Today’s blog post has a 1971 “Nicknames of the 1970s” card for former slugger Darrell Evans, aka “Howdy Doody”, in what I am assuming was NOT a cherished nickname for the former All-Star:
I mean, when you look at the man as a fresh-faced rookie back then, I guess I can see it, though not fully endorsing it!
Nevertheless, Evans hit a very nice .318 in his limited action during
his brief action in 1970, collecting 14 hits over 44 at-bats with nine
runs batted in for the Braves, with a double and a triple, but still no
home runs.
But we would all be getting a taste of what he would go on to produce
through the 1989 season playing for the Atlanta Braves, San Francisco
Giants and Detroit Tigers.
Through it all he was a consistent hitter, topping 20 homers 10-times
and collecting over 2000 hits and 1300+ runs scored and RBI’s.
In 1973 he hit 41 home runs for the Braves, becoming the first trio
along with Hank Aaron and Davey Johnson to do so as teammates in the
same season.
Twelve years after that, now a member of the Detroit Tigers, he would
lead the American League with 40 homers, becoming the first player to
top 40+ homers in both leagues.
In 1987, at the age of 40, he would blast 34 homers with 99 RBI’s and
100 walks for Detroit, easily one of the best age-40 season we’ve seen
come along.
By the time he retired, he would hit 414 home runs, while hitting .248
with two all-star game berths in 2687 games and over 10000 plate
appearances.
“Howdy Doody” indeed!
