The trade of Steve Carlton from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Philadelphia Phillies in February 1972 stands as one of the most scrutinized and ultimately lopsided transactions in baseball history. While it appeared to be a reasonable exchange at the time, driven by salary disputes and internal pressures, its long-term consequences profoundly impacted both franchises. This move not only launched Carlton into an era of unparalleled individual success
with the Phillies but also left the Cardinals with a trade widely considered one of their worst decisions.
The Genesis of the Trade: Salary Disputes and Owner's Orders
Steve Carlton's departure from the St. Louis Cardinals was primarily fueled by persistent salary disagreements. After a strong 1969 season, Carlton, who had earned $26,000, sought $50,000, while the Cardinals offered $31,000. This dispute led to him missing spring training in 1970, a season in which he led the National League in losses with a 10–19 record. Despite rebounding in 1971 with his first 20-win season (20–9, 3.56 ERA), another salary impasse emerged. Carlton requested $65,000, which was $10,000 more than the Cardinals' offer of $55,000.
Cardinals owner Gussie Busch, frustrated by the ongoing negotiations, reportedly ordered Carlton to be traded. This directive became an open secret throughout baseball, weakening the Cardinals' negotiating position. With potential trade partners aware of the team's urgency to move Carlton, the Cardinals found themselves in a difficult spot, ultimately accepting the best offer they could secure.
The Exchange: Rick Wise for Steve Carlton
The trade, finalized on February 26, 1972, sent Steve Carlton to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for pitcher Rick Wise. At the time, the trade seemed to make sense from the Cardinals' perspective. Carlton had accumulated 77 wins with St. Louis, while Wise had 75 career victories, and both were considered among the game's top pitchers. Tim McCarver, who had caught for both Carlton in St. Louis and Wise in Philadelphia, described the trade as "a real good one for a real good one." McCarver acknowledged Carlton's raw talent but noted Wise's superior command on the mound.
However, the perception of the trade would dramatically shift over time. While Wise pitched for another 11 years in the majors, including two seasons with the Cardinals before being traded to Boston, he finished his career with 188 wins. This figure paled in comparison to Carlton's eventual 329 career victories, highlighting the significant disparity in their long-term impact.
A Legacy of Regret for the Cardinals
Carlton's first season with the Phillies immediately underscored the magnitude of the Cardinals' miscalculation. In 1972, he led the league in wins (27), complete games (30), strikeouts (310), and ERA (1.97), winning his first Cy Young Award despite playing for a last-place team that finished 59–97. His 27 wins accounted for a record 46% of his team's total victories that season, a testament to his individual dominance.
Carlton himself reflected on the trade, stating, "Auggie Busch traded me to the last-place Phillies over a salary dispute. I was mentally committed to winning 25 games with the Cardinals and now I had to re-think my goals. I decided to stay with the 25-win goal and won 27 of the Phillies' 59 victories. I consider that season my finest individual achievement." This immediate and sustained success with the Phillies, including four Cy Young Awards and a World Series title, cemented the trade as one of the most lopsided in baseball history, a decision that continues to be a source of regret for the St. Louis Cardinals.
