Jump to: player bio | view more cards | tour stops | view random player

bob aspromonte, 1963 Topps #45, Colt 45s (Astros)

Player: Aspromonte, Bob

Card: 1963 Topps 45

Position: 3B/LF/SS

<- Previous | Home | Next ->

playerbio

In all my years in baseball, I have never known a player with more class than Bob Aspromonte." - Larry Dierker

Robert Thomas Aspromonte (born June 19, 1938) is a former third baseman who appeared in 1,324 games over parts of 13 seasons (1956; 1960–71). A native of Brooklyn, New York, he played for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Colt .45s/Astros, Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, all in the National League.

Bob was an above-average fielder who didn't strike out much and could be relied upon to play multiple positions if needed. In 1962, he played in 57 consecutive games at third base without an error.

Bob was also at the center of an amazing story in which a child who had ben hit by lightning, and who idolized Bob, asked him to hit homers on three separate occasions, and, incredibly, the non-slugger Aspromonte complied in each case.

On June 9, 1968, he, along with teammate Rusty Staub and Maury Willis of the Pittsburgh Pirates, decided not to play in a game between the two teams in light of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy three days earlier, with Aspromonte stating that “If we didn’t put a day aside, it would hurt me. … I’ve never had to take this firm a stand on anything before. It’s got to boil down to one thing: how you feel personally. It’s how I felt. My conscience is clear."

Aspromonte was the last Brooklyn Dodger to retire. He managed one at-bat for Brooklyn in 1956.

In his Letters from Home Plate response, Bob lists Joe Dimaggio as his favorite player growing up, Bob Gibson as the toughest pitcher he ever faced, and Gil Hodges as his favorite teammate.

On January 26, 2019, Aspromonte was selected as an inaugural member of the Houston Astros Hall of Fame. Bob is the younger brother of former MLB infielder and manager Ken Aspromonte.

(excerpted from Wikipedia, BR Bullpen, and SABR)

morecards

1969 Topps #542
1971 Topps #469
1972 Topps #659
2009 Italian American Baseball Heroes #3 (his brother Ken’s stats are on back)

tourstops


Bob Aspromonte is part of the New York City Born Player Tour – Go to the Next Stop


Bob is also part of the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame Tour – Go to the Next Stop


Bob is also part of the LA/Brooklyn Dodgers Player Tour – Go to the Next Stop


Bob is also part of the Braves Players Tour – Go To the Next Stop


See All Bob’s baseball cards at TCDB


<- Previous | Home | Next ->


randomplayer

2 thoughts on “Bob Aspromonte: 13 yr MLB career, the last Brooklyn Dodger to retire

  1. Herb Tamres says:

    I grew up with Bobby Aspromonte in Brooklyn. Went to Lafayette High School together with Sandy Koufax and Al Ferrara. I was on the basketball team. Would love to know how Bobby is doing and where he presently resides. Thanks

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *