[Chuck9788]

In 1925 the Yankees offered Lou Gehrig to the Red Sox in return for first baseman Phil Todt.

The Yankees wanted to repay the Red Sox for allowing them to acquire Babe Ruth, a fact that makes one wonder how much of a rivalry existed between the teams 85 years ago.

However, Red Sox owner Bob Quinn decided that the Red Sox would be better off with Phil Todt at first base instead of Lou Gehrig. Everyone knows how that turned out. So Boston team rejected the offer.

Todt's obituary in The Sporting News also claims that the Yankees had offered Gehrig straight up to Boston. The reason seems unbelievable today.

Todt played for Boston from 1924 until 1930. On Feb. 3, 1931, he was sent to the Philadelphia A's for cash. In his eight seasons, Phil batted .258, averaging 10 home runs and 77 RBIs over a 162 game season.