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Minor League Pitcher Swapped For Bats

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The Associated Press

Published: December 22, 2008

Indignities come in all forms. John Odom, however, may have found a classification all his own.

Odom is a minor league pitcher, and not an especially good one. He was traded this year from the Calgary Vipers to the Laredo Broncos of the Golden Baseball League. He wasn't traded for cash or even for those old reliable "future considerations" and "player to be named."

Odom was traded for 10 bats.

No doubt, it could have been worse. A year or so ago, a European soccer player was said to have been traded for a slab of beef.

But for the Odom, the going price was 10 black, 34-inch maple bats. According to the manufacturer, they sell at discount for $65.50 each.

Odom was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2003 but released. He still thinks he's got a shot at the big leagues. In the meantime, without a Robin for a sidekick, he has a nickname: Bat Man.

"I'm still in shock from this phenomenon," he said. "I don't know how to describe it. It's mind-boggling."

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