Time for a new feature at MLB Fleece Factor, called Great Moments in Fleece History. Here, we will celebrate the truly historic fleeces. You know, the ones that make or break a GM’s career, and give us good fodder for years. Hall of Fame Fleeces, if you will. The infamous Jeff Bagwell Trade will kick it off.
The Date: August 30, 1990
The General Managers: Houston’s Bill Wood (The Fleecer) and Boston’s Lou Gorman (The Fleecee).
The Fleece: The Boston Red Sox acquire relief pitcher Larry Anderson from the Houston Astros for 3rd base prospect Jeff Bagwell.
The Result: Anderson did help the Red Sox sew up the American League East that year but Boston was then swept in the American League Championship Series by the Oakland Athletics. Anderson’s Sox career only lasted that year.
Jeff Bagwell, meanwhile, went on to become the Houston Astros career leader in homeruns (449) , RBI’s (1,529) and walks (1,401). His 15 year career batting average was .297 and his career OBP was over .400. Bagwell won the NL Rookie of the Year in 1991, NL MVP in 1994, a Glove in 1994, Silver Slugger Awards in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1999. He drove in 100 or more runs eight times, played four different seasons without missing a game and was a 30 homer-30 steal man twice.
It was one of the greatest fleeces of all time.
Filed under: *Great Moments in Fleece History, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros
… and you think this is worse than the Jim Fregosi for Nolan Ryan trade?
As a result of that trade, no Met pitcher will EVER toss a no-hitter.
Don’t fret…that trade is on my list for a future write up.