#37 Carl Yastrzemski #38 Carl Yastrzemski In Action

Legendry team company man....A Boston institution along with baked beans, Cheers, and Bunker Hill....HOF and career that fully spans 23 years....in the 3000 hit club....one of the most distinctive batting styles of the time arms and bat straight up....stance later modified as time went by to retain bat speed....The heir to the coveted LF position held by Ted Williams...immense shoes to fill at age 21....1961 an immediate replacement without prior MLB call up....decent debut but improved on all categories in 1962...captures his first AL batting crown in his junior year of "63....three more seasons add to Yaz’s career totals but the Red Sox sport a losing record at this point in the 1960's....things were to change with introduction of a young supporting cast started to bloom: AKA Smith, Scott, Conigliaro, Petrocelli, and Lonborg.....Fully supported Yaz steps up his game into the stratosphere sealing his legacy in 1967....a once in a lifetime rarity, the coveted Triple Crown....Red Sox ascent is from 9^th to a WS berth....the Cards take the classic in 7 games but Carl accounts for himself with .400 BA and 3 homers.....1967 year ushers in 4 year stint that supercharges him into superstar....Stats declined for all AL players in 1968 band Yaz is no exception but he defends his batting crown being the only AL regular to keep his BA above .300.....The last superstar year 1970 finds Yaz leading in runs and total bases and narrowly edged out a third straight BA crown....1971-72 are considered unremarkable and substandard years possibly....reestablished an improved production levels in 1973....For next eleven years ending in 1983, leadership, stability, and graceful aging ruled the day....overall hit .277 and twice exceeded 100 RBIs.BA zenith was .301 in 1974....like perennial plant was named to 18 all star games....intimately knew the nooks and dead areas of the Green Monster especially early in his career....parleyed into multiple gold glove award....most impressive was taking the fielding trophy as an outfielder at age 37....about 10^th year in moved to 1^st base occasionally to save on wear and tear....last game was 10/2/83 went one for three to bring his farewell BA to .266 was same as the first .266....left the field to triumphant run about Fenway's field perimeter was stirringly touching .....Well known as “Yaz” but also sported the nickname “Irish” pinned by Minneapolis Miller manager Gene Mauch because he attended Norte Dane University....Grandson is currently is a SF Giant.      

#49 Willie Mays #50 Willie Mays In Action

What to say?  GOAT and Say Hey.....Maybe the best of best.....So many milestones past on the way to first ballot HOF.....Last name nearly symbolic with the position of Centerfield.....The marquee name carried along as baseball moved to the west coast circa 1958…. The legend spans over 23 seasons....Plucked from the Birmingham Black Barons.... After a storied slow start in 1951 caught fire enough to earn ROY honors in the Giant’s NL Pennant winning drive.... After a hiatus for military service for the most of two years, Mays comes back with a vengeance and become a icon of NY lore along with Mantle and Duke Snyder...... a Centerfielder roamed  large tracks of the  483 feet from home plate to dead center at New York’s Polo Grounds…..used almost every inch of that distance to catch Vic Wertz drive in the 1954 World Series….iconic moment was considered “the greatest catch” of all time….effectively stonewalled the juggernaut Cleveland Indian into swept away mortals….......The patron saint of the five tool players everywhere.....named to all star games 20 straight times although it could be argued that the last two he was grandfathered in....within that space of time 12 consecutive Gold Gloves....and 2 MVP awards with a multitude of runner up positions in the voting..... Rare was an offensive category that Mays did not take top honors (never led the NL in doubles)....Took or tied for the top spot in 23 out of a possible 276 positive offensive categories while playing ….Was considered the frontrunner to take over Babe Ruth’s HR record but home runs became more rare after 1966...didn’t stop the press from pressing the issues  for several years after.... Even though by the 1971 year his superstar days were well gone was able to lead the NL in on base % and walks in 1971...but had trouble catching up to pitches resulting in career high 123 Ks ....much like Harmon Killebrew.....Would have been a one team player but traded to NY Mets in his twilight days of 1972.....did get his first Met HR against the Giants but Mays remaining skills eroded....Did stay another year and had his last at bat in game 3 of the 1973 Fall Classic.....tallied 660 home runs but amazing struck out very little for such as high total.

