MLB Trade Deadline: Top 25 midseason deals of all-time
15. Yankees acquire Aaron Boone, July 31, 2003
Some trade deadline deals pave the way for historic postseason moments.
Aaron Boone was an All-Star with the Cincinnati Reds in 2003, but he is remembered far more for the impact he had with the Yankees following a trade deadline that shipped the infielder to the Bronx. Boone hit .254/.302/.418 with six home runs, 31 RBI and 31 runs scored in 54 regular season games with New York, which helped the club hold on to win the AL East by six games with a 101-61 record.
After beating the Minnesota Twins in four games in the ALDS, the Yankees squared off against the Red Sox in an intense seven-game ALCS. With a trip to the World Series on the line, Boone stepped up to the plate for one of the most dramatic moments in postseason history.
Benched for Enrique Wilson in the starting lineup, Boone had an opportunity to pinch hit in extra innings. With the scored tied at five in the 11th inning of Game 7, Boone stepped to the plate to face knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. He deposited the only pitch he saw into the stands for a walk-off home run, winning the pennant. Boone homered again in the World Series, but the Yankees fell to the Florida Marlins in six games.
On a similar note, it’s worth mentioning Geoff Blum. Acquired by the White Sox July 31, 2005, Blum provided bench depth for Chicago on its ride to the World Series. He played in 31 games for the club in the regular season, but Blum made only one plate appearance in the Fall Classic: a home run in the 14th inning of Game 3.