This slightly unusual Monster card was suggested by Alan Hobbs who prompted the very productive DH conversation last week. We got to emailing again and he brought up this 1980 Bill Buckner card. He admits it’s not your typical “monster” but thought it might have a place here.
In Alan’s words:
For Monster Card Monday, forgive me for being forward here, but I thought Bill Buckner from 1980 might be a good one. Not as crazy awesome as Mike Schmidt or George Brett were that year, but Buckner did win the batting title with a .324 average. His card has 0-0-0-0 power numbers and then three 7s and, what struck me (pardon the pun) was that there were no 13s on the card at all. He struck out only 18 times in 615 plate appearances.
I don’t know if his card qualifies, but it was sure interesting to not see any 13s on a card
I agree, Alan. Since I’m a Cub fan, I think he fits in fine.
With a .324 average in 1980, Bill Buckner won his sole batting title by three points over Cardinal Keith Hernandez. He hit 41 doubles, 3 triples and 10 homers.
Not your typical monster numbers but it gets better. Billy Buck only struck out 18 times in 615 plate appearances.
As an aside, unless you were a Dave Kingman fan, he was the offensive man on the 1980 Cubbies! In addition, he was a dependable fielder and clutch hitter.
| Split | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 Totals | 145 | 615 | 578 | 69 | 187 | 41 | 3 | 10 | 68 | 1 | 30 | 18 | .324 | .353 | .457 |
Bill Buckner’s 1980 card sports four zeroes and three sevens. That’s a 15-7!
As Alan notes, Buckner has no 13s on his 1980 APBA card. Very unlike the cards of this era. Rather, his card is full of run-scoring out result numbers such as 26, 30, and 32.
How can he strike out?
Since Buckner did strike out 18 times in 1980, how would he reach that admittedly easy goal without any 13s on his card?
There are several ways:
- Striking out on a pitcher’s strikeout rating (K, X, or Y)
- Result number 12 with Runner on Second or Runners on Second and Third
- Result number 35 with Bases Loaded
- Various hit numbers which Grade A pitchers stop are strikeouts
I’m sure I’m missing a few others. Regardless, Billy Buck should be able to reach 18 Ks in a full season.
Good choice, Alan! Thanks!
A very unusual card! Mueller hit .324 and yet he has both a 33 and 34, which is usually reserved for those who hit under .250. (I would have found a way to give him 3 31s.)