Why this card is awesome: Because this card is the opposite of Jamie Quirk's. Quirk looks like a manager on his card even though he's not, whereas Wathan looks like a player here even though he's not. He's wearing a batting helmet even though he wasn't an active player for the Royals after 1985. Perhaps he still took part in some batting drills.
Sorry this scan came out a little blurry.
Cool stat: Wathan had just 21 career HR, but he did hit 2 off one guy: Floyd Bannister, who was later managed by Wathan.
5 comments:
Wathan brought some stability to the Royals after the Dick Howser tragedy. In the spring of 1986, Howser was leading the Royals in defending their World Championship. Less than a year later, he succumbed to a brain tumor at age 51. After two interim managers, Wathan took the reigns in August 1987. This card represents a melancholy transition for a great sports franchise.
Wow, combine your mention with Jamie Quirk's "pitching" during ESPN's rebroadcast of the HR hitting contest yesterday and I've got 200% of my annual supply of vitamin Quirk.
Wonder if Jamie will sell his, uh, "game used" All-Star jersey?
David, well said....
Two things I like about Wathan:
Versatility (C-1B-OF) and that he played for only one team.
Just found an interesting tid-bit:
John Wathan holds the single season SB record for catchers at 36 in 1982.
Post a Comment