1989 Topps Major League Debut #87: Jaime Navarro

Jaime Navarro

PHOTO: There's something very strange in the background of this photo. There appears to be a guy in the stands talking on a cell phone. Kids today might not find that weird, but in 1989, cell phones were about the size of a shoe box. I'm guessing that in fact the guy is just holding his empty hand in a way that's casting a shadow that looks like a cell phone.

STAT: Despite missing most of 1994, Navarro still ranked #11 in innings pitched from 1991 to 1997. Check out #1, #2, and #3. No wonder the Braves were so good.

ANAGRAM: Jaime Navarro = A major ravine

CAREER: 4/10

Navarro had a very mixed career. On the one hand he pitched a lot of innings early on. On the other hand, he also led the league in earned runs a couple of times and often had an ERA below league average. Counting just his time with the Brewers and Cubs (first 8 seasons) he was a productive, slightly-above-average starter. Once he went to the White Sox, he became a lot less productive, in particular because his K/BB ratio went to just about 1.0.

The Brewers let him go when his stock was high but reacquired him late in his career in this awful trade:

January 12, 2000: Traded by the Chicago White Sox with John Snyder to the Milwaukee Brewers for Cal Eldred and Jose Valentin.