DiMaggio and Berra for Williams?

[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!