Orioles Card "O" the Day

An intersection of two of my passions: baseball cards and the Baltimore Orioles. Updated daily?

Friday, May 17, 2013

Vintage Fridays: Willie Kirkland, 1964 Topps #17

Willie Kirkland looks dubious. He knows that he's got the Indians' wishbone "C" and Chief Wahoo (sigh) on his cap, and he's gazing up at the blue block letters that spell out "Orioles" at the top of the card and wondering what gives. Here's what gives, Willie: Cleveland traded you to the O's for Al Smith and $25,000 in December of 1963. But don't get comfortable just yet. You'll only be in Baltimore until August 12, when the Birds sell your contract to the Senators. Your final stat line as an Oriole: .200/.281/.293 in 66 games, with three homers and 22 RBI. I guess Charm City just wasn't your kinda place.

2 comments:

Commishbob said...

I always hated seeing a guy in another team's uni on an 'Oriole' card. Hated it! This one and others like the '63 Pete Burnside always went on the last page of the years Orioles 9 pocket sheets.

Jim from Downingtown said...

Apparently, Topps hadn't hired their airbrushers until after 1964! (Gus Triandos, Don Demeter, etc)