The Yankees Acquire Graig Nettles from Cleveland

On November 27, 1972, the New York Yankees traded catcher John Ellis, outfielders Charlie Spikes and Rusty Torres, and infielder Jerry Kenney to the Cleveland Indians for third baseman Graig Nettles and catcher Jerry Moses. The deal would prove to be one of the best trades in Yankees history.

Nettles had shown flashes of power in Cleveland, hitting 17 and 28 home runs in his two full seasons with the Indians, but his best years were ahead of him. In his first season in pinstripes in 1973, he led the American League with 22 home runs during a season shortened by the energy crisis. He went on to hit 20 or more home runs in seven of his first eight seasons with the Yankees, peaking at 37 in 1977.

His defense at third base was spectacular. Nettles won two Gold Glove Awards and turned Game 3 of the 1978 World Series into a personal highlight reel, making a series of diving stops against the Dodgers that saved at least five runs and swung the Series in New York's favor. The Yankees won that game 5-1 and took the championship in six games.

The four players Cleveland received in the trade produced little. Ellis hit .238 with limited power over three seasons with the Indians. Spikes had one productive year. Torres and Kenney were gone within two seasons. Meanwhile, Nettles anchored the hot corner in the Bronx for 11 years, playing on three pennant-winning teams and two World Series champions. He served as Yankees captain from 1982 to 1984, the only player to hold the title between Thurman Munson and Don Mattingly.