What A Whiner!

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It was July 13, 2006, The Cincinnati Reds were 4 games out of first place in the Central Division of The National League. Rookie Reds GM, Wayne Krivsky wanted to make a splash. Krivsky feeling, and rightfully so, that The St. Louis Cardinals were in a down year, struggling, and could be caught for the lead.

The Reds Bullpen had struggled all season long, to help shore up that bullpen, Cincinnati had just acquired longtime Minnesota Closer, and then Seattle Setup man, Eddie Guardado. But, Guardado was now injured, and Krivsky panicked.


Washington Nationals General Manger, Jim Bowden, like a vulture circling his pray, swooped in and offered two of The Nationals better young arms--Rookie Lefthander Bill Bray and hard throwing righthander, Gary Majewski. Bray at times, had been lights out. Majewski had struggled most of the early part of the season. Never recovering from his early spring call to The World Baseball Classic for Team USA. Tex just didn't have it, looked worn out at times. But, anyone watching knew Majewski wasn't right. And, Gary did not back down from the criticism--admitting he was hurting.



Despite all the knowns, Wayne Krivsky still felt that both Bray and Majewski could help the Reds get over the top and made a BIG TRADE--with Washington. Not only were Bray and Majewski sent packing to Cincinnati, but also Starting Shortstop, Royce Clayton, Utility Man Brendan Harris and minor league pitcher, Daryl Thompson. In return--Jimbo picked up two everyday players--Rightfielder, Austin Kearns, Shortstop Felipe Lopez plus young righthander reliever, Ryan Wagner.

Almost to a man, everyone critiquing the swap gave The Nationals a BIG WIN. Bowden, many considered, fleeced his old team. The Cincinnati Press blasted the trade. The Reds Fans--hated the move-almost unanimously. Wayne Krivsky looked like a man, dooped, and the Reds faltered badly after the trade--playing 4 games under .500 the rest of the way, but, still finishing out of first by only 3.5 games in a weak division. Their problem really wasn't pitching now, Krivsky had given up a majority of their offense, by trading the popular, native son--Kearns. And, as bad as FLop can be in the field, Lopez does have some offensive prowess.


Majewski arrived on the scene in Cincinnati and absolutely fell apart. Blowing game after game, his ERA rising to 14.00, Gary was ridiculed by the Cincinnati Faithful. After 11 games on the mound for the Reds, Big Tex was placed on the Disabled List--the Reds continuing to limp in the standings. Wayne Krivsky, realizing the trade may well be a mistake, started to trash The Washington Nationals, in particular, Jim Bowden--claiming The Nats were never honest with them on Majewski's health condition. Gary had received a cortisone shot in his right shoulder, just before the early July--All Star Break and that shoulder had been bothering him since spring training.

Now, on most days, someone trashing Jimbo wouldn't draw much ire from me. But--Krivsky and The Reds are looking for a scapegoat for the Reds' GM's terrible mid-season move.

Cincinnati's Team Doctor, Tim Kremchek (also a Nats Medical Consultant), gave Majewski a clean bill of health in his physical, after the trade, despite their worries about his shoulder. Majewski told them he was fine. Jimbo claims all pertinent information and questions asked by Reds Medical Staff on Gary's condition before the trade, were answered.

Krivsky cried about the trade throughout the late summer and early fall. Gary would go on the DL, return in September--and return to his lights out ways of 2005. Finishing strong in 8 games with a superior ERA of 1.59.

Now--yesterday during the REDS Winter Fanfest and later to The Cincinnati Post, Krivsky says, once his lawyers get all the paperwork together, The Reds will file a grievance with The Commissioners Office in a effort to extract ONE ADDITIONAL PLAYER from Washington. But, in no way, does he want to rescind the trade.

That just ludicrous!!!

OK--So Wayne--let me get this straight. You made a trade last summer, that you thought would help give your team a championship. Your thinking was wrong and you actually destroyed your teams chemistry. Everybody in Cincinnati, who love the REDS--and I have no doubt, there are hundreds of thousands--ridiculed you for the past 5 months. Since you look like a fool, you want a mulligan, a do over?

With Majewski healthy now-and you readily admit, he's quite the talent--why don't we just replay the final 76 games of the season that were played after July 13, 2006? Would that also make you happy? Maybe then, we can trade Jose Vidro, then injured at the trading deadline, and unavailable to be unloaded by Jimbo. Or you can take Vidro and give us back--Majewski? Better yet, Jose Guillen is lost to us now--never was able to come back from all his injuries--Maybe we can send him back to that "PIECE OF GARBAGE" with The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim that Jose loves so much--retrieving Juan Rivera and Macer Izturis.

Wayne Krivsky--you lost, badly, you do look foolish--Live With It!!

Of course, Bud Selig, is the Commissioner of Baseball--I am sure Cadillac Bud would love to screw Our Washington Nationals once more. That SCARES ME!! BIG TIME!!