Who is the man: After finally receiving some decent playing time in 1969 and being able to exhibit some of his enormous talent, Willie Crawford regressed a bit in 1970, batting just .234 in 109 games.
Can ya dig it: One of my favorite Dodger cards in the set. With palm tree and batting cage in the background, a helmet-wearing Crawford sizes up the photographer and takes a lazy swing.
Right on: I can confirm by the number 27 on Crawford's bat handle that it is indeed his bat.
You see that cat Crawford is a bad mother: Crawford hit a home run in the World Series in 1974, a ninth-inning shot against Oakland closer Rollie Fingers to pull the Dodgers within 3-2 as the leadoff hitter in the inning. The next hitter reached on an error, but then Ron Cey struck out and Bill Russell hit into a double play to end the rally and Game 3.
Shut your mouth: The Dodgers compared a young Crawford to Roberto Clemente and Tommy Davis, while the A's compared him to Willie Mays and Willie Davis.
No one understands him but his woman: Crawford died at 57 from kidney disease. He had a drinking problem when his career ended and found out in treatment that he was harboring anger for always being platooned and rarely getting a chance to start.
(A word about the back): Wow, that's quite a smile, Mr. Crawford.
That back picture I'm sure is from his rookie card in 1965.
ReplyDeleteCurious why the A's would compare him to Mays or Davis, since by the time he got there he had already appeared in a total of 13 MLB seasons, 8 full ones. Such comparisons are usually reserved for up and coming players.
ReplyDeleteThis was back when the A's were heavily scouting Crawford, along with the Dodgers. He ended up signing with L.A., even though the A's offered him more money.
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