Leelanau Sports Guy’s World at sportspig.com

1941 The Dodgers announce their players will begin to wear helmets when batting. The use of the safety headgear will not become mandatory in the National League until 1954 and the AL will follow suit four years later.

1951 J.Edgar Hoover , longtime director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, declines the post of baseball commissioner. President Calvin Coolidge appointed him to 1924 and the nation’s top cop remained in the FBI until his death in 1972.

1963 In an exhibition game against the White Sox, rookie Pete Rose goes 2-for-2 in his first appearance as a Red .

1992 The Pirates trade pitcher Neal Heaton (3-3, 4.33) to the Royals for outfielder Kirk Gibson (.236, 16 HR, 18 SB).

1993 Sherry Davis becomes the first woman major league public address announcer when she is hired by the Giants to work at Candlestick Park.

1995 Citing the labor unrest as the reason, former Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan announces he is leaving baseball to return the NBA.

2004 When asked by Senator John McCain to renegotiate the major league baseball’s contract in regard to the use of controlled substances, Donald Fehr refuses to comply. Although the union boss condemns the use of steroids, he believes the players oppose random drug testing as a violation of privacy, an argument countered by the Arizona republican as unacceptable and promised congressional action if the status quo.

2005 Singling off Brad Thompson in a Cardinal intersquad game, former pitching prospect Rick Ankiel goes 1-for-2 in his debut as a position player. Historic wildness and injuries ended the 25-year old once very promising career on the mound.

2006 Jhonny Peralta (.292, 24 ,78) agrees to a $13 million, five-year deal which includes a club option for 2011. In his first full season, the Indians shortstop established himself as one of the top offensive players for his position.

2006 Shairon Martis throws the first-ever no-hitter in WBC history as the Netherlands rout Panama, 10-0. The 19-year-old Dutch hurler threw exactly 65 pitches, which is the Classic’s pitch limit, to accomplish the historic deed in a game which was called after seven innings because of the mercy rule; a 10 run lead after seven innings.

2009 At Puerto Rico’s Hiram Bithorn Stadium, the Netherlands WBC team, made up of mostly unknown players, upsets a heavily-favored the Dominican Republic club for the second time in four days to advanced to the next round of the World Baseball Classic. The Dominicans, considered to be an odds-on favorite, with a roster filled with major league All-Stars including David Ortiz (Red Sox), Hanley Ramirez (Marlins), and Miguel Tejada (Astros), are eliminated in the first round of the 16-team tournament.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Rodney Stuckey underwent a completely negative cardiac evaluation under the direction of University of Michigan’s (Fred Morady, M.D.), Cleveland Clinic’s (Thomas Dresing, M.D.) and the Detroit Medical Center’s (Luis Alfonso, M.D.).

The combined opinion is that Rodney may return to a progressive exercise program.

March 9

1897- The Cleveland Spiders sign Penobscot Indian Louis Sockalexis. Although the former Holy Cross star plays only three seasons due to alcoholism, the fans admire his outstanding skills and refer to team as the ‘Indians’- in 1915 the name will become official.

1943-The Dodgers trade first baseman Babe Dahlgren to the Phillies for outfielder Lloyd Waner and infielder Al Glossop.

1961- The Yankees announce the team will be leaving its spring training home in St. Petersburg to move to Fort Lauderdale by 1963. The Yankee owners also encourage new yet unnamed National League New York franchise to play its home games at the Polo Grounds and not to consider Yankee Stadium.

1979 -Fearing legal consequences, Bowie Kuhn gives access to female reporters to enter major league locker rooms. The commissioner’s unpopular ruling puts the players in an awkward position in their once all-male domain.

1994- Phillies first baseman/outfielder John Kruk is diagnosed with testicular cancer. After surgery, doctors expect a full recovery. 1961 The Yankees announce the team will be leaving its spring training home in St. Petersburg to move to Fort Lauderdale by 1963. The Yankee owners also encourage new yet unnamed National League New York franchise to play its home games at the Polo Grounds and not to consider Yankee Stadium.

