#33 Billy Martin #34 Billy Martin In Action

Controversy personified....not a passive observer in the dugout but an agitator, a provoker, divisive force of nature...even Billy’s middle finger edging down the shaft of his supporting bat gives away a rough, hard, exterior....but as baseball minds go he had few peers....as a player Martin is a solid but unspectacular infielder.....Known for clutch hitting and excellent WS production, Martin was holding court with Mantle, Ford, and Berra but entrenched in the NYY celebrity club with its price of fame possibly setting off a cult of personality....best season was 1953 was soon nullified with a near two years slated for military service....Departed with a bang being named 1953 WS MVP.....Returns to full time 1955-56.....traded mid season 1957 , tears through six franchises in a nomadic existence for the remaining 5 years of his playing days possibly fueled by brawls on and off the field....his bill vocational line was a .257 BA career....pivotal to his future was his last club the Minnesota Twins, who gave him apprenticeship starting as scout, then third base coach, then AAA Denver manager.....Named to take the helm for 1969 season and responding by capturing the first AL West crown with 17 more wins from the year prior....Martin, whose brashness had sculpted to become a front office antagonist was dismissed....other factors could have been the fight with pitcher Dave Boswell and a quick sweep at the hands of Orioles in the ALCS....After a season of radio work, Martin resurfaces with the Detroit Tigers.....regroups the veteran squad to a 12 game improvement....good for 2^nd place in AL East, then a hard won AL East crown in 1972...Tiger town relations soured and departed with a month to go in 1973.....Immediately scooped up by the hapless Texas Rangers.....another dramatic turnaround of 27 games....using a patchwork of various discarded veterans and promising youngsters made the newly replanted franchise competitive.....Once again the heads butt and is out late 75....As Texas did two summers prior, Martin is immediately pluck the Yankee prodigal son from expulsion near three decades ago....So begins the odyssey that earmarked his relationship with owner George Steinbrenner....Now armed with deep pockets and pre-established talent pool NYY make it WS in 1976.....take the Crown in 1977.....The incumbent winner Martin starts the 1978 but is dismissed mid season, one of several instances....Bronx Bombers Role call goes as follows completes 1979, full season 1983,  once completes 1985, and is the initial skipper in  1988....only respite from revolving door was a three year homecoming to his native but wretched Oakland A’s....in 1980 Martin may have done his greatest turnaround masterwork forwarding a 108 loss team to a 29 game improvement....Next campaign landed in ‘81 AL playoffs....Billy's detractors won over and was let go after the A's 1983 losing season.....Billy was killed in car accident about a year and half after his last game on Christmas Day 1989....those who were in his camp greatly mourned his loss.

#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.

 

#189 Gene Tenace

October Classic Hero...obscurity of three years of backup catcher melted away with notoriety of four homers in 1972 World Series....A shocking turn of events instrumental in compensating for Oakland’s loss of Reggie Jackson in their upset win verses the Reds...Took home series MVP....Call it new found confidence but took over the regular backstop from then on and proceeded to slug 101 more home runs in a A’s uniform over the next 4 years....took the free agent road and accepted Ray Kroc’s payday located in San Diego...could not duplicate the power in Oakland but made a decent showing with an above average knowledge of the strike zone....never hit higher than .263 but OPS was very good based on high rate of walks...traded to St Louis for 1981 but used only sparingly....had to learn to be a catcher and defensive struggles ultimately took to first base....real name was Fury.      

#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.

#433-434 Johnny Bench

Arguably the best ever at his position...or at least of his time....Bench made this author as a child believe a catcher can be all out dominant force offensively and defensively ...not just a perpetual 8^th spot in batting order....or a position where the less talented person plays.... The NL MVP of 1970 and 1972.... The beginnings in Oklahoma draws Mickey Mantle comparisons....drafted 2^nd round 1965....Fast forward to 1968, capturing ROY honors and the start of 10 consecutive gold gloves awards....More than a good glove man, he was innovative...catching with one hand sparring the throwing hand from injury...threw lasers to second base .....just got better for next two seasons taking the home run and RBI crown by storm by his third full season....the sky was the limit but during 1971 he experienced his worst year of his career with a drop of 60 BA points and RBIs cut by over one half....Reds went down with him that year...Bench and his Reds resurfaced 1972...Made the cover of Time Magazine  7/10/72....after 1972, retains superstar status with 4 out of 5 great  seasons...the one off season, 1976, is redeemed by WS MVP....solid season continued but wear and tear of catching became evident...tried at third in last three seasons which turned him into a liability in the field...Not once what he once was but held his own at the bat...probably could have gone to the AL as a DH but retired as always a Red...easily in the Hall of Fame.

