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1980 Topps Rookies (Frank Pastore)

Posted on January 7, 2013 at 12:25 AM



We lost another one recently. Former Cincinnati Reds hurler Frank Pastore was killed when the motorcycle was struck by a car while driving in Los Angeles. He was only 55 years old. Another former player dies too young.


Now I'd like to sit here and tell you all about my wonderful memories of his parts of eight years in the show, but the truth is, I have very little recollection of his exploits. He won 48 games in his career and had an ERA of 4.29, which was okay but nothing special in the 80s. He pitched mainly for the Reds with a brief stint in Minnesota. Bet you didn't know that!


Aside from that, he was just another in the revolving door that is major league baseball. In the 1980 Topps set, he shared a card with Harry Spilman, who spent a few years kicking around as a utility player, and Art DeFreites, who I know nothing about. Let's just say, this card isn't going to hold much value to card collectors.


Although I don't know much about Pastore, research shows he was a Chrsitian radio host, and pretty popular according to the "The Hollywood Reporter." Who knew? I bet very few people that don't listen to Christian radio. The site also says he predicted he would get into an accident like this. I'm not so sure I buy into that, but it is an interesting read:
.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/frank-pastore-dies-motorcycle-accident-403765


It's sad everytime a major leaguer that I remember from my youth passes away. Even if it isn't a big name player, it's something you hate to see. Rest in peace Frank Pastore...although I don't remember much about you, I do remember you. And can you really ask for that much more?


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2 Comments

Reply swamilee@comcast.net
12:08 AM on January 07, 2013 
You don't remember the immortal Harry Spilman? I'm very surprised by that. He was a utility player for the Reds and Astros for the better part of the 80s. Without looking him up, he might have played for the Giants too.
Reply Michael Katz
09:26 PM on January 06, 2013 
Frank Pastore is the only player on that card I even remember, and I think I remember him primarily because I had at least one of his baseball cards. I wish I had something else to say about Frank, but . . . oh well.