Jan 02 2006 11:36 AM
Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 10 2006 10:54 AM
Threads on Kiss It Goodbye probably shouldn't start yet, as people are mostly just getting the book now. We can schedule a date for discussion to start, but I thought I'd throw in a fun preview.
The only post-season honor Thomas lists from his rookie season is making some wise guys' All-Ugly Team, a funny honor since he was already married as a rookie, never struck me as anything worse than non-descript, and he shared the honor with, among other people, a future Hollywood actor.
So I thought I'd dig up pictures of him and his teammates to examine. Where possible, I tried to get pictures from as close to the correct year as I could.
Perhaps because it was former and current Pirates picking the team, it seems stacked (Thomas's opinion) with Cards and Cubs, who were, I assume, greater rivals to the Pirates at that time than the Braves, Dodgers, Giants, Phillies, and Reds were, to say nothing of the American League.
 Jimmy Brown, Mgr. |
 Danny Murtaugh, Coach |
 Mike Ryba, Coach |
 Joe Garagiola, Catcher |
 Andy Seminick, Catcher |
 Chuck Connors, First Base |
 Rocky Bridges, Second Base |
 Tommy Glaviano, Third Base |
 Buddy Kerr, Shortstop |
 Carmen Mauro, Outfield |
 Peanuts Lowery, Outfield |
 Frank Thomas, Outfield |
 Hank Sauer, Outfield |
I started off by posting images of cards. That was dumb, because they'll tend to try to use more flattering shots for cards, especially then, and especially with established high-profile players. But I was then too lazy to go back.
Bony noses seem to be the trait most likely to get you on the team.
Chuck Conners' gravemarker seems aimed at his fans, featuring a publicity shot of the guy, plus his most famous role, along with the logos for the three big-league sports franchises he played for.
