But there are exceptions to the rule. Until I put together a post on Wally Moon for my 1965 Topps blog, I never knew that the former Cardinals and Dodgers outfielder had managed in the Baltimore organization. I thought it was pretty cool that the two-time All-Star, Gold Glover, and National League Rookie of the Year had ties to my favorite team, and with this card, I have tangible proof. Checking back on my January 2009 summary of Wally's achievements, I can see that he steered the Keys to the Carolina League championship in the 1990 season during which this card was issued. So the card is also a reminder of past glory for some baby Birds, only a handful of whom went on to much major league success (Ricky Gutierrez, Arthur Rhodes, and Anthony Telford move to the head of the class).
As I look at this card, I only have one regret: Wally's distinctive unibrow has lightened with age and is also obscured by shadows. Rats!
3 comments:
And that's why minor league cards are great. ... you just got to wade through a whole bunch of "who's he?"
I didn't know Moon managed in the O's chain even AFTER I did a post on his '59 card. Live and learn.
FWIW I agree about minor league cards... they are generally just crap. I do have a few, the '81 Rochester set with Cal and a couple depicting guys I went to school with who played plus some of a friends son in the O's chain.
Night owl - Occasionally even the "who's he?" guys will surprise you. I found Ted Wilborn in a batch of 1986 Hagerstown Suns (class A) cards, and looked him up, only to find that he'd briefly played for the Jays and Yankees in 1979-80.
Bob - He spent only that one season managing for them. There's something to be said for going out on top.
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