TTM Stats
Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.
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- Sent: 6/6/2022 | Received: 6/14/2022 | 8 Days
- ’84 Topps, ’86 Fleer, ’87 Topps (2)
- Address: Home Address (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
In baseball, catchers often play a crucial yet underappreciated role, handling pitching staffs while contributing at the plate. Bob Kearney was one such catcher – steady defensive presence who spent parts of eight seasons in Major League Baseball, primarily with the San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, and Seattle Mariners. Though he never became a household name, Kearney was a valuable role player known for his leadership behind the plate.
Robert Henry Kearney was born on October 3, 1956, in San Antonio, Texas. He played college baseball at the University of Texas in Austin before being drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 1977 MLB Draft. Kearney worked his way through the Giants’ minor league system, earning a reputation as a strong defensive catcher. His ability to handle pitchers, call a good game, and provide occasional power made him a solid prospect for a big-league role.
Kearney made his MLB debut with the Giants on September 25, 1979, but saw very limited action in his first season and was back to the minors. After playing in only 2 games with San Francisco, he was moved to the Oakland Athletics before the 1981 season via the minor league draft that year. With Oakland, Kearney finally received more playing time, appearing in 22 games in 1982 and showing his defensive value. The following year, in 1983, he became the A’s primary catcher, playing in a career-high 108 games, hitting eight home runs and driving in 32 RBI.
Following the 1983 season, Kearney was traded to the Seattle Mariners, where he spent the best years of his career. From 1984 to 1986, he was Seattle’s primary catcher, providing veteran leadership to a young pitching staff. His best offensive season with the Mariners came in 1984, when he hit .225 with 7 home runs and 43 RBI in 133 games. While he was never a power threat, his ability to handle pitchers and play solid defense made him a key contributor for the Mariners.
Kearney remained with Seattle through 1987, but his playing time decreased as younger catchers emerged. After that season, he retired from professional baseball.
Over eight MLB seasons, Kearney played in 479 games, finishing with a .233 career batting average, 27 home runs, and 133 RBI. While his offensive numbers were modest, his defensive skills and ability to guide pitchers kept him in the league for nearly a decade.
After retiring, Kearney stayed largely out of the public spotlight. While he may not have been a superstar, he left a lasting impression as a dependable and hardworking catcher during an era when defense behind the plate was highly valued.
Bob Kearney’s career serves as a reminder of the important role catchers play in shaping a team’s success. While he may not have had an All-Star career, he was a reliable, respected player who contributed to every team he played for. For fans who followed baseball in the 1980s, Kearney was a classic example of a tough, defensive-minded catcher who quietly did his job and helped his pitchers succeed.
The Score on Bob Kearney – 6.5
Bob did a good job on these cards, but they don’t all let me show off his signature. The best ones are the 1987 Topps cards because you can see the signature well. But the dark background of the 1984 Topps card and the blue uniform on the 1986 Fleer cards don’t give him a great place to sign.
Thanks Mr. Kearney! I’m giving this return a 6.5.
This is my second successful return from him. To see the first successful return, check out my post from May 2022.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.