#152 Phil Ortega

Has anyone ever bothered to count the number of hatless players in the 1965 Topps set who have flattops? It certainly appears to have been the hairstyle of choice for the baseball playing gentleman.

Fun facts about Phil Ortega:

-Hailing from Gilbert, AZ, Phil signed with the Dodgers in 1959.

-Had two thirteen-win seasons in the minors, but found it difficult to crack the stacked big-league staff in Los Angeles. Threw only 32 games in his first four seasons with the Dodgers (1960-1963).

-Four-hit the Braves on April 26, 1964 for his first big-league win.

-As a swingman with the 1964 club, went 7-9 with a 4.00 ERA and one save, but did toss three shutouts.

-Following an offseason trade to Washington, he led the Senators from 1965-1967 with 34 wins (Pete Richert, who also went from L.A. to D.C. in the same deal, had 31 before being sent to the Orioles in May 1967).

-On May 29, 1966, struck out seven straight Red Sox from the first through third innings in a 3-2 win.

-His 3.03 ERA in 1967 was a career-low and marked the only season that he was better than league average.

-Played spoiler in his final start of 1967, four-hitting the White Sox in a 1-0 victory and eliminating them from postseason contention.

-Pitched five games in 1969 for the Angels before retiring with a career record of 46-62 with a 4.43 ERA in parts of ten seasons.

-His nightmares must have been full of Robinsons: Bill, Brooks, Floyd and Frank batted a combined .329 (27 for 82) with 15 walks, 7 home runs, and 17 RBI against him!