1995- With a vote of 28-0, the major league owners admit two new teams, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The teams will be assigned leagues in January of 1997.

2005- Current and former big leaguers players as well as baseball executives are issued subpoenas to appear on March 17 by the House Committee on Government Reform. The eleven ‘invitees’ to the congressional hearing on steroid use include Sandy Alderson, Jose Canseco, Donald Fehr, Jason Giambi, Rob Manfred, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Curt Schilling, Sammy Sosa and Frank Thomas and Kevin Towers.

2006- At Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan a “Down with Fidel,” sign, seen by millions of television viewers — including those watching the WBC contest in Cuba, creates an international incident. A Cuban official attending the game confront the male sign-holder, but Puerto Rican police quickly intercede take Angel Iglesias to a nearby police station where the vice president of Cuba’s National Institute of Sports is reminded that Puerto Ricans enjoy the right to freedom of speech.

2009 -Alex Rodriguez undergoes an 80-minute arthroscopic surgical procedure to repair torn cartilage in his right hip. The Yankees third baseman, who will need a more extensive operation in the offseason, expects to return to the lineup in May.

By AJ Petronzi
In Play Magazine

In a goal scoring affair, the Detroit Red Wings have defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-4 in Chicago.

Chicago broke out to an early lead with goals from Duncan Keith and Andrew Ladd. Then, after a Chicago goal was called back, the Red Wings scored five goals from Brian Rafalski, Nicklas Lidstrom, Jason Williams, Valtteri Filppula, and Pavel Datsyuk. Chicago came storming back with a pair of goals from Ladd to give him a hat-trick, but they couldn’t catch the Wings.
This game was all Detroit after the goal by Dustin Byfuglien was called back because of incidental contact (A bad call that was almost identical to the goal called back on Detroit on Monday against Colorado). Detroit played a great game in the last 40 minutes, but the first 20 were terrible. Todd Bertuzzi left the game with a lower body injury in the second after an odd, but clean, check from Ben Eager.

In Play! Man of the Game: Todd Bertuzzi. Bertuzzi, although leaving with an injury, was the only Red Wing who played well in the first. He was also very active offensively, setting up three goals although he only was credited with two assists.

March 7

1903-The Giants trade last season’s part-time manager Heinie Smith to Detroit for second baseman Kid Gleason. Gleason is immediately sent to the Phillies.

1923-Commissioner Landis turns down the American Legion requests to discontinue major league morning games on Memorial Day.

1924-At the age of 48, Reds’ manager Pat Moran dies of Bright’s disease at spring training.

1955-Commissioner Ford Frick announces he favors the legalization of the spitter.

1956- Still seeking workman’s compensation coverage, the players accept the owners’ position on the World Series television deal and the proposed minimum salary structure.

1995- The Veterans Committee selects former players Richie Ashburn‚ Vic Willis‚ and Leon Day, and past president of the National League, William Hulbert, for induction to the Hall of Fame. Day, a Negro League right hander, who played in Baltimore with the Black Sox and the Elite Giants and with the Brooklyn and Newark Eagles, will be dead of a heart attack in less than a week after hearing the good news.

2001- Bud Selig upholds the January 14 Blue Jay and White Sox trade which sent Toronto pitchers David Wells and Matt DeWitt to the White Sox in exchange for pitchers Mike Sirotka, Kevin Beirne and Mike Williams and outfielder Brian Simmons. Although, upon further medical examinations, Mike Sirotka was determined to be ‘damaged goods’ prior to the deal, the commissioner used a ‘buyers beware’ policy stating the individual club must take responsibility for the information originally used in making the transaction.

2006- In their World Baseball Classic debut, Team USA blanks Mexico, 2-0. Home runs by Derrek Lee and Chipper Jones along with Jake Peavy and bevy of relievers combining to throw a four-hitter proves to be the difference as the United States defeat their neighbors from south of the border.

