Simply put: Jim "Mudcat" Grant's mutton chops on his 1972 card (#111) are AWESOME!!!!
It doesn't get much better than the monster chops Grant sports here. The "wild '70's" are very much alive and kicking for all to see!
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| Sir...I salute that facial hair! |
Ironically enough Grant's career was already over with by the time this nifty card came out.
After 14 decent years in the Majors, Grant hung them up after the
1971 season at the age of 35, finishing up with a 145-119 record to go
with a 3.63 earned run average.
1965 was far and away his best year in the Majors, as he lead the
American league in wins with 21, winning percentage with .750, and
shutouts with six, good enough for a sixth place finish in M.V.P.
Voting.
What about Cy Young voting you ask? Well, Sandy Koufax wasn't
allowing anyone to win THAT award during his domination in the middle of
the decade, when there was only one winner instead of one from the A.L.
and one from the N.L.
But I also have to point out his incredibly underrated 1970 season.
That year, his second to last in the Majors, Grant was used as a
reliever, appearing in 80 games with the Pirates and A's, good for 135.1
innings, while posting fantastic numbers by season's end, going 8-3
with 24 saves and a sparkling 1.86 E.R.A.!
Later on in life he published a book celebrating every black
20-game winner in baseball history, which by the way, there are only 15!
Seems amazing to think there have only been 15 black pitchers with a 20-win season in baseball history!
But for now, let's celebrate a pair of kick-ass mutton chops that really represent that crazy decade, the 1970's!