#51 Harmon Killebrew #52 Harmon Killebrew In Action

A Minnesota icon.....while not originally from Minnesota nevertheless he  fit perfectly into the state's personality of quiet reserve, politeness, and gentlemanly niceness.... was shy too but came out of shell enough to host a pre game show for a local Twin City television station....franchise player stood head and broad shoulders, the power leader based on 8  40+ home run campaigns starting in the late 50’s...only Babe Ruth had more....reached or exceeded that mark 8 times, 6 times leading the AL circuit....terminus accumulated 573 home runs for a ticket to the HOF...his HR total is presently 12^th best all time....his at bat to HR ratio is 7^th all time (3^rd all time if post PED era players are removed).....Know for mammoth clouts causing Future Home Run Champion Hank Aaron to quip "When I hit a home run its in row 2, 3, or 4.  When Harmon hits a home run you need a telescope to find it!......one home run was the longest ever at Metropolitan Stadium which is currently memorialized by a single stadium chair mounted high on wall at Mall of America......only thing that stopped the Killer was injuries....subpar seasons started in 1972 with his lowest BA as an everyday player....lost for most of 1973 and suffered a steady decline thereafter....released by the Twins and picked up by KC Royals in 1975 alienating faithful Twins fans with management....at age 33 was the 1969 AL MVP with his best career numbers; 49 HR, 149 RBIs, .427 OBP.....Also finished second, third {twice} and fourth in MVP votes....Eleven time all star and mysteriously passed over in 1962 when he led the AL in HRs and runs driven in.....in second half of career numbers were augmented by leading his circuit in walks.....Parlayed his TV show  experience into going into the broadcast booth for Twins, A’s, and Angels.....Harmon died of cancer in 2011....Recent player Jim Thome was often compared to Harmon in style of play and personality.... MLB career almost didn’t happen.... Grew up in Idaho off the road from traditional baseball breeding grounds.....only introduced by an appeal of Idaho’s Senator to Washington’s owner Cal Griffith to give him a look....impressed the franchise.....adding to the Killebrew folklore.....never the less needed five cups of coffee starting in 1954 to become a starter.....good thing for the patience paid off....tallied 573 times going yard.   

#67 Red Schoendienst

Manager le Cardinals....Helmed a winner in 1967 and the runner up in 1968....A St Louis fixture born 25 miles east of Sportsman’s Park/Busch Stadium.....was signed during WW2 and received early discharge from military service due to injuries that could have ended his playing career....a solid star for post war Red Birds beginning 1945.... Baseball journey also took him to the Polo Grounds (NYG) and Milwaukee in the span of 19 years.....then another short stint back under the Gateway Arch to career cap and start apprenticing to become a Cardinal company man.... Took to coaching in 1963 staying in the Gateway to the West....reverted to playing status the same year allowed Red to garner a handful of last at bats.....took over the skipper job for Johnny Keane in a very unusual way....Johnny bolted for the NYY after defeating said Yankees in 1964 WS....Keane defected when it appeared that Leo Durocher was heir to be St Louis skipper (so much for job security even after taking the crown).....Leo  “the lip” hire never materialized opening the road for Red.....Schoendienst stayed 12 campaigns although his post World Series tenure was uneven....Let go after 1976.....Resurfaced in Oakland for 1977 as a coach.....was offered the top spot but declined due to Charlie Finley’s frequent intrusions....Returned to the Gateway city in 1979, to mentor hitting for skipper Ken Boyer.....Red’s employment continued despite Boyer’s pink slip.....Enter Whitey Herzog.....The Red and Whitey team jelled to into returning St Louis NL world championship status in 1982.....NL champs in 1985 and 1987....so close their relationship Whitey temporarily returned the managerial reigns to Red so that Herzog could scout talent in 1980....Succeeded Whitey in 1990 on an interim basis.....tallied up enough positives to be elected in Baseball’s HOF as a player via Veteran Committee in 1989....Lived to the age of 95. 

#80 Tony Perez

A major cylinder during when the Big Red Machine was going full throttle..... a player of great consistency and remarkable longevity spanning 23 years, earned HOF honors in 9^th year on the ballot....the  Cuban earned his call up with Cincy based on outstanding work in AAA San Diego in 1964....initially a part-timer at 1^st base....Shifts to the left side of the infield in 1967, resulting in boom in offensive production....his 102 runs driven in that year began a string of 14 straight years of 73 RBIs or better....His rise was essential in making Reds recover from the Frank Robinson trade debacle....steps up his game in 1969 and 1970 launching 77 homers and averaging 125 RBIs....1971 was solid at the plate although the Reds faulted....Downside was a bit brutal at the hot corner led NL in errors three straight years 1968-70.....even though he cut down on miscues, a return to 1^st base was in order....although the 1972 Topps card assumed he would continue at third base....switch was flawless.... Perez ran a string of 100+ RBI campaigns in 1973 to 1975....Despite winning two WS rings in 1975 and 1976 was traded to Montreal in a surprise transaction....Reds going with youth also they also stopped going to the Fall Classic for a while.....Montreal years were solid, giving veteran leadership to floundering franchise....acquired by the Red Sox via Free Agency....Employed as a DH, at age 38 showed a flash of numbers put turned in decade earlier; 25 home runs, 105 RBI at the start third decade of play....downgraded to part timer from 1981 on but was able to contribute....logged in two more season in Boston, a stop in Philly, a dividend being his last World Series, and a three year return to the Cincy....stayed in baseball as a coach, manager, and executive....soft spoken and smiling was popular with fans and teammates alike. 

