tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528335924716072402024-02-08T18:11:34.000-08:001977 Baseball Cards UpdateDesigned for use by our ARAIG online league and for enjoyment purposes only.ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-36367656482820312312012-12-17T05:58:00.000-08:002012-12-17T05:58:34.976-08:00Follow my 1978 Topps Update Blog<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://1978cards.blogspot.com/">http://1978cards.blogspot.com/</a></span><br />
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If 1977 interested you, click on the above link and follow the '78 Update blog, which I'm actively working on now for an upcoming Action Baseball League.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">Here are some HOF samples:</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbm4YUo_NXHSCxHPacbeMcJQjEV8bGDI_trFdWnsPwxyIdm2HU1hjGxuE5EYFTyzeheZczQR6SHB8E-OUmhflw9d3xTFXiDFCIE7VApqAzepDLhllL1lgkZEiIb3htsXCEIfHeT_xmwlMD/s1600/Paul_Molitor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #888888; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: initial;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbm4YUo_NXHSCxHPacbeMcJQjEV8bGDI_trFdWnsPwxyIdm2HU1hjGxuE5EYFTyzeheZczQR6SHB8E-OUmhflw9d3xTFXiDFCIE7VApqAzepDLhllL1lgkZEiIb3htsXCEIfHeT_xmwlMD/s320/Paul_Molitor.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="226" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XujAsRXkdEYvqRrY8S1tNMyDq_ToXsjMazMEQaEyuKDjgLgxPstS2RD81vNiT-3m8IoszjhQ8FVOzGh4r4maSCy-G7FsG-wr9cCpKVGKZ1jK22qrSWL2t8eu4HBcofD2KQnr0q8Utx2N/s1600/Dennis_Eckersley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #888888; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: initial;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XujAsRXkdEYvqRrY8S1tNMyDq_ToXsjMazMEQaEyuKDjgLgxPstS2RD81vNiT-3m8IoszjhQ8FVOzGh4r4maSCy-G7FsG-wr9cCpKVGKZ1jK22qrSWL2t8eu4HBcofD2KQnr0q8Utx2N/s320/Dennis_Eckersley.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="226" /></a></div>
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ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-9449206171491326502011-12-06T13:37:00.001-08:002011-12-06T14:48:03.371-08:00More Missing Cards...After I loaded the cards into my PlayerPhotos folder and fired up the game I found out that I completely forgot about a handful of cards. At first I thought I misspelled them or misplaced them, but upon further review I realized that I just flat out dropped the ball. So much for my "Six Sigma" Program :) ! Here are the few that I missed. This completes the set. From time to time I will update the set if a better photo appears. An example of a better photo is the Mike Cuellar card that I'm posting here. I found a better photo on the OOTP site yesterday and added it to the card. I will be updating some Blue Jays cards thanks to Chris Jackson's scans and Rick Ambrozic's O Pee Chee card scans. Stay tuned...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FhhHKmz-rbQ/Tt56asrcyBI/AAAAAAAABWc/uzcHLZoODPM/s1600/Joe_Ferguson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FhhHKmz-rbQ/Tt56asrcyBI/AAAAAAAABWc/uzcHLZoODPM/s320/Joe_Ferguson.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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This photo proves that not only were the Astros uniforms of the late '70's ugly, but their jackets were even uglier. Ferguson, who is best remember for his two tours of duty with the Dodgers had his 1977 card issued by Topps with him in a Cardinal uniform. Ferguson hit .257 with 16 homers, which is exceptional when you consider that he played half of his games in the Astrodome. Midway through the following season he was dealt back to the Dodgers for Rafael Landestoy and Jeff Leonard. The Dodgers needed a strong bat off the bench and a backup catcher, so the deal worked for them at the time. Landestoy was a good middle infielder for Houston and Leonard would go on to be a prime time player in San Fran.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_InFVMJc0U/Tt56ll2dJRI/AAAAAAAABWo/x1-yiyH_sZI/s1600/Larry_Dierker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_InFVMJc0U/Tt56ll2dJRI/AAAAAAAABWo/x1-yiyH_sZI/s320/Larry_Dierker.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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Dierker was on his way to a Hall of Fame career in Houston, but injuries curtailed his effectiveness and he wound up spending one uneventful season in St. Louis before retiring at the age of 30. During his 14 year tenure in Houston he became the franchises 1st 20 game winner and threw a no hitter in 1976. In 1977 he was 2-6 with a 4.58 ERA for the Cardinals in 11 games (9 starts). I used his '78 Topps card for this updated card photo. The Cardinals had to know they were trading for damaged goods when they acquired him along with Jerry Davanon for a minor leaguer and Joe Ferguson in December of 1976. St. Louis released him in Spring Training of 1978, when it became obvious that he couldn't physically perform up to the All-Star level that he was once accustomed to. His final career numbers in 14 seasons was 139-123 with a stellar 3.31 ERA.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLYogkl0YwU/Tt56lrO2mhI/AAAAAAAABWk/QR59aprv2O8/s1600/Jerry_DaVanon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLYogkl0YwU/Tt56lrO2mhI/AAAAAAAABWk/QR59aprv2O8/s320/Jerry_DaVanon.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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St. Louis loved DaVanon enough to acquire him 4 times and let him go 4 times. His travels are more interesting than his actual career. His final Cardinal stint lasted 8 at bats over 9 games, where he went hitless. On May 11, 1977 he was given his outright release by the Redbirds, which ended his career. Interestingly he went from the penthouse to the poorhouse in just 1 season. In 1976 he hit .290 for the Astros while filling the role of utility infielder. The following season he was gone from baseball. The only color photo I could find of him in a Cardinal uniform was from his 1971 Topps card, which I decided to use instead of colorizing a B&W photo that I found on ebay. Who knows, if I get bored I might just colorize it and update the card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YkIHa1-OrCo/Tt560X9XSsI/AAAAAAAABW0/Dlm3JwiObzs/s1600/Bernie_Carbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YkIHa1-OrCo/Tt560X9XSsI/AAAAAAAABW0/Dlm3JwiObzs/s320/Bernie_Carbo.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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Carbo was one of those guys who always looked to be having fun while playing the game. Unfortunately for him it wasn't all fun and games. He grew up in an uncaring family where it was almost impossible to get attention. This probably explains his crazy antics on and off the ball field. It also explains how he sunk to the depths of addiction, which by his own admission, ended what could have been a HOF career. Who would know that his first season (1970) would be his best. He hit 21 homers for the Reds and was the runner up for the Rookie of the Year Award. Carbo is best known for his 3 run homer to dead center in game 6 of the 1975 World Series that set the stage for Carlton Fisk's walk off game winner. If 1970 was his best season, his 5 years in Boston would be his best stretch. Once Red Sox ownership found out about his drug problems they dealt him to Cleveland and things got even worse for him. Thankfully he righted his ship in later life and even got inducted into the Red Sox HOF. In 1977 he hit .289 with 15 homers in just 86 games. I found this autographed photo of his on ebay and used it for this card, which I somehow forgot to make. Topps originally issued a card with him in a Brewers uniform. He played with Milwaukee from June 3rd 1976 until the end of the season, when he was traded back to the Red Sox.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wju3TTunYkE/Tt560hgDDvI/AAAAAAAABW4/g_zxU4wK08U/s1600/Jim_Burton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wju3TTunYkE/Tt560hgDDvI/AAAAAAAABW4/g_zxU4wK08U/s320/Jim_Burton.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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Best known as the losing pitcher of game 7 in the 1975 World Series. Burton, a lefty, was brought on in the 9th to face the lefties that Cincy had scheduled to bat. He walked 2 then served up a bloop single to Joe Morgan for the game winner. He spent all of '76 in the minors and only resurfaced in '77 for 1 game before being dealt to the Mets, where they assigned him to their AAA affiliate Tidewater. I used his 1976 Topps card for this updated 1977 card.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gp6jDdFx1uw/Tt5643KQF6I/AAAAAAAABXE/orybCwcvtdM/s1600/Mike_Darr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gp6jDdFx1uw/Tt5643KQF6I/AAAAAAAABXE/orybCwcvtdM/s1600/Mike_Darr.jpg" /></a></div>
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Darr's full major league career lasted just 1 1/3 innings in 1977. He gave up 3 hits and 5 runs. His lifetime ERA stands at 33.75. How he got to the majors is a mystery unto itself considering he never rose higher than Double A ball prior to his one appearance. His one shot at Triple A saw him go 6-16 for Toronto's Syracuse affiliate in 1978. He was sent down to A ball the following year and went 10-9 (3.21) for Kinston of the Carolina league, before being released at the age of 23. His son Mike had a promising career with the Padres, but died in a tagic car accident after 3 seasons. This photo comes courtesy of a scan from Chris Jackson. He scanned it from a Blue Jays anniversary guide. I dare say it's probably the only photo of him in a Blue Jay uniform. The original was very small, which is why the final result is a bit grainy. I'm ecstatic to have it. I was planning on just leaving him out of the set figuring that he played in 1 game and got bombed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif86ZJuot6T3yGhXqcJRP-5OGAwb2vq1UwAY_pbsIu4tJWcy5QhE5pbDJRc0tZbp3gTjvH2E7P4kDFoTVMTeIe7Db-x7dncF9wlSlwnQzxMwh-t38akDB0pUenKKKC9dlm3bO_bpLwrRk/s1600/Tito_Fuentes_DET.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif86ZJuot6T3yGhXqcJRP-5OGAwb2vq1UwAY_pbsIu4tJWcy5QhE5pbDJRc0tZbp3gTjvH2E7P4kDFoTVMTeIe7Db-x7dncF9wlSlwnQzxMwh-t38akDB0pUenKKKC9dlm3bO_bpLwrRk/s320/Tito_Fuentes_DET.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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In 1977, Fuentes played with the Detroit Tigers and had a career-best .309 batting average. Despite having his best season, he was not brought back in 1978 (since the Tigers had a young Lou Whitaker waiting in the wings). The Montreal Expos then purchased his contract. Before the start of the season, however, Fuentes was released. During the year, he signed with the Oakland Athletics, but he was released again after batting just .140 in only 13 games. He retired shortly afterward. Fuentes' best seasons were with the Giants. In 1973 he set the record for best fielding percentage by a second baseman, which stood until Ryne Sandberg broke it 13 years later. Know throughout his career for wearing his trademark "Tito" headband over his cap, while playing the field Fuentes considered himself the #2 hotdog of the 70's next to Willie Montanez. The photo used here was used by Topps for his 1978 card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u5IXbIVduRg/Tt57JHrV-0I/AAAAAAAABXU/qBU8S5UJ9uM/s1600/Gary_Sutherland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u5IXbIVduRg/Tt57JHrV-0I/AAAAAAAABXU/qBU8S5UJ9uM/s320/Gary_Sutherland.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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Sutherland hit just .243 as a utility infielder for the Padres in 1977. He played for 7 different franchises in his 10 year career. He is most remembered as an "original" Montreal Expo in 1969, where he scored the franchise's first run. That season would be his only season as a full time starter. 1978 would be his final season in the majors. He got into just 10 games and hit .167 (1-6) for the Cardinals before being released. I couldn't find any photos of him with the Friars except this one, which came from a B&W regional promotion card. I colorized Sutherland and his uniform, but neglected to do the same for the stadium in the background.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rf-TGkhszHJxY1n32-gzSsWPSlgDJlPoXov3Yv8x-LsnXG-QiPriNCviXze5eE0HSN_p22P0c9-MZPW4203VkAbiJaHYp2pjaOQGPLq7MXcq7sQW-ODEhYA38cW_5VWPENhJpUxb5PU/s1600/Mike_Cuellar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rf-TGkhszHJxY1n32-gzSsWPSlgDJlPoXov3Yv8x-LsnXG-QiPriNCviXze5eE0HSN_p22P0c9-MZPW4203VkAbiJaHYp2pjaOQGPLq7MXcq7sQW-ODEhYA38cW_5VWPENhJpUxb5PU/s320/Mike_Cuellar.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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Here is an updated card for Cuellar. The photo comes from the Topps Vault and was supposed to be used for his '78 card, which was never issued since he retired before the '77 season ended.</div>
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<br />ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-6702284638231666892011-12-04T10:43:00.001-08:002011-12-04T15:27:47.226-08:00Strive for Perfection...Updated NL Photos<div style="text-align: justify;">
I wasn't shocked that I had at least 2 or 3 players to update for the Expos, since that was the first team that I completed. The Padres had 4 players to update, which I either missed on the first pass or I ignored the Padres, like so many others did during their forgotten decade of the 1970's. The Cardinals had 2 that needed fixing and of course I had to work on overcoming one very bad Topps airbrush of Gary Matthews of the Braves.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2dli5PBKrI/AAAAAAAAu2w/RN2DTHP6iV0/topps1977-194F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2dli5PBKrI/AAAAAAAAu2w/RN2DTHP6iV0/topps1977-194F.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xcNJ1h_wAOM/TtuunIM0UcI/AAAAAAAABTc/AxZE4tVwpm8/s1600/Gary_Matthews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xcNJ1h_wAOM/TtuunIM0UcI/AAAAAAAABTc/AxZE4tVwpm8/s320/Gary_Matthews.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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Hands down the happy Matthews on the right wins the day. Topps didn't do a horrible job airbrushing his helmet on the original (left), but they over colored the jersey and that made me fixate on the helmet, so it had to go. The shot on the right is an autographed photo of Matthews that I found on ebay. Since most teams were typically pictured in their road uniforms on Topps cards, I really liked the fact that the updated photo was taken with his home "whites" on.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvUPpuWsg3M/ToKkwbjhsxI/AAAAAAAAAAs/ErGAYdlVPk0/s1600/Andre_Dawson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvUPpuWsg3M/ToKkwbjhsxI/AAAAAAAAAAs/ErGAYdlVPk0/s320/Andre_Dawson.jpg" width="220" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4IKTwSzVyvI/Ttuunoi0qeI/AAAAAAAABTo/aD-Fa4Q0WgI/s1600/Andre_Dawson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4IKTwSzVyvI/Ttuunoi0qeI/AAAAAAAABTo/aD-Fa4Q0WgI/s320/Andre_Dawson.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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This was a huge upgrade. On the left was one of the first cards that I did for the project. Actually it was the card that started the project. In '77 Andre Dawson had just a rookie panel card from Topps. I felt that a HOF'er and one of my personal favorite players needed a true rookie card. I used the Topps Archives card on the left, but that photo was so grainy. Obviously it didn't bother Topps, who re-issued that card in 2004, but it bugged me. Then I stumbled upon a Topps Lineage card that was released in 2011 (right). The photo was probably shot in either '77 or '78 at Shea Stadium, so it has a young "Hawk" and seems very credible to use for his rookie card. I loved the fact that it had the "coveted" Topps Rookie All-Star trophy superimposed on the card. That was the clincher for me.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2d6DflDQKI/AAAAAAAAwjo/9MHBLI2ZZ5Q/topps1977-649F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2d6DflDQKI/AAAAAAAAwjo/9MHBLI2ZZ5Q/topps1977-649F.jpg" width="226" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6tjPgB2g6qXbDaFLLy82IK48Gl2bCvqwjonYZIm9wDSSmKhg4HNIsKtxoskNFLuIcJKwNZiusCw1ix8ExbiUup9Qki_kN_82jzGRU0oVrwozxi82gemljJvgaycRFQMiB8avQUPnEaI/s1600/Dave_Cash_MON.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6tjPgB2g6qXbDaFLLy82IK48Gl2bCvqwjonYZIm9wDSSmKhg4HNIsKtxoskNFLuIcJKwNZiusCw1ix8ExbiUup9Qki_kN_82jzGRU0oVrwozxi82gemljJvgaycRFQMiB8avQUPnEaI/s320/Dave_Cash_MON.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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After 3 straight All-Star seasons in Philly, Cash signed as a free agent with the Expos in the off-season. Since he signed on November 17, 1976, the good folks from Topps had more than enough time to airbrush him into an Expo uniform and cap. The original (left) was semi-credible, but the updated photo (right) taken at Wrigley during the '77 season is much better. The photo is a bit out of focus, which really makes it look like something Topps would have used during that era.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3f33zWUZGHDcegY-0uPk2E2TsIe0__8pJaMYANaE_HvdyT3aoloXXDjDQ3Ry6QQakUHnYmT-zVuqyq_6_gAae6hXE8HkheeKcX6VyQXRR-0I1hE26LCAWcFc_zJiPGbjAPACpx7zj_Q/s1600/1977_opc_brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3f33zWUZGHDcegY-0uPk2E2TsIe0__8pJaMYANaE_HvdyT3aoloXXDjDQ3Ry6QQakUHnYmT-zVuqyq_6_gAae6hXE8HkheeKcX6VyQXRR-0I1hE26LCAWcFc_zJiPGbjAPACpx7zj_Q/s320/1977_opc_brown.jpg" width="230" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLa72mOq474/Ttuuonfvg5I/AAAAAAAABUU/mIXRhLpvq68/s1600/Jackie_Brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLa72mOq474/Ttuuonfvg5I/AAAAAAAABUU/mIXRhLpvq68/s320/Jackie_Brown.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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On your left you have O Pee Chee's airbrush job. On your right you have the photo used for Brown's 1978 Topps card. His 1977 Topps card had him still wearing an Indian uniform. On December 10, 1976 he was traded from the Tribe to the Expos for a struggling Andre Thornton, which would go down as one of the best trades in Cleveland history and one of the worst in Expos history. Thornton went on to become one of the best Indians ever and arguably the best DH of his era, while Brown was out of baseball after the '77 season. Interestingly Topps and O Pee Chee both made cards for Brown in 1977, but neither made a cardboard tribute to Thornton.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2d26Iy4pqI/AAAAAAAAwNk/EQhT5fUckSY/topps1977-427F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2d26Iy4pqI/AAAAAAAAwNk/EQhT5fUckSY/topps1977-427F.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H-45blQEJM8/TtuunHw-KrI/AAAAAAAABTY/h3M9l7unbAc/s1600/Dave_Rader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H-45blQEJM8/TtuunHw-KrI/AAAAAAAABTY/h3M9l7unbAc/s320/Dave_Rader.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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After 6 seasons with the Giants Rader was dealt to the Cardinals. Topps broke out the airbrush and changed raiders cap from black to red and removed the SF and added the StL. I originally tried to cut and paste a new cap on top of his head, but it just didn't look natural. Instead I used his 1978 Topps card photo as the replacement picture. Both were headshots. The new one (right) was minus the caterpillar above his lip.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2d5zGMoyUI/AAAAAAAAwhs/26n2ETdfGwI/topps1977-624F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2d5zGMoyUI/AAAAAAAAwhs/26n2ETdfGwI/topps1977-624F.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XYseHmmKl2Y/Ttuun7DMZkI/AAAAAAAABU0/A26QNjblqg8/s1600/Hector_Cruz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XYseHmmKl2Y/Ttuun7DMZkI/AAAAAAAABU0/A26QNjblqg8/s320/Hector_Cruz.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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Nothing really wrong with the original (left) that Topps billed as an "action shot", but the updated photo (right) shows Cruz sporting his Cardinals cap not trying to put one on. The updated shot comes from his 1978 Topps card.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2d4sXiR2tI/AAAAAAAAwaA/BLeC-4qDzok/topps1977-550F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2d4sXiR2tI/AAAAAAAAwaA/BLeC-4qDzok/topps1977-550F.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eTV6mYC8CZ8/TtuuoZ1dKMI/AAAAAAAABUE/ExhoRHpbLoc/s1600/Randy_Jones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eTV6mYC8CZ8/TtuuoZ1dKMI/AAAAAAAABUE/ExhoRHpbLoc/s320/Randy_Jones.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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There are a few things that we can be certain about: Randy Jones was an NL All-Star in 1976 and Topps really loved that "action shot" of the wind hitting his 'fro while he was warming up. Another thing we can be certain about is that I liked the real action shot that was originally a SI cover in 1976, the year he won his Cy Young Award. All I had to do was airbrush out the text and crop it to fit the card. IMO, a huge upgrade !</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2dyuPvF-jI/AAAAAAAAvvU/NXSCEDizrDY/topps1977-523F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2dyuPvF-jI/AAAAAAAAvvU/NXSCEDizrDY/topps1977-523F.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxuSKCZLPeY/TtuuotGOJ9I/AAAAAAAABUQ/eqSgctuMxvk/s1600/Rollie_Fingers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxuSKCZLPeY/TtuuotGOJ9I/AAAAAAAABUQ/eqSgctuMxvk/s320/Rollie_Fingers.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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It seems like everyone, especially the Padres, was signing a former Oakland A's free agent in the off season. Reggie Jackson got all the press, but Rollie Fingers was a dominant reliever and a big windfall for whomever inked him. Topps once again went to the airbrush and turned Fingers from an Oakland A's player into a Padre. Originally I felt that the airbrush was credible enough to live with, but the more I thought about it the more I felt that any airbrush is an insult to a HOF'er. On the right I updated Fingers' card with an autographed photo found on ebay. We go from a Spring Training look (left) to a classic dugout look (right).</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2dnprko3NI/AAAAAAAAvCg/Zb78Ft8MtVk/topps1977-303F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2dnprko3NI/AAAAAAAAvCg/Zb78Ft8MtVk/topps1977-303F.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x8Vhx9TTcLs/TtuupExNHwI/AAAAAAAABUg/t4HVuubAqJQ/s1600/Gene_Tenace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x8Vhx9TTcLs/TtuupExNHwI/AAAAAAAABUg/t4HVuubAqJQ/s320/Gene_Tenace.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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On your left you have a classic Topps airbrush of Gene Tenace. If you look closely over his right shoulder you will see an Oakland Athletic coach probably hitting fungoes. How do I know it's an Oakland coach ? He's wearing the traditional white cap with green brim that Oakland coaches and managers wore during the 70's. I'm also quite puzzled as to the venue of the photo. I see a Shaefer Beer sign above the coaches head that looks like it could have come from old Yankee Stadium. If that's correct, Topps airbrushed a photo that was taken in 1973 or earlier, since Old Yankee Stadium closed down in October of 1973. To make things more realistic I found an autographed photo on ebay of Tenace wearing the real home uniform of the Padres and not a doctored up one like you see on the left. San Diego must have thought that collecting former Oakland A's players could buy them a pennant. Along with Tenace, they had Fingers, George Hendrick and future A's reliever Bob Owchinko, yet they still lost 93 games.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2dZRPMDDYI/AAAAAAAAt7k/8JnD_lBsxeA/topps1977-39F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2dZRPMDDYI/AAAAAAAAt7k/8JnD_lBsxeA/topps1977-39F.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X6lbCOKQaMQ/TtuupMW3ihI/AAAAAAAABUk/14tT29OuGUA/s1600/Tom_Griffin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X6lbCOKQaMQ/TtuupMW3ihI/AAAAAAAABUk/14tT29OuGUA/s320/Tom_Griffin.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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Topps decided to airbrush the most faded spring training photo they could find (left). When you look closely the cap looks like it was made out of corduroy or some weird material. The updated photo (right) was found on ebay. I found it interesting how Griffin posed with what looks like about 2 cans worth of Skoal "pinched neatly between his cheek and gums". I'm betting that a wad of that wound up on the plaid pants of the unsuspecting photographer.</div>ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-67101222245982665782011-12-04T09:34:00.001-08:002011-12-04T10:37:51.181-08:00Strive for Perfection...Updated AL Photos<div style="text-align: justify;">
After the first go-round I looked through the cards that I created and realized that some of them lacked clarity or I flat out missed an original done by Topps that needed fixing. I chose to update 23 this weekend. Chances are there will be more. Most of these are from the teams that I did early on in the process, since I have learned a a trick or two to make it better. There were a few that I wanted to update, but I couldn't find photos that would work or I couldn't make them discernibly better. I am going to break the updates out into teams, just like the original posts. On the left side will be the original and on the right will be the update. The first update post will include the AL teams and the second the NL teams.</div>
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First Up...The New York Yankees, since you have to defer to the actual champs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXy5mwlZJYt8qgznZd9TjcSs4O9xkScvMNq9Wc_7exMO6iqal1NsTB-k7wIwy-tx7p2TrHiJrxr9VunNPBou1OIeEYHCKoosB5mu669li4cH_Y4skAcQO4Xt-YOlC-jAzBwZp4Z2bFE0/s1600/Dave_Kingman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXy5mwlZJYt8qgznZd9TjcSs4O9xkScvMNq9Wc_7exMO6iqal1NsTB-k7wIwy-tx7p2TrHiJrxr9VunNPBou1OIeEYHCKoosB5mu669li4cH_Y4skAcQO4Xt-YOlC-jAzBwZp4Z2bFE0/s320/Dave_Kingman.jpg" width="222" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qqFVR2O7LVU/TtuqB6k10wI/AAAAAAAABR8/E5aQL9kPfuY/s1600/Dave_Kingman_NYY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qqFVR2O7LVU/TtuqB6k10wI/AAAAAAAABR8/E5aQL9kPfuY/s320/Dave_Kingman_NYY.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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The original was a colorized photo that I believe came from one of the NYC tabloids. I took the original that was in B&W and ran it through my colorization process. The updated photo is a sharpened photo with a Yankee Cap. I find it a bit ironic that I found the cap on a Roger Clemens Yankee card. Clemens might be one of the most reviled former Yankees and Kingman is definitely one of the most reviled former Mets. Most don't even remember that he played for the Yankees for 2 weeks in September of 1977.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K6ATlBYZbJE/TtuxzazqDJI/AAAAAAAABWU/0fII2RbdEGM/s350/Mike_Torrez_BK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K6ATlBYZbJE/TtuxzazqDJI/AAAAAAAABWU/0fII2RbdEGM/s320/Mike_Torrez_BK.jpg" width="228" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gJA298OPJ-c/TtuoqZWopWI/AAAAAAAABRg/9LOTnzRGbs0/s1600/Mike_Torrez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gJA298OPJ-c/TtuoqZWopWI/AAAAAAAABRg/9LOTnzRGbs0/s320/Mike_Torrez.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Topps' original issue for Torrez had him on the Oakland A's, where he actually started the season. Can't fault Topps on that one. What you can fault is Topps for the updated card on the left, which was issued in NYC as part of a mid-season set from Burger King. No reason Topps couldn't have taken the 4 train 20 minutes north from Bowling Green Station up to 161st and River and shot a few photos of Torrez in a Yankee uniform. They basically airbrushed one of the photos taken in 1976 at the Oakland Coliseum. What I did was copy/crop a cap off another Yankee player, then pasted it onto this BK card photo. Is it perfect, no. Is it better than the original airbrush job ? IMO, Yes.</div>
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Next up are 3 players from the Boston Red Sox, who fell a couple of games short of beating out the Yankees for the AL East Crown.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2dfDl0mgZI/AAAAAAAAuMk/Vgaon66O9c8/topps1977-166F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2dfDl0mgZI/AAAAAAAAuMk/Vgaon66O9c8/topps1977-166F.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eTgV26ymvmQ/TtuupU1_Q8I/AAAAAAAABUw/kZw08Ut9Eaw/s1600/Bill_Campbell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eTgV26ymvmQ/TtuupU1_Q8I/AAAAAAAABUw/kZw08Ut9Eaw/s320/Bill_Campbell.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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Soup's (don't you love that original nickname ?) original Topps card is an airbrush job done on a photo taken while he was with the Twins. How did I miss this one ? No clue. It's obvious that they crayola'ed his cap, but left the jersey trip as is. I guess the good folks on Whitehall street figured we'd miss that bit of detail, which I actually did on my first pass. The updated photo used came from a google search. I liked the fact that it had an autograph in black, which was kind of similar to the Topps model for the '77 set.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5LoqDIsFkMQ/ToUpcU3ximI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/OrKYYQ7qJdg/s1600/George_Scott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5LoqDIsFkMQ/ToUpcU3ximI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/OrKYYQ7qJdg/s320/George_Scott.jpg" width="221" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-onY9RZvcKNQ/Ttuuk2waXVI/AAAAAAAABS0/RdcCDUyU0_8/s1600/George_Scott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-onY9RZvcKNQ/Ttuuk2waXVI/AAAAAAAABS0/RdcCDUyU0_8/s320/George_Scott.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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Since Topps' original George Scott had him on the Brewers, I had to update it to add him to the Red Sox. Originally I chose an action shot (left), but after finding this great picture on the right while doing a google search, I had to update it. Nothing says "Boomer" better than a smiling picture of him sporting his gold capped tooth in the front. That's why the updated shot on the right is a keeper.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1dINKZ7j3DM/ToUpbp9gmXI/AAAAAAAAADw/wpUR6n_4Nsg/s1600/Bo_Diaz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1dINKZ7j3DM/ToUpbp9gmXI/AAAAAAAAADw/wpUR6n_4Nsg/s320/Bo_Diaz.jpg" width="220" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nIySmkhaPlE/Ttuuk28BdpI/AAAAAAAABSI/-0ZpyVWtKb0/s1600/Bo_Diaz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nIySmkhaPlE/Ttuuk28BdpI/AAAAAAAABSI/-0ZpyVWtKb0/s320/Bo_Diaz.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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The original shot on the left came from Diaz' 1978 rookie panel card from Topps. Those panel cards typically had grainy/out of focus shots. One of our community members scanned a picture of Diaz and a few other Bosox and sent it to me. For the life of me, I forgot who sent it. Let me apologize right now for not remembering. When I figure it out or find the original e-mail I will duly credit you. In any case, this shot on the right is a ton clearer and had to be used.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2dqx9fkgkI/AAAAAAAAvV4/5NZhUYXfpOw/topps1977-36F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2dqx9fkgkI/AAAAAAAAvV4/5NZhUYXfpOw/topps1977-36F.jpg" width="228" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AmwT4CS8XpU/TtuulJlCvcI/AAAAAAAABSg/EQd7Vt3KykQ/s1600/John_Ellis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AmwT4CS8XpU/TtuulJlCvcI/AAAAAAAABSg/EQd7Vt3KykQ/s320/John_Ellis.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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The Rangers acquired John Ellis in 1976. In fact Topps issued one of it's infamous "TRADED" cards for him, so you'd think they would have had a decent photo of him in a Texas uniform for the 1977 set. Guess again, as evidenced by the poor airbrushing done on the original (left). For the updated card I took his 1978 Topps card photo and used it. Strangely, Ellis played for 6 or 7 years with Texas, yet Topps used at least 2 or 3 airbrush shots for him in subsequent years.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2d4LUEaEeI/AAAAAAAAwWo/R9Ty4YKS_rg/topps1977-517F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2d4LUEaEeI/AAAAAAAAwWo/R9Ty4YKS_rg/topps1977-517F.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nUV37-haS-g/TtuulTeF3oI/AAAAAAAABSk/MrmCnykdNvc/s1600/Pete_Vuckovich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nUV37-haS-g/TtuulTeF3oI/AAAAAAAABSk/MrmCnykdNvc/s320/Pete_Vuckovich.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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Topps really went all out when they did their airbrush job (left). The cap log was way too small and the jersey is navy blue and looks like something the White Sox wore during this era. The updated card on the right was actually the card issued by the O Pee Chee set in Canada. Apparently the folks at O Pee Chee valued a real photo more than the folks who they bought the card license from (Topps). Of course O Pee Chee was selling to a Canadian audience, and the expansion Jays were Canada's newest team. Originally I missed this O Pee Chee card, because they are so hard to find here in the states. Occasionally you will see a few for sale on ebay, and when they do I jump on downloading the photos.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2d2ICImXSI/AAAAAAAAwHM/M_CJrb4erlw/topps1977-377F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2d2ICImXSI/AAAAAAAAwHM/M_CJrb4erlw/topps1977-377F.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BPfcrKnJJm8/TtuumDpgvEI/AAAAAAAABS4/nqqJOMApUb0/s1600/Dave_McKay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BPfcrKnJJm8/TtuumDpgvEI/AAAAAAAABS4/nqqJOMApUb0/s320/Dave_McKay.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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Topps did a pretty darn good job w/this original airbrush, which is why I didn't spend any time updating it. I played around with the original and updated it with a "real" cap, which I'm not thinking I should have darkened a bit. In either case it never hurts to have options, so I will let the Blue Jays manager in ARAIG choose which of the two he prefers.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2dgIY3bsUI/AAAAAAAAuTM/TUkV0n3YyBA/topps1977-212F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2dgIY3bsUI/AAAAAAAAuTM/TUkV0n3YyBA/topps1977-212F.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7XN2xjAqPrk/Ttuume9oYbI/AAAAAAAABTs/cpLV2Gd1Tks/s1600/Jim_Mason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7XN2xjAqPrk/Ttuume9oYbI/AAAAAAAABTs/cpLV2Gd1Tks/s320/Jim_Mason.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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On the left you have a credible airbrush job of Mason taken while he was a member of the Yankees. Topps did a sound job airbrushing the front of the Yankee cap to add a white panel and the Blue Jay logo. The color is definitely Yankee blue and not Blue Jay blue, which was obviously lighter. On the right is the O Pee Chee card taken in Spring Training.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2diiPTICvI/AAAAAAAAui8/JibOnPb5BcA/topps1977-326F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2diiPTICvI/AAAAAAAAui8/JibOnPb5BcA/topps1977-326F.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tIDdm4Si3v4/Ttuul9mXmCI/AAAAAAAABSw/pKcLuOgGBs8/s1600/Jesse_Jefferson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tIDdm4Si3v4/Ttuul9mXmCI/AAAAAAAABSw/pKcLuOgGBs8/s320/Jesse_Jefferson.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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On your left you have an average airbrush job done by Topps. On the right, you have a pretty good action shot that I found while doing a google search. The live action shot wins out. Kudos to Jefferson for sporting a sharp 'fro. Even though he's no Oscar Gamble, this is a pretty good effort.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2dnJIaCEgI/AAAAAAAAu-4/Z8iubzNVETQ/topps1977-273F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2dnJIaCEgI/AAAAAAAAu-4/Z8iubzNVETQ/topps1977-273F.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZPHQY9QF7E/Ttuum9TBHUI/AAAAAAAABTM/eA0hQq0xcUU/s1600/Eric_Soderholm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZPHQY9QF7E/Ttuum9TBHUI/AAAAAAAABTM/eA0hQq0xcUU/s320/Eric_Soderholm.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Soderholm spent all of '76 on the DL. Prior to that he was with the Twins. Topps airbrushed his Twins uni and made it look like Satin PJ's. Quite possibly this might have made a good line for Victoria Secret to market, but it just doesn't cut it for a professional major leaguer. While searching ebay I found this autographed photos (right) and replaced the pajama-gram on the left.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2dY06AhYFI/AAAAAAAAt5E/AI68JVpTXSQ/topps1977-17F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2dY06AhYFI/AAAAAAAAt5E/AI68JVpTXSQ/topps1977-17F.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w18kc9Mj6VU/Ttuumkvah8I/AAAAAAAABTA/ReaPklDPrHo/s1600/Steve_Stone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w18kc9Mj6VU/Ttuumkvah8I/AAAAAAAABTA/ReaPklDPrHo/s320/Steve_Stone.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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In 1977 Steve Stone moved back from the crosstown Cubbies to the Chisox, where he played in 1973. Most of the time Topps would have dipped into their archives and used the '73 card photo or pictures from that shoot, but this time they couldn't because the Chisox changed their uniforms once again. Apparently the best way to hid a bad team is to keep changing their duds. The Chisox went from their classic black and white pinstripes in '68 to a light blue uni. Then in '72 they went to red uni's. By the latter part of the decade they were sporting collars and short pants. I used Topps' '78 card photo of Stone sporting his collared shirt. Judging by the look on his face I am going to assume that they didn't make him where the Bermuda shorts as well.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2df0bkZmDI/AAAAAAAAuQ8/G6Rh24BUZ0g/topps1977-198F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSi8CQ2YFyw/S2df0bkZmDI/AAAAAAAAuQ8/G6Rh24BUZ0g/topps1977-198F.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9XWpa1jWCIE/Ttuum6GjrwI/AAAAAAAABTI/nS_yIhSCJDY/s1600/Wilbur_Wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9XWpa1jWCIE/Ttuum6GjrwI/AAAAAAAABTI/nS_yIhSCJDY/s320/Wilbur_Wood.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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Since the Chisox were in the process of changing their uniforms once again, Topps was forced to tap into the talents of the Crayola Factory once again. Personally, I think they should have just used the photos that they had and not played around, but I guess they wanted to have the latest and greatest look without having to dispatch a camera man. On the left you have a credible airbrush done by Topps. The cap looks good, but the warm-up jacket has that same "satiny" look that Soderholm's uni had. On the right is a an autographed photo of Wood that I found while searching ebay.</div>ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-78557335847719953852011-12-01T08:23:00.001-08:002011-12-01T11:25:58.789-08:001977 Kansas City Royals<div style="text-align: justify;">
