Who is the man: Wayne Garrett had completed his sophomore season in the majors upon the arrival of this card. He made the same number of plate appearances (454) as he did his rookie season, but hit 36 points higher (.254-.218).
Can ya dig it: That is almost the same pose that Garrett is striking on his 1972 Topps card. In fact, Garrett is shown fielding on his first three cards.
Right on: I wonder if the guy behind Garrett is on the same team? It doesn't look quite like a Mets uniform but that's probably because it's so far away. Nobody on the Mets wore a number in the 50s on the 1970 team, but it could be a coach.
You see this cat Garrett is a bad mother: Garrett was a big reason why the Mets reached the World Series in 1973. He hit .333 in September with six home runs, then hit two more in the World Series against the A's.
Shut your mouth: Garrett was nicknamed "Red" because of his hair. But he was also called "Huckleberry Finn" because of his youthful looks. He didn't like that nickname.
No one understands him but his woman: Garrett spent much of 1971 fulfilling a military obligation and hit only .213 in limited time. Despite a strong 1970 season, the Mets felt they had a hole at third base and before the 1972 season famously traded pitcher Nolan Ryan to the Angels for infielder Jim Fregosi, who they expected to start at third.
(A word about the back): Garrett played 70 games at third and 45 at second in 1970. It'd be the last season he'd split time between the two positions until 1976. He spent most of his time at third between 1971-75.
I can't say for sure about 1970, but I know that in the mid-1970's the Mets coaches generally wore #'s in the low 50's.
ReplyDelete...but I agree; the script on the blurry uniform doesn't quite look like it says "Mets". Could just be the way he's standing, I suppose.
LOOKS LIKE NUMBER 54,WHICH WOULD BE RUBE WALKER.THE PITCHING COACH FOR THE NY METS.
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