As I mentioned earlier this week, my 330-some 1977 Topps cards are now living in their very own binder, which means that I can officially get down to the Serious Business of completing the set. Now that it's all laid out pretty-like in nine-pocket pages, I see that this card is the first from the set that I happen to have. The fact that these two bad mamma-jammas were on the top of their games as leading run-producers tells you all you need to know about why this set is worth collecting. In the United States' Bicentennial year, George Foster led the major leagues with 121 RBI, a nice enough number but not quite up to Chris Davis' current league-leading total of 138. Lee May topped the American League with only 109 ribbies, a number that Adam Jones will reach if he can drive in a single run tomorrow. The 2013 O's top run producers have also outhomered 1976's chief RBI men; Davis hit his league-best number 53 tonight, and Jones got his 33rd for a personal best. May had 25 longballs, tied for fourth and trailing Graig Nettles' A.L.-high 32. Foster, a year before he would crank out 52 home runs, was fourth in the N.L. with 29 (Mike Schmidt led all of baseball with 38). The Orioles may not have made the playoffs this year, but at least they put up some gaudy numbers.
No comments:
Post a Comment