 

#100 Frank Robinson

HOF career and historic trailblazer….Big powerful and in this writer’s opinion the largest hands I’ve ever seen.....Collector of major awards....ROY, 2X MVP, 2X All Star game MVP, batting crown, WS MVP to name 7 of 10....led respective circuit in OBP, runs, OPS. Slugging, doubles many times over...in addition led in HBP, Sacrifices, and IBB adding to run production....named to 14 all star games...Product of Oakland’s McClymond’s High School a breeding ground for sport stars....By passing higher rungs in the farm ladder, started as a Red out of the gate....instant star....a propellant in a franchise turnabout from also rans to first division competitors...both Robinson and crew hit pay dirt in 1961....Reds took the NL crown, Robinson MVP....King of the Queen city for 10 years....seemingly a great relationship....shockingly traded after 1965 season when Robinson completed his 4^th 100+ RBI season and solid body of work....reason he was predicted to be “an old 30” in the upcoming year by the powers that be....Lucky recipient of this “living elder”;  the Baltimore Orioles, an improving squad looking for an added agent of change to ascend past the aging Yankee dominance....Robinson already known for intense play was galvanized for action....to prove the Reds wrong....no better way to do than taking the 1966 AL Triple Crown, leading the birds, slicing away to make short work of the LA Dodgers in the WS....Provides the O’s with strong offence for next 5 years.....a leader in the second resurgence 1969-71....three world series and one win coming aptly against his team of origin the Reds....Despite the impressive run Orioles flipped Frank to Dodgers for young prospects....Orioles missed him in 1972 and age seemed to gain on him in Chavez Ravine...traded to the other So Cal lineup, the Angels....deposited 50 balls over the fence for the most of two campaigns and impressive given he had few peers to assist him....in a minor deal is acquired by Cleveland just before the conclusion of the 1973.....the true motive of the deal was to break a racial barrier by naming Robinson skipper for 1974....Robinson wasn’t done playing however and retains a roster spot....reminds the Cleveland populace he has still have something left in the tank by homering in his first at bat as player manager helping out in opening day win...proceeds for 16 more years as a skipper....mostly with rebuilding teams....San Francisco, Montreal/Washington, and a return to Baltimore....No pennants or playoffs were reached.....Robinson’s greatest achievement was 33 game improvement to the favor of O’s in 1988....has few peers that reached equal levels of success....his trade to the Orioles is considered one the all time steals close to Lou Brock and Nolan Ryan deals....first ballot hall of fame....passed away early 2019.

#130 Bob Gibson

An exceptional career....intimidation factor on the field incomparable, maybe only Don Drysdale came close in his class....Tour de force on the mound in the 60’s and the early 70's....So many strengths....A player you did want him on your side, not against you...he was a Cardinal red from beginning to end.....Three time postseason virtuoso regardless of series outcome....a 7-2 W-L record in 9 complete games over three fall classics....owns two WS MVP awards....a clean sweep eluded him via the Cardinal seventh game loss to the Tigers in 1968....the only setback capping a MVP and Cy Young winning year....the astonishing regular season ERA of 1.12.....incredibly logged 28 complete games in  34 starts along with 22 wins....seemingly a manager dared not to take him out of a game...a stat impossible by today’s standards even when it is compared to MLB yearly total....post game he was aloof and distant, Gibson’s passion and drive to win was put out on the ball yard...sometimes to the consternation of teammates and press...spent a 4 month stint with basketball Harlem Globetrotters before professional play.....signed by the St Louis Cardinals and conveniently assigned to AAA squad in his hometown of Omaha Nebraska....Career might have never took off if it wasn't for manager Johnny Keane....the helmsman in Omaha, Keane saw what Gibson could be....Career flourished when they were reunited under the Gateway Arch erasing Gibby's first two underwhelming seasons that were plagued by racial undertones....Keane left after the 1964 championship but Hoot didn’t miss a beat with successor Red Schoendienst in 1965....won at least 20 games five times under Red's command....in all likelihood would have vied for a 6 consecutive year stretch if not for an injury midseason 1967 leaving him with 13 win....made up for his absence in 1967 WS....1970 his last year of 20+ wins, awarded him with his second Cy Young award....slipped a bit in 1971 with a 16-13 record but was able to get his only no hitter of his career vs. the eventual World Champion Pirates....against age and time puts together his last great season in 1972 winning 19 contests and lowering his ERA by half a point.... Exited playing after 1975 season as his effectiveness diminished....logged 255 complete games, it would take an estimated 7 seven years for all of baseball to match that total....took 9 consecutive gold glove awards and four time league shutout leader....no slouch with a bat either...went yard 24 times in the regular season plus add two in the World Series...Well know in baseball circles for his hospitality off the field...HOF inductee in 1981....recently passed away in October 2020 succeeding teammate Lou Brock by a month.

