Hello everyone!
A
special request posted today on the blog, a "do-over" for Jim Rice and
his 1976 card, showing an in-action shot instead of the dark close-up
portrait we were given way back when:
I
love the idea of this, as the original would have been wonderful had
Topps paired up an action card of the young stud like they did for
teammate Fred Lynn, both sporting the always-loved Rookie All-Star
trophy.
The
Red Sox were truly blessed back then with THREE young outfield stars
coming up at the same time: Rice, Lynn and Dwight Evans.
You
may even want to include Carlton Fisk, Ben Oglivie and Cecil Copper in
there, giving them a phenomenal bunch of young players to build around!
For Rice, what DIDN'T he do in the 1970s, and beyond?
I'm STILL amazed with Rice's run from 1977 through 1979! Even
though he only pulled in one M.V.P., he was an absolute terror at the
plate.
Over 200 hits each year, along with 39, 46 and 39 homers, as well as averaging 124 runs batted in and a .320 average.
Then you notice that the dude hit 15, 15 and 6 TRIPLES those years, leading the league in homers AND triples in 1978.
I mean, that is just plain RAKING at the plate!
Man, Rice used to terrify me as a young Yankee fan. He was just
plain brutal to opposing pitchers, and it was a shame that he had to
wait so long to get elected into Cooperstown.
Now if only Dave Parker and Steve Garvey can get some love from the
Veteran's Committee in the future, THEN we'll be cooking with gas!
Time will tell…"
