On February 25, 1972, the St. Louis Cardinals trade future Hall of Famer Steve Carlton to the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Rick Wise. The trade will prove to be one of the best in the history of the Philadelphia franchise, as Carlton will win an amazing 27 games for the last-place Phillies in 1972. During his career with the Phillies, Carlton will win 241 games and four Cy Young awards. Carlton will also help the Phils win 6 NL East crowns, 2 National League pennants, and the 1980 World Series.
Carlton was traded for only $5,000 difference In contract demands, he wanted to stay a Cardinal. According to sources he was actually walking down the hallway to accept the Cardinals offer just to stay in StL and when he arrived, the trade had been completed.
Wise will win 32 games for St. Louis and pitch 269 and 259 innings and he was on the 1973 NL All Star Team, before heading to Boston after the 73 season with Bernie Carbo to the Boston Red Sox for Reggie Smith and Ken Tatum.
Wins/loss wise Wise will before his best in Boston winning almost 60% of his games. Wise won a game in ALCS and in World Series for the Red Sox in 75. Wise will again be traded from the Red Sox for a future Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley on March 30, 1978.