 

#132 Joe Morgan

Recently in the news, having passed away October 2020....HOF career in three acts....First act;  Joe was as a very good Colt .45/Astro second baseman whose output was hampered by injuries, a poor hitter’s park, and questionable managerial relations....how good?  2^nd in ROY 1965, once led NL in walks and once led league in triples....was part of an all first year player starting lineup in late 1963....two time all star but toiled in relative obscurity in Texas....Second act starts in 1972 as Joe is dealt to Reds ...Instant offense!.....elevates himself into superstar status and significant in Cincinnati’s establishment as a perennial NL powerhouse for years to come....First season in Queen City leads NL in runs scored, walks, and OBP....no let up on the accelerator in subsequent years....labeled as the most complete player in baseball according to Sports Illustrated a honor sandwiched between back to back MVP awards in 1975 and 76....coinciding with back to back WS championships for the Queen City....personal area of expertise;  getting on base not only with hits but with walks (led NL 4 times) part of which resulting in top OBP 4 times in 5 years time.....Diminutive of stature defied skeptics with good power collecting 25+ homers several times and went yard 268 times in career....5X gold glove consecutive....named to All Star team eight straight occasions, 10X with the aforementioned time as an Astro.... Fast, second in NL stolen bases seven times...Act 3;  beginnings are debatable;  A slow down began starting in 1978 and 79 caused by injuries would result in a loss of BA and 25-30 contests....Or it starts in 1980 by signing with Astros for one year...no longer the superstar but a contributor bringing veteran influence to a playoff bound squad...moves on to San Francisco on a two year stint....a return to the bay area where he grew up....notably was able to secure silver slugger and comeback player of  the year awards in 1982...most dramatic was his home run on the last game of the 1982 regular season to knock rival Dodgers out of the pennant race....Logged in two more seasons, one with Phillies which reunited him with Pete Rose and Tony Perez plus giving him one last WS experience....hit .263 and twice went yard...Finished in hometown of Oakland in 1984 and accounted for himself with .244 BA at age 40....busy after retiring going into business, broadcast booth, MLB administration, and obtaining a long sought college degree....elected to HOF 1990 on first year eligibility.... only drawback of career was second lower tier post season hitting (.182 BA) although the high number of walks offset some of the futility....signature motion, an arm flap while batting to keep his elbow up.  

