Worst Franchise Moves in Sports History?
frankhardy
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What is the worst franchise move in sports history? One might say "the hiring of Isaiah Thomas". After thinking about it, I believe it comes down to two (unless you can think of more that have slipped my mind.
Here is what I believ are the two worst franchise moves in sports history - (drum roll)....
Red Sox giving up Babe Ruth.
Portland or Houston not drafting Michael Jordan in 1984.
Here is what I believ are the two worst franchise moves in sports history - (drum roll)....
Red Sox giving up Babe Ruth.
Portland or Houston not drafting Michael Jordan in 1984.
Shane
0
Comments
How about
Mets draft Steve Chilcott #1, Oakland takes Reggie Jackson #2 1966
Rangers draft David Clyde (and subsequently ruin his career by throwing him in the majors) over Robin Yount and Dave Winfield 1973
Worst franchise move though I think didn't involve a player--Detroit Lions hire Matt Millen as GM
Forget blocking him; find out where he lives and go punch him in the nuts. --WalterSobchak 9/12/12
Looking for Al Hrabosky and any OPC Dave Campbells (the ESPN guy)
Unique Chicago Cards
Wrestling Cards
Jermaine Dye for Neifi Perez
Carlos Beltran for Mark Teahan/John Buck
Giving Angel Berroa a contract extension to be the worst all around player in baseball
Not trading Mike Sweeney to the Angels last year for anyone at all who could be playing right now
Or you can just sum it all up with selling the Royals to David Glass and letting his incompetent son run the team.
<< <i>Portland or Houston not drafting Michael Jordan in 1984. >>
We ended up drafting Hakeem (then Akeem) Olajuwon. Some career highlights:
<< <i>Selected in 1996 as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History
Is one of only eight players in NBA history with over 20,000 points and 12,000 rebounds in his career
Is the NBA s all-time leader with 3,830 career blocked shots
Passed Oscar Robertson for seventh on the NBA’s all-time scoring list 12/16/02 vs. Washington with his 26,711th point
Passed Oscar Robertson for ninth on the NBA all-time minutes played list 3/7/02 at Dallas with 43,886 minutes
Named 1993-94 NBA MVP in 1994 and NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1992-93 and 1993-94
Named to the All-NBA First Team six times (1986-87 to 1988-99, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1996-97), the All-NBA Second Team three times (1985-86, 1989-90, 1995-96) and the All-NBA Third Team three times (1990-91, 1994-95, 1998-99)
Named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team five times (1986-87, 1987-88, 1989-90, 1992-93, 1993-94) and the All-Defensive Second Team four times (1984-85, 1990-91, 1995-96, 1996-97)
A member of the Houston Rockets' 1994 and 1995 back-to-back NBA champion teams, earning Finals MVP honors both seasons, and also appeared in the 1986 NBA Finals
Has appeared in 145 career NBA Playoff games, averaging 25.9 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 3.2 apg, 3.26 bpg and 1.69 spg
Has played in 12 NBA All-Star Games (1985-1990, 1992-1997), starting 8 times and averaging 9.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg and 1.92 bpg
Led the NBA in blocked shots twice (1989-90, 1992-93) and in rebounds twice (1988-89, 1989-90)
Received the NBA Sportsmanship Award for the Midwest Division in 1999-2000
Scored his 25,000th career point, recording a game-high 32 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists and 3 blocked shots, against the Utah Jazz on 4/1/99
Blocked his 3,500th career shot, registering a team-high 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocked shots, in an 84-75 win over the Denver Nuggets on 3/9/99
Became the first player in NBA history to accumulate both 2,000 blocks and 2,000 steals with a steal against Seattle on 11/20/99
Closed the 1997-98 season as the Rockets' all-time franchise leader in points, rebounds (12,199), blocked shots, steals (1,895) and ranks 3rd in assists (2,771)
Scored his 24,000th career point, recording 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, against the Minnesota Timberwolves on 2/26/98
Played in his 1,000th career game, posting 19 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocked shots, against the Washington Wizards on 2/24/98
Notched his 14th career triple-double, with 22 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists, against the L.A. Clippers on 3/4/97
Shares the NBA Playoffs record for most blocks in a game with 10 against the L.A. Lakers in Game 2 of the 1990 Western Conference first round
Recorded the third quadruple-double in NBA history, with 18 points, 16 rebounds, 11 blocked shots and 10 assists, against the Milwaukee Bucks on 3/29/90
Shares the NBA Finals record for most blocks in a game with 8 against the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the 1986 NBA Finals
Named to the 1984-85 NBA All-Rookie Team, was runner-up in the Rookie of the Year voting after averaging 20.6 ppg, 11.9 rpg and 2.68 bpg >>
Uh, yeah... Terrible move.
