#74 Red Sox Rookie Stars: Rico Petrocelli and Jerry Stephenson

Just how off-center is Rico Petrocelli's hat logo? Very, I would say. It's also worth noting that this is the only multi-rookie card so far to feature a partially visible uniform number; it's most likely #38, which Rico wore in 1963 and 1965 before switching to #6. Jerry Stephenson's background is impossibly blue, don't you think?

Fun facts about Rico Petrocelli:

-Brooklyn-born Rico signed with the Red Sox at age 18 in 1961.

-Was Boston's starting shortstop as a rookie in 1965, and showed power right from the start with 13 home runs in 323 at-bats.

-Was an All-Star in 1967, with .259 average, 17 HR, 66 RBI. Had only four hits in a World Series loss to the Cardinals, but three of them were for extra bases (1 2B, 2 HR).

-Had a breakout season in 1969 (.297, 32 2B, 40 HR, 97 RBI), setting a league record for home runs as a shortstop. He earned the second (and final) All-Star selection of his career.

-Led the A.L. in fielding at his position in 1968 (.978) and 1969 (.981).

-Switched to third base in 1971 and didn't miss a beat, driving in a personal best 103 runs and again leading the loop in fielding percentage (.976).

-Nearing the end of his career, had a good run in the 1975 World Series, hitting .308 in the Sox' seven-game loss to the Reds.

-Retired in 1976, having hit .251 with 210 home runs in twelve-plus seasons (all with Boston). He was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1997.

-Managed in the minor leagues for several seasons with the Appleton Foxes (1986), Birmingham Barons (1987-1988), and Pawtucket Red Sox (1992).

-Currently lives in southern New Hampshire with his wife and runs his own business in Nashua. He works at baseball clinics and in radio.

Fun facts about Jerry Stephenson:

-His father, Joe Stephenson, was a catcher who played 29 games for the Giants, Cubs, and White Sox in the 1940s.

-A native Detroiter, Jerry signed with Boston in 1961, straight out of high school.

-After a cup of coffee in 1963, got a longer look in 1965. Earned his first big-league win on May 23, striking out nine Indians in six innings of work.

-His best "season" of major league ball consisted of eight games in 1967, when he went 3-1 with a save and a 3.86 ERA.

-Five-hit the Indians for a rare complete-game win on April 20, 1968. Also walked seven, but struck out seven as well to escape with the 3-2 victory.

-After a brutal tour of duty in 1968 (2-8, 5.64 ERA), he was hit hard in short stints with the 1969 Pilots and 1970 Dodgers. Finished 8-19 with a 5.70 ERA in parts of seven seasons.

-Had fifteen career hits in 65 at-bats (.231 AVG); the best pitched to allow a hit to Jerry was probably Jim Kaat.

-His son Brian pitched in the Cubs and Dodgers minor league systems from 1994-2001.