On November 30, 1972, major league teams pull off 12 trades involving 36 players. In the biggest deal of the day, the Baltimore Orioles trade onetime 20-game winner Pat Dobson, power-hitting second baseman Dave Johnson, and two other players to the Atlanta Braves for catcher Earl Williams and infielder Taylor Duncan. In another deal, the…
1972 – A pair of infielders, Ray Busse and Bob Fenwick are shipped to St. Louis for catcher Skip Jutze and infielder Milt Ramirez. Both Busse and Fenwick hit under .200 during spot duties with Houston.
1972 – In a blockbuster interstate trade good for both teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers send Frank Robinson, Bill Singer, Mike Strahler, Bobby Valentine and Bill Grabarkewitz to the California Angels in exchange for Andy Messersmith and Ken McMullen, who returns to the team that signed him. Next season, Robinson will play 147 games, hitting 30 home runs with 97 RBI and Singer will combine with Nolan Ryan to strike out 674 batters, a 20th Century major league record for two teammates. Messersmith will win 39 games in the next two seasons for the Dodgers and finish second in the Cy Young Award voting in 1974.
1972 – The New York Yankees make one of their best trades ever, acquiring third baseman Graig Nettles from the Cleveland Indians for catcher John Ellis, infielder Jerry Kenney, and outfielders Charlie Spikes and Rusty Torres. Nettles will help the Yankees win the World Series in 1977 and 1978.
The Braves trade southpaw George Stone and second baseman Felix Milan to the Mets for hurlers Danny Frisella and Gary Gentry, who will combine to win just nine games for Atlanta over the next three seasons. New York’s acquisitions will play key roles in the team’s success next season when their recently acquired infielder hits .290, and their new left-hander posts a 12-3 record along with an ERA of 2.80 for the National League champions.
In a seven-player trade, Don Money is dealt by the Phillies along with Bill Champion and John Vukovich to the Brewers in exchange for Ken Brett, Jim Lonborg, Ken Sanders, and Earl Stephenson. The 25 year-old versatile infielder will spend over a decade with Milwaukee, becoming a four-time All-Star.
Roberto Clemente, with his 2,971st hit in a Pirates uniform, breaks Honus Wagner’s record for the most hits in the history of the franchise. The historic blow is a three-run homer off San Francisco hurler Sam McDowell in the bottom of the fourth inning in an eventual 6-3 victory for the Bucs at Three Rivers Stadium.
Oakland A’s acquire outfielder Matty Alou
Tigers acquire some needed help for the pennant chase, purchasing left-hander Woodie Fryman
On July 21, 1972, the Los Angeles Dodgers release longtime major league pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm, ending the career of the 48-year-old right-hander, two days before his 49th birthday. A 21-year veteran, Wilhelm retires with 1070 appearances the most of any major league pitcher to that point. 227 saves and 143 victories. He is also the…
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!