Some of the Chicago Cubs best and worst moves at the trade deadline

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Chicago Cubs let Hall of Famer Brock get away

This last deal is not only the worst trade in Cubs history, it’s arguably the worst, most lopsided trade in all of baseball history. In 1964, the Cubs changed their franchise for the worst when they traded away future Hall of Famer Lou Brock for Ernie Brolgio. I mean, realistically it doesn’t matter who it was for, they traded away Brock.

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To make matters worse, the Cubs traded Brock to the rival St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals reaped the benefits of the trade as soon as they got Brock as they won the World Series in 1964.

Brock spent the next 16 years with the Cardinals where he won two World Series titles. He was a six-time All-Star and was the MVP runner-up in 1974. He tallied 3,000 hits and led the league in stolen bases eight times. When he retired he held the record for steals with 938 and steals in one season with 118.

The Cubs gave up on him because he wasn’t much of a power hitter and they didn’t know how to utilize his speed. The Cardinals clearly understood his talents and Brock took off immediately.

Broglio caught the Cubs eye with his performance in 1963 where he won 18 games with 2.99 ERA. But he was a shell of himself with the Cubs over the next three years. He started just 33 games and won only seven contests while his ERA skyrocketed to 5.40.

Next. Chicago Cubs trade Martin Maldonado for Astros Tony Kemp. dark

Based on the player Brock turned out to be, nothing the Cubs got back could have been enough of a return. At the time, the Cubs had considered Brock a bust but he turned out to be a once in a lifetime talent. If they had held onto him I’m sure the Cubs World Series drought would have ended a pretty long time ago.

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