This offering might have been Whitey Herzog's best Royals team ever. They won 102 games and easily cruised to an 8 game margin over the Rangers to take their second consecutive AL West Crown.</div>
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The Royals had a great blend of power, speed, pitching along with the best young players that the game had to offer. What KC didn't have was veteran leadership. The oldest member of the squad was Cookie Rojas, who was a 38 year old part timer that had been through the wars. Unfortunately for the Royals Rojas pennant race experiences always came up on the short side of the ledger. His first taste of a pennant race came in his first full season in the big leagues with the 1964 Phillies. Nothing further needs to be said about that. Since his arrival in KC in 1971 he came into his own and became a 4 time All-Star, then Frank White's mentor at second base, but no post season success. If you could point to one flaw in this team it would have to be that they never acquired a key veteran down the stretch who had a World Series ring, something the Yankees always seemed to have.</div>
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The Royals had 3 guys who hit over 20 homers. DH Hal McRae, who had be an uncontested failure as a Cincinnati Red found his home in KC and became the top DH in the game. He hit 21 homers with 98 RBI's, while batting .298. John Mayberry hit 23 homers and had 82 RBI's and Hall of Famer in the making George Brett, at the age of 24, already had a batting title under his belt. Brett hit .312 with 22 homers and 88 RBI's. Amos Otis was a vacuum in centerfield, who stole 23 bases. Frank White also stole 23 bases, but his true value was in the field, where he won the first of his 8 gold gloves at second. Freddie Patek, White's keystone mate, stole a team leading 53 bases and turned the DP with the best of them. He was the heart and soul of this KC team. Catcher Darrell Porter had a sweet lefty bat that produced numbers equal to that of All-Star catcher Thurman Munson. The bench was rock solid. Pet LaCock (.303), Joe Zdeb (.297) and John Wathan (.328) could be counted on for spot starts and flexibility.</div>
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Their Royals pitching staff was #1 in the league in most pitching categories. Dennis Leonard (20-12, 3.04) was the ace. Jim Colborn, a veteran acquired from Milwaukee sucked up innings and was 18-14 (3.62). Number 3 starter Paul Splittorff was 16-6 (3.69). If you got to the starters you had to face a bullpen that had 3 guys who finished in double digits in saves. Doug Bird (11-4, 3.88, 14 saves) logged 118 innings. Veteran Marty Pattin (10-3, 3.58) was the swingman, who started 10 times and relieved 21 times. Larry Gura (10 saves), Mark Littell (12 saves) and Steve Mingori (4 saves) rounded out this deep pen. The only knock on this group was that it didn't have a dominant reliever like a Sparky Lyle. For the regular season this wouldn't matter much. In the post season this was another story. The Royals were built for the long marathon of 162 games, but they did not have the experience or a dominant individual to win the day in a short 5 game series, which has been well chronicled.</div>
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Because the Royals typically built from within and consistently didn't turn over personnel I only had to add 14 new cards to finish off their 1977 set. Half of those cards would be considered "rookie cards" for guys who were brought up from their farm system during the year.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S14WIF33X8A/TtecRcjF4gI/AAAAAAAABOY/b17-WhfatzA/s1600/Bobby_Heise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S14WIF33X8A/TtecRcjF4gI/AAAAAAAABOY/b17-WhfatzA/s320/Bobby_Heise.jpg" width="222" /></a>Heise was a 30 year old journeyman utility infielder, who was in his 11th and final season. Heise was a member of four teams that made the postseason, but never played in the postseason himself. First, he appeared four games during a September call-up for the "Miracle Mets" that won the 1969 World Series. Next, he played briefly for the National League West-winning Giants in 1971 before being traded to the Brewers on June 1 for pitcher Floyd Wicker. In 1975, he one of the reserve infielders on the Red Sox team that won the 1975 American League pennant, but did not appear in the ALCS or World Series. Lastly, in his final major league season, he was a member of the American League West champion Royals, but did not play against the Yankees in the ALCS. In 54 games with the Royals in 1977 Heise played all 4 infield positions and hit a respectable .258 (16-62). I found this autographed photo while doing a Google search.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-296xGJ10UqU/TtecRO3FE4I/AAAAAAAABOU/6ByaABcM2PQ/s1600/Clint_Hurdle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-296xGJ10UqU/TtecRO3FE4I/AAAAAAAABOU/6ByaABcM2PQ/s320/Clint_Hurdle.jpg" width="221" /></a>Hurdle was a #1 draft pick by the Royals in 1975, who found his way to the parent club at the tender age of 19 in 1977. Playing right field in 9 games he hit .308 (8-26) and tantalized the KC fans into thinking he was going to be a star. The next 4 seasons saw Hurdle play on a semi-regular basis. His best season would be 1980, where he hit .294 with 10 homers as the starting right fielder on the Royals first pennant winning club. Injuries curtailed his action in 1981 and limited him to just 28 games. He hit .329 during that stretch, but wound up being traded in the off season to the Reds, where he played in just 19 games in 1982. After the Reds let him go he moved over to the woeful Mets and hit .182 and wound up in Tidewater (AAA). He would spend most of 1983 and all of '84 at Tidewater, then get called up in '85 just in time for the Mets to fall 2 games short of the Cardinals in the NL East race. In '86 he moved to the Cardinals as the Mets won it all, then he returned to the Mets in '87 and watched the Cards win the pennant. Talk about a guy with bad luck ? Hurdle was released by the Mets after the '87 season and slowly worked his way through the minors learning the ropes as a coach and a manager. His 2007 Colorado Rockies had an improbable run by winning their last 14 games and taking the NL pennant. The picture used here was a snapshot taken by a Royals fan. I found it while doing a Google search.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x1FDMPjsZgU/TtecRarWEpI/AAAAAAAABPg/0bnZO7M6Cag/s1600/Darrell_Porter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x1FDMPjsZgU/TtecRarWEpI/AAAAAAAABPg/0bnZO7M6Cag/s320/Darrell_Porter.jpg" width="222" /></a>No way to sugar coat this. Porter was a victim of a lifetime of drug abuse. A gifted and talented athlete, Porter had it all. He was a 4 time All-Star and a World Series MVP (1982 with the Cardinals). As a player he was known for his grit and intensity. George Brett once said of him, "Darrell Porter plays every game as if it was the 7th game of the World Series". In 1977 he caught 130 games, hit .275 and had 16 homers. He hit 188 homers as a catcher in his 17 year career. One can only speculate just how good he could have been if he was able to conquer his demons. When I read about his tragic passing a the age of 50 in 2002 I was saddened. Porter was one of my favorite players. Back in 1977 I was an 11 year old who caught and wore glasses. Porter showed me that you could be a hard nosed / tough ballplayer and still have "4 eyes". For this picture I decided to do something special. I took his SI cover and airbrushed out the text and created a unique background to make it look as natural as possible. I love the intensity on his face after he connected with what was presumably one of his 16 round trippers that season. RIP Darrell.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xcFEex_19OH2RumDRTlk3wBonih4t9KogQX_O1TU32Whuy-6Bsc3tdTYMNVpIK78ulXk7g3ZJ4wL5SyTvz3WOuVxEE6kISytS43UKWNpFbQSCnSiEq7Edws4jUP5Nt1uGn1uQXwz0WY/s1600/Dave_Nelson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xcFEex_19OH2RumDRTlk3wBonih4t9KogQX_O1TU32Whuy-6Bsc3tdTYMNVpIK78ulXk7g3ZJ4wL5SyTvz3WOuVxEE6kISytS43UKWNpFbQSCnSiEq7Edws4jUP5Nt1uGn1uQXwz0WY/s320/Dave_Nelson.jpg" width="220" /></a>Nelson spent two seasons in Kansas City, playing sparingly off the bench. In 1976, he got his only taste of postseason action. Pinch-hitting for Tom Poquette in Game 3 of the 1976 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, he grounded out against Sparky Lyle. He played in his final major league game on September 27, 1977, then retired after the season. As a utility infielder he played in 27 games for the '77 Royals and hit .188 (9-48). He was an AL All-Star in 1974 representing the Texas Rangers. He stole 51 bases in 1972, 43 in 1973 and 25 in 1974, while playing second base for Texas. I found this autographed photo on ebay. Presently Nelson is a pre-game studio analyst for the Milwaukee Brewers</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3nPjbIlufY/TtecRigZ7YI/AAAAAAAABOg/MBB8kY6in80/s1600/Gary_Lance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3nPjbIlufY/TtecRigZ7YI/AAAAAAAABOg/MBB8kY6in80/s320/Gary_Lance.jpg" width="222" /></a>He appeared in one game for the Kansas City Royals in 1977, pitching two innings of relief against the Oakland Athletics on September 28. He came into the game in the 8th inning in relief of Mark Littell after the A's had tied the game at 5-5. He got the last out of the 8th, pitched a scoreless 9th, then gave up the winning run in the 10th to take the loss. I found this photo of him while doing a Google search. After his playing career ended following the 1980 season, Lance spent many years as a minor league pitching coach, most recently with the Portland Beavers in 2007</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rQDoKBfI2I/TtecR8PbeqI/AAAAAAAABO0/uAXvkGuJx_g/s1600/George_Throop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rQDoKBfI2I/TtecR8PbeqI/AAAAAAAABO0/uAXvkGuJx_g/s320/George_Throop.jpg" width="222" /></a>Throop was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 16th round of the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft, and spent nearly his entire career with the Royals organization. However, about half of his career appearances in the major leagues, and more than half of his innings pitched, came after a trade to the Houston Astros in April 1979. Throop pitched in just 4 games for the Royals in 1977. He logged 5 1/3 innings on the hill and had a 0-0 (3.38) record. With KC's deep staff he never got much of an opportunity to shine. On April 27, 1979 he was traded to the Astros for Keith Drumright. For this updated card I took a B&W photo and colorized it, since the only color photos of him were either too small or too grainy. His 1976 rookie panel card was out of focus.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TDpnTpdWQds/TtecSsVdMuI/AAAAAAAABPE/ArCQUAxAnLU/s1600/Jim_Colborn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TDpnTpdWQds/TtecSsVdMuI/AAAAAAAABPE/ArCQUAxAnLU/s320/Jim_Colborn.jpg" width="222" /></a>Colborn was traded, along with Darrell Porter, to the Kansas City Royals on December 6, 1976 in exchange for Jim Wohlford, Jamie Quirk and Bob McClure. In 1977, Colborn won 18 games for a Royals. On May 14 of that year, Colborn no-hit the Texas Rangers 6-0, the first no-hitter by a Royal at Royals Stadium and second overall in that park. Curiously he did not see any action in the ALCS even though he went 6-2 down the stretch as the Royals pulled away and won the division. After starting slowly in 1978 (1-2, 4.76) the Royals dealt him to Seattle for Steve Braun on June 1st. He finished out the season going 3-10 (5.35) for the M's and was released. His best season was 1973, where he went 20-12 (3.18) for a last place Brewer club. I found this autographed photo on ebay.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7cVbUrIV5hY/TtecStzkZbI/AAAAAAAABPA/5-qtPA0eFxQ/s1600/Joe_Lahoud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7cVbUrIV5hY/TtecStzkZbI/AAAAAAAABPA/5-qtPA0eFxQ/s320/Joe_Lahoud.jpg" width="222" /></a>Lahoud spent the better part of his career as either a 4th outfielder or a platoon player. Never hitting higher than .271 or hitting more than 14 homers in a season doomed Joe to this second tier type of roll. Still he was able to cobble together an 11 year career in the majors with his final 2 seasons spent in KC. During the '77 season the 30 year old Lahoud hit .262 in 34 games mostly as a pinch hitter and reserve outfielder. In '78 he only got into 13 games and hit just .125 before being released on June 2nd. The photo that I found while searching Google is quite interesting. It was taken by a fan and it shows just how chubby and out of shape a reserve outfielder could get while sitting on the bench waiting his turn patiently. It's a bit dark and out of focused, but it is certainly something that the good people at Topps might have used back in the late 70's if they had taken the picture themselves.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dgI-a4jZb2w/TtecTFRFipI/AAAAAAAABPQ/Ax6ZYst7vsI/s1600/Joe_Zdeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dgI-a4jZb2w/TtecTFRFipI/AAAAAAAABPQ/Ax6ZYst7vsI/s320/Joe_Zdeb.jpg" width="222" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Zdeb was drafted as the 4th pick of the Kansas City Royals in the 1971 amateur draft. Making his debut in 1977, Zdeb had a career high .297 batting average as a reliable part-time outfielder. His batting average fell to .252 in 1978 and .174 in 1979. Known for wearing his hair exceptionally long, even for the late 70's, Zdeb received many warnings from the Commissioner Bowie Kuhn and the Royals GM to cut it. His response, "If I cut my hair, will I become a better ballplayer". He neither cut it, nor did he become a better ballplayer. After being traded to the White Sox after the '79 season he was sent to the minors where he bottomed out and couldn't even hit .200. He was released by the Mets Tidewater farm team after the 1980 season. I found this photo while searching Google.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QqGZX--kLK4/TtecTskgRMI/AAAAAAAABPU/Rydre3ZQA7g/s1600/Pete_LaCock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QqGZX--kLK4/TtecTskgRMI/AAAAAAAABPU/Rydre3ZQA7g/s320/Pete_LaCock.jpg" width="222" /></a>LaCock's two biggest claims to fame are: being former Hollywood Squares host Peter Marshall's son and hitting a grand slam homer off of HOF'er Bob Gibson's final pitch in the majors. LaCock was a part time 1st baseman / corner outfielder for the Cubs for the better part of 5 seasons before being traded to the Royals. He spent the next 4 seasons playing part time in KC and backing up John Mayberry at first. LaCock hit .303 (66-218) with 3 homers for the Royals in '77. He hit .295 in '78 and .277 in '79. 1980, his final season saw his playing time decrease and he hit just .205. His lack of power hindered him from being an every day player at those traditional power positions that he played. I found this autographed photo on ebay.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8brsoZ-sUzs/TtecTl9vyZI/AAAAAAAABPw/0qZwCzw_KAE/s1600/Randy_McGilberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8brsoZ-sUzs/TtecTl9vyZI/AAAAAAAABPw/0qZwCzw_KAE/s320/Randy_McGilberry.jpg" width="221" /></a>He pitched in three games for the Kansas City Royals during the 1977 Kansas City Royals season and 18 games during the 1978 Kansas City Royals season. He pitched 7 innings in 1977 and had a 0-1 (5.14) record. He remained in the Royals chain until 1980, when he was traded to the Mets. He was 3-4 (6.25) at Triple A Tidewater and was given his unconditional release. He was one of 3 pitchers on the Royals staff that batted from both sides of the plate. Since the AL had the DH, all 3 never came to bat. I found this photo posted on the OOTP site and used it for this updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pV3SwvJg5Xo/TtecU3ErJHI/AAAAAAAABQA/cytjecHbgK8/s1600/Tom_Hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pV3SwvJg5Xo/TtecU3ErJHI/AAAAAAAABQA/cytjecHbgK8/s320/Tom_Hall.jpg" width="221" /></a>Nicknamed "The Blade" for his tall/slender build, Hall made his final Major League appearance on May 21, 1977, with the Royals. After finishing out the '76 season for the Royals, most folks including Topps figured he was going to retire due to arm injuries. Hall, who had electric stuff when healthy, decided to give it one more go. He pitched in 6 games and logged 7 2/3 innings for the Royals in 1977. He had no decisions and sported a 3.52 ERA before hanging it up. Prior to 1976 he was one of the premier lefty relievers in the game. In 1972 he went 10-1 (2.61) with 8 saves for the NL Champ Cincinnati Reds. He also went 11-6 (2.55) for the Twins in 1970. Since Topps figured he was hanging it it, they never released a card for him. Call this the "Lost card". To make it I used his 1976 Topps photo, with him in a Mets uniform. I airbrushed the KC onto the cap and cut and pasted a Royals uniform over his Mets garb.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wbvAoQc-a0Y/TtecUvhsJhI/AAAAAAAABPs/wyTW4ImB5do/s1600/U.L._Washington.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wbvAoQc-a0Y/TtecUvhsJhI/AAAAAAAABPs/wyTW4ImB5do/s320/U.L._Washington.jpg" width="221" /></a>After hours of exhaustive search on the Internet I finally came to the conclusion that UL is his full name and not an abbreviation or nickname. In 1977 Washington was a 23 year old rookie who was destined to get just playing time scraps when Freddie Patek was resting. He would hit .200 (4-20) in 10 games of action. The man who batted with the toothpick in his mouth finally became a starter in 1980 and held that position for the next 4 seasons before moving on to Montreal. He would be the Royals regular shortstop on their 1980 pennant winner, but leave one year before they won it all in '85. Minus his 'fro and his toothpick this is an early photo of Washington before he became a regular.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bwv0es2YnxI/TtecU9Re-BI/AAAAAAAABP8/XUQr_gqx08k/s1600/Willie_Wilson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bwv0es2YnxI/TtecU9Re-BI/AAAAAAAABP8/XUQr_gqx08k/s320/Willie_Wilson.jpg" width="222" /></a>21 year old Willie Wilson was just 2 years away from stardom. In 1977 he got into just 13 games for the Royals and hit .324 (11-34). He stole 6 bases in his limited action. After a dismal 1978 season where hie hit .217, Wilson had a breakout year in 1979 and hit .315 and stole a league leading 83 bases. Next to George Brett, Wilson is arguably the second best Royal ever. He would go on to spend 15 years in KC and compile a .285 batting average over that period. He led the league in hits in 1980 with 230. He led the league 5 times in triples, won 2 silver slugger awards, a gold glove and surprisingly made only 2 All-Star teams. 13 of his 41 career homers were inside the "parkers". Wilson had 668 career stolen bases. He played both left and center for KC. I found this neat action shot of Wilson at the plate. He didn't have his trademark beard at the time. The only blemish on his career was his involvement in a drug scandal in 1983, where he served 81 days in the Fort Worth Federal Correctional facility. Since then he cleaned up his act and has never had his name mentioned negatively.</div>
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<b><i>Editor's Note:</i></b> This posting of the Royals concludes my 1977 Topps Card Update Project. It has been a fun 2 months worth of work. With a full time job, 4 kids and my CYO coaching duties I had to find time to squeeze in this "labor of love". 26 teams in 2 months is a pretty challenging feat. Over the next month or so, while I'm on vacation I will be updating some of the earlier cards that I made, since I have learned new techniques for airbrushing and colorization along the way. I hope you all enjoyed this stroll back to 1977, a season that happened almost 35 years ago, yet it is still fresh in my mind.</div>
<br />ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-44347740510021032192011-12-01T07:29:00.001-08:002011-12-01T08:13:03.580-08:00Game 5 of the 1977 ALCS<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lost 3 LCS to NY</td></tr>
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Under manager <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Whitey Herzog</span></b> the KC finished 102-60, a full 8 games ahead of the Texas Rangers to win the AL West crown for the 2nd straight season. After winning 2 of the first 3 games in the ALCS they needed just 1 more win to eliminate the Yankees and head to their first World Series in franchise history. With former Yank Larry Gura on the hill in game 4 the Royals came up 2 runs short. The decisive game 5 was played at Royals Stadium in front of 41,000 partisan fans, who were hoping for a reversal of fortune from last year's (1976) ALCS, when the Royals blew a lead in game 7 and lost the pennant to the Yankees on a walk off homer by Yankee first baseman Chris Chambliss.</div>
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Heading into the 8th inning starter Paul Splittorff was doing a fine job of protecting a 3-1 lead. After Willie Randolph led of the inning with a clean single up the middle Doug Bird was summoned from the pen to replace Splittorff. Bird got Yankee captain Thurman Munson to strike out swinging, but served up an opposite field single to former Royal Lou Piniella. With runners on 1st and 3rd and 1 out Mr. October, Reggie Jackson stepped to the plate to pinch hit for DH Cliff Johnson. Jackson did what Jackson always seemed to do, come through in the clutch. Reggie lined a single to center to score Randolph, which made it a 1 run game. Doug Bird was now done for the day and Steve Mingori took over and got Nettles to line out to right and Chambliss to ground into a force play. KC had 2 baserunners in the bottom of the inning, but failed to score off of tiring starter Mike Torrez or his replacement Sparky Lyle, the 1977 Cy Young Award Winner.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chambliss wins the 1976 pennant w/a walk off HR</td></tr>
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As the top of the 9th approached everyone in the house was on the edge of their seat. 3 more outs and the Royals win their first pennant. Dennis Leonard, who was mainly a starter, was called on to replace Mingori and start the 9th. Leonard served up a single to Paul Blair and walked Roy White, who was pinch hitting for Bucky Dent. Manager Whitey Herzog went to the pen and gave the ball to game 4 starter Larry Gura in order to get a lefty vs lefty matchup vs Mickey Rivers. The "Firery Little Genius", Billy Martin rolled the dice and left Rivers in. Martin's confidence in Rivers paid off as "Mick the Quick" singled to right, which scored Blair to tie the game at 3-3. At this point all of the momentum shifted to the Bronx Bombers. Mark Littell was now brought in from the pen to put out the fire and preserve the tie. Littell was not the right guy for this pressure cooker of a spot, considering how he served up a walk off pennant winning homer to Chris Chambliss only 365 days earlier. Littell got Randolph to line out to center, but in the process Roy White scored the go ahead run. Munson grounded out to short for the second out. With two out and a runner on third, it looked like the Royals just might get out of the inning without any further damage. This was not to be the case, as fate once again rested firmly on the side of the "Evil Empire". Lou Piniella hit a bullet to third that future HOF'er George Brett couldn't handle. Brett booted the ball and Rivers walked home to provide the Yanks with that all important insurance run.</div>
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After Jackson grounded out to 2nd to end the inning Sparky Lyle took the mound poised to defend the 2 run lead that his mates just provided him with. Royals catcher Darrell Porter led off the inning and mysteriously swung at the first pitch Lyle offered and weakly popped out to Fred "Chicken" Stanley at short. Stanley had just entered the game in place of Dent, who was pinch hit for by Roy White in the top of the inning. Frank White was the next batter. As quick as you can say "Da Yankees Win", White was in an 0-2 hole. Instead of wasting a pitch, Lyle went right after him and White responded with a clean single to center. Freddy Patek, the Royals shortstop, who was diminutive in size, but not heart came to the plate as the tying run. He too fell into an 0-2 hole. Once again Lyle didn't waste a pitch. Sparky's 0-2 offering was on the inside part of the plate. Patek turned on it and hit a one hop bullet to Nettles at thrird. New York's gold glove third baseman scooped up the ball, fired to Randolph covering second to force White. Randolph pivoted cleanly and threw a strike to Chambliss to nip Patek for the game ending double play. For the second year in a row the Yankees came back late in game 5 of the ALCS to crush KC's hopes and dreams. As the Yankees celebrated, the network cameras focused solely on a tearful Patek, who was distraught on the Royals bench. It would take 3 long years of waiting before the Royals paid the Bombers back. Until then, Royals fans began to sound like old Brooklyn Dodger fans, when they said, "Wait till next year".</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patek couldn't control his emotions after grounding into the series ending DP</td></tr>
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<br /></div>ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-64125066341291522232011-11-28T20:08:00.001-08:002011-11-30T13:20:52.261-08:001977 Oakland A's<br />
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After 8 straight years of finishing either 1st or 2nd in the AL West the Oakland A's crashed and burned in 1977. Gone from the ranks of those "Swingin' A's" who won 3 World Championships and 5 straight division titles were the likes of Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers, Joe Rudi and Sal Bando. A franchise just can't sustain such losses and continue to contend. Cheapo owner Charlie Finley was regularly attempting to have a fire sale. He wound up feuding with then commissioner Bowie Kuhn, who blocked almost every trade Finley tried to make by invoking the "Detrimental to Baseball" clause. Finley, who was operating on a shoestring budget, needed to dump his stars in hopes of rebuilding, because he knew that he couldn't sign them back as free agents. The A's went from a dynasty to a doormat in one calendar year. Chuck Tanner, who replaced Alvin Dark, who replaced Dick Williams, knew it was time to go as well. That left Jack McKeon and Bobby Winkles to pick up the pieces.</div>
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The starting lineup had many pieces, but none were able to complete the puzzle. Young outfielders Mitchell Page and Tony Armas showed great promise. The infield did not have a regular who hit over .240. Youngster Wayne Gross, who replaced team captain Sal Bando at third, had 22 homers to lead the team. The pitching staff was anchored by 27 year old Vida Blue (14-19, 3.83). Blue, who was a mainstay on their championship teams was stuck in town only because Kuhn denied a trade that would have sent him to Cincinnati. Sophomore Mike Norris struggled (2-7, 4.77) as did Rick Langford (8-19, 4.02), who just couldn't get any runs support. The pen was this team's strength. The bullpen by committee idea worked rather well. Doug Bair (8 SV), Joe Coleman (2), Bob Lacey (7), Pablo Torrealba (2) and veteran Dave Giusti (6) each contributed night in and night out. Both Coleman and Torrealba were flexible enough to start when needed. The A's finished 6th in team ERA, 1st in stolen bases, but dead last in average and OBP. Powerwise they were 12th in a season where the bats remained dormant from start to finish. The A's finished 63-98, which was good enough for sole possession of last place a half game behind the expansion Mariners.</div>
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Adding in the 2 cards that I replaced either airbrushed or BHNH's, I created 27 new cards to round out the 1977 A's Updated Topps set.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EGCWaRrS0es/TtRTMVR-NOI/AAAAAAAABIo/rgEqfZzNjkg/s1600/Steve_McCatty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EGCWaRrS0es/TtRTMVR-NOI/AAAAAAAABIo/rgEqfZzNjkg/s320/Steve_McCatty.jpg" width="222" /></a>McCatty was a 23 year old getting his first taste of the big leagues in 1977. He had no record and pitched in 4 games (2 starts) and had a 5.04 ERA in 14 1/3 innings pitched. By 1979 he became a regular in the A's rotation. In the strike shortened 1981 season he led the AL in wins (14) and shutouts (4) and came in second to former A's closer Rollie Fingers in the Cy Young balloting. Like so many young phenoms he had his arm abused by Billy Martin and by 1982 he missed 10 starts. 1983 saw him miss another 10 starts, while he worked from the pen. He returned to the rotation full time in '84, but could not log more than 180 innings and his record fell bellow .500. 1985 was his final year as injuries due to arm abuse got the best of him. In 9 seasons with Oakland he finished with an even record (63-63). In 1980 he pitched a 14 inning game vs Seattle only to lose 2-1. While searching ebay I found this autographed photo from his rookie season.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HoQSub7GzWk/TtRTMdRQ26I/AAAAAAAABIs/0dGn0pGgtNg/s1600/Dick_Allen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HoQSub7GzWk/TtRTMdRQ26I/AAAAAAAABIs/0dGn0pGgtNg/s320/Dick_Allen.jpg" width="228" /></a>At the age of 35 Dick "Don't call me Richie" Allen was literally on his last legs. During his prime he was a one man wrecking crew who hit tape measure shots reminiscent of the great Mickey Mantle. By 1977 he was battling leg injuries and the press. His pedigree: 1964 Rookie of the Year, 1972 AL MVP and a 7 time All-Star. Allen came to Oakland for one last hurrah and to work off the baggage that he had been carrying since his controversial days in Philadelphia. Allen even changed his number to 60 from his usual 15 and declined to have his last name on the back of his jersey. Instead, his jersey said "Wampum", which was the name of his hometown. Allen got into 54 games for the A's in 1977 and hit .240 (41-171) with just 5 homers. It was the first time he ever hit below double digits. He split his time between 1st and DH, then split for good when the season was over by announcing his retirement. Every year he waits for the HOF to call announcing his induction, but due to his antagonistic relationship with the press it is highly unlikely that he will ever get the call.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KfAHGtxWpnQ/TtRTMtrk4RI/AAAAAAAABIw/Gm2rXZiRcZE/s1600/Dick_Allen_OAK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KfAHGtxWpnQ/TtRTMtrk4RI/AAAAAAAABIw/Gm2rXZiRcZE/s320/Dick_Allen_OAK.jpg" width="222" /></a>Since Allen was such a special athlete I decided to create 2 cards for his final season in the biggs. The first card (above) features him playing first base for the A's with his batting helmet on, which was his custom. The second photo shows the back of his jersey, sporting his new #60 and his salute to his hometown of Wampum, PA.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p9uq10U_rDw/TtRTRsHdYiI/AAAAAAAABLk/2PrzAncuKSs/s1600/Jerry_Tabb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p9uq10U_rDw/TtRTRsHdYiI/AAAAAAAABLk/2PrzAncuKSs/s320/Jerry_Tabb.jpg" width="221" /></a>Tabb was purchased from the Cubs by the Athletics the following February, and in 1977 Tabb got an extended chance in the major leagues. The A's were cleaning house, and Tabb was one of five players who received substantial playing time at first base for the team. Tabb batted .222 with 6 home runs and 19 RBI in 51 games. The next season, however, Oakland acquired Dave Revering from the Cincinnati Reds and installed him as their regular first baseman. Tabb managed just 9 at bats in 1978, his last season in the majors. I used his 1978 Topps card photo for his updated 1977 card.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TBcstNmxa78/TtRTMswcniI/AAAAAAAABJA/iF3XVzHwDcQ/s1600/Mike_Jorgensen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TBcstNmxa78/TtRTMswcniI/AAAAAAAABJA/iF3XVzHwDcQ/s320/Mike_Jorgensen.jpg" width="222" /></a> Jorgensen spent just one season in Oakland (1977). He played in 66 games and hit .246 (50-203) with 8 homers. He split time at first with 4 other players, so he was glad to be dealt to Texas at the end of the season. In total "Jorgy" played for 17 seasons. He was a smooth fielding 1st baseman (1973 Gold Glove), who played for 6 different franchises. The only time he was a regular starter was during his 6 seasons in Montreal. He arrived from Montreal in a trade for Stan Bahnsen in May. I used his 1978 Topps card for this updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e54RwxyZ50M/TtRTM5b53SI/AAAAAAAABI8/LreJgdOKJnE/s1600/Earl_Williams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e54RwxyZ50M/TtRTM5b53SI/AAAAAAAABI8/LreJgdOKJnE/s320/Earl_Williams.jpg" width="222" /></a>The Expos released Williams during Spring training 1977, and he signed with the Oakland A's a few days later. He split his time with the A's fairly evenly between catching, first base and designated hitter. He batted .241 with thirteen home runs and 38 RBIs his only season in Oakland. He was placed on waivers by the A's at the end of Spring training 1978. Failing to find a taker, he was released on May 17. Williams won the NL Rookie of the year in 1971 by hitting .260 with 33 homers. He hit 28 the following year, then was traded to Baltimore, where he hit 22. His power numbers and average slowly declined and by 28 he was out of baseball. Interestingly he played more games as a catcher than any of the other positions that he played, even though he never even caught a game in the minors. I used his 1978 Topps card photo for this updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4-gMj8XSSc/TtRTNYCBgNI/AAAAAAAABJU/t0Br40KLlMM/s1600/Mark_Williams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4-gMj8XSSc/TtRTNYCBgNI/AAAAAAAABJU/t0Br40KLlMM/s320/Mark_Williams.jpg" width="220" /></a>Williams played in 3 games for the A's as an outfielder and went 0 for 2 with a walk and a RBI. He spent 6 years in the minors and was hitting .277 with 9 homers before getting called up to the majors. After the '77 season ended he was released by the A's. No known photos of Williams with the A's exists. I found a minor league card that was in black and white, which was taken while he was with Modesto. I colorized the card photo and added the A's logo to both his cap and his jersey. If I find something better I will gladly update the card, which looks to be even below Topps' standards for this era.