a little bit o' "Rico"

Americo Peter "Rico" Petrocelli spent his entire 13 year career with the Boston Red Sox from 1963 until 1976. A defensive specialist at shortstop and third base (led the league twice in FP), Petrocelli also had a pop in his bat.

Playing in only 103 games in 1965, Topps elected Petrocelli to its 1966 Topps All-Star Rookie team. Not to disappoint, in 1966, Petrocelli did hit 18 round trippers, had 20 doubles with a low yet respectable (for the era) batting average of .238.

His glove work was his main skill yet in 1969 Petrocelli found that offensive punch as well. He had career highs in HR ad BA; hitting 40 (a record at the time for AL shortstops) and batted .297. He was also elected to his second all-star team (first was in 1967). While injuries would cause Petrocelli to retire after the 1976 campaign, he did have a solid career for thirteen years; hitting 210 HR's, 773 RBI's, a .251 BA and a .970 FP.

I like this 1970 card for a few reasons (aside from the fact that I am 92 % complete of the set). Take a look at Petrocelli's face - did he just wake up or something ?

More interesting (at least to me) is the back. I like the fact that Topps put his "real" first name on the card - Americo; and in looking at his stats and HR column, his major league total for home runs is exactly 100 at seasons end. Something I classify as a "clemente-ism"; a unique statistic occurring on ones card. The little factoid in the upper right says "Rico plays the drums to keep his wrists strong". I can see it now being patented as a rather interesting musical training device of the 60's or in todays world being banned as a PED.

So, I hope you enjoyed your "little bit o' Rico" for the day. Every day should have a bit o' rico.

Pitchers and Catchers Reported

This past weekend pitchers and catchers reported to spring training camps in Florida and Arizona. While today much is made of last year stars, trades and signings in the off season, free agency, ped's and steroids . . . the anticipation is as great as ever for all teams.

Who will "break out" and provide that boost to carry a team to a pennant, who will slump and be moved around to the minors, who will do what when and for how long. While answers will not become clear until early April or June or even September . . . it was clear back in 1965 that two players would "star" for the Chicago Cubs.

Interesting enough, a pitcher and catcher, traded together in December of 1965 from the San Francisco Giants, appearing together as "1966 Rookie Stars" broughtthese same feelings for the Cubs as the feelings today during this time of year (except that ped talk).


Bill Hands and Randy Hundley had "star" quality years in Chicago, played together for the better part of seven years (thru 1972) and at least for this Chicago Cub fan both lived up to their "rookie star" status.

I like this card; even if they both appear to be wearing the Giants uniform (note the banding around the collar); they were "rookie stars" and "work horses" for the Chicago Cubs . . . as a pitcher and catcher.

"Brock for Broglio"

Ernie Broglio was on the wrong end of the “most lopsided” trade in major league baseball. That is the end of the story, because in June of 1964, the three for three trade was originally deemed in favor of the Cubs.

Broglio was a fixture in the St. Louis rotation for five plus years, posting 18 victories in 1963 and in 1960 had his career year with a 21-9 record and 2.74 ERA, finishing third in the Cy Young voting. After his slow start in the 1964 campaign, winning only 3 and losing 5 games for the Cardinals, he was traded along with Doug Clemens and Bobby Shantz for Jack Spring, Paul Toth and . . . Lou Brock.

Brock had been a disappointment for the Cubs, the Cubs had lost patience with this speedy outfielder and Broglio was a top-flight pitcher.

In two and half years in Chicago Broglio posted a record of 7 and 19 and Brock went on to bat .348 for the remainder of the 1964 season, help the Cardinals win the World Series that year, “star” in 2 more series’ (67 and 68) and play for 15 more years. Brock set the career mark for stolen bases at 938 (since broken by newly elected HOF Ricky Henderson). Lou Brock was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985 and Broglio stormed out of Wrigley Field in 1966, burned his uniform and never returned to Major League Baseball

I highlight this 1966 Broglio card for a couple of reasons. First and for most he is in a Cubs uniform. Secondly, as is my usual theme for “vintage” cards, the back is more interesting. The top right cartoon indicates Broglio led the league with 21 victories in 1960 (the year of my birth by the way) and describes the June15th 1964 trade in detail.

