Card Corner--Dick McAuliffe

Dick McAuliffe--Topps Company--1973 (No. 349)

During the 1960s and 1970s, there might not have been a major league hitter who had a more unusual batting style than Dick McAuliffe did. He used such an open stance that he practically faced the pitcher--almost like a left-handed version of a player of more recent vintage (Tony Batista)--but with his hands held higher. McAuliffe's batting stance was so peculiar that it was oft-imitated by young fans, just like Willie Stargell's windmilling of the bat and Joe Morgan's chicken-wing flap with his elbow.

I've never met or interviewed McAuliffe, but his face has always reminded me of one of the Bowery Boys. Maybe that's why teammates called him "Muggsy." With that dark complexion and heavy eyebrows, he looked like a gangster in one of Edward G. Robinson's films.

McAuliffe was one of the unsung stalwarts for the Tigers. Though usually overshadowed by the likes of Al Kaline, Norm Cash, and Willie Horton, McAuliffe played a critical role as a leadoff batter and second baseman. He flashed good power for a middle infielder of that era, drew plenty of walks, and played the middle infield reliably. As the Tigers' leadoff man during their World Championship season of 1968, McAuliffe proved more than effective, leading the American League with 95 runs scored while not once grounding into a double play.

McAuliffe remained with the Tigers for five more seasons, eventually platooning with veteran second baseman Tony Taylor, and was a part of the 1972 team that won the American League East. Two years later, the Tigers traded him to the Boston Red Sox for slugging outfielder Ben Oglivie. The trade allowed Muggsy to play near his hometown of Farmington, Connecticut. With his legs wearing down, McAuliffe played only two seasons with the Red Sox, mostly as a backup. After seven games in 1975, he voluntarily retired and lost a chance to play in that fall's World Series, but did receive an American League pennant ring from the Red Sox.

It's a shame that McAuliffe never received that chance to play in the '75 Classic, which might just have been the best World Series ever. An underrated ballplayer like Muggsy deserved a showcase like that.