No-helmet hitters during the 60s & 70sby theFalcon - 32 cards (Last updated on Dec 8, 2021) |
As background, by the late 50s the NL and AL said all players must wear batting helmets, but the rule was not enforced. At the Dec. 1970 winter meetings, the major leagues mandated the helmet rule for all players who signed up after that point and "grandfathered" players who signed before that.
Feel free to suggest additional players, but please include a source for them. Thanks.
1. 1962 Post Cereal #133 Felipe Alou
Getty Images source: Hitting at Candlestick Park against Dodgers on 5/20/1061 and against Reds on 4/20/1961. |
2. 1964 Topps Stand-Ups #NNO Ernie Banks
Getty Images source: Hitting at Polo Grounds on 5/16/62 against the Mets. |
3. 1969 Topps #494 Ken Berry
YouTube highlights of 1967 All-Star Game show him pinch-hitting and getting blown away by Tom Seaver. |
4. 1961 Topps #515 Jackie Brandt
Getty Images source: Hitting at Memorial Stadium on 9/4/1960 against the Yankees. This was photo was used for the cover of Sports Illustrated (4/10/1961). |
5. 1964 Challenge The Yankees #NNO Harry Bright
YouTube source: The 15th strikeout victim of Sandy Koufax in Game One of 1963 World Series. |
|
7. 1964 Topps Giants #55 Orlando Cepeda
Getty Images source: Hitting at Connie Mack Stadium on 5/7/1961 and at Candlestick Park on 5/20/1961.
|
8. 1961 Bazooka #17 Rocky Colavito
Getty Images source: Swing sequence photos on 5/20/1961 at Fenway Park. |
9. 1961 Topps #52 George Crowe
YouTube source: Miscellaneous Cubs highlights including Don Cardwell retiring Crowe during his 1960 no-hitter at Wrigley Field. |
10. 1965 O-Pee-Chee #129 Bennie Daniels
YouTube source: 1964 MLB highlights ... hit a homer at DC Stadium off Eddie Fisher of the White Sox! |
Comments
Indeed your list is quirky, but very interesting. I love the historical aspect of your list and the YouTube links. It's interesting that some players were brave (or stupid) to not wear one, especially when "safety" wasn't as prioritized as now. The NFL had something similar with helmets and face guards. I remember watching a Cardinals punter wearing just a single bar in games I think in 2006; he was grandfathered in like these MLB players. | ||
Interesting topic. I like it. Can you name the last major leaguer to bat in a game without a helmet? | ||
Unless you know differently, I'm pretty sure it's Bob Montgomery, who is already in this list. His last season was 1979. I remember watching a Yankees/Red Sox game where a broadcaster mentioned with disapproval how Montgomery wore a liner inside a soft cap as a substitute for a helmet. It was either a Yankees broadcast or NBC network broadcast. | ||
Bingo! Bob was grandfathered in to not wear a helmet. His last game was September 9, 1979. |
