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Salvatore Leonard Bando
Oakland Athletics
Third Base
Born: February 13, 1944, Cleveland, OH
Drafted: Drafted by the Kansas City Athletics in the 6th round of the 1965 amateur draft, June 8, 1965
Major League Teams: Kansas City Athletics 1966-67; Oakland Athletics 1968-76; Milwaukee Brewers 1977-81
Major League Teams: Kansas City Athletics 1966-67; Oakland Athletics 1968-76; Milwaukee Brewers 1977-81
World Series Appearances: Oakland Athletics 1972-74
Died: January 20, 2023, Oconomowoc, WI (age 78)
Sal Bando played 16 years in the majors, and was the team captain for an Athletics dynasty that won three straight World Series titles between 1972 and 1974. Bando was a four-time All-Star with the Athletics, and one of the best third baseman in the American League in the 1970s, often overshadowed by the Orioles' Brooks Robinson (#550). His career year came in 1969 when he batted .281 with 31 home run and 113 RBIs, both power figures being career bests. Bando hit at least 20 home runs in six different seasons and drove in at least 100 runs twice. He was runner-up for the American League MVP award in 1972, finishing behind teammate Vida Blue, and he led the league in doubles with 32 in 1973. Bando departed Oakland following the 1976 season and spent five more years as the Brewers' third baseman and designated hitter before retiring in 1981. He batted .254 for his career, with 1,790 hits, 289 doubles, 242 home runs and 1,039 RBIs. Bando held the Athletics' franchise record for home runs (192) and RBIs (789) until being passed by Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire, respectively.
Bando's second act was as a successful front office executive. He joined the Brewers' front office and was named the club's general manager in 1991, holding that position until 1999. Bando is a member of both the Oakland Athletics Hall of Fame and the Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor.
Died: January 20, 2023, Oconomowoc, WI (age 78)
Sal Bando played 16 years in the majors, and was the team captain for an Athletics dynasty that won three straight World Series titles between 1972 and 1974. Bando was a four-time All-Star with the Athletics, and one of the best third baseman in the American League in the 1970s, often overshadowed by the Orioles' Brooks Robinson (#550). His career year came in 1969 when he batted .281 with 31 home run and 113 RBIs, both power figures being career bests. Bando hit at least 20 home runs in six different seasons and drove in at least 100 runs twice. He was runner-up for the American League MVP award in 1972, finishing behind teammate Vida Blue, and he led the league in doubles with 32 in 1973. Bando departed Oakland following the 1976 season and spent five more years as the Brewers' third baseman and designated hitter before retiring in 1981. He batted .254 for his career, with 1,790 hits, 289 doubles, 242 home runs and 1,039 RBIs. Bando held the Athletics' franchise record for home runs (192) and RBIs (789) until being passed by Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire, respectively.
Bando's second act was as a successful front office executive. He joined the Brewers' front office and was named the club's general manager in 1991, holding that position until 1999. Bando is a member of both the Oakland Athletics Hall of Fame and the Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor.
December 3, 2023 from The Philly Show (Uncle Dick's Cards)
Doug and I returned to The Philly Show in early December, once again held inside the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. eBay has taken over sponsorship of the show, with the quaint, bubble-lettered Philly Show logo that had been in place since the 1980s replaced with a more modern logo, keeping with the times. I wrote about the show in a post over at The Phillies Room.
Similar to my strategy from March, I wanted to focus on accumulating commons and having found success with Uncle Dick's Cards before, I didn't mess around and headed right for the neon green binders. I pulled 145 cards from the binder containing cards 301 to the end of the set, stopping when I reached 500. This card was the 54th of 145 cards purchased for our set, and after the dealer discount due to my bulk purchase, it cost me a little over $1.
The Card / Athletics Team Set / Accuracy Index +2
The photo used for Bando's 1968 Topps card is just slightly different from the photo used here, with Bando removing his Kansas City hat for both. He'd appear again later in the set on an A's Stars card (#556) with Bert Campaneris (#495) and Danny Cater (#44). Topps reprinted the card for its 2002 Topps Archives set, with Bando also signing copies of the reprint for an Autographs insert included with that set.
Still young in his career, Topps uses the back of the card to discuss his minor league success and his .480 average at the College World Series in 1964, as a member of the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Accuracy Index: Bando's card is accurate (+5), but loses points given he's hatless (-3).
1969 Season
Manager Hank Bauer (#124) named Bando as team captain in May 1969, and he'd hold that title until leaving the club via free agency following the 1976 season. Bando had a career year, as mentioned above, and started all 162 games for the Athletics at third base. Only right fielder Reggie Jackson (#260) topped his offensive numbers.
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First Mainstream Card: 1967 Topps #33
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (15): 1967-81
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2022 Topps Allen & Ginter #324
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 162 in the Beckett online database as of 8/11/24.
Sources:
Baseball Reference / SABR / Wikipedia
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