From today’s “Page Six” in the New York Post:
Former Yankee Mike Kekich is desperate to block Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s movie “The Trade,” based on the huge scandal when he and fellow pitcher Fritz Peterson swapped wives in the 1970s.
Die-hard Red Sox fan Affleck and his brother, Casey, are rewriting a second version of the script and have hired veteran sportswriters to help reach out to Yankees from that era. But Kekich, who’s believed to have created a completely new life and family in New Mexico, is refusing to participate.
A source tells us, “Kekich is panic-stricken. He has moved away and has a new identity. He is freaked out that those working on the movie found out where he is. He isn’t too keen on having the scandal dredged up again after all this time. Other Yankees from that time have also been really unhelpful with facts and details of what happened. They are stonewalling.”
The amazing drama started in 1972 after the two hurlers, old friends, joked about swapping wives. They followed through on it, although word didn’t get out until the spring of ’73. Marilyn Peterson moved in with Kekich, but it didn’t last. Susanne Kekich and Fritz are still married and live in New Jersey and Colorado. Kekich reportedly remarried and had another daughter.
Actresses being considered include Naomi Watts, Rachel Weisz and Rebecca Hall. Ben Affleck recently confirmed he and Casey were rewriting the script, and hinted that Damon may direct. It wasn’t certain that he and Damon would play the pitchers.
Affleck recently told MTV, “I’ve come to have a little more respect for the Yankees. There are some of those guys . . . that look like good guys . . . But as an institution? Disdain. Contempt.” About the movie’s subject matter, he said: “Guys [bleep]ing each others’ wives — that’s those Yankees.”
The script hasn’t yet been shown to Major League Baseball or the Yankees, another source confirmed. Reps for Affleck, Damon and the team declined to comment.
I don’t deny that the Peterson-Kekich scandal would be the basis for an interesting movie. I and other fans of a certain generation remember it vividly. Even in the swingin’ 70s it was shocking stuff, particularly set against the straitlaced world of baseball. And I admire Affleck as a director; I thought “The Town” should have been among the Best Picture Oscar nominees. I just wish somebody would make the film who doesn’t have “disdain” and “contempt” for the Yankees.
to get the bad taste out of everyone’s mouth from that trash, you gotta read this great article about Yogi and Guidry
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/sports/baseball/24yogi.html?_r=1&ref=baseball
That should put a smile on your face.
If done well, the Kekich/Peterson movie could be like “the social network,” a commentary about the society of the time.
From “Pride of the Yankees” to “Bride of Two Yankees” – great, thanks Ben Affleck.
These are the kind of Yankee stories that are better told:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/sports/baseball/24yogi.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
This is so sweet!
I definitely hear ya on this. My beef is that someone with more talent than Affleck ought to give it a shot. I wasn’t a fan of “The Town” myself, and I feel like at least 50% of what Affleck does in Hollywood is garbage. Damon though. He’s got the goods, in my opinion. And I had never heard of this wife-swap, so thanks for the education!
Well Melissa, great minds think alike!
I’m so glad a couple of you sent along the Yogi/Gator article from yesterday’s NY Times. So special. I sent it to Jane yesterday, but I think it got lost in cyberspace. The prospect of a movie about the Peterson-Kekich affair (no pun intended) is interesting, and I really admire Ben Affleck as film maker (totally agree about “The Town”, and “Gone Baby, Gone” was another winner in my book). But if the leads end up talking like 2 fugitives from Southie, I just don’t know……..
Happy Oscar weekend!
Jane
Affleck’s not stupid; I doubt he’d make a movie that wouldn’t appeal to Yankees fans as well especially since it’s about the Yankees.
http://paullebowitz.com.previewyoursite.com/blog/?p=424
Saw the article about Yogi and Gator, everybody. I may live in California but I read the NYT everyday! Love the fact that Gator wears that Driving Miss Daisy cap (well, I mean Driving Yogi). They make an adorable if unlikely duo.
Melissa, I think you’ve got it exactly right. The movie would be about more than two ballplayers and their unique domestic situation. It would reflect the ’70s – as did “The Bronx Is Burning” – and give us a sense of what society was like then. I’d go see it, but then I’d see almost every movie having remotely to do with baseball.
“Bride of Two Yankees.” HAHAHA, Audrey. Good one!
You thought “The Town” and “Gone Baby Gone” were garbage, Jeff? “Good Will Hunting” too? Yow, you’re a tough critic. Anyhow, since you’re too young to remember the Kekich-Peterson wife swap, it was quite the story back in the day. I guarantee you would have written a blog post or two about it.
