Monster Card Monday: 1961 Frank Robinson

Scott Fennessy had an idea for a Monster Card Monday column… 

I have been getting back into an APBA loving mode and have neared the end of the 1961 season. While Maris and Mantle get all the attention in the articles I see, I don’t know that anyone has submitted Frank Robinson before. 
Which leads me to a great opening line from Bull Durham.

But bad trades are part of baseball. I mean who can forget Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas for god sakes?

FRobbie led the NL in slugging percentage with a .611 mark.  Interestingly, he didn’t lead in any other major category which means he did everything pretty well to reach that magical .600 mark.  It helped that he hit .323.  With 37 homers along with 32 doubles (and 7 triples!), his value at the plate was pretty immense.  He even stole 21 bases.  

Season Totals
Split G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO BA OBP SLG
1961 Totals15363554511717632737124217064.323.403.611
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 9/17/2018.

Let’s square this away first.  This is Robinson’s second appearance on Monster Monday.  His 1966 card was featured in 2013.  That card is looking forward to the All-Star Game in my 1966 NL replay very soon (I am now at June 25 in my replay!).  

Scott’s 1961 card (as seen from the BBW game) is similar… but different.  The ’61 card has speed with an 11 and a 10.  While the 1961 card has a 31-9 (because of the speed numbers no doubt), it also boasts a 55-7.  

Younger Robbie’s speed helped him avoid some double plays but he still garners two 24s.  

Regardless, this is a great card worthy of an MVP award.  His power numbers are 1-1-0-0-0 and he still gets the 55-7.  

Thanks for the contribution, Scott!

Thomas Nelshoppen

I am an IT consultant by day and an APBA media mogul by night. My passions are baseball (specifically Illini baseball), photography and of course, APBA. I have been fortunate to be part of the basic game Illowa APBA League since 1980 as well as a frequent participant of the Chicagoland APBA Tournament. I am slogging through a 1966 NL replay and hope to finish before I die.

2 Comments:

  1. “Regardless, this is a great card worthy of an MVP award. His power numbers are 1-1-0-0-0 and he still gets the 55-7. ”

    The card you showed has a 55-8, not 7. The ’61 card has

    “While the 1961 card has a 31-9 (because of the speed numbers no doubt),…”

    The 1961 card you showed has a 31-8, not 9.

  2. Frank is 1 of the most underrated. He is a better player than someone like, say, Barry Bonds. Love the era and the 66 replay Tom. You’ve got me looking at my 1967. Keep up the good work!

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