Dick Such-1970 Senators

[Aa3rt]

This (Sunday, May 18) afternoon I had the pleasure of meeting "Autograph Collector", moderator of the "Baseball Card Collecting and Memorabilia" forum, and his girlfriend. We attended a game of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (Independent Atlantic League) who hosted the Camden (NJ) Riversharks. (Camden won, 4-3.)

Part of my reason for wanting to attend is the fact that former Senator Dick Such is a coach for Camden. After the game I managed to obtain Mr. Such's autograph on his 1970 Topps baseball card. (Not necessarily of interest to Senators fans, but I also got the autograph of Joe Ferguson, Camden's manager.)

I asked Mr. Such what he remembered about his days in Washington. He mentioned 1970 Opening Day (The Detroit Tigers defeated the Senators 5-0.), playing for Ted Williams and alongside Frank Howard.

Dick Such career record (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=suchdi01)

Here's the card:

[AutographCollector]

This (Sunday, May 18) afternoon I had the pleasure of meeting "Autograph Collector", moderator of the "Baseball Card Collecting and Memorabilia" forum, and his girlfriend. We attended a game of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (Independent Atlantic League) who hosted the Camden (NJ) Riversharks. (Camden won, 4-3.)

Part of my reason for wanting to attend is the fact that former Senator Dick Such is a coach for Camden. After the game I managed to obtain Mr. Such's autograph on his 1970 Topps baseball card. (Not necessarily of interest to Senators fans, but I also got the autograph of Joe Ferguson, Camden's manager.)

I asked Mr. Such what he remembered about his days in Washington. He mentioned 1970 Opening Day (The Detroit Tigers defeated the Senators 5-0.), playing for Ted Williams and alongside Frank Howard.

Dick Such career record (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=suchdi01)

Here's the card:

Hey Art,
It was a pleasure meeting you today. Too bad we showed up a few minutes late, and it drizzled on and off. But it was a good close game. What did you have Ferguson sign?
Oh and thanks for the foul ball. It's sitting next to the Eastern League ball that I got last year at a Binghamton Mets game vs the Baysox.

[Steve Jeltz]

Thanks for posting that card, Art. Somewhat Senator related, but Dick Such was the pitching coach under Tom Kelly in Minnesota, IIRC. Such's only win came in relief of Jim Shellenback on April 28, 1970 in a 9-6 win over Milwaukee at RFK. It's good to see that Such took the time to share his memories of his time in Washington.

After seeing the Topps card, I thought it would be fun to see how Gene Martin and Dick Stelmaszek fared. Stelmaszek appeared in 9 games with the 1971 Sens, going hitless in 9 AB. After getting another 9 AB with the 1973 Rangers, he was shipped to the Angels, where he appeared in 22 games with 3 RBI. In 1974, he was dealt to the Cubs, where he would end his major league career, for Senator alum Horatio Pina.

As for Gene Martin, he hit .364 in 9 games for the 1968 Sens, with 1 HR and 1 RBI, the only major league action of his career. Martin connected of the Yankees Stan Bahnsen as a pinch hitter in the top of the 6th on Sept. 8, 1968 in a 7-2 Senators loss at Yankee Stadium. Martin was one of the 3 farmhands dealt to Philadelphia in the Curt Flood deal.

[TallIndian]

Gene Martin was one of the many players whose career was affected/interupted by the draft (military not baseball). He spent two years in Vietnam.

He later played in Japan and hit about 200 home runs.

http://baseballguru.com/jalbright/analysisjalbright03c.html#1970c_Gene_Martin

Though the record books indicate that he was outfielder, I recall him playing first base for the Nats in one game. He dropped a pop-up with the bases loaded. Fortunately, for the Nats, the batter was automatically out on the infield fly rule.


I also believe he was calle 'Rick' Stelmaszek. He was to be the Senators 'Catcher of the Future'.

[bigtrain]

Dick is a great person.

FYI - Stelly will sign the card TTM if you send it c/o Minnesota Twins.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x16/sylbry/Pics/dicksuchjerseys.jpg