Atlanta Braves

Date of birth: September 23, 1953 Santa Barbara, CA

High School: Santa Ynez Valley Union High School

College: Allen Hancock College

Location: At bat, mid swing.

First Impression; I probably snicked as a kid with the ass involved, other than that I don’t clearly recall this player on the field. The photo is excellent.

Career stats: 574 Career at bats. Baseball reference lists him as outfielder and pinch hitter.  Having pinch hitter on your page meant you played right field in little league.  The problem is he didn’t do a lot of hitting, only hitting 12 HR with a .254 average.  When he had regular playing time he did well.  In 1980 he had his highest average hitting .284 in 87 games.  He was a left-handed batter and I suspect saw a lot of platoon time given the fact he only faced a left-handed pitcher 62 times. 

All time stat: In his career he hit one home run against a left-handed pitcher, and that was Rudy May who is also in this set.  A first inning home run May 14, 1978 in Montreal.

Fun fact: For a player with that few at bats, he had 5 Topps cards beginning with his rookie in 1977.  On that card are Sam Mejias, Alvis Woods and Wayne Gross all who have 1981 cards.

Ever a Future Star?  He was a “Rookie Outfielder” in a 1977 4 panel card and that photo looks like a wanted poster.

Rookie or final card? No

Hall of Fame? Number retired? N/A

Links to stories including Asselstine.