An argument can be made that Tom Seaver is the greatest pitcher ever dealt at the trade deadline. June 15,1977 is a day that fans of the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets will remember forever. The Reds acquired one of the best pitchers in baseball, while the Mets traded away the greatest player in their franchise history.
The two-time defending World Series champion Cincinnati Reds were languishing in second place with a mediocre 31-27 record and trailing the first place Los Angeles Dodgers by 7 games in the National League West. Despite featuring an explosive offense the Reds starting rotation was a disaster.