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Go Home Weirdest. Thing. Ever.

THE PLANK FEBRUARY 6, 2008

Weirdest. Thing. Ever.

BY ISAAC CHOTINER

Yes, this has been a strange election. McCain came back from the brink, Hillary and Barack are, absurdly, still neck-and-neck after Super Tuesday, and we could actually have a brokered convention. But, while everyone has been focused on politics, what is surely the most bizarre NBA trade of the decade appears to be on the verge of happening. If sports fan can think of a trade in any sport that rivals this one in the weirdness department, feel free to share it with us in the comments section.

--Isaac Chotiner 

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18 comments

How about Sammy Sosa for Harold Baines. Who's idea was that, anyway...

- adamvaught

February 6, 2008 at 6:21pm

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No!  No!  NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!  I fly from Arizona to Florida on a business trip and this is what I learn?  This is worse than Obama losing Arizona!

- drwohl

February 6, 2008 at 6:44pm

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Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas...

- thejauntyboulevardier

February 6, 2008 at 6:47pm

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I. Can't. Believe. It.

- epackard-02

February 6, 2008 at 7:36pm

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the worst trade in sports history is clear:   Robert Parrish and the draft pick the Celtics used on Kevin McHale for Joe Barry Carrol.  Golden State traded TWO future hall of famers for a nobody.  Not sure that will be topped...

- mattkasdin

February 6, 2008 at 7:49pm

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Ernie Broglio for Lou Brock.

- boxofrox

February 6, 2008 at 8:20pm

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The ever lovable Cubs traded away Lou Brock....

On a much more important matter - I truly enjoy watching the recent Sarah Silverman video with Matt Damon.

- Bukharin

February 6, 2008 at 8:35pm

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boxofrox!  Beat me to the punch!

- Bukharin

February 6, 2008 at 8:36pm

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moses malone for Clint Richardson and (can't remember his name, he was injured before the season started)

And Wilt Chamberlain for who again?

- blackton

February 6, 2008 at 8:37pm

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As a Cub, waiting since before I was born, there is no doubt that Hall of Famer Lou Brock for Ernie who? Broglio.  This year will be 100 and maybe the one - Barak is a good omen.

- jemerk

February 6, 2008 at 8:40pm

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Hey. It ain't so bad. Broglio went on to win 7 games for the Cubs....over two and a half seasons. Did I mention that he lost 19 along the way. If I'm not mistaken he then went on to retire. Hope that makes you feel a bit better, jemerk.

Bukharin: Great minds think alike.

- boxofrox

February 6, 2008 at 9:16pm

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Sammy Sosa for Harold Baines (GWB's self-described "biggest mistake") was a STEAL for ***TEXAS!!!!***  With Baines they got a tremendous hitter and steady fielder and made the playoffs -- how often can the Rangers say that?  And this is pre-wild card.

Sosa wouldn't turn into anything until he got on the juice and started training hard under the guidance of Cub manager Jim Riggleman.  

- Lymon1

February 6, 2008 at 9:16pm

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Lymon,

I'm a Cardinals fan. I always thought Sosa was an overrated 'roid head. (McGwire is innocent!!!!) Still, I couldn't help making a not-so-subtle swipe at Bush.

Having pledged my allegience to Cardinal nation, Brock for Broglio is up there with the July 4, 1776, August 14, 1944, and the day beer was invented as the greatest moments in world history.

- adamvaught

February 6, 2008 at 11:22pm

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NOTHING compares to the Herschel Walker trade.  The Vikings future for a decade vs. Herschel Walker.  I stil can't say the name of the GM who put that together.  Mike Ly...  Mike L...  can't do it.

- jblumenfeld

February 7, 2008 at 10:09am

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Brock for Broglio may be an all-time _worst_ trade.   But _strange_ trade is something else.  I wonder whether the 1960 trade of Harvey Kuenn for Rocky Colavito might be the strangest -- it seemed to me the first trade involving major league stars.  That's a phenomenon that's now common, but, before free agency, was very uncommon.

- tarfon

February 7, 2008 at 10:12am

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Pappas for F. Robby is as bad as Brock for Broglio.  Robinson won the Triple Crown his first year in Balto, and the O's won the Series.  He went on to have the second half of a great career.  Uncle Miltie did not very much at Concy.

- butchie b

February 7, 2008 at 10:36am

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Dennis Johnson for Rick Robey

- drozenson

February 7, 2008 at 12:08pm

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The question is about weird trades, not trades that turned out to be bad.

I immediately thought of the Herschel Walker trade.  I remember the graphic they showed, a whole pyramid of guys (including unnamed picks) for Walker and some picks.  You had to wonder what Minnesota was thinking -- if you could actually figure out what the trade was all about.  Mind-boggling.

- stgla

February 7, 2008 at 1:50pm

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