How The Big Unit Helped The White Sox Clinch The World Series

O'k, this blog entry might have a little more razzle than dazzle to it, but if you follow me back along the baseball time continuum then you'll see how the Houston Astros' acquisition of Randy Johnson seven years ago ironically led to the White Sox clinching the 2005 World Series against them. When the Astros traded for Randy Johnson during the 1998 season, it was hailed as a great trade for the 'Stros. It certainly helped them make the playoffs that year. Of course, it ended up being a half-season rental as the Big Unit signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks the next season. But, this is why you never rate a trade involving prospects until the returns are all counted. Well, two of the three players the Astros traded to acquire Johnson have certainly made the deal look less great. Freddy Garcia came back to bite them in the you know what--- clinching the 2005 World Series for the White Sox by pitching seven shutout innings in Game 4. The other main man in the deal, Carlos Guillen has turned out to be an All-Star shortstop for the Detroit Tigers. In all fairness, the real loser in all this appears to be the Seattle Mariners. At least the Astros made the playoffs in 1998 because of the Big Unit. The Mariners net returns to date for trading the Big Unit are, backup infielders Michael Morse (steroid user and part of the 2004 deal with the White Sox for Freddy Garcia) and Ramon Santiago (part of the 2004 deal with Detroit for Carlos Guillen); backup minor league third baseman Juan M. Gonzalez (part of the 2004 deal with Detroit for Carlos Guillen); and outfielder Jeremy Reed (part of 2004 deal with the White Sox for Freddy Garcia). Pitcher John Halama (the third player Houston dealt for Randy Johnson) gave Seattle four mediocre years in the bullpen before leaving as a free agent in 2003. It's highly likely that only Morse and Reed will be on the Major League roster for the start of the 2006 season. Unless Reed reaches his full potential and turns out to be another Grady Sizemore like player, you would have to give Mariner GM Bill Bavasi an F for his bungling the booty from the Randy deal. One conciliatory note for Bavasi--- At least for this Mets' fan, no matter how bad your bungling was, you will never replace Mets' GM Joe McDonald as the ultimate bungler.

• On June 15th, 1976 the Mets' GM Joe McDonald traded Tom Seaver to the Cincinnati Reds for pitcher Pat Zachry, second baseman Doug Flynn, and outfielders Steve Henderson and Dan Norman.

                                                                                                                       Carl the Cabbie