Tuesday, April 13, 2010

1976 Topps #410 - Ralph Garr


  • Ralph "Roadrunner" Garr played in the majors from 1968-1980. Garr was known for his great speed and ability to hit the ball to all fields. He didn't walk very often, but he didn't strike out much either. Ralph attended Grambling State University and was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1967. He had a hard time cracking the Braves starting outfield despite having some good years in the minors. Ralph batted .386 for AAA Richmond in 1970, which is still the highest batting average in the league since 1938.

  • Garr had short stints with the Braves in 1968 (2 for 7), 1969 (6 for 27), and 1970 (.281 in 96 at bats). Ralph got his chance in 1971 when left fielder Rico Carty broke his leg. Garr was batting .400 as late as May 20 and batted .343 for the season. He scored 101 runs and stole 30 bases. Two Beeps, A Cloud of Dust -- Sports Illustrated May 10, 1971. Sport: Beep Beep! - Time Magazine July 5, 1971. Ralph Garr Didn't Know When He Was Well Off - Florence Times - Tri City Daily June 8, 1971.

  • Ralph didn't do quite as well in 1972 but still batted .325 and hit a career-high 12 home runs. Ralph Garr: The Braves' Budding Superstar - February 1973 Baseball Digest. In 1973 Garr got 200 hits and stole a career-high 35 bases, but his average dipped to .299.

  • Garr had his best season in 1974. He led the NL in batting (.353), hits (214), and triples (17). Ralph made the 1974 NL All Star team and was 0 for 3 in the game. Ralph Garr: The Batter Without A Strike Zone - November 1974 Baseball Digest.

  • In 1975 Ralph's average dropped to .278. He led the NL in triples (11) and intentional walks (17). The lack of protection behind him was probably part of the problem with his production in 1975. After the season Garr was traded with Larvell Blanks to the Chicago White Sox for Dick Ruthven, Ken Henderson, and Ozzie Osborn.

  • Garr batted .300 in 1976 and again in 1977. He dropped to .275 in 118 games in 1978. Ralph spent most of the 1979 season with the White Sox (.280 in 102 games) and was sold to the California Angels for the stretch drive on September 20. Garr batted .125 in six games with the Angels and wasn't eligible to play in the post season. Ralph didn't get to play much for the Angels in 1980. Garr was batting .190 in 21 games when he was released on June 6. That was it for Ralph's playing career.


  • Liked to face: Milt Pappas (.500 in 30 AB); Jerry Reuss (.465 in 43 AB); Don Sutton (.426 in 61 AB)
  • Hated to face: Jim Colborn (.091 in 22 AB); Alan Foster (.136 in 22 AB); Nelson Briles (.139 in 36 AB)

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