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Robert Daniel Didier
Atlanta Braves
Catcher
Born: February 16, 1949, Hattiesburg, MS
Drafted: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 4th round of the 1967 amateur draft, June 6, 1967
Major League Teams: Atlanta Braves 1969-72; Detroit Tigers 1973; Boston Red Sox 1974
Walter John Hriniak
Atlanta Braves
Catcher
Born: May 22, 1943, Natick, MA
Signed: Signed by the Milwaukee Braves as an amateur free agent, June 15, 1961
Major League Teams: Atlanta Braves 1968-69; San Diego Padres 1969
Gary Wayne Neibauer
Atlanta Braves
Pitcher
Born: October 29, 1944, Billings, MT
Drafted: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 2nd round of the 1966 amateur draft, June 7, 1966
Major League Teams: Atlanta Braves 1969-72; Philadelphia Phillies 1972; Atlanta Braves 1973
Walt Hriniak played in only parts of two major league seasons with the Braves and Padres, but he'd develop into one of the best and well-known hitting coaches in the game in the 1980s and 1990s. Hriniak was a September call-up by the Braves in 1968, and he'd play in seven games for the team early in the 1969 season before a trade in mid-June sent him to the Padres. He'd appear in 31 games for the Padres in their inaugural season, his last action as a player in the majors. Hriniak played in the minors through the 1973 season. His coaching journey began in the minor leagues, and Hriniak became known as a tireless and precise batting practice pitcher. He'd soon be sharing his hitting theories as a coach with the Expos (1974-75), Red Sox (1977-88) and White Sox (1989-1995), with Carl Yastrzemski (#130), Wade Boggs and Frank Thomas among his students. It's amazing that Hriniak, a lifetime .253 batter in the majors with no extra-base hits, would go on to be the trusted hitting advisor to many Hall of Famers.
Building the Set / Card #511
December 15, 2024 from The Philly Show (Uncle Dick's Cards)
On Sunday, December 15th, Doug and I attended the latest Philly Show, spaciously spread out inside Hall A of the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. I wrote a full show report over at The Phillies Room, including some thoughts on attending the show with our oldest son, who first graced the Philly Show floors back in 2012.
December 15, 2024 from The Philly Show (Uncle Dick's Cards)
On Sunday, December 15th, Doug and I attended the latest Philly Show, spaciously spread out inside Hall A of the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. I wrote a full show report over at The Phillies Room, including some thoughts on attending the show with our oldest son, who first graced the Philly Show floors back in 2012.
Having had success the prior two shows at Uncle Dick's Cards with his well-organized, neon common binders, I opted to pull up a chair once again at the friendly dealer's array of tables. The aim was simple: Clear out Uncle Dick's 1969 Topps commons, starting off where I had left off the year before with card #501 and going through the end of the set, card #664. In less than 25 minutes, I completed my quest, and this is the 67th of 98 commons pulled from the binder. After a generous dealer discount due to my bulk purchase, this card cost me less than $3.
The Card / Braves Team Set
Didier Accuracy Index +5 / Hriniak Accuracy Index +5 / Neibauer Accuracy Index +5
This is one of 11 Rookie Stars cards featuring a trio of players from the seventh and final series of the set. That's 33 additional rookies or prospects Topps felt the need to squeeze into last series of their 1969 set, giving collectors a look at a bunch of rookies who, in most cases, had spent time or been a contributor to their team throughout the year. Didier is wearing a Braves hat and jersey, and Topps gave us a better look at his catching gear on his 1970 card. This is the rookie card for all three players.
This is one of 11 Rookie Stars cards featuring a trio of players from the seventh and final series of the set. That's 33 additional rookies or prospects Topps felt the need to squeeze into last series of their 1969 set, giving collectors a look at a bunch of rookies who, in most cases, had spent time or been a contributor to their team throughout the year. Didier is wearing a Braves hat and jersey, and Topps gave us a better look at his catching gear on his 1970 card. This is the rookie card for all three players.
Accuracy Index: All three players score a +5 for their accurate depictions.
1969 Season - Didier
Bob Tillman (#374) got the opening day start behind the plate for the Braves, but Didier started the next five games and quickly earned more playing time than the veteran Tillman. He'd start 108 games overall, with Tillman getting 52 starts and fellow catcher Hriniak making a pair of starts. In the NLCS against the Mets, Didier went 0 for 11 as the Braves were swept in three games.
Bob Tillman (#374) got the opening day start behind the plate for the Braves, but Didier started the next five games and quickly earned more playing time than the veteran Tillman. He'd start 108 games overall, with Tillman getting 52 starts and fellow catcher Hriniak making a pair of starts. In the NLCS against the Mets, Didier went 0 for 11 as the Braves were swept in three games.
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Other Notable Baseball Cards - Didier
First Mainstream Card: 1969 Topps #611
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (5): 1969-71, 1973-74
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 1994 Fleer ProCards #986
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 31 in the Beckett online database as of 5/24/25.
