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Fred Ingels Peterson (February 8, 1942 – October 19, 2023) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, and Texas Rangers from 1966 to 1976.

Key Information

Peterson was a left handed starting pitcher who enjoyed his best success in 1970 with the Yankees when he went 20–11 and pitched in the All-Star game. He was widely known for trading families with teammate Mike Kekich in the early 1970s. He had a career record of 133–131. Peterson had the lowest ratio of base on balls per innings pitched for any left-handed pitcher to pitch in the major leagues since the 1920s.[1]

Early life and career

[edit]

Peterson attended Arlington High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He and Gene Dahlquist anchored the baseball team's starting rotation.[2]

Fritz Peterson (first row, far left, with glasses) on the Arlington High School baseball team during his senior year

Peterson attended Northern Illinois University. He was viewed as a promising ice hockey player and gave up playing hockey to concentrate on baseball. He played college baseball for the Northern Illinois Huskies. The New York Yankees signed Peterson in 1963 as an amateur free agent by Yankee scout Lou Maguolo.[3]

Professional career

[edit]

Minor leagues

[edit]

After signing with the Yankees, Peterson was assigned to the Harlan Yankees of the Rookie-level Appalachian League. In twelve games (ten starts), he had a 4–3 win–loss record with a 4.43 earned run average (ERA); he struck out 80 batters in 61 innings pitched. He also batted .273 with one home run.[4] In 1964, Peterson played for the Shelby Yankees in the Class A Western Carolinas League. In 21 games started, Peterson amassed a 10–7 record, with a 2.73 ERA; he struck out a team-leading 194 batters in 155 innings. He also hit .345 with four home runs.[5] He played winter ball in the 1964 Florida East Coast Instructional League; he had a 7–2 record with a 1.68 ERA, striking out 45 batters in 59 innings.[6]

Assigned to the Greensboro Yankees of the Class A Carolina League in 1965, Peterson had an 11–1 record in fourteen starts, with a 1.50 ERA, and 83 strikeouts in 108 innings. He was later moved up to the Columbus Confederate Yankees in the Class AA Southern League. He went 5–5 with a 2.18 ERA in twelve starts with 62 strikeouts in 91 innings.[7] Yankees minor league pitching coach Cloyd Boyer was credited with helping Peterson become a star pitcher.[3]

Major leagues

[edit]

MLB rookie season

[edit]

Peterson was invited to spring training with the Yankees in 1966.[3] Yankees manager Johnny Keane was high on Peterson, telling reporters that he averaged three strikeouts for every walk in the minors.[8] At age 24, he became the number two starter on the Yankees pitching staff.

He made his major league debut on Friday, April 15, 1966, against the Baltimore Orioles. Before a crowd of 35,624 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Peterson pitched a complete game, striking out three batters and walking none. The Yankees won 3–2, giving Peterson his first major league victory. Future Hall of Famer Frank Robinson hit a solo home run off of Peterson in the ninth inning, but he got Brooks Robinson to fly out to left and Boog Powell grounded out to first to give the Yankees the win. The losing pitcher was Wally Bunker. His first major league strikeouts were Paul Blair, Andy Etchebarren, and Bunker.[9]

"Where the vintage pitchers like Whitey Ford, Pedro Ramos, and Bob Friend had failed, Frederick (Fritz) Peterson succeeded yesterday for the New York Yankees. In his first major league game, the 24-year-old left-hander beat the Baltimore Orioles, 3–2, and drew an accolade from his manager, Johnny Keane," the New York Times wrote of his debut. Keane said: "Not many young pitchers have his control. That's his strength, that and his fastball."[10]

In his rookie season, Peterson went 12–11 in 32 starts for the Yankees. He had a 3.31 ERA with 96 strikeouts in 215 innings. He tied Mel Stottlemyre (12–20) as the team leader in wins.[11]

Yankees starting pitcher

[edit]