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14TqhGVdRXg/TtRTNuYCvSI/AAAAAAAABJI/Ha6aKq--2wc/s1600/Jim_Tyrone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14TqhGVdRXg/TtRTNuYCvSI/AAAAAAAABJI/Ha6aKq--2wc/s320/Jim_Tyrone.jpg" width="221" /></a>Tyrone got 3 separate shots at making the Cubs in the mid 70's and never stuck. Chicago gave up on him and traded him to the A's during spring training in March of 1977. In his only prolonged opportunity to play in the majors he batted just .245 (72-294) with just 5 homers and only 3 stolen bases. After the season he would be released by the A's. He went on to play 5 seasons in Japan before retiring in his mid 30's. Interestingly he and his brother both played in the Cubs system, yet they never played on the same team at the same time.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ptDEVnlBCyA/TtRTOHZQxsI/AAAAAAAABJY/EvxBtIEKTxc/s1600/Larry_Murray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ptDEVnlBCyA/TtRTOHZQxsI/AAAAAAAABJY/EvxBtIEKTxc/s320/Larry_Murray.jpg" width="222" /></a>Murray's big break came during the early part of the 1977 season. With Charlie Finley's dismantling of the team in full swing, the A's shipped Mike Torrez to the Yankees in exchange for Dock Ellis, Marty Perez, and Murray. While Ellis was fairly quickly shipped off himself to the Texas Rangers, Murray was given a chance to establish himself with Oakland. In 90 games, however, Murray batted just .179, with just 9 RBI in 179 at bats. He did steal 12 bases. After spending most of 1978 back in the minor leagues, Murray got another chance in 1979, but fared little better, batting a paltry .186. Even his speed seemed to desert him, as he stole just 6 bases in 12 tries, and he was soon benched in favor of Tony Armas. That would be the end of Murray's major league career. Murray played one more season of professional baseball with the Ogden A's in 1980, then retired. The photo featured here was used on his 1980 Topps card. I had to airbrush the A's logo out and add sky.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ExTRdXqDNM4/TtRTOd0xC1I/AAAAAAAABJo/fWf-ppSNr98/s1600/Mitchell_Page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ExTRdXqDNM4/TtRTOd0xC1I/AAAAAAAABJo/fWf-ppSNr98/s320/Mitchell_Page.jpg" width="222" /></a>The A's acquired Page on March 15, 1977, along with Tony Armas, Doc Medich, Doug Bair, Dave Giusti and Rick Langford for Phil Garner, Chris Batton and Tommy Helms. Upon arrival in Oakland Page was given the starting left field job and responded by hitting .307 with 21 homers and 75 RBI's. He finished 2nd in the Rookie of the Year balloting. He also stole 42 bases and only got caught 5 times. His sophomore season saw him hit a very respectable .285 with 17 homers, but his base stealing prowess dropped considerably. After those first 2 really good seasons his numbers began to decline. After hitting .247 in 1979 and .244 in 1980 he lost his starting job. For the next 3 seasons he was a part time DH, then he signed as a free agent back in Pittsburgh and hit .333 in just 16 games before being sent down to the minors. After hitting .258 in back to back seasons at Triple A Hawaii he was released by the Pirates. As an actor he had a cameo role in the 1994 Disney movie Angels in the Outfield. He played the part of Abascal.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JW1w9gcI5d8/TtRTOWMFf8I/AAAAAAAABJk/Bk_zLqryvhY/s1600/Mitchell_Page_OAK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JW1w9gcI5d8/TtRTOWMFf8I/AAAAAAAABJk/Bk_zLqryvhY/s320/Mitchell_Page_OAK.jpg" width="221" /></a>I found two photos of Page from this era and decided to use them both. The first (above) came from an autographed picture found on ebay. Page is wearing glasses and seems to be standing quite awkwardly. The second photo is from his 1979 Hostess card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b3u9Q-IVHh0/TtRTO2tCKGI/AAAAAAAABJ4/leXctWKf-zc/s1600/Sheldon_Mallory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b3u9Q-IVHh0/TtRTO2tCKGI/AAAAAAAABJ4/leXctWKf-zc/s320/Sheldon_Mallory.jpg" width="222" /></a>Mallory originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Kansas City Royals in 1972. He was traded to the New York Mets in December 1976, and was purchased from them by the Athletics the following April. Mallory's one season in the majors was 1977. In 65 games with the A's he hit .214 (27-126) with no homers and 12 stole bases, while playing all 3 outfield spots, 1st base and DH. After being released by the A's he was picked up by the Blue Jays and assigned to Syracuse (AAA), where he hit .270. The Jays released him following the '78 seasons and he wound up in Tacoma (AAA-CLE), where he hit .273 in his final season in professional baseball. This updated photo required heavy airbrushing and adding a cap. It originally appeared on a Venezuelan League sticker.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RXhfJr9Wr2E/TtRTPOz7wsI/AAAAAAAABJ0/D7glRL6qFl4/s1600/Marty_Perez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RXhfJr9Wr2E/TtRTPOz7wsI/AAAAAAAABJ0/D7glRL6qFl4/s320/Marty_Perez.jpg" width="222" /></a>Perez played in just 1 game for the Yankees in 1977, then was part of a blockbuster trade that saw him become the A's starting second baseman. In 115 games he hit just .231. After going hitless in 12 at bats the following season the A's released him on May 17th. The Mets signed him and sent him to Tidewater (AAA), then cut him after the season ended. Perez spent part of 10 seasons in the majors. From 1971-1975 he was the Braves starting shortstop. He was flexible enough to play 2nd and 3rd base as well as short. I found this autographed photo on ebay.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6AVTpSkXvio/TtRTPfilWiI/AAAAAAAABKI/3wL0tDTt5vw/s1600/Rodney_Scott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6AVTpSkXvio/TtRTPfilWiI/AAAAAAAABKI/3wL0tDTt5vw/s320/Rodney_Scott.jpg" width="222" /></a>Known for his blazing speed, "Cool Breeze" Scott would have been a Hall of Famer if he was only able to find a way to steal 1st base. Amazingly he stole 205 bases in basically 5 years of service, while only getting 504 hits. In 1977 he played in 133 games for the A's and hit .261, while stealing 33 bases. He would get shipped off ot the Cubs, then Expos, where he would continue to swipe bases despite his low OBP. Scott was a switch hitter, who hit .282 vs lefties, but just .222 vs righties. I used his 1978 Topps card for this updated '77 ca</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hLJc1W-Ojg/TtRTPt5LM8I/AAAAAAAABKE/oLE0PQUCPD0/s1600/Rob_Picciolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hLJc1W-Ojg/TtRTPt5LM8I/AAAAAAAABKE/oLE0PQUCPD0/s320/Rob_Picciolo.jpg" width="221" /></a>The 24 year old Picciolo assumed the A's starting shortstop post and hit right on the Mendoza line. He would spend the next 8 seasons being a part time utility man. Interestingly he walked only 25 times in 1,720 plate appearances during his career. I used his 1979 Topps card, which had an interesting "purple haze" background for his updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WFOaBo2NNfI/TtRTQKJ8cQI/AAAAAAAABKY/23jcUd6VuyE/s1600/Rich_McKinney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WFOaBo2NNfI/TtRTQKJ8cQI/AAAAAAAABKY/23jcUd6VuyE/s320/Rich_McKinney.jpg" width="222" /></a>McKinney was given one last shot in 1977 when the A's, with Charlie Finley having traded off most of their stars, turned him into a first baseman, although he also played 18 games at DH. He spent nearly the entire season in Oakland, with only a brief demotion to the San Jose Missions in late June. While McKinney finally began hitting with some power, with 6 home runs in just 189 at bats, his batting average sunk to .177, and his major league career was over. He is know throughout the baseball card collector world as "the victim of the worst airbrush job ever", which references his 1973 Topps card. On it he is basically turned into a cartoon character as Topps tried to convert him from a New York Yankee into an Oakland Athletic. I used this autographed photo to give him a proper A's card.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mbpJK1dLA1k/TtRTQaT8ZVI/AAAAAAAABKU/SYholXM3SOk/s1600/Wayne_Gross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mbpJK1dLA1k/TtRTQaT8ZVI/AAAAAAAABKU/SYholXM3SOk/s320/Wayne_Gross.jpg" width="222" /></a>25 year old rookie Wayne Gross was chosen to represent the A's at the All-Star game in 1977. He hit 22 homers and batted .233 that season, while holding down the duties as the team's starting third baseman. Gross would hold down that spot for the next 6 seasons before being dealt to the Baltimore Orioles. He was a solid glove man with decent power, but a low average. I found this photo while doing a google search. Gross along with a few other major leaguers appeared in the remake of Angels in the Outfield in 1984 with a cameo roll.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XHiwIkMVW0M/TtRTRgG8VHI/AAAAAAAABKo/tBQAisu2TQg/s1600/Tim_Hosley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XHiwIkMVW0M/TtRTRgG8VHI/AAAAAAAABKo/tBQAisu2TQg/s320/Tim_Hosley.jpg" width="221" /></a>Originally drafted by the Tigers back in 1966 Hosley bounced around the minors and played for 3 different organizations. He got two cups of coffee with the A's during the '73 and '74 championship runs as a backup catcher. He moved on to the Cubs and actually got to play as a platoon player in 1975. He hit .255 in 171 plate appearances. He returned back to the A's in '76 and hit .164 in 37 games. In '77 he hit .192 in 39 games. The following season, 1978, he hit .304 in 13 games and was sent back down to the minors where he stayed for the next 3 season before getting a final shot in Oakland in 1981. Hosley was one of those catch and throw catchers who never gave up. He even played 1 season in he Senior baseball league in 1989. I used his 1978 Topps card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5g3M_tL0g4A/TtRTRD1FTLI/AAAAAAAABKk/D9Su2t5FpRk/s1600/Tony_Armas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5g3M_tL0g4A/TtRTRD1FTLI/AAAAAAAABKk/D9Su2t5FpRk/s320/Tony_Armas.jpg" width="222" /></a>I bet the Pirates must have been kicking themselves for trading Armas to the A's in a huge multi-player trade that landed 3 big pieces for their '81 division title team. Armas started slowly and looked like a bust. He hit just .240 with 13 homers in 363 AB's in 1977. When he dropped to 2 homers in '78 and just 11 in '79 I bet they were looking to dump him. Then in 1980 with Billy Martin lighting a fire under his butt he hit 35 homers and had 109 RBI's. Call that the "breakthrough year". Armas played 6 seasons in all in Oakland. He led the league in homers in '81 and finished 4th in the MVP voting. He had some monster years in Boston and won himself a silver slugger award. His power declined quickly in his early 30's and he was out of baseball after the '89 season at the age of 35. I found this photo while searching Google.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-41zhUVqd2W4/TtRTRkdI9tI/AAAAAAAABKw/7LRTyrgYzvo/s1600/Willie_Crawford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-41zhUVqd2W4/TtRTRkdI9tI/AAAAAAAABKw/7LRTyrgYzvo/s320/Willie_Crawford.jpg" width="221" /></a>Crawford just might have been the oldest 30 year old in the game. 1977 saw him belong to 3 different teams, with him playing on just 2 of them. He was dealt to the Giants from the Cards in October of 1976. He never played a regular season game for San Fran, because they dealt him to the Astros at the end of spring training. Obviously the Giants had seen enough to know that Crawford was done. Houston needed just 42 games to come to the same conclusion. The A's figured it out in 59 games. Crawford hit .184 with 1 homer and 16 RBI's. Unfortunately it cost them a young up and comer named Denny Walling to learn that Crawford wasn't any bargain. After the season was over the Dodgers signed him as a free agent hoping he would recapture his youth with the franchise that he spent a dozen years with prior to moving to St. Louis. LA released him at the end of spring training and that was all she rode for 31 year old Willie Crawford. I used Crawford's 1978 Topps card photo. I always liked the look of the soft cap under the batting helmet. Crawford apparently was borrowing someone else's hard hat since it didn't fit under the batting helmet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc5avbA3eaAK6talMcLCzNOiG4YYh_rYzoTKjQ4RsohGzijsbx26ZlYOvEPNxZIOBFqnvZ0wJwUVlQ62Hom79wlc1_1excxIk4QBs4I5SrT9haceMPAdmDzYSfn-6RKjPiGa6mEMy3rQ/s1600/Bob_Lacey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc5avbA3eaAK6talMcLCzNOiG4YYh_rYzoTKjQ4RsohGzijsbx26ZlYOvEPNxZIOBFqnvZ0wJwUVlQ62Hom79wlc1_1excxIk4QBs4I5SrT9haceMPAdmDzYSfn-6RKjPiGa6mEMy3rQ/s320/Bob_Lacey.jpg" width="222" /></a>23 year old Bob Lacey did well for himself in 64 games out of the pen for the last place A's. He logged 121 innings, which would wind up being the most in his 7 year career, and had a 6-8 record with a 3.03 ERA and 7 saves. Lacey improved in '78 and led all AL pitchers in appearances with 74. After that his numbers began to dwindle thanks to an ongoing feud that he had with new manager Billy Martin. With Martin forcing his starters to complete games (90 total) Lacey and the rest of the pen became baseball's version of the Maytag Repairman. After leaving the A's in 1980 he split time between Cleveland, Texas, the Mexican league and back to California and then San Fran. I used his 1978 Topps card photo.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVXWSWvg_dD5axD2idhrG5htuR1UZYyGP0LRfTfNjaS57STS6LBZAcAaO4SbsIwoYaFpS_62NhfHBsDkhyHl66JxL-6Z4TKjitMzi8r6AGxBGZxJq_eL0K8IiQ04s63Bz6KIKNeTpY3U/s1600/Craig_Mitchell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVXWSWvg_dD5axD2idhrG5htuR1UZYyGP0LRfTfNjaS57STS6LBZAcAaO4SbsIwoYaFpS_62NhfHBsDkhyHl66JxL-6Z4TKjitMzi8r6AGxBGZxJq_eL0K8IiQ04s63Bz6KIKNeTpY3U/s320/Craig_Mitchell.jpg" width="222" /></a>Mitchell was the A's first-round draft pick in the secondary phase of the 1973 Major League Baseball Draft. He had previously been drafted twice, once by the New York Mets and once by the New York Yankees, but did not sign with either team. Mitchell made his major league debut in September of 1975, starting and losing a game against the Chicago White Sox. Mitchell pitched one more game in 1976 and three in 1977, finishing his career with just 12.2 innings pitched in the majors. For this updated '77 card I used his 1978 rookie panel card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qsyBwDSgKkM/TtRTScGDNRI/AAAAAAAABLA/ZcssHaHf3RU/s1600/Dave_Giusti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qsyBwDSgKkM/TtRTScGDNRI/AAAAAAAABLA/ZcssHaHf3RU/s320/Dave_Giusti.jpg" width="222" /></a>Shortly before the beginning of the 1977 season, Giusti was traded to the Oakland Athletics as part of a ten-player trade - one that also sent outfielder Tony Armas to Oakland, and sent infielder Phil Garner to Pittsburgh. In August, the Athletics sold Giusti's contract to the Chicago Cubs with whom Giusti finished the season, and after being released by the Cubs in November, Giusti retired from baseball. His trademark pitch was his palmball. His best years came when he was arguably one of the top closers in baseball for the Pirates during their championship run of the early to mid 70's. In 40 games with the A's the 37 year old veteran was 3-3 (2.98) with 6 saves in 60 innings pitched, spread out over 40 games.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0j4NuHpxYIQ/TtRTTNdtkBI/AAAAAAAABLM/BlYESJNZWVY/s1600/Doc_Medich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0j4NuHpxYIQ/TtRTTNdtkBI/AAAAAAAABLM/BlYESJNZWVY/s320/Doc_Medich.jpg" width="221" /></a>The good doctor spent the lion's share of the '77 season with the A's. He was 10-6 (4.69) and started 26 games before being sent to Seattle (3 games), then to the Mets (1 game). It was well chronicled how Medich was a medical student, who became a physician after baseball, then lost his license to practice. This photo of him was clearly taken at Yankee Stadium. I actually found it while doing a google search. It was on some FLICKR page.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gkMKu_zXSeY/TtRTToIXsII/AAAAAAAABMc/FGSZKCMqw4g/s1600/Dock_Ellis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gkMKu_zXSeY/TtRTToIXsII/AAAAAAAABMc/FGSZKCMqw4g/s320/Dock_Ellis.jpg" width="222" /></a>Ellis had himself a rough go in his 7 games in Oakland during the '77 season. Going 1-5 with a 9.69 ERA, which was the highest he would ever post in his 12 year career. What this meant was that he needed a change of scenery once again. That change would come in a deal to Texas midway through the season. For this updated card I used a B&W photo of Ellis, while on the Rangers and colorized it. I then pasted an already colorized A's cap on to of the Rangers cap.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uYRLKkesluU/TtRTTlxvLRI/AAAAAAAABLY/szj6sxYyqKk/s1600/Doug_Bair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uYRLKkesluU/TtRTTlxvLRI/AAAAAAAABLY/szj6sxYyqKk/s320/Doug_Bair.jpg" width="222" /></a>Bair's first full season in the majors was 1977 with the A's. As it would turn out it would be his only season with Oakland. He went 4-6 (3.46) with 8 saves out of the pen. In the offseason he was traded to the Reds for Dave Revering and cash, where he became the Reds closer for the next 2 seasons. After that Bair would become one of those "well traveled" relievers. Along the way he stopped in 7 different towns and won two championship rings ('82 STL and '84 DET). In total he spent 15 seasons in the biggs and retired in 1991 at the age of 41. I used his 1978 Topps Card photo to update this card.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v-23J-0ZP4w/TtRTUKoPxUI/AAAAAAAABLo/UMVDaHJ0ZBo/s1600/Jim_Umbarger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v-23J-0ZP4w/TtRTUKoPxUI/AAAAAAAABLo/UMVDaHJ0ZBo/s320/Jim_Umbarger.jpg" width="220" /></a>Prior to the 1977 season, Umbarger was traded to the Oakland Athletics, along with Rodney Scott, for outfielder Claudell Washington. After struggling for most of the season for Oakland, Umbarger was sold back to the Rangers in August, 1977. Umbarger finished the 1977 season with the Rangers and returned for the 1978 campaign, appearing in 32 games and posting a 4.88 ERA. The 1978 season would be Umbarger's last in the major leagues. While in the minor leagues in 1981, he pitched 10 scoreless innings in relief in the longest professional baseball game. To create this card I took Umbarger's 1976 SSPC card, which had him in a Rangers uniform and airbrushed in the A's colors and pasted a new cap on top of his head rather than airbrush the original.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUrWFa71wXU/TtRTU1U5TMI/AAAAAAAABL4/OEySMwHiWho/s1600/Joe_Coleman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUrWFa71wXU/TtRTU1U5TMI/AAAAAAAABL4/OEySMwHiWho/s320/Joe_Coleman.jpg" width="222" /></a>By 1977 Coleman's career as a frontline starter was winding down. He adapted quickly to being in the pen and finished the season with a 4-4 (2.96) record in 43 games. The following season he was 3-0 (1.37) in 10 games with the A's before being dealt to the Blue Jays. His career started back in 1965 as an 18 year old with the Washington Senators. Since Washington lacked pitching he was rushed to the majors immediately. Coleman consistently posted sub .500 records as a Senator, despite great ERA's and WHIP. Washington flat out couldn't hit. His trade to Detroit in 1971 was a blessing. In his 5 1/2 years as a Tiger he won 20 games twice and 19 games once. After logging 8 straight season of 200+ innings his arm began to show signs of wear. By the age of 28 his pitching body was about 38. He hung on until 1979, when he pitched in 10 games for the champion Pirates, then retired at 32 with a 142-135 (3.70) record. I found this autographed photo on ebay.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7EDQlgvvxkc/TtRTVCC3pNI/AAAAAAAABL0/bm2eoQ3Ejmk/s1600/Matt_Keough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7EDQlgvvxkc/TtRTVCC3pNI/AAAAAAAABL0/bm2eoQ3Ejmk/s320/Matt_Keough.jpg" width="220" /></a>List Keough as another one of Billy Martin's victims. In the 3 years that he pitched for the "Firery Little Genius", Keough had 40 complete games. He had just 13 prior to Martin's tenure and none after. Shockingly he developed arm trouble and was out of baseball by 1986 at the age of 30, when he should have been in his prime. In 1977 Keough was a 21 year old rookie who appeared in 7 games (6 starts) and had a 1-3 (4.85) record. After his arm troubles he missed the entire 1984 season and pitched in 7 rehab games at the Yankees Nashville (AA) affiliate. He had stints at Louisville (AAA-STL) and Tucson (AAA-HOU) before moving on to play in Japan for 3 seasons. He attempted a comeback in 1990 with the Angels, but was cut at the end of spring training. He returned again in 1991 to attempt a second comeback, but that was derailed when he was struck in the right temple with a foul ball while sitting in the dugout. That tragic accident nearly killed him and ended his attempt to comeback. Keough suffered with some bad A's teams in the late 70's. At one stretch he lost 14 consecutive decisions and had a 2-17 record. In 1979 he made the All-Star team with an 8-15 record, despite a 3.25 ERA. In 1980 he won the AL Comeback Player of the Year award. I used his 1979 Hostess card photo for this updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aUnujTV9uhA/TtRTValHw4I/AAAAAAAABMI/UuNVpIOqsiE/s1600/Pablo_Torrealba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aUnujTV9uhA/TtRTValHw4I/AAAAAAAABMI/UuNVpIOqsiE/s320/Pablo_Torrealba.jpg" width="221" /></a>At the end of spring training the A's purchased Torrealba's contract from the Atlanta Braves. In 1977 he pitched in 41 games (10 starts) for the A's and compiled a 4-6 (2.62) record over 116 2/3 innings. Despite his fantastic ERA, Torrealba' WHIP was exceptionally high (1.414). He gave up 127 hits and walked 38. At the conclusion of spring training in 1978 he was dealt to the Chisox for backup catcher Jim Essian and veteran hurler Steve Renko. He pitched 2 seasons in Chicago as well as their Triple A affiliate in Iowa. Torrealba is a native of Venezuela. I used his 1978 Topps card photo to update this card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BOVs_-5keb8/TtRTVgKCfZI/AAAAAAAABME/mQp2lz797Rs/s1600/Rick_Langford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BOVs_-5keb8/TtRTVgKCfZI/AAAAAAAABME/mQp2lz797Rs/s320/Rick_Langford.jpg" width="220" /></a>Langford arrived in Oakland as part of that blockbuster deal with the Pirates. 1977 was his first full season in the majors. Langford pitched well, but suffered in the wins column thanks to the A's lack of offense and lack of defense, which doomed him to lead the league in losses (19). He posted an 8-19 (4.02) record that season in 208 innings of work. He rebounded quite nicely to become one of the aces of the A's staff. Unfortunately for him he fell under the control of Billy Martin, and like other young guns on the A's staff he had his arm ruined due to obscene overuse. From 1979-1982 he compiled 75 complete games. By 1983 his arm virtually fell off and he was never able to log more than 60 innings in a season. In 1980 alone he logged 290 innings and 28 complete games, which by far led the league. I found this photo while doing a Google search.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SvNSp5dS1ks/TtRTWHhIIAI/AAAAAAAABMk/EjYo8VklRGQ/s1600/Steve_Dunning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SvNSp5dS1ks/TtRTWHhIIAI/AAAAAAAABMk/EjYo8VklRGQ/s320/Steve_Dunning.jpg" width="221" /></a>On May 11, 1971, Dunning had the distinction of hitting a grand slam home run off of Oakland Athletics pitcher Diego Segui. That record stood for 37 years. As a hurler, Dunning was a journeyman at best. Dunning had the misfortune of being drafted by the talent starved Cleveland Indians in 1970 and was rushed to the majors without spending any time in the minors. Dunning responded with 3 1/2 years of average work before moving on to Texas in 1973. While in Texas things got worse and he eventually was sent down to the minors. Over the next 5 seasons he would be on that shuttle that went back and forth between the majors and Triple A. After spending the 1st 4 months of the '77 season with the Cardinals and their Triple A affiliate (New Orleans) Dunning was traded to Oakland. From August 12th until the end of the season he got into 6 games for the A's and had a 1-0 (3.93) record in 18 innings of work. Oakland chose not to re-sign him after the season, so he accepted a minor league offer from the Padres, who assigned him to AAA Hawaii, where he went 6-4 (4.13) in 17 games. The Padres never called him up to the majors and gave him his outright release at the end of the season. A once promising career was over at the ripe old age of 29. I used his '78 Topps photo for this updated card. I find that it was one of the best airbrush jobs done by the gang from Whitehall Street. Topps thought he was going to return to the A's, so they issued him a card in '78. Since he was acquired in August they did not have an up to date photo of him in an A's uniform.</div>
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<br /></div>ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-71925892363115019912011-11-25T20:42:00.001-08:002011-11-27T16:02:51.552-08:001977 Cleveland Indians<br />
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The novelty of having Frank Robinson as manager wore off as the team entered year #3. Robby had the team at 26-31 and someone strangely thought that they were underachieving. That same someone compiled one bad judgement on top of another by replacing Robby with Jeff Torborg who went 45-59. The team finished a combined 71-90 and clinched itself another 5th place finish. After finishing 81-78 in 1976 hopes were high for 1977. What ownership and the fan base failed to realize was that the team completely overachieved. This was a franchise stuck right in the middle of a 30+ year funk, so the fans were desperate for anything. From 1961-1977 the Tribe would finish higher than 4th place only once (1968). During the 1970's they would finish last or next to last 6 times. The "Curse of Rocky Colavito" was firmly in place. The hopes of the franchise sat firmly on the right shoulder of high priced free agent Wayne Garland, who won 20 the year before in Baltimore. Quickly on Garland realized that Cleveland was no Baltimore. Garland logged 282 innings and had a decent 3.60 ERA, but was rewarded with a 13-19 record in what would turn out to be the best year of his Cleveland experience. 22 year old Dennis Eckersley was 14-13 (3.53) and "Big" Jim Bibby was 12-13 even though he had a 3.57 ERA. After the "big 3" the Indians were in trouble. Pat Dobson (3-12) was on his way out the door and Al Fitzmorris (6-10, 5.41) was a half step behind him. Jim Kern was the closer with 18 saves, but he was just as adept at blowing a save as putting one in the books. He was supported by a pair of lefties, Rick Waits and Don Hood, who both did an admirable job. Waits split his time between the pen and the rotation.</div>
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The offense was nothing to write home about. They finished 9th in run scoring and 13 in homers in a 14 team league. Andre Thornton (28) was the only regular with more than 20 homers. The enigmatic Rico Carty had 15 homers as the DH, but brought along enough baggage to get charged a premium by any airline. 25 year old Buddy Bell brought his gold glove and a solid .292 average, along with 10 homers. What truly haunted this team was it's dreadful outfield. While the trio of Bochte, Norris and Dade hit a combined .285, they had zero pop. 11 homers between 3 starting outfielders is bound to doom any team. Gold Glove centerfielder Rick Manning's average dropped 70 points in a year, which relegated him to 4th outfielder status. Manning hit .285 and .292 in his first two full seasons as a 20/21 year old. He peaked early and never reached the potential prognosticators put on him. Larvell Blanks did a great job as a utility man hitting .286 with 6 homers in 322 AB's. Ray Fosse and Fred Kendall split the catching chores until Fosse moved over to Milwaukee later in the year. Johnny Grbb and Ron Pruitt were great additions to a crowded outfield brigade and the bench.</div>
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When all is said and done this team maybe could have won a few more games, but not many. With attendance 13th in the league players played half of their games in an empty Municipal Stadium that was dank and cavernous. The highlight of the season was on May 30th, when Dennis Eckersley tossed a no hitter vs the California Angels. Pennant fever in Cleveland was once described by Mike Lupica as "lasting 48 hours". In 1977 it might not have lasted that long.</div>
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I added 15 new cards to complete this set, plus I updated 4 existing cards that had bad airbrush jobs or even worse BHNH shots.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xDmoT68fp38/Ts_UN2lZnPI/AAAAAAAABFg/eGMvoiYLoYo/s1600/Wayne_Garland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xDmoT68fp38/Ts_UN2lZnPI/AAAAAAAABFg/eGMvoiYLoYo/s1600/Wayne_Garland.jpg" /></a>Garland was the big free agent signing that turned into a huge bust over the lifetime of the contract. In fact he became the post child for everything that was wrong in Cleveland during the forgotten decade of the 1970's. Garland pitched better than his record indicated in 1977, then became disinterested as well as injured. His original 1977 Topps card was a horrible BHNH with Garland sporting that horrible 'fro. This updated card makes full use of the Sporting News' cover that he was on previewing the season. Nothing said "bad softball uniform" better than those red jersey/pant combos that the Tribe sported during this era.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGw6bn-gwtwmd9PdtVhX7wHSSVjW1-PkVVQp-CSXuQnjffCEmihijLYxl0GRFgpFtHjzD5J_-vnQD1M0T13bbyityf-xJ3lGw1wpG6XjifvKVCqu_7eWCN1u-2z_BpQiWeZGgRAFCMJE/s1600/Al_Fitzmorris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGw6bn-gwtwmd9PdtVhX7wHSSVjW1-PkVVQp-CSXuQnjffCEmihijLYxl0GRFgpFtHjzD5J_-vnQD1M0T13bbyityf-xJ3lGw1wpG6XjifvKVCqu_7eWCN1u-2z_BpQiWeZGgRAFCMJE/s320/Al_Fitzmorris.jpg" width="224" /></a>Fitzmorris was traded by the Jays to the Cleveland Indians (after being selected in the expansion draft) in exchange for Alan Ashby and Doug Howard. The Indians released him in 1978. He was an original KC Royal and had 8 solid years in KC (70-48, 3.46). By '77 he was nearing the end of the line as evidenced by his 6-10, 5.41 record. His original 1977 Topps card had him wearing a horribly airbrushed cap. I cut an pasted a new cap on him to make it look a bit more realistic.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsQrR307IoA/Ts_UNuRkL-I/AAAAAAAABFc/mrQKcKLOdMw/s1600/Don_Hood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsQrR307IoA/Ts_UNuRkL-I/AAAAAAAABFc/mrQKcKLOdMw/s1600/Don_Hood.jpg" /></a>After 2 season in Baltimore, Hood spent 5 years in Cleveland logging innings out of the pen and adding not much at all to the mix. On June 15, 1979 he was traded by the Tribe to the Yankees for surly slugger Cliff Johnson. A quick stop in St. Louis in 1980 found him out of baseball in 1981 until he caught on with Omaha (Triple A for KC). Due to his hard work he wound up getting called up to the Royals and played 2 more seasons in the "biggs" before being released at the end of the '83 season. In '77 Hood went 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 41 games (105 IP) out of the pen. His original Topps card had him w/out a cap and wearing those flashy red on red uni's. I updated the card using a signed photo I found while doing a Google search.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EU-vwZ-HyTU/TtBnOYgt1vI/AAAAAAAABF8/Mykr0bQrmgQ/s1600/Bill_Laxton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EU-vwZ-HyTU/TtBnOYgt1vI/AAAAAAAABF8/Mykr0bQrmgQ/s320/Bill_Laxton.jpg" width="221" /></a>Before season's end, Laxton had been traded to the Cleveland Indians, and after the 1977 season would never pitch in the majors again. He started the 1978 season in the minor leagues with the Portland Beavers. The Indians traded him in midseason, sending him back to the Padres for Dave Freisleben. He finished the year with the Hawaii Islanders, then retired. Laxton found new life in 1977 due to expansion as a reliever on the Seattle Mariners. In 2 games in Cleveland he had no decisions and a 5.40 ERA in 1 2/3 innings of work. I took his 1977 Topps photo that had him wearing an airbrushed Seattle Mariners hat and cut and pasted an Indians cap on top of it.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oI_qXaKneMA/TtBnOac2RcI/AAAAAAAABHI/GL9C8du7Z3s/s1600/Cardell_Camper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oI_qXaKneMA/TtBnOac2RcI/AAAAAAAABHI/GL9C8du7Z3s/s320/Cardell_Camper.jpg" width="221" /></a>Camper played for the Cleveland Indians from September 11, 1977 to October 2, 1977. He compiled a 1-0 (3.86) record in 3 games (1 start). Camper had a horrible year at Toledo (AAA) going 11-10 (5.34). His record in Portland (AAA) the following year was even worse (6-8, 7.40). Still he got a final chance in the Philly chain and when he failed to impress he was released in 1979 at the age of 26. I used his 1978 rookie panel card photo for this updated 1977 card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2RG03R2bLpU/TtBnObOecsI/AAAAAAAABGA/u8bUO_QC7KY/s1600/Larry_Andersen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2RG03R2bLpU/TtBnObOecsI/AAAAAAAABGA/u8bUO_QC7KY/s320/Larry_Andersen.jpg" width="221" /></a>In 11 games out of the pen Andersen was 0-1 (3.14) and no saves. He gave up just 10 hits in 14 inning He would go on to have a long (17 seasons) and distinguished career as a slider throwing reliever for 6 different franchises.His best seasons were in Houston and Philadelphia. He pitched until he was 41. I found this autographed photo during a Google search.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--lm5B-vS7nM/TtBnOhe5G0I/AAAAAAAABHo/5IXe-Oq8f84/s1600/Sid_Monge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--lm5B-vS7nM/TtBnOhe5G0I/AAAAAAAABHo/5IXe-Oq8f84/s320/Sid_Monge.jpg" width="221" /></a>Monge arrived on May 11th as part of a trade with the Angels along with Bruce Bochte. He went 1-2, 6.23 in 33 games and basically stunk up the joint. He would rebound nicely and have 4 solid seasons in Cleveland before being sent to Philadelphia, where he gave up future HOF'er Tony Gwynn's first MLB hit. Monge would spent 10 years on the big league level and save 56 games. 1979 was his best year. He went 12-10 (2.40) for the Tribe and save 19 games in 131 innings. I found this autographed photo on ebay.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hBp0saLMfZU/TtBnPLleNFI/AAAAAAAABGQ/GDe-w9wEYwA/s1600/Alfredo_Griffin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hBp0saLMfZU/TtBnPLleNFI/AAAAAAAABGQ/GDe-w9wEYwA/s320/Alfredo_Griffin.jpg" width="221" /></a>Alfredo began his career as a member of the Cleveland Indians, who signed him as an amateur free agent in 1973. On December 5, 1978, before having played a full season in the majors, he was traded, along with Phil Lansford (minors), to the Toronto Blue Jays for Víctor Cruz. Alfredo made an immediate impact, sharing the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 1979 with John Castino. As an 19 year old call up he got into 14 games at short and hit .146. Griffin would go on to play 18 seasons in the biggs and would get the moniker "the Ozzie Smith of the AL" from Mike Scioscia, but he won just one Gold Glove (1985).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_JDEpCfITwqaIinB-ZF7eE_tNtvhRB-aT5qUkxhZF6A1QrcbD3xVE49Kl-ihFB2DKOUH1YDXBQJYi48lBn9Vz9biLBqTkQ-mf008ZNvTI8u5XbX-BTHgKtP5Xfykx04SGVxanmI4As4/s1600/Andre_Thornton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_JDEpCfITwqaIinB-ZF7eE_tNtvhRB-aT5qUkxhZF6A1QrcbD3xVE49Kl-ihFB2DKOUH1YDXBQJYi48lBn9Vz9biLBqTkQ-mf008ZNvTI8u5XbX-BTHgKtP5Xfykx04SGVxanmI4As4/s320/Andre_Thornton.jpg" width="222" /></a>After a crappy half season in Montreal where he hit .191 in 183 AB's the Expos dumped Thornton, who was 27 at the time, on the unsuspecting Indians for banjo hitting second baseman Jackie Brown. Little did the Indians know that they were about to make one of the best deals in the history of their franchise, or at least the past 30 years. Thornton responded with 10 solid years as the team's regular DH. He made 2 All-Star appearances, won 1 silver slugger and hit over 20 homers 6 times. Thornton emerged from the shadows and became one of the top DH's in the AL. In '77 he actually split time between 1st base and DH and hit .263 with 28 homers and 70 RBI in 433 AB's. He was know to be one of the classiest men in all of baseball. This card was updated with a great 8x10 autographed shot.