in 1973, topps did not issue a card for jim lefebvre, which disappointed me as i began collecting the dodgers team sets for each year. 1972 was lefebvre's final season - his eighth, all as a dodger. i have mentioned before that lefebvre was my dad's favorite player, so i have a certain affinity towards him. now, thanks to modern technology, here is jim lefebvre's final tribute.
the 1965 rookie of the year, lefebvre had perhaps his best season in 1966 with 24 homeruns and an ops of .793. he was selected to the all-star team and finished 18th in the mvp voting that year. the dodgers appeared in their second straight world series, and although they were swept by the orioles, it wasn't too bad of a start for lefebvre's career. after a comparatively down year in 1967, lefebvre's playing time diminished in 1968 as he missed all of may and most of june, assumedly to an injury.
with the arrival of the dodgers' heralded 1968 draft class in the early 70s, i imagine his playing time was limited more and more. lefebvre made his final appearance on september 19, 1972 as a pinch-hitter, striking out against mike corkins. he finished with a career batting average of .251.
like some of his dodger teammates, jim appeared on television, including guest spots on 'gilligan's island' and 'batman'. he went on to manage the mariners, cubs, and brewers, as well as the chinese national team, and he is currently the hitting coach for the san diego padres.
thanks baseball reference!
the 1965 rookie of the year, lefebvre had perhaps his best season in 1966 with 24 homeruns and an ops of .793. he was selected to the all-star team and finished 18th in the mvp voting that year. the dodgers appeared in their second straight world series, and although they were swept by the orioles, it wasn't too bad of a start for lefebvre's career. after a comparatively down year in 1967, lefebvre's playing time diminished in 1968 as he missed all of may and most of june, assumedly to an injury.
with the arrival of the dodgers' heralded 1968 draft class in the early 70s, i imagine his playing time was limited more and more. lefebvre made his final appearance on september 19, 1972 as a pinch-hitter, striking out against mike corkins. he finished with a career batting average of .251.
like some of his dodger teammates, jim appeared on television, including guest spots on 'gilligan's island' and 'batman'. he went on to manage the mariners, cubs, and brewers, as well as the chinese national team, and he is currently the hitting coach for the san diego padres.
thanks baseball reference!
1 comment:
I remember Jim when he managed the Phoenix Giants back in the mid-80s. I miss minor league baseball. Since the Diamondbacks came to Phoenix, the closest minor league park for me is probably Albuquerque (about 5 hours away) or Tucson (about 4 hours away).
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