Monster Card Monday: 1968 Gates Brown

Gates Brown is your quintessential pinch hitter.  On his Baseball Reference page, he’s listed first as a pinch hitter and then as a left fielder.  Of his total 1051 games played in the majors (all for Detroit, by the way), an even 500 were as a pinch hitter. 

Overall, Brown was okay offensively in that role showing signs of power here and there.  But it was 1968 when he really shined albeit for only 104 plate appearances.  That season, he hit six homers and batted .370.  He both scored and drove in 15 runs. 

Of Brown’s 67 games played in 1968, he pinch hit a total of 48 times and hit .450 in that role. 

If you like a variety in your power, you’ll like Brown’s APBA card.  His two triples in 104 plate appearances were enough to warrant a single column 3 so he got power numbers 1-1-3-6-6.  With his .370 average, he not only gets three 7s but also four 8s instead of the usual three.  He even manages four 14s. 

A pretty tasty card indeed.

Those replayers who are sticking to actual player use will find Gates Brown’s 104 PA  handy.  If Detroit needs a pinch hitter, he’ll be available.  No doubt, he’ll produce, too. 

Here’s a video where Gates Brown tells his “Hot Dog Story”. 

Thanks to Mel M who suggested Gates Brown!