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4drlWgrj_Y/TtBnPh6bTQI/AAAAAAAABGg/nAFFVj54DHc/s1600/Andre_Thornton_CLE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4drlWgrj_Y/TtBnPh6bTQI/AAAAAAAABGg/nAFFVj54DHc/s320/Andre_Thornton_CLE.jpg" width="221" /></a>Since Thornton is the true star of this team I decided to put together a second card for him. This one came from that late 70's "Sportscaster Cards" that were sold off of TV. Some pretty good action shots came from this set. I actually had this set, but my mom decided to get rid of it when we moved.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aTC7d3DP0NM/TtBnP_GdDrI/AAAAAAAABGo/m8_VOJt_fjI/s1600/Bill_Melton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aTC7d3DP0NM/TtBnP_GdDrI/AAAAAAAABGo/m8_VOJt_fjI/s320/Bill_Melton.jpg" width="222" /></a>After appearing in just 50 games for the Indians in 1977 and hitting .241 with no homers, Bill Melton retired quietly from baseball. At 31 Melton should have been in his prime, but a back injury that occurred in 1972 when he was just 26 caused herniated disk that robbed him of his power and flexibility. Prior to that Melton was a young phenom. What most folks don't know is the fact that Melton incurred this injury while saving the life of his young son, who was in the process of falling off a garage roof. Prior to the injury He hit 23, 33, and 33 homers in 3 consecutive seasons. He led the AL in homers in 1971, while playing half his games in Comiskey, a pitcher friendly park. While never a great fielder, Melton's fielding abilty go worse with his lack of flexibility. In his post baseball career he returned to the White Sox to become an community relations rep and then a post broadcast analyst. I found this photo on ebay. It clearly represents Melton during the '77 season, where he clearly knew it was over, but he was trying to make the best of it.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uAD3iJ0CMg/TtBnQBwNXYI/AAAAAAAABGw/nxYgGxrOafc/s1600/Bruce_Bochte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uAD3iJ0CMg/TtBnQBwNXYI/AAAAAAAABGw/nxYgGxrOafc/s320/Bruce_Bochte.jpg" width="222" /></a>Bochte arrived from the Angels on May 11, 1977 along with Sid Monge in exchange for Dave LaRoche and Dave Schuler. In 112 games as the team's regular leftfielder he hit .304 (119-392) with 5 homers. The Tribe did not re-sign him as a free agent at the end of the season and he moved on to Seattle as a free agent. Bochte would go on to be an All-Star with the Mariners in 1979 and knock in 100 runs. He abruptly quit baseball in protest of escalating salaries, which he thought were ruining the game he loved. After missing the 1983 season, due to his protest, he returned in 1984 to play 3 more years, with the Oakland A's. Bochte's post-baseball life is much more interesting than his 12 year career where he was a line drive hitting machine (career .282 avg). He became an avowed environmentalist and agnostic, who has worked long an hard to save the planet from destruction. I used his 1978 Topps photo for this card.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bhG6Mau6fQs/TtBnQQipdzI/AAAAAAAABG4/O664aydqd9Y/s1600/Dave_Oliver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bhG6Mau6fQs/TtBnQQipdzI/AAAAAAAABG4/O664aydqd9Y/s320/Dave_Oliver.jpg" width="222" /></a>Oliver originally signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1973 after being selected in the third round of the June draft, and his only trial in the major leagues consisted of seven games with the 1977 Indians. He batted 22 times, collecting seven hits, including a triple, three runs batted in, and four bases on balls. His batting average was .318. He returned to the Cleveland farm system and played through 1980, then became manager of the Indians' Batavia farm club. After 1980 Oliver has spent his career coaching and managing on bot the major and minor leagues. I used his 1978 Topps rookie panel photo for this card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m_56BeSNR48/TtBnQgaXecI/AAAAAAAABHA/L5PrfyDMGKI/s1600/Fred_Kendall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m_56BeSNR48/TtBnQgaXecI/AAAAAAAABHA/L5PrfyDMGKI/s320/Fred_Kendall.jpg" width="221" /></a>Known primarily for his 10 years as a San Diego Padre catcher, Kendall arrived in Cleveland thanks to a December 8, 1976 trade along with Johnny Grubb and Hector Torres, that send George Hendrick to the Padres. In his one season along Lake Erie, Kendall hit .249 with 3 homers in 103 games behind the plate. He was dealt in a multi-player trade to the Red Sox the following season, the returned to San Diego for the final 2 years of his 12 year career. I used his 1978 Topps photo for this card.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-61H9o7YCCKg/TtBnQ71wb3I/AAAAAAAABHM/Ui6Sw8hAO08/s1600/Jim_Norris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-61H9o7YCCKg/TtBnQ71wb3I/AAAAAAAABHM/Ui6Sw8hAO08/s320/Jim_Norris.jpg" width="221" /></a>After spending 6 seasons buried in the Cleveland minor league system Norris finally got his chance with the parent club. Playing all 3 outfield positions allowed Norris to get into 133 games. He hit .270 with just 2 homers and 37 RBI's in 440 AB. In 1978 he would reprise his role and hit .283. In '79 his average fell to .249. The Tribe couldn't carry a starting outfielder with so little power and declining average, so they traded him to the Rangers in a deal involving marginal players and minor leaguers. He hit .247 in his one season in Texas (1980) and was given his release. I used his 1979 Topps card photo for this update card.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83LzoMknbbI/TtBnRelH2bI/AAAAAAAABHs/wyndeyHMO-k/s1600/Johnny_Grubb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83LzoMknbbI/TtBnRelH2bI/AAAAAAAABHs/wyndeyHMO-k/s320/Johnny_Grubb.jpg" width="222" /></a>Grubb didn't last long in Cleveland. After 5 decent seasons in San Diego he was was part of the George Hendrick trade, which sent him to Cleveland. In just 24 games he hit .275 (28-93) with very little power. Grubb would move on to Texas as part of a waiver trade the following season. He spent 4 seasons in Arlington then moved to Detroit for 5 season, including the 1984 World Championship season. All in all Grubb hit .278 in 16 seasons as a platoon outfielder and part time DH. I found this autographed photo while doing a Google search.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtONjvEdBjk/TtBnRWJSwxI/AAAAAAAABHU/LQm0s6oDIDU/s1600/Paul_Dade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtONjvEdBjk/TtBnRWJSwxI/AAAAAAAABHU/LQm0s6oDIDU/s320/Paul_Dade.jpg" width="221" /></a>As an offseason free agent signing Dade pay dividends hitting .291 in 134 games. He had above average speed (16 SB), but little if no power (3 HR). The following season he hit just .254 and saw his playing time reduced considerably. The tribe dealt him to the Padres midway thought the '79 season for a man who would eventually lead their franchise to 2 AL pennants (Mike Hargrove). For this updated card I used his '78 Kellogg's 3D card photo, which is why it's a bit blurry.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MjH3HR_cDbk/TtBnRtkALLI/AAAAAAAABHc/Jnbf_pK_rFI/s1600/Rico_Carty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MjH3HR_cDbk/TtBnRtkALLI/AAAAAAAABHc/Jnbf_pK_rFI/s320/Rico_Carty.jpg" width="222" /></a>Known as a charismatic/gifted hitter, Carty's career was marked with frequent battles with injuries, illnesses and teammates. Carty's run-in's with management and his peers were legendary, including his fights with former Brave teammates Hank Aaron and Ron Reed and Cubs teammate Ron Santo. Twice during his career he missed two full seasons (1968 & 1971). In his 4 years as Cleveland's regular DH he hit .303. In 1977 he hit .280 with 15 homers and 80 RBI in 461 AB's. He hit a career high 31 homers the following season, which was split between Toronto and Oakland. For most of his career Carty walked more times than he struck out. In seasons where his BA dipped, his OBP stayed relatively the same. I used this autographed photo that I found on ebay for his new '77 card.</div>
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<br /></div>ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-85310491584483255392011-11-22T18:45:00.001-08:002011-11-23T19:05:41.266-08:001977 California Angels<div style="text-align: justify;">
As mentioned before the Angels put all their hopes in their 3 prized free agent signings + their top 2 starters Nolan Ryan and Frank Tanana. Injuries and ineffectiveness limited the stars and so relegated the team to a 5th place finish and a 74-88 record. Their lackluster finish cost their manager (Norm Sherry) his job as well. The "Cowboy", Gene Autry, would have 2 wait two years to see his team win the division title. They would do it again with basically the same core players in 1982. Unfortunately it would be 20 years after that 2nd division title before the Halos would win their first world championship. Unfortunately Mr. Autry would not be around to enjoy that championship celebration, but his legacy lives on in this organization...even today.</div>
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Let's break the team down, so we can see how they underachieved.</div>
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After Ryan (19-16, 2.77) and Tanana (15-9, 2.54), the rotation was sub par at best. 23 year old Paul Hartzell (8-12, 3.57) pitched both out of the pen and in the rotation. His records should have been reversed if the team was able to score runs. Ken Brett, Wayne Simpson and Gary Ross basically threw BP every time out. Dave LaRoche (13 saves) and Dyar Miller (4 saves) were the bullpen, once Hertzell became a full fledged starter.</div>
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The pressure on the staff to keep games close was enormous thanks to the lack of runs being scored by the offense. The Angels finished 10th in runs scored in a 14 team league, of which 2 of those teams were Expansion teams. This lack of production was not expected back in December of 1976 when the big 3 (Baylor, Grich and Rudi) were signed as free agents. Many predicted the Angels to dethrone the Royals as AL West Champs. Nobody could foresee Grich's back injury, or Rudi's slow decline. They did however get a nice comeback season from Bobby Bonds, who hit 37 homers and drove in 115 runs. The bench got pressed into frontline action way too much, and while they performed admirably there wasn't any depth left. A young Bruce Bochte hit .290, but was out of place in centerfield, where Gil Flores played regularly for over 100 games and hit just one homer. Coach Andy Etchebarren was pressed into action as the backup behind the plate and glove man Rusty Torres was given some time as a starter, where he failed horribly. All in all this team was a bad mismatch of talent, that was hit hard with the injury bug as well as under performance. Firing Norm Sherry (39-42) didn't help one bit. His replacement, Dave Garcia (35-46), didn't improve the team one bit.</div>
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I created 27 cards to round out the set for the Angels. I updated the Airbrushed cards for the "Big 3" free agents as well as added newer, and IMO better, cards for Bobby Bonds and Bill Melton.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k50Lmtnsm-g/TsxT1WP-AeI/AAAAAAAABBQ/kZxy_rEOFZ8/s1600/Bill_Melton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k50Lmtnsm-g/TsxT1WP-AeI/AAAAAAAABBQ/kZxy_rEOFZ8/s320/Bill_Melton.jpg" width="224" /></a>Melton was dealt by the Angels to the Indians in December of 1976. His Topps card for that season had this weird profile view. I found this neat autographed photo of him while searching for some other players, so I decided to create the card. Call this a "lost treasure" or maybe a "buried treasure" depending on how you look at it :) !</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfhhSJ1dVI8s7CZKeGcReSY288rWNB6A15C9KiBXu-U6-W48q16IUghzvrp9O0q53oue3a4PibfPKKi0x0q2a1P0U-CLIRttQUc_K7J7FAgudbyF1B-V7Hz2p6C_eQQ7zdhKTNWwZkVw/s1600/Bobby_Bonds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfhhSJ1dVI8s7CZKeGcReSY288rWNB6A15C9KiBXu-U6-W48q16IUghzvrp9O0q53oue3a4PibfPKKi0x0q2a1P0U-CLIRttQUc_K7J7FAgudbyF1B-V7Hz2p6C_eQQ7zdhKTNWwZkVw/s320/Bobby_Bonds.jpg" width="228" /></a>When I think of Bobby I think of 3 things: Dad of Baroid, feast or famine at the plate, and the song "Willie, Mickey and the Duke". In that song there was a line, "and Bobby Bonds can play for everyone", which after 7 years with the Giants seemed like the truth. Bonds played for the Yankees in 1975 and had an All-Star season, but was dealt to the Angels for Mickey Rivers. He stayed 2 seasons in Anaheim (1976 & 1977) then hit the road and moved to the White Sox, Rangers, Indians, Cardinals and the Cubs in a 4 year period. This great talent was finished at the age of 35 after hitting .215 at Wrigley. In 1977 he had a great comeback year for the Angels and was truly their one reliable offensive threat hitting .264 with 37 homers and 115 RBI's. At the end of the season he would be dealt to the Chisox in a 6 player trade that would bring Brian Downing to Anaheim. Downing would go on to be one of the best Angels ever. Bonds' original 1977 card was exceptionally grainy. It had him kneeling with a bat in his hand and not looking all that happy. This updated card features a tighter photo that I found while Google searching photos for Carlos May.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-piEGBMwHRcM/TsxT_V021wI/AAAAAAAABBc/Uaneb3B464s/s1600/Mike_Cuellar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-piEGBMwHRcM/TsxT_V021wI/AAAAAAAABBc/Uaneb3B464s/s320/Mike_Cuellar.jpg" width="222" /></a>Cuellar's stock fell faster than Solyndra's. In 1974 (3 years earlier) he won 22 games and led the league in winning percentage. After a 4-13 (4.96) season in 1976 the Orioles released their 4 time All-Star and 1969 Cy Young Award winner. The Angels hoped to catch lighting in a bottle by signing the 40 year old Cuellar in January. By May 16th, Cuellar was released. After just 2 games it was obvious that the "crafty lefty's" gas tank was empty. After 15 seasons he proudly left a 185-130, 3.14 career record. He won 20 games three times. During his 8 prime years in Baltimore he was an off the charts 143-88. There were no known photos of Cuellar as an Angel. Even the Angels media guide had a picture of him in an Orioles uniform with the O's logo airbrushed off his cap. I used his 1974 Topps photo and changed the colors from Orange to Red and added the Angels profile logo, which I copied from Bill Melton's '77 card.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OJTly-_fMGo/TsxT_Y8d5tI/AAAAAAAABBg/f0bTFiUtBU4/s1600/Tom_Walker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OJTly-_fMGo/TsxT_Y8d5tI/AAAAAAAABBg/f0bTFiUtBU4/s320/Tom_Walker.jpg" width="223" /></a>Walker was a solid second tier bullpen guy for 6 seasons with the Expos, Tigers and Cardinals. His ERA steadily rose year in and year out and after posting a 1-1 (4.74) record in 11 games with the Expos was put on waivers in July and claimed by the Angels. He pitched in just 1 game and gave up 2 runs in 2 innings of work and was released at the end of the season. His son, Neil Walker, plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates and actually lives at home since he grew up in Pittsburgh and his parents still live there. Since there were no photos of Walker with the Angels I took his 1977 card and cropped out his Cardinal cap and pasted an Angel cap in it's place. I darkened the jersey collar trim to reflect Angels blue.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_M-tMT8rUTc/TsxT_mvvnnI/AAAAAAAABCk/CJnO3JMnNJw/s1600/Wayne_Simpson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_M-tMT8rUTc/TsxT_mvvnnI/AAAAAAAABCk/CJnO3JMnNJw/s320/Wayne_Simpson.jpg" width="221" /></a>Simpson burst onto the major league scene as a hard throwing rookie sensation in 1970 with the Cincinnati Reds. Simpson went 14-3 (3.02) and made the All-Star team. He tore ligaments in his pitching arm and did not get to play in the post season. His arm never really healed and his career plummeted into mediocrity. It must be a tough pill to swallow when you peak at the tender age of 21. His next 2 seasons saw his ERA balloon and his wins go down. The Reds traded him to KC in 1973 and things got worse. A trip to the minors didn't help much. After spending all of 1974 in the minors and most of 1975 down there he got a 7 game reprieve with the Phillies where he showed some promise. The Angels bought his contract, but assigned him to Salt Lake City (AAA), where he went 13-6 (4.24). That performance earned him, what turned out to be his last shot at the Big leagues. In 23 starts he went 6-12 (5.83) for the Angels and was released at the end of the season. At 28 he picked up the pieces and signed with the Dodgers, but was released after going 8-10 (6.18) at Albuquerque (AAA). I found this updated photo on the OOTP site.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wu5ggpOAe-o/TsxT_mt8CwI/AAAAAAAABBk/noKzWzTGfbU/s1600/Willie_Aikens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wu5ggpOAe-o/TsxT_mt8CwI/AAAAAAAABBk/noKzWzTGfbU/s320/Willie_Aikens.jpg" width="222" /></a>In just his 3rd year of professional ball, 22 year old Aikens was killing Triple A pitching (.336-14-73). The Angels were hurting for some offense, so they rushed him to the big leagues and almost crushed his confidence. He hit .198 with no homers in 101 plate appearances. Management was smart to realize that he needed more seasoning, so he spent the whole 1978 season at Salt Lake City, where he hit .326 with 29 homers and 110 RBI's. By 1979 he was ready to go and hit .280 with 21 homers. The Angels packaged him in a deal with Rance Mulliniks at the end of the '79 season and sent him to KC for some burnt out veterans. He had 4 borderline All-Star seasons in KC, before being shipped to Toronto where his drug abuse problems took its toll and ended his career. In 1994 he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for dealing crack. He was released early (2008) and has been working hard to restore his reputation. I used his 1980 Topps card photo for this updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8VEAXgcdYds/TsxT_hMAeBI/AAAAAAAABBo/Nk-kuCVEGPc/s1600/Rusty_Torres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8VEAXgcdYds/TsxT_hMAeBI/AAAAAAAABBo/Nk-kuCVEGPc/s320/Rusty_Torres.jpg" width="227" /></a>Torres hit just .156 in 77 at bats as the 5th outfielder on the '77 Angels. He was know primarily for his glove and his ability to play in forfeit games. In 1971 he was on deck to pinch hit for the Yankees vs the Senators when the fans bum rushed the field and tore it up, thinking the second out was the third out. In 1974 He played for the Indians when they had to forfeit thanks to 10 cent beer night and finally in 1978 he was with the White Sox on Disco Demolition Night. Torres spent 9 season in the big leagues and played for 5 different AL franchises. He was a stickball legend as a kid in the Bronx and was elected to the Stickball HOF in 2002. He works with at risk kids in Oyster Bay Long Island. I took his '77 card and pasted a cap on his head, since the original was a BHNH.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2OEnhhZQ2tg/TsxT_7qEnKI/AAAAAAAABBs/wGAWPOov5vE/s1600/Carlos_May.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2OEnhhZQ2tg/TsxT_7qEnKI/AAAAAAAABBs/wGAWPOov5vE/s320/Carlos_May.jpg" width="221" /></a>Lee May's younger brother had some really good years with the Chisox. He came in 3rd in the Rookie of the Year voting in 1969 and was a 2 time All-Star despite blowing off his thumb while in the Marine Corps. May started 1977 as the Yankees' regular DH, but after hitting just .227 became expendable. California purchased his contract late in the season and he got into 11 games and hit .333 (6-18) for the Angels. After the '77 season he left for Japan and played the next 4 seasons for the Nankai Hawks. With no known pictures of him in an Angel uniform I took his '77 Topps card in a Yankee Uni and bleached out the lines and colored the brim of his cap to Angel Red and added the Angels logo to it.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rEXm9bqrvGI/TsxT_zHJ_8I/AAAAAAAABCg/UbSDrVTKXSM/s1600/Dave_Kingman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rEXm9bqrvGI/TsxT_zHJ_8I/AAAAAAAABCg/UbSDrVTKXSM/s320/Dave_Kingman.jpg" width="222" /></a>California was the third stop on Kingman's 4 team rotation during 1977. He played only 10 games in an Angel uniform and batted .194 (7-36) with 2 homers before being dealt to the Yankees in September. Interestingly I was able to find an autographed photo of him in an Angel uniform while doing a Google search, so I used it for his 3rd (of 4) card in the '77 updated set.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u9x2oCTwaJY/TsxT_3-3QoI/AAAAAAAABB0/Dqs7ioj0V4I/s1600/Danny_Goodwin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u9x2oCTwaJY/TsxT_3-3QoI/AAAAAAAABB0/Dqs7ioj0V4I/s320/Danny_Goodwin.jpg" width="222" /></a>Goodwin DH'd in 35 games for the Halos in 1977 and hit .209 (19-91) with 1 homer and 8 RBI. The following season he hit .276 in 30 less at bats. He was traded to the Twins in '79 for Dan Ford and was a part time DH there for 3 years, before moving over to Oakland for one final season. He spent the next 4 years at Tacoma (AAA) and hit .301, .305, .296 and .291 before being released. He was a career .313 hitter in the minors. In 2011 he was elected to the National College Baseball HOF. He played collegiately at Southern A&M, which is where Lou Brock and Rickie Weeks played. I used his '79 Topps card photo for this updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DxmH9HUuMSw/TsxUADpvqQI/AAAAAAAABB8/Ey5i27o6uJs/s1600/Ken_Landreaux.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DxmH9HUuMSw/TsxUADpvqQI/AAAAAAAABB8/Ey5i27o6uJs/s320/Ken_Landreaux.jpg" width="222" /></a>Landreax was a local High School hero from Compton, who went to Arizona St then came back home and made good of himself. His true fame would come during his 7 year tenure playing for the crosstown Dodgers, but in 1977 he got his first taste of major league baseball by playing 23 games for the Angels. Landreux patrolled centerfield and hit an even .250 (19-76). After hitting .223 in 1978 he was shipped to the Twins where he hit .305 and had a 31 game hitting streak in 1980. The following season found him traded to his hometown Dodgers where he had the honor of catching the final out of the 1981 World Series. Landreaux was an excellent defender and a career .268 hitter in 11 big league seasons. While searching ebay I found this unsigned photo and used it for his retro "rookie" card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g4kAchlS2Eg/TsxUAcOdhkI/AAAAAAAABCE/9EBBXYtlqIE/s1600/Thad_Bosley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g4kAchlS2Eg/TsxUAcOdhkI/AAAAAAAABCE/9EBBXYtlqIE/s320/Thad_Bosley.jpg" width="221" /></a>Bosley was called up to the Angels after hitting .326 in 69 games for the Salt Lake City Gulls of the Pacific Coast League, and made his Major League debut on June 29, 1977. He hit .297 (63-212) with no homers and 19 RBI's, while playing all 3 outfield slots. Bosley was traded in the off-season to the Chicago White Sox with Richard Dotson and Bobby Bonds. He remained with the White Sox organization for three years and later played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, and Chicago Cubs, distinguishing himself as one the best pinch hitters in the majors. During the 1985 season, Bosley hit .328 and was voted the best pinch hitter in baseball. After being traded to the Kansas City Royals in 1987, Bosley returned again to the California Angels in 1988. In 1989, he signed with the Texas Rangers and ended his playing career on June 1, 1990. I used his 1978 Topps Card photo for this updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3o37UXdkXLE/TsxUAsDMT_I/AAAAAAAABCM/C6JRfClFrFs/s1600/Gil_Flores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3o37UXdkXLE/TsxUAsDMT_I/AAAAAAAABCM/C6JRfClFrFs/s320/Gil_Flores.jpg" width="221" /></a>Flores was given the starting centerfield job in 1977 and did hit .278 (95-342), but due to his limited range and lack of power (1 homer) he found himself relegated to the 4th outfielder slot as the season wore on. After the season the Angels didn't think to protect him on their 40 man roster and he was claimed off waivers by the Mets. He hit .276 in limited action in '78 for the Mets then hit .194 in extended action in 1979, which led to his demotion to the minors. Flores spent the next 4 seasons at Tidewater (AAA), but never received a return call up to Flushing. At the age of 31 he was released by the Mets after having hit .246 in Triple A. I used his '78 Topps card photo for this card. It's a strange looking photo. He looks like he's either stretching or fighting a cramp.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4pYYsmVr-L0/TsxUBBcwx7I/AAAAAAAABCU/68NTereuQmA/s1600/Ike_Hampton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4pYYsmVr-L0/TsxUBBcwx7I/AAAAAAAABCU/68NTereuQmA/s320/Ike_Hampton.jpg" width="221" /></a>During spring training of 1975, he was traded to the Angels for relief pitcher Ken Sanders. Hampton's best year in the big leagues was 1977, when he stayed with the Angels for the entire season. In 52 games he batted .295 (13-for-44) with 3 home runs and 9 runs batted in. Career totals include 113 games played, a .207 batting average (28-for-135), 4 HR, 18 RBI, 15 runs scored, and a .341 slugging percentage. He had a strong arm, and threw out 18 of 48 stolen base attempts. (37.5%). He was released by California on April 1, 1980. In 1981, he played for the Kintetsu Buffaloes in Japan. I used his 1978 Topps card photo for this updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UwPgrHg4Nd4/TsxUBh4z2iI/AAAAAAAABDM/SRMf0x7gRc0/s1600/Rance_Mulliniks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UwPgrHg4Nd4/TsxUBh4z2iI/AAAAAAAABDM/SRMf0x7gRc0/s320/Rance_Mulliniks.jpg" width="222" /></a>Originally drafted as a shortstop, Mulliniks made his major league debut in 1977 for the California Angels, batting .269 in 78 games. He saw limited playing time over the following years with the California Angels until 1979 and with the Kansas City Royals in 1980 and 1981. Mulliniks' luck changed when he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, just before the start of the 1982 season. He was converted to third base and appeared in over 100 games each year through the 1989 season. He batted over .300 three times (1984, 1987 and 1988) and demonstrated great patience at the plate, regularly posting on-base percentages near .400. In 1984 he was named to Sports Illustrated's Dream Team as a utility infielder. For this updated card I used his 1978 Topps photo.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-usdJo3ALS3Q/TsxUDI_pCJI/AAAAAAAABCw/pD534KE4Z8Y/s1600/Balor_Moore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-usdJo3ALS3Q/TsxUDI_pCJI/AAAAAAAABCw/pD534KE4Z8Y/s320/Balor_Moore.jpg" width="222" /></a>Moore hurt his ankle during Spring training 1974, and his arm shortly into the season. He went 0-3 with a 10.20 ERA in six rehab for the triple A Memphis Blues before getting elbow surgery during the off-season. Moore returned in 1975, but never was the same. He was 1-3 with a 4.00 ERA for Memphis when his contract was sold to the California Angels. He earned a September call-up to the Angels in 1977, going 0-2 with a 3.97 ERA. After just one season in California, Moore's contract was sold to the Toronto Blue Jays. Moore spent the final three seasons of his career with the Blue Jays, going 12-17 with a 4.96 ERA. He earned a four inning save for the only save of his career on April 27, 1980 against the Milwaukee Brewers. He spent 1981 in the minors with the Brewers and Houston Astros before retiring. I used his 1978 Topps Card for this updated photo.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PaMvRYFfBbQ/TsxUDKj_0mI/AAAAAAAABCs/TbpQLhdzvCA/s1600/Dave_LaRoche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PaMvRYFfBbQ/TsxUDKj_0mI/AAAAAAAABCs/TbpQLhdzvCA/s320/Dave_LaRoche.jpg" width="222" /></a>LaRoche made his debut for the California Angels in 1970 and went on to pitch 14 seasons in the major leagues. LaRoche is most famous for throwing his own variant of the eephus pitch, which he called 'La Lob'. Over his career, LaRoche went 65-58, with 819 strikeouts in 1049 1/3 innings pitched. He has a career 3.53 ERA. He is the father of current Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche, and Oakland Athletics third baseman Andy LaRoche. On May 11, 1977 LaRoche was traded by the Cleveland Indians with Dave Schuler to the California Angels for Bruce Bochte, Sid Monge and $250,000. During his 2nd tour of duty with the Halos he spent 3 1/2 seasons before being released in 1981. In 46 games with California in 1977 he worked exclusively out of the pen and went 6-5, 3.10 and saved 13. He saved 25 the following season, but dropped to 10 saves in '79 and 4 in '80 before being picked up by the Yankees for the final 3 years of his career. His 2 All-Star appearances were in 1976 and 1977. The picture that I found was definitely taken before the All-Star game in 1976, because it was at Yankee Stadium, where the game was hosted and LaRoche was wearing his home uniform.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NKGGW0bnZDw/TsxUDQ-KTNI/AAAAAAAABC0/qWu9SxvHv2A/s1600/Dyar_Miller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NKGGW0bnZDw/TsxUDQ-KTNI/AAAAAAAABC0/qWu9SxvHv2A/s320/Dyar_Miller.jpg" width="222" /></a>Miller was the epitome of a journeyman pitcher. First off he didn't even get to the majors until he was 29, then once he got there he bounced from team to team. On June 13, 1977 he was traded by the Orioles to the Angels for Dick Drago. After a shaky start in '77 win Baltimore he finished up nicely by going 4-4 (3.02) in 41 games (92 innings) for the Angels. He had a better season in '78 and was going well in '79 when he was dealt to Toronto. He wound up wit the Mets for his final two season (1980-81). The Mets released him after two solid seasons and he spent the next 3 years at Louisville (AAA) in the Cardinals chain. At the age of 38, and with no chance of making it back to the majors, he retired after 6 games at Louisville. I used his 1979 Topps card photo for this updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G3cvqYam-DY/TsxUDg_nrXI/AAAAAAAABDk/ThzEpUZA9Ug/s1600/Fred_Kuhaulua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G3cvqYam-DY/TsxUDg_nrXI/AAAAAAAABDk/ThzEpUZA9Ug/s320/Fred_Kuhaulua.jpg" width="222" /></a>Hawaiian born Kuhaulua made his major league debut in relief on August 2, 1977 against the New York Yankees at Anaheim Stadium. He pitched 2.1 innings and gave up five hits (including a Chris Chambliss home run) and three earned runs. Kuhaulua struck out Willie Randolph to end the 6th. He appeared in three games for the Angels that month and had an ERA of 15.63, earning himself a trip back to the Salt Lake City Gulls of the Pacific Coast League. He was released by the Angels during spring training of 1978 and signed with the Chunichi Dragons of the Japanese Central League. After a season in Japan he was signed by the Padres on March 1, 1979. I took his 1980 Rookie Panel card with the Padres and pasted on an Angel cap and modified the collar colors to be more "Angel-like"</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e5WQld0EqVo/TsxUDnA9IBI/AAAAAAAABC8/6oOo5cGh4iI/s1600/Gary_Nolan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e5WQld0EqVo/TsxUDnA9IBI/AAAAAAAABC8/6oOo5cGh4iI/s320/Gary_Nolan.jpg" width="222" /></a>Nolan was a mainstay on the Reds staff during their Big Red Machine run of the early to mid 1970's He made his major league debut in 1967 as a 19 year old rookie and finished 3rd in ROY voting. His fastball was top notch and his control was even better, but arm trouble got the best of him. He missed the entire 1974 season due to arm trouble. He returned to win 15 games in bot 1975 and 1976 as the Reds won back to back championships. Arm trouble caught up to him in 1977 and after 8 starts he was traded by the Reds to the Angels for a minor leaguer. His days were numbered as a major leaguer. In 5 starts for the Angels he went 0-3 and had a huge 8.84 ERA. Rather than suffer through arm pain and diminished skills he chose to retire before the 1978 season began. His 110-70 (3.08) career numbers in just 10 seasons show just how great he could have been if he stayed healthy. I found this autographed photo while doing a Google search.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4izrH3JRzD4/TsxUD-6OTAI/AAAAAAAABDI/15Y4en9dntk/s1600/John_Caneira.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4izrH3JRzD4/TsxUD-6OTAI/AAAAAAAABDI/15Y4en9dntk/s320/John_Caneira.jpg" width="222" /></a>Caneira logged 28 2/3 innings in 6 games during the '77 season for the Halos. He compiled a 2-2 (4.08) record. He pitched in just 2 regular season games in '78 and spent the rest of his professional career in the minors. This photo came from his minor league card while with Salt Lake City (AAA). I airbrushed his cap from orange to close to Angels blue and added the Angels logo. I attempted to change the jersey color from Orange to red, but it didn't convert all that well.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v67B_ggkzAU/TsxUEaAAZKI/AAAAAAAABDU/nocUnVJjHfk/s1600/Ken_Brett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v67B_ggkzAU/TsxUEaAAZKI/AAAAAAAABDU/nocUnVJjHfk/s320/Ken_Brett.jpg" width="221" /></a>The well traveled older brother of George Brett played for 10 teams in his 14 major league seasons. California was his 7th stop along the way. After playing in 13 games for the Chisox to start the season he was dealt to the Halos on June 15th and went 7-10 (4.25) in 21 starts. He played the full '78 season in California then moved on to Minnesota, LA and finally KC, where he got to play with his famous little brother. As a cocky 19 year old with only 2 major league innings under his belt he pitched for the Red Sox in 2 games during the '67 World Series. Originally drafted as a centerfielder. He hit .262 over his career with 10 homers. I used his 1979 Topps photo for this card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bOCNJjr-aMs/TsxUEvIiXII/AAAAAAAABDg/8BiSpQmqBHE/s1600/Mike_Barlow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bOCNJjr-aMs/TsxUEvIiXII/AAAAAAAABDg/8BiSpQmqBHE/s320/Mike_Barlow.jpg" width="221" /></a>Barlow arrived from Houston on June 6, 1976 along with catcher Terry Humphrey in exchange for Ed Herrmann. He was immediately assigned to Salt Lake City (AAA) and went 5-1 (3.60). 1977 was a strange year for him, because he actually pitched better on the major league level than he did in the minors. In 20 games he went 4-2 (4.50) for the Angels, while in comparison he was 3-5 (6.71) at triple A. Barlow spent most of 1978 at Salt Lake City then returned for 35 games in 1979. He was traded after spring training in 1980 to the Blue Jays. He made 133 appearances during his career with all but 2 as a reliever. I used his 1978 Topps card photo for his updated 1977 card.</div>
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<br /></div>ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-567372312524502082011-11-19T07:55:00.001-08:002011-11-19T08:53:47.570-08:001977 California Angels - Free Agent Triplets in Anaheim<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMi7Lp6ZSkiRUU60NEu0-zqauBvzgGMDq4Jw4s9LOVwySwDjiXca5iFJ5dHkPnG51eU5LwZObElMQz4YWd78zmnSKyySN4MSaP45Yu2-ghq1oMlU3BHllS56dU50slW_o4FiN2FEDQTA/s1600/GeneAutry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMi7Lp6ZSkiRUU60NEu0-zqauBvzgGMDq4Jw4s9LOVwySwDjiXca5iFJ5dHkPnG51eU5LwZObElMQz4YWd78zmnSKyySN4MSaP45Yu2-ghq1oMlU3BHllS56dU50slW_o4FiN2FEDQTA/s400/GeneAutry.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">Gene Autry's</span></b> insatiable quest for a title, the Halos went out and signed 3 of the top Free Agents available. Angels GM Harry Dalton spent over $5 million of owner Gene Autry's money in hopes of building the Angels into a powerhouse in the AL West. Compare that method to the way the Royals built their teams, from the ground up over a 10 year period, and you have two completely contrasting methods. In the 10 year period (1977-1986) the Royals won 6 AL West Division titles, while California won 2. The Royals also won 2 pennants and 1 World Championship (1985), while the Angels lost both of their ALCS appearances in 5 heartbreaking games. Would the Royals have won more championships if they added just 1 marquee free agent ? Quite possibly so. Could the Angels have delivered "the Cowboy" his illusive championship if they built a firmer core from within ? In my opinion they certainly could have done a better job cultivating young arms, which is how the Royals sustained their success during that era. If they did that and added the big bats, they could have rivaled the success of the Yankees of the late 70's since Autry had pockets just as deep as George Steinbrenner. Of course this is all conjecture on my behalf, and it certainly makes for an interesting hot stove debate, but there is no definitive right or wrong answer. An interesting quote from 1977 (<a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1092271/1/index.htm">Sports Illustrated 4/11/77</a>) was attributed to then Brewers owner Bud Selig, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">"It is clear that you can't build a team through the free-agent draft.
