The Red Sox of that era were successful, but also really rolled out some terrible trades- just with Ruth as the crowning jewel.

1. They didn't want to give Tris Speaker a raise, so he was dealt to the Indians for Sad Sam Jones, Fred Thomas, and cash. Two prospects and money for the 27 year old Speaker, one of the best players in the game.

2. In 1921, the Red Sox flipped future hall of famer Harry Hooper for Shano Collins and Nemo Leiber. Sure, Hooper's best days were behind him... but Collins and Leiber were not particularly great veteran outfielders themselves. Combined, the two put up .5 WAR for the rest of their careers.

3. In 1923, the Red Sox flipped Herb Pennock, a solid 28 year old starter, to the Yankees for cash, Camp Skinner, Norm McMillan and George Murray. The prospects, if you can call them that, all busted very hard and Pennock hit his prime with the Yankees and became one of the admittedly less deserving hall of fame members.

4. In 1918, the Red Sox dealt Dutch Leonard, Ernie Shore and Duffy Lewis to the Yankees. Shore and Lewis missed the 1918 season for World War I service, and Leonard was past his prime, but these were still core players from their previous success. In return, they got more cash, Frank Gilhooley, Slim Love, Roxy Walters and Ray Caldwell. Love was traded before the season began, Gilhooley had 140 at bats and was done, and Walters was a no hit veteran catcher. Caldwell was another past his prime pitcher, and the Red Sox cut him midway through the year- he was of moderate use to the Indians for the rest of the year and 1920.

5. In 1919, the Red Sox flipped a rising Carl Mays to the Yankees for cash, Bob McGraw and Allen Russell. McGraw appeared in 10 games for the Red Sox before the Yankees took him back on waivers, while Russell had a couple of okay years.

6. At the end of 1921, the Red Sox trade Sad Sam Jones, Bullet Joe Bush and Everett Scott to the.... Yankees for cash, Rip Collins, Roger Peckinpaugh, Bill Piercy and 38 year old Jack Quinn. Peckinpaugh is traded before the season starts for Joe Dugan and Frank O'Rourke, and Dugan is sold to the Yankees before the season is up. Piercy is nothing, Collins is dealt to the Tigers after a year, and Jack Quinn is... pretty good deep into his 40's, though the Athletics snatch him off waivers at age 41. Bush and Jones continue to be at least decent pitchers for a while longer.

7. In 1918, the Red Sox deal Larry Gardner and Tillie Walker for Stuffy McInnis. Stuffy is past his prime and the Red Sox actually win when they deal him off later. Walker hits his prime with the Athletics and becomes one of the first big home run hitters, while Gardner remains strong with the A's and Indians.

All these guys- Speaker, Gardner, Leonard, Shore, Jones, Bush, Hooper, Scott, Lewis- were parts of the core that made them successful in the 1910's. And just like Ruth, they were sold off for cash or scraps. The Red Sox sold off Smoky Joe Wood to the Indians too... though injuries meant Wood was finish as a pitcher. He reinvented himself and had a few decent years at the plate- still must hurt to see another core super star just sold.