8/21/2025-Late in the 2013 season, the manager of the Trinidad Triggers in the Pecos League, JD Droddy, was planning to release a certain player. Before releasing him, however, if possible he wanted to find the player another team, which could use the player’s services. He was willing to give the player to another team with receiving any compensation in return.

Droddy knew that the manager of the Taos Blizzard admired the player, so he made the call. When he asked the Taos manager if he wanted the player, the manager immediately said “yes,” then asked Droddy who he wanted in return. Not really expecting the question, Droddy replied, “I don’t know, who do you have?”

The Blizzard’s manager offered up a young rookie pitcher, Eric Yardley, who had recently joined the team. And, then added an experienced pitcher, Sam Briend. Briend had been with Trinidad in Spring Training, but was released because he wasn’t “game ready,” yet. He later signed with Taos, got game ready, and was having a stellar year. Being short of good pitching at the time, Droddy accepted the offer.

Here is where the story gets interesting. Both pitchers made excellent contributions to the Triggers. But it was after their respective stints with the Triggers that their baseball careers really blossomed.

Eric Yardley went on to pitch in the Major Leagues for the San Diego Padres and the Milwaukee Brewers.

Sam Briend is now the Director of Pitching for the New York Yankees.