THE NEW YORK YANKEE 1972 WIFE SWAP "trade of the century"; Fritz Peterson-Mike Kekich, pitchers, trade wives and families!

Welcome Steemian friends to this incredible tale of the Yankee trade of the century. July 1972 Yankee friends and left handed pitchers Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich decided to trade entire families. I remember it well, the avid Yankee fan that I am.

See the media headline above. It all began when famed New York Post sportswiter Maury Allen invited Peterson and family to a barbecue at the Allen home. Fritz asked if Kekich and family could come as well. The two couples went out afterwards and it all began. It did not take long for the couples to realize they loved each other's spouse.

It was a bit more complicated in that there were young children, dogs and homes involved. It was not long before each held a press conference to go public with the plan. This was a scandal of proportions not seen in pro sports at any time.

Above see both Peterson and Kekich running out to celebrate a victory. (photos:ATI)

Let's look at the careers of the two pitchers. Fritz Peterson was an outstanding starting left hander for New York and Cleveland primarily. He won 109 games in 9 years for bad Yankee teams. He missed the great Yankee years of the fifties and early sixties, and the good years that followed his leaving New York. He is to this day the holder of the lowest earned run avg. by any pitcher in the history of the Yankees at home: 2.52! That beats Whitey Ford (2.75).

Kekich was a "jouneyman" pitcher, nothing special for a career, 39 wins-51 losses.

So, what happened to the marriages? The new Mrs. Peterson and Fritz have been happily married for well over 40 years.
The new Kekich "arrangement" lasted about one year.

Sadly, it has been reported Peterson age 76, now has alzheimer's disease.

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