Cake or gum? 1977 Buddy Bell

Last time it was a 3-0 win for gum. Hopefully this matchup draws more interest.

Two shots of Buddy Bell at the Oakland Coliseum, at the start and end of a practice swing. Lots to see here, including two different uniform patches, an on-deck circle with baseball stitches, and someone with long hair and street clothes at the batting cage.

Buddy Bell played eighteen years in the major leagues for the Indians, Rangers, Reds and Astros. A five time all-star, he was a contact hitter, walking more than he struck out. He had moderate power – twelve seasons of 10-20 home runs, but never more. Once Brooks Robinson retired, he was the best defensive third baseman in the American League, winning six straight Gold Gloves from 1979 to 1984. Stuck on bad teams his whole career, he played in 2,405 regular season games but zero postseason games. After he retired he spent some time in the White Sox front office, then became the the first base coach for the Indians in 1994 and 1995. He then managed nine seasons for the Tigers, Rockies and Royals, never finishing better than 82-80. That was interspersed with a couple of stints as Indians bench coach in the mid-2000s. In 32 years as an on-field player, coach, and manager, he only reached the postseason once (1995 Indians). He then spent some time as a front office executive for the White Sox and Reds, and is now retired.