You knew it would just be a matter of time before I went and
designed a "Dedicated Rookie Card" for former Yankee catching great
Thurman Munson.
Take a look:
And for those who don't remember, here's what his actual rookie card from Topps looked like:
I guess you can say the future Yankee dynasty of the late 1970's
started right here with this guy when he came up and won the American
League Rookie of the Year in 1970.
Soon after he was joined by the likes of Graig Nettles, Sparky
Lyle, Ron Guidry and Willie Randolph, on their way to back-to-back
titles as well as an American League pennant in 1976.
Not only did he take home the Rookie of the Year in 1970, but he'd
go on to win the Most Valuable Player award six years later, to go along
with seven all-star berths as well as three Gold Gloves.
For three consecutive seasons he drove in 100+ runs with LESS than
20 homers, topping out at 18 in 1977, while hitting over .300 each and
every time.
I particularly love his M.V.P. year, where he had 665 plate
appearances yet only struck out 38 times while collecting 186 hits over
616 at-bats. Pretty amazing stuff. He even stole 14 bases as well!
What an age for catchers huh? You had Munson, Carlton Fisk, Gary
Carter, Johnny Bench and Ted Simmons all putting in all-star seasons
after all-star seasons.
Sadly we all know how Munson's story played out. I remember that day like it was yesterday and will never forget it.
