Fritz Peterson

From BR Bullpen

Fritz Fred Peterson born Fred Ingels Peterson

Bats Both, Throws Left
Height 6' 0", Weight 200 lb.
School Northern Illinois University
Debut April 15, 1966
Final Game June 19, 1976
Born February 8, 1942 in Chicago, IL USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Fritz Peterson is best remembered for swapping wives, kids, and dogs with teammate Mike Kekich in the off season before Spring Training in 1973. Peterson is still married to the former Mrs. Kekich but Peterson's wife never did marry Kekich. The two had been very close friends, and their families had done many things together. Both Peterson and Kekich felt that they had fallen in love with the other's wife, but whereas Peterson married Kekich's former wife, the relationship between Kekich and Peterson's former wife didn't last.

The event became a huge media story at the time, bigger by far than the introduction of the designated hitter or the purchase of the Yankees by George Steinbrenner's group.

Peterson had an 11-year career as a pitcher, mostly with the New York Yankees. He was an All Star once and was in the top five in ERA twice.

These were the dog days of the Yankees when Peterson was with them, 1966-1973, when they usually weren't contenders. They finished as high as 2nd once, in one of Peterson's best years. They also finished 2nd in 1974, but Peterson was traded early in the season. He has one of the longest careers with the Yankees without a single post-season appearance, along with Ray Caldwell and Horace Clarke.

He was traded to the Cleveland Indians, the same place that Kekich had been traded the previous season, but by that time Kekich was with the Texas Rangers.

Both Peterson and Kekich had been successful pitchers with the Yankees, Peterson winning 20 games once and 17 twice, while Kekich had won 10 twice. Peterson had financial difficulties after baseball. At one point, he was working in Chicago as a boat dealer. Both Peterson and Kekich suffered greatly from the media coverage and subsequent public reaction.