OTD: 1900

[soxfan1468927]

One of the worst trades in baseball history that isn't talked about that much.

Reds trade Christy Mathewson for Amos Rusie.

Rusie was a 19th century baseball stud, and a future HOFer, but for the Giants he lasted 3 games, had a 8.59 ERA, and retired.

Mathewson was a 20 year old who had played for the Giants the previous season, but was sent back to the minors and had his contract purchased by the Reds before being traded right back. Turned into a top 10 pitcher all time and in 101.2 IP in the World Series, he had a 0.97 ERA

 

[DragonfromTO]

One of the worst trades in baseball history that isn't talked about that much.

Reds trade Christy Mathewson for Amos Rusie.

Rusie was a 19th century baseball stud, and a future HOFer, but for the Giants he lasted 3 games, had a 8.59 ERA, and retired.

Mathewson was a 20 year old who had played for the Giants the previous season, but was sent back to the minors and had his contract purchased by the Reds before being traded right back. Turned into a top 10 pitcher all time and in 101.2 IP in the World Series, he had a 0.97 ERA

I can't remember the details off hand but isn't there some shady story involving this trade? I'll have to do some research when I get a chance.

 

[Cedrique]

It was an obvious salary dump by the Reds

 

[JohnU]

To be honest, owners in those days didn't know squat about talent. They had almost no information to work with other than whether a guy was likeable or had a nice-looking wife. Salaries were based only on gate receipts and players either agreed to the salary or they quit baseball.

 

[dougplayer]

Plus. His WAR sucked

 

[DragonfromTO]

One of the worst trades in baseball history that isn't talked about that much.

Reds trade Christy Mathewson for Amos Rusie.

Rusie was a 19th century baseball stud, and a future HOFer, but for the Giants he lasted 3 games, had a 8.59 ERA, and retired.

Mathewson was a 20 year old who had played for the Giants the previous season, but was sent back to the minors and had his contract purchased by the Reds before being traded right back. Turned into a top 10 pitcher all time and in 101.2 IP in the World Series, he had a 0.97 ERA

Here we go, this is what I was thinking of.

Rob Neyer's Big Book of Baseball Lineups

I'm not sure if I linked that right, you may have to scroll to the previous page to get the start of the story.

 

[soxfan1468927]

Here we go, this is what I was thinking of.

Rob Neyer's Big Book of Baseball Lineups

I'm not sure if I linked that right, you may have to scroll to the previous page to get the start of the story.

That's an awesome conspiracy.