Thursday, September 15, 2022

Wood vs. Wood #116

Last time 1987 triumphed, 6-2. Who will come out on top this time?


Not much to say photo-wise, but these were both very good players.

Herb Score, from Rosedale, Queens, electrified the American League during his Rookie-of-the-Year season of 1956, going 16-10 with a 2.85 ERA and leading the AL with 245 strikeouts. He was even better in 1956, (20-9, 2.53 ERA, 263 strikeouts). However, five games into the 1957 season he was hit in the eye by a line drive, prematurely ending his season. Though he is best known for that freak injury, he actually made a full recovery and quickly regained his 20/20 season, and he started the 1958 season strong. Like many young pitching stars of the era, it was actually poorly-treated arm injuries, starting with one early in the '58 season, that hastened the end of his career. He retired after the 1962 season, with a 55-46 record, 837 strikeouts and a 3.36 ERA. He had a long career as an Indians announcer, and died in 2008.

While Score's career was brilliant but brief, Russell's career was long but unspectacular. In his 18-year career as Dodger shortstop he hit .263 with 293 doubles, 46 HR and 627 RBI. In the field he was average at best, twice leading the league in errors early in his career, but settling down somewhat in his later years. He was very good in the postseason, hitting .294 with 5 doubles, 3 triples and 19 RBI in 49 games, including .400+ batting averages in the NLCS and WS in 1978. He later coached and managed the Dodgers and is now an umpire observer for Major League Baseball.

7 comments:

  1. Russell's big jacket collar gets my vote.

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  2. Man, very similar pictures, aren't they? Kind of the same expression on their faces.

    I'll go Score, but it's close.

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  3. Can't vote against a Dodger. Also, it's the final card from his career.

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  4. Although I like the interlocking SOX logo on Score's cap, the Bill Russell card gets my vote. The photograph is much more bright, clear, and colorful.

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  5. I'll take the Russell, for the sharp looking front and the 15+ years of stats that I know are on the back.

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  6. Herb had the more interesting career of the two, so I gotta go with him.

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  7. Voting for the unfortunately named Score.

    The loser has same name status, but he's tied to two of the most hateable teams in pro sports.

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