Who is the man: Billy Conigliaro had a great breakout season for the Red Sox in 1970, hitting 18 home runs in a little less than 400 at-bats to land a giant trophy on his card. Couple that with brother Tony's 1970 season and the Conigliaros were the talk of Boston that year.
Can ya dig it: Billy's card comes just nine cards after Tony's card. That makes me wonder if Topps ever positioned baseball brothers even closer in a card set (aside from those ones in which they appear on the same card). If I had the time, I'd do up the research.
Right on: This is also the third rookie trophy card in the last 14 cards.
You see this cat is a bad mother: Billy and his brother each hit a home run on July 4, 1970 in a game against the Indians. Their own family fireworks on the 4th of July!
Shut your mouth: Conigliaro did not react well to the trade that sent Tony from the Red Sox to the Angels. He criticized the team, claimed Carl Yastrzemski ran the club, and implied that team cliches kept him from starting. The Red Sox traded Billy to the Brewers a year later.
No one understand him but his woman: For a long time after his retirement, Conigliaro stayed away from baseball. But within the last 10 years he has returned, prompted by his wife, who he married in 2002 after being a longtime bachelor.
(A word about the back): Billy signed with the Red Sox after being selected in the first round in 1965. Tony came to Billy's high school graduation and announced the Red Sox's draft choice on stage.
I know Fleer has some brothers on back to back cards...
ReplyDeleteAfter a little research, I found that Matty Alou is #94 and Felipe Alou is #96 in the 1966 Topps Set.
ReplyDeleteBilly C was right about Yaz having power. Some claim Yaz was behind the trading of Ken Harrelson because he felt that the Hawk, like Tony C, was getting to be more popular than Yaz. Also, after Dick Williams fined Yaz $500 for loafing, Williams was fired.
ReplyDelete