DiMaggio and Berra for Williams?

[GasHouseGang]

I just read something that I don't think I had ever seen before.

"In 1947, DiMaggio won his third MVP award and his sixth World Series with the Yankees. That year, Boston Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey and Yankees GM Larry MacPhail verbally agreed to trade DiMaggio for Ted Williams, but the trade was cancelled when MacPhail refused to include Yogi Berra."

Talk about a blockbuster trade. How do you think that would have changed things for both teams?

[Cliff Bowman]

At that point a straight up deal would have been a steal for the Yankees in hindsight, but if the Red Sox also got Berra then it would have been in the top ten on the all time list of worst trades in history on the part of the Yankees also in hindsight.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

I just read something that I don't think I had ever seen before.

"In 1947, DiMaggio won his third MVP award and his sixth World Series with the Yankees. That year, Boston Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey and Yankees GM Larry MacPhail verbally agreed to trade DiMaggio for Ted Williams, but the trade was cancelled when MacPhail refused to include Yogi Berra."

Talk about a blockbuster trade. How do you think that would have changed things for both teams?

The myth/rumor/story whatever you want to call it, was that they agreed to a straight swap of DiMaggio for Williams over drinks, and then once Yawkey wanted another player (I've read it as Berra in some cases, and Rizzuto in others) the deal was off.

Assuming it was indeed Berra, I think things play out pretty well for both sides. Sure DiMaggio only had four years left in the tank, but Berra had his entire career in front of him. I'd think that maybe the Yankees slide Williams into Right Field, strictly because the dimensions of Yankee Stadium at the time. I do think in either scenario the loss of Scooter, would effect the Yankees less than the loss of Berra would.

I think Ted hits even better than he did with the Red Sox, if that's possible. His penchant for pulling the ball adds some more homers to his ledger for sure. I think the other interesting ripple, is how this trade, impacts the career of Mickey Mantle. No DiMaggio means Mantle is in center for the 51 series (I would assume the Yankees still make it that year) which means he does not trip on the drain, and blow out his knee.

I always love these fun what ifs. One thing is for certain if the straight, one for one, swap of DiMaggio for Williams happened, The Yankees are most definitely even more dominant in the 1950's, which says something considering they won six titles that decade!

[Volod]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

I just read something that I don't think I had ever seen before.

"In 1947, DiMaggio won his third MVP award and his sixth World Series with the Yankees. That year, Boston Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey and Yankees GM Larry MacPhail verbally agreed to trade DiMaggio for Ted Williams, but the trade was cancelled when MacPhail refused to include Yogi Berra."

Talk about a blockbuster trade. How do you think that would have changed things for both teams?

Since time and space are not subject to human deal-making, no one could possibly foresee the consequences of such a trade, but I like to think that Williams would soon become so fed up and infuriated with the NY press that he would reenter the Marine Corps in 1950 and stay there until the Yankees agreed to trade him to the Cleveland Indians. Berra would probably enjoy a productive career in Boston, and I imagine DiMaggio prolonging his career into the mid-50's just to stick it to MacPhail and pad his WS stats with the Sox. Meanwhile, Frank Costanza would succeed MacPhail as Yankees GM in 1953 and agree to a Williams for Rudy Regalado swap that NY sports writers and fans lament to this day.

[GasHouseGang]

I guess the other thing that I wonder is how much would Ted Williams cards be valued at if he had been traded to the Yankees, versus were they are now? Do you think they would be on par with Mantle?

Now all we need is JollyElm (D@rrΣn Hu.ghΣs) to make a fantasy card of Williams as a Yankee.

[nwobhm]

Originally Posted by Seven

…..I do think in either scenario the loss of Scooter, would effect the Yankees less than the loss of Berra would…..

Keep in mind that the Yankees also had Sherm Lollar at the time and was traded to the Browns in 48’. IMHO had Berra moved to Boston Sherm would have shined bright.

[akleinb611]

I don't think Williams would have had a problem with the New York press at all. His problems up to that point stemmed from the fact that, inexplicably to modern day viewers, the Boston press had generally decided to belittle, criticize and denigrate Williams. His dislike of the Boston press was well-founded.

By contract, the New York press, with rare exceptions, tended to be supportive, even fawning. They had fallen over one another lionizing DiMaggio, in spite of the fact that he was cold, unfriendly and generally antisocial. Williams would have been a breath of fresh air to the NYC reporters. He was talkative, profane and colorful.