The Yankee destiny was built on a single trade. The owner of the Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to finance a Broadway production of NO NO NANETTE. $200,000 for a flop and a curse lasting 68 years. While the Sultan of Swat might have been the most memorable hitter of the Damn Yankees, their roster starred Hall of Famers like Lou Gehrig, Yogi Berra, Joe Dimaggio, Lefty Gomez, Mickey Mantle, Phil Rizzuto, and Dave Winfield. Mario Riviera and Deter Jeter of the present Bronx Bombers will most certainly enter the Hall of Fame on the first ballot, yet my favorite Yankee will always be Fritz Peterson. The southpaw holds the club record for lowest at the House that Ruth Built at 2.52 ERA. He was the last pitcher to throw the ball at Yankee Stadium before its renovation in 1973. These accomplishments were on the playing field, however his true claim to fame laid with his inter-team swap of wives with his teammate Mike Kekich which culminated with the exchange of wives, children, and even dogs.
"We may have to call off Family Day."
Yankee officials were shocked by this bold sexual freedom and traded the pitcher to the Cleveland Indians in 1974. He ended his career with the Texas Rangers. 8-14 for 1976. He still lives with his teammate's wife.
Maybe Family Day will be called Fritz Peterson day in the future.
Otherwise there remain the Damn Yankees.
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