Ed Whitson's career is best defined by the series of transactions involving him. A promising prospect for Pittsburgh, Whitson was a key to the deal that sent Bill Madlock to the Pirates and brought them a World Championship. After the 1981 season, he went to Cleveland for veteran second baseman Duane Kuiper. He spent a frustrating year in the Indians' bullpen before moving to San Diego for Juan Eichelberger and Broderick Perkins. After an injury-riddled 1983, Whitson attained his best season in 1984, going 14-8 with a 3.24 ERA. He was the first pitcher to win a postseason game for San Diego, the crucial third game of the Championship Series against the Cubs. He made a disastrous mistake by signing with the Yankees as a free agent for 1985. The high-priced pitcher was virtually booed out of town after failing to live up to his price tag. Traded back to San Diego, he was the Padres' top winner in 1987 (10-13) and 1989 (16-11). (ME)
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»June 30, 1979:
In San Francisco, the Reds Tom Seaver fires a 3-hitter, beating the Giants, 2–0. Tom Terrific retires the last 21 straight batters and the Reds push over two runs in the 9th off Ed Whitson to win.
»December 27, 1984: Free-agent pitcher Ed Whitson, 14–8 for the Padres, begins a nightmarish association with the Yankees by signing a 5-year, $4.4 million contract.
»September 22, 1985: One night after scuffling with a patron in the bar of the Yankees' Baltimore hotel, manager Billy Martin has his right arm broken by pitcher Ed Whitson in an early-morning brawl in the same bar.
»July 9, 1986:
The Padres trade P Tim Stoddard to the Yankees for P Ed Whitson, who had become the target of such fan abuse in New York that manager Lou Piniella would no longer pitch him in Yankee Stadium.
»July 25, 1990:
Before the start of the Padres-Reds game in San Diego, comedienne Roseanne Barr screeches out a rendition of the National Anthem, finishing with a crotch grab that causes a crescendo of boos. Ed Whitson then wins, 2-1 for the Pads.
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