My Top 20 Blue Rocks Moments: #11 The Trade of Matt Treanor

My number 11 top Wilmington Blue Rocks moment is…

Aug 12, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Matt Treanor (18) during a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

The 1997 trade of Matt Treanor.

On July 29th, I was sitting next to the Blue Rocks dugout in Potomac (and next to one of the player’s girlfriends). That player came out pregame to tell us all the news: starting catcher Matt Treanor had been traded to the Florida Marlins. He and all of his teammates were shocked, as were we. I had seen Matt in the hotel earlier in the afternoon and apparently he did not find out about the trade until he was already at the field and in uniform for batting practice.

This trade was memorable because 1. I was there when it happened and 2. Matt was the first Blue Rocks player ever to be traded.

Treanor went on to be a pretty good backup catcher at the Major League level (known more for his defense than his bat) and is an all-around good guy. He is still looking for a job this spring though. Oh and he married US volleyball great Mistie May.