Juan Marichal
Until the Major League Baseball playoffs start in October, baseball holds little interest for me when the college football season starts. That is, until this headline in the local daily popped up in front of me: 'Old Man' Moyer Does It Again.
In an instant, even though he now plays for the Philadelphia Phillies on the East Coast, I knew Jamie Moyer was a former Seattle Mariner who should never have been pushed out the door by the Seattle club management.
All Moyer did Thursday (9-11-08) was pitch 5+ effective innings on 3 days' rest to allow the Phillies time, with the help of Ryan Howard's major league-leading 43rd home run, to beat the Milwaukee Braves 6-3 and climb within 3 games of the National League's East Division-leading New York Mets.
"He's been consistent all year," said manager Charlie Manuel after the game. "Goes to show you the old man can still pitch."
Seattle originally picked up Moyer for Darren Bragg in a 1996 trade with the Boston Red Sox. As a Mariner for part of 1996, the 9 full seasons from 1997 through 2005 and part of 2006, Moyer's won-loss record was 145-87 (62%). He went 20-6 in 2001 and 21-7 in 2003. He helped Seattle win titles. He was the Mariners' opening day pitcher in 2000, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
The Mariners figured his good days were gone. They guessed wrong. Moyer is 14-7 with Philly this year and 7-1 in his last 13 starts. His victory Thursday moved him past Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal and into a tie with Jack Powell for 49th on the all-time win list with 244 wins during his 22-year career.
When the Mariners dealt Moyer in 2006, they got Andrew Barb and Andy Baldwin, a couple of minor leaguers who never did squat for Seattle. The Moyer trade was not just a bad deal, it rates as one of the worst deals in the history of baseball.
Moyer was admittedly only a contributing factor with the Mariners, but there is no arguing the fact that Seattle's baseball fortunes went into the dumper when he was let go.
The Mariners, currently stuck in last place with 88 loses among the American League West teams, may well become the first team in MLB history to lose 100 games in a year with a $100+ million payroll.
Having followed the Mariners for too many years to count, I can tell you that Moyer was just one of 4 huge mistakes management has made.
Another was pushing Randy "the Big Unit" Johnson out of the door to Houston; Seattle thought his winning days were over, and did not want to pay the freight. Randy would go on to win 4 Cy Young Awards as the best pitcher in the National League, and also a World Series ring with the Arizona Diamondbacks while the Mariners were watching him on the tube.
Another gaffe was getting rid of Ken Griffey Jr. rather than Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez was all about the money, signing a 10-year, $250 million contract with the Texas Rangers. Griffey was a player looking for a World Series ring; he would end up at home in Cincinnati, be perpetually injured and flounder while never being the same player with the Reds that he was with the Mariners.
A 4th mistake was not sitting on Alex Rodriguez when he came to the bigs. Alex just had to play shortstop because he was going to be the greatest player of all time (he may end up as just that). However, that meant Seattle dumped a far-better fielding shortstop in Omar "Little O" Vizquel.
Someone in management should have taken Alex Rodriguez aside when he came up and said, "Son, you are going to become the greatest power-hitting third baseman in the history of baseball." As fate would have it, when Rodriguez was acquired by the New York Yankees, there was no way the Yankees were going to let Rodriguez play shortstop, that position belonged to Derek Jeter, the Yankees' captain and heart and soul of the team.
In hindsight, had the Mariners put Rodriguez at third base, left Omar Vizquel at short, kept Randy Johnson, dumped Rodriguez and kept Griffey, their fortunes would have continued longer. Now Seattle is but a late-afternoon shadow of the team it once was.
I will concede that Ossie Smith of the St. Louis Cardinals is the greatest fielding shortstop in baseball history. "The Wizard of Oz" won 13 consecutive Golden Gloves in the National League, a record that has never been matched. I still believe that the Venezuelan-born Omar Visquel is the greatest fielding shortstop in the American League.
So am I upset that Seattle let go of Jamie Moyer? Nah, stupid is as stupid does. I am happy as a grandfather that Moyer can still pitch with the best at age 45. I hope he pitches long enough to win 300 games and end up in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He may not have the stats, but he sure is made of the right stuff.
