Card #94 -- Dick Billings, Texas Rangers
Since there will always be a 14 year-old stuck inside my head, I have to say it. A card showing a guy who calls himself "Dick" really shouldn't also show a bulge in certain areas. In fact, it may just be wise to crop the photos so all that is shown is above the waist.
Now, on to the more serious part of this entry...
Dick Billings was a Detroit-born player who came over with the Texas Rangers when they moved down from Washington. Though shown here as a catcher, he was known to play several positions. With Washington from 1968-'71, he played in the outfield and at third base; in fact, he never caught a major league game until 1970. 1972 was his first year as the regual catcher, but in '73 he went back to playing all over the field. He did, however, catch a no-hitter by Jim Bibby that year. In 1974, he was bought by St. Louis and played a handful of games with them through 1975.
This may have been my first real Texas Ranger card (I say real because the 72 set never gave an indication of what the Ranger uniforms would look like), this or Dave Nelson. Never the less this was my first color look at Rangers and kind of shocking for the time the first player card I had showing someone with a beard.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize this blog was out there...this is the only vintage set I've ever tried to collect as it is from the year I was born...about 80% there.
ReplyDeleteI have a blog at ultimateset.blogspot.com that covers cards from the 1980s so far.