1977 Profile: Paul Blair

"Paul Blair comes to the Yankees as a result of an off-season trade for Elliott Maddox. The veteran of 13 major league seasons has spent his entire career as a Baltimore Oriole after being originally signed by the Mets.
Although Paul's hitting has declined the last two seasons, he is being counted on as a defensive specialist on a team with plenty of firepower. The recipient of eight Gold Glove awards in the last ten years, Blair has always been known as one of the finest defensive center fielders in the game.
A warm welcome to the newest Yankee."

-The New York Yankees Official 1977 Yearbook

"Long recognized as one of baseball's best defensive outfielders, Paul Blair joins the Yankees after 13 seasons with the Orioles, during which time he was a member of two All-Star teams, five division winners, four pennant winners and two World Championship clubs. Paul was the winner of eight Gold Glove awards (1967,1969-1975) for brilliance in center field.
Originally signed by the Mets out of Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles, the Orioles drafted him on November 26, 1962, one of the best drafts ever made at the winter meetings. By 1964 he had made his big league debut, and by 1966 was a big man in the Orioles' first World Series, as the Birds swept the Dodgers. Paul won game three of that Series 1-0 with a home run, and the next day made a great catch in the eighth inning to preserve another 1-0 win for the Series sweep. He led the Orioles in hitting in the 1970 World Series and tied the record for most hits in a five-game Series.
Blair won the first ALCS game ever with a 12th inning bunt as the Orioles bested the Twins in 1969. He had a record-setting five hits in the final game of that Series with five RBIs. He also made two great catchers in the 1970 ALCS against Minnesota.
Paul was a fine hitter until a serious beaning in May 1970 when he was struck by a pitch from California's Ken Tatum, causing serious eye and facial injuries. He tried to bat left-handed in 1971 but abandoned the idea, and in 1973 had a therapeutic hypnotic session in Baltimore. He had good years at bat in 1973 and 1974 (he shared the Most Valuable Oriole award with Mike Cuellar in '74), but has been sub-par at bat in the last two seasons.
An accomplished public speaker, and a good basketball player as well, Paul has good speed and has hit as many as 26 home runs in a single season. He hit three home runs in one game in 1970."

-1977 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide