TTM Stats
- Sent: 10/25/2019 | Received: 11/4/2019 | 9 Days
- ’73 Topps, ’74 Topps, ’74 Topps Traded
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Claude Osteen is a former lefthanded starting pitcher in the major leagues. He played for 18 seasons from 1957 through 1975. He spent time with the Cincinnati Reds, Washington Senators, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox.
Osteen was born in Tennessee but grew up in Ohio. The Reds signed him as a free agent in 1957. He made his first appearances that same year, debuting on July 6, 1957. But he wouldn’t pitch in the majors again until the 1959 season. The Reds traded him to the Senators late in the 1961 season. After a few seasons there he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a deal that brought the Senators Frank Howard.
Osteen would spend the next nine season in Los Angeles and it was there that he found a lot of his success. He was a three-time All-Star with the Dodgers (1967, 1970, and 1973). He also had two 20-win seasons and won double digit games every year with the Dodgers. There was only one season where he had a losing record with the Dodgers. In 1968 he not only had a losing record but led the majors in losses with 18.
But one of his best successes with the Dodgers came early on. In 1965 he would help the Dodgers win the World Series. He pitched to a 0.64 ERA in that Series going 1-1 with a shutout. They made it to the Series the next season as well but lost to the Baltimore Orioles.
The Dodgers traded Osteen to the Astros in 1974 and got back Jimmy Wynn who helped them to the 1974 NL Pennant. From there he moved on to St. Louis and Chicago, playing a year in each of those cities before retiring.
The Score on Claude Osteen – 6.5
Claude has an “old man” style signature. That probably makes sense since he kinda is. But these came out great. I really like the thin marker too. I think it fits the way he does his signature. And if you know me you know I love the blue marker on the Dodgers cards.
Thanks Mr. Osteen! I’m giving this return a 6.5 overall.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.