by BDWard » Sat Mar 10, 2012 1:35 am
Although this card has likely been previously requested, I'd like to see the 1972 Don Sutton card added to the ATG6 player set.
Most of us know that 1968 was the year of the pitcher, resulting in the mound being lowered to restore the balance between pitching and hitting. But if 1968 was the year of the pitcher, 1972 was the rebirth of the pitcher, with many pitchers having unusually good seasons. Perhaps it had something to do with the labor stoppage and the shortened season, as maybe an abbreviated spring training never gave the hitters a chance to catch up to the pitchers.
Of course, the big pitching story for 1972 was Steve Carlton going 27-10 for a doormat Phillies team that won just 59 games. But lost in all the Carlton accolades was the really fine season enjoyed by Sutton. Not only did Sutton go 19-9 for a career best .679 winning percentage, but he posted career bests in ERA (2.08), WHIP (a league best 0.913), hits per nine innings (a league low 6.1) and shutouts (a league leading 9).
If you go to the '70s game site, you can see Sutton's 1972 card. It compares favorably to Carlton's 1972 card, which has long been part of the ATG series. Sutton's 1972 card would probably be in the $9+ mil range.
In support of the Sutton 1972 card, and I've made this argument before for players like Johnny Bench and Mike Schmidt, Sutton is a bona fide HOFer, so why shouldn't we have his best season? There are plenty of far lesser players, many who might even be called obscure, for whom we have great seasons, so why not the HOFers?
While I understand that many of us have favorite players who we feel deserve recognition by having their best card, there appears to be little rhyme or reason why we are given the best card for some players and a lesser card for other players. HOFers should be at the top of the list for getting their best card.
1972 Don Sutton would be a fine addition to the ATG6 player set.