Who is the man: Curt Motton was in the middle of his final season with the Orioles when this card was issued. He'd be traded to the Brewers in December 1971.
Can ya dig it: The rare batting glove sighting!
Right on: Motton's final Topps card is in the 1972 set in which he's terribly airbrushed into a Brewers cap. I kind of feel bad for players whose last card isn't the best presentation.
You see that cat Motton is a bad mother: Motton capped his most effective season in 1969 by knocking in the winning run with a pinch-hit single in the 11th inning of Game 2 of the ALCS against the Twins. The Orioles won 1-0 and swept the series, 3-0.
Shut your mouth: Elrod Hendricks, roommates with Motton, considered Motton the worst driver he'd ever seen. He recalled a time when pitcher Luis Tiant was a passenger in a car Motton was driving. According to a Baltimore Sun story, Tiant said to Motton, "Please Mr. Motton, watch the road. Please Mr. Motton, you're going to get me keeled."
No one understands him but his woman: Motton tied an MLB mark by hitting home runs in consecutive pinch-hit appearances on May 15 and 17 in 1968. Both were three-run homers.
(A word about the back): The game on Aug. 2, 1970 was a wild one. The Orioles led 5-0 and 8-2 then held off Royals rallies to win 10-8.
I was there for the 'bad mofo' game. Sat in the left field stands behind a couple of ladies eating fried chicken out of a picnic basket. What a weekend that was!
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