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Pelican · 09-13-2022, 08:17 PM

This must be a first. I still can’t believe it. On August 17, I brought up catcher Barney Dickey from AA Reading to the 1971 Phillies, replacing Johnny Oates, who wasn’t hitting. Dickey had great numbers at AA, hitting nearly .300, more walks than K’s, good power, good defense behind the plate. Left-handed hitter, 24 years of age. Solid track record at high A and low A. I figured he was better than my journeyman catchers at AAA and deserved a shot.

His first at bat, in Philadelphia against Juan Marichal, he hit a double down the right field line. Next time up, with a runner on, a home run to center field. Then, a solid single. And in his fourth AB, a line drive to the gap in RF. He made it into third easily (runs pretty well for a catcher). Hitting for the cycle in his first MLB game. I don’t think that’s ever been done. And he would be a most unlikely candidate for such heroics. He had a fifth AB, and walked, so still perfect at the plate.

I don’t know how to explain it. Scouting reports were promising, ratings were good for AA level and a catcher. IRL this is a guy who never got close to the major leagues. Despite a good year in 1971 at high A, he did not return. IT occurred to me that he might be related to Bill Dickey. Would be about the right age for a son? My Phillies are 57-65 and fighting an uphill battle for a Wild Card spot in the NL. This was an unexpected boost from an unexpected player.

09-13-2022, 08:17 PM	#1
Pelican Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 2,909	Hitting for the Cycle in First MLB Game This must be a first. I still can’t believe it. On August 17, I brought up catcher Barney Dickey from AA Reading to the 1971 Phillies, replacing Johnny Oates, who wasn’t hitting. Dickey had great numbers at AA, hitting nearly .300, more walks than K’s, good power, good defense behind the plate. Left-handed hitter, 24 years of age. Solid track record at high A and low A. I figured he was better than my journeyman catchers at AAA and deserved a shot. His first at bat, in Philadelphia against Juan Marichal, he hit a double down the right field line. Next time up, with a runner on, a home run to center field. Then, a solid single. And in his fourth AB, a line drive to the gap in RF. He made it into third easily (runs pretty well for a catcher). Hitting for the cycle in his first MLB game. I don’t think that’s ever been done. And he would be a most unlikely candidate for such heroics. He had a fifth AB, and walked, so still perfect at the plate. I don’t know how to explain it. Scouting reports were promising, ratings were good for AA level and a catcher. IRL this is a guy who never got close to the major leagues. Despite a good year in 1971 at high A, he did not return. IT occurred to me that he might be related to Bill Dickey. Would be about the right age for a son? My Phillies are 57-65 and fighting an uphill battle for a Wild Card spot in the NL. This was an unexpected boost from an unexpected player.