no. 687 - ron taylor

Who is the man: Ron Taylor was in the middle of his fifth and final season with the New York Mets when this card was issued. He appeared in 57 games in 1970, saving 13.

Can ya dig it: Taylor was one of the older members of the '69 Miracle Mets and it looks that way in the photo. Even though he had to be just 32 when this picture was taken, he seems older.

Right on: Awesome signature, especially for someone who would later become a doctor.

You see that cat Taylor is a bad mother: Taylor played an important part in two World Series games that proved key for his team, the eventual champion. In 1964, Taylor threw four no-hit innings of relief against the Yankees to give St. Louis the Game 4 victory and tie the series 2-2. In 1969, Taylor saved Game 2 of the Series, allowing the Mets to tie the series 1-1 with the Orioles.

Shut your mouth: Taylor retired from the majors in 1972 and entered medical school, inspired by overseas USO trips he took with fellow ballplayers that included visiting recovering soldiers in U.S. hospitals in Vietnam. He attended the University of Toronto but only after being interviewed by the dean of student affairs who looked over his resume and noted Taylor had graduated with a degree in 1961. "What have you been doing the past 11 years?" he asked. Taylor said: "Playing major league baseball." The dean responded by saying, "What's that?"

No one understands him but his woman: Taylor is the only person to have won four World Series rings, two as a player and two as a team doctor. He was the Blue Jays' team doctor when they won the World Series in 1992 and 1993.

(A word about the back): Taylor is not the first Canadian to play for the Mets but he was one of the first. He was raised in Toronto.