Where am I? Who am I? How did I come to be here? What is this thing called the Pine? How did I come to the Pine? Why was I not consulted? And if I am compelled to take part in this, where is the man in charge? I want to see him?
Actually, I’ll settle for the answer to the question, who am I? But remember to try this without research. If the answer doesn’t come to you immediately, be sure to share your thought process, as you may assist another in his or her quest to help me answer this “existential” question.
By Chas
I was the last switch-hitter to win the American League MVP, but you probably don’t remember me for that.
In the time that has passed since, six different switch-hitters have won the National League MVP (Jimmy Rollins being the most recent), but not a single player from the junior circuit.
I played for a team that had a pretty good run, although we fell short of the World Series the year I won MVP. Not the next year, though. We won it all that season, but I missed a good portion of the year due to a contract dispute. It wasn’t our only championship, however, but I never quite lived up to expectations in any of the World Series I played in.
A few years later, our team underwent a fire sale of sorts. Our owner either traded away or allowed all our best players to leave via free agency. He tried to trade me too–twice–but the commissioner invoked his “in the best interests of baseball” powers and blocked both trade attempts. A couple years later, we finished in last place and I was finally traded away, to our nearest geographic rival.
My first year with my new team was a good one, but after that my very solid career was already on the down side by the time I turned 30. A little substance abuse problem had something to do with it.
Despite flaming out early, I was selected to six all-star teams, but I wasn’t good enough to receive serious Hall of Fame consideration. I peaked at just under 10% of the vote, and dropped off the ballot after four years. Not bad for a poor kid from Louisiana.
Who Am I?
Okay read that and got stuck on the word addiction. Seems to be a problem there. Substance abuse problems and suspensions – that seems like the 80s is the time we are talking about.
I am racking my brain and the last switch hitter I can remember winning the AL MVP is Mickey Mantle in 1956 – and that isn’t close.
Any ideas people?? Possibly a no-name? Could a pitcher be a switch hitter and win the MVP??
I am off to work.. Will try to check in later if the battery on my phone lasts.
Aha! I’m pretty sure I know the answer. But I won’t give it away yet for others. It wasn’t someone from their every day line up. The team had to be the A’s and the owner had to be Charlie Finley. The player’s last name was the name of a song by a country singer who died in 1963.
The clues sure fit someone who played for Charlie Finley’s Oakland A’s in the early ’70s. I believe I know the answer … we discussed this person last week … or at least his name came up in connection with another question.
Smitty … your last question is a very good one. But this person is not a “no-name” … afterall he was a 6 time All-Star! Traded to the SF Giants on the downside of his career.
Patsy Cline! Oh wait…that’s the answer to the wrong question.
You know it’s too easy when two people are like “I know it, but I’m not going to give it away for the rest of you.” 🙂
“I know it, but I’m not going to give it away for the rest of you.”
Make that three people.
After reading the comments, I know the answer as well..Who will say it?
Why is it that I can’t recall Vida Blue’s substance abuse problem?
Maybe you were hanging with him at the time.
https://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-21/sports/sp-1176_1_cocaine-violations
Ahh, mid 80’s, that explains it. That was a blur of a decade for a lot of people. Personally, I know I lived through it, but details for me at least, are sketchy.
For extra credit, who were the other starting pitchers that teamed up with Vida Blue on the ’72-74 Oakland A’s world champs dynasty team???
Ken Holzman, Blue Moon Odom, Catfish Hunter and Rollie Fingers I believe…I went to Game 2 of the 74′ World Series at Dodger Stadium…Don Sutton beat Vida Blue 3-2 Mike Marshall got the save…It was the only game LA won…I still have my ticket stub…Sunday Oct.13,1974…Fergie homered ! Great memories 🙂
I concur Bill, sketchy at best ! I believe ESPN did a piece within the past yearor two about the story Chas referenced above…Those guys would have snorted the foul lines in 1985.
Yes, yes, yes and nooooooo! Rollie Fingers was not a starter, but obviously an excellent reliever. You’re still missing one guy who was a starter all 3 years, but essentially the “5th starter”. He did not start as many times as the other guys … 4 man rotations were the norm back then.
I imagine that was a great memory … I’m positive I watched that game … heck, I watched ALL the WS games.
Man … Catfish had some GREAT years with the A’s.
I forgot Glen Abbott. So did most people. That team also won 3 straight Championships. One hell of a team.
Can anyone guess who was the TV color analyst on that 74.team ?
Sorry radio not tv. Doh !
Close but no cigar, Crash. There’s a much better answer than Abbott. The 5th starter was a lefty.
You should know this … Who managed the A’s in ’74 when Dick Williams left after the first two titles and then had a dispute with Charlie O??
Can’t think of the other pitcher. Alvin Dark took over for Dick Williams.
Correct on Alvin Dark. Dave Hamilton was their 5th starter for all 3 title years
Chick Hearn?? Vin Scully?? Your dad????
Jon Miller
Hahaha – Helmet stickers for this discussion.