'Big Hurt' bids baseball farewell

Manny Ramirez has begun the next phase of his colourful and controversial career after he was officially introduced as the newest member of the Chicago White Sox.The 12-time all-star was claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers for the final month of the Major League Baseball playoff chase.Ramirez said he his still driven to win championships despite the fact the Dodgers were willing to give him up without getting anything in return.

The Texas Rangers drafted Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in the minor league version of baseball's Rule 5 draft, a move that was quickly dismissed by many as a silly publicity stunt. However, it is possible that both the Rangers and Wilson could benefit from Wilson returning to the diamond in two years.

After several months of rumors and speculation, Major League Baseball has officially announced that Alex Rodriguez has been suspended for 211 games due to his use and possession of performance enhancing substances and his attempts to “obstruct and frustrate” the Biogenesis investigation. The suspension will begin on Thursday unless Rodriguez files a grievance. In a show of great respect for the Major League Baseball Players Association, Commissioner Selig decided not to pursue a punishment for Rodriguez under Article XI A(1)(b) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka will need surgery to fix a torn right elbow ligament and at least a year of recovery to have any hope of resuming his Major League Baseball career.The Red Sox placed the Japanese ace on the disabled list and the operation is expected to take place in California later this week. The surgery requires another tendon to be transplanted in place of the one in his throwing arm."It's my first time to get an operation and all I can say is I'm very shocked when it comes to this result," Matsuzaka said through a translator.

The bat used by disgraced Major League Baseball player Pete Rose to get his final career hit has been auctioned for 158,000 dollars.Rose used the bat for hit No. 4,256 on August 14, 1986. His final hit, which was a single, stands as the major league record.The 34-inch, 32-ounce bat was auctioned online and drew just seven bids.Rose broke Ty Cobb's record with his 4,192nd hit on September 11, 1985, when he was with the Cincinnati Reds but he was banned from baseball in 1989 for betting on games involving the Reds.

Prince Fielder will attempt to defend his title tonight in Major League Baseball's home run derby against some of baseball's brightest young stars. Major League Baseball has put together a fun look back at each of tonight's eight contestants' first career home run. For a few it has been a while. Fielder hit the first of his 276 career home runs in 2005 and Michael Cuddyer's first home run came in 2001. But for others, like Bryce Harper and Chris Davis, the first career home run was much more recent...

Chris Davis hit his 37th home run of the season on Sunday and the Orioles and media outlets everywhere were quick to point out that Davis had tied the American League record for home runs before the All-Star break.