1. The photographer was really intent on capturing Bob Lee's chest hair.
2. Bob wears/wore a Rawlings glove.
3. I'm a big fan of the "Los Angeles" road jersey. I think all teams should wear their city name on the grays, and I was thrilled when my Orioles went back to "Baltimore" on their away threads a few years ago.
4. Bob Lee's name is a nonsense adverb.
Fun facts about Bob Lee:
-A native of Ottumwa, IA, Bob signed with the Pirates in 1956, several months before his 19th birthday.
-His progress through the minors was slow; he didn't reach A-ball until 1960, his fifth pro season.
-In 1963, he spent much of the year with the New York-Penn League (Class A) Batavia Pirates, going 20-2 with a 1.70 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. Late that summer, Pittsburgh dealt him to the Angels.
-Known as either "Moose" or "Horse" due to his 6'3", 230-pound frame, Bob broke camp with the Angels in 1964. The 26-year-old rookie had a great year out of the L.A. bullpen, going 6-5 with a 1.51 ERA and a team-leading 19 saves. He also struck out 111 batters in 137 innings.
-Though he made his mark in relief, he started five games for Los Angeles in his first big league season. The first start was an April 25, 1964 gem against Cleveland; he allowed one run and struck out eight in ten innings but did not earn a decision as the Indians won in the eleventh. His first career win came in his next start, as he one-hit the Senators for seven innings in a 5-1 Angels victory. However, Lee totaled 9.2 innings over his next 3 starts while allowing 11 runs, convincing the team to keep him in the 'pen.
-He was the Halos' lone All-Star in 1965, when he vultured 9 wins in relief to go along with 23 saves and a 1.92 ERA.
-Though his 2.74 ERA and 16 saves were both the best marks on the team for the third year running, Lee's strikeout rate dropped precipitously in 1966 (4.1 K/9 IP). It would prove to be his last effective season.
-He split the 1967 season between the Dodgers and Reds, compiling a 4.55 ERA in 31 appearances and saving only 2 games.
-The end of the road came in 1968, when he walked more batters than he fanned and put up a 5.15 ERA in 44 games for Cincinnati. In 5 seasons, he was 25-23 with a 2.71 ERA and 63 saves.
-Lee later opened a barber shop near Anaheim Stadium, home to the Angels.
Totally agree about the road uniforms. In fact, I think all teams should be required to wear their 1960s uniforms generally. They are generally much classier than the newer uniforms. And enough with these goofy "alternative" jerseys which is, of course, just a way to sell more merchandise.
ReplyDeleteI'm still waiting for the San Diego Chargers to switch back permanently to their old powder blue uniforms. Those are the best uniforms in sports other than perhaps the Yankees.
I agree-- most teams 60's threads were better than todays garb--i think the rockies vest w/ black uniforms are the worst in mlb history--mlb should ban all solid color tops--they look cheap, softballish
ReplyDeleteMarc - Agreed. It seems like they roll out a new template for spring training/BP jerseys for all 30 teams each year.
ReplyDeleteAnon - Recently the Pirates ditched their red vests, which they'd only worn for a few years. A few years too many in my opnion.