Player Of The Week

In his three previous years with the Cincinnati Reds , 25-year-old Tommy Harper was lost in the shadows of Outfielders Frank Robinson and Vada Pinson . With Robinson now starring in the American League and Pinson having an off year, Harper has finally been discovered. Dubbed "Felix the Cat" (for no particular reason) by Manager Dave Bristol , Harper was batting only .269 in mid-June. Then he started to hit and this week moved briefly into the National League's top 10. His average as of Sunday was .309. Since July 17, four days after Bristol became the Reds' manager, Felix the Cat has hit safely in 23 consecutive games, batted .361 (35 for 97), scored 18 runs (67 for the season), and the Reds have won 17 of 23 games. As leadoff man, Harper has been on base over 40% of the time during the streak. Once on base he has been even more of a threat, stealing 18 bases in 24 attempts. Says Bristol , "He's got the green light to run whenever he wants...he sets the stage for us." Harper's speed and daring also show up in right field. In a game that Cincinnati won last week he ended a Cardinal rally with a fine running catch that left two men on base in the fourth inning. Two innings later his leaping, one-handed stab robbed Lou Brock of a bases-loaded, extra-base hit. His talents have endeared Harper to all of Cincinnati—but especially to Bristol . "Everyone likes him and respects him," said Bristol . "He's a leader now."