Peterson went 8–14 in 1967 (3.47 ERA, 102 strikeouts), 12–11 in 1968 (2.63 ERA, 115 strikeouts), and 17–16 in 1969 (2.55 ERA, 150 strikeouts). He had the best season of his career in 1970, with a 20–11 record (2.90 ERA, 127 strikeouts). He went 15–13 in 1971 (3.05 ERA, 130 strikeouts), 17–15 in 1972 (3.24 ERA, 100 strikeouts), and 8–15 in 1973 (3.95 ERA, 59 strikeouts). In 1969 and 1970, Peterson had the best strikeout-to-walk ratios in the AL. Peterson also led the league in fewest walks per 9 innings pitched 5 years in a row, 1968–1972. The last pitcher who did that 5 years in a row was Cy Young. In 1970 and 1975, he had the 10th-best win–loss percentages in the league.[11]

In his nine years as a Yankees pitcher, Peterson had a 109–106 record, with a 3.10 ERA and 893 strikeouts.[11] Between 1969 and 1972, Peterson was one of the most successful left handed pitchers in baseball; only Mike Cuellar, Mickey Lolich, and Dave McNally won more games in the American League than Peterson did during those four years.[3] He is ninth on the Yankees All-Time Games Started list, and tenth on the All-Time Yankees Innings Pitched list.[3]

Peterson never played in a post-season game with the Yankees. "Mediocre at best," Peterson said of the Yankee teams that followed the Mantle-Maris era of the mid to late 1960s. "Pathetic at worst."[12]

American League All-Star

[edit]

Peterson was named to the 1970 AL All-Star team. The American League team was leading 4–1 in the bottom of the ninth inning when Catfish Hunter gave up a home run and two singles. With runners at first and second, Peterson was called in by AL Manager Earl Weaver to replace Hunter. Future Hall of Famer Willie McCovey singled to right, driving in Bud Harrelson, with future HOF'er Joe Morgan moving to third. Fellow Yankee Stottlemyre then replaced Peterson.[13]

Trade to Cleveland Indians

[edit]

Peterson's pitching seemed to suffer in 1973 and 1974 after the swap, and he was roundly booed in nearly every American League ballpark afterwards. The Yankees traded Peterson, Steve Kline, Fred Beene, and Tom Buskey to the Cleveland Indians for Chris Chambliss, Dick Tidrow, and Cecil Upshaw on April 26, 1974.[14] Peterson went 9–14 for the Indians in 1974,[15] and 14–8 in 1975.[16]

Later career

[edit]

After a 0–3 start with a 5.55 ERA in nine games, the Indians traded Peterson to the Texas Rangers for Stan Perzanowski and cash on May 29, 1976.[17] He started two games for the Rangers and had a 1–0 record when a shoulder injury ended his season. The Rangers released him on February 2, 1977. Two weeks later, he signed as a free agent with the Chicago White Sox. After his second shoulder surgery, Peterson announced his retirement from baseball on May 4, 1977.[18]

Trading families

[edit]

Peterson and fellow Yankee pitcher Mike Kekich swapped wives and children, an arrangement the pair announced at spring training in March 1973. The Peterson and Kekich families had been friends since 1969. Peterson and the former Susanne Kekich remained married, but the relationship between Kekich and Marilyn Peterson only lasted a few months.[19] By June, the Yankees traded Kekich.[20]

"It's a love story. It wasn't anything dirty," Peterson told a reporter in 2013. "I could not be happier with anybody in the world. 'Mama' and I go out and party every night. We're still on the honeymoon and it has been a real blessing."[21]

Post-baseball career

[edit]

Peterson provided color commentary for the New York Raiders of the World Hockey Association during the 1972–73 season.[22] Later, Peterson and Susanne Kekich lived outside Chicago, where he worked as a blackjack dealer at the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, Illinois.[23] Jim Bouton discussed Peterson in his bestselling 1970 non-fiction book Ball Four, but Peterson was unhappy to find out after the fact that Bouton had been keeping a diary of the season.[24]

Peterson released his first book, Mickey Mantle Is Going to Heaven in July 2009.[24] He authored The Art of De-Conditioning: Eating Your Way to Heaven, where he wrote about his decision to "accept his own eating habits and no longer worry about his weight affecting him on the field."[25] His third book, When the Yankees Were on the Fritz: Revisiting the Horace Clarke Era, looks at a low-point in Yankee history when the team could not win a pennant despite the pitching combination of Peterson and Stottlemyre.[26][27]

Peterson survived prostate cancer twice. He was an "intensively religious" man, an "evangelical Christian who used to work with Baseball Chapel."[24]

