1976 Topps - Mike Kekich.

Relief pitcher Mike Kekich shows up here on card number 582 of the 1976 Topps set. By the time collectors were pulling this card from packs, Kekich was no longer with the Rangers. Texas released Kekich in March of 1976 and he spent that season in Mexico trying to come back from a shoulder injury.

Kekich was a solid pitcher early in his career before injuries took their toll. He is best known though for a 1973 trade he was part of. The trade involved Kekich and then Yankees teammate Fritz Peterson.

Unlike most trades, this one also involved Kekich's wife Susanne and Peterson's wife Marilyn. The two pitchers traded everything. Wives, kids, dogs, houses, all of it. When they showed up for Spring Training in 1973 and announced the arrangement there was a lot of surprise. Yankees executive Dan Topping commented, "We may have to call off Family Day this season."

Unfortunately for Mike, his end of the deal didn't work out. He broke up with Marilyn Peterson shortly after the swap. Fritz Peterson meanwhile married Susanne Kekich and they are reportedly still together. To add salt to Kekich's wound, there has been some recent talk of a movie about the incident. Mike refuses to cooperate though and is apparently dreading the possibility.