In my opinion, Ernie Broglio does not deserve the lifetime tagline of “Brock for Broglio – the most lopsided trade in baseball history”, no one’s deserves that.

Jose Cardenal - speedy and smiling

Getting back to posting a blog about a “vintage” player, I present Jose Cardenal; a Topps All Star Rookie from 1966. Cardenal played for nine different major league teams in his 18 summers and we, Chicago Cub fans, were blessed with his “best years”.

Cardenal was signed as a free agent by the San Francisco Giants in 1960 and played in the 1980 World Series with the Kansas City Royals. A career which culminated with 2017 games played and 1913 hits, 329 stolen bases and 333 doubles.

MVP consideration was given to Cardenal in 1972 and 1973 placing him 28th and 23rd respectively, both years wearing the Cubbie blue. Solid in the outfield, speed on the bases and a reliable line drive hitter, Cardenal had a most respectable career.

Cardenal, born in Cuba and the cousin of the great Bert Campaneris, spent his “glory years” with the Chicago Cubs (from 1972 through 1977). Hitting the most homeruns (17) and scoring the most runs (96) in his career in 1972 and in 1975 had career highs in hits (182) and batting average (.317).

Cardenal was voted Cubs Player of the Year in 1973 leading the Cubs in batting average, doubles and stolen bases.

I like this Rookie Card of Jose Cardenal for two reasons; first it is a Topps All Star Rookie gold trophy card and second he is smiling (or squinting if that is what you want to call it).

The back of the card presents a puzzle to me though. It states that in his first big league at bat he homered off Whitey Ford BUT the stats on the back indicate his first HR was not until his 1965 season; at least 29 games and 20 at bats into his major league career.

In either case, Cardenal had a fast start to his career and ended up in a World Series.

Don Kessinger - durable and dependable

Here’s the pitch, a two hopper towards the hole between short and third, Kessinger glides to his right, gloves the ball, leaps and throws to first – umpire yells “out”.

That was a common scenario for the Cubs with the dependable and durable Don Kessinger playing shortstop for eleven consecutive years (from 1965 to 1975), averaging more than 150 games for ten straight years.

Kessinger earned two gold gloves and appeared in six all star games . His career batting average of .252 and 14 career homeruns does not tell the true value of Kessinger, whose offensive numbers were adequate for the era he played in, his defensive skills and gamesmanship made him one of the most popular Cubs of all time.


In 1969 Kessinger actually set a record (now since broken) of 54 errorless games to start the year. June 17th, 1971 might be considered one of his best offensive productive days, going 6 for 6 in an extra inning win (my research says he is the last Cub to have six hits in a game). My research also dug up this; in 1973 Kessinger was walked intentionally 18 times, yet did not hit a home run all year. This probably remains the record for most intentional walks by someone who did not hit a homerun.

His Rookie Card from 1996 shows Kessinger in the typical “ready” stance, just waiting for that ground ball that will challenge him to the right.

Kessinger will always be remembered for being that tall (6’1”), long armed, good hands and solid range defensive gem for the Cubs during those years of so much promise. Similar to Ron Santo, Kessingers last playing years were spent on the southside of Chicago with the White Sox (1977-1979).

The most durable and dependable shortstops the Cubs have ever had.

Glenn Beckert - a second baseman on my mind

I’m in a second baseman kind of mood . . . don’t ask . . . so here goes . . .

Glenn Beckert, 2nd baseman for the Chicago Cubs for nine straight seasons, from 1965 to 1973. Only old time great Billy Herman and the modern day “Mr. Cub” Ryne Sandberg played 2nd for more consecutive seasons.

