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Lawrence Robert Colton
Philadelphia Phillies
Pitcher
Born: June 8, 1942, Los Angeles, CA
Signed: Signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent, September 5, 1964
Major League Teams: Philadelphia Phillies 1968
Donald Wayne Money
Philadelphia Phillies
Shortstop
Born: June 7, 1947, Washington, DC
Signed: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an amateur free agent, June 20, 1965
Major League Teams: Philadelphia Phillies 1968-1972; Milwaukee Brewers 1973-1983
World Series Appearances: Milwaukee Brewers 1982
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| December 3, 2016 - Don Money and Doug |
Don Money began his big league career as a shortstop with the Phillies, but the arrival of Larry Bowa necessitated his move to third base. Shortly thereafter a hot prospect named Mike Schmidt arrived in Philadelphia, and Money was dealt to the Brewers where he enjoyed the best years of his career.
He was an All-Star for the Brewers in 1974, 1976, 1977 and 1978 and was one of the top American League third baseman of the decade. Money's top season came in 1977 when he batted .279 with career highs in both home runs (25) and RBIs (83). He'd pivot to the DH role later in his career, last playing in the majors in 1983. He played a month in Japan in 1984 for the Kinetsu Buffaloes before retiring.
In 1,720 games, Money batted .261, collecting 1,623 hits, 176 home runs and 729 RBIs. One of the top fielders of his era, and often overshadowed by Brooks Robinson (#550), Money led all third basemen in fielding percentage three times and his .968 mark is currently 19th all-time. He was a long-time minor league manager in the Brewers' organization between 1987 and 2011, and he'd later move into the Brewers' front office as a special instructor of player development. Money was inducted into the Milwaukee Brewers Walk of Fame in 2005.
Building the Set / Card #14
April 30, 2022 from Ocean City Sports Show
The Card / Phillies Team Set / Colton Accuracy Index -1 / Money Accuracy Index -3
This is Money's rookie card, and Colton had already appeared in the 1968 Topps set on a Rookie Stars card with Dick Thoenen. Topps used the same exact photo of Colton for both his 1968 and 1969 cards. Given Money is hatless here, I'm assuming he's not actually wearing a Phillies uniform. It could be a minor league uniform from either the Pirates or Phillies system. The pinstripes on Money's jersey look blue to me?
In 1,720 games, Money batted .261, collecting 1,623 hits, 176 home runs and 729 RBIs. One of the top fielders of his era, and often overshadowed by Brooks Robinson (#550), Money led all third basemen in fielding percentage three times and his .968 mark is currently 19th all-time. He was a long-time minor league manager in the Brewers' organization between 1987 and 2011, and he'd later move into the Brewers' front office as a special instructor of player development. Money was inducted into the Milwaukee Brewers Walk of Fame in 2005.
April 30, 2022 from Ocean City Sports Show
Growing up in South Jersey, I'd look forward to the Ocean City Baseball Card show every summer, saving my precious birthday or gas mowing money so that I could spend it all during one glorious afternoon inside the Ocean City Music Pier among dozens of tables of vintage baseball cards. When my wife Jenna texted me that there was a baseball card show coming up in Ocean City on April 30th this past year, I admittedly got giddy. We needed 11 cards to complete our 1965 Topps set, I had plans to begin collecting a 1969 Topps set, and I figured I'd add a Diamond Stars card or two to that growing set. We loaded the family in the car, trekked down to Ocean City, and I stepped inside the Music Pier for the first time in over 20 years.
The memories came flooding back, but none of the former baseball card dealers from my youth did. There were maybe 15 tables scattered on the lower portion of the Music Pier floor and I immediately scanned mostly shiny slabbed cards, bobble heads, signed jerseys, and nary a vintage baseball card in sight. It was a little depressing. Determined to come away with something, anything for my collection, I scoured a "3 for $20" box and came away with a few cards for Doug's collection, namely Alec Bohm relic cards, and six cards from sets I wasn't even collecting yet, including this Don Money rookie card. Money signed the card at some point, and I have to imagine this signature is genuine given he's from the area and he's been a frequent autograph signer at local baseball card shows over the years.
