TTM Stats
- Sent: 4/5/2022 | Received: 4/15/2022 | 10 Days
- ’70 Topps, ’74 Topps (2)
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Billy Grabarkewitz was a versatile infielder who made a name for himself during a brief but bright stint in Major League Baseball. Though his career was interrupted by injuries, his story remains a reminder of the unpredictability of sports and the flashes of brilliance that define certain players’ careers.
Born on January 18, 1946, in Lockhart, Texas, Billy Grabarkewitz grew up playing baseball in an era when the sport was the heart and soul of American athletics. After attending Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, Texas, Grabarkewitz played college baseball at St. Mary’s in San Antonio. His skill as an infielder and his ability to hit with power for his size caught the attention of Major League scouts. In 1966, Grabarkewitz signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, beginning his professional journey in baseball. After a few years working his way through the minor leagues, he made his Major League debut with the Dodgers in 1969, marking the start of what appeared to be a promising career.
The highlight of Billy Grabarkewitz’s career came during the 1970 season. That year, everything seemed to click for the young infielder, who showed exceptional power and on-base ability. As the Dodgers’ primary third baseman, Grabarkewitz was named to the National League All-Star team, the crowning achievement of his career. He finished the season with a .289 batting average, 17 home runs, and 84 RBIs—impressive numbers for a relatively unknown player going into the season. He also had excellent plate discipline, drawing 95 walks, which led to an impressive .399 on-base percentage. Grabarkewitz’s combination of power, patience, and solid defense made him a key player for the Dodgers in 1970. Many believed that this breakout performance would signal the beginning of a long and productive career.
Unfortunately, Grabarkewitz’s career was derailed by injuries, which prevented him from maintaining the momentum he built during his breakout season. He struggled to stay healthy in the following years, and his performance at the plate suffered as a result. Grabarkewitz’s 1971 season saw a steep decline, and by 1972, he was no longer the dynamic player he had been just two years earlier.
In an effort to regain his form, Grabarkewitz was traded to the California Angels in 1973, but his time there was short-lived. Over the next few years, he bounced between teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and Oakland Athletics. Though he continued to show glimpses of his previous talent, injuries continued to limit his playing time and effectiveness.
After the 1975 season, Grabarkewitz’s time in Major League Baseball came to an end. He retired with a career .236 batting average, 28 home runs, and 141 RBIs. While his post-1970 career didn’t live up to the early promise he showed, Grabarkewitz’s All-Star season remains a memorable chapter in Dodgers history.
After retiring from baseball, Billy Grabarkewitz largely stepped away from the public spotlight. He has lived a more private life, away from the fanfare of the baseball world, but his contribution to the game during his peak years continues to be appreciated by those who remember his short-lived brilliance.
This is my second successful return from him. To see the first successful return check out my post from June 2021.
The Score on Billy Grabarkewitz – 7.0
I love a good inscription, and Billy definitely gave me one. Since I sent him the 1970 card he included the “All-Star” inscription. You can see he doesn’t bother too much with his last name, which is rather long. On the 1970 he did sign his full first name but on the 1974 cards he just went with initials.
Thanks Mr. Grabarkewitz! I’m giving this return a 7 overall.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.