#703-704 In Action Doug Griffin

Topps Rookie award for Second Base….skinny as a rail…Drafted by the Angels in 1965 and worked his way up the farm system…. In 1970 Doug came off a tremendous AAA season in Hawaii on what is considered by some as best minor leagues team history…The Islanders team made up of Angel prospects and MLB vets who wanted to exit their career in tropical paradise… team went 98-48 with the player’s ages ranging 22 to 42…In 1971 there were high hopes for the Doug who along with Ken Tatum were keys in the trade that sent fan favorite and Boston native Tony Conigliaro to the Angels*… Doug, while playing seven years with the Bosox, never quite lived up to expectations, hobbled by injuries…When healthy he was productive, fast, incredibly quick in the field, and overall very good….however suffered multiple beanings…Rookie year had career highs in ABs, HRs, SBs, Doubles and Total Bases…Finished 4^th in ROY balloting…In 1972 he upped his average to .260 and won a Gold Glove but once again couldn’t stay healthy….1974 brought less playing time, a trend that would continue each season until he was released in 1977…1975 he had to share 2^nd base with early-season acquisition Denny Doyle…Denny thrived and Doug's production diminished….Played in only one game and had only 1 At-Bat for both playoff and WS.    

In Action:  Standard stance with no identifying features…Yankee Catcher…so most likely taken at Yankee Stadium..

 *Tony C flopped horribly in Anaheim…Ken’s story was written earlier…