941: Veteran outfielder Paul Waner, who was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates in December, signs with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He will play only 11 games before joining the Boston Braves, but he will return to Brooklyn in 1943.
1962: San Francisco Giants superstar Willie Mays signs the highest-paying contract in Major League Baseball at the time, reportedly worth $90,000 for the season. Mays proves his value by batting .304 with 49 home runs and 141 RBIs, helping lead the Giants to the National League pennant.
2000: Atlanta Braves reliever John Rocker is suspended until May 1st by Commissioner Bud Selig following controversial racial and ethnic remarks published in Sports Illustrated the previous month. In addition to the suspension, Rocker is fined an undisclosed amount and ordered to attend sensitivity training.
2024: John Angelos, speaking on behalf of the Angelos family, announces a deal to sell majority ownership of the Baltimore Orioles to a group led by businessman David Rubenstein. The group also includes Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. The sale, valued at $1.725 billion, still requires approval from MLB’s owners.
