Horizontal Vintage Catcher Greatness

I can't speak to the greatness of the player, but I do love the card.




It looks like Joe Ferguson is either returning to the plate from a bathroom break or from chasing a foul ball. Either way, I love the "non-action" action shot. I'm a big fan of shots that aren't your typical pose. This isn't exactly a play at the plate as the catcher is running toward the batter, who I believe is Phillie Craig Robinson. Robinson wore 18 for the Phils in '73.

As for the play, notice the crowd looking back and to their right. If Ferguson was chasing a foul ball, he seriously misjudged it's trajectory. I wonder if it might have bounced off the dugout and back into the crowd.

Joe Ferguson played 14 years in the majors. He appeared in 1,013 games. He hit 122 homers and drove in 445 runs while batting .240. He appeared in two World Series with the Dodgers, 1974 and 1978. Unfortunately for Joe, the Dodgers didn't win either one.

Thanks for a great card Joe...and Topps too I guess.