Each year fans have to deal with the possibility of their favorite players on their favorite teams being traded. I've dealt with my share of heartache... and although I might be used to it... I'm not going to lie... it still sucks. Some are more painful than others... but it seems like the first time and the most recent hurt the most.
1984 - Rickey Henderson traded by the Oakland A's to the New York Yankees.
1992 - Jose Canseco traded by the Oakland A's to the Texas Rangers
1993 - Rickey Henderson traded by the Oakland A's (AGAIN) to the Toronto Blue Jays.
1996 - Tim Hardaway traded by the Golden State Warriors to the Miami Heat.
1997 - Mark McGwire traded by the Oakland A's to the St. Louis Cardinals
1998 - Nick Van Exel traded by the Los Angeles Lakers to the Denver Nuggets.
1999 - Eddie Jones traded by the Los Angeles Lakers to the Charlotte Hornets.
2000 - Joey Galloway traded by the Seattle Seahawks to the Dallas Cowboys.
2001 - Jeff Friesen traded by the San Jose Sharks to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
2004 - Shaquille O'Neal traded by the Los Angeles Lakers to the Miami Heat.
2008 - Brett Favre traded by the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets.
2010 - Adrian Gonzalez traded by the San Diego Padres to the Boston Red Sox.
And now we can add this one to the list:
2011 - Devin Setoguchi traded by the San Jose Sharks to the Minnesota Wild.
After Jeff Friesen was traded in 2001... it seemed natural that Patrick Marleau would take his spot as my favorite San Jose Shark. Both Friesen and Marleau were solid players and at the same time humble fan favorites.
Then in 2007, a 20 year old half Japanese guy suited up and scored 2 goals in the 2007-08 season opener and his first regular season game as a San Jose Shark. He went on to score 7 goals and 1 assist in his first nine games as a Shark. And from that moment forward... I had a new favorite player: Devin Setoguchi.
Now... I know this sounds bad... like I dropped Marleau like a bad habit. Okay... before I continue on about Seto... let me just say this: I've never stopped liking Patty. When many San Jose fans started saying Marleau should be traded... I always stood by him and said he's one of the leaders on the team and I hope he stays a Shark for life.
But let's face the facts... there just aren't a lot of hockey players who are Japanese. And the handful of players who are don't play for the Sharks. Plus... Setoguchi fit the perfect hobby image for me. He was good, but not great. Which meant that he was readily available, but affordable. Plus he was exciting to watch... when he was on his game.
Unfortunately... he was also very inconsistent... know for his goal scoring streaks... and sadly... his goal scoring droughts. Which is why his name has been in trade rumors for the past two seasons.
Then... two days ago he signed a three year contract extension, which definitely brought a smile to my face. I figured the Sharks were happy with his playoff performance that included 7 goals (two were overtime winners).
Sadly... this was just a tease... because Seto was traded yesterday to the Minnesota Wild for blueliner Brent Burns. The Sharks definitely needed a solid blueliner and Burns is just that. So as a fan of the San Jose Sharks, I understand why they did it.
But as a fan of Devin Setoguchi... this has seriously bummed me out.
So here is today's question of the day:
Have you ever been bummed out, because your favorite team traded your favorite player?
If so... who was it? Do you still collect him/her?
By the way... I'll still be collecting Setoguchi. If there's something positive to come out of this trade... it's the fact there'll be Sharks fans dumping their Setoguchi cards at blowout prices.
So here's my sayonara salute to #16. I wish you the best of luck in Minnesota and will be cheering you on anytime you're not suiting up against the Sharks.
Have a great weekend everyone! Sayonara!
15 comments:
The New York Yankess don't generally trade away good players, they leave because of free agency. Seeing Hideki Matsui leave for the Angels was hard. No question, I've tapered off collecting him.
Worst trade was probably involving Jose Contreras but it's not like loosing a star player.
I've never really had a favorite player traded, but it was pretty crappy when Johnny Damon went from the Red Sox to the Yankees. I figured he might go, but Yankees? Damn man.
I was a little sad when Joe Johnson was traded by the Celtics during his rookie year though. I knew he was gonna be damn good, but we were terrible so they tried to make something happen. Can only imagine how good he would've been with the Celts.
I think when Canseco left Oakland it was for the best. At that point he had been on a downward slide. Though he did have a good year or two after leaving the Bay. But first he had to take a ball off his head and throw out his arm while pitching.
When I was rooting for the Braves, I was shocked at how many great prospects were just dealt away to other teams for what seemed to be old has-beens. I can't pick any particular player, because I never had a chance to grow attached to them. Seeing Rickey leave Oakland sucked, though.
