The 30 worst trades in MLB history
By David Rouben
18: Joe Jackson to the Indians
The trade: Cleveland received Joe Jackson
Philadelphia received Bris Lord
Shoeless Joe Jackson may be most infamous for his involvement in the 1919 Black Sox scandal, but before that, he spent five seasons with the Cleveland Naps (later known as the Cleveland Indians). This was after the Philadelphia Athletics gave up on him and decided to trade him for Bris Lord.
Bris Lord, which sounds like a minister for circumcision, had 13 home runs and a batting average of .256 over his 8-year career. Shoeless Joe bested that batting average in his rookie season. In his first season with Cleveland, Jackson hit .408, a rookie record that still stands. The following season, he batted .395 and led the AL in triples, hits, and total bases. He only had 54 home runs to his name, but that’s not what he was known for.
Jackson became a World Series champion* with the Black Sox, but he provided the Naps with five quality seasons that helped shape his legacy as the baseball legend that he is today. Meanwhile, Connie Mack – the owner of the Philadelphia Athletics – is still convinced to this day that Bris Lord was integral to his team’s success.
Next: 17: Lorenzo Cain to the Royals