Fansided

MLB Power Rankings: Each team’s best trade ever

By Dave Stevenson

PHOENIX, UNITED STATES: Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Luis Gonzalez (R) celebrates his game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 9th inning off of New York Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera (42) during Game 7 of the World Series in Phoenix, AZ, 04 November, 2001. The Diamondbacks defeated the New York Yankees 3-2, winning the series four games to three and become the 2001 world champions. AFP PHOTO/Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, UNITED STATES: Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Luis Gonzalez (R) celebrates his game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 9th inning off of New York Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera (42) during Game 7 of the World Series in Phoenix, AZ, 04 November, 2001. The Diamondbacks defeated the New York Yankees 3-2, winning the series four games to three and become the 2001 world champions. AFP PHOTO/Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
20 of 31
Next
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 5, 1922. Babe Ruth, right, caught in a run down between first and second during second game action in the 1922 World Series at New York's Yankee Stadium on October 5th, is tagged out by George Kelly, third from left, with Dave Bancroft, far left, watching the play. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images)
Mandatory Credit: Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images) /

New York Yankees

The best trade that the New York Yankees ever made launched the Yankees into the history book as the winningest team in MLB history and also sent their rivals into an 84 year tail spin. Boston traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees in exchange for $125,000 and a $300,000 loan. New York got arguably the best overall baseball player of all-time, especially once one considers that not only was Ruth an incredible hitter, he was also one heck of a pitcher.

Yankee Stadium quickly became known as “the house that Ruth built” because Ruth launched the franchise into an era of prosperity. Ruth was the best player during that era and it wasn’t even close. He led the league in home runs nine times in his 15 seasons with the Yankees and led the league in walks 11 times. Ruth also led the league in slugging percentage 11 times as a Yankee.

With George Herman Ruth on their team, the Yankees went on to win four World Series and became a dynasty for years to come. Ruth was one of the first true stars of the MLB and luckily, he got to spend his best years with the league’s most popular team. So in a way, Red Sox fans should feel at least a little grateful that Ruth played in New York because it helped baseball become America’s most popular sport.

Next: Oakland Athletics

Home/Arizona Diamondbacks