A rare error in Baltimore

Glenn Davis, in better days with the Houston Astros

The Baltimore Orioles, known since their start in 1954 as mostly sharp traders, make what turns out to be one of baseball's all-time worst deals 33 years ago today as they send pitchers Curt Schilling and Pete Harnisch, as well as outfielder Steve Finley, to the Houston Astros for former All-Star first baseman Glenn Davis.

At the time, the trade seems like a good one for the Orioles, who in Davis acquire a player who hits 164 homers over his previous six seasons in the National League.

All while Davis plays his home games in the Astrodome, one of the game’s toughest ballparks for power hitters. Moving to hitter-friendly Baltimore seems like a perfect fit for Davis.

Alas, both time and glory are fleeting.

Davis’ productivity quickly takes a sharp drop in Baltimore, where he hits a total of 24 homers over the next two-plus seasons before the Orioles finally release him late in the 1993 season.

As for Schilling, Harnisch and Finley, they go on to All-Star careers with a variety of teams – it is not like the Astros back then are smart enough to keep any of them for long.

As for Schilling, in particular, the Astros flip him after only one season to Philadelphia for relief pitcher Jason Grimsley. From there, Schilling begins a remarkable career with the Phillies, Arizona and Boston that eventually may land him to the Hall of Fame.