DATE: 1980 ORIGINAL or REPRINT: Original - Printed from the original negative in the time period in which it was shot TEAM: Toronto Blue Jays SUBJECT: Bobby Mattick APPROXIMATE SIZE: 8"x10" NUMBER OF PHOTOS: 1 COMMENTS / CONDITION: This is one of a large accumulation of vintage sports photographs, slides and negatives that we will be listing over the coming months. Wear on these, if any, is mostly confined to minor corner and edge wear, but see scans for further details including condition. We do not deal in stock images or modern reprints, and all scans shown are of the actual vintage photograph, slide or negative being sold. If you have any questions about a particular piece, please ask before the auction ends. BIO: Robert James Mattick was born in Sioux City, IA and died in 2004 in Scottsdale, AZ. He played major league baseball from 1938 to 1942 as shortstop for the Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds. Mattick began his managerial career in the Southern League in 1944 and 1945. From 1946 to 1978, Mattick worked for nine different baseball organizations including the Montreal Expos. He was credited by some baseball personnels as an incomparable longtime scout and player development specialist, signing such stars as Frank Robinson, Vada Pinson, Curt Flood, Rusty Staub, Don Baylor, and Gary Carter. One of the Blue Jays' original employees in its inaugural season, Bobby first joined the team in 1976 as the scouting supervisor, and helped draft the expansion Blue Jays. In 1978 Mattick was appointed the director of player development. 1980 saw him take over the role of manager from Roy Hartsfield, the Blue Jays' original manager, becoming the oldest rookie manager to start a season at 64. The 1981 season was interrupted by a player strike, and the Jays improved their winning percentage in 1981 but still finished in last place in the American League East Division in both halves of the season. Following the 1981 season and a 104-164 career record during his two-year tenure as manager, he continued to work in the Jays' organization as executive co-ordinator of baseball operations before his promotion to vice president of baseball in 1984. Mattick played a key administrative role in scouting and development, leading to the Blue Jays' five AL East Division championships, and World Series crowns in 1992 and 1993. Mattick was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999, and the club renamed its spring training complex The Bobby Mattick Training Center in 2007. SKU: SPP01324
Item: SPP01324
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