Books and articles about Bobby Tolan

After four seasons as a backup in St. Louis, Tolan got his chance as an everyday outfielder when he and Wayne Granger were traded to Cincinnati for Vada Pinson on October 11, 1968. Using a distinctive batting style, with his bat held high above his head and perpendicular to the ground, Tolan had brilliant seasons in 1969 and 1970. Batting second behind Pete Rose, he had career highs of 21 HR and 93 RBI in 1969. He batted .316 and led the NL with 57 stolen bases in 1970. In Game Two of the 1970 LCS, he homered and scored all three Cincinnati runs in their 3-1 victory over Pittsburgh.

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Tolan ruptured his Achilles tendon playing basketball in January 1971 and missed the entire season. He came back in 1972 to bat .283 and steal 42 bases, capturing TSN Comeback Player of the Year honors. But he feuded with Cincinnati management, was suspended during a dismal 1973 season, and was traded to San Diego in November. A 1974 knee injury eliminated his speed, and he played sparingly after joining the Phillies in 1976, mostly at first base. He spent 1978 in Japan. Later he served as a major league coach and a minor league manager. (ME)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » October 11, 1968: The Cards trade OF Bobby Tolan and P Wayne Granger to the Reds for OF Vada Pinson. » April 7, 1969: Bill Singer of the Dodgers is credited with the first official save, as Los Angeles defeats Cincinnati 3–2, scoring once in the 2nd and twice in the 3rd off Gary Nolan. All the Cincy scoring came in the opening inning when Pete Rose and Bobby Tolan hit Don Drysdale's first two pitches for home runs. They'll hit leadoff homers again in August. » April 30, 1969: The Reds Jim Maloney hurls his first 9-inning no-hitter, and 3rd overall. He has 13 strikeouts and Bobby Tolan drives in four runs as Cincinnati romps over Houston 10–0. » August 17, 1969: After the Pirates open with five runs in the first inning, the Reds answer with four tallies as Pete Rose and Bobby Tolan, the first two Reds hitters in the game, belt homers off Pittsburgh's Steve Blass. It's a record-setting 2nd time this year that the duo has led off a game this way: Don Drysdale was greeted on April 7th with double dingers. It's Pittsburgh day, however, as they win, 8–5. » April 6, 1970: In the last home opener at Crosley Field, the Reds top the Expos, 5–1, behind Jim Merritt. It is the first win for manager Sparky Anderson. The Reds have three homers in the 4th, when Lee May, Bernie Carbo, and Bobby Tolan connect. It is Carbo's first ML hit. Joe Sparma takes the loss. » May 29, 1970: The Reds strand 16 runners in the first eight innings against the visiting Expos, but win, 6–4, on Bobby Tolan's 9th inning homer. The Expos have never won a game at Crosley Field. » June 26, 1970: For the third time in two years, Pete Rose and Bobby Tolan lead off a game with homers to start the Reds to a 3–2 win over Houston. The pair did it twice last year. » June 28, 1970: For the third time in their careers, Pete Rose and Bobby Tolan combine to belt lead off homers for the Reds. This time Houston's Don Wilson is the victim. Tony Perez hits his 27th homer, off Wilson, in the top of the 9th for a 3–2 Reds win. » August 2, 1970: Bobby Tolan celebrates his new son, born just before today's game, by driving in the winning run in the 11th inning to beat the visiting Cubs, 4–3. » October 4, 1970: Bobby Tolan leads the Reds to a 3–1 win as Cincinnati continues to roll over the Pirates in the NLCS. Tolan tallies three hits, including a home run, and scores all three of his team's runs. » January 7, 1971: Reds OF Bobby Tolan suffers a ruptured Achilles tendon while playing basketball on the Reds off-season team and undergoes surgery. Hell return to action but reinjure the heel May seven and miss the entire 1971 season. The front office disbands the basketball team. » May 2, 1972: The Reds spot the Cards a 6–0 lead, then score two in the 6th and five in the 7th to win, 7–6. Bobby Tolan's 3-run homer is the big blow in the 7th. » October 21, 1972: The Reds send the Series to its 7th game with an 8–1 victory, the only game of the Series decided by more than one run. Johnny Bench has a home run and Bobby Tolan and Cesar Geronimo each drive in two runs. » September 14, 1973: In Cincinnati, the Reds score three runs in the 9th to trip the Braves, 7–6. Bobby Tolan drives in the winner after Phil Gagliano drives in two runs with a 2-out single. » September 27, 1973: After a series of incidents, the Reds suspend OF Bobby Tolan for insubordination. Tolan was in several scuffles with club personnel, went AWOL for two days in August, and began growing a beard, a no no with the Reds. Tolan, hitting .206, will be traded in November. » November 9, 1973: The Reds trade Bobby Tolan and Dave Tomlin to the Padres for P Clay Kirby. All three will have decent years with their new teams. » December 9, 1974: Bobby Tolan, traded by Cincinnati for P Clay Kirby on November 9, 1973, finally signs a 1974 contract with the Padres, leading to a withdrawal of the grievance initiated by the Players' Association on his behalf.