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| 1968 Topps #348 |
This is Money's rookie card, and Colton had already appeared in the 1968 Topps set on a Rookie Stars card with Dick Thoenen. Topps used the same exact photo of Colton for both his 1968 and 1969 cards. Given Money is hatless here, I'm assuming he's not actually wearing a Phillies uniform. It could be a minor league uniform from either the Pirates or Phillies system. The pinstripes on Money's jersey look blue to me?
The back of the card highlights Colton's 14 wins while a member of the San Diego Padres, then the Phillies' top farm team, in 1967. Also mentioned is the "can't miss" tag given to Money, and he'd prove that to be true during his years with the Brewers.
This is one of 23 cards available in the set's fifth series available as either "yellow letter" or "white letter" variations, with the yellow letter variations being more prevalent. This is the more prevalent yellow letter variation with the two player's names printed in yellow.
Accuracy Index: Colton scores a -1, getting five points for appearing in a Phillies uniform, but then losing two points for not appearing with the Phillies in 1969, and losing four more points since Topps recycled the same photo already used in 1968. Money dropped to -3 given the fact he's hatless. Money's uniform is inconclusive, so I can't in good faith penalize him five more points.
Other Notable Baseball Cards - Colton
First Mainstream Card: 1968 Topps #348
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (2): 1968-1969
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 1969 Topps #454
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 7 in the Beckett online database as of 12/29/22.
Sources - Colton:
Other Notable Baseball Cards - Money
First Mainstream Card: 1969 Topps #454
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (16): 1969-1984
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2004 Upper Deck Legends Timeless Teams #224
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 111 in the Beckett online database as of 12/29/22.
Sources - Money:
1969 Season - Colton
Colton spent the entire 1969 season pitching for the Eugene Emeralds in the Pacific Coast League. He was 11-9 with a 4.18 ERA in 26 games, including 25 starts. Despite finding some success in AAA, the Phillies never brought him back to the majors.
Phillies Career - Colton
Wearing #21, Colton made his lone major league appearance in early May 1968 after being recalled from the San Diego Padres along with Roberto Pena (#184). Prospects Larry Hisle (#206) and Money were sent to San Diego on April 26, 1968, to gain more seasoning, leading to the promotion of Colton and Pena. Colton sat around for a few weeks before making his debut and facing Pete Rose (#120), Tony Perez (#295) and Johnny Bench (#95) in the Reds' line-up. He warmed up in the Phillies bullpen a few times throughout May, but never saw another inning in the majors. Colton's shoulder injury occurred on June 4th, landing him on the disabled list. He was demoted back to San Diego on July 6th.
On November 17, 1969, the Phillies traded the popular Johnny Callison (#133) and a player to be named later to the Cubs for Oscar Gamble and Dick Selma (#197). Colton would turn out to be that player to be named later, heading to the Cubs in January 1970.
Colton spent the entire 1969 season pitching for the Eugene Emeralds in the Pacific Coast League. He was 11-9 with a 4.18 ERA in 26 games, including 25 starts. Despite finding some success in AAA, the Phillies never brought him back to the majors.
Phillies Career - Colton
Wearing #21, Colton made his lone major league appearance in early May 1968 after being recalled from the San Diego Padres along with Roberto Pena (#184). Prospects Larry Hisle (#206) and Money were sent to San Diego on April 26, 1968, to gain more seasoning, leading to the promotion of Colton and Pena. Colton sat around for a few weeks before making his debut and facing Pete Rose (#120), Tony Perez (#295) and Johnny Bench (#95) in the Reds' line-up. He warmed up in the Phillies bullpen a few times throughout May, but never saw another inning in the majors. Colton's shoulder injury occurred on June 4th, landing him on the disabled list. He was demoted back to San Diego on July 6th.
