Who is the man: Jim Stewart produced in his usual role as a "super sub" for the Reds, playing in the outfield, infield and even catching one game in 1970.
Can ya dig it: Stewart's giving you the ol' bunting pose but he doesn't seem completely sure of himself.
Right on: Stewart is referred to as "Jim" on all of his Topps cards until his final card in 1973, when he's listed as "Jimmy". I guess by then, Topps was certain no one would confuse him with the actor.
You see that cat Stewart is a bad mother: Stewart was the best pinch-hitter (13-for-39) for the National League champion Reds in 1970.
Shut your mouth: Stewart was part of the Reds' 1969 backup crew that called themselves the "Red Raiders". Stewart, and players like Woody Woodward and Chico Ruiz, would pride themselves on being able to fill in capably for the stars on the team. Reds manager Dave Bristol said: "I love them all. They're always pulling for the other guy. Never griping."
No one understands him but his woman: Stewart married his wife, Donna, when she was 19. They stayed married for 51 years, right until Stewart's death in 2012.
(A word about the back): Stewart's catching appearance was actually on Aug. 9th, the first game of a doubleheader against the Dodgers in L.A. It was in the eighth inning and the Dodgers had just gone ahead 4-3 against the Reds' Don Gullett. Stewart caught Gullett and Gullett's replacement John Noriega in what turned out to be a four-run inning for the Dodgers.
Speaking of "Red Raider" Chico Ruiz, I read somewhere a few years ago that after an extended playing streak of consecutive starts (probably while Chico Cardenas was injured), Ruiz jokingly told his manager "Bench me or trade me".
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