A known practical joker, Peterson was reportedly popular with this teammates, entertaining them with his elaborate jokes.[28] He once used fake Baseball Hall of Fame letterhead to ask Moose Skowron to donate his pacemaker after he died, and used fake Yankees letterhead to ask Clete Boyer to participate in an "official drinking contest" against Don Larsen and Graig Nettles.[29]

Peterson was a regular attendee at the Yankees Fantasy Camp in Florida,[30][31] and the Yankees Old-Timers' Day game at Yankee Stadium.[32]

In April 2018, Peterson revealed in an interview with the New York Post that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in September 2017.[33][34] He died at the age of 81 from lung cancer at his home in Winona, Minnesota, on October 19, 2023.[35] His death was not announced publicly until April 12, 2024.[36][37]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Fritz Peterson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Fritz Peterson (February 8, 1942 – October 19, 2023) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played 11 seasons in from 1966 to 1976, spending most of his career with the New York Yankees. Born in , , and a graduate of , Peterson debuted with the Yankees in 1966 and quickly became one of their most reliable starters, compiling a career record of 133 wins and 131 losses with a 3.30 over 2,218.1 . He was particularly dominant at the original , where he posted a 2.52 in 631⅔ innings. Peterson's most notable season came in 1970, when he earned his only All-Star selection, won 20 games, and posted a 2.90 ERA, ranking fourth in the American League. Over his career, he led the AL in fewest walks per nine innings from 1968 to 1972 and ranked among the league leaders in ERA twice. After being traded to the Cleveland Indians in 1974, he pitched two more seasons before retiring. Post-retirement, Peterson worked in various fields including finance, insurance, coaching, and as a blackjack dealer, and he authored several books, including the memoir Mickey Mantle Is Going to Heaven in 2009. Peterson gained widespread notoriety beyond in 1973 for his involvement in a highly publicized personal scandal: he and Yankees teammate swapped wives and families, with Peterson ultimately marrying Susanne Kekich in 1974; the couple remained together until his death and raised four children from their prior marriages. He later embraced and reflected on the incident in his writings as a turning point in his life. Peterson died of in , at age 81.

Early life

Birth and family background

Fred Ingels Peterson was born on February 8, 1942, in , . He was the eldest of three children of Fred Joseph Robert Peterson, a switchboard installer and avid fan, and Annette (Ingels) Peterson. The family lived in , a northwestern of , during his early childhood. Peterson's father significantly influenced his early interest in , serving as a Little League coach in Mount Prospect and focusing on developing precise control from a young age. Fred Peterson emphasized targeted throwing drills, stating, “I always felt that when a boy throws a ball, that someone should form a target for him. I had throw at the , trying to get him to throw to the spots to sharpen his control.” The nickname "Fritz" originated as a shortened form of his full name, Fred Ingels Peterson, and he began using it during his high school years.

Education and amateur baseball

Peterson attended Arlington High School in , where he graduated in 1960. As a key member of the school's team, he served as a , posting a 5–2 record with a 2.00 , 52 strikeouts, and 20 walks in 48 innings during his senior year, and forming a formidable rotation duo with teammate Gene Dahlquist that helped anchor the squad's mound presence. Following high school, Peterson enrolled at (NIU) in , where he earned a in 1965 and a in in 1967. He played for the Huskies during the 1962 and 1963 seasons. Under Darrel Black, he established himself as the team's primary left-handed starter. In 1962, he led NIU in strikeouts (55) and (65⅓). He particularly excelled in his junior year of 1963 with an 8-2 record, a 2.45 (), and 91 strikeouts over 91⅔ . These performances led the Huskies in wins, , , and strikeouts, showcasing his command and potential as a prospect. After his junior year, Peterson signed with the New York Yankees as an amateur in the summer of 1963. In recognition of his collegiate contributions, he was inducted into the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987, honoring his role in elevating the program's profile during his tenure.

