Ted Sizemore was an All American catcher at the University of Michigan when the Dodgers drafted him in 1966. He played catcher in single A ball in 1966. In 1967 he played every position except pitcher for the Dodgers' AA club in Albuquerque but most of his time was spent behind the plate. In 1968 he played catcher and in the outfield for AAA Spokane.
Even though the 1969 Topps Rookie Stars card listed Sizemore as "2B-C" he didn't don the "tools of ignorance" as a Major Leaguer until 1976. During his 12 year career he would spend a total 13 innings behind the plate.
As a rookie in 1969 Sizemore started the season at shortstop but moved to second base when the Dodgers re-acquired Maury Wills. He went on to play at 2nd most of his career. He was voted Rookie of the Year in 1969 and after the 1970 season was dealt to the Cardinals for Dick Allen.
I'm wondering what the voters were thinking. There were at least 3 more deserving players in Al Oliver, Coco LaBoy, and Larry Hisle.
ReplyDeleteOnly 6 RoY's in history have posted a sub .700 OPS. Another Dodger 2B, Steve Sax and Vince Coleman (who of course stole 100 bases), Ken Hubbs, Walt Weiss, and Ozzie Gullien.
The Dodgers had a lot of infielders back then who bounced between positions:
ReplyDeleteSteve Garvey
Bill Sudakis
Billy Grabarkiewitz
and earlier...
Jim Lefebvre
Bob Bailey