When I went to write up this post for today's topic I realized that
somehow I've only profiled Gaylord Perry once (??) in the entire run of
my blog, and the guy is one of my favorite "characters" from the
decade.
I'll have to double-check that, maybe I missed labeling a post at some point.
But for now let's move ahead with the subject of today: redesigning Perry's 1972 Topps card.
Take a look at what Topps had out there for his 1972 card:
Not necessarily a bad card, but definitely in need of a redesign
since not only does it show Perry in his San Francisco Giants uniform
(he was traded to Cleveland around Thanksgiving of 1971), but 1972 ended
up being a banner season for the Hall of Fame
pitcher.
First up I offer you my 1972 redesign:
Just a nice action shot of Perry on the hill for the Indians during
his award-winning year. A bit nicer than the "yearbook"-type pose on
the issued card, don't you think?
In his first season pitching for the Indians, all Perry did was
post a 24-16 record with a 1.92 earned run average, 234 strikeouts and 5
shutouts.
Those numbers got him his first Cy Young Award, as well as a sixth
place finish in M.V.P. voting, all while playing for a team that went
72-84, good for fifth place in the American League East.
Not bad at all.
In somewhat of a coincidence, his National League counterpart in Cy
Young winner that year, Steve Carlton, also pitched for a sub-.500
team (actually a last place team in Carlton's case).
Go figure.
