Bouton - Ball Four

[Cliff Bowman]

Originally Posted by ejstel

Also not sure why topps didn't print a 69, 70 or 71 Bouton?... appeared in 73 games in '69

After looking at his stats 69 and 71 are understandable but no 70 card is puzzling, maybe the late season trade to Houston had something to do with it.

[Tere1071]

Originally Posted by Cliff Bowman

After looking at his stats 69 and 71 are understandable but no 70 card is puzzling, maybe the late season trade to Houston had something to do with it.

Bouton retired in mid-season of 1970 to become a sportscaster for ABC in New York. It's chronicled in his follow-up to "Ball Four," "I'm Glad You Didn't Take It Personally." As for the lack of a card for 1969 and 1970, maybe Topps couldn't get Bouton to sign.

I still have the hardcover edition that my grandfather purchased for me back in 1974 and it remains one of my favorite treasures. Sister Mary Immaculate, the 8th-grade teacher/ school principal once grabbed it out of my hand to see if I was reading something inappropriate as I held my breath. She looked at the pictures and handed it back to me.

Phil aka Tere1071

Upgrading my 1953 Bowman Color, and Topps Baseball sets for 1971, 1972, 1974, and 1975.

Still needing to complete my 1970 and 1973 Topps Baseball sets.