It certainly is. The Detroit Lions (along with a number of other teams) passing on Dan Marino when
they had a chance to draft him.
It wasn't that bad of a deal. I mean Herschel was here for 2 + seasons, rushed for 2264 yards while he was a Viking. Those draft pickers were overrated.
Penguins won 2 Stanley Cups, the Whalers moved to NASCAR country!
The Cubs trading a 25 year old kid named Lou Brock for 3 guys who played a combined 261 games for the Cubs and none of which were on the team after 2 seasons.
My Auctions
Forget blocking him; find out where he lives and go punch him in the nuts. --WalterSobchak 9/12/12
Looking for Al Hrabosky and any OPC Dave Campbells (the ESPN guy)
Has anyone been involved in more lopsided trades than Curt Schilling?
Red Sox traded Schilling and Brady Anderson to Baltimore for Mike Boddicker (Boddicker did go 39-22 for the BoSox over 2 1/2 seasons)
Baltimore traded Schilling, Steve Finley and Pete Harnish to Houston for Glenn Davis (Davis played in 175 games over 3 seasons for Baltimore)
Houston traded Schilling to Philadelphia for Jason Grimsley
Philadelphia traded Schilling to Arizona for Omar Daal, Nelson Figeuroa, Travis Lee and Vicente Padilla
Arizona traded Schilling to Boston for Casey Fossum, Brandon Lyon, Jorge De la Rosa, and Michael Goss
Forget blocking him; find out where he lives and go punch him in the nuts. --WalterSobchak 9/12/12
Looking for Al Hrabosky and any OPC Dave Campbells (the ESPN guy)
JS
1) In 1986 Vancouver Canucks trade Cam Neely and a first round pick (Glen Wesley) to Boston for Barry Pederson. Neely is now in the HOF and Wesley has played over 1300 games in the NHL (currently in the Eastern Conference final with Carolina). Pedersen had two solid, if unspectacular, seasons with the Canucks but was rendered ineffective after that due to injuries, and he was out of the league by the end of the 91-92 season.
2) Vancouver Grizzlies hire Stu Jackson as General Manager. Jackson made one bone-headed move after another:
signing Bryant "Big Country" Reeves to a huge multi-year contract
passing over future stars such as Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant , Jermaine O'Neal, and a local kid by the name of Steve Nash (he turned out pretty well) in favour of Shareef Abdur-Rahim
later turning down an offer of Nash straight up for the #4 overall pick in '97
using that #4 pick in '97 to draft Antonio Daniels, passing over Tracy McGrady in the process
drafting Mike Bibby instead of Vince Carter or Dirk Nowitski
drafting Steve Francis despite Francis' public objections prior to the draft
I have no doubts that had "Stooge" not been allowed to mismanage the Grizz into the ground, Vancouver would still have an NBA team. That the crowds still filled the arena year after losing year is a testament to what a solid basketball market it really is.Forget blocking him; find out where he lives and go punch him in the nuts. --WalterSobchak 9/12/12
Looking for Al Hrabosky and any OPC Dave Campbells (the ESPN guy)
QB Dan Marino
RB Bo Jackson
RB Tony Dorsett
RB Earl Campbell
WR Jerry Rice
OUCH
JS
<< <i>The Bucs could of had this team line up in 1987 had they played their cards right:
QB Dan Marino
RB Bo Jackson
RB Tony Dorsett
RB Earl Campbell
WR Jerry Rice
OUCH
JS >>
Thank God those guys went on to have successful careers and didn't have to suffer "The Curse of the Creamsicle Uni."