Professional baseball career

Minor league development

After signing with the New York Yankees as an amateur in June 1963 following his college career at , Fritz Peterson began his professional career in the Yankees' farm system as a left-handed . Peterson's first professional season came in 1963 with the Harlan Smokies of the Rookie-level , where he posted a 4-3 record with a 4.43 over 61 , striking out 80 batters while demonstrating early strikeout potential at a rate of 11.8 per nine . In 1964, he advanced to Class A ball with the Shelby Twins of the Western Carolinas League, achieving a 10-7 mark and a 2.73 across 155 , including 12 complete games and two shutouts, while fanning 194 batters and showcasing improved control with a 3.66 -to-walk ratio. He also appeared in the instructional Florida East Coast League that winter, going 7-2 with a 1.68 in 59 and four complete games. By 1965, Peterson's rapid development earned him a promotion within the system, starting the year with the Class A Greensboro Yankees of the before moving up to Double-A with the Columbus Confederate Yankees of the Southern League. Across both stops, he compiled an impressive 16-6 record with a 1.81 in 199 innings pitched, logging 16 complete games and seven shutouts while striking out 145 batters at a 3.15 strikeout-to-walk ratio, highlighting his growing command, stamina, and effectiveness as a starter. These performances solidified his readiness for the major leagues, emphasizing his honed skills in pitch control and endurance through high-volume outings.

Major league debut and early Yankees years

Fritz Peterson made his debut on April 15, 1966, starting for the New York Yankees against the Baltimore Orioles at Memorial Stadium. In a victory, 3-2, he pitched 9 , allowing 6 hits, 2 earned runs, 3 strikeouts, and no walks, demonstrating strong control in his first appearance. This performance set the tone for his rookie season, where he quickly established himself as a reliable member of the Yankees' pitching staff. In 1966, Peterson posted a 12-11 record with a 3.31 ERA over 215 innings in 34 appearances, including 32 starts, contributing significantly to a Yankees team that finished 70-89, last in the American League. He completed 11 games and threw 2 shutouts, with a standout performance on July 4 against the Chicago White Sox, where he carried a perfect game into the eighth inning before securing a 5-2 win. Although the Yankees were in a rebuilding phase following their last World Series appearance in 1964, Peterson's endurance and low walk rate—averaging just 1.1 per 9 innings—provided stability to the rotation. Peterson solidified his role as a starter in the Yankees' rotation during 1967 and 1968, transitioning from occasional relief outings to a consistent front-line presence despite the team's struggles. In 1967, he went 8-14 with a 3.47 in 181.1 innings across 30 starts for a 72-90 squad, while in 1968, he improved to 12-11 with a 2.63 in 212.1 innings over 27 starts, helping the Yankees to an 83-79 record and a fifth-place finish. He adapted well to Yankee Stadium's dimensions, posting a career of 2.52 there, which aided his effectiveness in home games during this period. Through 1969, Peterson continued his steady contributions with a 17-16 record and a 2.55 in a league-high 272 over 37 starts, as the Yankees finished 80-82 in the first year of divisional play. His and command—leading the with a 0.996 that year—proved vital in the post-Mickey Mantle era, where the team navigated roster changes and mediocrity without a playoff berth since 1964. Peterson's early years anchored a pitching staff in transition, embodying reliability amid the Yankees' efforts to rebuild their dynasty.

Peak performance and All-Star selection

Peterson reached the height of his career from 1970 to 1972 as a mainstay in the New York Yankees' rotation, posting three consecutive seasons of double-digit wins despite the team's middling performance in the . In 1970, he achieved career highs with a 20-11 record, a 2.90 over 260.1 innings, and 8 complete games, earning his sole selection as he appeared briefly in the ninth inning of the American League's 5-4 loss at . Peterson sustained his excellence in 1971 with a 15-13 mark, a 3.05 , 16 complete games, and 139 strikeouts in a league-high 274 , finishing among the top 10 in while leading the Yankees in starts and . The following year, 1972, he went 17-15 with a 3.24 and 12 complete games over 250.1 , again anchoring the staff amid a 79-76 season that placed the Yankees fourth in their division. A switch-hitter who batted .200 career but used his to stay sharp at the plate, Peterson was a finesse left-hander known for exceptional control, issuing just 40 walks in en route to the lowest career walks-per-inning rate (1.62) among left-handed pitchers with at least 2,000 innings. He relied on a varied arsenal including a , , , and palm ball rather than overpowering velocity, often inducing quick outs and keeping games under two hours. This approach proved particularly effective at the original , where he compiled a 2.52 — the lowest among any Yankees pitcher—in 119 appearances. As the Yankees endured lean years without a playoff appearance from 1965 to 1975, Peterson formed a reliable one-two punch with right-hander , sharing the workload as the team's top starters and providing stability to a rotation that lacked star power. Their tandem accounted for over 40% of the Yankees' starts in those peak seasons, with Peterson's consistency helping to keep games competitive despite limited run support.
YearTeamW-LERAGSCGIPSO
1970NYY20-112.90378260.1127
1971NYY15-133.053516274.0139
1972NYY17-153.243512250.1100

