Carl Yastrzemski, nicknamed “Yaz”, although a more appropriate nickname should be Mr Red Sox. Similar to “Mr. Cub”, Ernie Banks, Yaz spent his entire career with one team – the Boston Red Sox, twenty three years to be exact. Only one other player has spent as many years with one team, that being Brooks Robinson of the Baltimore Orioles.Yaz was a 18 time all-star, member of the 3000 hit club, is the RedSox leader in almost every hitting category including games played, hits and RBI’s. He is second all time with 452 homeruns in a Red Sox uniform (only behind Ted Williams). Yaz’s uniform # 8 was retired by the Red Sox in 1989.
The 1968 Topps card # 250, pictured here is unique. The wood grain framing on all 1968 Topps cards were a bit unusual, many
variations of this border exist and most are not very appealing to my eye. The picture on the front is a posed serious look and does nothing to enhance Yaz’s credentials. Once again the back of the card is the most interesting. The statistics of the 1967 season . . . a triple crown winning season. Yaz is the last player to achieve this feat; leading the league in batting average, homeruns and RBI’s. 44 round trippers, 121 RBI’s and a .326 batting average in 1967.
Yaz was also recognized as the AL MVP and Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year for 1967.
What a year . . . except that the Red Sox lost the World Series to the St Louis Cardinals in seven games.
The question and answer story panel on the back is a nice feature of the 1968 cards and this card asks who was baseballs last triple crown winner before Yastrzemski ? Answer: Baltimore Oriole Frank Robinson in 1966.
Another interesting item about Yaz; he is one of the only power hitters of that era whose career numbers indicate he hit more doubles than homeruns (646 to 452). When and who do you think will win the next triple crown ? Will it ever happen again ?
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