The Yankees trade two minor leaguers along with rookie right-hander Mel Wright to the Cardinals in exchange for 38 year-old right-fielder Enos Slaughter. The future Hall of Fame outfielder will hit only .239 in 79 games during his first tenure with the Bronx Bombers, but Bill Virdon, one of the prospects dealt to the Redbirds, will be named the National League’s Rookie of the Year in 1956.
New York Yankees sell pitcher Vic Raschi
In their first significant trade since moving from St. Louis, the Orioles, formerly known as the Browns, exchange outfielders with the Senators, sending Roy Sievers to Washington for Gil Conan. Sievers will spend five solid seasons in the nation’s capital, making the All-Star squad twice, and Conan, playing less than two seasons in Baltimore, compiles a .266 batting average with three home runs, appearing in 155 games.
February 6, 1954 – Jim Wilson, right-handed pitcher whose 1953 record was an unspectacular 4-9, signed his 1954 contract, the 20th Brave to do so. Four months later on June 12, 1954 Wilson became the first Milwaukee Brave to hurl a no-hitter.
In a six-player trade, the Braves deal a pair of southpaws, Johnny Antonelli and Don Liddle, catcher Ebba St. Claire as well as shortstop Billy Klaus to the Giants in exchange for playoff hero Bobby Thomson and backstop Sammy Calderone. Milwaukee’s new outfielder will break his ankle in an exhibition game and will appear in only 43 games, while Johnny Antonelli posts a 21-7 record, leading the league with an ERA of 2.30 for his new team in New York.
1954 – Veteran pitcher Murry Dickson is traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Andy Hansen and infielder Jack Lohrke. Dickson led the National League in losses the past two years (21 and 19) and will lead it again in 1954 (20).
In an 11-player trade, the Yankees trade top prospect Vic Power to the Philadelphia A’s. The powerful first baseman, who had hoped to be the first black to play for the Yankees, enjoyed three outstanding seasons in the minors, including batting .331 and driving 109 runs for the Newark Bears last season, the team’s top farm club.
November 30, 1953 – At the minor league meeting in Atlanta, Braves right-hander Vern Bickford officially asked the Braves to sell or trade him. He felt he was not getting enough starts. He probably did not mention his 5.28 earned run average in 1953. (I know it’s a Boston uniform, but I love this…
On September 8, 1953, the Chicago Cubs make one of the best transactions in franchise history, purchasing infielder Ernie Banks from the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues. The Cubs surrender a mere $10,000 for Banks, who will hit 512 home runs over a 19-year major league career…
On June 4, 1953, After batting practice at Forbes Field, the Pirates and Cubs announce a shocking trade. Pittsburgh sends slugger Ralph Kiner‚ along with C Joe Garagiola‚ P Howie Pollet‚ and OF Catfish Metkovich to Chicago for C Toby Atwell‚ P Bob Schultz‚ 1B Preston Ward‚ 3B George Freese‚ OF Bob Addis‚ OF Gene Hermanski‚ and $150‚000. The Pirates defeat the Cubs‚ 6 – 1‚ with Kiner getting a double in four…
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