Who is the man: Wes Parker had the season of his life in 1970, finishing fifth in the NL MVP voting after hitting .319, knocking in 111 runs and hitting a league-leading 47 doubles.
Can ya dig it: This is one of the first 1971 Dodger cards I owned. I looked at his 1970 stats on the back and immediately wanted to know more about this Wes Parker guy.
Right on: That helmet on Parker's head makes this photo appear as if it was taken in the middle of a game. I really believe he's getting ready to hit.
You see that cat Parker is a bad mother: Parker won the Gold Glove award six straight seasons and in 2007 was named the first baseman on the all-time Gold Glove team.
Shut your mouth: Parker acted in several TV shows, movies and commercials, but his most famous acting role was as himself in the first season of the Brady Bunch in 1970. Parker plays the boyfriend of Greg's math teacher and says just a few lines.
No one understands him but his woman: Parker retired from the majors at age 32. Speculation on his abrupt departure has ranged from tiring of the baseball lifestyle and the Dodgers' continuous rebuilding ways, to players union friction. Parker was one of the few Dodgers who voted against a players' strike in 1972.
(A word about the back): That's the same photo on the back as the front. This makes me wonder how many times this has happened in the set so far, but I don't have time for that now. Maybe later.
He was not a fan of Steve Garvey, evidently, and the Dodgers were pushing their youngsters at the time. I think Parker went to Japan.
ReplyDeleteWes was a Member of the Dodgers All Switch Hitting Infield. Cool.
ReplyDeleteParker was one of a few players who had an extreme career year in 1970. Off the top of my head I can think of Jim Hickman, Tommy Harper and Bert Campaneris as well.
ReplyDelete111 RBIs on 10 home runs? Parker was one of those guys who it seemed they always talked about him like he was this huge star, and then when you looked back at their careers you wonder what all the shouting was about. This seemed to be a specialty of the Dodgers. Parker was a good player, but back in the day he was spoken of as an equal to Willie McCovey or Stan Musial.
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