Chicago acquired center Vaughn Stewart from Brooklyn for cash…
Chicago acquired center Vaughn Stewart from Brooklyn for cash at the end of September 1943 as the Cardinals tried to strengthen a thin position. Contemporary reporting places him with Chicago immediately, and Stewart went on to play nine games with eight starts for the Cardinals that season after only one Brooklyn appearance. Brooklyn later reacquired him in 1944, but Chicago received the stronger immediate 1943 value.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player Vaughn Stewart
Brooklyn Dodgers Received
- other cash (amount undisclosed)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
A September 30 contemporary report said the Cardinals had been searching for help at center and obtained Vaughn Stewart from Brooklyn in a cash transaction the previous day. The article placed Stewart in Chicago immediately as the club prepared for its league opener, making the purpose of the purchase clear: the Cardinals wanted an answer at a position where they felt short-handed.
Chicago Cardinals Return
Chicago acquired center Vaughn Stewart from Brooklyn for cash at the end of September 1943 as the Cardinals tried to strengthen a thin position. Contemporary reporting places him with Chicago immediately, and Stewart went on to play nine games with eight starts for the Cardinals that season after only one Brooklyn appearance. Brooklyn later reacquired him in 1944, but Chicago received the stronger immediate 1943 value.
Brooklyn Dodgers Return
Brooklyn sold Vaughn Stewart to the Chicago Cardinals for an undisclosed cash payment after Stewart had appeared only once for the Dodgers in 1943. The Dodgers received cash and later brought Stewart back for the 1944 season, while Chicago used him for nine games and eight starts during the remainder of 1943. That useful short-term starting role gives the Cardinals a modest advantage rather than a runaway win.
Value in Hindsight
Pro Football Archives logs Stewart’s Chicago purchase as September 28, while the contemporary September 30 report describes the cash transaction as occurring “yesterday,” which points to September 29. The player, teams, direction and cash consideration are consistent, and the contemporary account supports the September 29 date used here.
Final Verdict
Chicago wins modestly. Eight starts from a late-September acquisition created clear immediate football value, earning the Cardinals C+. Brooklyn receives C because it got cash, had alternatives at center and later regained Stewart, keeping the value gap relatively small.