Anybody remember Campy Campaneris, the shortstop for the Oakland A's during their salad days in the 70's?
I sure do. He was a lynchpin of those World Series winning teams, along with guys like Sal Bando, Rollie Fingers, Catfish Hunter, Vida Blue and Joe Rudi. This card is from Topps 1970 series, and I had several just like it as a ten year old, only not signed. I sure wasted a lot of lawn mowing money buying Topps baseball cards in those days. Remember that awful rectangle of gum that was included? Tasted funny, but we always chewed it, although I don't know why.
Sigh.
I wonder what Campy is doing these days?
While I never really followed any professional sports, I do seem to remember Bert.
ReplyDeleteTasted like pink cardboard.
ReplyDeleteOn September 8, 1965 Campy Campaneris played one MLB game for the then Kansas City Athletics in which he played all 9 different positions, one each in 9 separate innings. Even during his one inning as pitcher, he threw either right-handed or left-handed depending on whichever presented an advantage over the batter who was hitting right-handed or left-handed.
ReplyDeletehttps://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/september-8-1965-bert-campaneris-plays-all-nine-positions-for-athletics/
Coincidentally the next evening on September 9, Los Angeles Dodgers pitching ace Sandy Koufax pitched his perfect game against the Chicago Cubs, defeating them 1-0. It was Koufax’s fourth no-hitter, breaking the record of three then held by Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians.
It was an historic two consecutive days for Major League Baseball.
49er Badger
I lived in Hayward during that time period and all of us boys did the same; We bought the cards and stickers, ate the crappy gum and closely followed the A's. Charlie O the Mule was featured guest in our Little League Team photos at Mt Eden American LL. What a great time to be a baseball fan!
ReplyDelete