In 1982, the Phillies used Ryne Sandberg as a throw-in to deal with the Cubs. In 1964, they blew an enormous lead and lost the pennant. In 1993, the Phils left Mitch Williams out in the 9th inning to doom their only playoff team since Pete Rose and Steve Carlton donned the red pinstripes. Just this year, the Phillies lost their 10,000th game.
But the worst transgression happened in the 2001 amateur draft. After Joe Mauer and Mark Prior were taken, the Devil Rays did us a bigger favor than leaving Bobby Abreu unprotected in the Rule 5 Draft. The Rays took Dewon Brazelton, meaning that the Phillies were free to draft the player who would lead them to several championships. Mark Teixeira came to the Phillies on a silver platter, and has been nearly as-advertised with his powerful, switch-hitting stroke.
There is only one problem. The Phillies passed on Mark Teixeira and drafted Gavin Floyd instead. Actually, let me stress that entire sentence. The Phillies passed on Mark Teixeira and drafted Gavin Floyd instead.
Dear Pat Gillick,
Here is your chance to correct what is the single most egregious error in Philadelphia Phillies history. The Texas Rangers are desperate to trade Teixeira. In fact, they’re also looking to trade Eric Gagne, and you know our bullpen could use his arm.
For over twenty years, I have known the Phillies would choke. They always do. Either they’re really bad, or they’re just good enough for it to hurt that much more when they choke. This year, Pat Gillick, let’s shed the label. You even get to show initiative by putting Teixeira at third base, a position he has played in the Major Leagues and could easily play for us in 2007.
Here’s the trade. Rangers get:
Francisco Rosario
Kyle Drabek
Jose Mesa
Mike Zagurski
Kyle Kendrick
Phillies get:
Eric Gagne
Mark Teixeira
Come on Pat, let’s make this happen. Philadelphia needs a winner.
