Although it may have been a surprise to most baseball fans, the trade on 12.08.1991 between the Padres and Reds was sent in motion when it was first talked about at the 1991 World Series. It wasn't finalized until six weeks later because numerous throws-ins were talked about. Here's the skinny: On December 8 1991 the San Diego Padres traded popular outfielder and infielder Bip Roberts and minor league outfielder Craig Pueschuer to the Cincinnati Reds for standout reliever Randy Myers. Randy Myers had posted 26, 24 and 31 saves from 1988-1990 (he pitched for the NY Mets from 1985-1989) however after he came on in the 9th inning with a man on base with the Reds trying to protect a lead, he walked two batters. Lou Piniella, Cincinnati's manager, yanked Randy Myers and brought in Nasty Boy Rob Dibble, who retired the next 3 batters and got the save. So after 293 straight relief appearances and 93 saves, Randy Myers was converted into a starting pitcher, and went 6-13 for the Reds and Lou Piniella in 1991. The Padres felted that Randy Myers still had a lot to offer and were counting on using him in the bullpen during the up-and-coming year - 1992. He responded and rang up 38 saves in 66 games. Prior to the next season, 1993, he signed as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs and posted a career-high 53 saves in 73 games, had a 3.11 ERA, struckout 86 in 75.1 innings. For career stats of all baseball players, please see Players section on our Home Page. Bip Roberts was a fans favorite in San Diego where his always hustling style was placed him second only to future Hall of Fame outfielder Tony Gwynn. A switch-hitter he was Lou PIniella's lead-off hitter and had his most productive season, 1992, in his first year in Cincinnati - .323 batting average, .393 on base pct with 34 doubles, 6 triples, 4 homers, scored 92 runs. However after two seasonds with Piniella - Bip Roberts signed as a free agent with the Padres and played there two years - 1994 and 1995. Craig Pueschuer was a highly rated high school baseball player for Sahuaro High in Tucson Arizona when he was drafted by the Padres in 1988. A speedy outfielder in the minors at the time of this trade, Craig Pueschuer did not play in the majors. Baseball History - For loads of fun reading, type in Yankees, Cardinals, Pirates, Red Sox, Cubs or all other teams in our Search on the home page |