The front: Mayberry hangs out behind the batting cage,
fielding cap under his batting cap. A classic baseball pose you never see on
modern cards anymore.
The back: A statline stretching back to 1968 leaves no room
for a blurb or cartoon.
The player: The slugging first baseman had a slow start to
his career, struggling in parts of four seasons with the Astros (.191 BA in 105
games). Traded to the Royals before the 1972 season, he blossomed instantly
into a star, hitting .298 with 25 HR and 100 RBI. Throughout the 1970s he
remained one of the biggest power threats in the American League, and walked
more than he struck out every season, a rare feat in that era, particularly for
a power hitter. After a disastrous ALCS against the Yankees in 1977, the Royals
shipped Mayberry to the Blue Jays, where he had several good seasons. He ended
his career with a brief stint with the Yankees in 1982.
The man: Mayberry coached and worked in community affairs
for the Royals, but now appears to be retired.
My collection: I have 20 of his cards, from 1970 to 1983. I
would be interested in trading for 1971 Topps #148.
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