Fritz Peterson once won twenty games for the Yankees but he’s best remembered for being a wife-swapper. He is more than both, of course. Peterson has just written a book and will be at the Yogi Museum in Jersey tomorrow night to talk about it.
According to a press release from the museum:
Former Yankee pitcher Fritz Peterson will be at the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center on Thursday, Sept. 17 from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. for a discussion and signing of his new book, “Mickey Mantle Is Going To Heaven.”
The book covers Peterson’s rather interesting life on and off the field including what Sports Illustrated called “The Trade of the Century” when he and teammate Mike Kekich swapped wives after the 1972 season. He also discusses the quirks and foibles of his time, and interactions with the likes of Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Bobby Murcer, Thurman Munson and Jim Bouton.
Peterson, who joined the Yankees in 1966, one of the team’s worst seasons, would become an All-Star and 20-game winner. He also started for the Yankees in the last game ever played at the original Yankee Stadium, which was renovated after the final game of the 1973 season. And Peterson had the all-time lowest ERA (2.52) at Yankee Stadium with the legendary Whitey Ford second at 2.55.
The storm of publicity from Peterson’s wife-swapping, which he is most remembered for, ultimately damaged his career. Yet today he is active in charity work and is a prostate cancer survivor, and continues to seek salvation through his faith.
To orders personalized copies of Peterson’s book or for more info, call (973) 655-2378.
I know from swingers, Mr. Peterson, and you are no Gay Talese.
If you are Jersey, be sure to check this out. Should be fun.
The best was listening to Phil Rizzuto try to explain it on the air. I don't think he even knew what was going on.
Gay Talese opining on his open marriage on Charlie Rose a few weeks ago was profoundly disturbing television
Well, um, uh, er, hmm. . . I got nothing.
I used to get a kick out of Fritz's story, but now it makes me think: damn, I'd be crushed if my wife requested a trade - especially "within the division."
Please, honey, I'm beggin ya, wait for free agency!
[4] of course my use of baseball terminology would only hasten her departure.
1966 WAS the worst Yankee year, at .440, since.....
1913...
the first Year the Highlanders became the Yankees (.377)
I'm going from memory here, so feel free to post corrections.
(This is 43 years ago. Did you young guys know you can remember actual events from 43 years ago?)
Besides, how boring would my stories be if they involved facts?
Fritz won his 20th game, like Moose, in his last start. I believe it was the Yankees last game of the year. Fritz was taken out late in the game, and then hid in the clubhouse until someone told him the results of the game.
He was a Lefty, our #2 behind Stottlemyre. Then Stan Bahnsen, Kekich and whomever. We had no really good players anymore except Stott, who averaged some 270-ish IP/yr, with an ERA just under 3.00, over those 8 years from '66. Mickey could give the occasional thrill, but in general, it was a historically pathetic team.
So 20 Wins from Fritzie was pretty special.