Rick's Card Corner

If not for that fateful night of August 18th, 1967, it is anyone’s guess what kind of potential hall-of-fame career Tony C. might have had, but, as a result of a beaning at the hands of Angel pitcher Jack Hamilton, Tony missed the remainder of the Sox “Impossible Dream” season, and all of the 1968 campaign. Would Tony C.’s presence have made a difference as the Sox battled the Cardinals in the 1967 World Series? Probably so, but without the presence of the youngest player in American League history to amass 100 home runs, the Sox fell to the Cardinals in 7 games.

Almost miraculously, Tony rejoined the Red Sox in 1969, played 141 games, hit 20 home runs, and drove in 82, earning him Comeback Player of the Year honors. In 1970, he played 146 games, hit 36 homers, and drove in 116. Ultimately, though, he was never able to overcome the vision problems that would prematurely end his career.

The card is Monarch Corona Private Stock, 2008