Who is the man: Rod Gaspar was a recent Padres acquisition as he played for the Mets and the Mets' Triple A team in Tidewater in 1970. The Mets traded Gaspar to the Padres in October, 1970.
Can ya dig it: Gaspar is wearing a Mets uniform in Shea Stadium there. He never does appear in a Padres uniform on a Topps card.
Right on: I'm sure if I was a kid collecting cards in 1971, Gaspar's well-parted "dad" hair would have made his card ripe for mockery.
You see that cat Gaspar is a bad mother: Gaspar led the National League outfielders in double plays turned with six for the Miracle Mets in 1969.
Shut your mouth: When the Orioles' Frank Robinson heard that Gaspar had predicted that the Mets would sweep the Orioles in four games ahead of the 1969 World Series, Robinson said, "Who in the hell is Ron Gaspar?" Orioles teammate Paul Blair said to Robinson, "That's not Ron. That's Rod, stupid!" to which Robinson responded, "All right, bring on Rod Stupid."
No one understands him but his woman: Gaspar blamed his poor season in 1970 on his refusal to go play winter ball in Venezuela as Mets manager Gil Hodges suggested. He reported to camp out of shape and managed just 14 at-bats in the majors that year.
(A word about the back): Gaspar's claim to fame is scoring the winning run in Game 4 of the 1969 World Series. He scored on a controversial bunt by J.C. Martin. Orioles pitcher Pete Richert fielded the bunt, but his throw to first hit Martin int he hand, scoring Gaspar for the game-winner in the 10th. The Orioles argued that Martin ran inside the baseline.
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