Sunday, March 7, 2010

1976 Topps #375 - Ron Fairly

  • Ron Fairly played first base and outfield from 1958-1978. Fairly was signed by the LA Dodgers in 1958 after playing for Rod Dedeaux at USC. He played well in A and AAA ball and was called up in September. Ron batted .283 in 15 games for the Dodgers in 1958.

  • Fairly spent the entire 1959 season with the Dodgers. He batted .238 with 4 HR in 118 games and was 0 for 3 in the World Series. Ron was sent back to AAA Spokane in 1960 and batted .303 with 27 HR and 100 RBI. Fairly was called up to the Dodgers in September and batted .108 in 37 AB.

  • In 1961 Ron batted .322 in 111 games. He also posted a .432 on base percentage. Ron had high OBPs for most of his career. Fairly became the regular first baseman in 1962 and batted .278 with 14 HR and 71 RBI. In 1963 Ron batted .271 with 12 HR and 77 RBI in 152 games. He had four plate appearances in the 1963 World Series and he was 0 for 1 with 3 walks.

  • Fairly's last season as the regular first baseman for the Dodgers was 1964. He batted .256 with 10 HR and 74 RBI. In 1965 Ron moved to right field (he still played a few games at 1B and CF). Fairly batted .274 with 9 HR and 70 RBI. Ron batted .379 with 2 HR in the 1965 World Series.

  • In 1966 Ron missed most of the month of June with an injury. He played in 117 games and batted .288 with 14 HR and 61 RBI. Fairly was 1 for 7 in the 1966 World Series.

  • Fairly returned as a regular in 1967 but his production was down. He batted .220 with 10 HR and 55 RBI. Ron continued to struggle in 1968. He batted .234 with only 4 HR and 43 RBI. Fairly started the 1969 season with the Dodgers (.219 in 30 games) but wasn't getting very much playing time. On June 11 he and Paul Popovich were traded to the Montreal Expos for Manny Mota and Maury Wills. Ron played better for the Expos and batted .289 with 12 HR in 70 games.

  • Ron was the regular first baseman for the Expos in 1970 but he missed almost five weeks in August and September with an injury. He batted .288 with 15 HR and 61 RBI in 119 games. In 1971 Ron was again the regular 1B and batted .257 with 13 HR and 71 RBI.

  • Fairly split time between first base and right field in 1972, batting .278 with 17 HR and 68 RBI. Ron finally made it to an All Star Game in 1973 (he played 1B late in the game but didn't get to the plate). He batted .298 with 17 HR and 49 RBI (and also had a .422 OBP) in 1973. Ron's batting average dropped to .245 in 1974, but he still had a solid .372 OBP and hit 12 HR in 282 AB.


  • After the 1974 season the Expos traded Fairly to the St. Louis Cardinals for two minor leaguers. Ron did well as a part-time 1B and OF in 1975, batting .301 with 7 HR and 37 RBI in 282 AB. Fairly didn't get as much playing time in 1976 as the Cardinals were bringing along a guy named Keith Hernandez. Ron batted .264 in 110 AB for the Cards in 1976 and he was sold to the Oakland A's in September. Ron played in 15 games for the A's and batted .239.

  • Before the 1977 season Fairly was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for a minor leaguer and cash. Ron became the first player to play for both Canadian teams. He was Toronto's representative to the 1977 All Star Game and struck out as a pinch hitter. Ron batted .279 with 19 HR and 64 RBI in 132 games.



  • After his playing career Ron became a broadcaster. He started at KTLA in Los Angeles and later became a radio/TV broadcaster for the Angels. In 1987 Fairly moved on to broadcast SF Giants games and then in 1993 he went to Seattle to become a broadcaster for the Mariners. Ron retired from broadcasting in 2006.
  • Here is a baseball history podcast about Ron.


  • Liked to face: Bob Gibson (.302 in 159 AB); Bob Moose (.472 in 36 AB); Roger Craig (.441 in 34 AB)

  • Hated to face: Curt Simmons (.059 in 34 AB); Warren Spahn (.121 in 33 AB); Bob Veale (.122 in 41 AB)
Posted by at
Labels: , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)