#435-436 Reggie Jackson

AKA Mr. October....or according to Darryl Knowles “There isn't enough mustard in the whole world to cover that hot dog”...however despite the taunts, overcame great hardships in his youth and over the top noterity that rose in conjunction to his salary...21 seasons most of them controversial....from the beginning....came out of Arizona State baseball factory...drafted #1 by Kansas City A’s...1967 was a tumultuous year, starting out playing in the deep south with occasional call up to the A’s...KC results were poor but get in over 100 at bats....made an impact in the new Oakland digs....29 home runs and establishing himself as the team offensive leader....also career high of 171 strike outs...stepped up his game in 1969....early home run leader....over time caved in to Killebrew and Howard finishing third best figure with 47...had a down year in 1970, the worst until late his career....improved his stats in 1971 but most notable event was memorable all star home run that nearly got out of Tiger Stadium...next significant season 1973, winning dual AL and WS MVPs....finishing up  his first go round in  Oakland 1975, hit 36 home runs....1976 traded to Baltimore on the eve of new season...But Reggie and so many others like were him awaiting the big payday that 1977 would bring....Took the big money for the Big Apple....plus a namesake candy bar....A strong season despite a spotlight of extreme emotions either loving or hating....World Series was where he shined....5 home runs and his second series MVP....Yankees repeated WS win 1978....1980 was probably Reggie’s best year in pinstripes...2^nd in MVP voting....suffered a considerable decline in strike shortened 1981....took the free agency road again....returned to West coast with Angels...responded with solid comeback season 1982....subsequent 4 seasons ranged from poor to average (for Reggie) indicating skills deteriation....finished with one last return to Oakland 1987....in so many top 100 of offensive career records...holds firm to the #1 spot 2597 strikeouts....500 home run club member with a 536 mark...So much more can be said...Say what you will but he only player I’ve seen climb a chain link fence (risking injury) during BP to retrieve a ball for a fan....true story     

#447- Willie Stargell 448 Willie Stargell In Action

Illustrious career of 21 seasons....whereas Joe Torre was baseball best hitter, Willie was probably most feared slugger in the MLB 1971 (I’d say the AL had an off year)....That year also starts a 3 year golden age, collecting 125 home run...but missed out on MVP, voted 2^nd, 3^rd, and 2^nd.... Started out as a part timer in 1963, established himself the next seasons as a consistent 20+ homer muscle man....Power was enhanced by the move to Three Rivers Stadium in mid 1970, ggoing over the fence 31 times....So strong, so explosive with the bat....some home runs were monster shots, causing opposing teams to mark the landing area in their stadium....consistent seasons followed, until 1979....Willie win the triple crown of MVPs; season (shared with Keith Herandez), playoffs and World Series....best hitter in post season, but was most likely his leadership presence that gave him the award for the season...while the Pirates were very good in the 70’s, the 1979 was vindication since losing Roberto Clemente...it was his swan song, with playing a half season in 1980 and just a minority of next two seasons....HOF body of work, falling 25 home runs short of 500....hit over 40 home runs twice, 30+ four times, and 20+ nine times...overcame a very difficult childhood to become one of the great fatherly figures of the game....Pops passed away at very young age of 61.

#450 Mickey Lolich

They don’t make them like Mickey anymore....Portly and popular left hander in the MoTown.... 1971 was a comeback from 1970, lowering ERA by a run per game and gaining 11 wins....showed that he and veteran Tiger teammates still had something in the tank....The best pitcher in the AL for the two years of 1971 and 1972 with 47 victories.... in this prime of his career, collected immense number of innings, over 350 on average....led league in strikeouts and innings 1971...personally thwarted the Bob Gibson led Cardinal onslaught in 1968 World Series, winning 3 games, and taking home MVP honors....Hit a home run against the Redbirds to boot.... established himself in 1964 winning 18 games...otherwise played in shadow of Denny McClain....post 1972 was still ace of the staff but was plagued by an aging Tiger team, losing more than winning....traded to the Mets in 1976...didn’t win much, 8 times, despite respectable 3.22 ERA.....disgusted in NY.... Sat out in 1977, resurfaced in San Diego 1978 as a free agent...took the role of a middle relief man in fits and spurts....1.56 ERA....could not repeat in more work, 1979....Impressive stats: He completed nearly 40 percent of his starts, and hurled 41 shutouts....missed out on outright Cy Young 

#550 Brooks Robinson

Go to Baseball Reference and type B-R-O-O…Robinson’s name will be first on the first….Oriole legend in the field….appeared in 23 MLB seasons…was able to sneak in a couple of Oriole games in first professional season of 1955….shuffled between minor and Baltimore for 4 more seasons… true stardom started in 1960….starting an incredible string of awards; 14 and 15 straight years of all star game and gold gloves respectively…Voted in HOF far quicker than NL counterpart Ron Santo…won AL MVP in 1964…World Series MVP in 1970 leading the Oriole’s romp over the Reds…hit over .500 in post season play that year…in seemed to make the difficult play at the most critical time in the series and career in general…only career liabilities are a relatively slow start to stardom and stayed a bit too long .200 average in last 3 seasons….wonderful nicknames of the “human vacuum cleaner” and “Mr. Impossible”.

