One idea that I've kicked around for this blog but never followed through was to post scans of other cards of the featured players. As my collection (particularly the vintage part of it) grows, it would be neat to show these players on different teams. You could see them when they were fresh-faced rookies or grizzled veterans or even as managers decades later. For instance, here's a 1992 Topps card depicting Jim Fregosi as the skipper of the Phillies.
-The San Franciscan signed with the Red Sox right out of high school in 1960, but was claimed by the Angels in the expansion draft the following draft.
-After debuting with the Halos in late 1961, the youngster worked his way into the everyday lineup midway through the following season, batting .291 in 58 games.
-Jim broke out in 1963 (.287 with 50 extra-base hits), but may have been at his best the next year (.833 OPS, 18 HR, 72 RBI), when he made the first of six All-Star teams.
-Hit for the cycle twice: July 28, 1964 (the first cycle in Angels history and the only one at Dodger Stadium until Orlando Hudson in 2009) and May 20, 1968.
-Other accolades for Fregosi included a Gold Glove in 1967, a league-leading 13 triples in 1968, and career highs of 33 doubles, 22 home runs, and 82 RBI in 1970.
-After a tumor in his foot abbreviated his 1971 season, the Angels bit the bullet and traded their all-time leader in practically every offensive category. They received four players from the Mets, including a wild young pitcher named Nolan Ryan. You may have heard about this trade.
-Injuries hampered Jim's playing career throughout the 1970s. After averaging 156 games a year from 1963-1970, he failed to top 107 in any season for the rest of his career. He spent only a year and a half with the Mets, but became a valuable part-time player for the Rangers for parts of five seasons.
-He ended his career with a brief stint with the Pirates, who granted him his release in 1978 when the Angels expressed interest in hiring him as their manager. In parts of 18 seasons, he hit .265 with 264 doubles, 78 triples, 151 home runs, and 706 RBI.
-Fregosi was indeed hired to helm the Halos at age 36, and led the club to an A. L. West title in his first full year before they bowed to a strong Baltimore team in the ALCS. He skippered the Angels until mid-1981, and later managed the White Sox (1986-1988), Phillies (1991-1996), and Blue Jays (1999-2000). The 1993 Phils went to the World Series, where they fell in six games to the defending champion Toronto club. Overall, he won 1,028 games and lost 1,095.
-Jim is currently a Special Assistant to Atlanta Braves general manager Frank Wren.
-After debuting with the Halos in late 1961, the youngster worked his way into the everyday lineup midway through the following season, batting .291 in 58 games.
-Jim broke out in 1963 (.287 with 50 extra-base hits), but may have been at his best the next year (.833 OPS, 18 HR, 72 RBI), when he made the first of six All-Star teams.
-Hit for the cycle twice: July 28, 1964 (the first cycle in Angels history and the only one at Dodger Stadium until Orlando Hudson in 2009) and May 20, 1968.
-Other accolades for Fregosi included a Gold Glove in 1967, a league-leading 13 triples in 1968, and career highs of 33 doubles, 22 home runs, and 82 RBI in 1970.
-After a tumor in his foot abbreviated his 1971 season, the Angels bit the bullet and traded their all-time leader in practically every offensive category. They received four players from the Mets, including a wild young pitcher named Nolan Ryan. You may have heard about this trade.
-Injuries hampered Jim's playing career throughout the 1970s. After averaging 156 games a year from 1963-1970, he failed to top 107 in any season for the rest of his career. He spent only a year and a half with the Mets, but became a valuable part-time player for the Rangers for parts of five seasons.
-He ended his career with a brief stint with the Pirates, who granted him his release in 1978 when the Angels expressed interest in hiring him as their manager. In parts of 18 seasons, he hit .265 with 264 doubles, 78 triples, 151 home runs, and 706 RBI.
-Fregosi was indeed hired to helm the Halos at age 36, and led the club to an A. L. West title in his first full year before they bowed to a strong Baltimore team in the ALCS. He skippered the Angels until mid-1981, and later managed the White Sox (1986-1988), Phillies (1991-1996), and Blue Jays (1999-2000). The 1993 Phils went to the World Series, where they fell in six games to the defending champion Toronto club. Overall, he won 1,028 games and lost 1,095.
-Jim is currently a Special Assistant to Atlanta Braves general manager Frank Wren.
I can remember his wife appearing on "Lets Make A Deal" in the late 60's or early 70's, wearing an Angels jersey and holding a Fregosi bat...a forewarning of things to come for the Mets, with all due respect to Jim Fregosi
ReplyDeleteBrox - Old grudges die hard. I know a lifelong O's fan who throws out any Glenn Davis card that comes into his possession - except his 1991 Upper Deck card, which also shows Cal Senior in the picture.
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