I received some pointed feedback about my choice of 2019 Javier Baez as last week’s Monster Card. The comments were fair and principled.
Daniel Diehm said:
I‘m glad the trade is working out for you! And nothing against Mr. Baez, but this is in no way a “monster card”. A player with under 30 home runs, under 90 RBIs, under 90 runs scored, under 15 steals, a batting average under .290, and not even the top defensive rating for his position?
“That was unheard of three decades ago unless your name was Cal Ripken or Robin Yount. ” So…the 1990’s? Oh how soon we forget. You want a power hitting shortstop not named Ripken or Yount? How about Alex Rodriguez from 1996 or Nomar Garciaparra from 1997?
I of course, remember the surge of A-Rod, Nomar and to a slightly lesser extent, Tejada. I looked back and found that I did feature Nomar during his 1997 season. Alas, there was no A-Rod card.
My timing was a bit off but I hold to my statement. Call me a Boomer but I remember the days before A-Rod and Co. when a 22-0 was really something. A 44 power number was almost unheard of (here’s the 1982 Yount card that really shook the APBA world). Even today when you combine that with a Fielding One shortstop, I think that is pretty awesome, strikeouts or no.
Thank you, Daniel for your representative comment. As always, I genuinely appreciate comments from everyone. Keep them coming!
On to this week’s MCM…
This week, I hope to dazzle you with a safe Monster Card pick. This is Hank Aaron’s 1959 card in honor of his recent birthday.
It’s hard to believe that Hank Aaron was only 25 in 1959 and yet, was playing in his sixth major league season for the Milwaukee Braves. He didn’t know it at the time but he would play in seventeen more before he would retire.
Aaron hit “only” 39 homeruns in 1959 but led the league in batting average with a .355 mark. He collected a career high 223 hits and reached 400 total bases also a career high.
For his efforts, Hank played in both All-Star Games and was awarded a Gold Glove. He came in third for the NL MVP behind Ernie Banks and teammate Eddie Mathews.
| Split | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 Totals | 154 | 693 | 629 | 116 | 223 | 46 | 7 | 39 | 123 | 8 | 51 | 54 | .355 | .401 | .636 |
No complaints with this card. A full-time player with lots of ’50s-style power and plenty of hits to go along along with it! Aaron’s 59 card can boast a 25-7 (and a 64-9!) to go along with his 1-4-5-5-6 power numbers.
My Baez detractors who rightly commented on Javier’s lack of bat control will be happy with Aaron’s card. Hammerin’ Hank has only two 13s to three 14s.
If you roll a 46 on Aaron, you may be in for a happy surprise. He has a 22 there. And of course, Hank is fast and an OF-3.
Check out Hank Aaron’s 1957 Monster Card and his 1973 Monster Card too!
Wow – I never thought I would be quoted! A nice honor – thank you.
I have absolutely no problems at all with Aaron’s card. That is what I think of as a monster card. 44-6, 25-7, steals a few bases, fast, OF-3, non-outs on 36, 46, & 62, and he plays multiple positions.
Here is a suggestion for your next “Monster Card” – John Morrill from the 1883 season (this was actually a season disc released by ABPA). Almost the ultimate utility player for any team you are making (too bad he didn’t switch hit!). I have lots of suggestions for Monster Cards from the 19th century.
Thanks for writing your column – I enjoy it very much.
“A full-time player with lots of ’50s-style power and plenty of hits to go along along with it! Aaron’s 59 card can boast a 25-7 (and a 64-9!) to go along with his 1-4-5-5 power numbers.” You left out Aaron’s 44-6. Almost that number alone was enough to get Baez a :monster card”. ;)
LOL!
Thanks for pointing that out, Daniel! It’s been corrected.
Tom