John Wasdin earned the nickname “Way Back Wasdin” and it seemed quite appropriate for his propensity for giving up the long ball.

He began his minor league career in 1993. In 1995 he started the season at Triple-A but was called up to the Oakland A's where he pitched for the rest of the year. Wasdin was one of the better young arms in the league, a former first-round selection. He made himself into a super utility pitcher, willing and able to take the mound anywhere, any time, and in any situation.

In 1997, Wasdin was traded to the Boston Red Sox in a deal for Jose Canseco. Unfortunately, he never blossomed into a star-caliber pitcher for the Sox and was primarily the long man out of the pen.

Wasdin gave up 18 homers and five when the game was tied in '97. In Game #2 of the ALDS against the Indians, he gave up a three-run homer to David Justice and lost the game and eventually the series.

In 1998, he started the season with a 7-0 record, was moved to the bullpen, and finished 8-3. He gave up 14 homers and four when the game was tied.

The Red Sox had a dilemma with Wasdin. As a relief pitcher, they walked a home run tightrope with him on the mound. He would pitch well and then inevitably give up a homer that would somehow cost the Sox the game. And it came down to a pitcher who gave up the long ball couldn't be trusted with men on base.

Wasdin gave up 52 home runs in 339.2 innings he pitched for the Red Sox. They had seen enough and decided to cut bait, trading him to the Colorado Rockies for Mike Lansing, two others, and cash in July 2000.

Fair or not, Sox fans will forever associate the many "WAY BACK!" calls from Red Sox announcer, Jerry Trupiano when they think of pitcher John Wasdin.