 seasons, the right-hander went 287-250 with a 3.31 ERA and 3,701 strikeouts in 692 games with the Minnesota Twins (1970-1976, 1985-1988), Texas Rangers (1976-1977), Pittsburgh Pirates (1978-1980), Cleveland Indians (1981-1985), and California Angels (1989-1990, 1992).

Dave Parker picked up considerably more support than last year, jumping up from 46.7% last year to 61.7% this year. Gary Carter was third at 45.9%, followed by Dwight Evans (39.2%) and Don Sutton (22.1%).

Failing to secure enough votes to remain on the Hall of Fame ballot going forward were Pedro Guerrero (5%), Ron Reed (3.6%), Bill Buckner (2.7%), Mike Scott (2.3%), Carney Lansford (1.8%), and Brian Downing (0.5%).

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The Baltimore Orioles signed OF Gary Sheffield to a one-year contract worth $5.62 million. Sheffield, 29, hit .345 with 38 home runs and 132 RBI, 125 runs scored, and 25 stolen bases in 156 games with the Florida Marlins last season. Sheffield drew a great deal of interest, but had been holding out for additional money before settling on the one-year deal.

While the Orioles gained a big bat, they also lost an icon as SS Cal Ripken, Jr. has decided to continue his career, signing a one-year deal worth $472,000 with the Atlanta Braves. Ripken, 37, hit .245 with 20 home runs and 80 RBI in 159 games for Baltimore last season, but the Orioles allegedly encouraged the "Iron Man" to retire, and failed to offer him a new contract.

Recently traded to the San Francisco Giants, OF Devon White has decided to call it a career. White, 35, struggled through early spring training games due to post-concussion syndrome, ultimately resulting in his decision to retire. White hit .263 with 155 home runs, 910 runs scored, and 274 stolen bases in 1,520 games with the California Angels (1985-1990), Toronto Blue Jays (1991-1995), and Florida Marlins (1996-1997).

The Cleveland Indians surprised many by trading 1B Jim Thome to the Anaheim Angels in exchange RHP Chris Holt and C Robert Machado. Thome hit .310 with 25 HR and 96 RBI for Cleveland last season. Holt posted an unimpressive 3-6 with a 6.79 ERA in 11 big league starts last year, while Machado hit .290 with a home run and 16 RBI in 35 big league games.

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PHOENIX — It seems only fitting that the first game in Arizona Diamondbacks history will also be the first game for its Opening Day starting pitcher.

Chris Carpenter, 22, has been named Arizona's Opening Day starter, taking the mound against the Colorado Rockies at Bank One Ballpark. The rookie will be followed in the rotation by left-hander Kenny Rogers, knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, veteran right-hander Tom Candiotti, and southpaw Brad Woodall. Mike Maddux will serve as closer, while the rest of the bullpen consists of right-handed pitchers Mike James, Marc Wilkins, and Andres Berumen, as well as lefties Rheal Cormier, Eddie Guardado, and Jimmy Key.

With three veterans — Joe Carter, Otis Nixon, and Benito Santiago — on the disabled list to open the year, there has been shuffling of the planned Arizona lineup. Mike Difelice and Doug Mirabelli will share time behind the plate while Paul Molitor plays firstbase, Bret Boone plays secondbase, Scott Brosius mans thirdbase, and Jose Valentin handles shortstop. The outfield, from left to right, will begin the year patrolled by Wil Cordero, Tony Phillips, and Darren Bragg. Coming off the bench will be infielder Denny Hocking and outfielders Mark Smith, Damon Mashore, and Dave McCarty.

The Opening Day lineup for Arizona will go as follows:
CF Tony Phillips
LF Wil Cordero
3B Scott Brosius
2B Bret Boone
SS Jose Valentin
1B Paul Molitor
RF Darren Bragg
C Mike Difelice
P Chris Carpenter

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31 March 1998
PHOENIX — A late rally almost resulted in an exciting walk-off win in the first ever Arizona Diamondbacks game. Almost.

