Question about 1962 Salada Coins

[droid714]

Ty Cline and Walt Bond both spent the 1960-62 seasons with the Indians. Both played only a handful of games in 1960-61. Neither had what could be considered a "breakout" season but Cline was given the CF position in 1962.

Cline was the prototypical CF of his era. 6' tall and 170 lbs. with good speed and a good glove. He had a very average season in 1962 and was sent to the Braves after the season.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/p...linety01.shtml

Bond was a giant of a man at 6' 7" and 230 lbs. who had decent speed and a good glove. Unfortunately, he didn't hit for much of an average and didn't have the power you would expect from someone of his size. He only played a handful of games in 1962. He spent 1963 in the minors and was sold to Houston prior to the 1964 season.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/p...bondwa01.shtml

Keep in mind, these were the Indians of 1962. After having great teams throughout the 1940's and 50's and contending in 1959, they were in their third season of what would eventually turn into 35 years of some of the worst baseball ever played by any major league franchise.

You can count on the fingers of both hands the number of truly talented players who played for the Indians during those 35 years and they were generally sold off to make payroll.

I can't really fault the decision makers at Salada for their choices concerning the Indians of that time. Most of the players were either untested rookies or past their prime old-timers trying for one last shot of glory. The roster turned over so quickly that you barely got to know the players.

Just to prove my point, here's the list of the 13 Indians on the Salada coins and the last season that they played for the Indians:

John Romano C (1964)
Vic Power 1B (1961)
Johnny Temple 2B (1961)
Ken Aspromonte 2B (1962)
Woodie Held (SS) (1964)
Bubba Phillips 3B (1962)
Tito Francona OF (1964)
Jim Piersall OF (1961)
Walt Bond OF (1962)
Willie Kirkland OF (1963)
Jim Grant P (1964)
Jim Perry P (1963)
Gary Bell P (1967)

As you can see, all but one player of what was considered in 1962 to be the core of the Indians team was gone by 1965.