Miguel Fuentes--1970
For baseball historians and fans,
there has always been an affinity
for the expansion teams throughout
the years--- especially the Seattle
Pilots. They were lovable losers of
the American League in '69 (along
with Cleveland) who lasted just one
season. But, unlike most "one hit
wonders", we got to know the Pilots
courtesy of Jim Bouton's Ball Four.
While the Pilots moved to
Milwaukee following their 64-98
debut '69 season, the Topps
people were not able to make two
adjustments prior to the release of
their 1970 set. The first is obvious,
as the Pilots name was changed to
the Brewers with the move to
Wisconsin. Secondly, Miguel
Fuentes appeared on this 1970
card, despite having passed away
during the off-season.
The 23-year-old was shot and killed
outside a bar in his native Puerto
Rico on January 29, 1970.
The lanky right-hander was an
original signee by Seattle who
dominated the Class A Midwest
League in 1969 with an 8-2, 1.46
mark and earned a September call
up.
With the Pilots, Fuentes went 1-3,
5.19 in eight outings, while showing
little command. His lone victory was
a complete game win over the
White Sox in his first big league
start. Mostly, he will forever be
known as the man who threw the
last pitch in Seattle Pilot's history.
For those who want to catch-up with
the Pilots of old, I found this
interesting piece Seattle Pilots...
Where are they now? in the Seattle
Times from 2003.
Editor's Note: Fuentes was one of
two players, the other being White
Sox hurler Paul Edmondson, who
passed away during the off-season
yet found their way into the 1970s
Topps set.
(1/10/10)
there has always been an affinity
for the expansion teams throughout
the years--- especially the Seattle
Pilots. They were lovable losers of
the American League in '69 (along
with Cleveland) who lasted just one
season. But, unlike most "one hit
wonders", we got to know the Pilots
courtesy of Jim Bouton's Ball Four.
While the Pilots moved to
Milwaukee following their 64-98
debut '69 season, the Topps
people were not able to make two
adjustments prior to the release of
their 1970 set. The first is obvious,
as the Pilots name was changed to
the Brewers with the move to
Wisconsin. Secondly, Miguel
Fuentes appeared on this 1970
card, despite having passed away
during the off-season.
The 23-year-old was shot and killed
outside a bar in his native Puerto
Rico on January 29, 1970.
The lanky right-hander was an
original signee by Seattle who
dominated the Class A Midwest
League in 1969 with an 8-2, 1.46
mark and earned a September call
up.
With the Pilots, Fuentes went 1-3,
5.19 in eight outings, while showing
little command. His lone victory was
a complete game win over the
White Sox in his first big league
start. Mostly, he will forever be
known as the man who threw the
last pitch in Seattle Pilot's history.
For those who want to catch-up with
the Pilots of old, I found this
interesting piece Seattle Pilots...
Where are they now? in the Seattle
Times from 2003.
Editor's Note: Fuentes was one of
two players, the other being White
Sox hurler Paul Edmondson, who
passed away during the off-season
yet found their way into the 1970s
Topps set.
(1/10/10)
