Tuesday, January 15, 2013

no. 134 - jose arcia


Who is the man: Jose Arcia had finished his second season with the San Diego Padres when this card arrived. He would not play in the major leagues again after 1970.

Can ya dig it: Another dude choking up on the bat. The '70s were a strange-and-wonderful time.

Right on: This photo is merely a crop job of Arcia's 1970 Topps card.

You see this cat Arcia is a bad mother: Arcia played for Cubs and the Padres in the major leagues. But he played in the minors for six other major league organizations -- the Tigers, Astros, Indians, Cardinals, Twins and Royals. That's how many teams wanted him! ... er, or something like that.

Shut your mouth: Arcia appears again in a Topps set, as a member of the Kansas City Royals in 1973. But he never played in the major leagues for the Royals. His complete major league stats can be found on the back of his 1971 card.

No one understands him but his woman: Arcia actually started out as a pitcher. He pitched his first three years in professional baseball before switching over to shortstop. But Arcia, while a good fielder, never hit well. Possibly why he was a pitcher in the first place.


(A word about the back): Arcia stole 14 bases in 1969, but during two years with the Padres, he was caught stealing 13 times in 30 attempts.

2 comments:

  1. Later became part of an all time bad trade by the Mets ( and there are so many to chose from! Fan favorite Rusty Staub, for and aging, overweight Lolich. Rusty drove in 320 runs over the next 3 years, while Mickey went 8-13 and retired!

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    1. Somehow this got posted on the wrong page; obviously meant for the prior one— Mickey Lolich.

      Though had Lolich not been available, the Mets FO probably would have traded Staub for this guy instead!

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