What a card: Two of the three players on this card made their major league debuts in 1970. Tom Paciorek went 2-for-9 in eight games in his debut with the Dodgers. Don Baylor went 4-for-17, also in eight games, with the Orioles in his debut. Dusty Baker was making his third stint in the majors in 1970. He appeared in 13 games and batted .292 in 24 at-bats.
Can ya dig it: This is the most difficult of the high numbers to obtain. As you can see, mine is cut weirdly and contains a crease in the left corner. And if that's not enough, I still need a second one for my Dodgers collection.
Right on: OK, this is another variation on the rookie stars cards. Let's update the list:
Team-oriented, two-player
Team-oriented, three-player
National League, three-player
American League, three-player
Pitchers, three-player
American League pitchers, three-player
Outfielders, three-player
You see these rookies are bad mothers: Well, I hate to say it, but even though all three enjoyed solid MLB careers and the careers of Baker and Baylor were exceptional, they are not bad-ass. Not right now.
Shut your mouth: Baker's nickname of "Dusty" is so identified with him that few know his actual first name is "Johnnie". Paciorek's nickname of "Wimpy" is also well-known. Baylor's nickname was "Groove," which is new to me.
No one understands him but his woman: Baylor breaking his leg while catching a first pitch thrown by Vladimir Guerrero in 2014 is still one of the strangest on-field injuries I've seen. Baylor, down on one knee on his left leg, reached across his body to backhand Guerrero's throw and his right leg collapsed with a broken thigh bone.
(A word about the back): Sadly, the youngest of the three is no longer alive.
How often to you see a rookie card that features *two* future major-league managers?
ReplyDeleteBaylor's broken leg was actually a result of the bone cancer that would eventually claim him.