Fun facts about Tommy Harper:
-Originally from Louisiana, he played high school ball in California, where he was teammates with Willie Stargell and Curt Motton.
-Signed with the Reds in 1960 as a 19-year-old.
-In his second full season, he stole 22 bases in 1964, the first in a run of 11 seasons out of 12 in which he swiped 20 or more bags.
-Led the National League with 126 runs scored in 1965.
-Hit safely in 24 straight games in 1966.
-After a few subpar seasons, was exposed to the expansion draft in 1969. Became the Seattle Pilots' second-round pick, and led the ill-fated team and the league with 73 steals (including four in one game vs. the White Sox!). He was the first batter in Pilots history, and the following year he repeated the feat as the first-ever Brewers batter.
-Had a career year in 1970, establishing personal bests in doubles (35), home runs (31), RBI (82), and average (.296) while making his only All-Star team. He also stole 38 bases, making him the fifth-ever member of the 30 HR/30 SB club.
-A year after joining the Red Sox in a ten-player trade that included George Scott and Ken Brett (George's brother), Tommy won his second stolen base crown in 1973 with 54 thefts (a Boston team record). He also hit .281 with 17 home runs and was named the team's MVP.
-Retired in 1976 after spending his final two seasons bouncing from California to Oakland to Baltimore. His 408 steals are 61st all-time.
-Coached for the Red Sox (1980-1984, 2000-2002) and Expos (1990-1999).
I had compleeetly forgotten Tommy Harper as an O. So much info on the internets, no?
ReplyDeleteThis card is one of the very few you've posted, Kevin, that doesn't 'ring a bell' with me from my days as a fervent collector in the mid 60s. I'm sure I had it, I had every card from Topps' sets back then. I just can't remember it.
Bob - Well, he certainly wasn't a memorable Oriole, so you can't exactly be blamed.
ReplyDelete