Card #87 -- Ken Boswell, New York Mets
Ken Boswell was a sure-handed second baseman but possessed a limited range. As a result, the Mets platooned him as a starter with Wayne Garrett, sending him up when a right-hander was scheduled to take the mound against them. While the platoon allowed him to play the bulk of the Mets' games in 1969, the Orioles only started one right-hander (Jim Palmer) in the five-game series and Garrett is thought of more as a member of the championship club.
Boswell started more than 100 games each year from 1969 through '72, before the Mets acquired Felix Millan as an everyday second baseman. Boswell then became a pinch-hitting specialist and filled in where he was needed. He tied a record by stroking three pinch hits in the 1973 Series. After 1974, the Mets traded Boswell to the Astros, where he continued to serve in that capacity for another three seasons.
A career .248 hitter, Boswell turned the level up in the postseason, with a .421 clip across two NLCS and two World Series.
My favorite player growing up! Have an autographed photo proudly hanging in my home office. Chris, Boswell actually platooned with Al Weis at 2nd in '69. Wayne Garrett platooned with Ed Charles at 3rd base. Boswell also hit a homer in the '69 league championship series against the Braves. Love the site, keep up the outstanding work.
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