1970 73 Wayne Granger

Wayne Granger

Granger would eventually earn a multiple-of-5 card in 1972 (#545), the back of which tells an interesting story about Granger playing outfield against one batter on May 1st, 1970.

Granger's 1971 card (#379) describes him as the "NL's top Fireman of 1970." Because the cards of the era did not list saves, one had to do some research to figure out that he was a top reliever.

After the 1968 season, Granger and Bob Tolan were traded by the Cardinals to the Reds for Vada Pinson. 

Granger played for the Tulsa Oilers of the PCL - along with some famous teammates. He was managed by Warren Spahn. The Oilers were the PCL champions in 1968.  The Oilers were affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1959 through 1976.  They were with the PCL only from 1966 through 1968. 

Granger pitched in Games 3 and 5 of the 1970 World Series, pitched 1.3 innings and gave up 5 runs. 

Wayne Granger was one of several Reds pitchers that began the decade with the Big Red Machine but did not last through the Reds' World Series victories in the mid-1970's.