14 year veteran who was more
proficient in the first third of his career than the remainder….Principle
backstop for the Reds team of the early 60’s….good power and fair average
augmented with all star berths and Gold Gloves…hit a wall in 1966….lost #1
status, sharing catching duties with Don Pavelich…1968 trade to Cards relegated
him to backup to Tim McCarver….time in St. Louis was short lived and was traded
to Astros who were cleaning house at catcher….regains bountiful playing time in
the Lone Star State and is reestablished as Edwards as first string….considered
by some as one the best defensive catchers ever but playing in the relative
obscurity of Houston clouds such evaluations….neither hit as well for power or
average in Houston when compared to the early years with the Reds….Personal
best in a Astro uniform he hit .268 with 5 home runs and 40 RBIs…lost playing
time thereafter….out of baseball after 1974....3rd Johnny profiled so far, all catchers.
He broke a finger early in 1966, and wasn't the same afterwards. Then he lost the job to Johnny Bench as of Sept 1967.
ReplyDeletegood research! My collection of who's who in baseball (starting 1968) makes no mention of any time on the DL because of injury. Also no mention in his injury in his one write up in Complete Handbook Baseball 1971 edition.
ReplyDelete