Family trade incident

Fritz Peterson and , teammates on the New York Yankees since 1969, developed a close friendship during Peterson's peak years with the team, frequently socializing as families with young children. Both were married—Peterson to Marilyn and Kekich to Susanne—and the idea of swapping partners began as a in 1972 but evolved into a serious romantic realignment by July, with Peterson pairing off with Susanne Kekich and Kekich with Marilyn Peterson. By December 1972, the families had fully swapped, including children and pets, though the arrangement was initially intended to be reversible. The swap became public knowledge on March 5, 1973, during when Peterson and Kekich held separate press conferences in , describing it as a "love story" rather than a casual exchange. Peterson emphasized, "It's the kind of love story people like to read about," while Kekich noted the emotional complexities involved. By the time of the announcement, however, Kekich and Marilyn had already parted ways, adding tension to the revelation. The incident sparked a media frenzy, with front-page coverage in newspapers like and widespread national attention, ranking among baseball's most shocking off-field stories. Columnist Dick Young lambasted the pitchers in the , calling it a "moral degeneracy," while MLB Commissioner expressed concern over its influence on youth but declined intervention. Public perception soured, leading to boos for Peterson in his first start after the news; within the team, morale suffered as the once-close friends stopped speaking, though manager downplayed it as "their personal lives" and most teammates offered support. Amid the distraction, Peterson's on-field performance declined in 1973, finishing with an 8-15 record, a 3.95 ERA, and only 184 —his worst full season as a —though he attributed struggles to a injury and issues rather than the scandal. Kekich fared even worse, posting a 2-5 record in limited appearances before being traded. The episode contributed to both pitchers' departures from New York, with Peterson dealt to after the season. In resolution, Kekich's relationship with Marilyn ended shortly after the announcement, while Peterson's with Susanne endured; they married in 1974 and remained together for nearly 50 years until Peterson's death.

Trade to and final seasons

On April 26, 1974, the New York Yankees traded Peterson along with pitchers Kline, Fred Beene, and Tom Buskey to the Indians in exchange for first baseman , pitcher , and reliever Cecil Upshaw. This multi-player deal came amid a transitional period for the Yankees, following Peterson's peak years in New York where he had established himself as a reliable starter with control and durability. With the Indians, Peterson assumed a key role in the starting rotation, though his performance reflected a decline from his Yankees prime. In 1974, his first full season in , he made 29 starts, posting a 9–14 record with a 4.36 over 152⅔ , including three complete games. The following year, 1975, showed some improvement as he went 14–8 in 25 starts with a 3.94 across 146⅓ and six complete games, contributing to a more competitive Indians squad. However, by 1976, injuries began to limit him; he managed only nine starts for with a 0–3 record and 5.55 in 47 before being traded. On May 29, 1976, the Indians dealt Peterson to the Texas Rangers for pitcher Stan Perzanowski and cash. In Texas, he made two starts and appeared in four games total, going 1–0 with a 3.60 over 15 —his final major league appearances on June 19, 1976, before a severe injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Released by the Rangers in February 1977, Peterson signed with the but retired during at age 35 after failing to pitch effectively due to lingering shoulder issues, ending his 11-year major league career. Peterson's overall major league record stood at 133–131 with a 3.30 ERA in 355 games (330 starts), including 90 complete games and 1,015 strikeouts over 2,218⅓ innings.
YearTeamGGSWLERAIPCGSO
1974CLE30299144.36152.2352
1975CLE25251483.94146.1647
1976CLE/TEX1311135.0862.0019
Career3553301331313.302218.1901015