At his worst, Moyer just may be one of the smartest pitchers in baseball; from the view of many, he has certainly played far better than his actual talent. Is there any wonder why millions of fans who never had the talent to make it to the bigs identify with Jamie Moyer? He is our guy, and we will always root for the underdog.
Copyright © 2008 Ed Bagley
Animation of a Juan Marichal delivery
 |
 |
1968 Topps Hall Of Fame Baseball Card Lot 6 |  |
8 Bids | US $10.51 | 22m |
 |
2010 Topps CYMTO CMT79 Juan Marichal 1972 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 25m |
 |
JUAN MARICHAL LEGENDS COLLECTION JERSEY 27 XLARGE | |
0 Bid | US $9.95 | 39m |
 |
JUAN MARICHAL LEGENDS COLLECTION JERSEY 27 3XL | |
0 Bid | US $9.95 | 39m |
 |
JUAN MARICHAL LEGENDS COLLECTION JERSEY 27 2XL | |
0 Bid | US $9.95 | 40m |
 |
PHOTO NEGATIVE Juan Marichal 1968 Giants | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 1h 52m |
 |
1968 Topps Juan MarichalSan Francisco Giants205 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 2h 39m |
 |
1964 Topps NL Pitching Leaders Baseball Card | |
0 Bid | US $2.99 | 3h 46m |
 |
1967 Topps NL ERA Leaders Baseball Card | |
0 Bid | US $2.99 | 3h 47m |
 |
JUAN MARICHAL 1970 TOPPS VINTAGE BASEBALL 466 HOF A S | |
0 Bid | US $2.99 | 3h 49m |
 |
VINTAGE 1955 1987 Baseball Card Lot 41 SHOEBOX FIND | |
3 Bids | US $7.01 | 4h 32m |
 |
Yogi Berra Was Up With a Guy on Third BASEBALL LEGENDS | |
0 Bid | US $2.99 | 4h 32m |
 |
1974 Topps Juan Marichal 330 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 4h 48m |
 |
1974 Topps Traded 330T Juan Marichal | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 4h 57m |
 |
1965 Topps50 2 Card lot of Legendary SPJuan Marichal | |
0 Bid | US $12.00 | 5h 40m |
 |
JUAN MARICHAL 1962 TOPPS BASEBALL CARD | |
2 Bids | US $1.80 | 5h 59m |
 |
2010 Tribute Juan Marcihal Jersey 8 99 | |
2 Bids | US $.99 | 6h |
 |
1965 Topps San Francisco GiantsC Lot of 6 | |
0 Bid | US $24.00 | 7h 6m |
 |
1968 Topps San Francisco Giants Baseball Card Lot 15 | |
1 Bid | US $1.99 | 7h 35m |
 |
2001 Topps American Pie Baseball Players Card Lot of 64 | |
1 Bid | US $1.53 | 7h 36m |
 |
1953 71 BASEBALL LOT TED WILLIAMS MIKE SCHMIDT RC ROSE | |
13 Bids | US $113.50 | 7h 58m |
 |
2010 Topps 1 Cmt Insert cards lot U pick One Stars | |
0 Bid | US $.01 | 8h 20m |
 |
1973 TOPPS JUAN MARICHAL GIANTS HOFER 480EXMT | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 9h 13m |
 |
GREAT 100 CARD GU AUTO BAT JERSEY RELIC LOT BASEBALL | |
24 Bids | US $294.99 | 9h 15m |
 |
2010 Topps Lot of 7 Cards Mom Threw Out Original Backs | |
0 Bid | US $7.50 | 10h 16m |
 |
1969 Topps Juan Marichal 370 PSA 6 EX MT | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 10h 36m |
 |
1964 TOPPS GIANT VINTAGE BASEBALL 37 JUAN MARICHAL HOF | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 10h 37m |
 |
1968 TOPPS JUAN MARICHAL 205 SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 11h 2m |
 |
9 CARD LOT AUTO AUTOGRAPH GIANTS CEPEDA PERRY MARICHAL | |
6 Bids | US $20.75 | 11h 8m |
 |
2010 Topps Tribute Juan Marichal Jersey 3 25 | |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 11h 15m |
 |
