OK, so let's take a gander at what I consider one of the funnier
cards out there during the decade: the 1972 Bob Barton "In Action" card.
Now in this case "In Action" MUST BE quoted since the photo is about as NON-action-packed as you can get.
Take a look:
Brilliant!
Barton looking around while at the backstop, probably after watching a foul ball head that way.
My favorite is the elder security guard/police officer looking up, probably watching the flight of the ball.
Just awesome!
I swear that officer is more of a prominent figure in the card to me than the player himself!
As for Barton himself, he put in 10-years as a Major League
catcher, playing for the Giants, Padres and Reds before his time was up
after 1974.
His best year was easily 1971 when he played in 121 games for San
Diego, hitting .250 with 94 hits over 376 at-bats, with 17 doubles, two
triples and five homers to go along with 23 runs batted in.
He never played in more than 61 games in any other year during his career.
He'd retire with a lifetime .226 average, with 237 hits over 1049
at-bats, nine homers, 34 other extra base hits and 66 RBI's for his
troubles.
And one awesome classic "In Action" card in 1972!