On August 19th, 2006, the Phillies were just a 60-62 ballclub--not exactly your traditional title contenders. However, in a year in which few NL clubs were really distinguishing themselves, they were still very much in the hunt, just two and a half games behind the Cincinnati Reds for the wildcard lead. So they swung a trade for Seattle Mariners all-star and 20-year MLB veteran starter Jamie Moyer, in exchange for minor leaguers Andrew Baldwin and Andrew Barb. Moyer, 43 at the time, was a 6-12 pitcher on a Seattle team that was going nowhere, and he was fine with approving a deal that sent him to the team that he rooted for as a youngster in Sellersville.
Though the trade was certainly an initial success, Moyer going 5-2 with a 4.03 ERA and the Phils improving to eight games above .500, it was not enough to win the wildcard, as they finished three games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, Gramps has has stuck around long enough to be part of two legitimate playoff teams, winning 46 games total for the Fightins (including a team-high 16 last year) during his time here, and even celebrating a Philadelphia World Series Championship for the second time in his life in '08 (and for the first time as one of the players).
Moyer was recently sent to the pen to make room for new fifth starter Pedro Martinez, but even if he never throws another inning of consequence for the Phils (and he certainly threw six good ones last night in long relief of Pedro), the trade has to be deemed one of the franchise's best of recent years--especially considering that the two minor-leaguers have yet to do much of anything over in Seattle. I'll continue to wear my #50 Moyer shirt with pride (as I did last night, somewhat coincidentally) for years after he retires. Assuming he ever does, anyway.
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