Wood vs. Wood #208

Last time 1962 crushed 1987, 11-0. Will '87 fare better this time?

Billy Martin had by far the most playing and managing success as a Yankee. He's a Twin here but it's still a great Yankee Stadium card, with the centerfield flagpole and the big red DiNoto's Bakery signs which were painted on the top story of the apartment buildings behind center field. This is Martin's sunset card; he was released by the Twins in 1962 Spring Training and accepted a job as a scout, eventually becoming third base coach, minor league manager, and in 1969, the Twins manager, immediately winning an AL East Title for the Twins. That success wasn't enough to keep his job, however, as the Twins fired him after the season due to fights, both verbal and physical, and his drinking problem. It was the first of nine managing stints for five teams, never for more than three years at a time, as his personal issues overwhelmed his on-field success.

Baltimore's John Shelby digs in at Memorial Stadium; we can see some Oakland A's in the dugout behind the switch-hitter, batting lefty here. This must be May 18, 1986, same as Tony Phillips's card. Shelby went 1-for-5 in that game, but the one hit was a home run off of Chris Codiroli to tie the game 2-2 in the 3rd. The Orioles would break the game open, scoring 11 runs in the 5th, 6th and 7th innings to cruise to a 13-4 triumph. Shelby was a solid outfielder with a little power and a little speed. As a rookie in 1983 he hit .258 with 5 HR, 27 RBI and 15 SB in 126 games, and hit .444 to help beat the Phillies in the World Series. However he struggled to cut down strikeouts and hit for average, and was traded to the Dodgers in 1987. He won his second World Series ring in 1988 despite not hitting well in the postseason. He ended his career in 1991 with the Tigers. After his career he was a coach for several teams, and he is now retired.