2008- With a two-out RBI single in the ninth inning off reliever Colter Bean, Danny Sandoval spoils the Braves bid for a spring training combined no-hitter. Atlanta uses seven hurlers beating the Indians at Winter Haven 4-1.

2008- The Cape Cod Times reports MLB has threaten to withhold their annual grant from from Cape League if the six teams in the 10-team circuit sharing nicknames with big league, such as the Chatham Athletics, do not purchase all future uniforms and souvenir merchandise from licensed vendors, a more expensive option. The deadline has been extended until March 21, to give league officials more time to resolve the issue.

by Steve St-Pierre

Pistons point guard Rodney Stuckey collapsed on the team’s bench at the 2:30 mark of the third quarter of Detroit’s loss last night in Cleveland to the Cavaliers. He was carried out on a stretcher with an oxygen mask and transported to Cleveland Clinic.

Tests came back negative, and the team says Stuckey should return to Detroit today. The 23-year-old guard experienced similar dizziness last season and wound up missing two games. He’s started every game for the Pistons this season, but should he have to miss time, veterans Will Bynum, Ben Gordon and Chucky Atkins would likely split the minutes at point guard.

It was an emotional scene following the game when both teams huddled and prayed for Stuckey and his family. Members of both teams admitted to be shaken by the incident and remained adamant that his health was more important than the game itself.

By Justin Cousineau
In Play Magazine

Spring training is underway and its time for everyone to breakdown the players. Everyone would like to think they know what’s best for their favorite teams lineup but when reality hits it’s what the manager says goes.

When you look at a player like Alfonso Soriano you think lead off hitter for the Chicago Cubs. This may have been the case in the past but manager Lou Pinella had change on his mind while is lead off hitter was batting a rough .241 avg last season.

Last season Pinella put Soriano in the sixth spot and that will be his home for the 2010 season as well.

With the Tigers lacking from production from certain individuals last season like the Cubs were I’m curious to see how Jim Leyland will fill his batters card.

Curtis Granderson is gone which leaves the lead off spot open but could already be filled with Austin Jackson. I can’t argue with the decision for spring training, but at the same time I won’t agree with it. It’s easy for us to wait for failure and say, “I knew he shouldn’t have been there.” Or if Jackson starts batting consistent and for average we’ll say, “I knew he was the guy.”

I’d like to see Johnny Damon fill that spot with his ability to hit home runs, doubles and steal bases. He’s a consistent player on both sides of the ball and a fan favorite where ever he goes. That being said Jackson could learn a lot from Damon and help use his youthfulness to get on base and let MagglioOrdonez and Miguel Cabrera do their job.

When looking at the first five players on the Tiger roster the top half of the lineup can do really well as long as everyone plays their role and stays healthy.

By Justin Cousineau
In Play Magazine

Starting forward averaging 29.6 PPG, 39.6 MPG, .478 FG%, .381 3P%, and a .884 FT%.

In case your wondering why a single players statistics fill my first sentence it’s because unless you look it up you’ll probably assume these numbers belong to Kobe Bryant, or the face of the league Lebron James.

Have you figured it out yet?

They belong to 21 year old Kevin Durant. Those are his stats for this years season.

Impressive? Let me remind you he’s 21.

I think we can all agree Durant is tearing up the NBA and unless your an avid NBA fan you’d rarely come across this information or see these numbers.

I’ve watched several Oklahoma City Thunder games and with a younger cast than most teams in a city that may not be NBA glitz and glamour this team has lots of talent and tons of potential either together or individually.

Durant had a streak end a few nights ago of 29 games with 25 points or more second youngest to Michael Jordan in 1986-87 with 40 games.

What bugs me the most is you don’t hear about this enough unless Lebron James ran out of baby powder to throw in the air, or unless the player’s choose to leave their guns at home.

At his age and his skill level it makes me wonder why Greg Oden would ever be considered over Texas alumni Kevin Durant. I think sports media should evaluate their coverage and show all the best highlights and not just teams with the worst NBA record in history and players kicking water bottles at fans.

Pete Carroll tries to head to Seattle but is delayed by a USC superfan.

