The season isn't over yet, but Shawn Chacon is the winner hands-down.
Shawn Chacon was put on waivers Thursday by the Houston Astros, a day after he got into a physical altercation with general manager Ed Wade.If another team doesn't claim Chacon by Monday, the Astros say they will release the pitcher and terminate his contract for cause, which would set off a confrontation with the players' association over the nearly $1 million that would remain on Chacon's contract.
Houston says Chacon violated a provision in the uniform player contract that states the player may be terminated if he shall "fail, refuse, or neglect to conform his personal conduct to the standards of good citizenship and good sportsmanship or to keep himself in first-class physical condition or to obey to the club's training rules."
Usually, players end up collecting on their contacts no matter how much they're fucked up on the field. Woody Williams got his ass cut in Spring, but he's still cashing checks.
Or, they rake in the bucks by racking up a big deal and then ending it with a sweet ride of the pine, like Bagwell did for a year and a half, and then ringing up a seven megabuck option. Or, if you want to remember a bad name, a certain lousy trade target by the name of Jennings.
Choking under pressure and getting traded or demoted wouldn't have cost him a dime, but choking Ed Wade cost Shawn Chacon a fortune.
And, based on his clearing waivers in true toxic form, possibly a career.
Way to go, dumbass!
Go catch a ride out of town with Julio Lugo, okay?
As for the runner-up, well, I guess it's always safe to keep an eye on Dick Justice at the Chronicle.