Tuesday, January 11, 2011

#419 - Dave Goltz


Card fact: This pose comes up a lot on Dave Goltz's cards. He is in similar poses on his 1973, 1977, 1979 and 1981 cards. (I just realized that he's in this pose every odd-numbered year. Freaky!)

What I thought about this card then: I didn't see it. His 1976 Topps card was the first one I saw.

What I think about this card now: It appears he's posing on a high school or American Legion field.

Other stuff: Hoo-boy, Dave Goltz. Dodger fans don't have fond memories of Goltz. He began with the Twins and had some good seasons with Minnesota. He broke out with a 20-game year in 1977 and became the staff ace. It gave him ammunition for free agency after the 1979 season.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, had stayed away from the first few years of free agency. Signing Goltz, and reliever Don Stanhouse, was their first big move in the free agent market, and it failed miserably. Goltz struggled during that 1980 season, going 7-11 and pitching with a 4-plus ERA. He started the special playoff game after the Dodgers and Astros ended the regular season tied for first in the N.L. West. Goltz lasted three innings and took the loss.

Goltz pitched in relief in the 1981 World Series for L.A. He ended his career with the Angels in 1983. Afterward, he sold real estate and insurance and coached a community college team in Minnesota, where he still lives.


Back facts: You don't hear much about total bases anymore. Nice cartoon, though.

Other blog stuff: I just had to retype this entire post. I hit some key and it wiped out the entire thing. Lovely.

1 comment:

Play at the Plate said...

I like the second version better.

What is that in the background, the Stairway to Heaven?