#650 Sal Bando

Was a vital cog in the swinging A’s glory years…Drafted from the A’s seemingly college farm club, Arizona State in 1965… as steal in the sixth round…Teamates Reggie Jackson and Rick Monday was also ASU Alumni…After a bit of seasoning in the minors and some intermittent work in KC, became a everyday player in the team’s new Oakland home in 1968…Finest season was 1969 when he slugged a career high 31 homers plus drove in 113 runs,…had a slightly subpar year in 1970… Surprisingly was second in AL MVP voting 1971 (losing to teammate Vida Blue)… Put up 24 Hrs, drove in 94 RBIs and hit .271….Season was strong but not near his best seasons of 1969 or 1973…provided Oakland with generally consistent play up to 1977…4 time all star…tested the early free agency age by signing with the Milwaukee Brewers…for three year never quite put the numbers as he did out west but he was a part of the team climb from the AL east cellar…skills declined in 1980, relegated to the bench…despite a handful of plate appearances during 1981, hit .291 in Milwaukee’s first playoff appearance…his playing Swan Song…eventually became GM for the Brewers 1991-99…not fondly remembered by the locals, free agency departures, poor draft choices resulted in a poor play on the field.