Page "Houston Astros" Paragraph 21

In November 1971 the Astros and Cincinnati Reds made one of the most blockbuster trades in the history of the sport, and helped create The Big Red Machine of the 1970s, with the Reds getting the better end of the deal.

Houston sent second baseman Joe Morgan, infielder Denis Menke, pitcher Jack Billingham, outfielder Cesar Geronimo and prospect Ed Armbrister to Cincinnati for first baseman Lee May, second baseman Tommy Helms and infielder Jimmy Stewart.

The trade left Astros fans and the baseball world scratching their heads as to why General Manager Spec Richardson would give up so much for so little.

The Reds, on the other hand, would shore up many problems.

They had an off year in 1971, but were the National League Pennant winner in 1972.