LIFTED FOR A PINCH HITTER.

Word reaches Cold Spring Shops of the passing of New York Yankee pitcher Fritz Peterson, perhaps better known for his off-the field substitutions.  "Yankees pitcher Fritz Peterson, infamous for trading wives with a teammate, dies at 82."  That's the tabloid stuff.

Peterson pitched nine seasons for the Yankees from 1966 through 1974, notching a 20-win season in 1970, when he was also named to the American League All-Star team. He also pitched for Cleveland and the Texas Rangers during his career. Altogether, Peterson compiled a 3.30 ERA and 133–131 record, throwing over 2,200 innings.

Control was Peterson's best trait as a pitcher. He had a career walk rate of 1.7 per nine innings and averaged the lowest walks per nine in the AL for a five-season stretch from 1968 through 1972.

However, Peterson is perhaps best known for more infamous reasons. During spring training of 1973, he and teammate Mike Kekich revealed that they had traded families and homes. Kekich's wife and two daughters moved in with Peterson, while Peterson's wife and two sons lived with Kekich.

"It wasn't a wife swap. It was a life swap," Kekich said in an interview, via The New York Times. "We're not saying we're right and everyone else who thinks we're wrong are wrong. It's just the way we felt."

He played college baseball at Northern Illinois in the years before there was a Mid-American Conference.

Compiled 8-2 mark, 2.45 ERA, and 91 strikeouts in 91 2/3 innings as junior under NIU coach Darrel Black. Led Huskies in wins, innings, ERA, and strikeouts (1963). Named team MVP, First-Team All-IIAC, and All-Midwest in final spring. Topped NIU in strikeouts (55) and innings (65 1/3) (1962). Lettered twice (1962-63). Earned bachelors (1965) and masters (1967) from NIU. Did color on Huskie Radio Network. Played baseball on Mt. Prospect Little League All-Stars with HOFer George Bork (1954). Arlington High product.

R. I. P.