You can add to a team, you can fill in, but if your club is lousy to
begin with, it's not going to make it great."</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgPcDePktdo/Tsb7P8HSBAI/AAAAAAAABAg/g1YvQ69I0eg/s1600/Don_Baylor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgPcDePktdo/Tsb7P8HSBAI/AAAAAAAABAg/g1YvQ69I0eg/s320/Don_Baylor.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tbrFo7_x46c/Tsb7J6rXRvI/AAAAAAAABAI/AAiVdcth3_I/s1600/Don_Baylor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tbrFo7_x46c/Tsb7J6rXRvI/AAAAAAAABAI/AAiVdcth3_I/s320/Don_Baylor.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">On the left is Topps original 1977 airbrush card for Don Baylor. On the right is an updated version that I created.</span><br />
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On November 16, 1976 they signed slugger <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">Don Baylor</span></b> who spent 1 season in Oakland after 4 years in Baltimore. Baylor would go on to hit 25 homers and knock in 75 runs in 154 games. His .251 batting average would be a bit on the low side. He did steal 26 bases while splitting his time between DH, 1B and all 3 outfield positions. His true dividend would pay off 2 seasons later when he won the AL-MVP Award and knocked in 139 runs to lead the Angels to their first division title ever. Balyor would spend 6 seasons in Orange County as the Angels regular DH. He hit 141 homers and batted .262 over that span and was always a feared hitter. Curiously he led the league in getting hit by a pitch 7 times, but none of those 7 occurred while in an Angel uniform. Baylor moved on to play 3 seasons in the Bronx and two in Boston. He spent most of the 1986 World Series on the bench thanks to the no-DH rule in the NL park. When the Sox came up short in game 7, Baylor's last great chance to win a ring looked to be gone. At the age of 38, he was traded on September 1st to the Twins and hit .286 for them in 20 games down the stretch to help them clinch the AL West title by 2 games over the Royals. Baylor hit .400 vs the Tigers in the ALCS and .385 vs the Cardinals in the World Series to earn his 1st and only championship ring. He would finish his career in the World Series the following year as a pinch hitter for the A's. Baylor finsihed his 19 year career hitting an even .260 with 338 homers and 1,276 RBI's. He would be a sure fire first ballot entry into my "Hall of the Very Good". </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4FAtUgcUOk/Tsb7P3LfErI/AAAAAAAABAU/9y_ZhDlo_eA/s1600/Bobby_Grich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4FAtUgcUOk/Tsb7P3LfErI/AAAAAAAABAU/9y_ZhDlo_eA/s320/Bobby_Grich.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--SyZX--Opf8/TsfeflkxUTI/AAAAAAAABBE/hkYoJNdjwA8/s1600/Bobby_Grich_CAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--SyZX--Opf8/TsfeflkxUTI/AAAAAAAABBE/hkYoJNdjwA8/s320/Bobby_Grich_CAL.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Topps knew that Grich was going to be a FA at the end of the '76 season, so they went BHNH for his card in '77. On the right is an updated version that I created. Topps did do a good job airbrushing the collar trim on his jersey (compare to right).</span></div>
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For all intents and purposes 1977 would have to be classified as an outright failure for <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">Bobby Grich</span></b>. Coming off 4 straight Gold Glove awards as an Oriole second baseman and his second All-Star appearance Grich only played in 52 games for the Angels. His season was marred with injuries and a strange switch to shortstop. Grich's injury trouble can be traced back to Valentine's day 1977 when he tried to enter the Guinness Book of World Records in the category "most yards covered by a Yugoslavian second baseman carrying a heavy air-conditioning unit". Season ending surgery was needed to remove a herniated disk after he injured his back carrying that air conditioner up a stairway. At the plate he hit just .243 with 7 homers and looked like a total bust. Back at his familiar second base in 1978 he began to turn it around. By '79 he was back to All-Star status again and had his best season ever (.294-30-101). Grich would be an All-Star the next 3 seasons and end his 10 year Angel career in the post season in 1986. Many feel that he should be enshrined in Cooperstown. My personal opinion is that both he and Lou Whitaker should be inducted together. Until that happens we will find a space for both of them in my "Hall of the Very Good'</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FiGXrfYDKoc/Tsb7PxJf38I/AAAAAAAABAo/32Ov5CPYSGg/s1600/Joe_Rudi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FiGXrfYDKoc/Tsb7PxJf38I/AAAAAAAABAo/32Ov5CPYSGg/s320/Joe_Rudi.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tSCO-PLY6c0/Tsb7J8vN_fI/AAAAAAAABAA/E4KQtAKXI-Q/s1600/Joe_Rudi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tSCO-PLY6c0/Tsb7J8vN_fI/AAAAAAAABAA/E4KQtAKXI-Q/s320/Joe_Rudi.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Rudi's original Topps card is an obvious airbrush job by the folks at Topps. Rudi looks to be gazing either toward his future pay day or his past glory with the "Swinging A's". On the right I did an updated card using the photo that SI had on the cover of it's April 11, 1977 edition featuring the top free agents of 1977. I had to do a bit of my own airbrushing to remove the text that was superimposed over the photo.</span></div>
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After 10 seasons, which included 3 World Championships, 3 All-Star appearances, 3 Gold Glove Awards and twice being the MVP runner up, Joe Rudi took his star to Anaheim. He even made the cover of Sports Illustrated trumping his much more heralded former teammate, Reggie Jackson. At 30 years of age Rudi looked to be entering his prime. What he was really entering was a slow decline. It would be hard to characterize 1977 as a bust for Rudi. He hit just 6 points below his 1976 average and he had the exact same amount of homers in almost 300 less at bats, so statistically it wasn't a bust. Health wise, that's a different story. Rudi played just 64 games due to injury, which helped derail the Halo's chances for sure. 1978 would see him play 133 games, but his average dipped another 8 points (.256). This was the continuation of an alarming trend. In 1979 he dropped to .242 and by 1980 he was at a lowly .237. He left the Angels and wet to Boston and hit a powerless .180. A return to Oakland in 1982 at the age of 35 was his final stop in baseball. Rudi hit .212 and said goodbye. Rudi's case is amazing when you look at the fact that he put up better numbers in Oakland, which was a pitcher's park, and his worst numbers were at Fenway. When most players peak (late 20's/early 30's) Rudi began to decline. His injuries during the '79 season prevented him from making the Angels post-season roster.</div>ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-64313585725259733542011-11-16T06:54:00.001-08:002011-11-16T20:16:23.646-08:001977 Seattle Mariners - Volume 2 - The OriginalsVolume 1 consisted of remade cards for players who were victims of the "Crayola Factory" (aka..Topps' Airbrush Crew). Volume 2 is made up of players who did not have a 1977 Topps card or had one with another team. This was an exceptionally large group of players thanks to the ever evolving rosters that expansion teams feature. In total I created 27 new cards for this set, which includes 2 for Ruppert Jones, who was probably their top star. I used a combination of Topps Card photos from subsequent years, Hostess Cards, Autographed Photos on ebay as well as minor league cards/photos.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xHIoDQ8tGvc/TsPN6BQnpWI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/i0NzimcgROg/s1600/Skip_Jutze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xHIoDQ8tGvc/TsPN6BQnpWI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/i0NzimcgROg/s320/Skip_Jutze.jpg" width="222" /></a>It took Skip 5 seasons in the minors just to get a cup of coffee with the Cardinals in 1972. The following season he was dealt to the Astros for 2 other minor leaguers. Jutze spent the next 4 seasons as the Astros backup catcher. Seattle traded for him after the expansion draft and he got into 42 games during the '77 season hitting .220 with 3 homers and 15 RBI's. He was released at the end of Spring Training the following year, which marked the end of his career. On May 17th, 1977 he hit the first grand slam in Mariner history. Prior to his callup in 1972 he taught at Candlewood Junior HS in Dix Hills (Long Island), NY. I used his 1978 Topps card photo for this updated card. This photo was probably taken during 1977 Spring Training in Arizona. I believe the Mariners used the same training facility that the Pilots used in 1969 and 1970.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fqq69K6R9MQ/TsPN6DDZCiI/AAAAAAAAA7w/98UV80lH0Wo/s1600/Bob_Galasso.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fqq69K6R9MQ/TsPN6DDZCiI/AAAAAAAAA7w/98UV80lH0Wo/s320/Bob_Galasso.jpg" width="221" /></a>Galasso was a career minor leaguer, who got his shot at the majors thanks to 1977's expansion. His 82-99 record, which was compiled over 13 minor league seasons is quite impressive. Statwise, it was unimpressive, but longevity-wise it was quite impressive. How does a guy stick around so long when he can barely get minor league batters out ? This is a mystery I hope to uncover some day. Galasso was rescued from obscurity in the Orioles chain thanks to the '77 expansion draft. His 0-6 (9.00) record in Seattle backed up Baltimore's assessment of his skills (Career Triple A at best). Seattle cut him at the end of the season. Somehow he wound up in Milwaukee (doesn't everything that Seattle casts off wind up in Milwaukee ?). He went 3-1 (4.38) in 31 games for the Brewers in 1979, but once again found his way back to Triple A. He got one final shot in the majors with the Mariners in 1981, where he went 1-1 with a 4.83 ERA. Finally the lords of baseball figured out that he wasn't going to improve and his career was over. The picture used here came from his 1982 Topps card with Seattle.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2iART_ur5M/TsPN6FftCuI/AAAAAAAAA7s/n12KkpOftNw/s1600/Byron_McLaughlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2iART_ur5M/TsPN6FftCuI/AAAAAAAAA7s/n12KkpOftNw/s320/Byron_McLaughlin.jpg" width="221" /></a>McLaughlin's business and criminal career turned out to be more interesting than his pedestrian major league career. On January 8, 1977, McLaughlin signed with the Seattle Mariners. On April 1, 1977, the Mariners loaned him to the Nuevo Laredo Mexican League franchise. At the time, the Mariners did not have a complete minor league organization. In the Mexican League that season, McLaughlin compiled a record of 18–13 with a 1.84 ERA and 221 strikeouts as his team, the Tescolotes, won the league championship. On September 11, 1977, he was returned to the Mariners. McLaughlin made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on September 18, against the Kansas City Royals at Royals Stadium. In 1 1⁄3 innings pitched, he gave-up five hits, four runs (all earned), and struck out one in his only major league appearance that season. His trip to Mexico would later tie in to his post baseball life, as a knock off sneaker manufacture and money launderer. McLaughlin would eventually be convicted of manufacturing knockoff Nike, Adiddas and Converse sneakers as well as laundering cash in Mexico. To this day he is still on the lamb as he fled after sentencing back in 1984. He spent 4 seasons in Seattle (1977-80) and 1 season with the Angels (1983) before leaving baseball for a lucrative life in crime.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6t76yoTlJ6M/TsPN6FmHkQI/AAAAAAAAA70/LTktSs0bHsI/s1600/Doc_Medich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6t76yoTlJ6M/TsPN6FmHkQI/AAAAAAAAA70/LTktSs0bHsI/s320/Doc_Medich.jpg" width="222" /></a>Most expansion teams collect a combination of misfits, has beens and never was'es. Seattle obviously took it to a new level by collecting future criminals. Besides McLaughlin the Mariners had Medich, who would eventually become a rogue doctor. Having earned his nickname due to his being a medical student during the off season, Medich eventually did become a full fledged doctor upon retirement. During his playing career he went into the stands twice to save fans who were having heart attacks. After getting his M.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh he had his medical license suspended for pleading guilty to 12 counts of knowingly or intentionally possessing a controlled substance obtained through prescriptions that were written to non-existent patients". In his brief career with the Mariners he went 2-0 (3.63) in 3 starts. He spent most of the '77 season with the A's, but got dealt because cheapo Charlie Finley wouldn't pay him. The M's then shipped him to the Mets when they realized that they too wouldn't be able to sign him. In and 11 year career he had a 124-105 (3.78) record. His best season was 1973 with the Yankees where he went 14-9 (2.95) and finished 3rd in the AL Rookie of the Year voting. I took a black and white photo from his days in Milwaukee and colorized it and added the Mariner trident logo to the cap.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9EPIhjrqq8k/TsPN6Qx-F3I/AAAAAAAAA8A/ntZiLI4obzA/s1600/Enrique_Romo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9EPIhjrqq8k/TsPN6Qx-F3I/AAAAAAAAA8A/ntZiLI4obzA/s320/Enrique_Romo.jpg" width="222" /></a>Romo pitched 11 seasons in the Mexican League prior to making his major league debut for the Seattle Mariners in 1977 at the age of 29. In his rookie season, he led the Mariners with 16 saves. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates after the 1978 season in a multi-player deal which brought, among others, the infamous Mario Mendoza to the Mariners. He had his best season with the Bucs in '79 and was a key contributor to their World Championship. He failed to appear for Spring Training in 1983 and was not seen again until his induction ceremony into the HOF of Mexican Baseball. I used his 1979 Topps card photo for his updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hx6b9a8rYmU/TsPN6YxjAzI/AAAAAAAAA78/peI8HJH6wFU/s1600/Frank_MacCormack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hx6b9a8rYmU/TsPN6YxjAzI/AAAAAAAAA78/peI8HJH6wFU/s320/Frank_MacCormack.jpg" width="222" /></a>The overall 16th pick in the 1976 Expansion Draft played in just 3 games for the M's during the '77 season. In 7 innings of work he had a 3.86 ERA and no record. He was 0-5 in 1976 for Detroit in 9 games. After a horrendous 1978 season at San Jose (AAA) he was released by Seattle and picked up by Detroit and assigned to Montgomery (AA), where he had an equally horrendous season and was released from baseball. I used his minor league player photo for this card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vym4tK4o5UI/TsPN6g_kMrI/AAAAAAAAA8c/P23lVilWvvE/s1600/Gary_Wheelock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vym4tK4o5UI/TsPN6g_kMrI/AAAAAAAAA8c/P23lVilWvvE/s320/Gary_Wheelock.jpg" width="221" /></a>Seattle used their 3rd pick in the expansion draft to take Wheelock from the Angels organization. In 17 starts he had a 6-9 (4.89) record during the 1977 season, which earned him 3 straight seasons at Triple A. He was called back up in 1980 as an emergency starter, then sent right back down. His minor league numbers were on a par with his subpar MLB numbers. After bottoming out in Double AA with the Dodgers he was released and moved back to the Mariners system as a roving pitching coach. He has spent more than 25 seasons working in one capacity or another for the M's. This Spring Training photo was used by Topps for their 1979 set. Notice the telephone pole in the back, which Topps forgot to airbrush out ?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o01B7Dwo9vA/TsPN6lp5TuI/AAAAAAAAA8I/_FEcnmhw2DQ/s1600/John_Montague.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o01B7Dwo9vA/TsPN6lp5TuI/AAAAAAAAA8I/_FEcnmhw2DQ/s320/John_Montague.jpg" width="222" /></a>He was purchased by the Seattle Mariners on November 6, 1976 from the Phillies. As a member of the Mariners' inaugural team, he earned the first save in team history, preserving a 5-1 win against the California Angels at the Kingdome on April 9, 1977, pitching a scoreless eighth and ninth inning and giving up only one walk (erased on a double play). He finished the 1977 with an 8-12 record and four saves in 47 appearances, including 15 as starting pitcher. He only appeared in 19 games for the Marines in 1978, all in relief, ending with a 1-3 record and two saves. Montague started the 1979 season with the Mariners, and had a 6-4 record and one save in 41 appearances with the club. He was traded by the Mariners on August 29, 1979 to the California Angels for a player to be named later, a trade completed when the Angels sent Jim Anderson to the Mariners on December 5, 1979. I used his 1979 Topps Card photo for this updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z274eSsaRps/TsPN7NrGkxI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/0pjIiHqoxHQ/s1600/Mike_Kekich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z274eSsaRps/TsPN7NrGkxI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/0pjIiHqoxHQ/s320/Mike_Kekich.jpg" width="222" /></a>Known more for his wife swap deal with former Yankee teammate Fritz Peterson, than for his baseball talents. By 1977 Kekich's career was virtually non-existent. He was bopping back and forth between the minors, the majors and nowhere. After bombing in Cleveland in 1973 (1-4, 7.02) Kekich didn't get another shot unil 2 years later when he had a decent 23 game stint with Texas (0-0, 3.73). His 41 games with the M's in '77 was his final go at a big league career. The 32 year old Kekich responded by going 5-4 with an inflated 5.60 ERA in 90 innings. He took a demotion to the minors and was 9-4 (5.14) on the Triple A level. That marked the end to a pedestrian career that started in 1964 as a Dodger draftee. There were no known photos of Kekich in a Mariner uniform, so I used his 1974 Topps Card with him in an Indian uni. I did a bit of cut and paste / airbrushing to make it look like a Seattle road uni.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jkKW6tDt9ew/TsPN7rtGp3I/AAAAAAAAA8o/NU1KM8ArUoU/s1600/Paul_Mitchell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jkKW6tDt9ew/TsPN7rtGp3I/AAAAAAAAA8o/NU1KM8ArUoU/s320/Paul_Mitchell.jpg" width="222" /></a>Always in search of pitching help the M's purchased his contract from the Oakland A's in late August. After going 0-3 (10.54) with Oakland Mitchell's 3-3 (4.99) record in 9 starts was a moderate turnaround. In 29 starts the following season he went 8-14 (4.18). He was dealt to Milwaukee midway through the '79 season and was released after having his best year in 1980 (5-5, 3.53). I used his 1979 Topps Card photo for this updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PidmeIrD2PU/TsPN7v1qADI/AAAAAAAAA8k/XFFhnQqN_kM/s1600/Rick_Honeycutt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PidmeIrD2PU/TsPN7v1qADI/AAAAAAAAA8k/XFFhnQqN_kM/s320/Rick_Honeycutt.jpg" width="222" /></a>Honeycutt was originally drafted in the 17th round of the 1976 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. After 1 1⁄2 seasons in their minor league system, the Pirates traded him to the Seattle Mariners in August 1977 to complete an earlier trade for Dave Pagan. He made his major league debut on August 24, 1977 against the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched two innings of relief, struck out 3, allowed 2 hits and no runs. His first start was against the New York Yankees on August 31. He pitched 7.1 innings in that start, allowing 3 runs. He finished the season 0-1, but got his first victory in his first start the following year, beating the Minnesota Twins on April 7, 1978. He matured into a savvy control pitcher, being selected to the 1980 All-Star Game. Following the 1980 season, he was traded with Larry Cox, Willie Horton, Mario Mendoza and Leon Roberts to the Texas Rangers for Brian Allard, Rick Auerbach, Ken Clay, Jerry Gleaton and Richie Zisk. Honeycutt would go on to have a 21 year career in the majors. He led the AL in ERA in 1983 and was a 2 time All-Star. He won a ring with the 1989 Oakland A's. I found this photo on ebay.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PGAH1kfHQBE/TsPN71lCs_I/AAAAAAAAA8s/lkPQnH3GHO8/s1600/Steve_Burke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PGAH1kfHQBE/TsPN71lCs_I/AAAAAAAAA8s/lkPQnH3GHO8/s320/Steve_Burke.jpg" width="222" /></a>Burke had really good numbers in his 2 shots with the M's. In 1977 he went 0-1 (2.87) in 6 games. In '78 he also went 0-1 (3.49) in 18 games (49 innings), yet the M's sent him back down to Triple A where his numbers were horrible. He was released after the 1979 season at the age of 24. This photo came from his 1978 rookie panel card. It was taken during spring training 1977.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DLP11lZrRxA/TsPN74tQvwI/AAAAAAAAA8w/ZOUlME4NY8A/s1600/Tom_House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DLP11lZrRxA/TsPN74tQvwI/AAAAAAAAA8w/ZOUlME4NY8A/s320/Tom_House.jpg" width="222" /></a>So many things that you can say about Tom House. One: He turned an 82 mph fastball into a pretty sound 9 year MLB career. Two: He's the guy who caught Hank Aaron's 715th home run. Three: He's the first player to admit to "dabbling" in steroids. The "little lefty that could" arrived in Seattle on May 28th, 1977 after stinking up the first 2 months of the season in Boston. Seattle purchased his contract from the Red Sox and he rewarded them with a 4-5 record while splitting time between the pen and the rotation. His 11 starts in 1977 were 10 more than he had in his career to that point. In 1978 he posted a 5-4 (4.66) record with 9 starts in 34 games, spanning 116 innings. The M's released him during spring training in 1979. He attempted a comeback with the Padres Triple A affiliate (Las Vegas) in 1983, but ended that experiment after just 2 games. He has made his name over the years as an innovative pitching coach. Nolan Ryan credits him with getting him in the best shape of his life during his final years in Texas. This 1979 Spring Training photo was originally used as his 1979 Topps Card.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nyYmnqtYkC8/TsPN8ECU_DI/AAAAAAAAA88/3Oy-FKkwovk/s1600/Tommy_Moore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nyYmnqtYkC8/TsPN8ECU_DI/AAAAAAAAA88/3Oy-FKkwovk/s320/Tommy_Moore.jpg" width="222" /></a>Tommy Joe Moore pitched in 14 games for the M's in 1977. He compiled a 2-1 (4.91) record in 33 innings worth of work. Seattle bought his contract from Texas after Moor had an awful (0-2, 8.14) 1976 season. Moore was originally drafted by the Mets in 1967 and got two cups of coffee in 1972 and 1973 respectively. He split 1975 between the Cardinals, Rangers and Spokane (AAA). He spent all of 1976 at Triple A. His Triple A numbers in 1977 were nothing to write home about (4-4, 6.72), so he was given his unconditional release from Spokane. It was tough finding photos of him. I found a B&W photo of him with St. Louis and colorized it and changed the cap logo by pasting the trident on.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--KPbEPJXh9s/TsPN8IK1BhI/AAAAAAAAA84/kk9kaL7Iq1Q/s1600/Carlos_Lopez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--KPbEPJXh9s/TsPN8IK1BhI/AAAAAAAAA84/kk9kaL7Iq1Q/s320/Carlos_Lopez.jpg" width="221" /></a>López was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 1976 Major League Baseball expansion draft. At the age of 26, it was noted by The Associated Press that López and fellow teammate Dick Pole were "the old men" on the Mariners' roster. The Associated Press also noted that fellow players and managers "rave" about López's speed, but also asserted that he had a throwing arm that was as good. He got his first major league hit against the California Angels on April 10. López hit his first major league home run against the Boston Red Sox on May 3. On May 30, López hit two home runs in the same game against the Texas Rangers. On the season, López batted .283 with 39 runs, 84 hits, 18 doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 34 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases in 99 games. On December 7, 1977, the Seattle Mariners traded López to the Baltimore Orioles with pitcher Tommy Moore in exchange for pitcher Mike Parrott. I used his 1978 Topps Card photo for this updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFTU2OuGy1E/TsPN8WinHGI/AAAAAAAAA9A/z8i_X674tSs/s1600/Craig_Reynolds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFTU2OuGy1E/TsPN8WinHGI/AAAAAAAAA9A/z8i_X674tSs/s320/Craig_Reynolds.jpg" width="221" /></a>Reynolds was traded by the Pirates with Jimmy Sexton to the Mariners for Grant Jackson after the 1976 season. Reynolds immediately became a starter in Seattle and enjoyed a particularly successful season in 1978 when he hit .293 and was selected to play in the 1978 MLB All-Star Game. After that season, his hometown Astros traded for him in exchange for future AL strikeout champion Floyd Bannister. Reynolds played in 135 games at short and hit .248 with 4 homers and 28 RBI's for Seattle during the '77 season. He hit .292 in 1978. He spent the next 11 seasons in Houston before retiring after the 1989 season. The photo here came from his 1979 Topps card, which should have had an Astros photo instead since he was traded in the off season.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TwbxIGDoovs/TsPN8eeiYJI/AAAAAAAAA9E/ZS-zUMoR3ns/s1600/Jimmy_Sexton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TwbxIGDoovs/TsPN8eeiYJI/AAAAAAAAA9E/ZS-zUMoR3ns/s320/Jimmy_Sexton.jpg" width="221" /></a>Arrived along with Reynolds in the Grant Jackson deal with the Pirates on December 7th, 1976. He would be traded on December 5th, 1977 to the Astros for slugger Leon Roberts, which turned out to be a great deal for the M's. In his brief 1 year tenure in Seattle he got into 14 games and hit .216. He spent the rest of his career shuttling between Triple A and the majors. For this card I colorized a B&W photo of him in a Houston uniform. I cropped it high up, so the Houston logo was hidden. I pasted the trident logo onto the cap.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uaeNrTB0YiQ/TsPN8ijDMdI/AAAAAAAAA9I/-tOm-V4zK-M/s1600/Jose_Baez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uaeNrTB0YiQ/TsPN8ijDMdI/AAAAAAAAA9I/-tOm-V4zK-M/s320/Jose_Baez.jpg" width="222" /></a>Prior to defending Casey Anthony, Baez was a hot rookie commodity with the Mariners back in 1977. Ooops, I messed that up. I hit enter too quickly while googling him. This Baez never defended anything but the area between second base and and first base in the Seattle Kingdome. Baez hit .259 in 333 plate appearances and looked to be a Mariner star of the future. That hope went the way of the flood in 1978 when he hit just .160 in 50 at bats. The M's didn't wait to long to make a move and shipped him off to St. Louis for Mike Potter. Neither team go much out of the deal. Baez wound up at Springfield (AAA) and hit .276 in 33 games and was released at season's end. I used his 1978 Topps card photo for this updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Q8UB_Zk-Nk/TsPN85yddII/AAAAAAAAA-U/RvU1MZSTVKk/s1600/Julio_Cruz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Q8UB_Zk-Nk/TsPN85yddII/AAAAAAAAA-U/RvU1MZSTVKk/s320/Julio_Cruz.jpg" width="222" /></a>Although a lifetime .237 hitter with little power, Cruz had excellent speed. 6 years in a row with the Seattle Mariners, from 1978 through 1983, he stole over 40 bases each season and was the team's all-time leader in that statistic leading to his nickname "the Cruzer." He was the 56th pick in the expansion draft out of the Angels organization. In just 60 games during the '77 season Cruz hit .256 and stole 15 bases. He was dealt to the Chisox in the middle of the 1983 season and helped them win the AL West title. He is currently a Mariner broadcaster and interestingly was former Baltimore Raven's coach Brian Billick's High School teammate. I found this autographed photo on ebay. Compared to today's "buffed" players, Cruz looks virtually anorexic. This photo looks to have been taken at Comiskey, his future home.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XgyKq3FXQ-A/TsPN8zRthAI/AAAAAAAAA9U/WINxcZs9DGg/s1600/Larry_Milbourne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XgyKq3FXQ-A/TsPN8zRthAI/AAAAAAAAA9U/WINxcZs9DGg/s320/Larry_Milbourne.jpg" width="222" /></a>On March 30, 1977, the Seattle Mariners acquired Milbourne from the Houston Astros in exchange for Roy Thomas. Milbourne delivered the Mariners first game-winning hit on April 8, 1977. During the 1977 season, he batted .219 with 24 runs scored, 53 hits, 10 doubles, two home runs, and 21 RBIs in 86 games played. Milbourne served in the role of "utility infielder" for the M's for his 4 seasons in Seattle. His best season was 1979, where he hit .278. In 1981 he moved over to the Bronx and hit .313. From 1982-1984 he changed teams 6 times with his final stop being a return trip to Seattle in 1984. In 211 at bats he hit .265 then called it a career. In 1985 he worked as a player coach for the Mariners at the Calgary (AAA) affiliate. He hit .278 in limited (9 games) action. I used his 1979 Topps card photo for this updated card. Topps must have missed the Mariners trip to the Bronx in 1978, so they took a field trip to Arizona for all of those spring training shots.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4QIUF7AJj4/TsPN8xdMoNI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/jEgSJcl0fVU/s1600/Puchy_Delgado.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4QIUF7AJj4/TsPN8xdMoNI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/jEgSJcl0fVU/s320/Puchy_Delgado.jpg" width="222" /></a>After spring training in 1977, Delgado was optioned to the minor leagues. Since Seattle's farm system wasn't ready to handle the large influx of new players Delgado played at Boston's Pawtucket affiliate. He made his major league debut, with Seattle, that season on September 6. In that game against the Kansas City Royals he struck out in his first at-bat. Delgado's first hit, a single, came against the Texas Rangers on September 9. He finished his first and last major league season with four hits, four runs, in 23 at-bats. In 1978, Delgado continued playing in the Seattle Mariners organization. With the Triple-A San Jose Missions, Delgado batted .252 with 83 runs, 136 hits, 19 doubles, seven triples, two home runs, 49 RBIs, and 49 stolen bases in 136 games. He led the Missions in games played, triples, and stolen bases that season. He hit .182 (4-22) for the Mariners in September of 1977. He was eventually dealt to the Cubs, so the M's could reacquire Larry Cox.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5qbopMjiyLI/TsPN9IMn0ZI/AAAAAAAAA9c/_s03G8ex7l8/s1600/Ruppert_Jones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5qbopMjiyLI/TsPN9IMn0ZI/AAAAAAAAA9c/_s03G8ex7l8/s320/Ruppert_Jones.jpg" width="222" /></a>An All-Star in 1977 with the Seattle Mariners and 1982 with the San Diego Padres, Jones was the first player selected by Seattle in the 1976 MLB Expansion Draft. A left-handed hitter with good speed early in his career, Jones hit 24 home runs in Seattle's inaugural season. "Rupe" played 3 years in Seattle with 1977 being his best season (.263-24-76). After he hit 21 homers for the M's in 1979 he was involved in a multi-player deal that sent him to the Yankees, where he wilted in the spotlight called Centerfield in the House that Ruth built. Jones moved on to the Padres, then moved to Detroit for 1 season (1984) and claimed his championship ring and his new nickname "Rooftop Rupe". He finished out his career with 3 final seasons with the Angels. Jones was an All-Star in both leagues. For this photo I used his 1978 Hostess Card photo, which was a bit too grainy for me.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y93nB5qT4HY/TsPN9AoybnI/AAAAAAAAA9g/WBYWQOKFnK0/s1600/Ruppert_Jones2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y93nB5qT4HY/TsPN9AoybnI/AAAAAAAAA9g/WBYWQOKFnK0/s320/Ruppert_Jones2.jpg" width="222" /></a>As a contrast to the grainy Hostess card photo I created a second card that was based off of a B&W team issue photo. I colorized this photo and actually hand traced the Yellow base border around "Mariners".</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sN-wJ_Cebp8/TsPN9ToExNI/AAAAAAAAA9k/ehGgIFtYa2Y/s1600/Tom_McMillan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sN-wJ_Cebp8/TsPN9ToExNI/AAAAAAAAA9k/ehGgIFtYa2Y/s320/Tom_McMillan.jpg" width="222" /></a>During the 1976 Major League Baseball expansion draft, McMillan was selected by the Seattle Mariners. Before the start of the 1977 season, the Mariners sent him to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. Rochester was affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles, but the Mariners did not have a Triple-A affiliate at the time. McMillan was a September call-up for the Mariners in 1977. He made his debut in Major League Baseball (MLB) on September 17, against the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium.[8] In that game, he did not have a plate appearance. At the time of his debut, he became the first attendee of Jacksonville University to make an MLB debut. His offensive debut would come on September 21, against the Milwaukee Brewers at County Stadium. In five at-bats, McMillan went hitless. It would prove to be his final MLB game. Defensively during his two games with the Mariners, McMillan played shortstop, committing no errors, while making one assist and two putouts. McMillan played the entire '78 season with the San Jose Missions (AAA) then was dealt to the Pirates. I used his Venezuelan winter league card as a starting point. I airbrushed the red brim off the cap and lightened the blue colors. I added the Mariner Trident logo and changed the shirt collar colors as well.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cazkaWP4v3g/TsPN9YeKxuI/AAAAAAAAA9o/ZdXc2Yh3TAE/s1600/Juan_Bernhardt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cazkaWP4v3g/TsPN9YeKxuI/AAAAAAAAA9o/ZdXc2Yh3TAE/s320/Juan_Bernhardt.jpg" width="222" /></a>During the 1976 Major League Baseball expansion draft, Bernhardt was selected by the Seattle Mariners from the New York Yankees. Bernhardt made the inaugural Mariners team out of spring training in 1977. During his first game of the season, Bernhardt got five hits, including a home run, in five at-bats. Not only was it Bernhardt's first career home run, but it was also the first home run in Mariners history. On the season, Bernhardt batted .243 with 32 runs scored, 74 hits, nine doubles, two triples, seven home runs, and 30 RBIs in 89 games played. He played 21 games at third base, and eight games at first base. The majority of his playing time, 54 games, was spent as a designated hitter in the Mariners lineup. Bernhardt hit .230 in 54 games in 1978 and got just 1 AB and 1 hit in 1979. He spent most of that '79 season playing for Spokane (AAA) and Iowa (White Sox affiliate) before heading over to the Mexican League where he worked as a player manager. I used his 1979 Topps card for this updated '77 card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YbkYOoPNtMI/TsPN9vWpjNI/AAAAAAAAA9s/XbAZsHsvxLQ/s1600/Kevin_Pasley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YbkYOoPNtMI/TsPN9vWpjNI/AAAAAAAAA9s/XbAZsHsvxLQ/s320/Kevin_Pasley.jpg" width="222" /></a>After spending 6 years in the Dodgers chain, the Seattle Mariners purchased Pasley from the Los Angeles Dodgers in September of 1977. He made his debut with the Mariners on September 11, against the Texas Rangers, getting one hit in four at-bats during that game. In four games with the Mariners that season, he batted .385 with five hits in 13 at-bats. Combined between the Dodgers and the Mariners that year, Pasley had six hits in 16 at-bats, putting his average at .375. Pasley hit .241 (13-54) in 25 games worth of action in 1978 before being sent down to San Jose (AAA). He hit a homer run in his final at bat of the season, on October 1, 1978, which would also be his final career at bat. From 1978-1982 he bounced around the minor leagues for 4 different organizations. At the age of 28 he was released by Detroit's Triple A affiliate Evansville. This card was made using a colorized B&W team issued photo.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BGvtyl7E1Pw/TsPN9pojzkI/AAAAAAAAA90/x2_WiWTQV2U/s1600/Ray_Fosse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BGvtyl7E1Pw/TsPN9pojzkI/AAAAAAAAA90/x2_WiWTQV2U/s320/Ray_Fosse.jpg" width="222" /></a>By 1977 Ray Fosse was a broken down 30 year old catcher who was light years away from his two time All-Star / Gold Glove status of the early 70's. A rash of injuries and ineffectiveness led to his decline. Many like to reference his separated shoulder from being bowled over by Pete Rose in the 1970 All-Star game as the beginning of his end. This simply wasn't true, because he was an All-Star and Gold Glove winner the following season. It was however the beginning of his many career injuries. Still he managed to win 2 championship rings with Oakland in 1973 and 1974 as well as a return trip to Cleveland in 1976, where he hit .301. On September 9th, 1977 he was traded to the M's for Bill Laxton and cash. Fosse hit .353 (12-34) in 11 games worth of action. He signed with the Brewers as a free agent, but missed all of 1978 when he tripped in a hole in spring training while running down the first base line. He played in just 19 games in 1979 for the Brewers adn was released after spring training in 1980. For this card I did a reverse airbrush. This is his 1978 Topps card, which had him airbrushed onto the Brewers. I reversed it back by pasting the Trident logo on his cap and lightening the shade of blue. The warm up jacket didn't need to be touched at all and the jersey neck trim was perfect.</div>