#137 Dick Williams

HOF skipper in various locales....known to be a turnaround artist to improve fortunes of floundering franchises.....but in fairness he also took over good franchises to the next level....end result was two WS rings and another two league pennants....characteristics; caustic, hard-nosed, knowledgeable, indifferent to star players and owners alike, sometimes to alienation and limiting his job security....Audacious, willing to go extremes in the effort to win,  just ask Johnny Bench who was handcuffed by Williams' plotting in game 7 of the 1972 WS....On the field:  Journeyman utility player whose most significant playing time came the second division team Kansas City A’s..... A bench player with Dodgers then the Orioles to name a few.... At the 12 year mark as a player, Williams arrives in Boston which represents the end of his playing days but clears the way for his historic role of manager....In 1965 immediately pressed into service as skipper of Toronto Maple Leafs AAA squad succeeding future managerial rival Sparky Anderson...Strong showing in two seasons results in promotion to the parent club in 1967....Bringing with him rookies Reggie Smith Mike Andrews with an already improving squad resulted in immediate dividends...20 win improvement to triumph in a wild AL pennant race and taking the Cardinals to 7 games in the WS....Captured Sporting News MLB manager of the year award....Williams continued to win in Beantown in 1968 and ‘69 but was surpassed by tight competition....undermining his tenure was an eroding relationship with ownership.... departed with a hand full of games in ‘69 season....unemployed, took a coaching job with the 2^nd year Expos in 1970....Wanting the limelight again, resurfaced with Oakland A’s and the fickle owner Charlie Finley circa 1971... riding the wave of Vida Blue, Williams improves a talented squad over the top to gain AL west division with 101 wins....A’s fall to O’s in playoffs but the die is set for world championships in 72 and 73....repeating earlier conflicts with ownership parts with Charlie O and the A’s at the pinnacle of their mini-dynasty.....a valued person, he takes on the run producing anemic California Angels mid season....while some progress was made his 341 games resulted in .431 win%..... Next stop a return to Montreal coming off a 107 loss season...Williams repeated a 20 game improvement in 1977 and then another in 1979....advanced the team the Expos past its initial expansionist struggles... Williams moves back to California as he is hired by the San Diego Padres, another franchise with a history of futility....With a mix of youth and veteran talent built up the Friars to a NL West crown in 1984....kept the team’s focus after two lopsided losses to capture the pennant in an improbable comeback against the Chicago Cubs....While they fell short to the Tigers in the WS, Williams once again works magic.....Last stop was taking on Seattle Mariners....skipper for two half seasons and one full one....a marginal improvement but finished with sub .500 win pct.....Managerial totals were 120 wins over losses for a .520 win loss %....HOF induction 2008....Passed away in 2011.      

#195 Orlando Cepeda

Baby Bull….never played healthy here on out but oh so effective when his knees were working…great number 5 time 100+ RBIs and 4 time 95+ RBIs….few have ever broken out of the gate better….With no previous call ups by Giants franchise Cepeda rolls to the ROY honor 1958….the bull continued unimpeded for 7 season finish 1954 with a .309 BA, 222 home runs, 747 RBIs….six straight all star teams beginning 1959….led NL in home runs and RBI 1961….productive but not harmonious with management ….all fell apart in 1965 with Orlando’s much troublesome knee gave out relegating him to mostly pinch hitting….Cepeda starts his comeback with the Giants but traded mid-season transaction….swapped straight up for Ray Sadecki …although he did not meet the production  bar set in the early 60’s Orlando was able to hit over .300 for the year….1967 he returns in full and became NL best overall hitter leading the Cardinals to a championship and taking all 1^st place NL MVP votes….a down year in 1968 led to a straight up with Atlanta for Joe Torre…Cepeda delivers again particularly in 1970 when he produces number his early SF days…On his way to good 1971 when other knee failed midseason….used sparingly by Braves 1972 and traded to Oakland where he got just 3 at bats….the designated hitter saves the released Cepeda for deployment with the Red Sox…..registered decent hitting and was awarded top DH honors but was probably the slowest player in baseball….Red Sox youth movement ousted Orlando who had trouble finding work….eventually was able to catch on with the Royals but to little effect….first several years out of baseball were very difficult with a drug arrest and consequential financial trouble….eventually turned life around by aligning himself with the Giants organization…. Voted to HOF after 25 years.

#200 Lou Brock

Hall of fame superstar.....A fixture, a pillar and symbol of the St Louis community….origin came with Cubs who suffered from one baseball’s lopsided trades.....A godsend for Cardinals who experienced back to back superstar outfielders with Stan Musial….magically and astoundingly turned his mundane .251 Cub BA to a .348 BA under the Gateway Arch….got smarter and grew as a player over the years….studied pitcher’s pickoff moves add his speed and Brock captures 8 stolen base titles out of 9 consecutive years….his last crown was the most impressive, in 1974 at age 34 breaks Maury Will’s modern day mark with 118 steals….Brock’s lasts for 8 years broken by Rickey Henderson…. consistent with a bat, hit over .271 in 15 of his 16 Cardinals campaigns, many of those at or near .300….overcame impoverished childhood….A grand exit took a poor 1978 BA of .221 into his final year….turned around to a .304 BA, returned to the All Star Team, plus 21 stolen bases at age 40….small man yet processed impressive power; hit a homer over Polo Grounds Centerfield fence…..exceptional in 3 World Series often unnerving the opposing pitcher if on-base….reached 3000 hits and left game as the holder of the career stolen base mark.  

