The Other Guy on the Card

I know I'm stealing this idea from someone.

I just don't know who.

I remember seeing it on someone's page when I first started checking out the blogs. I only saw it once or twice and then never again, but I really liked the idea. Please, if you are the originator of this idea and are reading this, feel free to bring me to court for copyright infringement and whatnot...


Basically the title says it all. This is about the other guy on the card, usually on rookie cards where they feature a few young guys just coming up. One guy blows up and becomes a legend, while the other guys fade into obscurity. The idea is to shed some light on who that obscure guy is. Just for funzies...

Todays subject:

1968 Topps Johnny Bench/Ron Tompkins RC




Again, we all know who Johnny Bench is. But who the hell is Ron Tompkins?

He pitched in the majors for only 2 years, '65 and '71 for the A's and Cubs respectively. What he's doing on a '68 Reds rookie stars card, is beyond me.

Signed as a non-drafted free agent in '62 by the Kansas City A's (remember them? Yeah, me neither...) He made is Big League debut 3 years later at the age of 20. He was actually highly touted in the minors, but not so lucky in the Majors. (Remember Ben McDonald? Yeah, me neither...)

Used primarily as a reliever, making only one start, he never won a game in the majors and made only 40 appearances in his career. A 3.96 ERA and 24 strikeouts for you career won't print your name in many record books either.

HOWEVER

He was flawless as a defender! In 17 chances he never made an error, giving him the perfect 1.000% for his career.

So that's that for that. Obviously, the dude on the left did a little better for himself in the baseball world, but fuck it man, I'd consider it a success to have even made it to the big club in the first place!

Honestly, I still swing and miss in the batting cages.

You win this round, Ron Tompkins...


(...Joe)