MONTREAL (AP)--Just when the Edmonton Oil Kings think they're comfortable atop their mighty throne, they hit a 6-game slide. The Hartford Whalers, 9 games back only a few weeks ago and all but giving up after trading Gary Sheffield and Ken Griffey, Jr., are now making a steady comeback (they've won 4 in a row).
The Hartford Whalers are back in the race, but they're management made some irrational decisions, mainly due to a lack patience.
In late June, the Whalers were losing game after game, 8 in a row at one point. Rather than stopping the bleeding by moving around the lineup or making a good move, he hurt the team further by dealling away probably the core of the staff, Gary Sheffield, Rafael Palmeiro and Ken Griffey, Jr. Earlier in the season, Kevin Brown and Greg Maddux, two of some of the best pitchers in the league, were traded after suffering injuries that would put them out for most of the season.
Said owner Chrabascz, of the Sheffield and Griffey trades: "We're very sorry to see two players of such high caliber go but we're currently taking our team in a new direction. We're very excited about the young talent coming in, especially the draft picks."
On news of the trades, owner and GM of the Royals was shocked. "Until now, I highly respected the Hartford franchise. But now I wonder, after this series of events, if he's not just a little trigger happy. Reacting too violently to events can have adverse effects. The fans reacted negatively after the trades, and that can't be good for any team."
"Last year, we didn't give up even after being 8 games out of first in July and having to face two very strong teams, Deadwood and Hartford. And, not surprisingly, the slide was only temporary. If they still had their players, they might have had a chance to rival Edmonton."
"We may not BE the Florida Marlins but we sure are starting to feel like it," said Chrabascz.
But one difference: The Marlins at least didn't give up DURING the season. The Whalers are starting to resemble the Chicago White Sox a la Jerry Reisendorf.
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Right now, every win counts in the McCoy division with the Whalers, Outlaws and Royals right on the heels of Edmonton.
