Green Bay’s April 10, 1938 dealings with Pittsburgh brought…
Green Bay’s April 10, 1938 dealings with Pittsburgh brought Ed Brett and the rights to Ray King and Pat McCarty in exchange for Walt Bartanen, Charles “Buckets” Goldenberg and Chester “Swede” Johnston. The King-McCarty portion did not stick: the draftees did not report, and Goldenberg and Johnston reverted to Green Bay, sharply limiting the lasting value of the original package.
Green Bay Packers Received
- player Ed Brett
- other Rights to Ray King
- other Rights to Pat McCarty
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Charles "Buckets" Goldenberg
- player Chester "Swede" Johnston
- player Walt Bartanen
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
The April 10, 1938 record is best understood as two same-day Pittsburgh-Green Bay trades. Contemporary reporting described Ed Brett going to Green Bay for Walt Bartanen, while Pittsburgh separately received Charles “Buckets” Goldenberg and Chester “Swede” Johnston for the rights to draftees Ray King and Pat McCarty. Pro Sports Transactions later combined those moves into one package, which explains the broader asset list carried here.
Green Bay Packers Return
Green Bay’s April 10, 1938 dealings with Pittsburgh brought Ed Brett and the rights to Ray King and Pat McCarty in exchange for Walt Bartanen, Charles “Buckets” Goldenberg and Chester “Swede” Johnston. The King-McCarty portion did not stick: the draftees did not report, and Goldenberg and Johnston reverted to Green Bay, sharply limiting the lasting value of the original package.
Pittsburgh Pirates Return
On April 10, 1938, Pittsburgh and Green Bay completed two same-day swaps that this record captures together. Pittsburgh received Walt Bartanen plus Charles “Buckets” Goldenberg and Chester “Swede” Johnston, while Green Bay received Ed Brett and the rights to Ray King and Pat McCarty. The bigger Goldenberg-Johnston rights deal was conditional and was later unwound when the incoming draftees did not report.
Value in Hindsight
The transaction is historically interesting because it shows how player-rights trades could be contingent on contract and reporting decisions. Judging the announced April package as though Pittsburgh permanently landed Goldenberg would badly overstate Pittsburgh’s return.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Both clubs receive C+ grades. Pittsburgh and Green Bay made a legitimate two-part exchange, but the most valuable portion was unwound before it could become a lasting competitive advantage for either side.