Quote:
Originally Posted by frangipard
I want to know the story of him leaving Houston. Was he a free agent, and if so what did his contract look like? And it was a trade, what the hell does Houston get in return?
Also that Bennett guy changes teams every couple of years. Must be the biggest jerk in the world.
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He entered the WBA as a 16 year old international amateur free agent in 1954 and was signed to a Minor league contract by the Houston Red Knights (randomized team names) with a $13,200 bonus. In 1962 he signed a massive 7 year extension with the club worth a reported $819,000 but had an opt-out clause added for the 1964 off-season, which he executed and became a free agent.
2 weeks later he signed a 6 year contract with the Boston Bass worth $1,276,000, but again he had it worked into the deal that he could opt out after the 2nd year.
Now this is where it gets interesting. He decides to opt out and then 10 days later, he signs a brand new 6 year extension with the Bass, this time for $1,812,000. Must have felt he wasn't being paid enough. And hell, he probably could have asked for whatever he wanted lol Look at that production. Anyways, he had the usual opt-out added in after the 2nd year, but this time he decided not to use it.
Suggia and the Bass won their 1st WBA World Series in 1971 beating the Brooklyn Vipers, after which he played 1 more season with the club and became a free agent in 1972. As a soon to be 35 year old, he signed a 2 year contract with those same Brooklyn Vipers, who just won the World Series a few weeks prior against..you guessed it, the Boston Bass..for $760,000. They went on to win the 1973 and 1974 World Series, beating Suggia's old club in Boston both times. He then decided to stick with the Vipers, signing a new 2 year extension in 1974, this time for $968,000.
Fast forward to November 1976 and Suggia, now about to turn 39, decides to return to Boston on a 2 year, $968,000 deal. 1978 rolls around and he signs what would be his last contract. Another 2 years to Boston for $1,380,000. He retired in October 1980.
So yes, from 1971 through 1974, the Bass and the Vypers played eachother in the World Series each year. What a story that would be!
I love OOTP.