Dave Watkins--1970
A defensive-minded catcher Dave
Watkins made it onto cardboard once,
courtesy of seeing action in 69 games
for the Phillies in 1969. Unfortunately,
Watkins didn't backup Tim McCarver in
1970 as predicted on his card--- thus
this was both his rookie card and final
card.
The right-handed swinger hit just .176 in
148 at-bats during his lone big league
season, however, he did connect on four
long balls, one off future Hall of Famer
Don Sutton. He also had his best game
at the plate against future Hall of Famer
Tom Seaver when on September 27,
1969 Watkins collected two hits off
Seaver, as the Mets right-hander tossed
a 3-hit shutout versus Philadelphia,
winning 1-0.
Interestingly, we read a note in Baseball
Digest, (Fans Speak Out, April 1997)
that mentioned that Watkins was living in
Louisville, KY and working as a
neurologist during the 1990s. We guess
the furniture refinishing hobby mentioned
on the back of his card never translated
to a job following his playing career.
Editor's Note: Watkins would toss out an
impressive 39% of base stealers in his
lone season in the bigs.
(8/13/11)
Watkins made it onto cardboard once,
courtesy of seeing action in 69 games
for the Phillies in 1969. Unfortunately,
Watkins didn't backup Tim McCarver in
1970 as predicted on his card--- thus
this was both his rookie card and final
card.
The right-handed swinger hit just .176 in
148 at-bats during his lone big league
season, however, he did connect on four
long balls, one off future Hall of Famer
Don Sutton. He also had his best game
at the plate against future Hall of Famer
Tom Seaver when on September 27,
1969 Watkins collected two hits off
Seaver, as the Mets right-hander tossed
a 3-hit shutout versus Philadelphia,
winning 1-0.
Interestingly, we read a note in Baseball
Digest, (Fans Speak Out, April 1997)
that mentioned that Watkins was living in
Louisville, KY and working as a
neurologist during the 1990s. We guess
the furniture refinishing hobby mentioned
on the back of his card never translated
to a job following his playing career.
Editor's Note: Watkins would toss out an
impressive 39% of base stealers in his
lone season in the bigs.
(8/13/11)
