Now batting for the Angels. . . number two. . . second baseman. . . Sandy Alomar. . .
That announcement through the P.A. system could be right where we find ourselves as we look through the thin black frame and into the story being told on this card.
Mr. Alomar has just stepped into the batter's box, there's a lull in the crowd, and the catcher is silently transmitting signals to the pitcher who stands on the mound about 60 feet away.
The thing is, sometimes we don't think about how much hard work a hitter puts in every single day just to get into that batter's box. Physical training, mental training, batting practice, studying tendencies of various pitchers. Even choosing the right model bat takes time and effort.
And if a hitter plugs all of those variables into the equation successfully, the result is bound to be a boost in confidence. It's a pretty great feeling for an athlete to have. And if you look closely at this card, you'll see that Alomar's got it.
It's in the way he's hitching up his pant leg with one hand while he twirls the bat toward the pitcher with the other. You can't help but think the next scene in the story will involve Sandy grabbing that bat with both hands, getting into his stance, and drilling the next pitch somewhere.
For putting in all the work, day in and day out, in order to step into the batter's box with confidence, 1973 Topps #123 has a place in my box of favorite cards.
Well-done! You brought this card to life! Clean copy too. I don't find many 73s this nice.
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! The photo just lends itself to storytelling, doesn't it?
DeleteWhen I see someone hitching up their pant leg, I immediately think of Chuck Norris, and then of the ne'er-do-well who's about to get kicked in the face :)
ReplyDeleteHah! Best comment of the bunch, Jon. (Related note: I heard that Chuck Norris can hit a grand slam with the bases empty. And that Chuck Norris can turn a quadruple play. And that Chuck Norris is the only player to have ever reached fourth base.)
DeleteI like your description of this moment (and the lower-case 'angels' lettering) 1973 Topps is one of those vintage sets that I always skimmed over when sorting through cards, mostly due to the white border design. Since I started reading baseball card blogs I've gained an appreciation for all the incredible action photos in that set.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris! And I agree. There are some fantastic action shots in the '73 set. I wonder if Topps had different photographers, editors, and decision makers that year.
DeleteGood call. Very well timed photograph.
ReplyDeleteRight? The photographers nailed an impressive number of cards in this set.
DeleteThat is a beauty. The 73 Topps set seems to have a lot of interesting pics like that in it.
ReplyDeleteMore interesting photos than any other year throughout the 1970s, I'd say.
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