Who is the man: The trophy looks impressive, but Thurman Munson was coming off a bigger award when this card appeared in packs. He had just won the American League Rookie of the Year award. He also received a pretty iconic baseball card for just his second year in the majors.
Can ya dig it: Munson hit .385 in 67 World Series at-bats as the Yankees reached the Series in 1976, 1977 and 1978.
Right on: It's been determined many times already, but the Athletics player being tagged by Munson is pitcher Chuck Dobson. Also, this is the first action card in a Topps set that exhibited player action cards for the first time.
You see this cat Munson is a bad mother: Munson was involved in a famed brawl with Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk in August, 1973. Munson, coming in from third base, tried to bowl over Fisk on a missed bunt attempt by Gene Michael during the ninth inning of a 2-2 game, touching off a 10-minute brawl. Munson kind of got the worst of it though, as Fisk went ballistic and started punching Munson while keeping Michael pinned down by the throat.
Shut your mouth: When my brother and I told my youngest brother that Munson had died in a plane crash, my brother refused to believe it. Not because he was sad -- we were all Yankee haters -- but because we had played so many pranks on him that he didn't believe us anymore.
No one understands him but his woman: Munson often wanted to play for the Cleveland Indians -- a terrible team in the '70s -- because he was homesick and longed to play close to his family and native Akron, Ohio.
(A word about the back): Seeing Munson without a mustache is shocking ... might I say appalling.
Most coveted play at the plate card of ALL TIME! At least around these parts.
ReplyDeleteThat is a classic card of Topps greatness
ReplyDeleteNowdays how often do you see a pitcher sliding into the plate like that?
ReplyDeleteI inherited this card when I was much younger. I think my cousin was moving houses and had a small stack of cards and this was in there. It's easily one of the most prized cards in my collection.
ReplyDeleteProbably my favorite card of all-time.
ReplyDeleteThe copy I have is kinda worn. I'd love to upgrade to a nicer version, but it is ungodly expensive. It actually has a book value (FWIW) that is higher than the high number Willie Mays card. Insane.
ReplyDeleteI have this card is fairly decent condition, but I've been holding on to it in hopes for a nice Twins card in exchange.
ReplyDeleteI was never a Munson fan (although he was the guy you loved to hate if you were a Fisk / Bench fan) but this is an AWESOME card.
ReplyDeleteThere's a very interesting chapter in Josh Wilker's book "Cardboard Gods" about Munson's death (or, perhaps more accurately, news of Munson's death.)
It was Gene Michael (future Yankee GM) involved in the altercation, not George Michael.
ReplyDeleteCorrection made.
DeleteDid Michail Grossbardt take this photo...?
ReplyDeleteCorrection
ReplyDeleteMichael Grossbardt
Yes Micheal Grossbardt toke this picture. I know Michael Personally and he definitely toke this photo among other great photos he has in his collection. I've seen it personally
DeleteIs Isis there anyway to purchase a nice print of that Munson photo? Lord knows I'd love one...
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