Former New York Yankees pitcher Fritz Peterson passed away at the age of 82, the team announced on Friday. Peterson, who played for the Yankees from 1966 to 1974, was known for his impressive control on the mound, boasting a career walk rate of 1.7 per nine innings.
In addition to his pitching skills, Peterson made headlines for a controversial off-field incident in 1973 when he and teammate Mike Kekich revealed that they had traded families and homes. This scandalous “life swap” shocked the baseball world and garnered widespread media attention.
Despite the unconventional swap, Peterson and Susanne Kekich eventually got married and remained together until his passing. However, Mike Kekich and Marilyn Peterson’s relationship did not survive the fallout of the trade.
The bizarre story of the wife swap caught the attention of Hollywood, with actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon planning to develop it into a feature film. Director Jay Roach was attached to the project, but it ultimately fell through due to scheduling conflicts.
The Yankees paid tribute to Peterson, remembering him as a talented pitcher with a playful personality that brought joy to the clubhouse. His impeccable control on the mound set him apart in the Majors, and he will be remembered fondly by teammates and fans alike.