Who is the man: Fred Wenz was a relief pitcher for the Phillies who appeared in a career-high 22 games in 1970. He would not play in another major league game after this card was issued.
Can ya dig it: I wonder how many kids Wenz confused with this pose? He's posing as a catcher, yet he's a pitcher.
Right on: Wenz seems like an absolute character. From his chaw-aided grin to his glorious signature.
You see this cat Wenz is a bad mother: Wenz pitched for 10 seasons in the minor leagues before getting to the majors. He didn't even make it to Triple A until after he had been playing professionally for seven seasons. That's persistence. And a little bit of bad-assness.
Shut your mouth: In an interview with Phillies alumni, Wenz was asked what career he would have chosen if he didn't play baseball. Wenz said he would've gone with his "first love" and become a veterinarian.
No one understands him but his woman: This is Wenz's only solo card. He appears on a Red Sox three-player rookie card in the 1969 set.
(A word about the back): Wenz's nickname was "Fireball," which I know to be the nickname of 1950s Cincinnati Reds reliever Frank Smith. I suppose it was a common name back them for those pitchers with a mean fastball.
