Evans hit a very nice .318 in his limited action, 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.
Nevertheless, 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.
Watch for my “nickname” card for “Howdy Doody”, which should be up on the blog within the month!