Who is the man: Steve Carlton's 1970 season was a great disappointment after his breakthrough 1969 season. Carlton won seven fewer games, lost eight more, and his ERA rose from 2.17 to 3.73.
Can ya dig it: This is one of those photos where you can tell that the pitcher is a tall man.
Right on: Seeing Carlton as a Cardinal is strange. He's a Phillie, plain and simple.
You see this cat Carlton is a bad mother: Winning 27 games in a season in which your team goes 59-97 and finishes last is as staggering now as when it first happened in 1972. In fact, the more I think about it, the more staggering it gets.
Shut your mouth: Well, this is an easy one. Carlton stopped talking to the media in 1973 and that was it. He became known as the guy who wouldn't talk.
No one understand him but his woman: Carlton's unusual training habits led to him going mum in the media. Reporters criticized his training techniques after he followed his 27-10 season with a 20-loss season in '73.
(A word about the back): Topps prefers to dwell on Carlton's 1969 season, and I understand why. There was a lot to say.
Interesting that you consider Lefty to be a Phillie. My Dad grew up following the 1960's Cardinals and always referred to Carlton as a Redbird.
ReplyDeleteCarlton is etched in my brain as a Phillie because he was the first player I ever pulled out of a pack of cards...1981 Fleer.
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