Juan Marichal 2010 Topps CYMTO Original Back SP 1965 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 11h 17m |
 |
2010 topps TCYMTO Lot Seaver Carlton Marichal | |
 |
US $4.88 | 11h 22m |
 |
Lot of 24 Topps 2009 Update Gold Border Serial d | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 11h 26m |
 |
3 of the 1974 Topps Traded Juan Marichal Baseball Car | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 11h 27m |
 |
1966 TOPPS BB CARD 221 NL ERA LEADERS PSA NM MT 8 | |
0 Bid | US $45.00 | 11h 44m |
 |
2003 TOPPS INSERTS GOLD COMPLETE UR SET 30 PICKS | |
|
US $1.50 | 11h 48m |
 |
1964 Topps Coin Juan Marichal All Star 157 EX NM | |
2 Bids | US $.99 | 12h 1m |
 |
1964 Topps GIANT Cards | |
0 Bid | US $200.00 | 12h 3m |
 |
1965 Whos Who in Baseball 50th Edition Ken Boyer Cover | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 12h 13m |
 |
2005 SWEET SPOT CLASSIC BASEBALL 73 CARD LOT | |
0 Bid | US $4.95 | 12h 20m |
 |
Juan Marichal Topps 1970 466 San Francisco Giants | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 12h 20m |
 |
1969 topps 370 JUAN MARICHAL GIANTS MINT | |
7 Bids | US $19.10 | 12h 26m |
 |
2010 TOPPS SERIES 2 INSERTS Pick 10 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 12h 32m |
 |
Lot of 82 Jersey Auto Patch ed cards $HOT$ Stars | |
|
US $275.00 | 12h 37m |
 |
6 17 1967 JUAN MARICHAL Baseball Sporting News | |
0 Bid | US $6.99 | 12h 38m |
 |
1969 Topps JUAN MARICHAL 370 SF Giants EX MT | |
0 Bid | US $3.95 | 12h 47m |
 |
1971 JUAN MARICHAL Giants Vintage 120mm Slide | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 13h 7m |
 |
Juan Marichal 2005 Donruss Classics Singles 115 400 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 13h 10m |
 |
★ HUGE INSERTS RC LOT JERSEYS AUTOS BATS GRADED PSA 10 | |
1 Bid | US $39.00 | 13h 28m |
 |
1963 Topps Set Break 440 Juan Marichal EX | |
3 Bids | US $2.25 | 13h 48m |
 |
1961 Topps Juan Marichal Rookie Card 417 | |
0 Bid | US $25.00 | 14h 18m |
 |
1969 Topps Juan Marichal VG sell at $4 | |
0 Bid | US $4.00 | 15h 58m |
 |
5 1971 TOPPS BASEBALL INSERT METAL COINS YAZ McCOVEY | |
3 Bids | US $10.99 | 20h 32m |
 |
SANDY KOUFAX JUAN MARICHAL VERN LAW 221 TOPPS 1966 | |
0 Bid | US $6.00 | 22h 19m |
 |
SF GIANTS HALL OF FAMER JUAN MARICHAL THROWBACK JERSEY | |
0 Bid | US $10.00 | 22h 25m |
 |
1973 TOPPS BASEBALL 480 JUAN MARICHAL EX | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 22h 55m |
 |
1970 MILTON BRADLEY BASEBALL 14 JUAN MARICHAL NRMINT | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 1h 25m |
 |
SANDY KOUFAX 1966 TOPPS JUAN MARCHALVERN LAW 221 $100 | |
0 Bid | US $10.00 | 1h 5m |
 |
1968 Topps 2nd Series Unmarked Checklist Marichal 107 | |
0 Bid | US $5.00 | 1d 3h 2m |
 |
2004 FLEER GREATS BASEBALL LOT ALL NUMBERED TO 500 | |
0 Bid | US $4.99 | 1d 3h 8m |
 |
Juan Marichal 1969 Deckle edge SF Giants 32 Excellent | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 3h 11m |
 |
1974 TOPPS 31 CARD LOT RED SOX COMMONS EX MT to NM | |
0 Bid | US $5.99 | 1d 3h 36m |
 |
2006 SP LEGENDARY CUTS JUAN MARICHAL WHEN IT WAS A GAME | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 3h 56m |
 |
