Rollie Fingers---1972
Life was different for Rollie Fingers
when this card was released in 1972.
He had made the move from a
journeyman starter to a late-game
reliever the previous year, when he
finished sixth in the Fireman of the
Year rankings. The righthander also
did not have his signature handlebar
mustache, which became a fixture for
the reliever while he won the Cy
Young Award and earned his way to
the Baseball Hall of Fame over the
next decade.
Fingers had limited success as a big-
league starter during the 1969
season and moved into a mop-up
role before emerging as a solid
reliever in the early 1970s. His
success coincided with Oakland’s
near-dynasty, during which the A’s
won three straight World Series, from
1972-74.
In Game 2 of the 1972 Fall Classic,
he made a daring pitch with runners
on first and third and one out.
when this card was released in 1972.
He had made the move from a
journeyman starter to a late-game
reliever the previous year, when he
finished sixth in the Fireman of the
Year rankings. The righthander also
did not have his signature handlebar
mustache, which became a fixture for
the reliever while he won the Cy
Young Award and earned his way to
the Baseball Hall of Fame over the
next decade.
Fingers had limited success as a big-
league starter during the 1969
season and moved into a mop-up
role before emerging as a solid
reliever in the early 1970s. His
success coincided with Oakland’s
near-dynasty, during which the A’s
won three straight World Series, from
1972-74.
In Game 2 of the 1972 Fall Classic,
he made a daring pitch with runners
on first and third and one out.
With Johnny Bench at the plate, Bobby Tolan stole second, giving Cincinnati
runners on second and third with a 3-2 count. Oakland manager Dick Williams
strode to the mound and told Fingers to intentionally walk the opposing catcher.
Instead, A’s catcher Gene Tenace motioned outside before squatting down to
catch Fingers’ slider that nicked the outside corner of the plate for strike three.
Fingers also became the poster boy for those mustachioed A’s, who were paid a
small bonus by eccentric owner Charles O. Finley to grow facial hair. Fingers never
shaved his ‘stach even after he joined the Padres and Brewers. In 1981, he won
both the Cy Young and Most Valuable Player awards in the American League
before an arm injury sidelined him in 1982; a herniated disk and a stubborn owner
led to his retirement after the 1985 season.
So attached was Fingers to his mustache, that prior to the 1986 season he signed
a contract with the "clean shaven" Cincinnati Reds, only to walk away from it when
told he would have to abide by Owner Marge Schott's rule of no facial hair.
Upon his departure from the game, Fingers owned 341 career saves, at the time
the highest total ever recorded in the major leagues.
(5/31/08)
runners on second and third with a 3-2 count. Oakland manager Dick Williams
strode to the mound and told Fingers to intentionally walk the opposing catcher.
Instead, A’s catcher Gene Tenace motioned outside before squatting down to
catch Fingers’ slider that nicked the outside corner of the plate for strike three.
Fingers also became the poster boy for those mustachioed A’s, who were paid a
small bonus by eccentric owner Charles O. Finley to grow facial hair. Fingers never
shaved his ‘stach even after he joined the Padres and Brewers. In 1981, he won
both the Cy Young and Most Valuable Player awards in the American League
before an arm injury sidelined him in 1982; a herniated disk and a stubborn owner
led to his retirement after the 1985 season.
So attached was Fingers to his mustache, that prior to the 1986 season he signed
a contract with the "clean shaven" Cincinnati Reds, only to walk away from it when
told he would have to abide by Owner Marge Schott's rule of no facial hair.
Upon his departure from the game, Fingers owned 341 career saves, at the time
the highest total ever recorded in the major leagues.
(5/31/08)