#295 Dick Dietz #296 Dick Dietz In Action

Another player like Clarence Gaston who’s high water mark was 1970.... mysteriously short career....one theory is that he became problematic to front office because of union activity....greatest strength getting on base with hits and walks....biggest liability: defense....gradually brought up the Giants farm system....broken in with 56 games in 1967....moved up to platooning with Jack Hiatt getting about ½ playing time....with Hiatt’s departure Dick came into his own 1970....107 RBIs and.300 BA....plus over 100 walks.....second best hitting catcher next to Johnny Bench....appeared in all star game....hit home and NL came back to win....1971 suffered a decline but was still considered one of better hitting backstops....19 home runs....strange events thereafter....put on waivers by Giants....picked up by Dodgers....Injured early on and never recouped his stroke...sold to the Braves for 1973....tried out at 1^st, more than catcher....plate discipline resulted in .295 BA and .467 on base % in 139 at bats....was his limited still related to a blacklisting?...released after the season ending his baseball career....not much else is known....passed away in 2005....would have been interesting to get his perspective....read this http://www.hardballtimes.com/the-blackballing-of-dick-dietz/