Saturday, July 6, 2024

Al Fitzmorris on baseball cards

Al Fitzmorris came up with the Royals during the team's first year, 1969, and stayed with them through their first AL West championship in 1976, making him the last original Royal. He also had stints with Cleveland and California. Overall in 288 games (159 starts), he went 77-59 with a 3.65 ERA. He won at least 13 games a year between 1974 and 1976. Now the Sales and Marketing Manager at BTC Construction in Kansas City, he kindly answered my questions about baseball cards.

"As a kid growing up, I did collect baseball cards. I had quite a collection having been born in New York. I was a Yankee fan. One of the things that got me excited about playing baseball was then I wanted a card of myself someday. My very first baseball card came out in 70 and I was a rookie, and Scott Northey was on the card with me. It was pretty exciting. 

My favorite card of myself is my 1976 card with the Kansas City Royals. Although I played for a couple of other teams in the major leagues, I have always been a Royal.
I do not collect baseball cards, but my grandkids do."

Thanks!

5 comments:

  1. I loved that '76 card of Fitzmorris when I was a kid!

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  2. He must really enjoy the work that he's currently doing to still want to be doing it at age 78.

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    Replies
    1. Still working a 78? That's super impressive.

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  3. Nice response from Mr. Fitzmorris!

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