Ken Phelps for Jay Buhner Trade

On July 21, 1988, the New York Yankees make the infamous “Ken Phelps Trade” with the Seattle Mariners. The Yankees acquire the veteran first baseman/DH for promising outfield prospect Jay Buhner and minor league prospect Rich Balabon, and a player to be named later (Troy Evers) to the Mariners in exchange for 33 year-old Phelps. 

Phelps will remain with the Yankees for parts of only two seasons, while Buhner will emerge as a star, reaching the 40-home run mark in 1995, ’96, and ’97.

It is not often a trade makes a sit-com but, this trade became the subject of Seinfeld lore when Frank Costanza asked the actor-portrayed George Steinbrenner (Larry David) why he traded away Buhner in a 1996 episode titled The Caddy.

Frank: What the hell did you trade Jay Buhner for?!? He had 30 home runs, and over 100 RBIs last year. He’s got a rocket for an arm. You don’t know what the hell you’re doin’!

Steinbrenner: Well, Buhner was a good prospect, no question about it. But my baseball people loved Ken Phelps’ bat. They kept saying “Ken Phelps, Ken Phelps.”

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