After spending one year in the minors, Tom Seaver made his debut starting the Mets 2nd game of the 1967 season. Seaver quickly established himself as the ace of the staff and was the opening day pitcher for the Mets every year until he was traded to the Reds. In 1967 Tom received 55% of the votes for Rookie of the Year for the 10th place Mets. Dick Hughes of the World Series Champion Cardinals received 30% of the vote despite putting up better overall numbers. But Hughes was a 29 year old rookie who was in the rotation with future Hall of Famers Bob Gibson and Steve Carlton. Hughes would pitch just one more season at the big league level and by 1969 he was out of baseball.
nice looking card
ReplyDeleteI've wondered why Hughes' career was so short. After winning 16 games in his rookie season, along with 160 strikeouts to only 48 walks, his performance tailed off the next season, going 2-2 in 5 starts and 20 relief appearances. The following year he pitched in the class-A Florida State League. Maybe his arm flamed out?
ReplyDeleteReminds me of Jim Palmer's early career (except for the whole successful comeback thing).
The Carew and Seaver rookies are 2 of the 4 cards I'm missing from the 1967 set. Thanks Uncle John!
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