1979 Topps Ted Sizemore

Ten years after winning the N.L. Rookie of the Year honors, Ted Sizemore took his turn as a Cubs second baseman. From 1965-1973 The Cubs second baseman was 4-time All Star Glenn Beckert. In 1983 10-time All Star Ryne Sandberg moved from 3rd base to 2nd and stayed there until his first retirement in 1994. From 1974-1982 the Cubs had a seemingly endless parade at second base. Manny Trillo would represent the Cubs in the 1977 All Star game.

These second basemen include:

  

Dave Rosello, Vic Harris,  Billy Grabarkewitz, 

  

Manny Trillo, Mick Kelleher, Steve Dillard, 

  

Steve Macko, Mike Tyson, 

  

Joe Strain, Pat Tabler, Scott Fletcher, 

 

Bump Wills, and Junior Kennedy.

1975 Topps 1969 Rookies of the Year

The 1969 Rookies of the Year were far from unanimous winners. 9 different players received votes. Ted Sizemore got 58% of the vote among 4 others in the National League. Lou Piniella received a mere 38% of the AL vote, beating out the 3 other AL candidates. Both Piniella and Sizemore would go on to have productive MLB careers and both of them received MVP votes in 1969. However, strictly by looking at their numbers arguments could be made for other candidates. 

1969 Topps Ted Sizemore

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.