Click here to view the embedded video.

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has agreed to terms with righthanded pitcher Joaquin Benoit on a three-year contract, a contract that runs through the 2013 season.

Benoit appeared in 63 games for the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2010 season, posting a 1-2 record, 1.34 ERA (60.1IP/9ER) and 75 strikeouts. He limited opponents to a .147 batting average (30×204), while he issued 11 walks.

“Joaquin is a solid addition to our bullpen,” Tigers President, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager David Dombrowski said. “One of our off-season goals was adding an established late inning arm to our bullpen and Joaquin has had success pitching in critical situations late in the game and he fits that role for our club.”

http://www.inplaymagazine.com/blogs.php?blog=Detroit-Tigers

DETROIT – The following are statements regarding Hall of Fame Manager Sparky Anderson:

The following statement is attributable to Michael Ilitch (Michael Ilitch owns the Detroit Tigers
and Michael and Marian Ilitch are co-owners of Little Caesars Pizza, the Detroit Red Wings,
Olympia Entertainment and several other businesses):
“The baseball world lost one of its best today with the passing of Sparky Anderson. Marian and I and our entire organization extend our condolences to Sparky’s family and friends. Those of us who had the privilege to know Sparky personally know how much he loved American’s favorite pastime and how proud he was to be associated with baseball. His success as a manager, both with the Detroit Tigers and the Cincinnati Reds, was about far more than wins and losses, it was about the character of the man. He cared about his players, he loved the fans and he put his heart and soul into the community. He will always be a favorite among Tigers fans and an important and memorable part of this incredible sports town.”

http://www.inplaymagazine.com/blogs.php?blog=Detroit-Tigers

http://www.inplaymagazine.com/broadcasts.php?audio_id=42

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has acquired lefthanded pitcher Jay Voss from the Florida Marlins in exchange for lefthanded pitcher Nate Robertson and cash considerations.

Voss, 22, split the 2009 season between Single A Jupiter and Double A Jacksonville for the Marlins. In 10 games with Jupiter, he compiled a 2.03 ERA (13.1IP/3ER) and 10 strikeouts. Voss posted a 3-0 record, 2.97 ERA (36.1IP/12ER) and 36 strikeouts in 30 appearances with Jacksonville.

CONTINUES

1971 Bernie Gera, a thirty-nine year old New York housewife, files a civil right suit against MLB after her contract to umpire in the New York-Penn League is voided after six days without an explanation.

1974 In Yuma, Arizona, Ron Bryant, a twenty-four game winner for the Giants last year, is hurt in a pool accident during spring training. The promising southpaw’s record will drop to 3-15 this season, and the Redlands, California native’s career will end in 1975 after a brief 0-1 stint with St. Louis.

1975 The Dodgers sign their once arch-nemesis Juan Marichal as a free agent. After two-regular season outings, that includes a loss to Cincinnati, the former San Francisco superstar and future Hall of Famer will retire in mid-April.

1977 In a nine-player spring training trade with Pittsburgh, the A’s send Phil Garner, Chris Batton and Tommy Helms to the Pirates for Tony Armas, Mitchell Page and four pitchers, including Doc Medich and Dave Giusti.

1999 The Yankees name Don Zimmer as the interim skipper of the club. The team’s bench coach will fill for Joe Torre, while the manager receives treatments for prostate cancer.

2000 In spring training action, Red Sox star Pedro Martinez and five relievers combined on a perfect exhibition game beating the Blue Jays, 5-0.

2008 In front of 12,224 fans, a near sellout at the new Olympic venue in Beijing, the Dodgers and the Padres played to a 3-3 tie in the first major league game ever to take place in mainland China. In the seventh inning, the crowd hears “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, but not knowing the lyrics just listen without singing.

2008 Five days after unilaterally renewing his contract for the upcoming season, the Pirates sign Ian Snell (9-12, 3.76) to three-year deal reported to be worth $8 million. The 26-year old right-hander, eligible for salary arbitration after 2009 season, has compiled a 24-26 record with the struggling ball club over the past three seasons.