Here’s a 1978 coach card for “Big Klu”, Ted Kluszewski, who was a part of the Cincinnati Reds coaching staff in the latter part of the decade:
Kluszewski already made his mark with the Reds’ organization in the
1950’s as a slugging first baseman who made four straight all-star teams
between 1953-1956, with a power display of 40, 49 47 and 35 homers, all
with 100+ runs batted in.
He even finished second in the National League MVP voting in 1954
(behind Willie Mays), after leading the league in HR’s with his 49 and
RBI’s with 141.
His playing career lasted through the 1961 season after a season with
the (then) Los Angeles Angels, before moving into coaching.
Who could ever forget those awesome photos of Kluszewski and his cut-off
sleeves on his baseball cards!? Looked like a damn Paul Bunyon swinging
an axe. Awesome.