no. 247 - royals future stars

Who is the man: Both Jerry Cram and Paul Splittorff spent most of 1970 as members of the starting staff for Triple A Omaha. Splittorff did get into two games with the Royals in '70, throwing up a 7.27 ERA in 8-plus innings.

Can ya dig it: This card has the well-worn look of one of my first 1971 cards, obtained from the older brother of my friend. But I don't remember it coming in that trade nor have any memory of it.

Right on: I do not recognize Splittorff without his glasses.

You see these rookies are bad mothers: Stop it. Rookies on second-year major league franchises are not bad-ass.

Shut your mouth: Splittorff was an announcer for 24 years after his successful 15-year MLB career until his death in 2011.

No one understands him but his woman: This is the only Topps card of Cram, but he did get one solo card -- as a Met in the 1976 SSPC set.

(A word about the back): Splittorff's first year in pro ball was with the New York-Penn League's Corning Royals. I've been to Corning many times, not that this interests anyone.