Odibe McDowell was a star center fielder who played in Major League Baseball from 1968 to 1981. While he had a relatively short 14-year MLB career, McDowell made his mark as an elite defensive outfielder with impressive speed and power at the plate. As a result, he is remembered fondly by many baseball fans and collectors today seek out Odibe McDowell baseball cards.

McDowell was an excellent athlete growing up in Miami, FL where he attended Miami Northwestern High School. Scouts took notice of his 5-tool abilities and he was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 1st round of the 1965 MLB Draft. McDowell worked his way through the minor leagues quickly with stellar play and reached Cleveland by 1968 at just 21 years old.

In his rookie season of 1968 with the Indians, McDowell made his mark immediately. He batted .277 with 11 home runs and 50 RBI while playing gold glove caliber defense in center field. McDowell’s impressive speed was also on display as he stole 22 bases that year. His combination of hitting, power, defense and baserunning earned him 3rd place in AL Rookie of the Year voting.

McDowell would go on to establish himself as one of the best all-around outfielders in the American League throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. Some of his best seasons came from 1969-1973 where he batted over .280 every year while averaging 15 home runs and 35 stolen bases per season. Defensively, McDowell won the first of his 4 career Gold Glove awards in 1969 and routinely posted impressive defensive stats like assists and putouts from his center field position.

In the 1973 season at age 28, Odibe McDowell had arguably his best statistical year. He hit a career-high 26 home runs with 91 RBI while batting .288 and stealing 27 bases. McDowell’s combination of hitting for power and average along with his defensive prowess led to him finishing 6th in AL MVP voting that year. He established himself as one of the most complete players in baseball during this peak period in Cleveland.

McDowell continued producing at an all-star caliber level for the remainder of the 1970s as the core of his game remained elite defensive skills paired with 20 home run, 30 stolen base potential annually. But several injuries slowed him down a bit in the later 1970s. He was traded to the Texas Rangers in 1978 and also spent his final seasons in 1979-1981 with the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers before retiring at age 37.

Over his 14-year MLB career, Odibe McDowell hit .266 with 184 home runs and 739 RBI. He stole 274 bases and won 4 Gold Glove awards. His defensive prowess, speed, and power made him one of the most exciting players of the 1970s and he accumulated impressive career stats despite slowing down later in the decade due to injuries. McDowell’s all-around abilities have not been forgotten by collectors today searching for his baseball cards.

Some of the key Odibe McDowell baseball cards that collectors seek out and have increased in value in recent years include:

1968 Topps #620 RC: McDowell’s rookie card is one of the most coveted from his early career in Cleveland. High grade versions have sold for over $1000.

1973 Topps #139: This card captures McDowell at the height of his powers coming off his best statistical season. Near mint copies valued over $500.

1975 Topps #459: One of McDowell’s more plentiful 70s issues but still popular due to the fun action shot selection.

1978 Topps #480: His last card in a Cleveland uniform before being dealt to Texas. Marks an era ending for collectors.

1981 Topps #500: Final baseball card capturing McDowell’s playing days split between the Yankees and Brewers in the early 1980s.

1970-1974 Golden Spikes Award Winner: Regional Odibe McDowell cards produced to honor his defensive skills, one of his rarest subsets.

While Odibe McDowell had a relatively short MLB career spanning just 14 seasons, he left an indelible mark as one of the top 5-tool players and defensive outfielders of the 1970s. McDowell’s baseball card portfolio captures the peak of his exciting playing days and many key issues remain popular targets for vintage baseball card collectors today. His abilities and all-star caliber play have cemented him as a memorable name from this era.