Sunday, September 28, 2014

1977 Profile: Oscar Gamble

"1976 found Oscar Gamble setting up shop in his fourth major league ballpark. He obviously found a home at Yankee Stadium, where he thrilled the local fans with 15 home runs and 41 runs batted in. Oscar provided important power hitting for the American League champions all year long.
People find it hard to believe that a 165-pound man can possess so much power, but Gamble has done it consistently in the American League for the last four years. It obviously does not come from his once-famous afro which was trimmed last spring to the tune of $30. Wherever the strength does come from, the Yanks are glad it is being unleashed at Yankee Stadium."

-The New York Yankees Official 1977 Yearbook

"Oscar Gamble was a terror in Yankee Stadium last season, hitting 15 homers and driving 41 runs before the hometown fans. The park is perfectly suited to his power. He's hit 71 home runs in four American League seasons, and with his slim build, people wonder where the strength comes from; obviously not from his hair, for his famous afro was trimmed last spring training (the $30 haircut). He had a .426 slugging percentage last year and had a five-RBI game on September 10.
Oscar was drafted by the Cubs in 1968 and reached the majors at the age of 20. He went to Philadelphia in 1970 and had the last hit ever recorded in Connie Mack Stadium on October 1 of that year. The Indians obtained him in December of 1972.
Oscar attended George Washington Carver High in Montgomery, Alabama, a school without a baseball team; he played basketball there. His wife Juanita has performed the National Anthem at Yankee games, including the American League Championship Series last fall."

-1977 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide

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