The YAZ Page!
Carl Yastrzemski
#8
Carl Yastrzemski
#8
Welcome to Nowbatting19's tribute to Boston Red Sox legend, Carl Yastrzemski! On this page, we feature most of Yaz's baseball cards, some stats, stories, and more! Carl Yastrzemski
took over left field from the great Ted Williams, and created his own legend! Yaz could do it all; hit, field, run, and throw. He was the last player to win baseball's Triple Crown (led league
in batting average, home runs, & runs batted in) in 1967, and helped to lead the Red Sox to two World Series (1967, 1975). There was a lot of heart break on the way (being a Red Sox
fan) but when you look back at Yaz's accomplishments, you have to say he had a wonderful career. Here is our tribute to number #8, Carl Yastrzemski! Enjoy!
took over left field from the great Ted Williams, and created his own legend! Yaz could do it all; hit, field, run, and throw. He was the last player to win baseball's Triple Crown (led league
in batting average, home runs, & runs batted in) in 1967, and helped to lead the Red Sox to two World Series (1967, 1975). There was a lot of heart break on the way (being a Red Sox
fan) but when you look back at Yaz's accomplishments, you have to say he had a wonderful career. Here is our tribute to number #8, Carl Yastrzemski! Enjoy!
| Carl Yastrzemski Topps Baseball Cards 1960-1984 Click on image for larger picture! |
1960 #148 1961 #287 1962 #425 1963 #115 1964 #8 1964 #182 1964 #210 1964 Giant #48 1964 Stand Up 1965 #385
Rookie card '63 AL Batting Ldrs Sox Sockers
Rookie card '63 AL Batting Ldrs Sox Sockers
1965 Embossed 1966 #70 1966 #216 1967 #355 1968 #2 1968 #4 1968 #6 1968 #152 1968 #192 1968 #250
'65 AL Batting Ldrs '67 AL Batting Ldrs '67 AL RBI Ldrs '67 AL HR Ldrs ' 67 World Series Gm 3 3rd Series Checklist
'65 AL Batting Ldrs '67 AL Batting Ldrs '67 AL RBI Ldrs '67 AL HR Ldrs ' 67 World Series Gm 3 3rd Series Checklist
1968 #369 1968 Game #3 1969 #1 1969 #130 1969 #425 1969 Deckle Edge 1969 Super 1970 #10 1970 #461 1970 Scratch Off 1970 Super #29 1971 #61
All Star '68 AL Batting Ldrs All-Star All-Star '70 AL Batting Ldrs
All Star '68 AL Batting Ldrs All-Star All-Star '70 AL Batting Ldrs
1971 #65 1971 #530 1971 Greatest Moments #40 1971 Super #49 1972 #37 1972 #38 1973 #245 1974 #280 1974 Deckle Edge #43 1975 #205 1975 #280
'70 AL HR Ldrs In Action Proof '67 MVP's
'
'70 AL HR Ldrs In Action Proof '67 MVP's
'
1976 #230 1977 #434 1977 #480 1977 Cloth Stickers 1978 #40 1979 #320 1980 #1 1980 #720 1981 #110 1982 #650 1982 #651
Turn Back Clock '67 '79 Highlights In Action
Turn Back Clock '67 '79 Highlights In Action
1983 #550 1983 #551 1984 #6
' Super Veteran '83 Highlight
' Super Veteran '83 Highlight
Please note that this is not a complete listing of Yastrzemski's Topps issues. Some cards, such as Yaz's 1975 Topps Mini #280 and 1984 Topps #6 Tiffany have identical fronts so I did
not picture these cards. There are also many more obscure issues such as Topps Venezuelan, O-Pee-Chee (Topps Canadian issue), Candy Lids, pin-ups, coins, stickers, etc., and
many of these are quite rare. Collecting all of Yastrzemski's issues would be a virtually impossible task; even completing all of the Topps issues would be a serious undertaking. However
collecting all of Yaz's regular Topps issues is not difficult at all. Most of these are listed above as well as some extra goodies for you. Keep in mind, these are TOPPS cards; Yastrzemski
was also pictured on Donruss, Fleer, Post cereal, Jell-O, and many other issues.
