tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433941530167569659.post5411883581836612483..comments2024-03-04T07:33:09.398-05:00Comments on The Phillies Room: 1967 Topps #443 Tito FranconaJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06161762602291616465noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433941530167569659.post-4154053178671064372011-01-13T22:32:27.101-05:002011-01-13T22:32:27.101-05:00This was a late-series card (5th, as I recall), wh...This was a late-series card (5th, as I recall), which I believe was changed to a PHILLIES card (from Francona's previous team) after the Phillies acquired Francona the day before the 1967 season.<br /><br />Back in 1967, the norm was to have 25 player cards per team. The Phillies had 27 player cards, so I've speculated that the 5th-series' cards of Tito Francona and Ruben Gomez were redesigned as PHILLIES cards after the season started.<br /><br /><br />Regular 1st baseman Bill White injured himself in the off-season, and wasn't available until early May. The Phillies had invited veteran Jim Gentile to training camp, but he didn't make the team, which is why Francona was signed.<br /><br />In any case, Tony Taylor got the majority of starts at 1B until White could return to full-time duty. (Taylor would also take over as the full-time 3rd baseman in late August, after Richie Allen was lost for the season.)Jim from Downingtownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com