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amead17 · 09-23-2025, 10:42 AM

SUPERBAS AND HIGHLANDERS SWAP MEN AS SPRING TRAINING OPENS

By Samuel T. Kingsley, Sporting Times
April 13th, 1904

Late deal sees Hughes and Moriarty head to New York; Brodie and Heismann bound for Brooklyn

Even as the clubs of the major leagues shook off the winter frost and gathered for spring training, there remained room for one more shuffle of talent before the season’s first pitch. On March 10th, the Brooklyn Superbas and New York Highlanders struck a deal that sent four men to new homes.

To New York go RHP Jay Hughes, a seasoned thirty-year-old with a 12–15 record and a 4.01 earned run average last year, along with the youthful prospect George Moriarty, just eighteen years of age and considered one for the future.

In exchange, Brooklyn secured veteran center fielder Steve Brodie, thirty-five years old but still able to wield a lively bat—he struck for a .333 average across seventy-five appearances last season. Joining him is southpaw Crese Heismann, twenty-three, whose raw potential will now be tested in Superba livery.

The deal marks a gamble for both clubs: the Highlanders banking on Hughes’ steady arm and Moriarty’s promise, while Brooklyn wagers that Brodie’s experience and Heismann’s youth will provide dividends in their bid to rise from the National League cellar.

As one Brooklyn man quipped at the camp gates:

“If Brodie’s bat stays as lively as his spirit, we may have found ourselves a spark at just the right time.”

With the season but days away, the transaction stands as a reminder that managers will take every chance, however late, to fit the final pieces of their puzzle before the games that count begin.

09-23-2025, 10:42 AM	#131
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 8,613	Final trades before season SUPERBAS AND HIGHLANDERS SWAP MEN AS SPRING TRAINING OPENS By Samuel T. Kingsley, Sporting Times April 13th, 1904 Late deal sees Hughes and Moriarty head to New York; Brodie and Heismann bound for Brooklyn Even as the clubs of the major leagues shook off the winter frost and gathered for spring training, there remained room for one more shuffle of talent before the season’s first pitch. On March 10th, the Brooklyn Superbas and New York Highlanders struck a deal that sent four men to new homes. To New York go RHP Jay Hughes, a seasoned thirty-year-old with a 12–15 record and a 4.01 earned run average last year, along with the youthful prospect George Moriarty, just eighteen years of age and considered one for the future. In exchange, Brooklyn secured veteran center fielder Steve Brodie, thirty-five years old but still able to wield a lively bat—he struck for a .333 average across seventy-five appearances last season. Joining him is southpaw Crese Heismann, twenty-three, whose raw potential will now be tested in Superba livery. The deal marks a gamble for both clubs: the Highlanders banking on Hughes’ steady arm and Moriarty’s promise, while Brooklyn wagers that Brodie’s experience and Heismann’s youth will provide dividends in their bid to rise from the National League cellar. As one Brooklyn man quipped at the camp gates: “If Brodie’s bat stays as lively as his spirit, we may have found ourselves a spark at just the right time.” With the season but days away, the transaction stands as a reminder that managers will take every chance, however late, to fit the final pieces of their puzzle before the games that count begin.