Back to check out a few more card backs from the 1972 Kellogg's baseball card set. All three of these cards have variations. I don't have the other McDowell variation.
#33 - Sam McDowell
I guess "Sudden Sam" was his nickname. Another AL player until this point so I knew less about him. He ended up back in the AL in less than two seasons. Kelloggs mentioned that Sam was unhappy in Cleveland.
Not on the card - I'm surprised that the card didn't mention that he was traded for Gaylord Perry.
For his career he had more strikeouts than innings pitched at this point. He just missed doing that for his career with IP (2492) and K's (2453). Can I add the 306 times he struck out at the plate on his way to a .154 career average?
What did he like to paint?
#32 - Bud Harrelson
Kellogg's mentioned Bud's lack of long-ball power. With two career homers at this point that didn't need to be said.
Not on the card - in 16 seasons he hit seven homers in seven different seasons, only two of those seasons being consecutive.
I really like this line - "Harrelson is still hampered by the weight problem that annually threatens to reduce him to skin and bones". 5-10 1/2 - 155 lbs. sure made him look like a high schooler.
He's also available for long autograph sessions and he's involved in other public relations events. Did he end up doing lot of card show signings?
#31 - Bill Freehan
Not many guys list football as a hobby. Freehan was a varsity end at Michigan. The 6-3, 210 lb. catcher would never be mistaken for Bud Harrelson.
Back surgery helped his career. That is surprising to hear for operations done in 1970. Lots of players had career-ending surgeries back then.
He wrote a book about the Tigers 1969 season. That was probably interesting since there certainly must have been lots in there about Denny McLain who was certainly easy to write about.
Not on the card - how many players from that Tigers team read the book?