THE TRADE THAT TURNED DEADLY

Ever hear of the minor league pitcher? John Odom?

Probably not. But you might have heard about "Batman," "Bat Boy" or "Bat Guy." Odom is more well known for the peculiar trade that was made for him, rather than his playing baseball. This "famous" trade occurred last year between the Calgary Vipers and the Laredo Broncos in Texas. Because it would apparently look bad if they traded Odom for money, instead they traded ten baseball bats, totaling in $665, for the pitcher. So Laredo got a pitcher and Calgary got some bats, which were never used by the way.

Although Odom said that this trade didn't affect him the way people thought it might (by committing suicide), he just up and walked out on the team about three weeks after the trade was completed.

There is speculation that it was the trade that made Odom go down the familiar deadly path of engaging in too much drinking and use of illegal narcotics. Apparetly Odom had already knocked on death's door, and it never answered. Other people believe that he was manic depressive and that the trade triggered depression. Others still disregard the trade as being the reason Odom eventually killed himself, overdosing on heroin, alcohol, and other illegal substances last November 5th.

I think this story is tragic, but even more so frustrating. If teammates and coaches recognized this manic depressive behavior, and knew of his preexisting alcohol and drug abuse, why didn't anyone try to get him help? Minor league baseball does not directly lead to playing in the Majors. Apparently Odom was good but not that good. The article also referred to Odom as loving his guitar, injuring his elbow from playing too much music, which effected his baseball performance.

This story is definitely sad on all levels. It's even more sad that Odom might be the most famous for this 10 bat trade. Even though the trade was explained to him, it's still a slap in the face, regardless of how many minutes of fame it might produce. Maybe this might enlighten baseball coaches and general manager's that understanding a person's behavior (i.e. knowing his manic personality and past drug experience) to not conduct such a ridiculous trade that might really set him off. Although this story is tragic, I cannot deny that I believe Odom is responsible for his own death. Regardless of the trade and how that might have affected him, Odom must have known getting back into the drugs and alcohol was not going to help him.

I'd love to add some snide, sarcastic remark about trading A-rod for ten bats, but I won't. Instead I hope that Odom can be remembered for something else besides being the butt of a joke. For the rest of the article click here.

Jaclyn Kahn