Growing up as a Cubs fan, Rick Monday was one of my favorites. He was with Chicago for only five years but it was right at that moment I was really beginning to pay attention to baseball.
It’s actually pretty amazing how long Monday played baseball. He was there in the mid ‘60s and stuck around till 1984. He ranks 32nd among centerfielders in games played since 1954.
But today, we celebrate his 1966 rookie APBA card when he went 4 for 41 for a .098 batting average. In typical Monday style, he makes the most of this card. He walked six times, hit a double and a triple and stole one base for the KC Athletics.
| Split | G | GS | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 Totals | 17 | 11 | 47 | 41 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 16 | .098 | .213 | .171 |
There’s only so much you can do with a .098 batting average but APBA made do. Monday got a 66-4 though he could very well have gotten two 0s just nicely. To duplicate his one stolen base, the cardmakers gave Monday a 15-14* and a 25-14*. He also received two normal 14s as well.
Monday only received two 8s to go with his two 9s giving him a 55-40 and a 51-13. Speaking of 13s, he struck out 16 times in 47 plate appearances so he gets a healthy dose of those too.
Ugly numbers: 11-8, 51-13, 55-40
Monday had a solid sophomore year in 1967 when he hit 14 dingers with 58 rbis as KC’s starting CF. By 1968, he made the All-Star team for the new re-vamped Oakland A’s.
And I suppose I’d be negligent if I didn’t post this video of what most people say is Monday’s best play in the field.
Just rescuing a 1973 set and came upon Cleo “Slick” James from the Cubs in what proved to be his final season. Would like to send the scan if I may?
Thanks.