When the Kansas City Royals announced that they had traded pitcher Dick Drago to the Red Sox straight up for pitcher Marty Pattin in the fall of 1973, the deal was met with some consternation by Royals fans. After all, Drago’s name was at the top of nearly every Kansas City pitching record. Drago was an original Royal and was immensely popular with the fans. But Drago feuded with Royals brass and by the end of the ‘73 season, all parties agreed a clean start would be best.
Being a Drago fan, I wasn’t happy about the trade, but it worked out for well for both parties.