CBC-Sports

Pitching in the shadow of Roy

December 15, 2009 03:21 AM | Posted by   Elliotte Friedman  

One of the greatest things to cover in sports is baseball spring training. In February, we all know the brutality of a Canadian winter. Florida, where the Blue Jays and Expos were based, is an escape.

The first one I ever covered was in 1999 - spent a week at Blue Jays camp in Dunedin as the players reported, then drove across-state to Jupiter, a beautiful facility the Expos shared with the Cardinals.

One of the features I did was on Carl Pavano and Tony Armas, Jr. They were the pitchers Montreal acquired for Pedro Martinez.

Martinez was like Roy Halladay. Franchise cornerstone. Dominating pitcher. Despite his greatness, the team was going nowhere. As Martinez approached free agency, the organization needed to get something for him.

Sound familiar, Blue Jays fans?

The Jays' situation is nowhere near as bad financially. Unlike Montreal, Toronto could afford to keep Halladay, if he wanted to stay. But this is an emotional blow. It will take a long time for the franchise – and its fan base – to recover.

There is still some confusion about who the Blue Jays will be getting in return. It appears as if there will be at least one, maybe two, high-level prospects. Maybe that's reason for optimism.

Then I think back to that 1999 feature: Pavano and Armas.

I can still remember the expressions on their faces as I asked about being traded for Pedro. Pavano just looked weary. He was clearly tired of hearing about it, didn't want to deal with the question and gave a stock answer. Armas' eyes conveyed something else. Not fear, but worry. As in, "Is everyone going to expect me to replace this guy?"

Go through The Boston Globe's archives in the year leading up to the trade. "Pavano is the epitome of determination." "Pavano has picked up four m.p.h. on his fastball." "Carl Pavano is closer to being ready than anyone thought." Or, how about this one: "There is considerable pressure to sign Pedro because one year of Pedro doesn't equal six years of Carl Pavano unless the Red Sox win a World Series in 1998." Yikes!

Three months before Armas went to Montreal, the Red Sox got him from the Yankees for catcher Mike Stanley. Yankee GM Bob Watson told The New York Times, "We had about seven or eight names on that list of untouchables and this young man [Armas] was on that list ... But this shows you ... we are committed to winning."

It didn’t happen. It was almost unfair. They were burdened by The Shadow Of Pedro. Pavano had one good season in Montreal, but was moved to the Marlins after going 24-35 with a 4.83 ERA. Armas went 32-41, 4.21.

From the moment the Blue Jays' new prospects arrive, Halladay's legacy hangs over them, too. He is arguably the greatest player ever developed by the organization. (Tony Fernandez? Dave Stieb? Does George Bell count?)

The most ironic thing is that he'd have been the perfect mentor. He'd be the one to show them how to block out the pressure. He'd be the one to show them how to prepare, how you can lead by example every day. He'd be the one to show them how you can overcome failure (Remember his 10.64 ERA in 2000?). Losing that is as bad as losing Halladay's on-field performance. Who will guide them now?

This isn't intended to be a rip job on Alex Anthopoulos. He was in an impossible situation, with no leverage or power. He did the best job he could. If you're a Blue Jays fan, you have to hope and believe that the newcomers will reach their potential. But the guy they're replacing? He was one of the best.

" Previous Post | Main
  •