He continued to hit well in 19 however, he was not popular with Cardinals fans, who felt he had an uninterested style of play in his body language. In reality, Jack Buck, Cardinals sportscaster at the time made the statement. The quote, 'If I ain't startin', I ain't departin'' regarding the 1979 MLB All-Star Game is often mistakenly attributed to Templeton over his refusal to play. He was named to the team as a reserve, but refused to go. He caused some controversy in 1979 when, despite having better numbers than either Dave Concepción or Larry Bowa, two of the National League's premier shortstops at the time, he wasn't selected to start at shortstop for the National League All-Star team. He led the Cardinals in hits in 1977, 1978, and 1979. His total of 211 hits led the National League, and with 19 triples, he led the league for a third consecutive season. In the latter year, Templeton made history as the first switch-hitter to collect 100 hits from each side of the plate, a feat achieved only once more by Willie Wilson in 1980. He was inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame.īorn in Lockney, Texas, Templeton was hailed by many as one of the best players in baseball early in his career, which featured All-Star Game selections in 19. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets from 1976 to 1991. He played as a shortstop in Major League Baseball for the St. Garry Lewis Templeton (born March 24, 1956) is an American former professional baseball player and minor league manager.

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