Aaron Pointer--1967
It was not always easy for Topps to pick out the Rookie Stars, however, while Alonzo
Harris and Aaron Pointer missed out on being productive big leaguers for the Houston
Astros, we can understand how Pointer wound up on this card.
Signed in 1961 by the Astros, Pointer was rushed to the big leagues at the close of the
’63 season to find himself in Houston’s infamous All-Rookie lineup of September 27, when
the youngsters lost to the Mets, 10-3.
Houston Astros All-Rookie Lineup Story on astrosdaily.com
After hitting around .270 at the Triple-A level in the mid-1960's; Pointer would later
resurface with the Astros in 1966 and 1967, as his .346 norm in 11 games in ’66 netted
him the spot on this card; while his .157 average in ’67 over 27 games saw the end of the
outfielder’s major league career.
But what few know is that in Pointer holds the distinction of being the last man to hit .400
for a pro season, albeit in the minor leagues.
Signed out of the University of San Francisco by the Astros, in his first pro season Pointer
hit .401 for Salisbury of the Western Carolina League in 1961.
I interviewed Pointer a few years ago for a story that ran in the magazine At The Yard and
wanted to share his story.
So here you go...
Editor's Note: Aaron Pointer was a very enjoyable man to interview and as a result of this
article, Pointer was later recognized for his feat and honored with a spot in the Carolina
League Hall of Fame. As for Alonzo "Candy" Harris, the outfielder fanned against
Cincinnati's Mel Queen in his lone major league at-bat, April 22, 1967.
(5/19/10)
Harris and Aaron Pointer missed out on being productive big leaguers for the Houston
Astros, we can understand how Pointer wound up on this card.
Signed in 1961 by the Astros, Pointer was rushed to the big leagues at the close of the
’63 season to find himself in Houston’s infamous All-Rookie lineup of September 27, when
the youngsters lost to the Mets, 10-3.
Houston Astros All-Rookie Lineup Story on astrosdaily.com
After hitting around .270 at the Triple-A level in the mid-1960's; Pointer would later
resurface with the Astros in 1966 and 1967, as his .346 norm in 11 games in ’66 netted
him the spot on this card; while his .157 average in ’67 over 27 games saw the end of the
outfielder’s major league career.
But what few know is that in Pointer holds the distinction of being the last man to hit .400
for a pro season, albeit in the minor leagues.
Signed out of the University of San Francisco by the Astros, in his first pro season Pointer
hit .401 for Salisbury of the Western Carolina League in 1961.
I interviewed Pointer a few years ago for a story that ran in the magazine At The Yard and
wanted to share his story.
So here you go...
Editor's Note: Aaron Pointer was a very enjoyable man to interview and as a result of this
article, Pointer was later recognized for his feat and honored with a spot in the Carolina
League Hall of Fame. As for Alonzo "Candy" Harris, the outfielder fanned against
Cincinnati's Mel Queen in his lone major league at-bat, April 22, 1967.
(5/19/10)
