Card fact: This is the second-to-last Topps card of Danny Thompson during his career. His final one would be issued less than a year before his death.
What I thought about this card then: I never saw it. In fact, I never pulled a card of Thompson during the two years he was alive when I was collecting. That explains why it took years before I knew who Thompson was and about his sad story.
What I think about this card now: I wish I could read all of the advertisements in the background.
Other stuff: Danny Thompson was the Twins' starting shortstop in the early 1970s, enjoying a strong season in 1972. But Thompson was diagnosed with leukemia in 1973. Through various treatments, he continued to play for the Twins, albeit in a somewhat more limited role. Thompson was traded to the Rangers in 1976. After the '76 season, he succumbed to his disease, making him one of the few modern-age ballplayers to die from a disease while still an active player.
A golf tournament in Thompson's name continues to be played in Sun Valley, Idaho, each year.
Back facts: I wonder if Thompson was really plagued by injuries or if Topps didn't want to mention his cancer battle on the back of his baseball card.
Other blog stuff: On this date in 1975, three Cardinals were thrown out at home plate on throws from the outfield in a single game against the Giants. Considering how the Cardinals imploded in tonight's game against the Rockies, this seems appropriate.
4 comments:
"plagued by injuries" is a particularly bad euphemism for cancer.
lil bobby: "what's wrong with gramma? why is she in the hospital"
dad: "you know, bobby, she's been plagued by injuries..."
amazing that a player who was diagnosed with cancer could be, and was, traded.
you'd never see that today.
The Rangers will trade have traded for lots of people they shouldn't have over the years. That said, it's a sad story and one I wasn't aware of. I'll have to check to see if he had a Rangers card in 1977.
By the way, that was the Rockies game I was at...now that the vacation is over, I'll be doing the most delayed recap in history...someday this week.
What beats a tudi? My verification word...peratudi.
"will trade have traded"...sorry, I'm tired...
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