Card fact: Only the second card in which the signature differs from the name line ("Fred," "Freddie"). The other was Dave Concepcion ("David," "Dave").What I thought about this card then: Did not see it. But a year or two later I would get to know all about Freddie Patek, because a kid from Kansas moved into the neighborhood. We became friends and he was a Royals nut. Loved the team. It was a good time to be a Royals fan, because the Royals were an excellent club, unlike now.
What I think about this card now: Patek is known for being short. He's 5-foot-4. So, I've studied his card looking for signs of diminutiveness (it's a word, I looked it up). The only thing I can tell is his hat appears too big for his head.
Other stuff: I think I'm going to have to start counting powder blue uniforms, too. Believe it or not, this is the sixth one featured so far.
Back facts: That looks nothing like Bowie Kuhn. ... Also, it was a very different world then, when they let 5-foot-4 people who hit .225 bat 537 times in a season.Other blog stuff: Up to 441 cards in the set scanned. I'd love to have them all scanned by Christmas. Then, maybe, I'll have a new scanner and I won't have to hold my breath every time I turn the thing on anymore.
Still burned into my memory is the image of Freddie sitting on the bench in the dugout with his face burried in his hands after the Royals lost the ALCS to the Yankees. It was either 76, 77, or 78.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like he's not happy you reminded us of his shortness.
ReplyDelete