not picture these cards. There are also many more obscure issues such as Topps Venezuelan, O-Pee-Chee (Topps Canadian issue), Candy Lids, pin-ups, coins, stickers, etc., and
many of these are quite rare. Collecting all of Yastrzemski's issues would be a virtually impossible task; even completing all of the Topps issues would be a serious undertaking. However
collecting all of Yaz's regular Topps issues is not difficult at all. Most of these are listed above as well as some extra goodies for you. Keep in mind, these are TOPPS cards; Yastrzemski
was also pictured on Donruss, Fleer, Post cereal, Jell-O, and many other issues.
1963 Fleer #8 Carl Yastrzemski 1963 Post Cereal #80 Carl Yastrzemski (Hand cut from cereal box)
Carl Yastrzemski had a solid rookie season in 1961, batting .266 with 155 hits, 31 doubles, 6 triples, 11 home runs, and 80 RBI's. The following season, Yaz upped his average 30
points to .296, with 191 hits, 43 doubles, 6 triples, 19 HR's, and 94 RBI's. In 1963 he became a full-fledged star, winning his first batting crown (.321). In 1965, Yaz led the American
League in slugging percentage (.536) and doubles (45). He also had his first 20 home run season. Yaz led the AL in doubles again in 1966 with 39. But Yaz was just getting started...
This 1963 Fleer #8 Carl Yastrzemski baseball card (above, left) is a beauty. Fleer issued a small set of cards in 1963 but was sued by Topps Chewing Gum, who at that time had a
monopoly on the baseball card market. I wonder if the card number (#8) was a coincidence. Regardless, it is just a terrific card! The 1963 Post Cereal #80 Carl Yastrzemski card
(above, right) was hand cut from a cereal box in 1963.
points to .296, with 191 hits, 43 doubles, 6 triples, 19 HR's, and 94 RBI's. In 1963 he became a full-fledged star, winning his first batting crown (.321). In 1965, Yaz led the American
League in slugging percentage (.536) and doubles (45). He also had his first 20 home run season. Yaz led the AL in doubles again in 1966 with 39. But Yaz was just getting started...
This 1963 Fleer #8 Carl Yastrzemski baseball card (above, left) is a beauty. Fleer issued a small set of cards in 1963 but was sued by Topps Chewing Gum, who at that time had a
monopoly on the baseball card market. I wonder if the card number (#8) was a coincidence. Regardless, it is just a terrific card! The 1963 Post Cereal #80 Carl Yastrzemski card
(above, right) was hand cut from a cereal box in 1963.
August 21, 1967 Sports Illustrated featuring Carl Yastrzemski
1967 was the "Year of Yaz." Yastrzemski won baseball's Triple Crown in leading the Red Sox to the AL Pennant. Yaz led in batting (.326), slugging (.622), hits (189), HR's (44; tied
with Harmon Killebrew), Runs (112), and RBI's (121). In the 1967 World Series vs. the St. Louis Cardinals, Yaz was even better. He batted .400 with 10 hits, 2 doubles, 3 home runs,
and 5 RBI's. Unfortunately for Yaz and the Red Sox, the Cardinals beat them in 7 games. Yaz not only picked up the 1967 American League MVP Award, but also was voted by The
Sporting News as A.L. AND Major League Player of the Year.
with Harmon Killebrew), Runs (112), and RBI's (121). In the 1967 World Series vs. the St. Louis Cardinals, Yaz was even better. He batted .400 with 10 hits, 2 doubles, 3 home runs,
and 5 RBI's. Unfortunately for Yaz and the Red Sox, the Cardinals beat them in 7 games. Yaz not only picked up the 1967 American League MVP Award, but also was voted by The
Sporting News as A.L. AND Major League Player of the Year.
