Jim Bowden: the GM you love to hate

It took almost 10 years, but sweet justice is finally being served and another sign that Seattle’s sports karma is changing has appeared. More news today from the Washington Post about Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden as a target of a federal probe investigating scouting practices in Latin America. Apparently, the scum bag allegedly was involved in skimming signing bonuses that were earmarked for Latin prospects.

Ken Griffey Jr. fans may remember Bowden well. I know I do – his smug face was seared into my memory when Griffey was traded to the Reds nine years ago this month. Bowden was the Reds general manager at that time and nearly broke his own arm patting himself on the back when he sent pitcher Brett Tomko and outfielder Mike Cameron along with minor leaguers Antonio Perez and Jake Meyer to Seattle for Junior. Bowden stopped short of crediting himself with the deal of the century. Maybe he did and I missed it. Wouldn't surprise me.

Of course, it didn’t hurt that Griffey said that he would accept a trade to no other team but Cincinnati. As a 10-and-5 guy, Griffey could veto any trade proposal and gave the Mariners only one option: the Reds.

Bowden has a greatest hits list of controversy that is long and pathetic. A few years after anointing himself the greatest general manager of all time, he was fired by the Reds after he compared the MLB players union to Al Qaeda. In response to a possible players strike he said: “If they (the players) do walk out ... I encourage all of them, "Make sure it's Sept. 11th. Be symbolic about it. Let [union head] Donald Fehr drive the plane right into the building, if that's what they want him to do.”

Today, the Nationals owners are looking for any viable reason to fire Bowden. Yes, Bowden is a first class dirt bag and it seems the Griffey saga has tied off yet another loose end. Have fun in prison Jim – bring lots of soap on a rope.