PVBL: Hartford Whalers
Big Mac to Wear 3rd Uniform of Season
July 9, 1999

The Hartford Whalers did the unthinkable (again) tonight when they traded away the most prolific homerun hitter in PVBL history, Mark McGwire. McGwire will wear his third uniform of the season and of his career as he chases Higginson's EL HR record. This time Big Mac will be hitting alongside Jim Thome and Jeff Bagwell in Binghamton. Here's the breakdown...
To Binghamton:
1B Mark McGwire 
Season Stats:   .301 Avg    30 HR       67 RBI      30 BB
Career Stats:   .303 Avg    144 HR      327 RBI     164 BB

RHP Ramon Martinez  
Season Stats:   5.90 ERA    1-4 Record      OppAvg .320
Career Stats:   5.27 ERA    15-17 Record    OppAvg .297

To Hartford:
RHP Bobby Witt  
Season Stats:   3.96 ERA    9-5 Record      OppAvg .274
Career Stats:   3.21 ERA    35-13 Record    OppAvg .253

1st Round Free Agent Draft Pick     Potential: Unknown
2nd Round Free Agent Draft Pick     Potential: Unknown

Of the trade, Hartford GM Peter Gammons stated, "It hurts to unload such an incredible talent in Big Mac but we had to think about our pitching staff and our future. Ramon knew he wasn't going to be in a Whalers uniform come next season no matter what so it is best we moved him now. Meanwhile, we've picked up one of the winningest pitchers in PVBL history. He's having a sub-standard year for himself but he's still 4 games above .500 and clearly will take Ramon's spot in our rotation immediately. Pitching Coaches Dennis Lamp and Bruce Hurst are eager to meet with him."

So, Hartford and Binghamton swapped veterans tonight while the Whalers also picked up some insurance for the future. There is no telling what the draft picks will land Hartford but given that they had NO 1st Round FA pick, it's an improvement. No word on what will happen to the batting order but it is rumored that catcher Chris Hoiles will take over for Jason Kendall who will play first and Galarraga will continue to DH. Hartford took a very roundabout means of landing another starter and it has taken months to do it.

Hartford's starting rotation will now be: Ken Hill, Hideki Irabu, Tom Gordon, Masato Yoshi, Bobby Witt.

Side Hartford note: CF Marvin Benard has proven to have been a brilliant pickup in the Jack Broskie trade with Medina. Benard continues to hit above .400 after 30 games!

--written by Jeremy Chrabascz