Sources - Didier:
Baseball Reference / SABR / Wikipedia
First Mainstream Card: 1969 Topps #611
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (5): 1969-71, 1973-74
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 1994 Fleer ProCards #986
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 31 in the Beckett online database as of 5/24/25.
Sources - Didier:
Baseball Reference / SABR / Wikipedia
1969 Season - Hriniak
Hriniak broke a bone in his right thumb, starting the season on the disabled list and handing the catching duties to Didier. It's likely by the time this card was created, he was already with the Padres organization, as he was traded on June 13th with Andy Finlay and Van Kelly for Tony Gonzalez (#501). Hriniak started 17 games behind the plate for the Padres, backing up their regular, Chris Cannizzaro (#131). He'd play in his final big league game on September 30th.
Hriniak broke a bone in his right thumb, starting the season on the disabled list and handing the catching duties to Didier. It's likely by the time this card was created, he was already with the Padres organization, as he was traded on June 13th with Andy Finlay and Van Kelly for Tony Gonzalez (#501). Hriniak started 17 games behind the plate for the Padres, backing up their regular, Chris Cannizzaro (#131). He'd play in his final big league game on September 30th.
1969 Season - Neibauer
I'm not sure if Neibauer made the Braves' opening day roster or not, as he did start three games at some point during the season for their top affiliate in Richmond. With Atlanta, he was one of manager Lum Harris' (#196) most frequently used relievers, pitching 57 2/3 innings. Only closer Cecil Upshaw (#568) with 105 1/3 innings pitched in relief had more action. Neibauer pitched a scoreless inning in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Mets.
Phillies Career - Neibauer
On June 15, 1972, the Braves traded Neibauer and Jim Nash (#546) to the Phillies for Joe Hoerner (#522) and Andre Thornton. It was a very good deal for the Braves, and a very bad deal for the Phillies. Neibauer pitched in nine games for the Phillies throughout the summer and was 0-2 with a 5.30 ERA in 18 2/3 innings pitched. He was either injured or just not used, given his limited appearances out of the bullpen throughout the second half of the season. He'd start the 1973 season with the Triple-A Eugene Emeralds before being released by the Phillies on June 22nd, and re-signing with the Braves that same day. Neibauer's very brief stint with the Phillies did result in him appearing in the team's 1972 photo card set.
I'm not sure if Neibauer made the Braves' opening day roster or not, as he did start three games at some point during the season for their top affiliate in Richmond. With Atlanta, he was one of manager Lum Harris' (#196) most frequently used relievers, pitching 57 2/3 innings. Only closer Cecil Upshaw (#568) with 105 1/3 innings pitched in relief had more action. Neibauer pitched a scoreless inning in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Mets.
On June 15, 1972, the Braves traded Neibauer and Jim Nash (#546) to the Phillies for Joe Hoerner (#522) and Andre Thornton. It was a very good deal for the Braves, and a very bad deal for the Phillies. Neibauer pitched in nine games for the Phillies throughout the summer and was 0-2 with a 5.30 ERA in 18 2/3 innings pitched. He was either injured or just not used, given his limited appearances out of the bullpen throughout the second half of the season. He'd start the 1973 season with the Triple-A Eugene Emeralds before being released by the Phillies on June 22nd, and re-signing with the Braves that same day. Neibauer's very brief stint with the Phillies did result in him appearing in the team's 1972 photo card set.
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Other Notable Baseball Cards - Hriniak
First Mainstream Card: 1969 Topps #611
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (2): 1969-70
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 1970 Topps #392
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 14 in the Beckett online database as of 5/24/25.
Sources - Hriniak:
Baseball Reference / SABR / Wikipedia
First Mainstream Card: 1969 Topps #611
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (2): 1969-70
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 1970 Topps #392
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 14 in the Beckett online database as of 5/24/25.
Sources - Hriniak:
Baseball Reference / SABR / Wikipedia
Other Notable Baseball Cards - Neibauer
First Mainstream Card: 1969 Topps #611
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (4): 1969-72
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 1972 Topps #149
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 11 in the Beckett online database as of 5/24/25.
Sources - Neibauer:
Baseball Reference / Wikipedia
First Mainstream Card: 1969 Topps #611
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (4): 1969-72
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 1972 Topps #149
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 11 in the Beckett online database as of 5/24/25.
Sources - Neibauer:
Baseball Reference / Wikipedia
#610 Jim Hardin - Baltimore Orioles / #612 Jack Aker - Seattle Pilots
Yes, that was a VERY bad trade for the Philles. Nash went 0-9 I think, while Hoerner was still serviceable and Andre Thornton was, well, best not to think about that too much. :)
ReplyDeleteI remember looking at the Phillies' 1972 pitching stats on baseball-reference.com one time, and aside from Steve Carlton, the rest were terrible.