Personal life

Marriage and family

Following the 1973 announcement of the family exchange with teammate , Peterson entered a with Susanne Kekich, the former wife of Kekich. The couple in January 1974 and remained together for nearly 50 years until Peterson's death in October 2023. Peterson and Susanne formed a blended family, raising her two daughters from her previous marriage—Kristen and Reagan—alongside three children they had together. This arrangement created a stable household that supported Peterson through the remainder of his playing career, including his relocation to after being traded to the Indians in April 1974. The family later settled in both and , where they spent significant time in a travel trailer, tending to horses in the mountainous regions. In later years, Peterson often reflected positively on the partnership, describing it as a profound blessing for his family life. In a 2013 marking the 40th anniversary of the exchange, he stated, "I could not be happier with anybody in the world. 'Mama' and I go out and party every night... I thank God every day for that swap." He emphasized the enduring happiness and lack of regret, viewing the relationship as a "love story" rather than a .

Death

Fritz Peterson died on October 19, 2023, at his home in , at the age of 81. The cause of death was . His death was announced on April 12, 2024, by , his alma mater, and confirmed by his family. The New York Yankees also issued a statement that day, expressing condolences to his wife, Susanne, and the entire Peterson family, while praising his contributions as a "formidable and affable presence" during his nine seasons with the team. highlighted his legacy as a Hall of Fame inductee and standout athlete. Peterson's body was cremated following his . Tributes from the community emphasized his on-field achievements, including his selection and a 20-game winning season in 1970, as well as his enduring personal stability amid his notable family life.

Post-baseball career

Coaching and business endeavors

After retiring from following the 1976 season with the Texas Rangers, Fritz Peterson transitioned to a variety of professional roles, adapting from the structure of professional athletics to more routine employment. He expressed dissatisfaction with sales positions, recounting in a 2009 interview, "I stunk... I hated sales," which marked early challenges in finding fulfilling work outside the sport. Peterson returned to baseball through college coaching in Illinois. He served as head baseball coach at Trinity International College in Deerfield from 1984 to 1986, guiding the program during a period of development for the small Christian institution. In 1993, he took on the same role at Rock Valley College in Rockford, leading the team for one season amid his ongoing post-retirement pursuits. Financial constraints from personal obligations limited his ability to commit to more extensive coaching opportunities beyond these stints. Parallel to coaching, Peterson worked in business sectors requiring interpersonal skills honed during his playing days. He spent over 20 years in financing, handling commercial transactions and client relations. He also sold , though he found the role unappealing compared to other ventures. He briefly worked as a hockey announcer and later served as a for basketball games. In 1995, Peterson began working as a dealer on a , eventually serving for about 8.5 years at a Chicago-area establishment, which he described as his favorite post- job: "Punching in, punching out, doing my work."

Writing and media contributions

After retiring from baseball, Fritz Peterson channeled his experiences into writing, authoring three self-published books that reflected on his career, personal philosophy, and Yankees tenure. His first book, Mickey Mantle Is Going to Heaven, released in July 2009, offered a lighthearted tribute to his former teammate , blending anecdotes from their time together with reflections on faith and camaraderie. In 2012, Peterson published The Art of De-Conditioning: Eating Your Way to Heaven, a satirical take on diet and , drawing from his own post-career embrace of indulgent eating habits as a form of liberation from athletic regimens. His third book, When the Yankees Were on the Fritz: Revisiting the Horace Clarke Era, appeared in 2015 as a chronicling the Yankees' struggles in the late and early , highlighting the team's mediocrity and the role of Horace Clarke as a symbol of that period. Peterson frequently appeared in media interviews, where he discussed his pitching career, the infamous 1973 family trade with teammate , and broader Yankees history. Notable examples include a 2010 Pinstripe Alley feature emphasizing his record-low at the old , a 2013 account clarifying the wife-swap details, and a 2015 WFAN radio segment with Boomer and Carton revisiting team dynamics. He also contributed to podcasts and print outlets, such as a 2015 Baseball Happenings episode and Bleeding Yankee Blue Q&A, often correcting media distortions from his playing days. In addition to writing, Peterson pursued opportunities, signing with a sports celebrity booking agency in 2011 to secure engagements at events and alumni gatherings. He was honored at events, his , including a 2019 leadoff banquet where he engaged with fans and students on his career path from NIU to the majors. Through his books and interviews, Peterson's contributions have helped preserve the narrative of the Yankees' less-glorious era, providing insider perspectives on the team's resilience amid sub-.500 seasons and offering a counterpoint to the franchise's more celebrated dynasties. This body of work, enabled by the stability of his post-playing business pursuits, underscores his role in documenting baseball's human side beyond statistics.