   

#241 Rollie Fingers

HOF career with a trademark handlebar mustache...one of the early great releivers...wasn’t always so....started as promising hurler who was not settled on a role....Mostly relief in ’69, part time starter in ’70....after a handful of starts 1971, started full time bullpen beginning a historic run....solidify his status as the #1 A’s closer in 72 reaching over 20 saves for the first time....took on the burden of Oakland’s first WS.....saves two games in the A's victory.....improves further in 1973 but his saves are eclipsed by John Hiller’s outstanding season....consistent top tier work over the next years but also growing discontent with the Finley ownership....Did not talk to Finley for last two A’s seasons....Was part of a midseason fire sale to the Red Sox tin 1976 that was nullified by the baseball commissioner....Rollie wore the Red Sox uniform but never played....Once out of contract took the highest bidder the SD Padres....Proceeded to lead NL in saves for two years....faltered a bit in 1979.....was traded to St Louis in after 1980 only to be immediately turned to Milwaukee....embarked one of most perfect relief season in 1981....28 saves and 1.04 ERA in a strike shortened season....Brewers were able to make post season for first time....performance result Cy Young award....Fingers and the Brewers were able to take the AL east outright in 1982....Rollie’s season is strong with 29 saves one more than his Cy Young year but suffers a shoulder injury that knocks him out of playoffs and subsequent 1983 season....Rollie comes back with but the Brewers in 1984 but their winning ways were grossly eroded rendering his sub 2.00 ERA and 23 saves inconsequential....nothing left in the tank in 1985 with a +5.00 ERA ushered his release....HOF class of 1992

#270 Jim Palmer

Great pitcher with male model like looks…a movie like life that could be described as American Dickens story…..born in NYC in 1945…adopted into a wealthy NYC family, then raised in California/Arizona after his father died….Jim’s mother married a movie actor by the name of Palmer hence Jim's last name…was high school athletic phemon in several sports….drew the notice of Baltimore front office…signed and assigned to Northern League for 1964…scaled up many rungs as Jim made the 1965 Orioles roster as a 19 year old…emphasis was learning not performance…paid off with 15-10 record as Orioles took the 1966 WS crown…Jim’s portion was a shut out win…Things were looking good for 1967 when Palmer felt a pinch in his shoulder…suffered indignities or being benched and demoted to AAA to be shelled (fun fact has AAA level career ERA over 12 runs per game) …repeated in 1968…So low that he was put on waivers and left available in expansion draft…no takers…carried on nevertheless…responded with 16-4 record….an amazing comeback…Starting in 1970 proceeds to win 20 games or more for 8 of 9 subsequent  seasons… the winningest pitcher of the decade despite a hard luck 7-12 record in 1974….in that stretch 3 Cy Young Awards…at age 30 started a 3 season run of most innings pitched…starting 1979 took a more secondary starter role but was still able to shine with 16-10 and 15-5 records in 1980 and 1982 respectively…limited work and 5-4 record in 1983 was offset by his last World Series win made in relief…that feat gave him one WS for 3 decades another record....went winless at the start of 1984…at age 45 attended Baltimore’s spring training…hamstring injury shut down his long shot comeback…In broadcasting and commercial endorsement namely Jockey Underwear…can sport 3 WS championship rings….HOF first ballot.

#280 Willie McCovey

Take your pick of titles;  Stretch or Big Mac….The water outside of the Giants PNC field right field wall is known as McCovey cove a testimony to the man….HOF with incredible bulk that put the fear of God in pitchers…a natural swing know for making laser shots making infielder and pitcher alike to ask for hazard pay….Rookie season was mostly spent in AAA….Nevertheless took rookie of the year honors with .354 BA in essentially two months work after call up…despite this had to compete for playing time with fellow 1^st baseman and prior ROY Orlando Cepeda…neither were proficient in other positions leaving a Giant quandary…hence next 3 season averaged 260 at bat, with 17 HRs, and 50 RBIs…seeing the glut of slugging McCovey gets the nod in the outfield in 1963 with the sacrifice of defense for offense…Willie responds with NL best 44 home runs…..1964 is a down year hitting .220 a pattern eventually repeated over the course of his career….Returned to his 1^st base position in 1965 with Cepeda mostly on the DL return Willie to prominence…1966 with two compromised player incapable of outfield work, Cepeda is traded….McCovey enters a five year prime including two home run/RBI titles and an MVP award 1969…1971-72 were lost years as injuries equated to DL time….bounces back in 1973 (but not to the degree as in his prime years)….seeing high value is traded to the Padres…puts in two full years but stumbles in 1976….winded up in Oakland and failing .204 BA….a free agent took a flyer across the bay back to the Giants….Responded with his 3^rd major comeback in 1977…28 home runs and .280 BA….was able to contribute for a couple more Giant campaigns ….made 500 home run club 1978….HOF first ballot 1986.

