Roberto Pena--1970
Handed Philadelphia's starting shortstop
job in 1968, Roberto Pena bobbled his
way to San Diego via the 1969
Expansion Draft courtesy of his 32 errors
with the Phillies. Handed the starting job
at second base with the upstart Padres,
the native Dominican played his way into
a utility role that season with his sporadic
fielding and punch less bat.
All this led Pena to take on odd jobs; one
of which we understand was as a model
for Arnold Fletcher's Granite Company
and Sculpting School of Chula Vista, CA.
Here in his 1970 Topps card, the
infielder takes time away from the game
to practice "The Thinker" pose, first
captured by the French artist Auguste
Rodin.
To this day, we hear that miniature
granite likenesses of Pena can be found
at garage sales throughout Southern
California.
Editor's Note: Pena would eventually
master the glove work, leading American
League shortstops in fielding percentage
for 1970 with a .981 mark, as he split the
season with Oakland and Milwaukee.
However, he never really managed to hit
enough, as Pena's six-year big league
career ended in 1971 as he totaled
.245-13-154 numbers. He would pass
away in 1982 in his native Dominican
Republic of accidental alcoholic
poisoning.
(5/10/10)
job in 1968, Roberto Pena bobbled his
way to San Diego via the 1969
Expansion Draft courtesy of his 32 errors
with the Phillies. Handed the starting job
at second base with the upstart Padres,
the native Dominican played his way into
a utility role that season with his sporadic
fielding and punch less bat.
All this led Pena to take on odd jobs; one
of which we understand was as a model
for Arnold Fletcher's Granite Company
and Sculpting School of Chula Vista, CA.
Here in his 1970 Topps card, the
infielder takes time away from the game
to practice "The Thinker" pose, first
captured by the French artist Auguste
Rodin.
To this day, we hear that miniature
granite likenesses of Pena can be found
at garage sales throughout Southern
California.
Editor's Note: Pena would eventually
master the glove work, leading American
League shortstops in fielding percentage
for 1970 with a .981 mark, as he split the
season with Oakland and Milwaukee.
However, he never really managed to hit
enough, as Pena's six-year big league
career ended in 1971 as he totaled
.245-13-154 numbers. He would pass
away in 1982 in his native Dominican
Republic of accidental alcoholic
poisoning.
(5/10/10)