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<br /></div>ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-53076665848034047402011-11-14T04:53:00.001-08:002011-11-14T19:41:13.388-08:001977 Seattle Mariners - Volume 1 - The Originals<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="white">On April 6, Major League Baseball returned to
Seattle when the Mariners played the California Angels before a Kingdome
crowd of 57,762. The Mariners went onto lose the game, 7-0 and finished
the inaugural season with a 64-98 record. Diego Segui threw a called strike to Angels Jerry Remy for the first pitch ever thrown in Mariner history. Even more significant was the fact that Segui played in Seattle 8 season's before as an original member of the Seattle Pilots of Ball 4 fame. By 1977, 39 year old Segui's career was virtually over if not for the Mariners bringing him back to the Pacific Northwest as a sentimental move and a way to connect both franchises. Juan Bernhardt hit the teams first homer. Jose Baez had the team's first hit, but was quickly erased when Steve Braun hit into an inning ending DP. Two nights later Bill Laxton notched the franchise's first win in a wild 7-6 walk of victory. Larry Milbourne's double to right, scored Baez for the winning run. Only 12,000 fans were in attendance in the antiseptic Kingdome. Most expansion teams fail to win due to lack of pitching, and Seattle was no different. Finishing dead last (14th) in the league in pitching sealed the M's fate. Only Charlie Finley's "fire sale" A's finished worse in the AL West. 17 hurlers started at least 1 game for the M's. Former Oakland A Glenn Abbott was the most reliable starter (12-14, 4.45). Abbot was the only Mariner pitcher to log over 200 innings. Enrique Romo (8-10, 2.83, 16 saves) was a star out of the pen. One thing the M's could do is hit the long ball. They finished 8th in the league in homers. Dan Meyer (22), Leroy Stanton (27) and Ruppert Jones (24) all hit over 20 homers. Both Stanton (.275) and Meyer (.273) hit in the .270's to pace the team in batting average. Jones, a young speedy outfielder, became an immediate fan favorite. Every time the fans sung "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" they would change the lyrics from "Root, Root Root for the Home Team" to "Rupe, Rupe, Rupe". After searching Amazon.com I noticed that there were no books written about this vanilla expansion tea. The Jones story seems to be the only interesting one next to the fact that the Brewers (formerly Pilots) were booed all night in July when they made their first visit back to Seattle since 1969. Of course none of the original Pilots were on the team, but the fans wanted to show the franchise that they didn't forget being abandoned for 7 years. When searching 1977 Mariners all I could find were a few book about Outboard Motors. I'm guessing that expansion teams are quite forgettable, unless you assemble a cast like the '62 Mets and lose 120 games or have Jim Bouton on your roster.</span></div>
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<span class="white">Pretty much every card had to either be re-done, created or airbrushed. Topps did a horrific job with their 1977 Mariner cards. I blame this on sheer laziness of a bloated monopoly. Back in 1969, 8 years earlier, they were able to get at least 7 or 8 Pilot players in their new uniforms. For the '77 M's the best that Topps could do was airbursh in the trident logo with a bad felt tip marker. Most caps had horrible airbrush colors. The BHNH card for Grant Jackson, might be the best of the bunch. Poor Rick Jones's card looked like a 3rd grader painted over a picture. It looks more like a portrait than a photo after that 3rd graded got done with his or her handiwork. Stan Thomas has some blackish purple jersey on and Dave Pagan had a crayoned powder blue cap. Unlike the Blue Jays, who had some good cards to use in the O Pee Chee set, the M's cards in both sets stunk. O Pee Chee being a Canadian company was smart enough to update the Blue Jays photos knowing their fan base would then buy lots of cards. They weren't wasting that type of effort on the M's, even though they were located quite close to Vancouver. For the cards that I updated I will show the "before/after" shots. For the cards that I created from scratch I will do my normal write-up.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5g3A5yU3Bj4/TsGGDA_7LWI/AAAAAAAAA4k/Np9kErwS2xI/s1600/Bill_Laxton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
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<span class="white">Here are the 17 Cards that were updated from Topps original Airbrushes. Before (Topps' version) on the left. After (my version) on the right side:</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-krgdgFEdjho/TsGFvdDAJVI/AAAAAAAAA1M/UML50M0wiCs/s1600/Bill_Laxton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-krgdgFEdjho/TsGFvdDAJVI/AAAAAAAAA1M/UML50M0wiCs/s320/Bill_Laxton.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5g3A5yU3Bj4/TsGGDA_7LWI/AAAAAAAAA4k/Np9kErwS2xI/s1600/Bill_Laxton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5g3A5yU3Bj4/TsGGDA_7LWI/AAAAAAAAA4k/Np9kErwS2xI/s320/Bill_Laxton.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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The before shot wasn't the worst airbrush ever by Topps and I could have lived with it. The updated shot on the right was modified from a minor league card.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QWeUGZIjPuU/TsGFvWPDMvI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/QN0eFcZaCkw/s1600/Bill_Stein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QWeUGZIjPuU/TsGFvWPDMvI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/QN0eFcZaCkw/s320/Bill_Stein.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mcH5yfLBai4/TsGGDl7s1EI/AAAAAAAAA40/94spvT7Cdao/s1600/Bill_Stein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mcH5yfLBai4/TsGGDl7s1EI/AAAAAAAAA40/94spvT7Cdao/s320/Bill_Stein.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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Topps took Stein's 1976 White Sox card and put their crack staff of 4th graders onto it. They forgot to get rid of the red trim on his undershirt. I used a 1978 Hostess Card shot for the update card on the right.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dnq6XKcsuL8/TsGFvUqT96I/AAAAAAAAA28/SlSu8fDGK6c/s1600/Bob_Stinson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dnq6XKcsuL8/TsGFvUqT96I/AAAAAAAAA28/SlSu8fDGK6c/s320/Bob_Stinson.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gqZG2t6wZIQ/TsGGDuLg6vI/AAAAAAAAA44/clhhq5J-46Q/s1600/Bob_Stinson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gqZG2t6wZIQ/TsGGDuLg6vI/AAAAAAAAA44/clhhq5J-46Q/s320/Bob_Stinson.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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I was trying to figure out if Stinson was wearing a blue colored stewardess cap from the 1960's or maybe a chef's cap in the original. The updated photo was a spring training shot from a Hostess Card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HfjFKnd04sk/TsGFvonLIyI/AAAAAAAAA1c/B_VEJGuZyXs/s1600/Dan_Meyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HfjFKnd04sk/TsGFvonLIyI/AAAAAAAAA1c/B_VEJGuZyXs/s320/Dan_Meyer.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-82e9WPIiOrc/TsGGD93qRtI/AAAAAAAAA5E/r3hpqG17qiw/s1600/Dan_Meyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-82e9WPIiOrc/TsGGD93qRtI/AAAAAAAAA5E/r3hpqG17qiw/s320/Dan_Meyer.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Meyer looks to be in a Tiger uniform sporting his "hardly noticeable" airbrushed powder blue Mariners cap. The updated shot came from a "Greatest Mariners" card collection. It's obvious that the term "Greatest" was very subjective in this instance.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0pqA1k1az5s/TsGFvhe6KtI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/TMUKHql4o6A/s1600/Dave_Collins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0pqA1k1az5s/TsGFvhe6KtI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/TMUKHql4o6A/s320/Dave_Collins.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-31bBU1w9leg/TsGGD5-G71I/AAAAAAAAA5A/p2AYuRiMtQY/s1600/Dave_Collins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-31bBU1w9leg/TsGGD5-G71I/AAAAAAAAA5A/p2AYuRiMtQY/s320/Dave_Collins.jpg" width="225" /></a> </div>
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This is definitely the best airbrush of the 1977 Topps Set. Topps even got the grain of the hat right as well as the colorizing of his Angels jacket. The updated one on the right is from the O Pee Chee Set.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jlR6cUtvlOE/TsGFv0b_YaI/AAAAAAAAA1k/3xosa4w8MbM/s1600/Dick_Pole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jlR6cUtvlOE/TsGFv0b_YaI/AAAAAAAAA1k/3xosa4w8MbM/s320/Dick_Pole.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hHFl2-BkjLo/TsGGENXXxRI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/1q5t2caP-eI/s1600/Dick_Pole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hHFl2-BkjLo/TsGGENXXxRI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/1q5t2caP-eI/s320/Dick_Pole.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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Surely his parents could have just called him Richard ? With a name like Dick Pole you better live up to the hype. You had also better be one tough dude. Tough enough to take your Red Sox cap and have it airbrushed by the kids in the Gifted and Talented program at PS 50. On the right hand side the updated card gets an autographed photo found on ebay.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GYFskL3UiLk/TsGFwE1FItI/AAAAAAAAA14/oP4QetrKSVY/s1600/Diego_Segui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GYFskL3UiLk/TsGFwE1FItI/AAAAAAAAA14/oP4QetrKSVY/s320/Diego_Segui.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--N4Cvvo_A70/TsGGBJflfuI/AAAAAAAAA3g/3W3HZPxDu6o/s1600/Diego_Segui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--N4Cvvo_A70/TsGGBJflfuI/AAAAAAAAA3g/3W3HZPxDu6o/s320/Diego_Segui.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
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Topps took the easy way out with the original. They had Segui show a profile, so you can't see the Red Sox logo on his batting helmet. They didn't even remove the Red/Navy piping on the jersey. The updated photo was a "no-brainer". I use the photo taken when he threw the first pitch ever for the Mariner organization on opening day 1977 vs the Angels.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zUSv-JkW7gA/TsGFwE7-ppI/AAAAAAAAA10/F6X0ZTKJl4Y/s1600/Glenn_Abbott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zUSv-JkW7gA/TsGFwE7-ppI/AAAAAAAAA10/F6X0ZTKJl4Y/s320/Glenn_Abbott.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mj0kMF2dmLA/TsGGB04B8QI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/PUDDEIDI3zA/s1600/Glenn_Abbott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mj0kMF2dmLA/TsGGB04B8QI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/PUDDEIDI3zA/s320/Glenn_Abbott.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Topps Airbrushed away all remnants of Abbott tenure in Oakland. On a scale of 1-10, this job was an even 5. I decided to use his 1979 Topps card photo for the updated card, because only Topps could take a spring training shot and forget to airbrush out a telephone poll. Look closely at Abbott's cheek. He either has an abscess or he's got a huge wad of chaw that would have even made Nellie Fox proud.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MR92i1R1R9A/TsGFwve7vNI/AAAAAAAAA2E/goAxWP9tZmM/s1600/Joe_Lis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MR92i1R1R9A/TsGFwve7vNI/AAAAAAAAA2E/goAxWP9tZmM/s320/Joe_Lis.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hm25G2_EkNw/TsGGBPoDSBI/AAAAAAAAA3k/nplZwSlyBIQ/s1600/Joe_Lis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hm25G2_EkNw/TsGGBPoDSBI/AAAAAAAAA3k/nplZwSlyBIQ/s320/Joe_Lis.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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The Hostess card photo on the right was slightly better than the pitiful airbrush on the left. Hostess at least did a better job making their airbrush job look a bit more realistic. Lis was a bit player even for expansion teams, so it was impossible to find an actual photo of him as a Mariner.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Y_IBPQmmw4/TsGFwnXvjNI/AAAAAAAAA2A/DJtsOdMQg4c/s1600/Larry_Cox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Y_IBPQmmw4/TsGFwnXvjNI/AAAAAAAAA2A/DJtsOdMQg4c/s320/Larry_Cox.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rDuK-2pzUcg/TsGGBziX9pI/AAAAAAAAA30/6EQ-FeqgBD4/s1600/Larry_Cox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rDuK-2pzUcg/TsGGBziX9pI/AAAAAAAAA30/6EQ-FeqgBD4/s320/Larry_Cox.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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Consistently throughout the 1977 Topps set the "Trident" logo was colored in just yellow w/out the white base. I'm guessing Topps didn't have care to make the effort or they misplaced their white Crayons. Heck, chalk would have even been acceptable. I found this 8x10 Black and White Glossy and decided to colorize it to update the card. Originally I was going to use his '78 Card and cut an paste a Mariner Cap on it. After colorizing this one on the right I decided to go with it. Following in Topps' tradition I was lazy as well. I didn't even bother to colorize the background :) !</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iJRAvg2yDHQ/TsGFw7EM69I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/G4Kf8olz4qI/s1600/Leroy_Stanton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iJRAvg2yDHQ/TsGFw7EM69I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/G4Kf8olz4qI/s320/Leroy_Stanton.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2g70aYTh1Uw/TsGGBS67jXI/AAAAAAAAA3w/GdsHBw15y2I/s1600/Leroy_Stanton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2g70aYTh1Uw/TsGGBS67jXI/AAAAAAAAA3w/GdsHBw15y2I/s320/Leroy_Stanton.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Stanton's biggest claim to fame prior to hitting 27 homers for the M's in '77 was the fact that he was part of the Nolan Ryan trade back in 1972. No, he wasn't traded "for" Ryan, he was traded with him by the Mets for a fast fading Jim Fregosi. I can tell you first hand that Met fans were really cursing in '77 watching Ryan in California and Stanton in Seattle. Fregosi was long gone as well. Topps airbrush on this one made Stanton's cap look "purple-ish". It was not an easy task airbrushing Angels blue and red caps into something resembling Seattle's headgear. I used his '78 Topps card photo for the new card. The photo was taken during Spring Training.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H5_ZL58-paw/TsGFw5mLa8I/AAAAAAAAA2U/9BKlq2pNP44/s1600/Pete_Broberg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H5_ZL58-paw/TsGFw5mLa8I/AAAAAAAAA2U/9BKlq2pNP44/s320/Pete_Broberg.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFEvgIlvBrE/TsGGB_La6-I/AAAAAAAAA4I/enqTVlEOL64/s1600/Pete_Broberg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFEvgIlvBrE/TsGGB_La6-I/AAAAAAAAA4I/enqTVlEOL64/s320/Pete_Broberg.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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I know you thinking, "Broberg never played a regular season game for the M's, so why did you bother making him a card ?" Great question. I decided to create this card to show just how lazy Topps had gotten. Broberg played for the Brewers in '76, which meant that his cap/uni were basically the same color scheme as the Mariners. Yet, they did a classic "Crayola Job". My only explanation would have been that they weren't 100% sure of what Seattle's color scheme was going to be. On the right I took Broberg's Hostess card, which was taken during Spring Training. The cap looks a bit airbrushed, and I'm assuming Hostess did this just to even out the imperfections. I added a real life cap logo to it. The jersey color trim is spot on good, so it didn't need any touch up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGka3gg2n6XyfC6TweiOcdMrCN4A8YgQIXkFzHO9AZjAUpGMMbtDtd9UCGTQ885jqOxWP8uGxtIcOGZtao9i3Xg2PJ1c9cvZ3vDIZFJ5TffnfbEl44gBnI71lZomt153_L0QxSrb66N8/s1600/Rick_Jones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGka3gg2n6XyfC6TweiOcdMrCN4A8YgQIXkFzHO9AZjAUpGMMbtDtd9UCGTQ885jqOxWP8uGxtIcOGZtao9i3Xg2PJ1c9cvZ3vDIZFJ5TffnfbEl44gBnI71lZomt153_L0QxSrb66N8/s320/Rick_Jones.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OCmA4ciDYWU/TsGGB6cX38I/AAAAAAAAA4A/W4L2zLPGVgs/s1600/Rick_Jones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OCmA4ciDYWU/TsGGB6cX38I/AAAAAAAAA4A/W4L2zLPGVgs/s320/Rick_Jones.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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As far as airbrush jobs go, Topps went for it all here. Instead of just doing the cap and the jersey they even airbrushed Jones' face. Looks like a great Grandma Moses type painting. See what you can do with your life after 65 ? For the updated photo I found a Venezuelan Winter League card shot of Jones. I'm guessing that back in the 70's players didn't have to worry about being held for ransom when they played down there since I have seen a lot of cards for players from the 70's in that league. I pasted a Mariner cap on his head. I'm honestly not happy with the results, because the cap looks blurry. The weird angle of his head pose made it virtually impossible to find a similar pose with the trident logo cap. I'm still looking for a better shot and when I do rest assured I will update the photo. The more I look at it, the more I think it's on a par if not a bit better than a Topps airbrush for the era, which makes me want to fix it even more now.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YOmj_-KC7js/TsGFxImAj3I/AAAAAAAAA2g/zJMWj8ks_js/s1600/Steve_Braun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YOmj_-KC7js/TsGFxImAj3I/AAAAAAAAA2g/zJMWj8ks_js/s320/Steve_Braun.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUUTbu8XJ8k/TsGGCxp1Q8I/AAAAAAAAA4Y/E1nGxlE_u70/s1600/Steve_Braun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUUTbu8XJ8k/TsGGCxp1Q8I/AAAAAAAAA4Y/E1nGxlE_u70/s320/Steve_Braun.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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Topps did a nice job fading Braun's Minnesota Twins batting helmet, so it was close enough to be in the color range for a Mariner helmet. The Trident logo is not terrible. It actually looks like they rounded it correctly to fit the contour of a plastic batting helmet. However they messed up with the sizing. They made it way too small. Check out the logo size on Bob Stinson's helmet a few cards back and you'll see just how oversized the log really was. I found a rare autographed photo of Braun in a Mariner uniform while doing a google search and decided immediately to use it. I find it amazing just how few real life photos were taken of the "original" Mariner team, when compared to the "original" Mets team 15 years earlier.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NhT8r5P1p_4/TsGGkvg5KnI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/7B2iIEPwNqQ/s1600/Stan_Thomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NhT8r5P1p_4/TsGGkvg5KnI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/7B2iIEPwNqQ/s320/Stan_Thomas.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7tLUJ9yBihM/TsHZwZJYK9I/AAAAAAAAA7k/SMqhxw8Ed28/s1600/Stan_Thomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7tLUJ9yBihM/TsHZwZJYK9I/AAAAAAAAA7k/SMqhxw8Ed28/s320/Stan_Thomas.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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Stan's card must have been a last minute throw in for the '77 set. Topps didn't even make an effort to change his jersey color from Black to road blue/gray. I decided that I would make this one a fun project and try to out airbrush the airbrush kings. Basically we'll call this, "Am I more artistic than a 4th grader". Granted I have the aid of modern technology and infinitely more patience than the gang from Whitehall street, but I figured it would be fun to do. I kept the cap that Topps airbrushed, but tightened up the colors. I added a real life trident logo to replace the one done with the yellow highlighter pen. I added yellow trim to the color colors. My freehand drawing of the color definitely left a lot to be desired, but I wanted to try and keep it on a par with what Topps did. I faded the jersey color and then changed it to blue/gray.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XIP15kXsO7I/TsGGkgV7y3I/AAAAAAAAA6U/fnhXcRnZQ_U/s1600/Tommy_Smith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XIP15kXsO7I/TsGGkgV7y3I/AAAAAAAAA6U/fnhXcRnZQ_U/s320/Tommy_Smith.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-evP4o93jkr0/TsGGDDi42tI/AAAAAAAAA4o/abowXaLPQpo/s1600/Tommy_Smith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-evP4o93jkr0/TsGGDDi42tI/AAAAAAAAA4o/abowXaLPQpo/s320/Tommy_Smith.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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Smith's cap was airbrushed quite nicely by Topps. The only thing I did was replace the airbrush logo with a real cap logo that I "copied/pasted". For some reason the real log came out a bit blurry. In this instance the Topps version actually looks more realistic. Go figure !</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zDGjlHwbrY/TsGLq4j0aEI/AAAAAAAAA60/Nw21b-UHIl4/s1600/Dave_Pagan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zDGjlHwbrY/TsGLq4j0aEI/AAAAAAAAA60/Nw21b-UHIl4/s320/Dave_Pagan.jpg" width="227" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EAsYpd9YNF0/TsGLx9aRkMI/AAAAAAAAA7M/TH8lks2mIaw/s1600/Dave_Pagan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EAsYpd9YNF0/TsGLx9aRkMI/AAAAAAAAA7M/TH8lks2mIaw/s320/Dave_Pagan.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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I decide to save the worst for last. Ok, one of the worst. Not only did Topps do a whale of a job messing up this airbrush, they also used a cap that was too big for Pagan's head. I came to this conclusion by looking at how big the cap was and noticing a gap on the left side between his head and his hair. If you notice the "halo" around the cap and the sky, you can see how those rabid 4th graders did their arts and crafts cutting. Topps must have invented the manual "cut & paste". To update the card I airbrushed in more of the stadium and the sky, since the newer cap would have to be smaller. I found the cap on one of Rick Honeycutt's cards and did a cut and paste. The cap looks more like one of those railroad engine caps than a baseball cap, but there weren't many real caps with the correct angle to choose from during the trident era. I also elected to paste the cap lower down on his head, which meant I had to add more brim shadow. For good measure I turned the jersey collar color into a shad closer to match the cap color.</div>
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<i>...Next post will be the 22 Brand New Mariners Cards that I am creating. I expect those to be completed by the end of the week, maybe the weekend.</i></div>ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-31189275327286676662011-11-09T12:07:00.000-08:002011-11-11T15:32:53.510-08:001977 Milwaukee Brewers<br />
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For the 9th straight season the franchise finished under .500. They won 1 more game than they lost the previous season, but the fans in Milwaukee were not exactly ecstatic. Alex Grammas would be in the 2nd and final year of his failed tenure. His team would finish 67-95, which would be good for sole possession of 6th place. Thanks to expansion, 6th place wasn't last place, but at 33 games out it wasn't anything to write home about. Still there was reason for hope. Nobody's crystal ball could tell us that the following year under George Bamberger the team would almost reverse their record and finish 93-69, well on their way toward contention. What happened beneath the surface during the '77 season that paid dividend in '78 ? First off the Brewers drafted this skinny kid from Minnesota named Molitor. He would make an immediate impact the following year with a bat that was more live than C-4 explosives. Secondly, Gorman Thomas was demoted after spring training and he spent the whole season (1977) at Spokane (Triple A) learning to strike out a bit less and hit the ball a bit further. Although he would never become a classic Joe DiMaggio hitting machine who played center, he came back in '78 with a more focused approach at the plate and bull in the China shop approach at covering center. Undoubtedly Bamberger, who was a pitching guru with the Orioles from the late 60's on brought his magic here to help cure the woes of a pitching staff that ranked 11th out of 14 in 1977. Jim Slaton was the ace of this staff and he was more suited for middle relief and spot starting than a top of the rotation guy. The offense was basically middle of the road. Cecil Cooper who went from being a part time player in Boston to a starter here had a great season. Don Money led all secondbasemen with 25 homers and Sixto Lezcano was his consistent self (.273-21-49). 21 year old shortstop Robin Yount was shockingly entering his 3rd season. He hit .288, but only had 4 homers. His power numbers would soon be arriving. Veteran leader Sal Bando arrived as a free agent from Oakland and steadied the infield and hit 17 homer along with 82 RBI's. DH Jamie Quirk (.217 & 3HR's) was an albatross and Steve Brye (.249-7-28) was the only one who hit over .230 on Milwaukee's weak bench.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Some 1977 highlights:</span></b></div>
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<b>July 1, 1977</b>: Amidst a frenzy of negative cheering, the Brewers played their first game in Seattle in 8 years, when they were the failed Seattle Pilots. The Brewers beat the hometown expansion Mariners 2-1.</div>
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<b>September 14, 1977</b>: Ken McMullen hit a home run in the last at bat of his career.</div>
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<b>June 7, 1977</b>: Paul Molitor was drafted by the Brewers in the 1st round (3rd pick) of the 1977 Major League Baseball Draft. Player signed June 24, 1977</div>
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If you were watching the Brew Crew on TV you'd be hearing the voices of Merle Harmon, the legendary Ray Scott of Packer Football and Mr. Baseball Bob Uecker on WTMJ-TV. Your owner, Bud Selig, was just a used car salesman and not a guy who would ascend to commissioner status just yet.</div>
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It took 23 additional cards to round out the set for the Brew Crew.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-htyi2aWjkEY/TreCgmWkg3I/AAAAAAAAAxM/eHjBmgbd1T4/s1600/Sam_Hinds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-htyi2aWjkEY/TreCgmWkg3I/AAAAAAAAAxM/eHjBmgbd1T4/s320/Sam_Hinds.jpg" width="221" /></a>Hinds only shot at the big leagues was in 1977 where he went 0-3 with a 4.73 ERA in 29 games for the Brew Crew. Hinds pitched 72 1/3 innings and gave up an even 72 hits. In 1978 he returned to Triple A (Spokane) and stunk up the joint with a 1-8 record and an inflated 6.73 ERA. 1979 saw him demoted once again. This time he was in Double A Holyoke where he finished an even 8-8 (4.32), which led to him being released. I used the photo from his '78 card, which looks to have been taken at Yankee Stadium.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6M8WaYAT7Ew/TreCgqUa0eI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/p5vFPUTBZZc/s1600/Barry_Cort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6M8WaYAT7Ew/TreCgqUa0eI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/p5vFPUTBZZc/s320/Barry_Cort.jpg" width="220" /></a>In Cort's only season with the big club he did have some modest success going 1-1 (3.33) in 24 innings. Desperate for pitching Milwaukee rushed him straight up to the majors from Double A ball. 1978 saw him spend the whole season at Spokane (AAA). His lack of success (1-5, 6.96) saw him demoted to AA the A ball. He never rose higher than Double A and finally hung it up after pitching for West Haven in 1981. I found a black and white team issue photo that I colorized step by step for his updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l2u5O1XELKw/TreCgz6Z06I/AAAAAAAAAyc/nAdpzyQmQo0/s1600/Bob_McClure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l2u5O1XELKw/TreCgz6Z06I/AAAAAAAAAyc/nAdpzyQmQo0/s320/Bob_McClure.jpg" width="221" /></a>McClure bounced around he Royals then got dealt to the Brew Crew in a multi player deal that also landed Jamie Quirk and Jim Wohlford in exchange for Jim Colborn and Darrell Porter. In 68 games out of the pen McClure went 2-1 with a bullpen best 2.52 ERA and 6 saves. He would spend 9 1/2 seasons in Milwaukee before becoming one of those well traveled "lefty specialist. In total he would pitch in parts of 19 seasons and play for 7 clubs. He ended his career as an "original Marlin" in 1993. Highlights of McClure's Brewer career include: leading the team in saves in 1978 and 1980 and saving 2 games in the 1982 World Series. That same World Series would supply his career low-light a blown save in game 7. After retirement he became a pitching coach, most recently in 2011 with the Royals organization. For this updated card I used an autographed photo that I found on ebay.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSn2lIrMPtmWhVtftRIhyiuuFFiGIqykuLZbOr89x-0cEwj0kR3pmF_tgLYxV2gcg2bICibYGPBAJ38rO3D73qQRdh5aOhjKvk7Bup9SW0ffQ6rLSnF0DQRX_q1Qc3MiHI1R8vD4ShGMA/s1600/Bob_Sheldon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSn2lIrMPtmWhVtftRIhyiuuFFiGIqykuLZbOr89x-0cEwj0kR3pmF_tgLYxV2gcg2bICibYGPBAJ38rO3D73qQRdh5aOhjKvk7Bup9SW0ffQ6rLSnF0DQRX_q1Qc3MiHI1R8vD4ShGMA/s320/Bob_Sheldon.jpg" width="222" /></a>Sheldon spent parts of 3 seasons with the Brewers during the mid 1970's (1974, 75 & 77). After a breakout year in 1975, where he played second base in 53 games and batted .287 he mysteriously found his way back in the minors. Not the quitting type, Sheldon battled his way back to the majors in 1977, but batted just .203 in 76 plate appearances. He would return to the minors and never see major league action again. I used his 1976 Topps card photo for this update 1977 card.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N_1fcw0AX8k/Tr1TbwepG7I/AAAAAAAAA0w/LnuaP21u_R8/s1600/Cecil_Cooper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N_1fcw0AX8k/Tr1TbwepG7I/AAAAAAAAA0w/LnuaP21u_R8/s320/Cecil_Cooper.jpg" width="222" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VL1V1uh9JlQ/Tr1Tb4mMFTI/AAAAAAAAA1A/3rINxr7UD6E/s1600/Cecil_Cooper_MIL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VL1V1uh9JlQ/Tr1Tb4mMFTI/AAAAAAAAA1A/3rINxr7UD6E/s320/Cecil_Cooper_MIL.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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After struggling to get playing time with the Red Sox for years Cooper was promised by manager Don Zimmer that he would be the Sox starting 1st baseman in 1977. Before he knew it "Coop" was traded to the Brewers for former Red Sox's George Scott and Bernie Carbo. At the time of the trade the Brewers were criticized for making moves like this. Neither Scott nor Carbo ever again had the kind of success they had achieved in earlier seasons. Cecil Cooper would become a legend in Milwaukee. "Coop" hit the ground running in 1977 and never looked back. As the Brewers everyday 1st baseman (160 games) he hit an even .300 with 20 homers and 78 RBI's and had a slick glove. For the next 11 seasons he would etch his place in the hearts of Brewer fans. Cooper twice led the league in RBI's and doubles. He was a 2 time Gold Glove winner, and a 5 time All-Star. He finished his career with a .298 lifetime average with 241 homers. I found both of these photos on ebay and thought each shot would be quite interesting for a card. The shot on the left was clearly taken during the '77 era since the cap had the "M" on it and not the famed "mb" glove logo. The shot on the right might have been taken in '78 or '79, but I thought it was pretty cool catching a MLB player with a beanie cap on.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ymy0jAxSJeA/TreChg_glnI/AAAAAAAAAxo/uyPgx0Tdeo8/s1600/Dan_Thomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ymy0jAxSJeA/TreChg_glnI/AAAAAAAAAxo/uyPgx0Tdeo8/s320/Dan_Thomas.jpg" width="222" /></a>Known as the "Sundown Kid", Thomas burst onto the baseball scene like a meteor during the '76 season. He had a host of mental challenges that pushed him toward the brink of suicide. He found religion and as a result couldn't play from sundown Friday night until sundown on Saturday. This meant that he would have had to miss at least 2 games a week. The Brewers were winning early on, so this wasn't an issue. Once the losses began to pile up Thomas was made the scapegoat and sent down to the minors, a demotion he happily accepted. Things went horrible wrong for him at Triple A and he was reassigned to Double A, which he refused. Things spiraled out of control and eventually he was released. After a brief stint for an independent league team in Idaho he was out of baseball and out of money. A few years later he was arrested in Alabama for raping a child. He hung himself in his jail cell. A tragic ending to a tragic story. In 1977 he was hitting .271 at the time of his demotion. He hit .276 in 1976. He was a .275 lifetime hitter in the minors. This tells me that even though his behavior might have been inconsistent, his performance with the bat was. As a team Milwaukee hit a combined .258. Jim Wohlford, his replacement in left field hit just .248 with 1 less homer in 4 times as many at bats. Brewer owner Bud Selig claims that the two days off a week had nothing to do with the demotion, but the numbers do not bare this out. What a shame. I used his OYW (One Year Wonder) card for this updated 1977 card. The photo was a bit grainy.