#299 Hank Aaron #300 Hank Aaron In Action

Move over Babe, here comes Henry....A triumph of achievement despite forces against him....Whew!....what to say that hasn’t said.....alphabetically the first player on the baseball register for 50 years until David Aardsma's debut 2008....untainted and unquestioned home run king...said he never tried to hit a home run once at the plate....755 over the fence hitting mistakes later, Hank held the crown as of April 1974 until Barry Bond’s "better hitting through chemistry" credo came along.....Why are we not in hall yet Barry?....Strong ties to Wisconsin and Milwaukee with bike trails, streets, and stadiums named after him....signed out of the waning days of Negro League by the Boston Braves franchise....started professional ball in Eau Clare WI 1952....took flight to the majors 1954 after tearing up the SALLY league the year before...strong rookie debut (.280 BA) but his 13 home runs did not tell of things to come...jumped to 27 and 26 dingers in the next seasons in addition to raising his batting by 40 point ....fully entrenched into consistent superstar status 1957 in what would nearly become his status quo for the next 15 years....League leading 44 home runs, 132 RBIs...MVP....World Series hero as Bushville beat the Yankees....Followed the Braves to Atlanta where he reprised 1957 season NL best 44 home run, 127 RBIs....around 1969 he and Willie Mays were mentioned as contenders to surpass Babe Ruth’s home run mark....age caught up Mays but Hank hammered along with 44, 38, 47, and 34 in years 1969-72....National spot light 1973 as he was in striking distance of 712....Received death threats....nevertheless hit 40 over the fence to remain one short of tying the record....tied mark in Cincinnati 4/4....rested one game then went hitless in the other....Returned home to Atlanta for most anticipated regular season game ever.....First at bat took a Al Downing offering into the Braves’ bullpen...the rest of game was immaterial....rest of the season for Hank was good but decidedly a letdown....age had started to show...traded to Milwaukee for 1975  as a homecoming for the city....featured highly in the Brewer’s promotion for the next two years doing part time DH work....called it quits 1976....To this day, still the career RBI and total bases leader..needless to say Hall of Fame....odd stat stole 190 bases in the 1960 to 1968...interesting fact despite incredible home run numbers in 60’s did not hit the most for the decade...that honor went to Harmon Killebrew...Oh Henry candy bar was not named after him but he put in there commercial...appropriate in action shot.

#309 Roberto Clemente #310 Roberto Clemente In Action

Maybe one should break the fourth wall with Roberto....Do not report facts but tell what was important to you and how he affected your life....I didn’t have the 1972 card but I have 3 of his 1973 cards...a sad and somber memento...his face obscured maybe intentionally in an in-action pose....his story begins as a signee by the Dodgers who recognized his pending stardom....placed in Montreal AAA squad in a pattern reminiscing of Jackie Robinson’s upbringing....only thing is didn’t play much in an attempt to hide  him from Rule 5 draft....still didn’t work, Pirates brass (Branch Rickey) had too much knowledge of the Dodger prospect and he was taken for a price of a measly 4,000 dollars...Overtook the Pirates spot immediately 1955....had an solid  body of work for 5 years (.282 BA, 26 home runs, 236 RBI cumulative)  but supercharged with power and RBI number with the start of the 1960’s....bravado, proud, possibly  narcissistic of his skills but he could back the talk....4 batting crowns...MVP 1966....hit under .300 only once in the decade....1961 started a string of 12 consecutive Gold Gloves augmented by a legendarily strong and accurate throwing arm...as the Baltimore Orioles found out in the 1971 WS....1969-1971 was nearly flawless hitting a .3456 clip....personal goal for 1972 was to reach the mile stone 3000 hits....battled viruses and a strained tendons resulting in only  403 plate appearances...the 3K mark was reached on September 30....a double off of Jon Matlack....last regular season hit ever....the Pirates lost out to the Reds in NLCS....Roberto was home when word of an earthquake devastating Nicaragua....continuing a personal commitment  to charitable work in Latin America to the beleaguer nation...As most people were celebrating the new year, his plane carrying relief went down a mile off the Puerto Rican coast...body never recovered....tragedy put a pale over the 1973 Pirates who descended into a losing record....In an act of highest reverence, inducted into Hall of Fame 1973 waiving the 5 year period....Other tributes poured in....Well remembered to this day..... Baseball also renamed the newly created Commissioner’s award to the Roberto Clemente award which is given the player combining good play and strong work in the community.

