WHAT IF PART IV

             

             Welcome to another installment of the What If series the last one I did I asked you to tell me what you thought if Roberto Clemente had not passed away on New Years Eve in 1972. Well this time I am asking to make the deal that would have helped out these sluggers would they still been Hall of Famers only time would tell. 

         Our story begins with 2 General Managers in 1947 sharing a drink at a local watering hole they were discussing the 2 biggest hitters in how they wish they could trade for the others before they realize it they made the deal however 1 of the General Managers sobered up the next day & nixed the trade cause he didn't want to include a future Hall of Fame Catcher. Imagine if Ted Williams was sent to the Bronx for all people Joe DiMaggio to be sent to Beantown. Now the group made these notes about the trade & discussed the pros & cons first up was Joe D. 

       They Mentioned had Joe DiMaggio been sent to Boston one of the Pros was that Joe would have had played along his brother Dominic plus Joe was more of a Doubles hitter so the Green Monster would have helped him out on that. Plus Joe staying away from an injury plagued career would have only retired after the 1949 season instead of the 1951 season with a career average of .305 not at .325 like he did & only won 2 MVPs not 3. The only con they figured that Joe's Home Run total would been less than it was. Next up Teddy Ballgame.

       Ted Williams had a short porch in right field so hitting in Yankee Stadium would have benefited his stroke. Much like what current Slugger Aaron Judge has at the moment. The group also said Ted would have more than likely not played until 1960 instead retired in 1952 & not get offered the Managerial job with the Senators in 1968 instead he would just became more of a Pro Fisherman after his 2nd stint in the Military was over & had a career batting average around .380 not at .344 like he did & not won the triple crown in 1947 instead would have only led league in Home runs & RBIs but not average instead that would been reward to Phil Rizzuto. 

        Now my readers tell me what you think would have happened had the trade gone through as for that future Hall of Fame Catcher why that was Lawrence Peter Berra. So put your General Manger skills to work again until then remember that baseball season is 52 days away & that another former 2 time winner of the Triple Crown Rogers Hornsby once said about signing autographs for kids "Any ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, he's a Communist."