#51 - Bob Forsch

Card fact: This is Bob Forsch's rookie card. The start of a fine career.

What I thought about this card then: This is one of the cards that I traded away to my good friend for a bunch of '75 minis. A collection of regular-sized cards for a collection of minis. I'd say that was a pretty good decision on my part. To this day, most of the minis I own originated from this trade 34 years ago.

What I think about this card now: Forsch looked vaguely evil to me. I don't know why. But I worked that notion for all it was worth during the 1985 World Series. I was rooting for the Royals all the way.

Other stuff: The Forsch brothers, Bob and Ken, were the brother pitching duo of my generation. The Niekros, Perrys and Reuschels were all going strong in 1975, but all of them started their careers a good while before I started following baseball. Ken Forsch did, too. But Bob hit the majors the same year I picked up the game.

Update: Bob Forsch died at age 61 on Nov. 3, 2011.

Back facts: Herbert? I can hear Forsch now: "Family name."

Other blog stuff: Still struggling with a name for this color combo. I've mentioned that the blue at the top looks like the sky and the green at the bottom looks like the grass. A perfect ballgame combination. "The day game design?" That's close to what I want.