| 1970 Topps #10 Carl Yastrzemski |
While Yaz did not post similar numbers in 1968, he did manage to win his 3rd batting title, batting .301. However it must be noted that 1968 was considered to be "The Year of the Pitcher" with guys like Denny McLain
winning 31 games and the Card's Bob Gibson posting a microscopic 1.12 ERA (both pitchers won both the Cy Young Award and MVP in their respective leagues that year). In fact Yaz was the only American League
hitter to post a .300 or better average.
winning 31 games and the Card's Bob Gibson posting a microscopic 1.12 ERA (both pitchers won both the Cy Young Award and MVP in their respective leagues that year). In fact Yaz was the only American League
hitter to post a .300 or better average.
| 1969 Topps #1 A.L. Batting Leaders (Yaz, Cater, Oliva) |
In 1969 Yaz's batting mark dropped to only .255, however he added his second 40 HR season along with 111 runs batted in. Yastrzemski, by this time was a fan favorite in the All-Star games and in the '69 contest he
robbed Johnny Bench of a second home run with a spectacular catch in left field. In 1970 he came back almost as strong as his 1967 campaign: .329 batting mark (lost the batting crown to Alex Johnson of Angels by a
fraction of a percent), .592 slugging (led A.L.), 186 hits, 29 doubles, 40 HR's, 125 runs scored (led league), 102 RBI's, and 128 bases on balls (career high). 1970 was also the year he actually played more games at
first base than in his regular left field position.
robbed Johnny Bench of a second home run with a spectacular catch in left field. In 1970 he came back almost as strong as his 1967 campaign: .329 batting mark (lost the batting crown to Alex Johnson of Angels by a
fraction of a percent), .592 slugging (led A.L.), 186 hits, 29 doubles, 40 HR's, 125 runs scored (led league), 102 RBI's, and 128 bases on balls (career high). 1970 was also the year he actually played more games at
first base than in his regular left field position.
1972 Topps #37 Carl Yastrzemski
1974 Topps Deckle Edge Proof #43 Carl Yastrzemski
Led by the youth movement of Fred Lynn (who was to win both A.L. MVP and Rookie Of The Year in 1975 with a .331 average, 21 HR's, 105 RBIs), slugger Jim Rice (.309, 22 HR's, 102 RBI's), Carlton Fisk (.331, 10
HR's, 52 RBI's in only 263 at-bats) and veteran Carl Yastrzemski (.269, 14 HR's, 60 RBI's and a .996 fielding avg. at first base), along with a strong pitching staff led by Luis Tiant (18-14), Bill Lee (17-9), and Rick
Wise (19-12), the Boston Red Sox won the A.L. East with a 95-65 record. They faced the mighty Oakland A's team, who had already won 3 consecutive World Championships from 1972-1974. While not having a
"career" year during the regular season, Yaz showed the Red Sox how to do it in the ALCS. He batted a robust .455 (led all hitters) going 5 for 11 with a double, HR, 2 RBIs and 4 runs in a 3 game sweep of the A's.
In the final game, Yaz had 2 hits plus made 2 defensive gems in LF to lead the Red Sox to the 1975 World Series vs. the "Big Red Machine." It was to be one of the great classic World Series of all time.
The 1974 Topps Deckle Edge cards were a test issue that received limited distribution in Massachusetts. They are much scarcer than the 1969 Topps Deckle Edge insert cards that were issued in regular Topps
packs that year. In 1974 the cards also were much larger (2-7/8" x 5" compared to the 2-1/4" x 3-1/4" 1969 cards). The Yastrzemski card (#43) lists for about $175 in ungraded NM condition. High graded examples
sell for much more.
HR's, 52 RBI's in only 263 at-bats) and veteran Carl Yastrzemski (.269, 14 HR's, 60 RBI's and a .996 fielding avg. at first base), along with a strong pitching staff led by Luis Tiant (18-14), Bill Lee (17-9), and Rick
Wise (19-12), the Boston Red Sox won the A.L. East with a 95-65 record. They faced the mighty Oakland A's team, who had already won 3 consecutive World Championships from 1972-1974. While not having a
"career" year during the regular season, Yaz showed the Red Sox how to do it in the ALCS. He batted a robust .455 (led all hitters) going 5 for 11 with a double, HR, 2 RBIs and 4 runs in a 3 game sweep of the A's.