On November 17, 1969, the Phillies traded the popular Johnny Callison (#133) and a player to be named later to the Cubs for Oscar Gamble and Dick Selma (#197). Colton would turn out to be that player to be named later, heading to the Cubs in January 1970.
1969 Season - Money
The Phillies' opening day shortstop, Money would make 126 starts overall and appear in 127 games. He missed a stretch of time in June presumably due to injury, with Terry Harmon (#624) filling in at shortstop. Money batted just .229 with 22 doubles, six home runs and 42 RBIs, but that was enough to earn him recognition on the Topps All-Star Rookie team for 1969.
Phillies Career - Money
Money was the centerpiece of a big trade between the Pirates and Phillies in December 1967 sending future Hall of Famer Jim Bunning (#175) to Pittsburgh. The infielder played in his first four big league games in April 1968, but spent the remainder of the season with the Triple-A San Diego Padres. He was in the majors for good after making the team's opening day roster in 1969 as their every day shortstop.
As mentioned above, he moved to third base in 1970 to make room for Bowa and he'd enjoy his finest year in a Phillies uniform, batting .295 with 14 home runs and 66 RBIs. He hit the first home run in Veterans Stadium history on opening day, April 10, 1971. His offense struggled a bit as the Phillies moved him around the field, including a stint in left field in 1971. He'd play in his final season with the Phillies in 1972, batting just .222 for the last place club. On October 31, 1972, Money, Bill Champion and John Vukovich were traded to the Brewers for Ken Brett (#476), Jim Lonborg (#109), Ken Sanders and Earl Stephenson. In 524 games with the Phillies, Money batted .241 with 42 home runs and 200 RBIs.
The Phillies' opening day shortstop, Money would make 126 starts overall and appear in 127 games. He missed a stretch of time in June presumably due to injury, with Terry Harmon (#624) filling in at shortstop. Money batted just .229 with 22 doubles, six home runs and 42 RBIs, but that was enough to earn him recognition on the Topps All-Star Rookie team for 1969.
Phillies Career - Money
Money was the centerpiece of a big trade between the Pirates and Phillies in December 1967 sending future Hall of Famer Jim Bunning (#175) to Pittsburgh. The infielder played in his first four big league games in April 1968, but spent the remainder of the season with the Triple-A San Diego Padres. He was in the majors for good after making the team's opening day roster in 1969 as their every day shortstop.
As mentioned above, he moved to third base in 1970 to make room for Bowa and he'd enjoy his finest year in a Phillies uniform, batting .295 with 14 home runs and 66 RBIs. He hit the first home run in Veterans Stadium history on opening day, April 10, 1971. His offense struggled a bit as the Phillies moved him around the field, including a stint in left field in 1971. He'd play in his final season with the Phillies in 1972, batting just .222 for the last place club. On October 31, 1972, Money, Bill Champion and John Vukovich were traded to the Brewers for Ken Brett (#476), Jim Lonborg (#109), Ken Sanders and Earl Stephenson. In 524 games with the Phillies, Money batted .241 with 42 home runs and 200 RBIs.
Other Notable Baseball Cards - Colton
First Mainstream Card: 1968 Topps #348
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (2): 1968-1969
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 1969 Topps #454
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 7 in the Beckett online database as of 12/29/22.
Sources - Colton:
Other Notable Baseball Cards - Money
First Mainstream Card: 1969 Topps #454
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (16): 1969-1984
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2004 Upper Deck Legends Timeless Teams #224
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 111 in the Beckett online database as of 12/29/22.
Sources - Money:
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Don Money was one of those childhood favorites of mine ... Larry Colton, I never heard of and am surprised I didn't know about his writing career. Pretty cool and a tiny bit jealous of the writing career he's had.
ReplyDeleteThe first Don Money baseball card I ever saw was his 1979 Topps card, and I thought at the time the All-Star banner put him on the same level as Mike Schmidt. When I later learned his career had started with the Phillies, I asked my Dad why in the world would our team trade him away. "Larry Bowa and Mike Schmidt," was his answer. Hard to argue with that.
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