There were Kaua’i baseball players in Oakland, now they are both in New York. What a small world. Who would ever have thought that one of the biggest blockbuster deals of the winter-one involving the most coveted franchise in the
There were Kaua’i baseball players in Oakland, now they are both in New York.
What a small world.
Who would ever have thought that one of the biggest blockbuster deals of the winter-one involving the most coveted franchise in the history of baseball-would involve two ball players that have, at one point, lived and played on Kaua’i soil.
Here’s the twist.
The New York Yankees needed Jason Giambi and got him for $118 million. Now if you didn’t know, Giambi was a Kaua’i Emerald. He played on that winter league team at Vidinha Stadium, and according to sources, it was obvious then what he would be worth now.
The Yankees got the A’s slugger, but they had to get rid of one of their own struggling power hitters to free up some cash and replace recently retired third baseman Scott Brosius.
So they traded David Justice to the New York Mets for 3rd baseman Robin Ventura.
Now in New York, there is always a fight to see who’s been doing the most off-season wheeling and dealing in the offices.
The Mets wanted to catch up.
They want to go big time, and Juan Gonzalez has been the target.
So they have to get rid of some weight, and Justice was the $7 million-a-year man they needed to lose if they wanted some purchasing power for Gonzalez.
Justice is traded to the the Oakland A’s for two pitchers: Mark Guthrie and minor leaguer Tyler Yates.
Everyone remembers pitcher Tyler Yates, right? Son of Gary and Janna Yates of Koloa. Ring a bell?
If you aren’t familiar with this bonafide ace, Yates happens to be a Kaua’i High School Alumnus who is still working his way up the minor league chain.
He was a KIF Player of the Year, All State honorable mention and a Kaua’i High School Athlete of the year in High School. Born August 7, 1977, Yates attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo in 1997, where he set a school record with six saves in 24 innings and had a 2.92 ERA with 15 strikeouts and 15 walks.
Not bad, right?
Well, it was good enough to get him a spot in the professional limelight.
And just yesterday, nearly four years after he joined the minor leagues, Yates completed the Kaua’i Major League Baseball trade full circle.
Former Emerald Giambi left Oakland for New York, and Kaua’i great Yates joined him, but this time just across the East River at Shea Stadium.
Take heed, Kaua’i. Your baseball elite has just shifted to the East Coast.
