#89 Mike Hershberger

As previously mentioned, the next five cards I'll be posting are courtesy of a small but potent mailing from Max. Mike Hershberger is grinning brightly, looking every bit the fresh-faced 24-year-old. I assume that the dark shapeless form in the background is a line of trees, and not billowing smoke from a structure fire.

Fun facts about Mike Hershberger:

-Signed with the White Sox in 1959 out of the University of Cincinnati.

-Hit .310 at AAA San Diego in 1961 to earn a late-season call-up to the majors, where he hit .309 in 15 games.

-Hit a walkoff home run off of Boston's Dick Radatz in the bottom of the tenth inning on September 19, 1962.

-Batted a career-high .279 with 64 runs scored in 1963.

-Despite tailing off as a hitter (.252 career average, single-season bests of 5 HR and 57 RBI), stayed in the league for eleven seasons based on his reputation as a skilled flycatcher.

-Was part of a three-team, eight-player trade in 1965, in which he landed in Kansas City. Notable names in the deal included Tommy John and Rocky Colavito.

-Twice placed in the top ten in the American League for doubles: 1966 (27) and 1967 (25).

-Led the A.L. with 17 outfield assists in 1967.

-Was very difficult to strike out, whiffing once every 11.5 at bats in his career.

-Faced pitcher Jim Kaat 103 times in his career, by far his most at-bats against any opponent. (Earl Wilson was his second-most-frequent foe, with 67 AB against.) Held his own against the Twins great, hitting safely 27 times for a .262 AVG.