What a card: Bob Bailor had completed his first season with the Dodgers as a utility player when this card was issued. He appeared in just 65 games, which was his lowest total as full-time player to that point (strike year excluded).
My observation on the front: Love the "3B-SS-2B" notation squeezed in there.
More opinion from me: As someone who was captivated by the expansion Blue Jays in their first year, I was very pleased when Bailor eventually arrived with the Dodgers. Bailor was one of the Blue Jays' best hitters in 1977 and I wanted L.A. to trade for him (my continued mission to jettison Bill Russell). Of course, by the time Bailor arrived with the Dodgers he hadn't had a season like 1977 since ... 1977.
Something you might know: Bailor was the first player selected by the Blue Jays in the 1976 expansion draft.
Something you might not know: Bailor played in the Venezuelan Winter League in 1974. On New Year's Day, his roommate, pitcher Mark Weems, went out for a swim, was swept out to sea and drowned. Bailor, pitcher Don Hood and player-coach Ray Miller spent three days searching for the body.
My observation on the back: Bailor was discovered by a scout while playing American Legion baseball. Bailor's high school didn't have a baseball team.
The blog wants to speak now: The News category is updated.
That's funny, because I always wanted him in Chicago (either side)
ReplyDeleteBob Bailor was attempt number two by the Dodgers to replace super utility man Derrel Thomas. The first netted the Dodgers Rafael Landestoy at the expense of John Franco. Bob Bailor cost the Dodgers Sid Fernandez.
ReplyDeleteThe moral of the story. Utility men are fungible. No need to waste top prospects on trading for one.