Who is the man: Tommy Dean managed just 60 games and 158 at-bats in 1970 after getting in 101 games (and hitting .176) in the Padres' first season in 1969.
Can ya dig it: Perhaps there is something to the left of Dean that the photographer didn't want people to see. Dean is remarkably off-center in this photo.
Right on: Last card of his career.
You see that cat Dean is a bad mother: Dean delivered a single in his first at-bat for the Padres on April 18, 1969 against the Giants. He walked in his first plate appearance, then singled to lead off the fourth inning against Ray Sadecki.
Shut your mouth: Dean, a highly sought fielding prospect, was signed by famed scout Hugh Alexander, who was known for signing Dodgers Don Sutton, Steve Garvey, Frank Howard, Davey Lopes and Bill Russell. In the book, "Baseball's Last Great Scout", Alexander outsmarts the Astros' Paul Richards by getting Dean to sign with the Dodgers by also giving Dean's brother some of the signing money.
No one understands him but his woman: Dean was part of the first triple play turned by the Padres. On Aug. 13, 1969, with Cubs runners on first and second, pitcher Joe Niekro fielded a Billy Williams line drive for an out, then threw to shortstop Dean, who forced out Don Kessinger at second and tagged Glenn Beckert coming in from first.
(A word about the back): That is not the most flattering photograph. Or career batting average.
Appears Tommy Dean is Taking Ground Balls at the Airport, Ha!
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