He is famous for having been traded (along with $30,000 cash) by the New York Giants to the Brooklyn Dodgers for Jackie Robinson on December 13, 1956. However, Robinson refused to report to the Giants, choosing instead to retire, and the trade was voided. Moreover, Littlefield was known as one of the most well-traveled and frequently-traded players prior to the free agency era, appearing for nine of the 16 MLB franchises in existence before 1961—ten, including his brief assignment to the Dodgers\' winter roster during the 1956–57 offseason. The ten transactions between December 1950 and March 1958 of which Littlefield was part also involved 39 other players, Robinson included.\n', '

Littlefield served in the United States Navy during World War II before embarking on his 17-season (1946–62) professional baseball career. During his nine years in the majors, he posted a 33–54 record and a 4.71 earned run average in 243 games and 761​2⁄3 innings pitched, allowing 750 hits and 413 bases on balls, with 495 strikeouts. He made 83 starts and notched 16 complete games and two shutouts. He earned nine saves as a relief pitcher.\n', '

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