Card #230 -- Joe Morgan, Cincinnati Reds
The picture is obviously a Spring Training shot, as he looks to be posing on a neighborhood field. Seriously, he looks like he's taking a swing on the same field where I played my high school games.
(Edited to add: Reader Wrigley Wax says in the comments below this may have been taken at Shea Staium. While the shot has more trees and smaller buildings than what I remember seeing while visiting the Flushing, Queens area...I will admit that I was there much later than when the picture would have been taken. I'll allow that the neighborhood may have been more suburban in '72 than it was by the 1990s. In any case, Morgan's road uniform suggests he could be in any of the National League parks except Riverfront Stadium. Thanks for the info.)
In a Hall of Fame career, Morgan was one of the finest second basemen in major league history. When the Houston Astros traded him to the Reds after the 1971 season, his presence in the lineup made Cincinnati much more dangerous. With Morgan batting right behind Pete Rose, he presented a threat because of his power, speed and glove. Among his achievements: eight straight All-Star appearances as a Red, back-to-back World Series titles in 1975 and '76 and back-to-back league MVP awards in those same years.
After going back to the Astros in 1980, Morgan continued to be productive as his career wound down. His leadership on and off the field with San Francisco in 1982 won him the Comeback Player of the Year award. He would reunite with Big Red Machine teammates Rose and Tony Perez on the 1983 Phillies and return to the World Series. Retiring after the '84 season (spent with the Oakland A's), Morgan went into the broadcast booth, where he remains today. Although he has now spent more seasons describing the action on the field than he did taking part in it, Morgan has become a polarizing figure among fans. There are fans who appreciate the insight a Hall of Fame player can bring to a game as nuanced as baseball, but there are also many who don't care for his analysis.
I'm pretty sure that the picture was taken at Shea Stadium. Back then there was nothing beyond the outfield wall, which was green like in the picture. Also, the twin light towers, which are just above Joe's head, are unique to Shea. There are a lot of '73's that give you a good look at the outfield at Shea....and you can put me in the I can't stand him on ESPN group.
ReplyDeleteHeh.
ReplyDeleteI'd have never assumed that Flushing, Queens in 1972 would be that open. I suppose those could be buildings just beyond the outfield fence, but looks way too suburban to be within the limits of New York City (at least from my own observations of being in that city).
Those double antennas (antennae?) do look like they're coming out of Morgan's head like a prop in a bad sci-fi film.
If you've got any other '73's, check out Hal McRae, #28. He was with the Reds too. I'll bet his picture was taken the same day as Morgan's. In the background on McRae's you can see the light towers to the left and Shea's hitters background to the right. Plus there are a bunch of trees in the background too. Or it you have Jose Cruz, #292, you get a real good look at all of left field at Shea. It is surprising how open it was back then.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I have the whole '73 set. Shea makes sense, considering Topps' headquarters were in Brooklyn at the time. A lot of the American League cards were shot in pre-renovation Yankee Stadium as well.
ReplyDeleteI did add some info to reflect your comment in the entry.
I was there (right field corner) in 1982 on the last day of the season when Morgan (Giants) hit that home run to knock the Dodgers out of the pennant race. I like Joe, so I'm not bothered by him in the booth, although I can understand why people don't like him. Just don't put him on the same broadcast with Joe Theismann.
ReplyDelete