Wood vs. Wood #287

Last time it was a 6-3 victory for 1962. Will it come out on top again here?

George Witt has not hat but plenty of hathead. Usually known as Red, Witt had a great rookie season in 1958, going 9-2 with a 1.61 ERA in 15 starts. He hurt his elbow in 1959 and was ineffective after that, though he did win a World Series ring in 1960. Between October of 1961 and May of 1962, Witt was sold by the Pirates to the Angels, by the Angels back to the Pirates, and from the Pirates to Houston. He was ineffective that season, pitched briefly in the minors in 1963, and then returned home to southern California. Overall in 66 major league games (38 starts) he went 11-16 with a 4.32 ERA. At Tustin High School in California he was a science teacher, PE teacher, Foreign Study League group leader, baseball coach, and tennis coach. He died of cancer in 2013.

Dave Von Ohlen looks like he's throwing a warmup pitch. This is Anaheim Stadium, where Von Ohlen appeared in a day game on August 17, 1986. Von Ohlen came into the game in relief of Joaquin Andujar, who had just given up the go-ahead run to make it 3-2, and had runners on first and second with nobody out. Von Ohlen allowed a single to George Hendrick to load the bases, and was relieved by Doug Bair, who allowed one more run (charged to Andujar) but escaped without further damage. It was a blink-and-you'll-miss-it outing by Von Ohlen, but Topps's photographer (Doug McWilliams?) did not blink. California went on to win the game, 7-3. A native of Flushing, Queens, Von Ohlen was drafted by the Mets and pitched in their system for six seasons, but never made the majors. He signed with the Cardinals in 1983, and made his major league debut that year. He pitched five seasons in the majors for St. Louis, Cleveland and Oakland. In 127 games, all in relief, 7-7 with a 3.33 ERA and 4 saves. After his career he returned to Long Island, where he has had a long career as a Supervisor at North Shore Hospital, and is a coach for the LI Dodgers travel team.