1975 — Pitcher Mel Stottlemyre, suffering from a torn rotator cuff, is given his unconditional release by the New York Yankees. He compiled a 164-139 record and a 2.97 ERA as well as 40 shutouts in an eleven-season major league career with the Yankees.

LOS ANGELES — Welcome to the 2025 epicenter of the baseball universe. The most talented team in baseball resides in Chavez Ravine, with the highest payroll in the game, the game’s biggest stars, the most lucrative TV contract, two World Series titles in the last five seasons and seriously threatens labor peace after the 2026 season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are a great team for a number of reasons, but the money the spend is only part of the equation.