#39 Bob Barton #40 Bob Barton In Action?

Obscure backstop was given his greatest chance to prove himself in 1971....Inside sources stated he was a stopgap until #1 draft pick Mike Ivie was ready.....Product of the University of Kentucky....Started in the SF Giant chain....Marooned at AAA for several year.....once up to the show was mired as third stringer behind Dick Dietz and Jack Hiatt....his move down the California coast to the fledging Padres in 1970 gave him a majority of his MLB playing time....head and shoulder most prolific and substantial season was 1971....hit .250 that year....a pedestrian number but considerably better than the SD team average of .233....starts 1972 with the Friars....traded to Reds on June 11, 1972....understudy to Johnny Bench plus others, Barton put into the ultimate bench riding experience....does not play for the rest of the year....keeps a roster spot in 1973 but only has three games, two at bats of on field activity as a Redleg once he is released on 6/18/73....sits out the rest of the year but is able to resurface with Padres for 1974....stays for the year, sneaking 88 at bats hitting .173....released after the season.....died in 2018....A slight build facially resembling a cross between actors Dick York and John Cazale.  

About the in action:  Bob is a strange selection for the In Action shot card...the image is even stranger....Bob watching a long gone foul ball along stadium security officer?....location most likely Candelstick Park....doesn’t exactly draw ooohs and aaawws in the excitement department.