The Diamondbacks fell 6-5 to the visiting Colorado Rockies at Bank One Ballpark, suffering a narrow loss in the expansion club's debut. Colorado pitcher Jeff Juden was strong on Opening Day, fanning 11 Arizona batters over six innings of work. Juden allowed two runs on six hits while issuing no walks.

Chris Carpenter's big league debut was unremarkable as he took the loss after giving up four runs, three earned, on seven hits and three walks in 6 1/3 innings. Carpenter threw 107 pitches, 69 for strikes in his first career start.

"Chris did a pretty good job considering he's a 22-year-old kid making his big league debut on Opening Day, and Opening Day for a brand new team," said Diamondbacks manager George Hudson. "It's not an easy introduction to the big leagues, but he didn't let it fluster him."

Arizona nearly tied the game in their final at bats, scoring three runs to cut their deficit to one run with two men on base as the final out was recorded.

Colorado closer Darren Holmes struggled, giving up a one out RBI double to Dave McCarty and a RBI single to Tony Phillips before being given the hook in favor of southpaw Lance Painter. A few batters later, a two-out wild pitch by Painter allowed Phillips to score, moving Scott Brosius to second base as the potential tying run. Bret Boone soon drew a walk, putting the winning run on base before Painter was able to strike out Jose Valentin to end the game.

Wil Cordero hit the first home run in Diamondbacks history, a two-run shot off Juden in the sixth inning. Larry Walker hit a solo home run for the Rockies, while Carl Everett went 4-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored for Colorado.

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3 April 1998
PHOENIX — In his 15th big league season, Tom Candiotti was the man who picked up the first win in Arizona Diamondbacks history.

Candiotti, 40, worked eight innings as Arizona topped the visiting San Francisco Giants, 4-3 at Bank One Ballpark. Candiotti allowed three runs on six hits and three walks with nine strikeouts before Mike Maddux worked a quick ninth inning to record the save.

Paul Molitor helped out with a two-run home run, driving in three runs in the game. Molitor's home run, his first of the season, was hit off Giants starter Matt Morris in the fourth inning.

Morris took the loss, giving up four runs on six hits and three walks with two strikeouts in six innings.

With the win, the Diamondbacks and Giants are both now 1-3 on the season.

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16 April 1998
PHOENIX — After a solid week of rumor, future Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley has signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Eckersley, 43, will be paid $800,000 for what is expected to be his final season in the game, ending a big league career that began in 1975.

A winner of 205 games and owner of 339 saves, Eckersley has posted a 3.46 ERA in 3,277 innings over 1,028 career appearances, including 363 starts. Eckersley split last season with the St. Louis Cardinals and Florida Marlins, going 3-3 with two saves and a 3.24 ERA over 75 innings.

Eckersley never used the word "retirement" last season or throughout the spring, instead suggesting he was simply planning to "go home." The itch and desire to stay in the game, however, appears to have been too great as he signed with the expansion team two weeks into the season.


Eckersley with the St. Louis Cardinals last season.

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April 1: Twins trade OF Jeff Conine to Devil Rays for 3B Tim Naehring and cash considerations.

April 2: Diamondbacks sign LHP Mike Stanton to a 3-year deal worth $2.2 million, including an $800,000 team option for the 2000 season.

April 5: Pirates sign RHP David Weathers to a 3-year deal worth $1.86 million.

April 7: Newly-acquired Twins 3B Tim Naehring will miss 5 months with a ruptured foot tendon.

April 7: Mariners sign RHP Mike Timlin to a 3-year deal worth $8.85 million.

April 8: Mariners LHP Steve Wojciechowski has suffered a torn flexor tendon in his elbow, an injury that could take as many as 13 months to fully recover from.

April 21: Giants 3B Bill Mueller and Giants RHP Ricky Bones are suspended 8 games each after a brawl.

April 26: Indians 1B Mark McGwire hits his 400th career home run, his 7th of the season.

April 27: Phillies OF Derek Bell is done for the season with a torn ACL. Bell hit .341 with 25 HR and 119 RBI last season for Philadelphia.

April 28: Indians RHP Charles Nagy is likely done for the season with a torn rotator cuff. Nagy went 15-12 with a 5.06 ERA last season.