Who is the man: Tom Phoebus experienced a disappointing 1970 season with the Orioles, although he made his only World Series appearance that season and received the victory. In December, he was traded to the Padres in the deal that landed Baltimore pitcher Pat Dobson.
Can ya dig it: The card is trying to convince you that a Padre was in Yankee Stadium in 1970. ... Well, as much as they can convince you with a guy who appears to have no team affiliation whatsoever.
Right on: Phoebus looks like a cross between 1960s Western actors Ernest Borgnine and Dan Blocker.
You see that cat Phoebus is a bad mother: Phoebus pitched complete-game shutouts in his first two major league starts in September 1966.
Shut your mouth: When Phoebus was traded from the World Champion Orioles to the cellar-dwelling Padres, he tried to remain positive, saying, "I believe the desire to win overcomes everything." Phoebus won three games for the Padres in 1971 and San Diego finished last for a third straight season.
No one understands him but his woman: Phoebus threw the first no-hitter of the 1968 season, against the Red Sox. His catcher for that game was Curt Blefary, who played relatively few games behind the plate. But in '68 the Orioles dealt with injuries and Blefary caught 40 games that season. Phoebus didn't mind because the two were good friends in the minors.
(A word about the back): The "S.D." on Phoebus' hat is not right at all.
It amazes me that someone who was so bad on defense that his nickname was "Clank" was moved from left field to catcher, where he would be handling the ball more than any other fielder.
ReplyDeleteThis wasn't sandlot pickup ball, where the biggest stiff was always put behind the plate, because there was a backstop there anyway!