Orioles Team (#348)

Here is the Orioles' team card for 1966. The 1966 cards were similar to the '67 cards except that they included the team's 1965 finish at the bottom. The Orioles went on to win the World Series in 1966.

(Orioles' pitchers in 1965 include aging veterans Harvey Haddix, Don Larsen, and Robin Roberts.) 

Brooks Robinson led in most offensive categories in 1965, but it seems strange to see Curt Blefary's name as the home run leader.

Prior to 1966, the O's acquired Frank Robinson, who won the Triple Crown in 1966. He also led the Orioles with 182 hits so it was a clean sweep. (We're going to ignore the fact that Luis Aparicio also had 182 hits for the O's, much like everyone ignores the fact that Harmon Killebrew tied Carl Yastrzemski with 44 home rums in 1967, while bestowing the 1967 Triple Crown on Yaz.)


Steve Barber and Milt Pappas were the pitching leaders in 1965, but look at Stu Miller's record - 14 wins as a reliever! In 1966, Dave McNally and Jim Palmer emerged as the top 2 pitchers, with Palmer leading the staff with 15 wins.

Only 4 Oriole hurlers would participate in the 1966 World Series.  Palmer, McNally, and Wally Bunker each pitched a complete game shutout.  McNally also started game #1, and was relieved by Moe Drabowsky, who no-hit the Dodgers for the final 6 2/3 innings while striking out 11.

White Sox Team (#426)

Here is the White Sox' team card for 1966. Unlike in other years, each team's previous year finish is noted on the card front. The Sox finished 1965 with a 95-67 record, but that was only good enough for 2nd place, 7 games behind the Minnesota Twins who finished with 105 wins.

In 1966 the Sox dropped to 4th place, 15 games behind the Orioles.

Offensive leaders Don Buford and Moose Skowron would both be gone in 2 years. Although an All-Star in 1965, Skowron's starts dropped from 145 in '65 to 98 in '66. By May 1967, the ex-Yankees' slugger was traded to the Angels for a minor-leaguer, and retired after the season.

Buford still had plenty of mileage left. After the '67 season he was traded to the Orioles in the Luis Aparicio deal, and had 5 productive full seasons with Baltimore, including 3 trips to the post-season.

On the pitching side, Joel Horlen, Gary Peters, and Tommy John were the top 3 starters. The White Sox got by with only 11 pitchers (having decisions) in 1965. Top reliever Eddie Fisher was traded to the Orioles (who else?) in June '66 for 2nd baseman Jerry Adair.

I'd like to compare these stats with those from 1966, but the 1967 White Sox card has the Cleveland Indians' stats on the back!

Athletics Team (#492)

Here is the Athletics Team card. Shown on the card is the 1965 team, the not-so-proud owners of a 59-103 record, which put them 43 games behind the AL champion Twins, and 3 games behind the 9th-place Red Sox.

The '66 Athletics improved to 74-86 (7th place), but the entire league improved that season. The last-place Yankees were 70-89, 26 games behind the Orioles.

SEVENTEEN PITCHERS! That's what happens when you stink. Rollie Sheldon and Fred Talbot led the team with 10 wins each, but they would be gone by the next year.

The A's were making some headway though. Young starting pitchers Catfish Hunter, Jim Nash, Lew Krausse, John Odom, and Chuck Dobson were gaining experience. Soon, Rick Monday, Sal Bando, and Reggie Jackson would be joining the team, and in a few years they would have a dynasty.

Unfortunately for the fans of Kansas City, that dynasty would be located in Oakland, and Kay-Cee would have to endure the growing pains of the the expansion Royals for another 7 years.