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It's December 26 -- Boxing Day -- and you (always) know what that means; we're just hours away from the announcement of the annual Andujar "YouNeverKnow" award. In the meantime, take a moment to look back at some of the 1,383 (!) threads posted here during 2004 and answer today's ....

Question of the Day: What are your favourite moments of Batter's Box '04? These may or may not be the same as your favourite moments of Blue Jays '04 or even Baseball '04. When you think Batter's Box this year, what comes to mind? The answer may be funny, a great line or a good story, or poignant, or otherwise memorable. Bauxites, over to you ...
Bob Elliott reports in today's Toronto Sun that Blue Jay opening day hero Doug Ault passed away on Wednesday December 22, 2004. We offer our condolences to his family.
Bauxites have spoken and the Andujar torch passes from ex-Jay Esteban Loaiza to Tribe All-Star Ronnie Belliard. Details follow.
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Question Of The Day: Anyone give or receive any baseball related gifts this holiday season?

Feel free to also use this thread as a Roundup, in the unlikely event that some piece of baseball news is released.
Be sure to participate in choosing the only completely original Batter's Box MLB-wide award -- the Andujar, also known as "the youneverknow." Meet the finalists, then go ahead and vote. It's in poll format, so it's easy -- about 150 of your fellow Bauxites have already cast ballots. Voting has been extended and will now conclude at midnight (Central time) tonight, Dec. 24; as always, the winner will be announced here on Da Box on Dec, 26 -- Boxing Day.
Batter's Box favourite Aaron "Named for Hank" Reynolds and his wife Vanessa were blessed with a baby boy early this morning. Further details will be forthcoming; the new parents have more important things to do right now.

I know I speak for all of us here at Batter's Box when I wish the entire Named for Hank family health and happiness for years to come.

Correction by Joe: Theodore was born late on the 23rd, not early on the 24th. An extra-early Christmas present!
Moises Alou signs with the Giants to play for his father. Feliz Navidad, Felipe.

Today's QOTD is:

Which extended family has had the most members in organized pro baseball (major and minor leagues) in North America? If you don't want to try the puzzler, then how about telling us about your favourite baseball family?

The Alous would have had at least 4, Jesus, Matty, Felipe and Moises, but I'll bet there is a family out with more.



I figure it'll be slow for news over the next few days, so hopefully this MYOR thread will suffice.
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Well, I was gonna ask him where he came from, when we heard the bullets fly
Comin’ through the brush, and all around our ears
It was then I saw this big marine light a fire in his eye
And it was strange, but suddenly, I forgot my fears
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At age 28, Alex Rodriguez had his least productive season (.286/.375/.512) since he was 21, and he was moved to third base to accommodate Derek Jeter. Still, the question about Alex is not whether he will be a Hall of Famer, but where he stands against the very best who have played the position.
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Anything interesting going on?
Rotoworld is reporting a trade between the Boston Red Sox and the San Diego Padres.

Dave Roberts, a fourth-outfielder type heads west. Jay Payton and his 3.5 million dollar salary (according to Dugout Dollars), infielder Ramon Vazquez, pitching prospect David Pauley and 2.65 million dollars (that's right for the "cash-strapped" Red Sox).

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Instead of using my own laziness as an excuse, I'm so cold that I can barely type. What's out there in Blue Jays news today?
Here's your Jay winter league report:
Puerto Rican League-Caguas
Rob Cosby- .263/.309/.434
Miguel Negron- .228/.365/.329

Venezuelan League
Zulia
Guillermo Quiroz- .245/.359/.491
Lara
Rodney Medina- .309/.377/.400
Oriente
Jorge Sequea- .241/.365/.443
Ismael Ramirez- 35.2 IP, 31 H, 9 W, 28K, 2 HR allowed, 4 HBP, 3.71 ERA, 5-1
As you may have read, the Jays were in the hunt for pitcher Matt Clement until the last minute. (Or maybe the fourth-last minute. Or maybe 11:07 or something.) The question: how much would Clement have helped the team had he been signed?
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