#124) ROD GASPAR

Rod Gaspar was selected by the New York Mets in the second round of the free agent draft on June 6, 1967. He would make his major league debut in the greatest of all Mets seasons on April 8, 1969 at Shea Stadium. Rod was a member of the 1969 World Champion Miracle Mets. His bold World Series prediction that the Mets would win four straight against the heavily favored Orioles was not well received in Baltimore. However he was very correct when the Mets rolled off four victories after dropping the opener. Gaspar even scored the winning run in Game 4 on J.C. Martin's famous bunt. Rod was traded by the Mets to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Ron Herbel on September 1, 1970.

After his professional baseball career he has operated a successful insurance company in California.

I purchased this signed index card from the legendary autograph guy, Jack Smalling and converted it into Rod Gaspar's card in the set in January 2009. Jack's website is www.baseballaddresses.com