JS
<< <i>
<< <i>Portland or Houston not drafting Michael Jordan in 1984. >>
We ended up drafting Hakeem (then Akeem) Olajuwon. Some career highlights:
<< <i>Selected in 1996 as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History
Is one of only eight players in NBA history with over 20,000 points and 12,000 rebounds in his career
Is the NBA s all-time leader with 3,830 career blocked shots
Passed Oscar Robertson for seventh on the NBA’s all-time scoring list 12/16/02 vs. Washington with his 26,711th point
Passed Oscar Robertson for ninth on the NBA all-time minutes played list 3/7/02 at Dallas with 43,886 minutes
Named 1993-94 NBA MVP in 1994 and NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1992-93 and 1993-94
Named to the All-NBA First Team six times (1986-87 to 1988-99, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1996-97), the All-NBA Second Team three times (1985-86, 1989-90, 1995-96) and the All-NBA Third Team three times (1990-91, 1994-95, 1998-99)
Named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team five times (1986-87, 1987-88, 1989-90, 1992-93, 1993-94) and the All-Defensive Second Team four times (1984-85, 1990-91, 1995-96, 1996-97)
A member of the Houston Rockets' 1994 and 1995 back-to-back NBA champion teams, earning Finals MVP honors both seasons, and also appeared in the 1986 NBA Finals
Has appeared in 145 career NBA Playoff games, averaging 25.9 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 3.2 apg, 3.26 bpg and 1.69 spg
Has played in 12 NBA All-Star Games (1985-1990, 1992-1997), starting 8 times and averaging 9.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg and 1.92 bpg
Led the NBA in blocked shots twice (1989-90, 1992-93) and in rebounds twice (1988-89, 1989-90)
Received the NBA Sportsmanship Award for the Midwest Division in 1999-2000
Scored his 25,000th career point, recording a game-high 32 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists and 3 blocked shots, against the Utah Jazz on 4/1/99
Blocked his 3,500th career shot, registering a team-high 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocked shots, in an 84-75 win over the Denver Nuggets on 3/9/99
Became the first player in NBA history to accumulate both 2,000 blocks and 2,000 steals with a steal against Seattle on 11/20/99
Closed the 1997-98 season as the Rockets' all-time franchise leader in points, rebounds (12,199), blocked shots, steals (1,895) and ranks 3rd in assists (2,771)
Scored his 24,000th career point, recording 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, against the Minnesota Timberwolves on 2/26/98
Played in his 1,000th career game, posting 19 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocked shots, against the Washington Wizards on 2/24/98
Notched his 14th career triple-double, with 22 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists, against the L.A. Clippers on 3/4/97
Shares the NBA Playoffs record for most blocks in a game with 10 against the L.A. Lakers in Game 2 of the 1990 Western Conference first round
Recorded the third quadruple-double in NBA history, with 18 points, 16 rebounds, 11 blocked shots and 10 assists, against the Milwaukee Bucks on 3/29/90
Shares the NBA Finals record for most blocks in a game with 8 against the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the 1986 NBA Finals
Named to the 1984-85 NBA All-Rookie Team, was runner-up in the Rookie of the Year voting after averaging 20.6 ppg, 11.9 rpg and 2.68 bpg >>
Uh, yeah... Terrible move. >>
Although Olajuwon was a great HOF'er, are you telling me that you would rather have had him than MJ? Even though that list of the accomplishmenst of Olajuwon is long, I would set a record for the longest post if I listed Michael Jordan's accomplishments. It would dwarf that list.
Shane
1. The Cubs sold to the Wrigley Family
2. The Cubs sold to the Tribune Company from the Wrigley Family.
Worst moves evar......
/OK, I'm ticked and it shows
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then doing it again 8 years? later.
Steve
Michael Young to Texas for Esteban Loiza
<< <i>IMO.........MLB putting a team In seattle back in 69.
then doing it again 8 years? later.
Steve >>
You're missing Axtell tonight, huh? Trying to bait him out of the OF I guess.
