Roric Harrison---1974
Topps didn’t put much effort into this
1974 Roric Harrison card.
First, Harrison is in a simple pose
after being dragged away prior to a
spring training game. So unimportant
is Harrison that the photographer
shot his picture with teammates
milling around in the background,
while the opposing third baseman is
looking up either during batting
practice or during a quick round of
infield.
Secondly, on the back there are two
career highlight notes, “Hurled
consecutive complete game 5-hitters
in 1st 2 starts in Venezuelan League
Ball, 72.” There is also a small box
with a player holding a fan with the
highlight, “Roric fanned 18 Toledo
batters, 7-21-71.”
This is a pretty poor effort by Topps.
I mean, winning two 5-hitters in
Venezuela during the winter is a
highlight? I’m not sure the
Venezuelans cared, let alone the
majority of kids who were
disappointed to be looking at another
Roric Harrison card. And in checking
records, the date of the 18-strikeout
outing was July 12, 1971, according
to the Rochester Red Wings web site:
http://www.redwingsbaseball.
com/history/harrisonhof.html
I think I can do better. Let me offer
the following:
“While with the Orioles in 1972,
Harrison connected for the last home
run by an AL pitcher before the DH
rule came into effect in 1973, a solo
shot off Cleveland’s Ray Lamb on
Oct. 3rd.”
or
“The big right-hander posted an
International League high 15 wins in
1971 for the Rochester Red Wings.”
Possibly.
“The Atlanta hurler led the club in
walks last season, issuing 98 free
passes.”
Hmmm.
“The 27-year-old finished second
among Atlanta hurlers with 130 K’s in
1973, 1 behind Phil Niekro.”
More about hitting.
“Three of Harrison’s five major
league hits have been home runs.”
Or maybe, while he was posing,
Topps should have asked him the
question, “Why is your name Roric?”
Especially since there was never a
“Roric” in the major leagues before
him… and there hasn’t been one
since.
(6/10/08)
1974 Roric Harrison card.
First, Harrison is in a simple pose
after being dragged away prior to a
spring training game. So unimportant
is Harrison that the photographer
shot his picture with teammates
milling around in the background,
while the opposing third baseman is
looking up either during batting
practice or during a quick round of
infield.
Secondly, on the back there are two
career highlight notes, “Hurled
consecutive complete game 5-hitters
in 1st 2 starts in Venezuelan League
Ball, 72.” There is also a small box
with a player holding a fan with the
highlight, “Roric fanned 18 Toledo
batters, 7-21-71.”
This is a pretty poor effort by Topps.
I mean, winning two 5-hitters in
Venezuela during the winter is a
highlight? I’m not sure the
Venezuelans cared, let alone the
majority of kids who were
disappointed to be looking at another
Roric Harrison card. And in checking
records, the date of the 18-strikeout
outing was July 12, 1971, according
to the Rochester Red Wings web site:
http://www.redwingsbaseball.
com/history/harrisonhof.html
I think I can do better. Let me offer
the following:
“While with the Orioles in 1972,
Harrison connected for the last home
run by an AL pitcher before the DH
rule came into effect in 1973, a solo
shot off Cleveland’s Ray Lamb on
Oct. 3rd.”
or
“The big right-hander posted an
International League high 15 wins in
1971 for the Rochester Red Wings.”
Possibly.
“The Atlanta hurler led the club in
walks last season, issuing 98 free
passes.”
Hmmm.
“The 27-year-old finished second
among Atlanta hurlers with 130 K’s in
1973, 1 behind Phil Niekro.”
More about hitting.
“Three of Harrison’s five major
league hits have been home runs.”
Or maybe, while he was posing,
Topps should have asked him the
question, “Why is your name Roric?”
Especially since there was never a
“Roric” in the major leagues before
him… and there hasn’t been one
since.
(6/10/08)
