John Purdin Keeps Getting Sold to Hawaii!

Ex-Dodger week continues with John Purdin. Purdin was a pretty good starting pitcher during a time when that was not good enough to make the Dodgers' rotation. He bounced a bit between AAA and the big club, and was pretty effective in 1968, but couldn't get going in 1969 and found himself back in the minors.

In 1970, Purdin goes from Spokane to Hawaii during the season, in a move described on his Baseball reference major league page as: 

July, 1970: Sent from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the California Angels in an unknown transaction. (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.) 

Unknown no more!  From the Daily Chronicle of Centralia, WA of July 18, 1970...

“Purdin Sale Told SPOKANE (AP) The Spokane Baseball Club announced the sale Friday night of Indian hurler John Purdin to the Pacific Coast League Hawaii Islanders. Purdin compiled a 6-6 season record with the Indians and holds a 3.40 earned run average He went to the mound in (25?) contests, started in 14 games and was credited with five saves. Purdin was sold for an undisclosed amount.”

Friday would have been July 17. Hawaii was the Angels' AAA at the time.

Purdin was then picked up by the White Sox in a trade for spring training. The new Sox manager, Chuck Tanner, was a fan of Purdin's at Hawaii and wanted to give him a shot. Purdin, however, didn't make the club and went back to Hawaii, and the Padres' organization, in this deal:

From the Pottstown Mercury of April 2, 1971... 

 “The Chicago White Sox reduced their roster to the opening day 25-player limit Thursday when outfielder Pat Kelly was optioned to the White Sox’ Tucson farm club and pitcher John Purdin was sold to Hawaii of the Pacific Coast League.”

..and that is where Purdin finished his career. Another ex-Dodger next time!

Purdin pic from www.tradingcarddb.com