Quote:
Originally Posted by David Watts
Another notable retiree following the 76 season is Buzz Arlett. Arlett's career didn't get under way till 1965 at the ripe ole age of 31. Arlett didn't waste any time getting into the swing of things and managed to crush 261 home runs and drive in 1001 runs over his 12 year career that ended at the age of 42. Arlett led the league in RBI in 1967 with 136 and again in 1970 with 122. He also led the league in slugging in 1967.
Arlett was a 5 time all-star. A 2 time Platinum Stick Award winner and a 2 time league champion. He notched his championships in 1966 and 1970 playing for the Peoria Chiefs.
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He always reminded me a bit of Roy Hobbs. Here's the opening paragraphs of Buzz's SABR bio:
The country was mired in the torment of the deepening Depression. Herbert Hoover was in the White House; unemployment soared to 15%, while a disenchanted people sought any means available to divert attention away from the hardship of everyday life.
It was the spring of 1931 and scarce pennies were invested in leisure pursuits such as movies, radio and of course baseball. America was in the mood for a special kind of hero, a real-life Buck Rogers to divert their minds from troubled times.
Understanding the need for such diversion, newspapers of the day sought to lighten spirits with uplifting stories of human interest. Such a hero was found in the story of Buzz Arlett, who for a brief moment in the spring of that year, produced heroic exploits for a populace in trouble. It was the engaging story of an aging rookie who suddenly burst upon the major leagues with a thunderous bat and an engaging personality.
We don’t know what Buzz Arlett was thinking when he made his major league debut on April 14, but we do know it was the culmination of 13 long years in the minor leagues, following a path dotted with false hopes and devastating setbacks...