Trades: Wheelin' and Dealin' (Jan. 1965)

Another installment in the occasional series about some big trades in the 1960s: 

On January 20, 1965, the White Sox, Indians, and Athletics completed an 8-player, 3-team trade.

Going from Cleveland to Chicago were Tommy John, Johnny Romano, and outfield prospect Tommie Agee.

Chicago sent Fred Talbot, Mike Hershberger, and Jim Landis to the Athletics. The White Sox also sent Camilo Carreon to the Indians.

The Athletics only gave up one player, sending Rocky Colavito to the Indians.

It's easy to assume that Colavito was the biggest name in this deal, since Kansas City got 3 players in return for one. The Chisox gave up 4 players to get 3, while the Indians gave up 3 players to get two.

Although Colavito was the biggest name at the time, Tommy John was the long-term star, playing an additional TWENTY-FOUR seasons for the White Sox, Dodgers, Yankees, and Angels. Tommie Agee was a starting outfielder for the White Sox and Mets from 1966-1973, and starred in the 1969 World Series for the Mets. John Romano was Chicago's starting catcher in '65 and '66, before wrapping up his career in 1967 as a reserve with the Cardinals.


The Indians and Athletics didn't fare as well in this deal:

Colavito was washed up by the end of 1966, and finished his career bouncing to the White Sox, Dodgers, and Yankees from 1967-69. Camilo Carreon spent most of '65 and '66, and all of 1967 in the minors before retiring.

Longtime White Sox' center fielder Jim Landis was an A's regular in 1965, then spent 1966 in Cleveland before ending his career in 1967 with several teams. Mike Hershberger played several seasons with the A's before returning to the White Sox for his final season in 1971. Fred Talbot pitched briefly for Kansas City, before moving to the Yankees for several seasons, and popping up on the Seattle Pilots in 1969 (much to Jim Bouton's dismay).


Advantage: White Sox

1964 Topps Giant Cards

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Here are my first cards from the 1964 "Giant" set issued by Topps. These cards measure 5 1/4" by 3 1/8".

I bought these a few weeks ago, while visiting an antique store with Mrs. Jim from Downingtown. (This was the same store where I bought the Mickey Mantle Day button a few months back.)

The store had about a dozen of these cards, but I only bought three: the two Colt .45s cards, and Rocky Colavito - because I had never seen him in an Athletics' uniform. (It seems weird to see an Athletics' player NOT in green and gold. I have several of those old red-and-white Athletics in my 1963 card collection.)

Anyway, with my entrance into another insert/oddball set, I felt compelled to add a per-year count of the non-base cards in my Card Census section on the sidebars of my 1963-70 blogs.

The next time I go to that store, I'll probably get the rest - even Ron Hunt!
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