Cards from the Diamond

by JoeMagennis on February 24, 2010

1973 Topps

Jim Beauchamp

Each day we feature something from our collection of childhood bubblegum memories. For those who remember them, these baseball cards have their own stories to tell.

What does this card bring to mind for you? Please share in the comments!

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Tagged as: 1973, mets, outfielder

Jim D.

I recently discovered your site through the PC website(Go Friars!). Keep up the good work.

Not sure why I would feel compelled to provide comments on a Jim Beachump baseball card, one of the more statistically insignificant Mets(14 career HR's, 90RBI's, 6 SB's, .231 avg)–but here goes.

1) I had this card in doubles (or maybe triples)–and I still do.

2) I remember the night in August 1972 when Jim hit two home runs in a game against the Houston Astros, the team that traded him two years prior. It was his birthday and the second home run was a game winner. I was eight years old and I listened to that game on the radio, camping in my backyard.

3) Jim Beachump wore number 24 then inexpicably gave it up to some guy who joined the Mets in 1972. I think the guy's last name was Mays or something like that.

4) Sadly, Jim passed away from Leukemia on Christmas Day 2007. His baseball career as player and coach spanned 50 years and he played on a National League Champion Mets team. However, his most lasting legacy is poignantly documented in a quote from his son that appears in his obituary, which I stumbled upon a few weeks after he died. “As a son, my fondest memory of him was how much he told us he loved us”

–Jim D.
http://befluid.com joemagennis

Jim .. welcome to the Baseballisms community! I hope that you will continue to visit regularly, and I thank you for sharing so profoundly. This community will grow and thrive as fans of the game connect and relate personal baseball stories. The game has a well documented history on the field, now think how much larger the legacy is when fans get together to share their own experiences!

You have discovered the reason why we supplement our other content with these daily baseball cards .. Each player/card will have different meanings for each one of us. For some it might just be an interesting unknown player, but the design or the photo might capture the imagination for a brief moment.

… but for others, like Jim Beauchamp in your case, it is a player who has obviously had a great impact on your love of the game. The card truly means something special.

We are proud to have your response to seeing this card exist on the pages of Baseballisms.com

Please stay in touch … And Go Friars!
Joe