In the final game, Yaz had 2 hits plus made 2 defensive gems in LF to lead the Red Sox to the 1975 World Series vs. the "Big Red Machine." It was to be one of the great classic World Series of all time.
The 1974 Topps Deckle Edge cards were a test issue that received limited distribution in Massachusetts. They are much scarcer than the 1969 Topps Deckle Edge insert cards that were issued in regular Topps
packs that year. In 1974 the cards also were much larger (2-7/8" x 5" compared to the 2-1/4" x 3-1/4" 1969 cards). The Yastrzemski card (#43) lists for about $175 in ungraded NM condition. High graded examples
sell for much more.
Carl Yastrzemski wire photo after Game #2 of the 1975 World Series 10/12/75
While the Red Sox lost to the Reds in 7 games, the 1975 World Series is still considered to be one of the best World Series ever. Five of the 7 games were won by one run. The Series is probably best remembered for
an amazing Game #6 which was eventually won by Carlton Fisk's dramatic 12th inning HR. However Yaz had a solid series, batting .310 with 9 hits, 7 runs and 4 RBI's. With the talent the Red Sox had, Yaz figured the
Red Sox would be in a few more World Series, but it was not to happen again for Carl Yastrzemski.
I love the photo of Yastrzemski in the above UPI wire photo. This photo was taken after Game 2 of the 1975 World Series. The Red Sox had just lost 3-2. The look on Yaz's face is priceless. It shows how much he cared
about winning. Throughout his entire career he wanted to bring a title to the Red Sox for owner Tom Yawkey.
an amazing Game #6 which was eventually won by Carlton Fisk's dramatic 12th inning HR. However Yaz had a solid series, batting .310 with 9 hits, 7 runs and 4 RBI's. With the talent the Red Sox had, Yaz figured the
Red Sox would be in a few more World Series, but it was not to happen again for Carl Yastrzemski.
I love the photo of Yastrzemski in the above UPI wire photo. This photo was taken after Game 2 of the 1975 World Series. The Red Sox had just lost 3-2. The look on Yaz's face is priceless. It shows how much he cared
about winning. Throughout his entire career he wanted to bring a title to the Red Sox for owner Tom Yawkey.
1977 O-Pee-Chee #37 Carl Yastrzemski 1983 Topps #550 Carl Yastrzemski
Yaz and the Red Sox had several close calls after the 1975 World Series. In 1976, Yastrzemski reached the 20 home run mark again (21), had 102 RBI's, and a near-perfect .998 fielding mark at first base. However the
Red Sox finished in 3rd place in the American League, behind the pennant winning Yankees. The following year, 1977, saw another pennant race, with the Red Sox winning 97 games (97-64). But the Yankees won 100
games and the pennant. 1978 was another great year for the Red Sox. Yaz contributed 17 HR's and 81 RBI's while batting .277. The Red Sox won 99 games during the regular season, but finished tied with the Yankees
for first place. A one game playoff was held on October 2, 1978 at Fenway Park. Red Sox fans, of course know this game as the historic "Bucky #$%$ing Dent" Game, as light hitting shortstop Bucky Dent (4 home runs
in the regular season) hit a 3 run home run in 5-4 Yankee win. Yaz contributed a go ahead HR in the 2nd inning and a clutch RBI single in the bottom of the 8th in a losing cause. That was to be the closest the Red Sox
would come again to another World Series with Yastrzemski. 1980 was the turning point as the Red Sox made a colossal blunder in mailing contracts to key players Carlton Fisk and Fred Lynn. The Red Sox mailed
their contracts late, essentially granting free agency to both players. Fisk moved on to the Chicago White Sox, while Lynn accepted a trade to the California Angels. That Red Sox team was over.