Mike Piazza was my favorite player growing up. I was royally pissed when the Dodgers traded him.
Part of me has never forgiven them.
I still grab cheap Piazza cards when I can. Just not hits, because they're really not that cheap. Occasionally I can trade for one though, which is always a welcome occasion.
oh man, where to begin...
Dale Murphy
John Smoltz
Greg Maddux
Tom Glavine
Yunel Escobar
Adam LaRoche
Patrick Roy
Claude Lemieux
Stephane Richer
Lyle Odelein
I could go on.... sports has changed...
Let me count the ways.
The absolute worst, though not by trade, was seeing Dwight Evans play for a season in Baltimore. Dewey was my first favorite player in any sport and being just 15 or so at the time, it was tough to take. I still collect Evans' cards and enjoy seeing him pop up in new sets.
The worst trade was probably seeing Dee Brown get traded with Chauncey Billups by franchise destroyer Rick Pitino. Dee was one of the few fun things left about the team once the Big Three retired and Reggie passed away. I don't collect Brown as much because I already had most of his base cards as a Celtic. I've picked up a few autos since then and am awaiting his first relic card.
I was putting together a pretty good Curtis Martin collection when he got traded to the Jets. That killed that collection because, well, it's the Jets. I still have all of the cards though. I stop collecting most Patriots when they leave. Guys like Willie McGinnest, Bledoe, etc.
Another tough loss was when "Big Al" Jefferson was traded to the Timberwolves as part of the Kevin Garnett deal. I'd do the deal again 10 times out of 10, but I'm a huge fan of Jefferson. I bought a ton of cards his rookie year which I still have and will set aside any new cards that I get of him, but I don't actively pursue his cards any longer.
There's probably more, but those are the biggest off of the top of my head.
I can echo Captain Cannuck. Dale Murphy, Tom Glavine, and Smoltzie were all hard for me. I do pick up some of their stuff though.
I don't colect him as it's soccer but,
Colin Hendry from Blackburn Rovers to Glawsgow Rangers,
He wasn't the best player in the world far from it, but he played the game old school!
With my fave team Blackburn being the Oakland A's of soccer, there's usually a big money transfer away every off season!
I was lucky, Cal Ripken was my hero growing up. I really didnt worry about him ever leaving. But I dont collect him anymore. Sold off the collection to help pay for a house/engagement ring/wedding.
I collected Brian Roberts for a while but gre bored. Orioles autographs are my passion now.
When you support a third level pro soccer cloub you know your best players will get transfered away.The worst were when Colchester United sold Lomano Lua Lua to Newcastle and Greg Halfors to Reading.Combined though it got the club $6 million to get the club through tough times.
Baseball wise was when Kazmir went to the Angels,although on refletion it was a good deal,but still tough to see your fav player in a new uniform.
I must say I was kind of bummed when the Phillies traded Cliff Lee, but so far, it's worked out pretty darned well for us!!
I was not a happy camper when I heard about this trade on Friday night. I don't like what we gave up for a one year guy and a pick next year.
The first person that came to mind was you when I heard Seto was gone. I wish him luck in MIN and Burns better show me something this season to justify what the Sharks gave up for him.
I'm with you on Rickey and Mcgwire...also Zito, Hudson and Mulder more recently.
But I'd say that the biggest disappointment for me was Vince Carter.
Sunday's post is up... which means comments are closed for this post. Thanks for all of the responses.
I'll have the contest updated within the hour. Happy Sunday everyone!
Baseball Nut - I'm glad Matsui eventually landed in Oakland... ironically... I'm wearing his shirt today.
SpastikMooss - I'm so glad the Celtics didn't keep JJ ;-)
Zakwin - It's amazing how expensive Piazza stuff is. I know he was one of the best during the height of his career... but I'm still a little shocked at his values.
Captain - I agree... sports has changed.
Offy - I'll always picture Evans as a Red Sox. I don't think I've seen him in an Orioles uniform... and that's a good thing.
Martyn - Might have to pull for the Rovers since you put it that way.
Kirk - I hear ya... I'm glad that Gwynn never left SD either. Love those players who spend their whole career with one team.
Mariner1 - I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping Burns is one of the key pieces to getting the Sharks to the finals next year.
Nathan - I was close to adding those three... but I already had so many A's on the list ;-)
I was bummed as a kid when Rod Carew left for the Angels. Since I only only collect Twins cards, I didn't technically stop collecting him, just not the ones where he's in an Angels uni.
word verification: mintwing
accept no EX-VGwing
Post a Comment