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4h23nIAH58c/TreCiFHpmrI/AAAAAAAAAx0/aSkgBjgk8zg/s1600/Dick_Davis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4h23nIAH58c/TreCiFHpmrI/AAAAAAAAAx0/aSkgBjgk8zg/s320/Dick_Davis.jpg" width="222" /></a>Davis was originally tagged to be Dan Thomas' "replacement". Thomas wished him well as he packed up and headed out to Spokane. Davis did about the same as Thomas did, but strangely he too got limited time. In just 22 games he hit .275 (14-51) with no homers and 6 RBI. 1978 saw Davis get 218 at bats in 69 games. His average leveled off at .248. In each of the following seasons (1979 & 1980) Davis received more playing time and his average and power numbers improved steadilly. Needing pitching desperately at the start of the '81 season the Brewers dealt him to the Phillies for Randy Lerch. In limited action Davis hit .333 for the Phils. He was traded in the middle of the '82 season to Toronto and then over to Pittsburgh where he hit .182. After the Pirates dropped him the Phillies signed him to a minor league contract and assigned him to AAA Portland where he hit .328. Instead of a trip back to the majors he was released. Davis, who wasn't much of a defensive outfielder needed to hit big to stay in the everyday lineup. Since his power numbers were low and his attitude was even lower nobody wanted to take a shot by signing him. He took his talents over to Japan, where he starred for 3 years, but his attitude and drug issues earned him a one way ticket back to the states during the 1988 season. Interestingly in 1982, when he was traded twice, he was traded for the same guy (Wayne Nordhagen) both times.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cNp2tEXoBbk/TreCiJS_B6I/AAAAAAAAAx4/Tj3zoN1tD08/s1600/Ed_Kirkpatrick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cNp2tEXoBbk/TreCiJS_B6I/AAAAAAAAAx4/Tj3zoN1tD08/s320/Ed_Kirkpatrick.jpg" width="221" /></a>By all accounts Kirkpatrick was "toyed with" by the "rudderless Angels during his formative years in professional baseball. Up and down 7 times during his 7 seasons with the Angels from 1962-1968, Kirkpatrick was saved by the "Baseball Gods" in the form of expansion. In 1969 he was paroled from the Angels system and found rehabilitation with the expansion Royals. Kirkpatrick could play everywhere. Primarily used as a catcher he was adept at playing every position, and during some seasons he did just that. From 1969-73 he was the Royals "jack of all trades", while hitting a consistent .248. Before the 1973 season he was traded to Pittsburgh where he continued in the same role that he had in KC. While he never hit more than .247 in his 2+ seasons in the Steel-town his flexibility in the field helped the Pirates win back to back division titles. 1977 saw Kirkpatrick nearing the end of the road. At 32 he had been at this for 16 seasons already and the grind of professional ball began to slow him down. After hitting just .143 to start the season the Pirates sent him to the Rangers. In 20 games in Texas it didn't get much better (.188). He finished up the season in Milwaukee and posted a .273 average in 77 at bats. Things looked good when he headed to Spring Training in 1978, but the Brewers released him just before the season opener. Since no other team would give him a shot on their major league roster Kirkpatrick took the only offer he could find: A minor league contract in the Angels chain. How funny is it that things seem to come full circle. He started his career toiling in anonymity in the Angels chain and he ended his career the same way. He did end it on a high not hitting .325 in 209 at bats. Kirkpatrick's post-baseball life was quite tragic. 4 years after leaving baseball he wound up in a horrific car accident that left him paralyzed. He would pass away at the age of 66 due to complications from cancer. Friends and family say that through all the trials and tribulations he still maintained his sense of humor and never had a "woe's me" attitude. I actually found this photo on a Brewer fan's FLICKR page. I got in contact with his son, who posted on that page and he agreed to chat with me a bit about his dad. I hope to report back on how that chat went and what interesting things I learned.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kio0AXjTWLg/TreCilOPY6I/AAAAAAAAAyE/B6WOdnP-MP4/s1600/Ed_Romero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kio0AXjTWLg/TreCilOPY6I/AAAAAAAAAyE/B6WOdnP-MP4/s320/Ed_Romero.jpg" width="221" /></a>This 19 year old Puerto Rican native was rushed to the majors to provide defensive support for the Brew crew. In turn he managed to provide some offensive support along the way by hitting .280 (7-25). He would not return to the majors for another 3 years (1980). By that point he would settle in comfortably with the role of utility infielder. Romero would play the next 6 seasons in Milwaukee as a part time player who never played more than 116 games. He moved on to Boston for the next 4 seasons, then traveled around a bit before calling it quits in Detroit in 1990 after 12 solid seasons. I found this photo on monstermarketplace.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eagF807dSfo/TreCizDooHI/AAAAAAAAAyI/ExJUnebkl4o/s1600/Gary_Beare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eagF807dSfo/TreCizDooHI/AAAAAAAAAyI/ExJUnebkl4o/s320/Gary_Beare.jpg" width="222" /></a>Beare was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 5th round of the 1974 amateur draft. He made his major league debut in September 1976 and played his last game in October 1977. After going 2-3 (3.29) during his brief cup of coffee during the 1976 season Beare was given all the opportunity to pitch regularly in 1977. After posting a 3-3 (6.44) record in 58 2/3 innings Beare earned himself a one way ticket back to Spokane (AAA). He spent the next 3 seasons bouncing between minor league affiliates of the Brewers, Phillies and Padres before being released after the 1980 season by San Diego. I airbrushed this photo, which was found on a minor league card. I then pasted in the Brewer "M" on the cap.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kO34lyelU7c/TreCjCeNG_I/AAAAAAAAAyU/JgAtfyYrdvI/s1600/Jim_Gantner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kO34lyelU7c/TreCjCeNG_I/AAAAAAAAAyU/JgAtfyYrdvI/s320/Jim_Gantner.jpg" width="222" /></a>Gantner would eventually become a cornerstone at second base for the Brewers for 17 seasons. Back in 1977 he was a 24 year old kid who hit .298 in limited (14 games) action. After steady improvement over the next 2 season Gantner became the Brewers regular second baseman in 1980. He would hold that position for the next decade. After the 1992 season a 39 year old Gantner would retire from baseball after spending his entire career in Milwaukee and hitting .274. He was a huge fan favorite. Pictured here playing 3rd base, which is where he played for most of his first 3 seasons, Gantner autographed this photo, which appeared on ebay.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tmj2sc71lNY/TreCjcXdu8I/AAAAAAAAAyY/cptyJjna4b0/s1600/Jim_Wynn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tmj2sc71lNY/TreCjcXdu8I/AAAAAAAAAyY/cptyJjna4b0/s320/Jim_Wynn.jpg" width="222" /></a>By the summer of 1977 the "Toy Cannon" was basically shooting bee-bee's. After hitting .143 up in the Bronx in 30 games the Yankees gave him his unconditional release. Going nowhere in the standings the Brewers decided to take a chance on him and picked him up for the balance of the season. Wynn hit just .197 with no homers. At 35 he was old and worn out. The Brewers would release him at the end of the season thus ending the career of a former All-Star. Wynn's numbers at first glance do not look overly impressive. Take into consideration that he averaged 20+ homers a season while playing his first 13 seasons in two huge ballparks (Astrodome/Dodger Stadium) and you see what type of power he had. During the late 60's he hit a tape measure shot out of Crosley field and onto the interstate. After having a MVP type season in 1974 with the Dodgers, Wynn's skills began to slowly erode over the next 3 seasons, before it became completely evident that he was finished. I took his 1977 Topps card, which had him pictured in a Braves cap and airbrushed it so he had a Brewer cap on. I also darkened his warmup jacket to look more like Brewer blue, which was much darker than Brave blue at the time. Due to his short (5' 8") frame and great eye Wynn walked a lot and had a great OBP during his career, which was an era where OBP went virtually un-noticed.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3rpwgT8aYQ/TreCj3ws7OI/AAAAAAAAAzI/D8Er38lc1Eo/s1600/Lary_Sorensen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3rpwgT8aYQ/TreCj3ws7OI/AAAAAAAAAzI/D8Er38lc1Eo/s320/Lary_Sorensen.jpg" width="222" /></a>Sorensen had both his promising baseball and broadcasting careers cut short due to drug and alcohol abuse. He was one of 11 players who received fines and suspensions as a result of the Pittsburgh drug trials of the early 1980's. At the age of 21 Sorenson started 20 games for the Brewers and finished 7-10 (4.36). He won 18, 15 and 12 games with an ERA well under 4.00 during those 3 seasons. Milwaukee must have started noticing his proclivity toward controlled and legal substances and dealt him to the Cardinals as part of big 8 player deal that returned Rollie Fingers, Ted Simmons and Pete Vuckovich to the Brewers. Basically that one trade helped build the 1982 AL Pennant winners. Milwaukee got a HOF reliever, a borderline HOF catcher and a future Cy Young award winner for a mediocre oufielder (David Green), a so-so lefty (Dave LaPoint), a solid professional hitter (Sixto Lezcano) and a drugged out hurler (Sorenson). After 1 season in St Louis he wwas dalt to Cleveland, where everything began to unravel down that slippery slope. Stops in Oakland, Chicago and comebacks in Montreal and San Fran did nothing to resurect a promising career that died at the end of a straw and a shotglass. I found this photo on a card called "Brewer greats". Quite a bit of irony, don't you think ?</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d4nP39DvCbE/TreCj_A-zdI/AAAAAAAAAyo/3xHUDdc4jCc/s1600/Len_Sakata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d4nP39DvCbE/TreCj_A-zdI/AAAAAAAAAyo/3xHUDdc4jCc/s320/Len_Sakata.jpg" width="222" /></a>Sakata was selected by CNN Sports Illustrated as one of the 50 greatest sports figures in Hawai'i history and is a member of the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame located in the Bishop Museum. While this designation must be considered an honor it also tells you that not many great athletes have come from our nation's 50th state. In his first shot at the majors Sakata hit .162 in 53 games (25-154) during the '77 season for the Brewers. He "boosted" his average to .192 the following season in 30 games of action then found himself in the minors until he was traded to Baltimore where he flourished as a utility infielder over the next 6 seasons. The only photo I could find of Sakata in a Brewer uniform was this grainy head shot from his 1980 rookie panel card.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GkFw20iRlzs/TreCkMXqGOI/AAAAAAAAAys/uPE-g2J1uNA/s1600/Mike_Caldwell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GkFw20iRlzs/TreCkMXqGOI/AAAAAAAAAys/uPE-g2J1uNA/s320/Mike_Caldwell.jpg" width="222" /></a>Before the start of the 1977 season, Caldwell was traded for the third time, going to the Cincinnati Reds for Pat Darcy. After just fourteen games, the Reds traded him to the Milwaukee Brewers for minor leaguers Dick O'Keefe and Garry Pyka. Caldwell had his best season in 1978 when he went 22-9 with a 2.36 ERA and led the AL in Complete Games with 23. Caldwell was named the AL Comeback Player of the Year by The Sporting News and finished second in the Cy Young Award balloting to Ron Guidry. Caldwell finished in double figures in victories for 6 consecutive seasons for the Brewers (1978–1983) and won 2 games in the 1982 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals in a losing effort. Caldwell was given his unconditional release by the Brewers organization in 1985. In 1978, he was one of the three left-handed pitchers named "Mike" (the others being Mike Flanagan and Mike Willis) to hand the New York Yankees' Ron Guidry a loss in his 25-3 season. He and the Brewers shut out the Yankees and Guidry 6-0 on July 7, 1978. He is currently the pitching coach for the Scottsdale Giants. In 1977 he went 5-8 for the Brewers. There was no evidence to suspect that 1978 would be his breakout season. Know to Yankee fans as "Yankee Killer", because he pitched his best games against the boys in pinstripes. This photo was found on ebay. It is signed in blue sharpie and was taken at Comiskey.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rkqFpPtTtvM/TreCkvhuJ7I/AAAAAAAAAy4/2_9RDxmZOx4/s1600/Moose_Haas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rkqFpPtTtvM/TreCkvhuJ7I/AAAAAAAAAy4/2_9RDxmZOx4/s320/Moose_Haas.jpg" width="222" /></a>On April 12, 1978, Haas struck out 14 batters, breaking record for strikeouts in a single game for the Brewers. this franchise records stood for 26 years. After a 5 game tryout in 1976 Haas was given a spot in the starting rotation in '77 and responded with a 10-12 (4.33) record in 32 starts. He would win 91 games in 10 seasons as a Brewer. His best season being 1983 where he went 13-3 (3.27). I found this autographed photo on ebay.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D47S9ulL4wg/TreCkziSrUI/AAAAAAAAAy8/Sw6OfrrHOsE/s1600/Sal_Bando.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D47S9ulL4wg/TreCkziSrUI/AAAAAAAAAy8/Sw6OfrrHOsE/s320/Sal_Bando.jpg" width="221" /></a>Bando signed as a free agent in the off season after 11 years, 3 Championships, and 4 All-Star appearances with the A's. A clutch player and solid glove man at third Bando continued right where he left off in Oakland. In 1977 he played in 159 games and hit .250 with 17 homers for the Brew Crew, but more importantly he was a key influencer on the young talent coming through the system. Bando taught the professionalism and how to be clutch in big games. Sadly his skills began to diminish just as the Brewers began to make their championship run in the early 80's. Topps created a horrible airbrush card for Bando with a "Crayola'ed" blue cap. I found this nice autographed photo of him on ebay and decided that his 1977 card needed a bit of an upgrade.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eyGI1CbT2D0/TroIqqqqsfI/AAAAAAAAA0E/nHyYVx1-jRs/s1600/Jim_Wohlford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eyGI1CbT2D0/TroIqqqqsfI/AAAAAAAAA0E/nHyYVx1-jRs/s320/Jim_Wohlford.jpg" width="220" /></a>Wohlford was primarily a backup outfielder, used primarily for his good
fielding skills. His best performance was with the 1974 Kansas City
Royals, when he had a batting average of .271. 1974 was the only year
Wohlford ever had more than 500 at bats. He had a .260 career batting
average. Wohlford arrived in the offseason in a previously documented deal with the Royals. When the Dan Thomas tragedy forced him into everyday action he responded with great defense and mediocre offense. .248-2-36 are not the numbers for a corner outfielder on a winning ballclub. To no one's surprise the Brewers were not a winning club in '77. Don't put all the blame on Wohlford. He did the best he could with the talents he had. In limited action during the '78 season he hit .297 and in '79 with similar playing time he hit .263. In 1980 he signed with the Giants as a free agent and did well in that 4th outfielder role. After 3 years in San Fran he moved over to Montreal and played his part to perfection. Wohlford was a career .260 hitter over 15 seasons for 4 different franchises. He never hit more than 5 homers in a season and averaged around 2 for his career.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4o4F1vqMYU/TroIqkUyBiI/AAAAAAAAA0o/U0Xew8hxXTQ/s1600/Ken_McMullen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4o4F1vqMYU/TroIqkUyBiI/AAAAAAAAA0o/U0Xew8hxXTQ/s320/Ken_McMullen.jpg" width="222" /></a>In a 16-season career, McMullen posted a .248 batting average with 156 home runs and 606 RBI in 1583 games played. No remarkable tidbits about his career could be found while searching the Internet. His prime years were spent with the lowly Washington Senators during the mid to late 1960's. During that time frame he averaged 17 homers a season while hitting .252 at the hot corner. He started his career in 1962 playing on the Koufax/Drysdale Dodgers. He platooned at third during LA's 1963 Championship season and was dealt to Washington for Claude Osteen before the 1965 campaign. In February of 1977 the Brewers purchased his contract from the Oakland A's. In 63 games he hit .228 (31-136) with 5 homers and 19 RBI's. At the end of the season he was released, so he accepted his fate and retired from baseball. I found this photo on one of those autograph sites that advertise on Google. On September 14, 1977 McMullen would hit the final homer of his career in the final at bat of his career.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIf8HnmEyOXu_Cf_LVD0b15AuNj98UayfZ60hmOOkG6OYA46haHYJo9UaW_Sp6seq5HJ2uT1ugWRWkOaAVzgrfcCRdev_LqGUOBGTa4U1Doi6nbYZk9u5cUUVO0XVCHRubd__3_6yGlA/s1600/Jamie_Quirk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIf8HnmEyOXu_Cf_LVD0b15AuNj98UayfZ60hmOOkG6OYA46haHYJo9UaW_Sp6seq5HJ2uT1ugWRWkOaAVzgrfcCRdev_LqGUOBGTa4U1Doi6nbYZk9u5cUUVO0XVCHRubd__3_6yGlA/s320/Jamie_Quirk.jpg" width="222" /></a>Quirk is best known for his 3 tours of duty as a Royal. Sandwiched between his first two tours was a 1 year sojourn in Milwaukee where he hit .217 in 221 AB's as a part time DH-OF'er. The Brewers thought so little of Quirk's skills they shipped him back to the Royals at the end of the season and got minor leaguer Gerry Ako in return. Quirk has to be credited with making the most of his menial talents and spreading it across an 18 year career. His career highlight was his AL West division clinching homer for the Royals in 1984. This colossal blow was actually hit in his 1 at bat for the Indians during that season and it was against the Twins, who were then eliminated from the race. Quirk found ways to help the Royals even when he wasn't wearing their uniform ! He played for 7 other teams, including the Brewers. He finished his career at the age of 37 in 1992 for the AL West Champion Oakland A's as a catcher. I used his 1978 Topps card photo, which was taken in Yankee Stadium.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sPkjyIX4VtU/TroIqoJqRMI/AAAAAAAAA0I/jfQkBzN2pXU/s1600/Steve_Brye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sPkjyIX4VtU/TroIqoJqRMI/AAAAAAAAA0I/jfQkBzN2pXU/s320/Steve_Brye.jpg" width="221" /></a>Brye was involved on one of the biggest controversies in baseball on the final day of the 1976 season.[4] Kansas City's George Brett and Hal McRae were in a near deadlock for the American League batting championship. In his final at-bat, Brett hit a routine fly-ball to left field, that Brye failed to catch, and it fell for a hit. There were accusations that Brye played it badly, to deny McRae, an African American, the batting championship. It was never conclusively established that Brye intentionally failed to retire Brett. With that said his days in Minnesota were officially gone after that game. After 7 years as a 4th outfielder, who batted .261 in the Twin cities Brye moved over to the Brewers where he applied his mediocre skills to the craft of baseball. Hitting .249 in 94 games, while covering all 3 outfield spots and DH earned Brye 264 plate appearances. He signed as a free agent with the Pirates in 1978 and hit .235 in 66 games and was subsequently released. Fighting to keep his major league dreams alive he signed a minor league contract with the Padres and hit .247 in Hawaii. That marked the end of the line for Brye's career, but at least he got to spend his final season in an exotic locale. I used his 1978 Topps card photo for this one. I had to airbrush out the position circle located on the upper right corner.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1EKA2g07Ig/TroIq3ELe3I/AAAAAAAAA0Y/E8vk6ey0P1g/s1600/Larry_Haney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1EKA2g07Ig/TroIq3ELe3I/AAAAAAAAA0Y/E8vk6ey0P1g/s320/Larry_Haney.jpg" width="222" /></a>Haney was valued by teams mainly for his defensive abilities. In addition to his .985 fielding percentage and skill at working with pitching staffs, he threw out 110 of 282 stolen base attempts (39.0%) and picked off 8 baserunners during his career. He was acquired three separate times by the Oakland A's, and was on their roster during their entire World Championship year of 1974. On July 27, 1966, he hit a home run in his first major league game (second at bat) against John O'Donoghue of the Cleveland Indians. On September 6, 1968, Haney had his first and only 4-hit game, when he hit three singles and a double against the Chicago White Sox. He has also had five 3-hit games in his career. Haney played in two World Series games for the Oakland A's in 1974 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Haney caught 63 games for the Brewers in 1977 and hit .228 (29-127). He returned as a backup in 1978, but only got into 4 games then was released. I found this autographed photo on ebay.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8wvIlPBLYJU/TroIqym31lI/AAAAAAAAA0U/v6pt0ooll3U/s1600/Rich_Folkers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8wvIlPBLYJU/TroIqym31lI/AAAAAAAAA0U/v6pt0ooll3U/s320/Rich_Folkers.jpg" width="222" /></a>Folkers was selected off waivers by the Brewers on March 23, 1977. Overall, he threw just over six innings for the Brewers that year, posting a 4.26 ERA. In March 1978, the Brewers traded him with Jim Slaton to the Tigers for Ben Oglivie. The Brewers definitely got the better end of that deal - Folkers never appeared in a big league game with the Tigers, while Slaton only pitched one season with them (it was, however, arguably his best season in the Majors. He went 17-11 that year with a 3.89 ERA) before being reclaimed by the Brewers when he entered free agency after the 1978 season. Oglivie, on the other hand, went on the have the best years of his 16 season career while with the Brewers, hitting as many as 41 home runs in a season. Rich Folkers played in his final big league game on June 8, 1977. I used his 1970 Mets rookie panel card photo for this card. Since it was impossible to find a photo of him with the Brewers I used the Met photo and airbrushed out the NY and pasted on a "M".</div>
<br /></div>ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-77081433551373658282011-11-04T20:56:00.000-07:002011-11-04T20:56:15.167-07:001977 Detroit TigersAt 74-88 Ralph Houk's charges finished in 3rd place in the AL East 26 games behind the New York Yankees. <br />
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Detroit spent the middle part of the decade floundering in the standings under Houk, who replaced the dynamic Billy Martin, who like always eventually wore out his welcome after jump starting the franchise. 1975 was the low point for the franchise where a group of aging veterans from their late 60's/early 70's glory years combined with some young up and commers for 102 losses and a last place finish. Houk righted the ship the following season and won 17 more games to inch back toward respectability. 1977 saw the team finsih exactly the same as they did the previous year, but the youngsters began to improve steadily. The following season (1978) saw the Tigers finish over .500 for the first time in 5 years. Steady improvement under the dynamic stewardship of Sparky Anderson, who replaced Les Moss (who replaced Houk) in 1979. By 1984 Anderson would have a juggernaut on his hands that would eventually win a world championship. Many of those players were maturing or getting their first chance at major league ball during the '77 season. 21 year old Lance Parris, 19 year old Alan Trammell, 20 year old Lou Whitaker and 22 year old Jack Morris would eventually form that core that drove Detroit to contention. They would see their first major league action during the '77 season. Aging veterans like Mickey Stanley and Willie Horton were on their last legs and well on their way out of town. Transitional players like Rusty Staub, Ron LeFlore and Aurelio Rodriguez were holding down jobs that the young guns would eventually take in years to come as Anderson built himself a winner. Injured phenom Mark Fidrych was not able to reproduce his rookie year success. After going 19-9 on a sub par team in 1976, Fidrych unfortunately got injured during spring training and only saw action in 11 games. His 6-4, 2.89 record was darn good, but he only contributed 81 innings to a team that was challenged for good arms. John Hiller was once again the workhorse out of the pen going 8-14 (3.56) in 124 innings. Jim Crawford logged 126 inngs from the pen.<br />
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In retrospect you can really see the origins of a great team being built, but back in 1977 the Tigers looked like an also ran that couldn't play ball with the big boys.<br />
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18 new cards were created to complete the Tigers 1977 Topps Card set.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rfO3CgB2-50/TrQIlmqKFWI/AAAAAAAAAuE/sGEMATea29E/s1600/Tim_Corcoran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rfO3CgB2-50/TrQIlmqKFWI/AAAAAAAAAuE/sGEMATea29E/s320/Tim_Corcoran.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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First off to answer your un-asked question: No, you do not have cataracts. The picture is blurry/fuzzy. I chose it because I found a Tiger fan who is selling snapshots of players that he took back in the 1ate 1970's. He had around 10 of them on ebay and I thought it would be cool to use them for this updated card set. Since Topps was known to use blurry and out of focus pictures I had no qualms about using these. I even tried my best to touch up the faded colors and sharpen it a bit. Believe it or not this is about as good as it got. With that bit of housekeeping out of the way let's talk about Tim Corcoran. As a 24 year old rookie 4th outfielder Corcoran hit .282 with 3 homers and 15 RBI's in 103 Ab'S. Not a bad start in the major leagues. The following season he more than doubled his plate appearances, but his average dropped to .265 and his power numbers were even lower. His OBP went up, but back in the dark days of the 1970's Bill Beane was a high school phenom, and not the SABR-metrics guru influencing baseball decisions. This led to a trip back to Evansville (AAA) in 1979. Hitting .338 against Triple A pitching earns you a return trip to the majors, so in 1980 Corcoran got into 84 games and hit .288. I'm guessing Detroit figured that Corcoran wasn't going to get much better than what they saw, so they dealt him to the Twins for Ron Jackson. After hitting .176 in 22 games during the strike season he found himself back in Triple A for the better part of the next 3 years. When the Twins declined to renew his contract he signed a minor league deal with the Phillies organization. In 1984 he got the call to return to the majors and hit a robust .241 with an OBP of .440 as a part time 1B-OF-PH type. 1985 saw him return to mediocrity with a .214 BA and a trip back to the minors. The Mets would sign him as insurance in 1986 and he spent all but 6 games in the minors. I wonder if the Amazin's voted him a World Series share for his 0-7 contribution?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cgQJTL1vkSA/TrQIl1uFe1I/AAAAAAAAAuI/4x5W8iPz1tA/s1600/Alan_Trammell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cgQJTL1vkSA/TrQIl1uFe1I/AAAAAAAAAuI/4x5W8iPz1tA/s320/Alan_Trammell.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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19 year old Alan Trammell got into 19 games in September and hit a powerless .186. Who would know that such an inauspicious start would lead to a borderline HOF career. "Tram" would go on to become his generation's version of Al Kaline to Tiger fans. After finishing 4th in the Rookie of the Year voting in 1978 the sky was the limit. 4 gold gloves, 6 All-Star selections, 3 Silver Slugger and a runner up for MVP in 1987 later one can say that Tram ranks up there with the all time greats. Bill James ranks him as the 9th all time greatest shortstop. 20 exceptional seasons in 1 town shows you just how much he was beloved and respected by both the fan base and management. While searching ebay I found this early action shot of this skinny kid from Garden Grove, CA.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nTBxnLiSK5D2iajEqHz4Fp24EcXmqZGAvH4vtFHu-zE70hOi_KsnCLWdi-IKmpENQTm6ngIxv4I6MzfZZ5iS8lpDoDmU2JZ6gi4i2OthL7ruPBEYH6cdGzRcepW2DIi_51MIJgpphME/s1600/Bob_Adams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nTBxnLiSK5D2iajEqHz4Fp24EcXmqZGAvH4vtFHu-zE70hOi_KsnCLWdi-IKmpENQTm6ngIxv4I6MzfZZ5iS8lpDoDmU2JZ6gi4i2OthL7ruPBEYH6cdGzRcepW2DIi_51MIJgpphME/s320/Bob_Adams.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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1977 was Bob Adams' one opportunity to be a major leaguer. In 15 games with Detroit he went 6 for 24 (.250) and hit 2 homers, while splitting time behind the plate and at first. He was called up after hitting .330 in 62 games at Evansville. 1978 saw him return to the minors and bottom out. Hitting .204 at Evansville earned him a demotion to Montgomery (AA), where he was even worse (.154). The Tigers cut him lose and his career was over at the age of 26. I was shocked to see this photo on ebay. It was part of that aforementioned collection of faded snapshots. My assumption is that since Adams only had a cup of joe in '77 that the snapshots were taken specifically during that season.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yWOy2D6T2-c/TrQImE2CEeI/AAAAAAAAAuU/AAZmpNpuCms/s1600/Bob_Molinaro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yWOy2D6T2-c/TrQImE2CEeI/AAAAAAAAAuU/AAZmpNpuCms/s320/Bob_Molinaro.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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Originally drafted in 1968, Molinaro languished in the Tiger farm system for 10 seasons. This tough guy out of Essex Catholic High School in Newark, NJ never took no for an answer. At the age of 25 he got his break and hit .263 in limited action with the big club. When he got sent back to farm in '76 he hit .289 and didn't get down on himself. After hitting .303 at Evansville in 1977 he was recalled to Motown only to get 4 lousy at bats. The Chisox must have seen something in him. Bill Veeck was know to see things that others couldn't, so they claimed him on waivers on September 22, 1977. Veeck's keen eye was rewarded modestly when Molinaro went .262 in 1978 and .291 in 1980. Ironically he bounced around 3 more organizations before landing in Detroit in 1983 where he got 3 at bats in 8 games. Most guys would have called it quits at this point, but not the hard nosed kid from Newark, who wound up taking a year off from baseball (1984) then returning for 1 more AAA season in Rochester (Baltimore affiliate) in 1985. This is an airbrushed photo that I found on the baseball birthdays web site. I darkened his White Sox cap and added the Tiger logo. I also took the Chicago logo off the batting glove. I did find some early pictures of him with Detroit, but he had short hair and sideburns, which was a typical style during the early 70's and would have looked out of sorts during the disco era of the late 70's.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HkfNF1dfY_8/TrQImAM49fI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/5Xom2Y4gJsc/s1600/Bob_Sykes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HkfNF1dfY_8/TrQImAM49fI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/5Xom2Y4gJsc/s320/Bob_Sykes.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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The pride of Neptune, NJ, Bob Sykes pitched in 32 games for the Tigers during the '77 season. He started 20 of those games and finished the season with a 5-7 (4.41) record in 132 2/3 innings of work. He improved to 6-6 in 1978 and was dealt to the Cardinals in the off season for Aurelio Lopez and Jerry Morales. He would pitch 3 average season in St. Louis before being traded to the Yankees in a deal that could arguably be called he heist of the century. The pitching starved Yanks got an injury prone mid level pitcher (Sykes) in exchange for a future All-Star / World Series hero, Willie McGee. Sykes never pitched in the Bronx and spent 2 sub par seasons in AAA and AA. The only photos that I found of him of Sykes in a Tiger uniform were either in black and white or without a cap. I took his 1980 Topps card and airbrushed out the Cardinal Cap and pasted a Tiger cap on his head, which was much easier than trying to colorize a B&W shot.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f1Jc1vF3Q1U/TrQImfv9z9I/AAAAAAAAAug/snZRkZ-X2ko/s1600/Bruce_Taylor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f1Jc1vF3Q1U/TrQImfv9z9I/AAAAAAAAAug/snZRkZ-X2ko/s320/Bruce_Taylor.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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Taylor had a great 7 season minor league career exclusively as a reliever in the Tiger chain. His 44-37, 43 Sv record with a 2.65 ERA was pretty solid. He would see action with the big club in parts of 3 seasons (1977-79). During the '77 season he would get into 19 games and post a 1-0 (3.38) record. His WHIP was a solid 1.125, but he was sent back to the minors for most of '78 (all but 1 game). He got into 10 games during the '79 season, then returned to the minors where he career came to a close. The photo used here is another one of those from that Tiger fan's snapshot collection. This one wasn't as fuzzy as most. I'm guess the photographer was a 10 year old kid with a Kodak 126 Instamatic camera with one of those legendary off center viewfinders. This would explain why most of the pictures in the set are not centered. Then again the photographer could have been a middle aged fan who was drinking heavily and not paying close attention to the light meter or the aperture ring on his Nikon.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ErZZ0Gfhyxg/TrQImQIVfAI/AAAAAAAAAuk/4ok7qEdKQp8/s1600/Dave_Rozema.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ErZZ0Gfhyxg/TrQImQIVfAI/AAAAAAAAAuk/4ok7qEdKQp8/s320/Dave_Rozema.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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Rozema was originally drafted out of high school in June 1974 by the San Francisco Giants in the 22nd round of the amateur draft, but did not sign. He played for Grand Rapids Community College in 1974 and was drafted in January 1975 by the Detroit Tigers. In 1976, Rozema played for the Montgomery Rebels in the Tigers' farm system and led the league with a 1.57 ERA. The Rebels were 86-51 in 1976 and won the league championship. Rozema debuted in the major leagues at age 20 with the Detroit Tigers in 1977. On April 21, 1977, he shut out the Boston Red Sox, 8-0, for his first major league win. In his rookie season, Rozema was 15-7, finished 8th in the voting for the American League Cy Young Award and finished among the league leaders with a 3.09 ERA (7th in the AL), a .682 winning percentage (.682), 16 complete games (8th in the AL), a 138 Adjusted ERA+ (5th in the AL), and a 2.71 strikeout to walk ratio (6th in the AL). Rozema finished fourth in the 1977 Rookie of the Year voting behind Eddie Murray, but he was selected as The Sporting News Rookie Pitcher of the Year. Rozema never equaled his rookie success, but will go down in the annals of Tiger lore as one of the greatest characters in franchise history for his "Karate Kick Incident" in 1982. His other exploits included: (2) a subsequent injury the same year in which Rozema fell on a flask in his back pocket and needed 11 stitches in his hip, (3) an incident in which he shoved a bar glass into the face of Alan Trammell resulting in 47 stitches near Trammell's eye, (4) missing a team bus when he overslept after judging a wet T-shirt contest, and (5) using Brillo pads to wash his new car. He was a major contributor on the '84 championship team as well.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--9URpUHeta8/TrQImmPXL1I/AAAAAAAAAuw/yHw4ir8QIWU/s1600/Ed_Glynn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--9URpUHeta8/TrQImmPXL1I/AAAAAAAAAuw/yHw4ir8QIWU/s320/Ed_Glynn.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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Lefty Ed Glynn spent parts of 4 seasons with the Tigers, but never really found his niche, and actually got worse after each opportunity. 