Building blocks in the Bronx

Graig Nettles with the Yankees

The New York Yankees take a significant step in building their powerhouse teams of the mid- to -late 1970s and early ’80s with a trade they make 51 years ago today with Cleveland.

New York somehow convinces the Indians that they really, really need backup catcher John Ellis, backup infielder Jerry Kenney, another backup in outfielder in Rusty Torres and outfield prospect Charlie Spikes.

All the Yankees want – and get – in return is power-hitting third baseman Graig Nettles.

The Yankees also receive – in keeping with the backup theme – reserve catcher Jerry Moses. Not that the Yankees truly care whether or not Moses is part of the deal; they want Nettles, especially since their last third baseman to hit at least 10 home runs is Clete Boyer with 14 in 1966.

Nettles, 28, at the time of the trade in 1972, is coming off a three-year run in which he hits 71 homers for Cleveland.

He then hits 250 homers over the next 11 seasons for the Yankees.

The Yankees over the next four years follow up Nettles’ acquisition by trading – again fleecing Cleveland – for first baseman Chris Chambliss and second baseman Willie Randolph from Pittsburgh, and then signing free agent right fielder Reggie Jackson.

With Nettles and friends, the Yankees win back-to-back World Series titles over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1977 and ’78. Nettles also helps the Yankees return to the Series in 1981, this time losing to the Dodgers.

He is named to five American League All-Star teams from 1975-80. His defense is as good as any American League third baseman not named Brooks Robinson.

By the time Nettles retires in 1988 at the age of 44, he is the owner of 390 career homers and is considered one of the greatest defensive third baseman in history.