Here's a missing 1972 "In Action" card for future Hall of Fame
pitcher Bert Blyleven, who was just starting out his excellent Major
League career:
Blyleven just put in his first true full season in 1971 after a
solid rookie year the season before, posting a 16-15 record with a 2.81
earned run average and 224 strikeouts.
Turns out it would be the first of six consecutive 200+ strikeout
seasons, as well as eight consecutive years of a sub-3.03 E.R.A.
By the time he retired after the 1992 season, he stood at 287-250,
with a 3.31 E.R.A., 60 shutouts and 3701 strikeouts over 692 games, 685
of which were starts.
Often overshadowed during the pitching-rich 1970's by guys like
Seaver, Carlton and Palmer, Blyleven would have to wait until his 14th
year of Cooperstown eligibility before being voted in by the BBWA in
2011.
I just always loved the guy for his pranks, his outspoken
personality and the fact that when I was a kid I was mesmerized by the
fact that he was born in Holland, something which was unique on the back
of a baseball card.
