Card fact: This is Don DeMola's rookie card. He'd have only two Topps cards in his career. His 1976 card was his last.
What I thought about this card then: I didn't see it.
What I think about this card now: Once again, the Coca-Cola ad is prominent on an Expos card. This is one of the best examples, and rivals the Ernie McAnally card. Also, I'd love to know what the sign says beyond the green fence -- "in the to keep" is leaving me in the dark.
Other stuff: DeMola came up with the Yankees in the late 1960s, but was released and out of baseball in 1972. He signed with Montreal and competed as a reliever in 85 games for the Expos in 1974 and 1975. He played in the minors in the late '70s, but never returned to the majors.
DeMola later got into the fur business and teaches some baseball.
Back facts: So much to comment on here:
1. I have never heard the term "kicks" in reference to arguing with an umpire. I've heard of a lot of old-time phrases that others haven't (ballhawk, etc.), but this is totally new. How would you use that in a sentence?
2. The 1975 card says that for 1972, DeMola was "not in organized ball." His 1976 card says that DeMola "did not play." So, did Topps do some research between 1975 and 1976 and find out that DeMola just sat on his ass the entire 1972 season? Is that why they changed the wording?
3. How do you know when a baseball "smokes"?
Other blog stuff: DeMola was just featured on another blog. Funny how that happens.
