Red Sox Sell Babe Ruth to Yankees

On January 5, 1920, new Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold outfielder Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for $125,000 in cash and $300,000 in loans.

Ruth had played for the Red Sox for six seasons as both a pitcher and an outfielder and helped lead the team to three World Series titles. In 1919, Ruth went 9-5 as a pitcher and started 100 games in left field. In all, he scored 103 runs, collected 114 RBIs, and set a major-league record of 29 home runs in one season.

Frazee needed the money to finance the Broadway production of “My Lady Friend.” The popular legend says that the play was “No, No, Nannette” – but it was “My Lady Friend.”

If you’re a baseball fan – especially a Yankees or Red Sox fan – you know how that deal turned out.

Well, on June 15, 1964 – 51 years ago today – the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs made a deal that turned out being almost as one-sided as the deal that sent Babe Ruth to the Yankees.

Cards Trade Ernie Broglio to Cubs

The Cardinals traded right-handed starter Ernie Broglio, left-handed reliever Bobby Shantz, and outfielder Doug Clemens to the Cubs in exchange for outfielder Lou Brock, left-handed pitcher Jack Spring, and right-hander Paul Toth.

The prime figures in the deal were Ernie Broglio and Lou Brock.

Broglio won 18 games in 1963 – with 35 complete games and five shutouts. Back in 1960, he won 21 games.

Lou Brock was an under-achieving .251 hitter with great speed on the base paths and unrealized potential.

“I thought it was a dumb trade. No one knew Lou Brock. I didn’t even remember facing him. I heard it and thought ‘For who? How could you trade Broglio for that?’” – Bob Gibson

“Most of us were upset. We traded three guys for a guy who was very raw and didn’t know how to play. I didn’t like it. If anybody tells you they approved of that trade, they’re lying.” – Bill White.

All of that said, acquiring Lou Brock became the greatest trade ever made by the Cardinals and by general manager Bing Devine.

Lou Brock resuscitated his career and infused life into the Cardinals.

If you’re a baseball fan – especially a fan of the Cardinals or the Philadelphia Phillies – you know how this deal turned out.

Barry Bowe is the author of Born to Be Wild, 1964 – The Year the Phillies Blew the Pennant, and 12 Best Eagles QBs.