What do Wally Pipp and Paul Schaal have in common? Although solid players, they both lost their jobs to future HOFers at their positions. It happens.
Schaal had an 11-year career during which he posted a league-average OPS+ of 99. He eschewed Sharpies and ballpoint pins for this auto and went with what looks to be a large permanent marker. I love the odd angle of the player/stadium on the card, as if Schall were the only stable entity in a world that was sliding to the right.
Schaal was also kind enough to send in one of the cooler player memories I've received. When asked about his best moment on the diamond, he said that one batter before him, Freddie Patek had homered. The pitcher, an infamous headhunter (do some research, he'd be easy to finger) tried to hit Schaal when he came up and knocked him down. Schaal put the next pitch in the seats for back-to-back HRs!
The best part: after "retiring" Schaal went back to school to become a chiropractor. Cool stuff.
Have a good one everybody and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!
Nice success!
ReplyDelete