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Johnathan Thomas Wyatt, Jr.
Kansas City Athletics
Pitcher
Born: April 19, 1935, Chicago, IL
Signed: Signed by the St. Louis Cardinals as an amateur free agent before 1954 season
Major League Teams: Kansas City Athletics 1961-1966; Boston Red Sox 1966-1968; New York Yankees 1968; Detroit Tigers 1968; Oakland Athletics 1969
Died: April 6, 1998, Omaha, NE (age 62)
A steady relief pitcher for parts of nine seasons playing entirely in the American League, John Wyatt helped anchor the 1967 Red Sox "Impossible Dream" bullpen, coming within one game of a World Series victory, and he helped the 1968 Tigers reach the World Series the following year. Wyatt's professional career began in the Negro Leagues, where he was a starting pitcher for the Indianapolis Clowns between 1953 and 1955. Acquired by the Athletics in 1956, Wyatt was a workhorse during his early years with the club, appearing in 59 games or more for five straight seasons between 1962 and 1966. He was an All-Star in 1964 when he also led the league with 81 appearances. Wyatt recorded at least 20 saves in a season three times - with the Athletics in 1963 and 1964, and again with the Red Sox in 1967. He was the winning pitcher in Game 6 of the 1967 World Series for the Red Sox, with the Cardinals taking Game 7 behind Bob Gibson (#320).
Wyatt earned a lifetime record of 42-44 with a 3.47 ERA and 103 career saves over 435 games. His saves tally is currently 151st on the all-time list.
Building the Set
The Card / Athletics Team Set
That's the number 33 peaking through Wyatt's sleeveless home jersey. The 81-game tally in 1964 is definitely impressive, meaning Wyatt appeared in exactly half of the Athletics' games that season. He along with fellow reliever Wes Stock (#117) formed a formidable combination in the Athletics' bullpen, but the team suffered from a lack of pitching everywhere else and lost 105 games.
August 21, 2020 from Charleston, SC - Card #170
In my largest (by volume) purchase to date, I spent an enjoyable hour or so in mid-August browsing the eBay store of seller mantlerulz and clicking Add to Cart on 30 different cards. We had previously added 29 cards to our set back in February from the Philly Show. The 30 cards, all commons, cost me $52 total (before shipping and taxes) with the cards ranging in prices from $1 to $6. I love this haul and I found the seller's store by accident when I was browsing eBay in an attempt to add a few more cheap cards from the set's first series. With this purchase, we've now passed the quarter mark for completion of the set. We still have a long way to go, and quite a few pricey cards to add, but any day I can add 30 commons in excellent shape and at very low prices is a great day. This was the 30th and final card added, the highest number-wise from this purchase, and Wyatt's card cost me $2.
In my largest (by volume) purchase to date, I spent an enjoyable hour or so in mid-August browsing the eBay store of seller mantlerulz and clicking Add to Cart on 30 different cards. We had previously added 29 cards to our set back in February from the Philly Show. The 30 cards, all commons, cost me $52 total (before shipping and taxes) with the cards ranging in prices from $1 to $6. I love this haul and I found the seller's store by accident when I was browsing eBay in an attempt to add a few more cheap cards from the set's first series. With this purchase, we've now passed the quarter mark for completion of the set. We still have a long way to go, and quite a few pricey cards to add, but any day I can add 30 commons in excellent shape and at very low prices is a great day. This was the 30th and final card added, the highest number-wise from this purchase, and Wyatt's card cost me $2.
I took a break from eBay for a few weeks after this, going back on the hunt for cards for our set when a trio of notable Hall of Famers passed away in September and October.
The Card / Athletics Team Set
That's the number 33 peaking through Wyatt's sleeveless home jersey. The 81-game tally in 1964 is definitely impressive, meaning Wyatt appeared in exactly half of the Athletics' games that season. He along with fellow reliever Wes Stock (#117) formed a formidable combination in the Athletics' bullpen, but the team suffered from a lack of pitching everywhere else and lost 105 games.
His SABR biography notes Wyatt would practice football at Hutchinson High School in Buffalo, NY after school until 6:30 every night. He'd sleep for a few hours before his mother would wake him for his job at a steel mill with an 11pm to 7am shift. After his shift, he'd start his classes at high school.
1965 Season
Wyatt had another successful year out of the bullpen in 1965, appearing in 65 games and going 2-6 with a 3.25 ERA over 88 2/3 innings pitched. He recorded 18 saves for a team that lost 103 games, with his mark placing him 8th in the American League behind Ron Kline's (#56) league leading 29 saves.
1965 Season
Wyatt had another successful year out of the bullpen in 1965, appearing in 65 games and going 2-6 with a 3.25 ERA over 88 2/3 innings pitched. He recorded 18 saves for a team that lost 103 games, with his mark placing him 8th in the American League behind Ron Kline's (#56) league leading 29 saves.
1965 was to be Wyatt's last full season with the Athletics as the team traded him to the Red Sox, along with Rollie Sheldon (#254) and Jose Tartabull, on June 13, 1966 for Jim Gosger, Guido Grilli and Ken Sanders.
Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card: 1963 Topps #376
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (6): 1963-1968
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 1978 TCMA The 1960s I #159
26 - Wyatt non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 10/26/20.
Sources:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
SABR
The Trading Card Database
Previous Card: #589 Giants Rookie Stars
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First Mainstream Card: 1963 Topps #376
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (6): 1963-1968
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 1978 TCMA The 1960s I #159
26 - Wyatt non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 10/26/20.
Sources:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
SABR
The Trading Card Database
Previous Card: #589 Giants Rookie Stars
Next Card: #591 Bob Skinner - St. Louis Cardinals
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