#559 Pete Rose #560 In Action-Pete Rose

So much has been said, so much can be said…I’ll keep it short….All time hit leader…plus games, at bats, and plate appearances….hometown hero…seemingly could field any position…loved by the fans of teams he played for, hated by opposing fans…24 years....rarely injured so he was nearly always a starter…ROY of 1963….1 MVP….1 WS MVP....44 game hit streak….3 batting crowns…last great season was 1981 hitting .325….hit .321 in playoffs, 18 points better than his career average…1968 NL BA leader....followed up in 1969 when had career best in BA .348, 16 home runs, and 82 RBIs….17 time all star but collision with Ray Fosse may that game's most controversial image....Spent 10 years as a leadoff hitter 1968-78….intense to say the least...like the Joni Mitchell song goes he rambler, a gambler, and sweet  talking ladies man…married three time and fathered one child out wedlock….fate will be debated forever.

#671 Don Clendenon

Renascence man…So well known as the 1969 WS hero and MVP but he was much more…almost Forrest Gumpian…born in Atlanta to well educated middle class family…Father had two PhDs but died when he was a baby…Stepfather was Negro League veteran so he had expert coaching and exposure to all legendary players of the day…went to Morehouse College where he had a big brother connection to Dr. Martin Luther King…worked his way through the Pirates chain breaking in mid way 1962…became known as a home run hitter but never established huge numbers… had an off field incident in Houston in 1965 which laid the groundwork for future events…however he maintained a strong .291 batting average for his first five years as fixture in the Bucs line up…had off years in 1967 and 68 with BA dropping by almost 40 points…left out for the expansion draft and selected by Montreal for 1969…then things start to happen…Montreal enticed by prospect of Rusty Staub, trade Don to the Astros…Don, based on past and present refuses the assignment and stays with Montreal…with relatively slow start, Don is traded to Mets…platoons 1^st base with Ed Kranepool…misses the NLCS playoff but came back with vengeance in the WS hitting 3 crucial home runs and taking MVP honors…Took over as a regular next year when Kranepool faltered badly…1970:  last good season with 22 hrs, 97 RBIs…1971:  Lost playing time with most offensive numbers cut in half…dealt to St. Louis for 1972 as part of a veteran’s movement, poor start doomed fate and was cut mid season…After baseball became a lawyer…died in 2005.

 

*Special note:  I did not skip #672 Archie Reynolds.  He's there but does not show on the links in other sites (Dave Marshall still shows up).  Not sure how to correct.  If anyone wants to see it here is the link

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8763856598750589911#editor/target=post;postID=9085502898800035905;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=0;src=postname

Poor Archie, one final indignity of an 0-8 career.

 

#778 Twins Rookie Stars

Here's my first attempt at a Rookie Card....

I never had this Twins rookie card but I'd loved to have it growing up in Central Minnesota...as rookie cards go it's fairly typical in terms of the overall players careers.  A short timer (Strickland), a 3-4 MLB year career man (Albury) and Rick Dempsey, who logged in over 20 years as a sometime starter but a pretty memorable backstop.....So let’s start with Rick…As far as Dempsey and the Twins they never quite meshed.   Over four seasons as cup of coffee guy, Rick had 66 Abs, no homers, no runs batted in and was pretty much off the radar buried behind several backstops, Mitterwald, Borgman, Phil Roof, Paul Ratliff, even Tom Tichinski and catcher convert Danny Walton…having grown up and following the Twins closely I had never heard of him before leaving for greener pastures. ..Dempsey then get traded to the NY Yankees before the 1973 season and while he never becomes a regular he is serviceable as Thurman Munson's backup....Then in 1976 he was part the trade to Baltimore  It is here Dempsey makes a name for himself for most of the eighties....Most memorable, sometime in the early 80’s, there was a rain delay in regular season game, Dempsey takes it upon himself to stuff his gut, walk out to the tarp and pantomime a comical home run trot…For the time it was viral been the put in blooper reels, TWIB, and TV rain delay footage…I wonder what the grounds crew thought.. The other moment was after being named 1983 World Series MVP Rick received a phone call from President Reagan, Rick then proceeded to tell how the Russians would be better off if they played baseball…Rick appears to be never at the loss for words…

Albury did not make it to the Twins in 1972 and most of 1973, but able to be a regular Twins spot starter middle reliever for about 3 years.   He was primarily a reliever in the minors.  I often confuse him with Twin Ray Corbin had a similar role around the same time.  The background of pictures is that of Orlando Tinker field…which was dwarfed  by the adjacent Orlando Citrus Bowl

Strickland appears to have trouble with injuries, collects a  4-2 record in 60 games.  Strickland appearance in this RC is somewhat of a misnomer for he appeared in 24 games and 31 innings during 1971 campaign.  Started as a Dodger farmhand and ended career in Cleveland organization