Fritz Peterson

Born on today's date, Fritz Peterson.

"My all-time favorite (hit by pitch) was probably Rick Monday; even though I broke his elbow with a pitch that put him out for 50 games. I felt terrible after about that, but at the time I took great pleasure in hitting him because, in my mind, he was this brash guy from California who needed to be taught a lesson." 

Fritz Peterson

On this date in 1970, Fritz Peterson of the Yankees wins his 20th game in a 4-3 victory over the Red Sox.

"I hit 42 batters in my career; every one of them deliberately. I didn't throw that hard, upper 80's most of the time, and so I had to use purpose pitches. Hitting batters was part of my game plan."

Fritz Peterson

Born on today's date, Fritz Peterson.

"We may have to call off Family Day." - Yankees GM, Lee MacPhail after Peterson swapped wives with teammate, Mike Kekich

Yankees switcheroo

On this date in 1973, Yankees pitchers Mike Kekich and Fritz Peterson announce that they have traded wives, children and family dogs.

"Don't make anything sordid out of this." - Mike Kekich

Fritz Peterson

Born on today's date, Fritz Peterson.

"We may have to call off Family Day!"

Yankees GM, Lee MacPhail after Peterson swapped wives with teammate. Mike Kekich.

What's mine is yours

Born on today's date, Fritz Peterson. Of course, Fritz is famous for trading wives, children, furniture and even dogs with Yankee teammate, Mike Kekich in 1973.

The Yankee response?

"We may have to call off Family Day."

Dan Topping, Yankee executive.

A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, I guess. Who knows where love is gonna take you. Of course, there is something to be said for commitment so let's not get too carried away here.

Well anyway Fritz and his "new" wife, Susanne are still together but apparently the other half of the foursome did not last more than a year. I guess a 50% success rate for a marriage mirrors the national average* so who I am to judge.

I leave you a picture of this group in more adventurous times where our friend, Fritz was thinking about "making some changes".

*Though now that I think about it if Kekich and the first Mrs. Peterson did get married, then there were four marriages with only one surviving so we are down to 25%, a much less impressive figure.