#278 Humberto "Chico" Fernandez Perez.. Chico started his major league career with the Dodgers in Brooklyn, but with Pee Wee Reese at shortstop had no shot at being a regular starter. In 1957, he was traded to the Phillies for 5 players and a butt load of cash. Chico became the Phillies regular shortstop for 2 seasons, until he was traded to the Tigers in 1959. 1963 would be Chico's last year as a Tiger as he was traded to Mets in May of that year. He only played 58 games for the Mets till he was traded to the White Sox, but never ended up playing a game for the Sox. He finished his career in Japan playing for the Hanshin Tigers. Chico is still kicking at the ripe old age of 79.
#289 Hal "Skinny" Brown. Hal broke into the Majors with the White Sox in 1951, moving to Boston in 1953, being traded to the Orioles in 1955, where he would play the bulk of his career. 1960 was his best year finishing 12-5 with 36 shut out innings. In 1962 he was traded to the Yankees, who's uniform he's featured in here in 1963, but his stay in New York was short and ended up being sold to Houston at the end of the 1962 season. He would finish he's 14 year career with the Colt .45's in 1964.
Hal's still around at the age of 87.
#294 - Bill Rigney. Bill had a 26 year career in the Majors as both a player and a manager. As a player Bill played his whole career with the New York Giants. Bill would go on to Manage the Giants from 1956 to 1960. He then went on to manage the Angels from 1961 to 1969. Bill was fired from the Angels in early 1969 and went to San Fransico to join the Giants broadcast team. In 1970 Bill was in Minnesota and would take the Twins to the AL West Chamionship. We as replaced in 1972. Bill went onto to scout for the Padres and Angels in 1973 and 1974 before returning for one final managial stint with the Giants in 1976. In the 80's Bill was a front office consultant and TV and radio announcer for the Oakland A's. Bill passed away in 2001 at the ripe old age of 83.
I love the Bill Rigney. From the uniform to the logo on the card and of course Bill's hollering it's just great. (I do have one,too).
ReplyDeleteYour Chico Fernandez card gave me an idea for a collection I am going to call
ReplyDeleteit my "Billings collection".My goal is to gather cards of players who played for the Billings Mustangs and have a topps card with Billings in the stats.
In Montana, Billings is my local team for live pro ball.The players that have played for the Mustangs since 1948 allow me to have cards from the 50's
up to present.(fernandez,brett,cowens,littell,tartabull,o'neil,stubbs and votto)I think this will be pretty cool. Thank You