1972 Topps Clemente- what's Roberto doing?

[Paul S]

I'd say embarrassed caught looking on strike three (as called by the ump, whether correct or wrong call, he might have protected the plate).

[Cliff Bowman]

Originally Posted by Paul S

I'd say embarrassed caught looking on strike three (as called by the ump, whether correct or wrong call, he might have protected the plate).

It's indisputable that the photo was taken from a day game between the Pirates and Giants in Candlestick Park, and the key evidence of exactly which game is the Giants catcher, #18 Russ Gibson. The only time Gibson appeared in a Giants home game against the Pirates was August 1, 1971, in the first game of a doubleheader. Clemente struck out once that day but it was swinging. I'm guessing that in one of the five plate appearances he had a 3-0 or 3-1 count and took a pitch thinking it was ball four but the umpire called it a strike, but not strike three. Baseball-Reference.com is an amazing site :-).

[nolemmings]

Or he was fooled by the pitch and gave a half-hearted or checked too far swing.

[WhenItWasAHobby]

Having watched Clemente countless times on TV and at many home games at Forbes Field and Three Rivers Stadium, I do know that he had a habit of rotating his head around to loosen his bad neck between pitches. Whether that's the case here I can't be certain.

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by Cliff Bowman

It's indisputable that the photo was taken from a day game between the Pirates and Giants in Candlestick Park, and the key evidence of exactly which game is the Giants catcher, #18 Russ Gibson. The only time Gibson appeared in a Giants home game against the Pirates was August 1, 1971, in the first game of a doubleheader. Clemente struck out once that day but it was swinging. I'm guessing that in one of the five plate appearances he had a 3-0 or 3-1 count and took a pitch thinking it was ball four but the umpire called it a strike, but not strike three. Baseball-Reference.com is an amazing site :-).

We were all wondering how you came by that information. Well done!!

[tonyo]

Originally Posted by Cliff Bowman

It's indisputable that the photo was taken from a day game between the Pirates and Giants in Candlestick Park, and the key evidence of exactly which game is the Giants catcher, #18 Russ Gibson. The only time Gibson appeared in a Giants home game against the Pirates was August 1, 1971, in the first game of a doubleheader. Clemente struck out once that day but it was swinging. I'm guessing that in one of the five plate appearances he had a 3-0 or 3-1 count and took a pitch thinking it was ball four but the umpire called it a strike, but not strike three. Baseball-Reference.com is an amazing site :-).

That's pretty cool to know.


I have always thought it was immediate reaction to a pitch "he wish he had back" , but looking at it today, the position of the infield dirt and what I assume is half of the 3rd base umpire in the background seems to indicate that Roberto may have taken a bit of a step toward first base. So I now cast my vote with "disagreed with umpires call on what he thought was ball four"

[k-dog]

You guys have no imagination. Obviously he was thinking about the night before (with Vera)!!

[frankh8147]

Thanks for the info. I have always been curious. Topps chose some nice images for it's in action cards (i'm particularly fond of the Mays), so this card was always odd to me.

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by k-dog

You guys have no imagination. Obviously he was thinking about the night before (with Vera)!!

Which means Vera was home............Okay, I'm not going there

[stlcardsfan]

I agree that is a terrible "Action" picture of what was already a legend at that point.