Red Sox finished in 3rd place in the American League, behind the pennant winning Yankees. The following year, 1977, saw another pennant race, with the Red Sox winning 97 games (97-64). But the Yankees won 100
games and the pennant. 1978 was another great year for the Red Sox. Yaz contributed 17 HR's and 81 RBI's while batting .277. The Red Sox won 99 games during the regular season, but finished tied with the Yankees
for first place. A one game playoff was held on October 2, 1978 at Fenway Park. Red Sox fans, of course know this game as the historic "Bucky #$%$ing Dent" Game, as light hitting shortstop Bucky Dent (4 home runs
in the regular season) hit a 3 run home run in 5-4 Yankee win. Yaz contributed a go ahead HR in the 2nd inning and a clutch RBI single in the bottom of the 8th in a losing cause. That was to be the closest the Red Sox
would come again to another World Series with Yastrzemski. 1980 was the turning point as the Red Sox made a colossal blunder in mailing contracts to key players Carlton Fisk and Fred Lynn. The Red Sox mailed
their contracts late, essentially granting free agency to both players. Fisk moved on to the Chicago White Sox, while Lynn accepted a trade to the California Angels. That Red Sox team was over.
1980 Topps #720 Carl Yastrzemski
Yastrzemski retired after the 1983 season. His durability (3308 games played; 2nd all-time when he retired), clutch hitting (3419 hits, .285 lifetime average, 3 Batting Titles), slugging
(646 doubles, 452 home runs), runs batted in (1844; 4th place all-time when he retired), fielding (7 Gold Gloves) and yearly All-Star selections made Yaz a cinch Hall Of Famer. He was
elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame in 1989. This page is dedicated to Carl Yastrzemski, to all the Red Sox fans who got to see him play, and to future baseball fans who never got to
see #8 play.
The 1977 O-Pee-Chee #37 Carl Yastrzemski (above, left) pictured him at first base. O-Pee-Chee cards are tougher to acquire than the Topps cards as they were issued in Canada.
The 1983 Topps #550 Yastrzemski card (above, right) is Yaz's last Topps card . Fleer issued a regular card of Yaz in 1984, but I like this 1983 Topps card the best.
(646 doubles, 452 home runs), runs batted in (1844; 4th place all-time when he retired), fielding (7 Gold Gloves) and yearly All-Star selections made Yaz a cinch Hall Of Famer. He was
elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame in 1989. This page is dedicated to Carl Yastrzemski, to all the Red Sox fans who got to see him play, and to future baseball fans who never got to
see #8 play.
The 1977 O-Pee-Chee #37 Carl Yastrzemski (above, left) pictured him at first base. O-Pee-Chee cards are tougher to acquire than the Topps cards as they were issued in Canada.
The 1983 Topps #550 Yastrzemski card (above, right) is Yaz's last Topps card . Fleer issued a regular card of Yaz in 1984, but I like this 1983 Topps card the best.
We hope you enjoyed our Carl Yastrzemski Page! If you enjoyed this page, check out our other player pages including Jimmy Piersall, Tony Conigliaro, Fred Lynn and Roger Maris. We
also have a Red Sox Page which pays tribute to former Red Sox players who never got to win a World Series. For a list of all of our pages, click on the HOME link below and scroll down to
the bottom of the page. Thank you! Tim
also have a Red Sox Page which pays tribute to former Red Sox players who never got to win a World Series. For a list of all of our pages, click on the HOME link below and scroll down to
the bottom of the page. Thank you! Tim
| 1982 O-Pee-Chee #358 Carl Yastrzemski In Action |
1967 Topps #355 Carl Yastrzemski
1975 O-Pee-Chee #280 Carl Yastrzemski
1967 Venezuela Topps #193 Carl Yastrzemski (back view)
Due to injuries, Yaz's power numbers dropped dramatically from 1971 through 1975. The most HRs he hit in any of those seasons was 19 in 1973 (along with 95 RBI's). It should be noted that this was in different era.
