Great choice. Somebody had to go from that first Padres team, but .220 is a little rough. Ollie Brown, Nate Colbert, Joe Niekro, Al Ferrara, Clay Kirby, or others could have filled the San Diego spot, too.
Jeff Newman. Made it in 1979. As a kid I was mad Thurman wasn’t there - but Newman had a big year in 1979 offensively but also was just under 50% throwing out base stealers. Later he was one of the guys who went with Tony Armas to Boston for Carney Lansford.
22 HR was big for a catcher, but his BA and OBP were pretty weak. He edged Munson on CS% for the year -- 47% to 46%, though of course Munson's season was cut short.
Lil story about Benedict.....went to Braves game in 1983. My first game and all I wanted was autographs. I got Bruce's. But no one else. As time passed I began bringing baseball cards to games. Sort of retired the baseball. Luck had it... my city was sponsoring an Old Timers Banquet and the two years it was here, that baseball collected the auto's of Phil Niekro and Hank Aaron. Forty years later...still have that baseball.
Chris Cannizzaro!
Great choice. Somebody had to go from that first Padres team, but .220 is a little rough. Ollie Brown, Nate Colbert, Joe Niekro, Al Ferrara, Clay Kirby, or others could have filled the San Diego spot, too.
Jeff Newman. Made it in 1979. As a kid I was mad Thurman wasn’t there - but Newman had a big year in 1979 offensively but also was just under 50% throwing out base stealers. Later he was one of the guys who went with Tony Armas to Boston for Carney Lansford.
22 HR was big for a catcher, but his BA and OBP were pretty weak. He edged Munson on CS% for the year -- 47% to 46%, though of course Munson's season was cut short.
Lil story about Benedict.....went to Braves game in 1983. My first game and all I wanted was autographs. I got Bruce's. But no one else. As time passed I began bringing baseball cards to games. Sort of retired the baseball. Luck had it... my city was sponsoring an Old Timers Banquet and the two years it was here, that baseball collected the auto's of Phil Niekro and Hank Aaron. Forty years later...still have that baseball.
Great story! Sounds like Benedict got your baseball warmed up for Hank and Phil!
How about Biff Pocoroba (1978). Went on to have a very successful meat packing business near Atlanta. Sadly he passed in 2020.
Biff is a great choice. I alway thought he *looked* like a balllayer on his cards, and his name was great, too.