Afro, Sideburn and Mustache

three words that could describe 1974 perfectly:

AFROS, SIDEBURNS and MUSTACHES

One of the most knowledgeable and generous Cub bloggers around, Paul at Wrigley Wax sent me the complete Topps 1974 team set of the Chicago Cubs. Twenty-seven cards which also include the Jerry Morales in a Padre uniform # 258 and Rookie Infielder Bill Madlock # 600.

However, the three cards that stand out to me are the Afro (Jose Cardenal # 185), Sideburn (Randy Hundley # 319) and Mustache (Bob Locker # 62). Those were the days . . .

Thank you Paul for the complete set and bringing me back to 1974.

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.

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.