Who is the man: Topps claims Carl Taylor is a Brewer, because he was traded from the Cardinals to the Brewers in late October 1970. But Taylor never played for the Brewers. He was dealt from Milwaukee to Kansas City in February 1971. So when kids pulled this card, it was not only out-of-date, it was an untruth. Carl Taylor never played "catcher-of" for the Brewers.
Can ya dig it: This is one of those awful '71 photos that doesn't give the faintest clue that the man pictured is a ballplayer. He looks like he's waiting for the subway.
Right on: We get a good look at a concrete post, so Topps can feature Taylor's facsimile without writing it on his face.
You see that cat Taylor is a bad mother: Taylor hit an amazing .348 in 104 games for the Pirates in 1969, which was the same average as the National League's batting leader that year, Pete Rose. Taylor didn't have enough at-bats for the title though.
Shut your mouth: Taylor is one of 28 players to hit an "ultimate grand slam," which is defined as delivering a game-winning grand slam while three runs down in the game's final at-bat, although this writer doesn't like the term very much.
No one understands him but his woman: Taylor is listed as a catcher on his card, but he hadn't played any games at catcher since 1968.
(A word about the back): "A versatile man"? Make it "a versatile player" or else I don't know what we're talking about here.
catcher of what?
ReplyDeleteHe had no 1972 card, but he had one in 1973 for the Royals.
ReplyDelete