<< <i>Although Olajuwon was a great HOF'er, are you telling me that you would rather have had him than MJ? Even though that list of the accomplishmenst of Olajuwon is long, I would set a record for the longest post if I listed Michael Jordan's accomplishments. It would dwarf that list. >>
I never said that... I'm saying taking Hakeem over Jordan, at the time and based upon what Dream did during his career, should not be considered one of the "Worst Franchise Moves in Sports History". Considering the numerous blunders before and since; the Rockets taking Dream is not even in the top 10.
I would consider the 1998 NBA Draft with the Rockets taking THREE 1st round picks Dickerson (#14), Drew (#16), AND Turkan (#18) over home-grown Rashard Lewis (#32) a "Worst Franchise Moves in Sports History" over Dream going before Jordan without even blinking.
Edited to add 1998 Draft board here.
<< <i>
<< <i>IMO.........MLB putting a team In seattle back in 69.
then doing it again 8 years? later.
Steve >>
You're missing Axtell tonight, huh? Trying to bait him out of the OF I guess.
He's got a man crush.
It's pathetic that he devotes so much time and attention to someone who he swore he was going to ignore not even a week ago.
not sure what you mean. I simply gave my opinion on what i felt was the worst franchise moves. If Axtell (and you) want to think that every post i make revolves around him that is your problem.
Steve
Your attempts to play the 'who me?!' card are beyond pathetic.
Either man up and say 'yes, I am trying to get digs in on Ax' or shut the f**k up about the Mariners, ok?
<< <i>
<< <i>Although Olajuwon was a great HOF'er, are you telling me that you would rather have had him than MJ? Even though that list of the accomplishmenst of Olajuwon is long, I would set a record for the longest post if I listed Michael Jordan's accomplishments. It would dwarf that list. >>
I never said that... I'm saying taking Hakeem over Jordan, at the time and based upon what Dream did during his career, should not be considered one of the "Worst Franchise Moves in Sports History". Considering the numerous blunders before and since; the Rockets taking Dream is not even in the top 10.
I would consider the 1998 NBA Draft with the Rockets taking THREE 1st round picks Dickerson (#14), Drew (#16), AND Turkan (#18) over home-grown Rashard Lewis (#32) a "Worst Franchise Moves in Sports History" over Dream going before Jordan without even blinking.
Edited to add 1998 Draft board here. >>
I see what you are saying. I might have to agree that it wasn't the worst move in the world. But Portland's pick sure was.
Shane
looks like I must have hit a raw nerve,
fwiw (for those that did not know) the seattle team in 69 was called the pilots. they sucked too. They were moved to milwaukee where they produced some fine players, that actually stayed with the team. Molitor, Yount etc. What has the most recent entry produced? I'll tell ya, guys that can't wait to get the heck out. Too much losing. heck even the one year they were the bomb they got blasted out of the water by the big bad Yankees.
and also fwiw, I will speak about the lowest franchise (IMO) seattle all i want.
Someone needs to, as it is obvious we have too much talk about large market teams. The lowly mariners should get some time here as well.
GOD knows the resident so called fan that they have here never speaks up about them. How can he? They suck. They are an imaginary team for lil boys that will never grow up.
have a great safe weekend guys!
Steve
Dodgers leave Clemente exposed in the minor league draft, I believe the Pirates paid $100 for him. Didn't hurt the Dodgers much, they were pretty darn good in the 50s, winning 5 pennants and 2 w/s.
Mets trade P Nolan Ryan to Angels for SS Jim Fregosi because they needed a 3B. Fregosi didn't do well at 3B but the Mets went to the world series in 73, but they were pretty bad for a while after that and it's hard to imagine Ryan and Seaver back to back.
<< <i>LOL
looks like I must have hit a raw nerve,
>>
No, your nonstop babbling just grows tiresome. You are a petulant child who obviously wasn't hugged enough as a youngster, so you take your aggression out here. It's quite an interesting study in human psychology.
<< <i>fwiw (for those that did not know) the seattle team in 69 was called the pilots. they sucked too. They were moved to milwaukee where they produced some fine players, that actually stayed with the team. Molitor, Yount etc. What has the most recent entry produced? I'll tell ya, guys that can't wait to get the heck out. Too much losing. heck even the one year they were the bomb they got blasted out of the water by the big bad Yankees. >>
And you think that if Molitor or Yount were offered $252 million they would have stayed? No. Quit talking about things you have NO idea about (oh wait, that would be everything - you are completely clueless).