2005 SP LEGENDARY CUTS JUAN MARICHAL LEGENDS 123 399 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 4h 12m |
 |
2007 Sweet Spot signature classic LOT of 10 | |
1 Bid | US $39.99 | 1d 4h 22m |
 |
1964 Topps Giants Juan Marichal 37 PSA 8 | |
0 Bid | US $15.00 | 1d 4h 26m |
 |
1968 Topps Juan Marichal Giants HOFer 205 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 5h 4m |
 |
2 1969 TOPPS BASEBALL WILLIE McCOVEY JUAN MARICHAL | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 5h 44m |
 |
1966 PITCHING LEADERS KOUFAX MARICHAL GIBSON | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 6h 11m |
 |
1970 Topps NATIONAL LEAGUE PITCHING LEADERS PSA 7 69 | |
0 Bid | US $7.99 | 1d 6h 18m |
 |
1970 Topps NATIONAL LEAGUE ERA LEADERS PSA 7 67 | |
0 Bid | US $7.99 | 1d 6h 19m |
 |
1993 Action Packed Juan Marichal | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 6h 28m |
 |
1965 Juan Marichal San Fransisco Giants Card 50 | |
|
US $10.00 | 1d 6h 33m |
 |
Lot 30 diff 2010 Topps 2 LEGENDARY LINEAGE cards | |
0 Bid | US $8.99 | 1d 6h 38m |
 |
1974 TOPPS TRADED 330T JUAN MARICHAL PSA 9 B778 | |
3 Bids | US $8.07 | 1d 6h 49m |
 |
3 2010 Topps Juan Marichal Orlando Cepeda Giants retire | |
4 Bids | US $.17 | 6h 17m |
 |
1971 Topps Metal Coins Lot of 6 | |
0 Bid | US $3.99 | 1d 7h 39m |
 |
1971 Topps Metal Coins Lot of 8 | |
0 Bid | US $3.99 | 1d 7h 43m |
 |
1971 TOPPS GIANTS JUAN MARICHAL CARD 325 EXMT | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 8h 6m |
 |
1966 Venezuelan Topps 221 SANDY KOUFAX Era Leaders | |
0 Bid | US $30.00 | 1d 8h 7m |
 |
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS JUAN MARICHAL 1962 TOPPS 505 VG | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 1d 8h 23m |
 |
1972 RARE Venezuelan Sticker 170 JUAN MARICHAL Gigant | |
0 Bid | US $24.00 | 1d 9h 1m |
 |
2003 Flair Greats Lot 10 MORGAN CARLTON MARICHAL $ | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 9h 4m |
 |
1970 TOPPS SCRATCH OFF SET HANK AARONTOM SEAVER 24CARD | |
7 Bids | US $6.56 | 1d 10h 16m |
 |
2010 TOPPS CARDS MOM THREW OUT LOT 70 CARDS | |
1 Bid | US $.25 | 1d 10h 40m |
 |
2010 Topps National Chicle Baseball 233 Cards w Auto | |
2 Bids | US $1.25 | 1d 10h 43m |
 |
1950s 90s SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS MEMORABILIA LOT of 7 | |
0 Bid | US $4.99 | 1d 10h 55m |
 |
2009 TOPPS TRIBUTE PALMER MARICHAL MATHEWSON GRIFFEY JR | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 11h 15m |
 |
1962 Strat O Matic SF Giants Team Set 20 NM | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 11h 18m |
 |
San Francisco Giants 2010 Topps Team LOT w Inserts | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 11h 21m |
 |
Juan Marichal 2010 Topps Patch 1968 All Star Game | |
2 Bids | US $1.04 | 1d 11h 23m |
 |
1971 TOPPS 325 JUAN MARICHAL EXMT SET BREAK | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 11h 36m |
 |
Brand New 2010 Topps Cards Your Mom Threw Out | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 11h 36m |
 |
1971 Topps 325 Juan Marichal Giants HOF | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 11h 39m |
 |
2010 Topps Series 12 Legendary Lineage Lot | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 11h 44m |
