#221 - Aurelio Rodriguez

Card fact: Aurelio Rodriguez's name is misspelled as "Rodriquez" on this card.

What I thought about this card then: Never saw it.

What I think about this card now: Another tilted-field day in Oakland. Did an earthquake just pass through?

Other stuff: I learned about Rodriguez as a youngster by reading "Three for the Tigers," a story by the best baseball writer ever, Roger Angell. It was a story about three avid Tigers fans in the 1960s and 1970s. One of the fans was thrilled that Rodriguez's first name contained every vowel in the alphabet.

Rodriguez was known for his fielding ability and rifle arm. He actually beat out Brooks Robinson for the Gold Glove award during one year. He wasn't much of a hitter, though.

Rodriguez was killed at age 52 when a car jumped a curb and ran him over. Here is an often-repeated bit of trivia: there have been three players named Aurelio in major league baseball and all three of them died in automobile accidents.

Also, I interviewed Rodriguez's son a couple of times. He was a minor league player in the Cleveland Indians' organization during the 1990s.

Back facts: That's an interesting cartoon. I didn't know all of the DiMaggio brothers had the same middle name.

Other blog stuff: With this card, we have surpassed the one-third mark in the set. But still two-thirds of the set to go!