Bob Aspromonte

Who: Third Baseman Bob Aspromonte

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: TTM 2/1 10/10/2009 (8 days)

Comments: This is one of the best returns I've ever received through the mail. Not because Mr. Aspromonte is a huge star, or rarely signs. It's one of the best because of how he handled returning my card. Not only did he sign my card beautifully in thin, blue Sharpie, he also included a sheet with his own biographical information, signed no less, and also answered a question I had about his very short career with the Reds. Not that anyone else does that, but it was a treat to get back, and I appreciate the time he took to add those details to the return envelope. This one is certainly up there with the return from another Red, Johnny Edwards. He included a signed photo of himself as well as signing the protective card I had along for the ride. These guys really make this hobby fun.

As for Bob's career with the Reds: He was invited to spring training, but was not on the club's roster for opening day. Obviously, he still ended up with a Topps card with him featured in a Reds uniform, but by the start of the '72 season, for all intents and purposes, Bob was retired from baseball.

Before his short-lived stint with the Reds, Bob enjoyed a pretty successful 13 year career. He is best known as an Astro/Colt .45, but also spent time with Dodgers (LA & Brooklyn), Braves and Mets.

Bob's Wikipedia entry has a great little humanitarian story about him:

In 1963, an Arkansas little leaguer (Bill Bradley of El Dorado) who had been struck by lightning and blinded during a baseball game came to Houston for medical treatment. Aspromonte visited the child, and promised to hit a home run for him. That night, the light-hitting utility player smashed a home run out of Colt Stadium. Twice more the child would visit Houston for treatment, and twice more he would ask for homers from Aspromonte. Both time, Aspromonte hit grand slams - first against the Cubs and then against the Mets.

Really, really great stuff.

Of course, this is another great addition to the '72 Topps Reds set I am working on. I must say, it's going pretty well.