The pitching was better, steroids were unknown at that time and if you hit around 20 home runs a season you were considered to be a "power" hitter. However Yastrzemski was the team leader and still very much
clutch, and the Red Sox placed second in their division in 1972, losing by one game to the Detroit Tigers. They finished second in the A.L. East again in 1973, but things were looking up. Already the Red Sox had a
formidable young catcher behind the plate, future Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk, a steady Rico Petrocelli at third base, and future star Dwight Evans in right field. They also picked up starting pitcher Luis Tiant to
complement their flaky lefty, Bill "Spaceman" Lee. And in the Red Sox farm system were two rising stars, outfielders Fred Lynn and Jim Rice. 1975 was to be a special year for Yaz and the Red Sox.
The pitching was better, steroids were unknown at that time and if you hit around 20 home runs a season you were considered to be a "power" hitter. However Yastrzemski was the team leader and still very much
clutch, and the Red Sox placed second in their division in 1972, losing by one game to the Detroit Tigers. They finished second in the A.L. East again in 1973, but things were looking up. Already the Red Sox had a
formidable young catcher behind the plate, future Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk, a steady Rico Petrocelli at third base, and future star Dwight Evans in right field. They also picked up starting pitcher Luis Tiant to
complement their flaky lefty, Bill "Spaceman" Lee. And in the Red Sox farm system were two rising stars, outfielders Fred Lynn and Jim Rice. 1975 was to be a special year for Yaz and the Red Sox.
Oct. 11, 1967 AP Wire Photo (Yaz leaps for foul ball in '67
Fall Classic)
Fall Classic)
1969 Transogram Carl Yastrzemski (back view)
Before McFarlane and Starting Lineup sports action figures, there was Hartland Plastics and Transogram. Transogram issued small plastic baseball figures along with a baseball
card printed on the package. As you can imagine, most of these were opened up, boxes discarded and the toys eventually as well. So finding unopened figures is pretty rare today.
Carl Yastrzemksi was not featured in the original Hartland line up but he was featured on Transogram in both 1969 and 1970.
card printed on the package. As you can imagine, most of these were opened up, boxes discarded and the toys eventually as well. So finding unopened figures is pretty rare today.
Carl Yastrzemksi was not featured in the original Hartland line up but he was featured on Transogram in both 1969 and 1970.
1977 Venezuela Stickers #176 Carl Yastrzemski (back view)
Here is another tough Yastrzemski card. In 1977, these fragile stickers were issued in Venezuela. Intended to be pasted in provided albums, the surviving examples today usually show
some evidence of having been pasted or affixed to an album. The printing is fairly crude compared to Topps' regular cards and they also appear to be "miscut" with no top or bottom
borders. Regardless, these are tough to find in any condition. The above 1977 Venezuela Stickers #176 Carl Yastrzemski is currently on eBay for about $100 (October 2009).
However the absolute "Holy Grail" of Yaz cards would be the 1960 Venezuela Topps Carl Yastrzemski rookie card. Last one I saw on eBay had a $1000 price tag and it was graded
PSA 1 Poor-Fair. Ouch!
some evidence of having been pasted or affixed to an album. The printing is fairly crude compared to Topps' regular cards and they also appear to be "miscut" with no top or bottom
borders. Regardless, these are tough to find in any condition. The above 1977 Venezuela Stickers #176 Carl Yastrzemski is currently on eBay for about $100 (October 2009).
However the absolute "Holy Grail" of Yaz cards would be the 1960 Venezuela Topps Carl Yastrzemski rookie card. Last one I saw on eBay had a $1000 price tag and it was graded
PSA 1 Poor-Fair. Ouch!
1967 Topps Red Sox Stickers #25 Carl Yastrzemski
In 1967, Topps tested two sticker series of both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox. These stickers are quite scarce but are terrific collectibles. There are two different Yastrzemski
stickers, including this terrific example. Much scarcer than the regular Topps cards, these stickers fetch a significant premium especially in high grades.
stickers, including this terrific example. Much scarcer than the regular Topps cards, these stickers fetch a significant premium especially in high grades.