<< <i>and also fwiw, I will speak about the lowest franchise (IMO) seattle all i want.
Someone needs to, as it is obvious we have too much talk about large market teams. The lowly mariners should get some time here as well.
GOD knows the resident so called fan that they have here never speaks up about them. How can he? They suck. They are an imaginary team for lil boys that will never grow up.
>>
Imaginary team? Is that your pathetic little dig at my signature line? Last time I checked, there was an actual team with 'Mariners' on the unis. Or do things not exist outside the narrow little NY world you've carved for yourself? No wonder you think huge disparities in payroll are good for baseball, it's a huge plus for the team's you supposedly 'root' for.
What's funniest about all this? Which team holds the MLB record for most losses in a season?
Not the Pilots, not the Mariners. Yep, it's your 'mighty' Mets.
Steve
Not the Pilots, not the Mariners. Yep, it's your 'mighty' Mets.
WRONG
Clvlnd CLV 20 134 .130 84.0
Boy do you ever get anything right?
Sad being as stupid as you.
I'd pick apart more of what you said but it is getting tiresome.
Steve
How about the Expos trading Randy Johnson AND 2 other players to the Mariners for Mark Langston in 1989--Langston left for more money the year after and a few years later Randy became the talk of the baseball world--pathetic!
Jay
The Habs deal Rod Langway, Brian Engblom, Craig Laughlin and Doug Jarvis to Washington for Ryan Walter and Rick Green.
You should not complain too much though. After each pathetic trade the Habs went on to win the Stanley Cup.
The Langston-Johnson deal is ironic. The one time the small market Expos deal for the present and give up some future it turns out to be terrible.
frankhardy - You should not be too hard on Portland. In hindsight they look pathetic but at the time they already had Clyde Drexler, and very few teams at that point ever won a title without a HOF center. Their mistake was probably taking Bowie over Olajuwan considering they were taking a center anyway. Also, Michael knew before he declared for the draft he was going to either Houston or Chicago so I am not 100 % certain he would have declared if he knew Portland was going to take him.
St. Louis Cardinals Football team!
<< <i>WP-
Your attempts to play the 'who me?!' card are beyond pathetic.
Either man up and say 'yes, I am trying to get digs in on Ax' or shut the f**k up about the Mariners, ok? >>
Come on, WP -- Seattle is a good size market for any major league sports team. They ponied up for the kick-ass ballpark as well.
<< <i>Isn't hindsight a wonderful thing?
It certainly is. The Detroit Lions (along with a number of other teams) passing on Dan Marino when
they had a chance to draft him. >>
The best thing for Marino was that the Lions did pass on him, they would have screwed him up as they have every single QB that has come down the pike!!!!
Moving the Dodgers to LA
2nd worse was moving the Raiders to LA
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
He won the mvp in both leagues.
Steve
#1. Calvin Griffith, Twins owner, decides he doesn't believe in free agency and paying players what turns out to be nominal money (even back then) and lets go of the following players over a 2 year period:
1. Bert Blyleven (traded 1976 to Rangers for Roy Smalley, Bill Singer, Mike Cubbage, and Jim Gideon PLUS $250K in cash --- not that bad a deal)
2. Larry Hisle (free agent after 1977 to Brewers)
3. Lyman Bostock (free agent after 1977 to Angels)
4. Bill Campbell (free agent after 1976 to Red Sox)
5. Dan Ford (traded after 1978 to Angels for Danny Goodwin, and Ron Jackson)
6. Rod Carew (traded after 1978 to Angels for Ken Landreux, Dave Engle, Paul Hartzell and Brad Havens)
7. Dave Goltz (free agent after 1979)
#2 Norm Green, North Stars owner, snowballs the Minnesota public en route to Dallas while changing the jerseys from North Stars to Stars and poof...gone!
#3 Herschel Walker trade (a bad move all the way around. Had only 1 great game, his first one).
#4 Minnesota Gophers football, Twins and Vikings move into the Metrodome
#5 Minneapolis Lakers move to L.A.
Erik
You are right... my mistake... I meant to say MVP. The NL has not had a triple crown winner since 1937...
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.