Big man, strong man, and according to Baseball Reference the
nickname “SuperJew”…Great numbers in the minor and majors (at times) but failed
to live up to expectations…Behavior and dedication were to be an issue,
possibly attributed to a free spirit gained at U of California Berkley where he
was also the football team’s halfback ….Won two consecutive league MVP awards and
one minor league player of the year while with the Orioles farm system…Eventually
got a late season call up by the Orioles in 1966… was given an opportunity for
a starting gig on the ‘67 squad…balked at going to the minors after a poor
start…staged a 19 day strike and promptly shipped to Siberia Washington…got playing time…Blossomed under the “Ted Shows
How” era of 1969…1969 he hit 30 over the fence in the franchise’s first winning season…Magic
faded the following year as did the fortunes of the Nats…A 20 point drop in
average and a failure to drive in runs…It was almost repeated in 1971 aside
from a trade to Oakland…Repaid the Nats by hitting 4 consecutive HR’s against
them…Became part of the “Swinging A’s”…wore his hair long with obligatory mustche…improved
during 1972 campaign, leading the team in HRs…went on total shutdown in WS
going 0-16….traded to Siberia Texas in
off season and career quickly sank afterwards… Was known for his considerable vocabulary.
Nats?
ReplyDeleteDo you mean Senators?
Oh yeah. It was a term for both Senators franchises used in baseball cards and publications. I'm sure its use back in the day may have influenced the naming of the Nationals (something familiar yet different from having a third go round the team name Senators.
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