Two major-leaguers with church ties traded at baseball’s non-waiver deadline
Major League Baseball’s July 31 non-waiver trading deadline sent two players with Church of Christ ties to contending teams.
Houston Astros center fielder Michael Bourn, a member of the Fifth Ward Church of Christ in Houston, was traded to the Atlanta Braves.
The Associated Press reported:
Michael Bourn
While other National League contenders beefed up for the playoffs, the Braves seemed to keep missing out on players who could’ve boosted their hopes.
Turns out, they landed the guy they wanted all along.
Atlanta acquired speedy outfielder Michael Bourn from the Astros yesterday in a five-player deal, giving the Braves their first true leadoff hitter in at least six years.
Meanwhile, Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Brad Ziegler, a member of the East Grand Church of Christ in Springfield, Mo., was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
MLB.com reported:
Brad Ziegler
The A’s parted with right-handed reliever Brad Ziegler a few hours shy of the non-waiver Trade Deadline on Sunday, landing left-handed reliever Jordan Norberto and first baseman Brandon Allen from the D-backs.
Ziegler’s Major League debut in 2008 was record-setting: He went 39 innings without allowing a run, and the 31-year-old has followed up that run with fine work. He’s 3-2 with one save and a 2.39 ERA in 43 appearances this year, and hasn’t allowed a home run in 37 2/3 innings — extending to 2010, that streak is at 68 games and 61 1/3 innings.
In his four seasons with the A’s, the only big league team he’s pitched for, Ziegler went 11-13 with 19 saves and a 2.49 ERA in 223 appearances.
Read the full report.
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FeedbackAs a D-Back fan and an elder of Camelback Church of Christ in Phoenix, I welcome Brad to Phoenix and our ball club. I hope to meet this fine young man and wish him well. He will make a fine addition to the church family in Phoenix.Tom TrimbleAugust, 2 2011From Sun City West, we welcome Brad Ziegler, and are very please that another fine Christian has been recognized as a Great Sportsman. He was picked by an outstanding Team Manager. We expect the team will remain on top. We are trying very hard to do so. He no doubt will assist us.Bud RawlinsAugust, 4 2011
<blockquote>There were reports out of Phoenix that the Diamondbacks were acquiring Brad Ziegler�our Ziggy �for first baseman Brandon Allen and minor league reliever Jordan Norberto. Soon thereafter, Assistant GM David Forst informed me that the trade would happen if there were no red flags in team doctors� evaluation of Allen and Norberto. He projected that process would be completed by 11 a.m., at which time he, Billy Beane, Farhan Zaidi and Melvin would summon Ziegler into the manager�s office to break the news. Only problem, though, was Ziggy was in team chapel�held in the weight room on home Sundays�when our baseball braintrust got the green light from our doctors. So, I waited outside the weight room so I could direct Brad to Melvin�s office as soon as chapel ended. Once he was told about the trade, my assistant Mike Selleck made it official by sending out our press release and yes, tweeting the bare essentials for all to see. For me, the toughest part was saying goodbye to one of the most cooperative athletes I�ve dealt with in more than three decades of my career. Whether it was media interviews, community programs or season ticket holder events, you could always count on Zig. And yesterday was no different. After calling his family and Diamondbacks� GM Kevin Towers, he agreed to come to the dugout for one final media session. He was still wearing A�s gear, although he took off his green cap as a subtle reminder that he was no longer an Oakland Athletic. After the questions ended, many writers came up to Brad and exchanged hugs. No question, he was their �go-to guy� after tough A�s losses. And then, I walked back through the tunnel to the clubhouse. But before I did, I caught one last view of Ziggy. He had stopped in the walkway near the dugout and was signing autographs and visiting with dozens of fans along the railing. It was an appropriate scene for one of the good guys in this business. Tweet that!
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And a <a href=”http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jon_heyman/08/01/trade.deadline.winners.losers/” rel=”nofollow”>positive description</a> of Bourn from a <em>Sports Illustrated</em> writer:
<blockquote>The Braves needed speed and a centerfielder, and they got both in Michael Bourn, a terrific young man who should also enhance the clubhouse.</blockquote>