was voided by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn because it contained illegal incentive clauses, and McDowell decided to leave the team again. He eventually returned to the team, only to be suspended again later in the season. Among all the turmoil, McDowell's performance suffered. His record slipped to 13-17, and his ERA jumped to 3.40. His K/9 was just 8.0, lowest since 1962, although it was still second in the league. However, his control problems returned full-force, as he walked a career-high 153 batters in just 214.2 innings for a BB/9 of 6.4, also his worst since 1962. At the end of the season, McDowell demanded a trade, and Indians general manager Gabe Paul obliged. On November 29, he was traded to the San Francisco Giants for pitcher Gaylord Perry and shortstop Frank Duffy. Later career San Francisco Giants The trade turned out to be a disaster for the Giants. In 1972, McDowell had his worst season as a starting pitcher, posting his highest earned run average since 1963 at 4.33 while posting a 10-8 record. Although his control settled down a bit, as he posted a 4.7 BB/9 in 164.1 innings, he pitched just four complete games and failed to post a shutout for the first time since 1962, while his K/9 fell to 6.7, his worst to date. Meanwhile, Perry posted 24 wins with a 1.92 earned run average for Cleveland, winning his first Cy Young Award. McDowell was sent to the bullpen to start the 1973 season. He had contemplated retirement during the offseason due to persistent back and neck pains, but he felt better after treatment and returned to the team. He started just three games for the Giants in the first two months, appearing 15 times in relief. He had a 1-2 record for the Giants with three saves and a 4.50 ERA. On June 7 McDowell was sold by the Giants to the Yankees in a straight cash deal. New York Yankees McDowell was moved back into the starting rotation for the Yankees, and his numbers improved somewhat. He started off hot, winning five of his first six starts, but failed to win another game after that. With the Yankees in 1973, he went 5-8 with a 3.95 ERA. In 1974, McDowell was again hampered by injuries. A slipped disc cost him two months of the season, and even when he was available to pitch, he