#99 Buddy Biancalana

Card thoughts: This is the fate of long player names--they wrap around the back and under the armpit.

The player: Buddy Biancalana was a good field, no-hit infielder. When I say no-hit, I mean it. His career average was .205 over 6 seasons. He had only one season with over 10 at bats where he batted better than .200 when he hit .242 in 190 at bats in the 1986 season. His hitting was so bad that in 1985was a good field, no-hit infielder. When I say no-hit, I mean it. His career average was .205 over 6 seasons. He had only one season with over 10 at bats where he batted better than .200 when he hit .242 in 190 at bats in the 1986 season. His hitting was so bad that in 1985 David Letterman had a Buddy Biancalana hit countdown to contrast Biancalana approaching 56 career hits to Pete Rose's pursuit of Ty Cobb's record. Despite his poor hitting, Biancalana really shone in the 1985 World Series, helping the Royals win in 7 games. He batted .285 and drove in 2 runs, after driving in only 6 during the regular season. He has stated that before the first game he had a wave of fear wash over him and channeling that fear helped him play better.

After his career ended, Biancalana worked as a manager and infield coordinator for a time in the Tampa Bay and Philadelphia minor league system. But his real passion has been helping athletes achieve more. To this end, he helped write the book the 7 Secrets of World Class Athletes. Lest you think that he's the typical jock motivator, this book is chock full of neuroscience. Here he is discussing "zone training" on the MLB Network.

Rear guard: Biancalana didn't hit much, but he did have some hitting highlights. His first triple was the only hit in his first cup of coffee in the majors. His triple was off the A's Brian Kingman. He was out at home trying to stretch it into an inside the park home run.

Bob Oliver was an occasionally great hitter who had years of great power and years with none. His 6 hits came against the Angels. He drove in 3 runs and had a home run and a double.