BY MARK A. LARSON
Editor & Publisher
In the two and a half decades between 1958-83, three big leaguers named “Woody” (or “Woodie”) appeared on over three dozen Topps baseball cards …
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◉ WOODY HELD ◉
Between 1954-69, Woody Held appeared in 1,390 games for seven teams. The versatile infielder/outfielder played 179 games at second, 539 at short, 132 at third and 449 in the outfield.
Held topped 20 homers in a season four times en route to a career total of 179. He also had 150 doubles and 559 RBIs. Although he had some pop in his bat, his career average was only .240.
His given name was Woodson George Held. Several sources show his nickname spelled “Woodie”. Even Topps spelled it that way on some cards. Interestingly, the facsimile autographs on the above 1959 and 1967 cards show both “Woodie” and “Woody.”
◉ FIRST TOPPS CARD: 1958 ◉ • ◉ LAST TOPPS CARD: 1969 ◉
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◉ WOODY WOODWARD ◉
“Woody” was only a knickname as his given name was William Frederick Woodward.
A light-hitting utility infielder, Woody appeared in 880 games between 1963-71 for the Braves and Reds. The majority of his playing time was spent at the hot corner, with the rest split between second and short.
He had a lifetime average of just .236, with one homer, 79 doubles and 148 RBIs. Woodward only batted .133 in seven post-season games for Cincinnati in 1970.
Woody is probably better-known as a General Manager. He served as the Yankees GM for one season in 1987. That was followed by a very short stint with Philadelphia before settling in as the Mariners’ GM for 11-plus seasons (1988-99).
◉ FLOUR POWER: According to several online sources, while playing shortstop in 1971, Woodward was nearly hit by a 10-pound sack of flour dropped from a small plane above Dodger Stadium.
◉ FIRST TOPPS CARD: 1964 ◉ • ◉ LAST TOPPS CARD: 1971 ◉
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◉ WOODIE FRYMAN ◉
Woodrow Thompson Fryman spent 18 years in the big leagues. He pitched in 625 games – starting about half of them.
The two-time All-Star compiled a record of 141-155, with 58 saves and a lifetime 3.77 ERA.
Perhaps the highlight of Woodie’s career was during the last two months of the 1972 season. Billy Martin’s Tigers were looking for pitching help in their attempt to capture the A.L. East crown. So in early August Fryman was claimed off waivers by Detroit.
The southpaw proceeded to post a nifty 9-3 record, with a 2.21 ERA. The Tigers did win their division, but were defeated in the playoffs by the first of the early ’70s World Championship Oakland A’s teams. Unfortunately for Tigers fans, it would be a dozen years before Detroit made it to the post-season again.
(Like Woody/Woodie Held, Topps couldn’t decide how to spell his named … “Woody” or “Woodie.”)
◉ FIRST TOPPS CARD: 1966 ◉ • ◉ LAST TOPPS CARD: 1983 ◉
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