Dodger trades teams and swaps wife to Yankee pitcher, December 5, 1968

The Dodgers traded pitcher Mike Kekich to the Yankees where he became famous for another trade. In 1972, Kekich and fellow Yankee pitcher Fritz Peterson swapped families. Peterson and Kekich's wife eventually married, Kekich and Peterson's wife did not. Kekich said in a 1973 Times story after Peterson's wife decided not to live with him: "I am out in the cold--the only one who has nothing." Sports columnists had a field day with the story, as you might imagine, and it was easy to find a good quote. My favorite was attributed to Yankees executive Dan Topping: "We may have to call off Family Day this season." None of this could have been imaged in 1968, when the Dodgers sent the left-hander to New York for outfielder Andy Kosco. The Times' story quoted Yankees Manager Ralph Houk, who was optimistic about Kekich despite his 2-10 record with the Dodgers. "He could become our fourth or fifth starter. We'll give him every chance." --Keith Thursby