Morales came to the Cubs via a trade with the Padres. Glenn Beckert went west. It was a decent trade for the Cubs as Beckert's career was pretty much over, while Morales has some good years ahead of him.
After the trade, Topps switched the teams but not the pictures on the players' cards. This, despite the fact that the '74 set had a traded set. These are some very odd looking cards.
For the next three seasons Jerry started as the Cubs right fielder or center fielder. His Cub career peaked in 1977 when he was named to the National League All-Star team. After the season he was traded to the Cardinals. He then was bounced around to the Tigers and Mets before the Cubs signed him as a free agent for the 1982 season.
His second go-around saw him as a fourth or fifth outfielder and pinch hitter He was released after the 1983 season, ending his playing days.
Two things stick out in my mind regarding Morales.
One, he held his hands very high in his batting stance. The other is that he would catch a fly ball with a basket catch, his glove held at his waist.
I've got 20 cards in my Morales collection. They come from nine different companies - Topps, Donruss, Fleer, Hostess, Jewel, Burger Chef, Isalys, SSPC, and the Cubs team issued sets.
Thanks....I used to try to make basket catches like him when I was a kid....LOL I liked Santo first, then Morales and then Kingman and then Buckner......and then Sandberg and Dawson. I thank you for featuring him in your post which I read every day. My late mother got rid of my old cards and I got back into it in 1991 and have been collecting since.....but not to your extent.
ReplyDeleteIf you really want to go old school....try your collection of Carmen Fanzone sometime.
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