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Sayonara Salute #6: Eric Chavez
Are the Oakland Athletics the minor league affiliate for the New York Yankees? I'm just saying...
First, it was Jim "Catfish" Hunter in 1976. Soon after that... Reggie followed him (yeah... I know he played with the Orioles in 1976 before he joined the Yankees... but nobody cares about his tenure in the black and orange) in 1977. In the 80's... it was the greatest leadoff hitter in the history of the game... Mr. Rickey Henderson who ran off (actually he was traded) to wear the Yankee pinstripes. A decade and a half later... it happened again. While in his prime... the A's lost Jason Giambi to the Yankees.
Sometimes it's free agency... other times it's a trade... but most of the time it's just frustrating. I guess it's because I can't stand the Yankees. They're like the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Red Wings, and the Los Angeles Lakers (I love the Lakers though)... they're just fun to hate. All four of these teams are willing to dig deep into their pockets... so they're like magnets to superstars.
Well this time... I'm not upset. This weekend, I heard that Eric Chavez had signed a minor league contract with the Bronx Bombers. My first reaction was "Oh no! Not again!".
You see... for years I've been a Chavez supporter in the Bay Area community. A lot of fans lost their patience with him years ago... but not me. I'm a huge supporter of players who are loyal to the teams that drafted him... and remember his contributions at the plate and on the field earlier in his career.
He was the A's top hitter in 2004 and 2005 and averaged a little over 28 home runs per season from 2000 to 2006. During that seven year stretch, he had a .273 batting average and earned himself six Gold Gloves for his superior play at the hot corner.
Unfortunately... Chavez has only played in 164 total games during the past four seasons due to injuries. The A's paid him over 40 million dollars for those four years of service, which is why some fans have become frustrated when Chavez's name comes up.
For me... it's a little different. I have mixed emotions on the topic. I'm sad to see a life long Athletic leave the team... but on the flipside... maybe this is what he needs to jumpstart his nearly "dead" career.
So... here's my sayonara salute to Mr. Chavez. I wish I could say "best of luck", but I'd be lying. I hate the Yankees and will never cheer for them. But... I do want to thank you for your services as an Oakland Athletic. You will be missed.
Today's question of the day is...
Did you know that Reggie Jackson once played for the Baltimore Orioles?
I actually found out this little piece of trivia from this baseball card in the late 80's.
I was alive and watching baseball back in 1976, but I guess I was a little too young to remember his limited days as an Oriole.
One day left until the weekend... have a happy Friday!
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