Who is the man: Wayne Granger was a relief pitcher extraordinaire when this card was created. In 1970, he set a major league record for saves in a season (35), one year after setting an MLB mark for appearances in a season (90).
Can ya dig it: Granger appears to be saying "so you're a wise guy, eh?" out of the side of his mouth.
Right on: That's a nice look at Granger's three-quarters arm motion.
You see that cat Granger is a bad mother: Granger finished eighth in the Cy Young Award voting in 1970, which was pretty good for a relief pitcher back then.
Shut your mouth: Granger was known for his scrawny stature. Reds teammate Pete Rose said he looked like "a professional blood donor."
No one understands him but his woman: Granger gave up a grand slam to Orioles pitcher Dave McNally in the 1970 World Series. It's the only time a pitcher has given up a grand slam to another pitcher in a Series.
(A word about the back): I wonder if collectors who know nothing about past baseball terminology read a card like this and wonder how a baseball pitcher could be a fireman, too.
Night Owl - I discovered this blog last summer while completing and upgrading my '71 set (still working on upgrading a few off-center cards). I'm enjoying your entries greatly.
ReplyDeleteRegarding this card, it's one of the notorious off-center ones in this set, and this set is full of them. As for a "professional blood donor," I hadn't heard that one before but it's classic.
Your "no one understands him . . . " paragraph is a tautology in this case.
ReplyDeleteWith Wayne Granger and Tom Hall In their bullpen, the 70s Reds led the National League In skinny.
ReplyDelete