It was game six of the 2021 World Series and the Braves were about to eliminate the Astros. Already leading by a score of 5-0, shortstop Dansby Swanson eliminated any hope the Astros had by hitting a 2-run home run.
I had a dark flashback: I live in Arizona and cheer for the home town Diamondbacks. It was just a few years ago that Swanson was a Diamondback. He wasn’t just a player, he was the number one pick of the whole 2015 draft. He could be the future of the franchise.
However, in December 2015, my team traded him and centerfielder Ender Inciarte, plus two others, to the Braves for Shelby Miller.
Now my dark flashback is becoming legitimate pain.
Inciarte won three gold gloves, made the 2017 All-Star team, and got 200 hits. Although injured, the Braves rewarded him with a World Series ring. Dansby was the main shortstop on the World Series-winning team
Now the pain might be changing to a blood flow.
Shelby Miller. In three seasons he pitched only 29 games. He had a record of 5 wins and 16 losses. If he could pitch 9 innings (he never did) statistics show he would have allowed about 7 runs in those innings.
This is the pain of Swing Badder. Every team in baseball has picked up a player, paid too much, and received poor results. It is the most common complaint of baseball fans.
Here is your chance to look at teams who gave up a lot and got little in return. Every day you can see five players and vote who was the biggest disappointment. Every day five new tragedies will appear. If the player is unfamiliar to you click on “deep dive” and read the story. Some will make you laugh. Some will bring back pain if it is your team. All will make you shake your head in amazement.
Take a few minutes, play the game and enjoy.