The top 10 greatest short-lived duos in MLB history

World Series co-MVPs Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers Randy Johnson (L) and Curt Schilling hold their MVP trophy during post-game ceremonies after the Diamondbacks' win of Game 7 of the World Series in Phoenix 04 November 2001. The Diamondbacks defeated the New York Yankees 3-2, winning the series four games to three to become the world champions. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo by JEFF HAYNES / AFP) (Photo by JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /

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CHICAGO – UNDATED 1984: Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds poses before an MLB game at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Rose played for the Cincinnati Reds from 1963-1978 and from 1984-1986. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Short-lived MLB duo No. 7: Frank Robinson and Pete Rose —1963–1965 Cincinnati Reds

Before Pete Rose teamed up with three other future Hall of Famers to form the Reds’ Big Red Machine, he played alongside one up-and-coming superstar: Frank Robinson. The two spent a mere three seasons together before Robinson was traded in 1965.

Long before Rose’s arrival, Robinson was already an established star in the National League; he had five All-Star appearances and an NL MVP award on his resume. But Rose’s emergence opened up the offense for Cincinnati. His ability spray the baseball all over the field created even more RBI opportunities for both Robinson and Vada Pinson.

Their best season together came in 1965. The Reds failed to make the playoffs but finished the year as the best offense in baseball; they topped out first in runs and OPS+. Robinson had yet another season with at least 30 home runs, 100 RBI and 100 runs scored. Rose recorded a league-leading 209 hits and piled up a .356 average with runners in scoring position. With Rose at the top of the lineup and Robinson at his usual fourth spot, opposing pitchers had an extremely difficult time containing such a potent hitting combination.

Robinson was later traded off to Baltimore, but it all worked out for the future Hall of Famer in the end. Robinson became an icon in Baltimore sports history after leading the Orioles to two World Series titles, including one against the Reds.

Rose continued his march to becoming a hitting machine and life later became easier for him playing alongside the likes of Joe Morgan, Tony Perez and Johnny Bench.

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