Durst’s most important contribution to the Yankees came when they traded him and $50,000 to Boston for Red Ruffing early in the 1930 season. Durst had been a reserve outfielder on the great 1927 Yankees. Legend says that even the Yankee subs would have been stars for other teams. In truth, Durst had been only a utility player in three seasons with the Browns before coming to New York, and when the Red Sox played him regularly in 1930, he hit only .240, well below the AL average of .288.
