Busy day in L.A.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are quite busy 54 years ago today as they make two separate headliner trades.

First, they pick up future Hall of Fame right fielder Frank Robinson from the Baltimore Orioles for elite pitching prospect Doyle Alexander and some magic beans, and then deal enigmatic first baseman and future Hall of Famer Dick Allen to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Tommy John and journeyman infielder Steve Huntz.

The Dodgers keep Robinson for just one season before repackaging him to the California Angels.

The Dodger do just fine, though, in the other trade as John pitches in Los Angeles for six seasons.

In that time, John wins 87 games and undergoes a revolutionary elbow surgery that eventually saves countless pitching careers in the majors and minors.

John eventually wins 288 games during his own Hall of Fame-worthy career.

Allen, a 2025 Hall of Fame inductee, does well for the White Sox, too, winning the American League’s most valuable player award in 1972 and being named to three American League All-Star teams in three seasons before resurfacing in 1975 with the Philadelphia Phillies, his original team from 1963-69.

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