References

  1. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/fritz-peterson/
  2. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peterfr01.shtml
  3. https://www.mlb.com/player/fritz-peterson-120466
  4. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/13/sports/baseball/fritz-peterson-dead.html
  5. https://niuhuskies.com/news/2024/4/12/baseball-niu-hall-of-fame-pitcher-fritz-peterson-passes-away.aspx
  6. https://www.pinstripealley.com/2016/1/9/10706682/pinstripe-alley-top-100-yankees-66-fritz-peterson-biography-wife-swap
  7. https://ripbaseball.com/2024/04/19/obituary-fritz-peterson-1942-2024/
  8. https://niuhuskies.com/honors/hall-of-fame/fred-fritz-peterson/146
  9. https://www.dailyherald.com/20240412/pro-sports/niu-hall-of-famer-arlington-heights-high-graduate-fritz-peterson-passes-away/
  10. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=peters004fre
  11. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL196604150.shtml
  12. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1966.shtml
  13. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1967.shtml
  14. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1969.shtml
  15. https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1969-pitching-leaders.shtml
  16. https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-statement-on-passing-of-fritz-peterson
  17. https://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/55522/throwback-thursday-wife-swap
  18. https://apnews.com/article/fritz-peterson-death-9c32b3f636b00cdfe98376292a69a844
  19. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=peterfr01
  20. https://www.nytimes.com/1974/04/27/archives/yanks-win-trade-4-pitchers-yanks-beat-rangers-43-trade-four.html
  21. https://www.nytimes.com/1977/05/05/archives/peterson-after-2d-operation-retires-from-baseball-at-35.html
  22. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39932497/former-yankees-20-game-winner-fritz-peterson-dies-82
  23. https://nypost.com/1999/11/30/ex-yank-fritz-recalled-for-family-switch/
  24. https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/mlb/2013/01/26/ex-yankee-fritz-peterson-has-no-regrets-40-years-after-wife-swap/6615584007/
  25. https://www.the-sun.com/sport/11078497/fritz-peterson-wife-swap-mike-kekich-susanne-mlb/
  26. https://www.[espn.com](/page/ESPN.com)/mlb/story/_/id/39932497/former-yankees-20-game-winner-fritz-peterson-dies-82
  27. https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/sports/baseball/18fritz.html
  28. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Fritz_Peterson
  29. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1993/03/26/good-start-the-north-central-college/
  30. https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/former-arlington-star-infamous-new-york-yankee-pitcher-fritz-peterson-dies-at-age-82/
  31. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2012/02/08/fritz-petersons-famous-swap-doesnt-seem-so-scandalous-anymore/
  32. https://www.ronkaplansbaseballbookshelf.com/2015/07/27/the-bookshelf-conversation-fritz-peterson/
  33. https://www.amazon.com/Art-Conditioning-Eating-your-Heaven-ebook/dp/B00LME3T42
  34. https://www.baseballhappenings.net/2015/08/revisiting-horace-clarke-era-in-fritz.html
  35. https://www.pinstripealley.com/2010/7/3/1550374/interview-with-fritz-peterson-all
  36. https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/frtiz-peterson-talks-about-his-famous-wife-swap-with-mike-kekich
  37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVZg0cIeG8A
  38. https://www.baseballhappenings.net/2015/06/baseball-happenings-podcast-fritz.html
  39. https://bleedingyankeeblue.blogspot.com/2015/08/exclusive-interview-fritz-peterson.html
  40. https://www.ronkaplansbaseballbookshelf.com/2011/02/12/literary-birthday-greetings-fritz-peterson/
  41. https://foundation.myniu.com/article.html?aid=752
  42. https://www.ronkaplansbaseballbookshelf.com/2009/12/26/now-hear-this-fritz-peterson/
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