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.
21. 1960 Topps #74 Walt Moryn
YouTube source: Miscellaneous Cubs highlights including Lindy McDaniel retiring Moryn during Don Cardwell's 1960 no-hitter at Wrigley Field. |
22. 1962 Topps #317 Musial Plays 21st Season
YouTube source: Miscellaneous Cubs highlights including Don Cardwell striking out Musial during his 1960 no-hitter at Wrigley Field. |
|
24. 1969 Topps - Deckle #21 Pete Rose
YouTube source: 1964 MLB highlights and 1965 Jim Maloney no-hitter against Cubs.
|
|
26. 1973 Boston Red Sox Picture Pack A #NNO Reggie Smith
Miscellaneous YouTube videos show him without a helmet in 1967 and 1968. |
28. 1965 Topps #498 Gene Stephens
Getty Images source: Hitting at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Sept. 1960. |
29. 1970 O-Pee-Chee #324 Tony Taylor
YouTube source: 1964 MLB highlights and 1974 Phillies highlights. |
30. 1978 TCMA The 1960's I #0260 Ted Williams
YouTube source: Homered in last at-bat at Fenway Park, 9/28/1960. |
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. |
