[jammin' jamey]

Yeah, Leatherpants and Larkin seem pretty tight. Wasn't Bowden the GM when Carl Lindner caved to local pressure and gave Larkin that ridiculous 3-year contract a few years ago? That was one of the worst moves the Reds have made over the last several years, they gave way too much money to an aging legend who couldn't even stay on the field, all because Lindner was thin-skinned and didn't like being booed at his home stadium. That huge contract virtually hamstrung the team from making any other significant moves until the 3 years was up. Way to show some gravitas, Carl, trading the long-term health of the franchise in order to be popular.

Yes, Bowden was the GM at the time. I could think of worse things Linder/Bowden did than Larkin though. It was nice to see him retire as a Red. He will be in the Hall of Fame (did I say that?) Also, he was an All-Star in this final year and finished a solid career, although the Linder did cave in and pay too much for him in the end instead of executing a trade to the Mets. It was a "heart over mind" decision at the time made by Linder.