1976 SSPC Manny Mota

 

The card, in brief: That big box on the scoreboard with a Mets logo would change out to a Yankee logo for Yankee home games. However the Jets (and, for one season, the Giants) did not get a logo there.

Playing career, in brief: Manny Mota was a good outfielder who could hit for average and doubles power. He started his career with the Giants, Pirates and Expos before being traded to the Dodgers in June of 1969, starting an affiliation with the team that continues to this day. The Dodgers used him primarily as a pinch hitter, and he set the all-time record for pinch hits (since broken). Overall in 1,536 games he hit .304 with 31 HR and 438 RBI.

Post-playing career, in brief: After retiring as a player Mota was a major- and minor-league coach for the Dodgers, and spent several years as an announcer for the team. Most recently he has been a community liaison for the team, though at last report had suffered a stroke in April.

My collection: I have 25 of his cards, from 1964 to 1981. I would be interested in trading for 1963 Topps #141.