Ron Woods--1972
As Ron Woods stares out past the
camera and into the distance, we can
only imagine that he is lost in the
depressing thoughts of an unfulfilled
career and missed stardom. A fine
defensive outfielder, Woods languished
in the Pirates' minor league chain for six
seasons with mixed results before finding
his stroke after being shuttled off to the
Tigers following the 1966 season.
Unfortunately, with the Tigers on the
brink of their 1968 World Championship,
there was no room in Mayo Smith’s
crowded outfield of Al Kaline, Willie
Horton, Mickey Stanley, Gates Brown
and Jim Northrup for the youngster.
Woods would be traded in June of 1969
for an aging Tom Tresh, as the Tigers
chased the Orioles during the '69
campaign.
After under whelming the Yankees in
1970, Woods was sent packing the next
season to Montreal as the Bronx
Bombers brought back Mets' World
Series star Ron Swaboda to the Big
Apple in the deal.
In Montreal, Woods hit .245 in three-plus
seasons, showing some pop in 1972
when he blasted 10 home runs.
It was this sudden outburst of power in ’
72 that made Woods a star in my eyes;
as he hit “The Shot Heard Around My
Basement” back in 1973.
It was a time before household
computers and the Pong video game
was just beginning to “blip and beep” its
way onto our TV screens. As a kid, I
grew up with board games.
Yes, before embarking on my baseball
career, I was a dice-tossing youth of the
APBA kind. Together with my
neighborhood friend Bart, we honed our
managerial skills replaying the 1972
season. Woods had a nice 1972 APBA
card, as a roll of the famous “sixty-six”
meant a home run for the outfielder.
camera and into the distance, we can
only imagine that he is lost in the
depressing thoughts of an unfulfilled
career and missed stardom. A fine
defensive outfielder, Woods languished
in the Pirates' minor league chain for six
seasons with mixed results before finding
his stroke after being shuttled off to the
Tigers following the 1966 season.
Unfortunately, with the Tigers on the
brink of their 1968 World Championship,
there was no room in Mayo Smith’s
crowded outfield of Al Kaline, Willie
Horton, Mickey Stanley, Gates Brown
and Jim Northrup for the youngster.
Woods would be traded in June of 1969
for an aging Tom Tresh, as the Tigers
chased the Orioles during the '69
campaign.
After under whelming the Yankees in
1970, Woods was sent packing the next
season to Montreal as the Bronx
Bombers brought back Mets' World
Series star Ron Swaboda to the Big
Apple in the deal.
In Montreal, Woods hit .245 in three-plus
seasons, showing some pop in 1972
when he blasted 10 home runs.
It was this sudden outburst of power in ’
72 that made Woods a star in my eyes;
as he hit “The Shot Heard Around My
Basement” back in 1973.
It was a time before household
computers and the Pong video game
was just beginning to “blip and beep” its
way onto our TV screens. As a kid, I
grew up with board games.
Yes, before embarking on my baseball
career, I was a dice-tossing youth of the
APBA kind. Together with my
neighborhood friend Bart, we honed our
managerial skills replaying the 1972
season. Woods had a nice 1972 APBA
card, as a roll of the famous “sixty-six”
meant a home run for the outfielder.
Sequestered in my basement one rainy afternoon, Bart and I played an epic game that featured the Expos hosting
the Padres. I assumed the managerial chair for Expos skipper Gene Mauch that day, as I had right-hander Mike
Torres face off against Clay Kirby for the Bart-led San Diego club. Torres enjoyed a nice ’72 season, collecting
16 wins for the 70-win Expos. Meanwhile, the hard-throwing Kirby would lead the NL West last place Padres in wins
(12) and strikeouts (175) that year.
Both hurlers fared well against the anemic opposing lineups in the game. Torres scattered six hits while allowing
solo runs in the first and eighth innings, while Kirby cruised through seven shutout innings, until he encountered
problems in the eighth.
As best I can tell from the score sheet, Tim Foli reached base on an error after Bob Bailey and Terry Humphrey
were retired. Pinch-hitter Boots Day followed with a walk, while lead-off hitter Ken Singleton also received a free
pass to load the bases. Ron Hunt, who in 1972 led the National League by being hit 26 times, forced home a run
as he was plunked by Kirby in our game.
the Padres. I assumed the managerial chair for Expos skipper Gene Mauch that day, as I had right-hander Mike
Torres face off against Clay Kirby for the Bart-led San Diego club. Torres enjoyed a nice ’72 season, collecting
16 wins for the 70-win Expos. Meanwhile, the hard-throwing Kirby would lead the NL West last place Padres in wins
(12) and strikeouts (175) that year.
Both hurlers fared well against the anemic opposing lineups in the game. Torres scattered six hits while allowing
solo runs in the first and eighth innings, while Kirby cruised through seven shutout innings, until he encountered
problems in the eighth.
As best I can tell from the score sheet, Tim Foli reached base on an error after Bob Bailey and Terry Humphrey
were retired. Pinch-hitter Boots Day followed with a walk, while lead-off hitter Ken Singleton also received a free
pass to load the bases. Ron Hunt, who in 1972 led the National League by being hit 26 times, forced home a run
as he was plunked by Kirby in our game.
With the bases still jammed, I rolled a "sixty-six" as Woods connected on what would be a game-winning grand
slam. I remember Bart slamming the pen down in disgust, causing a small tear in our cardboard diamond. There
was a few moments of disbelief and a couple of laughs as I bathed in the glory of a 5-1 lead while I scurried to find
closer Mike Marshall's card.
Sure enough, Marshall picked up a save, allowing a walk and he also fanned a batter as I picked up another win
in my managerial rivalry against Bart. And Ron Woods was my hero as he hit “The Shot Heard Around My
Basement.”
Woods would only get one opportunity at regular duty, playing in 135 games for the Expos in 1973. Unfortunately,
he hit just .230 with just three homers before being placed on the bench again in 1974, which would be his final
season in the bigs.
“It’s depressing at times to be a marginal player,” Woods was quoted in The Complete Baseball Handbook, 1973
Edition. “I just put it down to the fact this is my life--- baseball.”
(5/15/10)
slam. I remember Bart slamming the pen down in disgust, causing a small tear in our cardboard diamond. There
was a few moments of disbelief and a couple of laughs as I bathed in the glory of a 5-1 lead while I scurried to find
closer Mike Marshall's card.
Sure enough, Marshall picked up a save, allowing a walk and he also fanned a batter as I picked up another win
in my managerial rivalry against Bart. And Ron Woods was my hero as he hit “The Shot Heard Around My
Basement.”
Woods would only get one opportunity at regular duty, playing in 135 games for the Expos in 1973. Unfortunately,
he hit just .230 with just three homers before being placed on the bench again in 1974, which would be his final
season in the bigs.
“It’s depressing at times to be a marginal player,” Woods was quoted in The Complete Baseball Handbook, 1973
Edition. “I just put it down to the fact this is my life--- baseball.”
(5/15/10)