A more than solid defensive player (one gold glove in 1968) and a knack for putting the ball in play, Beckert was a key ingredient to a Cubs infield that stayed together for five straight years (Santo at 3rd, Kessinger at SS and Banks at 1st) from 1965 through the heartbreak year 1969.

Beckerts’ success in a Cubs uniform actually had a tragic beginning with the off-season death of 1962 Rookie of the Year Ken Hubbs in February of 1964. The Cubs had lackluster performance from the 2nd baseman position for all of 1964 and acquired Beckert via the “first year draft” (as it was called back then) during the winter of 62-63, as a young prospect at shortstop.

A four time consecutive all-star (1969 to 1972) and a career batting average of .283 tells only one part of the story. Beckerts’ ability to “put the ball in play” was his trait. His career numbers boast of fewer strikeouts than walks. He led the league five times for fewest strikeouts per at bat and has a career stat of 21.4 at bats per K. That ranks him 86th all time (minimum of 3000 plate appearances) and ahead such players as Tony Gwynn, Bill Buckner and Joe DiMaggio (three pretty darn good hitters of all time).

Beckert is also remembered for this unique moment. He drove in the only run in a 1 – 0 win against the Cincinnati Reds on June 3, 1971; the day Ken Holtzman pitched his no hitter.

Featured here (at top of blog) is Beckerts 1966 Topps card # 232. His second year card (above to the right is his rookie card the 1965 Topps # 549 partnered with Roberto Pena and his face is completely hidden in the shadow of his cap). On his 1966 card he is posed in a bunt stance, signaling to us his need to put the bat on the ball. A look at his bat closer and it seems to be rather thin and small – almost something a little leaguer would use although Beckert was 6’1” and weighed 190 lbs, pretty good size back then for baseball.

A card I would be interested in trading for is his 1974 card # 241-A. Beckert is one of the handful of players who are depicted with Washington and “Nat’L Lea” on his card, as the San Diego Padres were supposedly moving to D.C. Beckert is in his Cubs uniform swinging away “putting the ball in play”.

Glenn Beckert, a long-time consistent player with both a solid glove and bat that played one position for the most remembered Cub teams of all time. I still hear Jack Brickhouse announcing that double play call of “Kessinger to Beckert to Banks”. Somethings just stick in your head . . .

Randy Hundley - 1966 All Star Rookie

Randy Hundley is credited with bringing the skill of being a one-handed backstop to the major leagues. The actual credit should be given to Hundleys’ father, who actually taught (or forced Randy to learn) this technique. As of today, every catcher uses the Hundley one-handed method.

Hundley’s major league career actually started with the San Francisco Giants, receiving an $ 110,000 signing bonus right out of high school in 1960. In a trade during the off season in 1965 would give the Cubs a dependable catcher for the next several years, including the “magical” year of 1969.

For the first four years as a Cub (1966 thru the 1969 campaigns), Hundley caught more than 600 games and was one of the most reliable defensive gems behind the plate.

Overworked and injury-plagued Hundley played in only 450 games for the next 8 seasons. Hundley career offensive numbers are weak; so weak that his name is recorded in the baseball archives for having one of the ten lowest career batting averages, .236 (with at least 2500 at bats). Yet for four years, Hundley was the heart and soul of the Cubs behind the plate.

The 1967 card of Hundley, showcasing his election to the Topps 1966 All Star Rookie team and trophy is a good picture of Hundley in “action”. The back of the card is interesting with just completing his first full year in the majors, first full year with the Cubbies and boasting 19 homers along with his .236 batting average. Quite coincidentally that is also Hundleys career batting average after 14 seasons; .236

After his playing days, Hundley “worked” for the Cubs organization as an assistant coach and scout for a few years and then started his Baseball Fantasy Camps in Arizona. Hundley was the first again to start a camp for “wealthy executives” to play side by side with major leaguers. His camps are now copied by many and once again Hundley is credited with changing baseball.

From one-handed catching to developing baseball camps Hundley has impacted the sport greatly.