Last time it was 1987 with a 6-0 shutout. Will 1962 make a comeback this time?
Carl Willey smiles for the camera, without a cap. Topps could have used his Braves hat in the picture, as he was with them for 1962, his fifth year with the club. Willey had a great rookie season in 1958, helping the Braves win the pennant by going 9-7 with a 2.70 ERA, leading the NL with four shutouts. He never had a season nearly as good after that. Overall in eight seasons for the Braves and Mets, he went 38-58 with a 3.76 ERA. After his career he was a scout for the Phillies. He died in 2009.
Henry Cotto hits the ball deep to left field in a spring training game in Ft. Lauderdale. Judging by the orange shirt of the person standing on the field, I would assume this was against Baltimore. Cotto was primarily a backup outfielder in ten seasons for the Cubs, Yankees, Mariners and Marlins. In 884 games he hit .261 with 44 HR, 210 RBI and 130 SB. He has since had a long career as a minor league coach and manager, most recently in the Giants organization.
Willey's gap-toothed smile wins me over!
ReplyDelete1962.
ReplyDelete1987
ReplyDeletewillie wins it
ReplyDeleteTough call on this one. The nostalgia factor is high on that Henry Cotto card. As much as I like that smile from Carl Willey, I've got to go with the 1987 this time.
ReplyDeleteI'm going with the well-cropped action shot. 1987.
ReplyDeleteGoing with the action shot from 1987
ReplyDeleteCarl
ReplyDelete