6/15/1964 - Chicago swaps Broglio for Brock

Not since the Boston Red Sox sold Babe Ruth had a baseball transaction gone more awry. The Chicago Cubs, dissatisfied with center fielder Lou Brock -- who was slumping following his breakout year in 1963 -- decided to trade Brock and two others to the Cardinals for Ernie Broglio (and two others).

At the time, most thought the Cubs had gotten away with robbery. Broglio was an established pitcher who, in 1960, led baseball with 21 wins and was top-5 in ERA and strikeouts. The year before, Broglio finished with 18 wins and a 2.99 ERA. Brock on the other hand had regressed to a .251 batting average and was struggling mightily in the outfield. more...