A list of the top 10 players in the NHL from the 2000s written by Yahoo! Sports Greg Wyshynski. Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom tops the list edging out New Jersey Devils Martin Brodeur. Here’s a quick peek at what he said about Lidstrom…

Simply put, he was the total package. An offensive player who tallied 574 points, his four best point-scoring seasons all coming in the 2000s. A defensive player who was a plus-232 for the decade, frequently logging more than 28 minutes a night for the Wings. A leader who won the Conn Smythe for the Wings’ 2001-02 Stanley Cup champions, and who then captained a second Detroit team to the Cup in 2007-08. And he made it look frequently effortless.

I can’t argue with that!

Read The 10 best NHL players of the last decade at Yahoo! Sports

Photo courtesy of NHL.com

This picture is a very accurate portrayal of the Detroit Tigers offense. This was the final out in the 11-1 loss against the Cleveland Indians on Sunday. Maybe the homestand will get them going again. Regardless, the Detroit Tigers have to start hitting or they can kiss first-place good-bye!

Photo by the Associated Press

Most Lions fans I now are pretty excited about the changes taking place in the post-Millen era, and count me in as well. I’ve liked the hiring of Jim Schwartz since day one. He’s a real professional, organized, and comes from a winning franchise. DetroitLions.com takes a look inside the minds of head coach Schwartz and his assistants as we gear up for Detroit Lions Football 2009!

Read What to Expect? at DetroitLions.com

If any player deserved to be an All-Star this year, that player was Brandon Inge. He’s clutch for the Tigers this season and along with Miguel Cabrera has led the Tigers offense. He leads the Tigers in homeruns and RBIs all while playing on a sore knee. His defense at third base has been as great as always. I made sure to cast a few votes his direction…

“We’re thrilled Brandon has been voted to join his teammates to represent the Detroit Tigers at the All-Star Game,” said Detroit Tigers President, CEO and General Manager David Dombrowski. “It’s a tremendous honor to have such an opportunity. We especially want to thank all Tigers fans for their passionate support in the voting process.”

Here’s to a healthy knee and a solid second half for Brandon Inge and the Tigers!

Read Brandon Inge: Winner of Final Vote, Winner of Life! at Bless You Boys

The Detroit Tigers announced today that they have extended manager Jim Leyland’s contract 2-years to 2011. With the start they have had to 2009 it was only a matter of time before this was going to be done. I’m amazed more every day when I look at the production from the offense and the bottom half of the rotation that they are still in first place, and the manager deserves some credit. Now if he can only figure out how to get Maggs going and find a starting pitcher (maybe Miner?) to replace Dontrelle “Ball 4″ Willis, then I’ll be feeling alot better.

Read Tigers give Leyland two-year extension at MLB.com

One of my favorite fantasy football sites is DraftSharks and they have some interesting news about Lions WR Calvin Johnson and RB Kevin Smith. It’s never too early for fantasy football!

Lions WR Calvin Johnson may only have scratched the surface of his ability last season. The Detroit Free Press reports that Megatron had some nice things to say about the team’s new rookie QB. “Offense is looking good,” the young stud said. “[QB Matthew] Stafford’s doing a good job early… He throws a nice, tight spiral. Throws a hard ball. He has a big arm, so it’s nice to see that.” After seeing 5 different QBs in ’08, Calvin will look forward to some consistency at QB. He scored in 7 straight games with Dan Olrovsky at QB. Imagine what he’ll do with a better QB.

Lions RB Kevin Smith will have plenty of opportunity to have a big year. Mlive.com is reporting that the Lions have installed more power running plays for Smith under new OC Scott Linehan. The Lion offense was an inconsistent mess last year. Having a plan for Smith is a step in the right direction. A few of our writers are very high on this kid.

I for one am very excited about Kevin Smith in 2009, and it’s not just because my team is named “Kevin Smith Fan Club”. I think in a real offensive system, he can be a dominant back and really help take the pressure off whoever the starting quarterback is.