The stern menacing face of the card camouflages his flamboyant
style of play…An overachieving rookie star for the Phillies in 1971…Phillies
had much higher hopes for Roger Freed whose promise promptly fizzled… Interesting
career…Started in the St Louis organization but never made the big club…Did
make first big league appearance for the Angels at the tender age of 18 as part
of the 1966 rule 5 draft…mysteriously returned to St Louis soon after…the whole
transaction amounted to a month long loan….next transaction was more unusual
and historic…Was acquired by the Phillies just prior to the 1970 season as just compensation
for Curt Flood’s refusal to be traded opening the first salvo of battle to
eliminate baseball reserve cause….Spent season in AAA Eugene Ore as first
baseman…Called up for ’71, Willie led the team in home runs with 30 and played
Centerfield….a bit deceptive for Willie was much more of line drive hitter and
his next best home run season was 20….Named to Topps rookie team and was second
in ROY voting…next season led NL in doubles…over time batting average improved
and gradually took over his original position first base…in two of his three best offensive
years he was traded to mid season…was well traveled going to Giants, Braves,
Mets, Rangers, and Padres, his last stop as a regular player…subsequently was a substitute
for the Expos, Pirates, and finished off career back in Philly…generally played
on second division teams and never appeared in a post season…was considered a
good fielder but not a follower of fundamentals with a chance of driving
managers crazy…Batting style was parodied the San Diego Chicken…career figures
139 home runs, 802 RBIs, and .275 BA.
I remember Willie had a bat-flip routine he did on his way into the batter's box.
ReplyDeleteJim somehow I had a feeling you'd post a comment, my memory of Montanez was how he would do a downward swipe of a popfly when he played in the field.
ReplyDeleteI have another brother (named Willie, coincidentally) who was 8 in 1971. His favorite Phillie was Montanez.
DeleteEven though Curt Flood was a premier player of the 60's It was a good deal for the Phillies. , Montanez played far longer than Flood would have.
DeleteOoh, that's a nice one I still need to get.
ReplyDelete"Pass the mustard," Braves announcer Ernie Johnson would usually say whenever Willie stepped to the plate.
ReplyDelete