THIS DATE IN SOX HISTORY: JANUARY 26TH/Swindling the /Cubs

THIS DATE IN SOX HISTORY: JANUARY 26TH

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DEALING WITH THE ENEMY

1983: Faced with the prospect of being embarrassed or being swindled by his crosstown rival, Cubs general manager Dallas Green chose the latter. Some would say both happened.

The White Sox and general manager Roland Hemond acquired infielders Scott Fletcher and Pat Tabler and pitchers Dick Tidrow and Randy Martz from the Cubs for starting pitcher Steve Trout and reliever Warren Brusstar.

The biggest swap between Chicago's Major League teams came after the White Sox flirted with selecting Fergie Jenkins, who was the Cubs' best pitcher in 1982 and one of the most popular players in franchise history, as compensation for losing free agent outfielder Steve Kemp. The compensation for free agent loss was born out of the 1981 players strike and would net the Sox Tom Seaver a year later.

The Cubs got to keep Jenkins (the Sox chose pitcher Steve Mura from the Cardinals instead) but had to surrender three promising players and established setup man in exchange for the enigmatic Trout and adequate Brusstar. When the whole matter was settled Green said he was “relieved.”

The deal was more sizzle than steak with none of the principles having a long term impact on their new teams. Fletcher and Tidrow were contributors to the Sox A.L. West title team in 1983 and Trout was a member of the Cubs’ 1984 N.L. East Division title team but none of the members of this trade ever blossomed into star.