What a funny idea, ladyjane – the Yankees coming out sounding like 2 fugitives from Southie. LOL. If the Farrelly brothers were making the movie I’d worry about that! But I agree about Affleck’s other films and I think he’d have to zero in on Yankeeville….which is, of course, what worries me about the project. He should be true to the subject but I’d hate for the Yankees to come out looking like this wild and crazy organization (unless they actually were). Happy Oscar weekend to you too. I’ve been doing my countdown posts on the Mainly Jane blog.
Agree, Paul. He’d need Yankee fans. And he does go for authenticity in his films. I just don’t like the “contempt” and “disdain” prejudice.
Hmmm. Had heard a word or 2 about this possible project already, and now I guess it’s about to be. Poor Mike. What I remember of “the affair” was that he and “Mrs. P.” didn’t hit it off for long, he wanted to maybe switch back, but no way. And to top it off, he got traded to some garden spot, like Cleveland. And now two Yankee-HATERS want to exhume the corpse of that terrible mistake? And mess up the new life that he’s tried so hard to cultivate? Oh, the pain.
Yes yes, I like the actors, and most of their cinematic produx. Altho’ I do tire of seeing Affleck in a Sawx cap at Some Big Game (and doubtless will be re-subjected to that scene in ’11), hey, it’s where they’re from. I really can’t complain about guys who root their hearts out for the ol’ hometown ballclub…or their school…it’s the bandwagoneers that make me sneer. Maybe their ‘intensive research’ will give ’em a better perspective on our boyz in pinstripes, tho’ somehow I doubt it.
So thanx, Melissa, & all the bloggers who sent out the Gator & Yogi article. Unlike our She-Fan, I don’t read the NYT daily, so would otherwise miss out. Now THAT was delightful!
Poor Mike is right, Dave. He got the short end of the stick, so to speak, although I’m glad he’s found a new life for himself. Glad the others provided the Yogi-Gator article for your reading pleasure. It was a sweet story, wasn’t it?
HEY — one last late posting for the day…was scanning thru an SI.com mailing they send me 1-2 times a week, and apparently, our boyz’ Training Camp is buzzing about a new young PITCHER — Manny Banuelos! Now he IS young — like, 20 — and he goes about 5′ 10″, 235 (boyoboy, can I relate to THOSE numbers) — but they say he looks like a lefthanded Joba, circa 2007. So…a little tasty tidbit to chew upon for this Oscar weekend…?!
Yup, Dave. Banuelos has been on everybody’s radar for awhile now – very impressive prospect. Girardi has said he doesn’t expect to see him at the major league level yet, but as long as he stays healthy he could play a role down the road.
I think Damon and Affleck should stick to making movies about the Red Sox.
LOL, Freya. Knowing the process in Hollywood I don’t think we’ll be seeing this movie any time soon, if that’s any consolation.
Hi Jane and Fellow Baseball Fans…
Oh boy …do I remember “The Family Swap”. It was big news in baseball at the time and so weird….they switched everything …wife, kids, houses and pets. It was wild for ANY period of time.
Bob …Manny Banuelos is lucky if he breaks 185 (which I read is his weight this Spring). He was 155 last
year (built more like a Guidry than a Joba). He is highly touted along with the other Killer B’s …Dellin Betances (a New York native) and Andrew Brackman. Both of these guys are BIG as in tall …I believe 6’8 and 6’10 respectively. Brackman was getting some early rave reviews at ST but just came up with a
hamstring issue although it’s said not to be serious. All of these guys been on every prospect list …mostly
Banuelos and Betances. I’m really interested to see how they all progress. It’s exciting to have such
top level pitching and catching prospects in the organization.
Tomorrow (or rather I should say today as it’s after midnight) is our first meetup …I’m getting to watch
Yankee Baseball once again with all my Yankee buddies at Mickey Mantle’s. Life is sweet when Yankee
Baseball is back in the swing. It’s only ST but …beat those Phillies !!!
Have a great weekend all …
Go Yankees 2011 !!!
Hi, Peggy. Yes, the “family swap” was huge news, wasn’t it? Nobody had ever heard of such a thing. I hope Brackman’s hammy isn’t a problem for him. It sounded like Girardi and the others were pleased with the way he’s been throwing strikes so far. (Btw, “Bob” is our buddy Dave. He just assumed another identity this time around.) Have a fabulous time at your first meetup of the season. I’m sure it’ll be great to be back at Mantle’s with your buds.
My husband totally agrees with you, Jane!
I vaguely remember it … I wasn’t a Yankee fan at that time, as you know!
In fact … I had just moved to New York from my hometown …
Boston!
Since he remembers the scandal, Roberta, he can give you all the gory details. I just remember going, “Really? They’re switching wives and families?” Crazy stuff.