That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies: Most impactful trade made with every team

By George Stockburger

Roy Halladay and Ruben Amaro Jr. of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
Roy Halladay and Ruben Amaro Jr. of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
17 of 28
Next
PHILADELPHIA, PA – CIRCA 1978: Pitcher Tug McGraw #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during an Major League Baseball game circa 1978 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. McGraw played for the Phillies from 1975-84. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – CIRCA 1978: Pitcher Tug McGraw #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during an Major League Baseball game circa 1978 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. McGraw played for the Phillies from 1975-84. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

New York Mets: Tug McGraw

"On December 3, 1974, the New York Mets traded Don Hahn, Tug McGraw and Dave Schneck to the Philadelphia Phillies for Mac Scarce, John Stearns and Del Unser."

Tug McGraw had been a big piece of the Mets bullpen for 9 seasons dating back to 1965. In his nine year career in New York he finished with 3.39 FIP, 618 K’s and 86 saves in 792.2 innings pitched. But after his 1974 season was disappointing, posting a record of 6-11 with a 4.20 FIP and 5.5 K/9 in 88.2 innings, the Mets were quick to trade him away.

On December 3rd, 1974, the Mets stopped believing, Philadelphia sent outfielder Del Unser, infielder John Stearns and reliever Mac Scarce to New York for Tug McGraw, and outfielders Dave Schneck and Don Hahn. Luckily for Philadelphia McGraws down season was due to a cyst that was giving him trouble with his delivery. He got it removed in the offseason and bounced back in his first season as a Phillie going 9-6 with a 3.41 FIP in 102.2 innings.

Tug continued to post solid numbers through his next five seasons in Philadelphia en route to throwing the final pitch in game 6 of the 1980 World Series to secure the first title in Phillies history. He ended his career in a Phillies uniform pitching 10 seasons for them. As a Phillie he posted a record of 49-37 with a 3.11 FIP, 94 saves and 491 K’s in 722 innings.

Dave Schneck and Don Hahn never recorded a hit for the Philadelphia Phillies.

As for the Mets they didn’t make out too bad in the trade. Unfortunately, Mac Scarce only faced one batter in his career as a Met, while Del Unser only played two seasons in New York slashing .271/.316/.375 in 224 games posting a WAR of only 3.6.

The brightest part of the deal for New York was John Stearns. Nicknamed “Bad Boy”, his first season after the trade was just that, he slashed .189/.268/.284 in 59 games. After that dreadful season he ended up being a productive bat for the Mets the next nine seasons. He finished off his career as a Met slashing .259/.341/.375 in 809 games posting a WAR of 19.7.

– George Rider contributed to this report

Honorable Mention

June 18, 1989. The New York Mets traded a Tom Edens, Lenny Dykstra and Roger McDowell to the Philadelphia Phillies for Juan Samuel.

Home/Phillies History