#466 - A's Do It Again

Card fact: The photo here appears to be from the end of one of the games in the 1974 World Series. It's difficult to determine which one since Rollie Fingers successfully closed out three of the four A's wins in the Series. I'm going to say it's from Game 5, which would have been the finale and the most appropriate.

What I thought about this card then: I didn't see it.

What I think about this card now: Out of all the cards in the set, it seems the most hastily put together. Unlike the other cards in the postseason subset, there's no banner telling you it's the World Series, etc. Fortunately, the blurb at the bottom saves the day and mentions the Series.

Other stuff: Rollie Fingers was named the Series MVP after appearing in four of the five games. The A's, of course, were the last team to win three straight World Series until the Yankees won three straight from 1998-2000.

Back facts: Wow, that's a lot of stats crammed into a little space. I find it interesting that the pitching stats were not included, considering it was a pitchers' World Series. The Dodgers hit just .228 as a team and the A's were even worse, hitting .211.

Other blog stuff: That's the end of the postseason subset. Tomorrow we return to player cards, beginning with a stinkin' Giant.

#463 - '74 World Series, Game 3

Card fact: This is the first of two appearances by Rollie Fingers in the World Series subset. He and Joe Rudi both appear twice.

What I thought about this card then: I didn't see it. I do have an older version of this card that I must have obtained when I was a teenager, but I have no idea where or how I got it.

What I think about this card now: Fingers is an excellent choice for this card. Not only was he important to this game, but he was the Series MVP, appearing in four games in the Series.

Other stuff: For the third straight game, the score was 3-2. This game was the turning point of the series. The Dodgers rocketed the ball off of starter Catfish Hunter and Fingers but only had home runs by Bill Buckner and Willie Crawford to show for it.

Meanwhile, Reggie Jackson hit a nubber off the end of his bat that catcher Joe Ferguson lunged for but watched glance off his glove for an error. Jackson who had thrown his bat away in disgust on the play, made it to first. Bill North scored on the play, the first of two runs scored in the third inning by the A's. Starter Al Downing gave up a run-scoring single to Joe Rudi in the next at-bat. The A's scored their third run the next inning when Bert Campaneris knocked in Dick Green who had walked.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, were busy unloading line drives directly at infielders, who turned them into double plays. Crawford hit one in the fourth and Steve Garvey in the eighth. Buckner's homer came in the eighth and after Hunter escaped the inning on Garvey's DP, Fingers came in for the ninth. Crawford hit a home run to start the inning and Joe Ferguson reached on an error. But Ron Cey struck out and Bill Russell hit into the Dodgers' third double play of the game to end it.

Back facts: The series moved to Oakland for Game 3 and stayed there since it lasted only five games.

Other blog stuff: Here is the older version of this card. But it isn't one I pulled in 1975. It's a mystery to me:

#21 - Rollie Fingers

Card fact: Hey, it's a Cardboard Appreciation graduate! Mr. Fingers is also a finalist in the great Cardboard Appreciation vote-off on the other blog.

What I thought about this card then: I've already written about this, but I thought this card was amazing when I was 9. One of my favorite cards out of the whole set as a kid. Game-action shots were so rare back then, and even though I couldn't have possibly known how rare they were at that age, I did know that this card looked a lot different than most of the other cards in the '75 set.

What I think about this card now: Again, I've addressed this, but if Topps was to issue a photo like this in a set today, collectors would be complaining that you can't see his face.

Other stuff: A green-and-gold uniform with a blue-and-orange color scheme. Wow. The poster child for the '70s right here.

Also, we are on a serious run of notable players from the '70s with Tanana, Concepcion, Koosman, Munson and now Fingers all in a row. That will continue for a bit before calming down. Also, Fingers is the second straight pitcher featured here who has had his share of tax payment issues.

Back facts: Crazy ERAs like Fingers' 36.00 in 1968 always intrigued me as a kid. I think it made me feel better when I added up my own pitching stats when I played youth baseball.

Other blog stuff: I live in Syracuse University country, so I can't see this color combo without thinking of SU. However, I do not particularly like Syracuse, and I'd really rather not name a color combo after the university. So, the floor is open.