Astros Stars--1967
Mired with a .400 winning percentage since their inception in 1962, Topps
anointed Dave Adlesh and Wes Bales as the Houston Astros Rookie Stars for
their 1967 set. At age 22 and 23 respectively, Adlesh and Bales were projected to
be part of the Astros' climb to .500.
Unfortunately, when Houston reached the point where they won half of their
games in 1969, neither Adlesh nor Bales was with the organization, let alone in
the big leagues.
Adlesh would finish his big league days in an Astros’ uniform in 1968, hitting an
anemic .183 in 40 games for Houston, yet logged his career highlight of calling
Don Wilson’s no-hitter of Atlanta on June 17, 1968. With a career major league
average of .168 and one home run, Adlesh would play two more years at Triple-A
before hanging up his glove following the 1970 season.
Meanwhile, Bales hit .111 in 27 at-bats for the Astros spread out over the ’67
season. His highlight was a 2-for-3 day against the Mets on June 30th, collecting
two-thirds of his hits for the 1967 season. The utility infielder would bounce
between Houston’s Double-A and Triple-A squads in 1968 before calling it quits.
So much for the rookie stars who were going to lead the Astros to the Promised
Land.
Seems to us the best rookie stars card for the Astros in 1967 should have
featured first baseman Bob Watson and third baseman Doug Radar. Watson
played six games for Houston in 1967 en route to his 12 years with the Astros and
two All-Star Game appearances. Radar would spell an aging Eddie Mathews at
first base and log a few games at third for Bob Aspromonte in the first of nine big
league seasons with Houston, where he collected five Gold Gloves beginning in
1970.
Of course, hindsight is always 20-20.
(6/28/09)
anointed Dave Adlesh and Wes Bales as the Houston Astros Rookie Stars for
their 1967 set. At age 22 and 23 respectively, Adlesh and Bales were projected to
be part of the Astros' climb to .500.
Unfortunately, when Houston reached the point where they won half of their
games in 1969, neither Adlesh nor Bales was with the organization, let alone in
the big leagues.
Adlesh would finish his big league days in an Astros’ uniform in 1968, hitting an
anemic .183 in 40 games for Houston, yet logged his career highlight of calling
Don Wilson’s no-hitter of Atlanta on June 17, 1968. With a career major league
average of .168 and one home run, Adlesh would play two more years at Triple-A
before hanging up his glove following the 1970 season.
Meanwhile, Bales hit .111 in 27 at-bats for the Astros spread out over the ’67
season. His highlight was a 2-for-3 day against the Mets on June 30th, collecting
two-thirds of his hits for the 1967 season. The utility infielder would bounce
between Houston’s Double-A and Triple-A squads in 1968 before calling it quits.
So much for the rookie stars who were going to lead the Astros to the Promised
Land.
Seems to us the best rookie stars card for the Astros in 1967 should have
featured first baseman Bob Watson and third baseman Doug Radar. Watson
played six games for Houston in 1967 en route to his 12 years with the Astros and
two All-Star Game appearances. Radar would spell an aging Eddie Mathews at
first base and log a few games at third for Bob Aspromonte in the first of nine big
league seasons with Houston, where he collected five Gold Gloves beginning in
1970.
Of course, hindsight is always 20-20.
(6/28/09)
