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Old December 23rd 04, 02:04 AM
John Wade
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Default 1961 Topps #9, Bob Purkey

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Bob Purkey's 1961 Topps card #9 is shown here,
both front and back:

http://home.triad.rr.com/ovis/images/009-Purkey.jpg

http://home.triad.rr.com/ovis/images/009-Purkey-b.jpg

Bob had a good case for winning the Cy Young
award in 1962, the one that Don Drysdale won.
That year he won 23 games to Don's 25, but
lost only 4 to Don's 9. He also finished 3rd that
year in ERA with a very nice 2.81, with Drysdale
finishing right behind him with a 2.83 ERA.

Bob is what is called a "junkball" pitcher, with
about half of his pitches being knuckleballs, but
he had good control. He would allow a lot of
hits, but would somehow not allow a lot of runs.

In one game in 1960, Bob gave up 11 hits and
yet pitched a shutout!!

He was voted to the N.L. All-Star team in 1958,
1961, and 1962. He finished 8th in the voting
for MVP in 1962.

In August 1959, Bob came to bat against the
Cubs with the bases loaded, and hit a grand
slam, the only home run he would hit all year!!

Bob came up with the Pirates in 1954, was
traded to the Reds after the '57 season, and
played with the Reds through 1964. He was
then dealt to St. Louis for the '65 season, and
returned to the Pirates for 1966.

He had a lifetime ERA of 3.79.
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John Wade


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