All Time Set: That's Arnold Ray

I don't know why, but Arnold Ray "Bake" McBride my favorite (old-time) player. I was born in 1970, and growing up in Philadelphia through the 70s, when a young man really forms his connections, we had some good teams. Three straight divisions, then losing out to the Pirates, then the World Series in 1980, and again in 1983. In addition to the elite players like Schmidt, Carlton, and Rose, we had Boone, Bowa, Lonborg, Luzinski, Maddox, Mathews, and Trillo, McGraw, All-Stars at almost every position. But for some reason, Bake McBride was the one I tuned into. He was just cool. Coming up with the Cardinals, he couldn't get into the outfield there, and the Phils obtained him for his speed and average. While he only really played 2 full seasons, that didn't matter. He could hit, run, had a distinctive nickname, and could grow his 'fro out, which was important at the time. He seemed to always get timely hits. I may be mistaken, but I seem to recall him hitting 2 pinch-hit grandslams in one week. Maybe it was the team in general that did. He was a good player, but never seemed to quite make the most of his talent, which I also identify with. Too many distractions. After the Phils traded him to Cleveland (not for Von Hayes, but Sid Monge), I'm not sure what happened. I think something went wrong with is eyesight. And I don't know where his nickname came from. Anyway, he was Rookie of the Year in 1974, and if he had gotten 6 more hits, he would have had a lifetime average of .300. If anyone has Bake McBride collectibles, especially 1974 Topps #601 PSA 9, LMK. He has cards 1974-1984, and has starting appearing in 2004 historical sets. I also own various ungraded cards, an RC Cola can, a 1980 Phils WS button that says "I \^^/ Bake McBride," and a Little League Bake McBride model bat.