Tuesday, January 13, 2015

MISSING IN ACTION- 1976 GENE MICHAEL: "1976 PROJECT"

Up next in my ongoing "1976 Project" is a card of former Yankee infielder Gene Michael, this time as a Detroit Tiger player.
Check it out:


"Stick" played seven of his ten seasons for the Yankees, and eventually moved to managerial and front office capacities for George Steinbrenner later in his life.
But in 1975 he found himself in Detroit, and played in 56 games, good for 158 plate appearances while manning the infield, mainly shortstop.
I think that warrants a card for the guy in the 1976 set, don't you?
Consistent to the end, Michael hit .214 in Motown, with 15 runs scored, two doubles, three homers and 13 runs batted in among his 31 hits.
A light-hitting midfielder, Michael was one of those players (like Horace Clarke, Mel Stottlemyre, etc) that played for the Yankees during their "dark years" between 1965 and 1975. 
But later on he found much more success as a general manager for the Yankees, often being credited as one of the architects of the Yankees dynasty teams of the late-1990's/early-00's, thanks in large part to owner George Steinbrenner being suspended from any MLB activities for a few years, freeing Michael from any "meddling" by "King George".
Hey, whatever it takes!
Look for a "Stick" nickname card for Michael in the not-so-distant future!