The Big Book of Sports Blunders

The Nolan Ryan Trade - December 12, 1978

After going 10-13 with a 3.72 ERA for the Angels in 1978, Nolan Ryan found himself in Angels GM Buzz Bavasi's doghouse. So, when he asked Brewers GM if they'd be willing to swap 18-game winner Lary Sorensen for Ryan, Dalton asked for outfielder Don Baylor and minor-league prospect Mark Clear in return. Bavasi said that the package would require Larry Hisle, who the Brewers had just signed to a massive contract. Dalton agreed, but was able to extract a minor-league catcher named Brian Harper out of the deal.

"We replaced a sub-.500 pitcher with an 18-game winner," Bavasi said when he announced the trade. "we have given California's fans a great team to root for."

Bavasi's comments blew up in his face by June 1 of that year. While Ryan was taking advantage of the plentiful run support provided by Harvey's Wallbangers, Larry Hisle was on the disabled list with a shoulder injury that would limit him to part-time DH duty for the rest of his contract. Sorenson would post the same .500 record that Ryan had been posting with California.

Don Baylor, meanwhile, hit 43 home runs, drove in 148 runs, and stole 29 bases, becoming the 1979 AL MVP. Mark Clear anchored the Brewers bullpen with 19 saves.

All three played crucial roles in the Brewers becoming the 1979 World Champions that launched a dynasty that gave the Brewers seven additional post-season appearances by the end of the 1990 season.
 
The Blazers-Rockets Trade--June 19, 1984

When the Blazers offered the Rockets the #2 pick and Clyde Drexler in exchange for Ralph Sampson, it seemed like a good choice for the Blazers. What could possibly go wrong?

Well...everything. The Rockets, as we all know, drafted Michael Jordan, and the Triplets (as Jordan, Drexler, and Hakeem Olajuwon became known), would go to the playoffs every year for the next 16 seasons, winning 13 NBA titles and arguably ensuring the rise of basketball as the second-most popular sport in Texas (1).

(1) OOC: In Texas, nothing, nothing, will top football. Because it is bigger in Texas.:D
 
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The Jimmy Clausen Blunder--April 23, 2010

One of the worst trades in NFL history happened that day. The Panthers wanted Jimmy Clausen real bad (believe it or not). They traded their second-round pick (48th overall), a third-rounder, and their 2011 first-rounder to the Rams for their second-rounder (33rd overall).

After the Panthers selected Clausen at 33, the Rams selected OT Jared Veldheer at 48 (they chose him because the Broncos took Indiana OT/G Rodger Saffold at 45). Then, after taking CB Jerome Murphy with their original third-round pick, they used the third-round pick Carolina gave them (78th overall) on LSU WR Brandon LaFell (to give Bradford another playmaker).

That season, it was apparent that the Panthers made a big blunder. Clausen was abysmal in his 10 starts (3 TD, 9 INT, 58.4 rating). Matt Moore stepped in, but he never really felt comfortable (he decided to leave as a FA by summer 2011 after the lockout). At the end of a 2-14 season, John Fox was fired.

Then, it was announced that Stanford QB Andrew Luck* and Auburn QB Cam Newton would declare for the draft. The Rams and the Broncos (who just hired Fox) had the #1 and #2 picks in this draft. Elway wanted Luck, and he traded the #2 pick and one of their second rounders (46th overall. From Miami in the 2010 Brandon Marshall trade) to get the #1 pick.

After Denver took Andrew Luck #1 overall, the Rams and Bengals swapped first-rounders, and the Rams got Cincinnati's second-rounder (35th overall). The Bengals took QB Cam Newton 2nd overall. Then, after Buffalo took DT Marcell Dareus at three, the Rams took Alabama WR Julio Jones fourth overall (another weapon for Bradford). Then, after Arizona took LB Von Miller at five, the Browns took Georgia WR A.J. Green at six (their leading receivers in 2010 were TE Ben Watson and RB Peyton Hillis), and the 49ers take PatPete at seven.

In Round 2, the Panthers decide to pass on Dalton and Kaepernick, and they take Akeem Ayers. Also, with their three second-round picks, the Rams take TE Kyle Rudolph (35th overall), OG/C Stefen Wisniewski (46th overall), and DT Stephen Paea (47th overall). They also took OLB/DE Robert Quinn with their second first-rounder (14th overall).

We know the story: The Rams become a contender with Bradford and Julio Jones, but have limited success because of the NFC West gauntlet, and they moved back to LA last year. As for the Panthers, they still haven't recovered. They did get RGIII after having the worst record again, but he got hurt in 2013, and never played again. Same thing happened to Teddy Bridgewater, their 2014 first-round pick. It seems that there is a curse on the Panthers now since that fateful decision seven years ago.

* There was a rumor that Luck didn't come out in 2011 because he didn't want to go to Carolina. In this world, though, they don't have the pick, so he comes out.
 
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