This is the sort of stuff that runs through my head. I was thinking about the 1959 season and of course you can't be a Tribe fan without wondering what the hell was up with Tito Francona that year? And then as I'm turning that one over in my brain, I'm thinking, what the hell was up with ex-indian Norm Cash in 1961? And then it turns out, as it always does, that, just like Kuenn and Colavito, Tito and Stormin' Norman have more in common than one would suppose.
In 1959, as The Tribe made its run for the pennant, Tito Francona suddenly became Stan Musial. Singles, doubles, triples, home runs--he ends up hitting .363! Kuenn wins the batting title because Tito didn't have quite enough ABs. So now we all think, shit, we've got the next Stan Musial right here in Cleveland. And of course that idiot Frank "Trader" Lane decides two batting champs on one team would be just the ticket to the Series, and he trades Colavito for Kuenn.
Except that Tito was only Tito, not Stan the Man. Had a few more good years but nothing like 1959.
Norm Cash: Tribe deals him for Steve Demeter in early 1960 before Cash even plays a game for the Tribe. Another great trade by Frank "Trader" Lane. Has a good year in 1960, but in 1961--oh baby! .361 BA, 41 HRs, 132 RBIs, 8 triples, 193 hits, 119 runs--all career bests in what would be a long career. But although Cash is a dominant first baseman in his era, he never approaches the 1961 numbers again. (Of course, those were driven by expansion, unlike Tito's 1959 season, which makes his even more amazing.)
So when the dust settles, 15 years for Tito, 17 for Norman: Career BAs: Tito, .272, Cash, .271. Too weird.
OK, I can sleep now. G'night.
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