Tuesday, August 23, 2016

no. 567 - walt alston


Who is the man: Walt Alston managed the Dodgers to a second-place finish in the NL West in 1970, his 17th year as manager of the club. It was the team's highest finish since 1966.

Can ya dig it: Alston seems absolutely thrilled with whoever he spotted in the mezzanine.

Right on: This photo likely was taken at the same time as the photo on Alston's 1972 Topps card. Not only is he staring in the same general direction, but those two standing, jacketed people behind Alston are in both shots.

You see that cat Alston is a bad mother: Alston managed the Dodgers to their first World Series title in 1955. And he added championships in 1959, 1963 and 1965 for good measure.

Shut your mouth: Alston lasted longer as a manager with one team than everyone except Connie Mack and John McGraw. "He's not irritating," Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley once explained. "Do you realize how important it is to have a manager who doesn't irritate you?"

No one understands him but his woman: Dodgers player Tommy Davis once said of Alston: "He's a straight guy, know what I mean? Really straight. I respect the man. I just don't understand him."


(A word about the back): It's a little crazy to see someone born in 1911 on the back of a baseball card.

1 comment:

  1. He is the answer to this question: "What former Cardinals first baseman has the lowest batting average of any Hall-of-Famer?"

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