Note: Many of back sides of the In Action Card are the same promotional advertisement.  So I've left them out.  For Roberto I will show his 1973 card.

#313-314 Luis Aparicio-In Action

Fiery competitor, an All star 10 times over....Made the squad 7 consecutive years, then 3 consecutive years later on....Synonymous with the position of Shortstop....took to the field in 2581 contests over 18 years, never deviating position.... an OK .262 BA lowered by the occasional off season....Value lay in stolen bases and glove; 9 time award winner and 9 consecutive times top AL base thief.... HOF material and he was inducted circa 1984....Illustrious career began with Go-go White Sox beginning 1954....moved over to the Orioles....Return trip to Chicago....hit a career best .313 1970 when the Sox were at their worst...acquisition by Red Sox was the team's answer to deficit at 3rd base....Rico Petrocelli shifted to over to the right as Luis took his spot... Results were a mixed bag...speed had diminished....Batting ranged .233 in 1971 to a .273 to 1973...Released spring training 1974....vetoed an offer from George Steinbrenner to take over Yankee’s SS spot....Diminutive but incredibly durable averaging 144 games a season in addition to playing 19 consecutive years of winter ball in native Venezuela...Rookie of the year 1956.

#323 Earl Weaver

Legendary Baltimore Skipper...definition of winner in a compact 5’ 8”package....Weaver’s Orioles were AL’s dominant team, 3 first place finishes, 3 AL championship series sweeps, in his first three full seasons....road to his MLB duties were long, making nearly every stop up the Oriole farm system in levels D to AAA....experience gave him a great knowledge of future Baltimore players...midseason replacement for Hank Bauer 1968....Career line: five 100 win season, 420 games above .500....primary body of work ended in 1982...retired briefly as Baltimore won another WS.....was lured out of retirement mid 1985....won again but the birds fell short.... never had a losing season, not even close, until his last year in 1986....fiery temper first manager to ejected from a WS game...only downside of a stellar career was a single WS championship 1970 out of four contests.

#358 Sparky Anderson....

Seemingly came out of nowhere to helm the first edition of the big Red Machine...Start of long standing relationship with the Queen City.... then up north up I-75 to the Motor City....MLB managing career spanned 26 season winning record in both towns....As a player, unusual....one year for Phillies appearing in all but two games...hit .218 sent to AAA and never called up again....spent remaining playing years a fixture in the AAA Toronto Maple Leafs...asked to manage 1964...even though he won, concerns were expressed over his temper and let go, found himself scrambling for skipper positions....enter St Louis farm system; Sparky learns temperament ...came in handy for the coaching the first year Padres 1969....for 1970 was hired by the Angels, as a coach;  for a few days when the Reds came a knocking with the top spot....Legendary run; took the Reds to two WS wins and five post season contests....Controversial front office move was let go after 1978 season two seasons removed from one of the most domineering WS wins ever....picked up by Detroit 56 games into the 1979 season...only one post season appearance in Tiger town but made the most of it; rolled up the competition and Padres in the World Series....managed to the 1995 season....passed away 2010...known as a nice man, jovial and friendly despite a sometimes aloof appearance.

#410 Ferguson Jenkins

Overpowering, workhorse Canadian….6 straight seasons of 20 game wins on the North side…easy ticket to the Hall of Fame….trade from Phillies may have the Cub’s best trade ever at a time when Chicago was famous for getting taken in the Lou Brock deal….has a 6’5” frame.... could also hit for power…13 home runs and twice was summoned to the plate in the DH era….NL Cy Young winner 1971 although award was somewhat overshadowed by the Vida Blue/Mickey Lolich duel for AL honors….many years Fergie surrendered league highs in home runs, but his  few walks minimizes the damage….if teamed with Sam McDowell could have been the intimidating stare down staff ever….20  game win streak busted by a subpar 1973, prompting a trade to Texas….new digs paid huge dividends…career high 25 wins…instrumental in the Ranger’s ascension from baseball worst team to 2^nd in the AL west in one years….one more year in the Lone Star State and then moved on to Boston….Stationed on the east coast his two stint could best be described as pedestrian… 1978:  strong in a second return to Texas by going 18-8….continued winning for another year and .500 record in the next…took a second return to Cubs where he had so much previous success for last three years ending in 1983….favorite story:  picked up a hitchhiker in route to Texas Spring Training so he wouldn’t drive alone….unfortunately there is no post season story whatsoever in Fergie’s storied career….awesome combo control and power resulting in an outstanding walk to strikeout ratio.