1977 was his 3rd chance with the big club. Glynn Wendt 2-1 (5.27) in 8 games (27 innings). He was traded to in 1979 to his hometown Mets, where he spent tow unremarkable seasons. His career highlight: When Glynn was a student at Frances Lewis High he sold hot dogs at Shea Stadium, As a result when he later played at Shea as a player the team honored him in a pre-game ceremony. At the ceremony Glynn was presented with an official Shea Stadium hot dog. After leaving New York he bounced to Cleveland for 3 years then back to the minors and a final shot with Montreal in 1985. I found this photo on monster marketplace.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q4HANFBz6-Y/TrQImjmC7EI/AAAAAAAAAus/tsABKA4ebcg/s1600/Fernando_Arroyo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q4HANFBz6-Y/TrQImjmC7EI/AAAAAAAAAus/tsABKA4ebcg/s320/Fernando_Arroyo.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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To highlight the fact that the Tigers lacked pitching they promoted Arroyo from the minors, where he went 5-8 (4.76) in 1976 straight into their starting rotation in 1977. Arroyo responded by going 8-18 (4.17) in 209 innings spread out over 38 games. Not overly impressive, but the pitching starved Tigers craved the 200+ innings he had to offer. Arroyo had himself one of those up and down careers where he shuttled between the majors and the minors. After 2 horrible cups of coffee in '78 and '79 he moved over to Minnesota and spent two years with the big club and not really solidifying himself as a major leaguer. In 82 he was traded to Oakland where his 5.27 ERA earned him a 3 year sentence in Triple A. Desperate for pitching in 1986 the A's called him up and he got into 1 final game and walked all 3 batters he faced before it was all said and done. This photo was found on autograph warehouse's site.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e7wMGG81t-c/TrQIm1gGlUI/AAAAAAAAAu8/k1G8WnukKgc/s1600/Jack_Morris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e7wMGG81t-c/TrQIm1gGlUI/AAAAAAAAAu8/k1G8WnukKgc/s320/Jack_Morris.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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In just 45 2/3 innings of work in 6 starts (7 games) 22 year old Jack Morris went 1-1 with a 3.74 ERA. He actually took a step back in '78, but then the light bulb went on in 1979 (17-7, 3.28). Once the light began to shine, it shined bright as Morris was the winningest pitcher during the decade of the 1980's A 5 time All-Star and a supreme post season clutch performer Morris has all the credentials to be in the HOF. Sadly the voters hold his 3.90 career ERA against him. Those voters most probably didn't see him pitch. Morris would give up 9 runs if his team scored 10. He would also give up no runs if his team scored 1 (refer to game 7 of the 1991 World Series). Morris owns 4 World Series Rings with 3 of them coming in the 15th, 16th and 17th years of his career. Upon retirement Morris compiled a 254-186 lifetime record. This photo was taken at old Exhibition Stadium in Toronto. I found it on the dailyfongo site.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjKdlNSSpEs/TrQImwX2AkI/AAAAAAAAAvA/ZR0VAHvcPco/s1600/John_Wockenfuss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjKdlNSSpEs/TrQImwX2AkI/AAAAAAAAAvA/ZR0VAHvcPco/s320/John_Wockenfuss.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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Wockenfuss played twelve seasons in the major leagues for the Detroit Tigers (1974–1983) and the Philadelphia Phillies (1984–1985). He played catcher, first base, third base, outfield and designated hitter. He may be best remembered for his use of an unusual batting stance: extremely closed with his back nearly to the pitcher, with arms extended well overhead. Wockenfuss adopted the closed stance in 1977, while playing winter ball at Caguas, Puerto Rico. Wockenfuss was drafted by the Washington Senators in the 42nd round of the 1967 amateur draft but did not reach the major leagues until seven years later in 1974. On December 3, 1973, Wockenfuss was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Detroit Tigers. Wockenfuss found a home with the Detroit Tigers where he played 10 seasons and became a fan favorite. Used mostly as a backup, the only year in which Wockenfuss played in more than 100 games was 1980. That year, "Fuss" (as he was affectionately known to Detroit fans)[2] hit 16 home runs, collected 65 RBIs and 68 bases on balls, with a .390 on base percentage. I found this photo on the detroitathletic web site.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2UhkkC7ISI0/TrQInSK5lyI/AAAAAAAAAvc/T26OBe4EhBc/s1600/Lance_Parrish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2UhkkC7ISI0/TrQInSK5lyI/AAAAAAAAAvc/T26OBe4EhBc/s320/Lance_Parrish.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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Parrish was drafted as a third baseman by the Detroit Tigers in the first round of the 1974 Major League Baseball draft. While playing for the Lakeland Tigers in the minor leagues, he was converted to a catcher. He reached the major leagues in 1977 on a part time basis, and by 1979 he had replaced Milt May as the team's regular catcher. In 1979, he also played winter baseball in Puerto Rico with the Mayaguez Indians. Parrish hit for a .286 batting average along with 24 home runs and 82 runs batted in during the 1980 season to earn his first American League All-Star team berth, as well as winning his first Silver Slugger Award. A 7 time All-Star and 6 time Silver Slugger award winner Parrish hit 10 or more homers for 15 consecutive season. He is widely recognized as the top catcher in the American League during the 1980's, where he averaged 22 homers a season. I found this great action shot on someone's Wordpress blog.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ccc54AKNkQ/TrQInApF0rI/AAAAAAAAAvM/kv653kcUFSA/s1600/Lou_Whitaker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ccc54AKNkQ/TrQInApF0rI/AAAAAAAAAvM/kv653kcUFSA/s320/Lou_Whitaker.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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After hitting .250 in 11 games during the '77 season "Sweet Lou" hit .285 the following year and was named the AL Rookie of the Year. His sophomore jinx season saw his average rise 1 point and his stolen bases jump to double digits. Playing alongside his keystone partner Alan Trammell for nearly 20 season, Whitaker finished his career with a higher batting average than his rookie year and his lifetime average. A 5 time All-Star, 3 time Gold Glover and 4 time Silver Slugger award winner, Whitaker's numbers compare favorably to Joe Morgan's, yet he never got any support for the HOF. Could it be, because he was quiet and unassuming and was so consistently good nobody ever noticed ? Interesting tidbit: In the 1985 All-Star game, Whitaker forgot to pack his uniform. Making this discovery just before the game, he had to make do with whatever replica merchandise was available for purchase at the park. He obtained an adjustable mesh hat and a blank jersey. He finished off his outfit by scrawling his number on the back in magic marker. The Smithsonian requested the jersey and it was given to them by Mr. Whitaker and it remains a part of their collection. This photo, like Parish's came from Wordpress.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RQV3D5xhXnk/TrQInRIk4pI/AAAAAAAAAvY/MmgIEl3s8y4/s1600/Luis_Alvarado.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RQV3D5xhXnk/TrQInRIk4pI/AAAAAAAAAvY/MmgIEl3s8y4/s320/Luis_Alvarado.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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A very valuable backup infielder, he never batted above .216 in a season. His final appearance in a major league uniform occurred with the tigers during the 1977 season when he got into 2 games and had 1 hitless at bat. The closest he ever came to being a regular was during his 3 year stint with the White Sox (1971-73) where he averaged 90 games a season. I have to give credit to the OOTP boys for posting this photo on their site.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2sTiV3g4sY0/TrQInsMRieI/AAAAAAAAAvs/-I3CczqhApA/s1600/Mark_Wagner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2sTiV3g4sY0/TrQInsMRieI/AAAAAAAAAvs/-I3CczqhApA/s320/Mark_Wagner.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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Wagner had the misfortune of being a shortstop in the Tigers system at the same time that a fellow named Trammell was also there. Wagner had the inside track hitting .261 as a part time starter in 1976. He fell to .146 during the '77 season and opened the door for Trammell to take over. He spent 3 more seasons in Detroit as a utility infielder before moving on to Texas for 3 years. He finished his career up in Oaklan in 1984. His best season in the majors was 1979, when he hit .274 for Detroit. I found this photo on monstermarketplace.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7SxG3J7U6WA/TrQIn8l0SUI/AAAAAAAAAvo/dLikw7pF634/s1600/Milt_Wilcox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7SxG3J7U6WA/TrQIn8l0SUI/AAAAAAAAAvo/dLikw7pF634/s320/Milt_Wilcox.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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With Detroit, he was a reliable third starter in the rotation for years, consistently giving his team six and more innings each start. This complemented Jack Morris and Dan Petry, who were power pitchers and considered the aces. His 17 wins in 1984 were important in the Tigers' run to their world championship. (Morris won 19, Petry 18 that year.) He won one game each in that year's ALCS and World Series. That year, he also started his season going 6-0. On April 15, 1983, Wilcox came within one out of a perfect game, when Chicago White Sox batter Jerry Hairston, Sr. singled off him in the ninth inning. After spending 6 seasons in the majors, Wilcox wound up in the minors for all of 1976, then signed as a free agent with Detroit. Over the next 9 seasons he would go 97-75 for the Tigers. His 6-2 record as a swingman between the pen and the rotation helped give Ralph Houk flexibility with his staff during the '77 season. I found this photo while searching ebay.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEInjXRhILs-wJl9cLZlz1EQ6e3MCLqlWSSwYirVr0zYlgFyRKrgu_kKEizBh9latTX0qiwxbnPypJ4xZaCTvZLxjntTph5iyaL7T1BEI3BcdTQMORXENExoU4bl7RsqgHYV4cn9F_XCc/s1600/Phil_Mankowski.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEInjXRhILs-wJl9cLZlz1EQ6e3MCLqlWSSwYirVr0zYlgFyRKrgu_kKEizBh9latTX0qiwxbnPypJ4xZaCTvZLxjntTph5iyaL7T1BEI3BcdTQMORXENExoU4bl7RsqgHYV4cn9F_XCc/s320/Phil_Mankowski.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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Mankowski was never an everyday player, but the Tigers platooned him at third base with Aurelio Rodríguez in 1977 and 1978. His most productive season was 1977 when he hit .276 with career highs in games played (94), at bats (286), hits (79), triples (3), and RBIs (27). The only other season in which Mankowski had at least 100 at bats was 1978, when he hit .275, scored 28 runs, hit four home runs, and drove in 20 runs. On April 7, 1978, Mankowski hit a home run to help Mark Fidrych get the win in a five-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays. On October 31, 1979, the Tigers traded Mankowski and Jerry Morales to the Mets for Richie Hebner. Mankowski played Hank Benz in the 1984 movie "The Natural". I colorized this black & white photo that I found on the baseball birthdays site.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WHSBJ6iDoK8/TrQIoWAJI_I/AAAAAAAAAv0/i0E4vpI_4vU/s1600/Steve_Foucault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WHSBJ6iDoK8/TrQIoWAJI_I/AAAAAAAAAv0/i0E4vpI_4vU/s320/Steve_Foucault.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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After 4 decent years in Texas working exclusively out of the pen Foucault arrived in Detroit in a trade that liberated aging veteran Willie Horton from a season as a part time player. Foucault went 7-7 (3.15) in 44 games out of the pen. He saved 13 games. The following season he was 2-4 with a 3.13 ERA before being traded to KC, where he finished out the season and was released. Houston took a chance on him and assigned him to their Triple A affiliate in Charleston, where he went 0-2 (7.71) and was given his final release. I found this autographed photo on monstermarketplace.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t8N3dVNJ-0U/TrQIoVUoh-I/AAAAAAAAAwA/pcFL1SC6mgs/s1600/Steve_Kemp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t8N3dVNJ-0U/TrQIoVUoh-I/AAAAAAAAAwA/pcFL1SC6mgs/s320/Steve_Kemp.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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Kemp was made the #1 pick in the 1976 amateur draft by the Detroit Tigers, he played just one season in the minor leagues. Starting the 1977 season in the majors, he was immediately installed as the Tigers' starting left fielder. His best season was with the Tigers in 1979 when he hit .318 with 26 home runs and 105 RBI. He was selected for the American League All-Star team during the 1979 season. Kemp hit .257 with 18 homers and 88 RBI's during his rookie season. He would play 5 total years in Detroit and hit 89 homers during that period with a .284 average. Detroit traded him to the White Sox after the 81 season in return for Chet Lemon, who became a fixture in their outfield during their glory days of the mid 80's. Kemp singed with the Yankees as a free agent in 1983 and bombed terribly in the Bronx. He somewhat recovered by hitting .291 the following year (1984), but his power was completely gone. Shoulder injures over the following 3 seasons in Pittsburgh and Texas ended his career prematurely at the age of 33.</div>
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<br />ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-70948897066718780972011-11-02T20:29:00.000-07:002011-11-02T20:29:16.117-07:001977 Philadelphia Phillies<div style="text-align: justify;">
The 1977 Philadelphia Phillies season was the 95th season in the history of the franchise. The Phillies won their second if 3 consecutive National League East division title with a record of 101-61, five games over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Phillies lost the NLCS to the Los Angeles Dodgers, three games to 1. They dropped the NLCS to the Reds the previous season and would lose once again to the Dodgers in 1978. With all the success that they had during this era people began to wonder, "why can't they win it all ?" Personally I thought that the Phills had a great team, but the NL East was not as strong as the NL West, especially Cincy and LA. Both franchises produced team's for the ages during this era and Philly just happened to come up a little short every time. </div>
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Almost 3 million fans came through the turnstiles to see the Phightin's play. The team actually started slow and was barely over .500 as late as the end of June. After a 3-2 loss to the Cardinals on June 25th they were 8 1/2 games out and in 4th place. That's when the winning started. Some will point to the fact that they finally got their butts in gear. Others will say they were like sharks, who smelt the blood of the fading Cubs in the water. In my opinion the June 15th trade deadline acquisition of Bake McBride from the Cardinals made all the difference. Over the final half of the season as their regular rightfielder McBride hit .339 with 11 homers and 27 stolen bases, while playing great in the field. His acquisition was just the jump start the Phils needed. Starting with June 18, when McBride saw his first action appearing as a pinch hitter, the Phils beat the Braves in 12 innings 8-5.Their record over the final 101 games was 68-33. The Phils played at an amazing .673 clip once McBride joined the team. No doubt the fading Cubs had a lot to do with the turnaround as well. On Friday August 5th the Phils defeated the defending NL Champion Dodgers 8-3 to move into a tie for first place in the NL East. After completing a 3 game sweep of the Dodgers 2 days later they had sole possession of 1st place and never looked back. That sweep of LA gave them a lot of confidence. It was also part of a stretch where they won 13 in a row and and 21 out of 23. During that stretch the Phillies went from saving their season to a 7 1/2 game lead in the NL East.</div>
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Statwise the offense finished #1 in batting average and number 2 in homers. Mike Schmidt had 28 roundtrippers with 101 RBI's, while batting .274. His running mate, "the Bull", Greg Luzinski was even better (.309-39-130). How he finished 2nd in the MVP voting can be explained in three words: fifty two homers. That's the incredible amount that George Foster hit that season. Their awesome hitting overshadowed their great defensive play. Schmidt and Bowa were gold glovers in the infield and Garry Maddox was the best defensive centerfielder in the game. As the saying goes, "2/3 of the earth is covered by water and the other third is covered by Maddox". You don't get a nickname like "The secretary of defense" by accident. Maddox won 8 gold gloves in his 15 years in the big leagues. Veterans Tim McCarver and Davey Johnson (returning from Japan) hit in the .320's off the bench and in part time rolls. Tommy Hutton hit .309 as a clutch pinch hitter. Jerry Martin hit .260 as a part time outfielder, and we haven't even touched on gold glove catch Bob Boone who also hit .284. An embarrassment of riches for sure.</div>
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The pitching was much maligned, but that's only because it got compared to the hitting and fielding. Their team ERA (3.71) was good for 4th in a league of 12 teams, so the complaining should stop immediately. Steve Carlton's 23-10 season earned him is 2nd of 4 Cy Young Awards. "Lefty" had 17 complete games and tossed 283 innings, while striking out 198. Larry Chrstenson won 19 and Jim Lonborg, who was battling injuries, won 11 (lost only 4). Sure the rest of the rotation had elevated ERA's and they didn't go deep into games, but they didn't have to. Philly had the best bullpen in the league. Gene Garber (8-6, 2.35, 19 Sv) shared the closing duties with Ron Reed (7-5, 2.75, 15 SV) with Tug McGraw (7-3, 2.62, 9 sv) waiting in the wings to do his magic if needed. Factor in youngster Warren Brusstar (7-2, 2.65, 3 SV) and all you need to do is get 6 or 7 innings out of your starters and you are home free.</div>
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Why didn't this team win it all ? If you fast forward to 1980 when they did win it all their core of veteran players to a man said that they were missing that one key ingredient, "grit". When they signed Pete Rose in 1979 they got that "Grit", which turned a perennial top contender into a World Champion.</div>
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To complete the 1977 Topps set for the Phightin's I needed to create 15 cards and locate one O Pee Chee card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oikhwz3eiDw/TrBmVZV8MRI/AAAAAAAAAtU/g93bYeAkq1c/s1600/Bake_McBride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oikhwz3eiDw/TrBmVZV8MRI/AAAAAAAAAtU/g93bYeAkq1c/s320/Bake_McBride.jpg" width="222" /></a>As I stated before I believe that the trade deadline acquisition of McBride sparked the team and filled a big void. The numbers bare this out. McBride, who won the 1974 Rookie of the Year award by hitting .309 for the cardinals was a 4 tool player. In his peak season he only hit 15 homers, but he hit bullet line drives and played a great right field. He would hit .299 in an 11 year career that ended way too soon. McBride hit .291 in his final season and turned down free agent offers to retire. Most greedy players of today would have taken the money and ran. McBride lost interest and decided to move on. He hit over .300 in 7 of his 11 seasons. He was an All-Star in 1976. If I put together an "all underrated team" I would vote him on in a second. The photo used here came from a Cub fans's Flickr page. I thought it would be cool to create a card using this unique action shot of McBride sliding into third with Steve Ontiveros waiting for the ball to arrive.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DrbjZuhwumg/TrBmSvxAdfI/AAAAAAAAAro/e4n5cktj9rE/s1600/Bake_McBride_PHI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DrbjZuhwumg/TrBmSvxAdfI/AAAAAAAAAro/e4n5cktj9rE/s320/Bake_McBride_PHI.jpg" width="222" /></a>A more traditional shot of McBride where you can see his face in a staged action shot. I leave it up to the Phillies manager to choose which card view he likes best.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KOXy9sQ51AQ/TrBmTNiipxI/AAAAAAAAAr0/DDsFTNtXlHU/s1600/Barry_Foote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KOXy9sQ51AQ/TrBmTNiipxI/AAAAAAAAAr0/DDsFTNtXlHU/s320/Barry_Foote.jpg" width="221" /></a>After losing his starting catcher's role to Gary Carter the Expos couldn't wait to ship Foote out of town. He arrived in Philly and immediately claimed the role of 3rd string catcher. With All-Star Bob Boone and former All-Star Tim McCarver playing in front of him Foote would only get in 18 games and hit .219 win 32 AB's. He would only get into 39 games and hit .159 the following season, which earned him a 1 way ticket to Wrigley and a starting spot for the Cubs. Foote would finish his career up in Pinstripes where he was Rick Cerone's backup in 1981 and again in 1982. I found this autographed photo on Google.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TYgssgeufB4/TrBmTCLFzFI/AAAAAAAAArw/g0vDKtQ2NWU/s1600/Dan_Warthen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TYgssgeufB4/TrBmTCLFzFI/AAAAAAAAArw/g0vDKtQ2NWU/s320/Dan_Warthen.jpg" width="221" /></a>Warthen burst on the scene as a 22 year old lefty with electric stuff in 1975 for the Montreal Expos. He went 8-6 with a 3.11 ERA splitting time between the pen and the rotation. He struck out 167 batter in 128 innings. Things looked oh, so promising, but those promises never were fulfilled. He suffered through the sophomore jink in 1976 going 2-10 with a 5.30 ERA on an Expo team that lost 107 games. He started the '77 season going 2-3 (7.97) before the Expos send him and Foote packing to Philly, where he would pitch in just 3 2/3 innings. He got into 5 games the following season in Houston and just like that he was gone. To his credit he didn't quit. He wound up in the Pirate chain in 1979 and 1980 and pitched at Portland (AAA). He was demoted to Buffalo (AA) and then in 1982 down to Alexandria (A), where he worked as a player coach. Coaching would be his true calling. Today he is in his 4th season as the Mets pitching coaching.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CENcEkKs9vc/TrBmTX_eLuI/AAAAAAAAAsA/b6qHgZsjJgI/s1600/Dane_Iorg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CENcEkKs9vc/TrBmTX_eLuI/AAAAAAAAAsA/b6qHgZsjJgI/s320/Dane_Iorg.jpg" width="222" /></a>How valuable could a 27 year old rookie who hit .167 in 12 games be to a franchise ? Very valuable if you were one of the players bundled in a trade that brought Bake McBride to the franchise. Iorg was one of those late bloomers who actually got better each year as he moved up the ladder in the minors. He hit his stride by batting .326 in Oklahoma City (AAA) in 1976 and .371 in Springfield in 1978. When he got to St. Louis he cobbled together a 10 year career as a .276 hitting utility man. He was the Cardinals DH in the 1982 World Series vs the Brewers. He won his second ring in 1985 against the Cardinals while playing for the KC Royals. He owns a .522 career post season batting average (12 for 25) and hit .529 in the '82 series.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5BYmPH1fYUQ/TrBmTReTGsI/AAAAAAAAAsE/Lnq0Prg4mQo/s1600/Davey_Johnson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5BYmPH1fYUQ/TrBmTReTGsI/AAAAAAAAAsE/Lnq0Prg4mQo/s320/Davey_Johnson.jpg" width="222" /></a>During Johnson's first 8 years in baseball he was a gold glove / All-Star second baseman for an Orioles team that won 4 pennants and 2 World Championships. After a dismal '72 season where he hit just .221 the Orioles gave his starting job to Bobby Grich and traded him to Atlanta where he responded by hitting 43 homers to tie a record for second baseman. In fact he, Darrell Evans and the immortal Hank Aaron were the first set of teammates to eclipse the 40 homer mark in the same season. The following season his batting average dropped 19 points and he hit 28 less homers. He was eventually cut and wound up spending 2 years playing in Japan before returning to major league baseball as a part time utility guy for the Phillies. Johnson hit .321 in 156 AB's off the bench for the Phills. In 1978 he would drop to .191 and get traded to the Cubs midway through the season where he hit .306 and decided to call it a career while finishing on a high note. His managerial exploits are legendary. His strong willed personality has led to him resigning from many jobs where he couldn't get along with clueless owners. At the age of 69 he will return to the bench as the Washington Nationals manager for the 2012 season. In 1986 he guided the Mets to 108 wins and a world title. His career .561 winning percentage as a manager ranks right up there with the all time greats. The photo I used here came from a Phillies' fan site. It definitely looks like a home photo with the umpire in a regular jacket in the background.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NZpH5s1XJ70/TrBmTmYwNqI/AAAAAAAAAsc/gJGCZqn476Q/s1600/Fred_Andrews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NZpH5s1XJ70/TrBmTmYwNqI/AAAAAAAAAsc/gJGCZqn476Q/s320/Fred_Andrews.jpg" width="222" /></a>Andrews played parts of 2 seasons (1976 and 1977) for the Phillies as a fill in at second base. In 4 games he hit .667 (4 for 6) during the '76 season and in 12 games he hit .174 (4 for 23) during the '77 season. He had some good numbers in the minors. After being dealt to the Mets he hit .273 with 12 homers at Tidewater (AAA), but was cut anyway. That marked the end of a career that started in 1970 in the rookie instructional league. The photo here came from his Venezuelan Winter League card. I copied and pasted a Phillie cap to replace the cap he was wearing, which was blue. Those mutton chops and those dark aviator glasses makes him look like one cool dude. Maybe not in Clyde Frazier's category, but definitely cool.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S6vohw0SNS8/TrBmTg_rsCI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/GvUgq_umcbc/s1600/Jim_Morrison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S6vohw0SNS8/TrBmTg_rsCI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/GvUgq_umcbc/s320/Jim_Morrison.jpg" width="222" /></a>If you said I was going to make and cheap "Doors" jokes at Morrison's expense, guess again. I'll leave those to Chris Berman, because it would be too easy to call him the "Leather King" or something like that. Seriously, Morrison really did give his leather a lot of action. In a 12 year career that featured stops in 5 different cities he played every position except catcher (he even pitched). In 1977 he saw 5 games worth of action at third base and hit .429 (3 for 7). In 1978 hit a blistering .157 in 108 at bats. He would move over to the Chisox and forge a career as a sometime starter sometime utility guy. At the age of 33 he hit 23 homers and batted .275 for the Pirates. His .260 career average and flexibility in the field made him a valuable commodity.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8yIOOPNy-vo/TrBmT1l-fUI/AAAAAAAAAsg/s9_IOZylWUo/s1600/John_Vukovich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8yIOOPNy-vo/TrBmT1l-fUI/AAAAAAAAAsg/s9_IOZylWUo/s320/John_Vukovich.jpg" width="222" /></a>How does a guy forge a 10 year career when he hit just .161 lifetime ? Answer: Have a super gold glove at third base and be an all around good teammate. Vuke actually batted 217 times in 1971 as the Phillies starting thirdbaseman yet hit only .166. That tells you just what type of glove he had. He started the '75 season as the Reds starting third baseman and was actually hitting over .200 for the first time in his career, but Sparky Anderson decided to move Pete Rose to 3rd and put George Foster in the outfield. That move spelled he end of his career in Cincy. He was traded back to the Phillies and spent most of the next 6 seasons in the minors or with the big club as a spot starter / defensive replacement. He got into just 2 games in '77 going 0 for 2. In 1980 he would work as a key defensive replacement on the Phillies first ever championship team. Upon retirement he became a fixture in the Phillie organization and died tragically of brain tumors in 2007 at the age of 59. I found this photo on a Phillies fan tribute site. "Vuke" was apparently a beloved figure in the Phillie organization. Fans mourned his sad passing in 2007. The team work a black patch saying "VUKE" on their jerseys for the rest of the season.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwKtYuOhAAzrsPUxndvkgUakBn8W_sevJozFs3vi9dPiXmOAdfCUfSlKzsaNjdjQf2tKeFmgHaqkuMxBvnVMKD9O4ZwxqUI_FvBeOmsOj31R6QSeMHugBCBwSm_EcPXsGfWZ6_6fma0U/s1600/Manny_Seoane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwKtYuOhAAzrsPUxndvkgUakBn8W_sevJozFs3vi9dPiXmOAdfCUfSlKzsaNjdjQf2tKeFmgHaqkuMxBvnVMKD9O4ZwxqUI_FvBeOmsOj31R6QSeMHugBCBwSm_EcPXsGfWZ6_6fma0U/s320/Manny_Seoane.jpg" width="221" /></a>Seoane's biography can be summed up in one sentence: He was a bad pitcher and an even worse criminal. In parts of two seasons in the majors he was 1-0 with a 5.65 ERA over 9 games. In one criminal action he was caught along with his former teammate Mark Lemongello trying to kidnap and extort money from one of Lemongello's relatives. His 6 innings of pitching for the Phightins during the '77 season resulted in no decisions and a 6.00 ERA. I took this photo from a minor league card and changed the hat color and the collar collar to match the Phillies team colors. I pasted a "P" on the jersey, so it could resemble the Phillie logo.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuO1d0Wx6vQ/TrBmUO_93CI/AAAAAAAAAso/UOpd3z-C6M0/s1600/Mike_Buskey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuO1d0Wx6vQ/TrBmUO_93CI/AAAAAAAAAso/UOpd3z-C6M0/s320/Mike_Buskey.jpg" width="223" /></a>Buskey slowly but surely made his way up through the minors hitting in the .240's. This leads me to believe he was a smooth fielding shortstop. The Phils called him up for a cup of coffee and he responded by hitting .286 (2 for 7) in 6 games. He was sent back down to the minors and when his average dropped below .200 he was given his release. I was lucky enough to find one black and white spring training photo of him. I colorized it and added a Phillie cap and added a blue tinge to his jersey to reflect the color of Philadelphia's road uniform during the era. I pasted the "P" logo on the upper left side of the jersey.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tee0HF9PMhY/TrBmUlH4J2I/AAAAAAAAAs8/hpWGYrSrxvk/s1600/Randy_Lerch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tee0HF9PMhY/TrBmUlH4J2I/AAAAAAAAAs8/hpWGYrSrxvk/s320/Randy_Lerch.jpg" width="221" /></a>Lerch was one of those lefties who stuck around for a long time despite not have really good stuff. His 3rd trip to the majors in 1977 was the one that ensured he would stick. He moved into the rotation as a 22 year old rookie and went 10-6 with a 5.07 ERA. He would remain in the rotation for the next 4 years despite less than stellar numbers. He earned a ring with the 1980 Phills despite going 4-14 (5.16) in 22 starts. H bounced over to the Brewers in '81 and was on a pennant winner in '82. Stops in Montreal, San Fran and final go-round in Philly in 1986 marked the end of a mediocre 11 year career (60-65, 4.53). On September 30, 1978, Lerch achieved a rare bit of notoriety for a
pitcher by hitting two home runs in a 10-8 win that clinched the
National League East Division championship for the Phillies. The photo used here came from a Google search and was taken at Wrigley.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6ziuMtIR2s/TrBmUvAlQjI/AAAAAAAAAs4/rYNvqIfvPbQ/s1600/Richie_Hebner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6ziuMtIR2s/TrBmUvAlQjI/AAAAAAAAAs4/rYNvqIfvPbQ/s320/Richie_Hebner.jpg" width="224" /></a>Hebner's another one of those guys who you never thought much of then you look at his career numbers and career length and you think, "he was really good, wasn't he?" Over 18 seasons he hit .276 with 203 homers. Not too shabby at all. Hebner had the good fortune of arriving in Pittsburgh just in time for the Pirates to become the dominating team in the NL East. From 1969-1976 he hit .277 and hit 121 homers as the Bucs won 1 World Championship and 5 division titles. Due to his erratic arm the Pirates were constantly looking for an upgrade at third base. This led to him signing as a free agent with the Phillies at the conclusion of the 1976 season. In 118 games during the '77 season Hebner hit .285 with 18 homers while playing mostly first base. In '78 he had virtually identical numbers, yet the Phillies traded him to the Mets in order to get much needed pitching help (Nino Espinosa). The card you are seeing here is his 1977 O Pee Chee card. Apparently the lazy folks at Topps created his card with him still on the Pirates, even though he was clearly a free agent. O Pee Chee did an ok airbrush job on his warm up jacket and cap.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5Yolld13qs/TrBmU0ojZZI/AAAAAAAAAtM/neYHNFxwtNo/s1600/Ted_Sizemore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5Yolld13qs/TrBmU0ojZZI/AAAAAAAAAtM/neYHNFxwtNo/s320/Ted_Sizemore.jpg" width="221" /></a>Sizemore grounded into a league-leading 25 double plays in 1977 which tied the Phillies single season record set by Del Ennis in 1950. He was also the Phillies starting second baseman after arriving in an off season trade that sent backup catcher Johnny Oates to the Dodgers. Sizemore hit .281 in 152 games and formed a nice DP combo with Larry Bowa. The following season he saw a reduced role due to his average dipping to .219. He played the final 2 seasons with the Cubs and Red Sox. In 1969 he was the NL Rookie of the Year with the Dodgers and was traded to the Cardinals for the enigmatic Richie Allen straight up. I used his 1978 Topps photo for this updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hoSqyF5jF38/TrBmVOtFmZI/AAAAAAAAAtI/xm0gVSdjipE/s1600/Tim_Blackwell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hoSqyF5jF38/TrBmVOtFmZI/AAAAAAAAAtI/xm0gVSdjipE/s320/Tim_Blackwell.jpg" width="222" /></a>Blackwell was a well traveled backup catcher who appeared in just 1 game and scored 1 run with out any official at bats for the Phillies in 1977. He started off in Boston as Carlton Fisk's backup and after hitting .197 in 1975 was sold to the Phillies. In 4 games during the '76 season he hit .250 (2 for 8) for the Phills. After being traded to the Expos in '77 he hit .091. When he got to the Cubs he put together 4 up and down seasons as a platoon catcher. His high water mark was 1980 where he hit .272 with 5 homers and 30 RBI's in 103 games. I took his 1976 SSPC card photo and airbrushed his Red Sox cap into a Phillies cap. It's pretty obvious that the cap brim was colorized from dark blue to a burgundy red, but I figured that we didn't need perfection for a guy who saw action in just 1 game.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mab_jPsl00I/TrBmSi96-NI/AAAAAAAAArk/r8FIACFOsw4/s1600/Warren_Brusstar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mab_jPsl00I/TrBmSi96-NI/AAAAAAAAArk/r8FIACFOsw4/s320/Warren_Brusstar.jpg" width="221" /></a>On May 6, 1977, at the age of 25, Brusstar made his major league debut with the Phillies when he was called up to replace Tug McGraw on the team's roster after McGraw suffered an elbow injury. He would never start a game in his career, because he was used primarily as a middle reliever. Only 3 times did he ever appear in over 50 games in a season, because Brusstar, a sinker-slider pitcher, was constantly hampered by shoulder problems. Brusstar would go an impressive 7-2 (2.65) in 46 games out of the pen for the Phillies. In '78 he would go 6-3 (2.33) in 58 games. Thing looked good for him and a long and successful career in South Philly was being predicted until arm trouble began to limit his time and effectiveness. He stuck around long enough to earn a ring on the 1980 team where he got into 26 games and post a 2-2 (3.72) record. In his 340 major league appearances he never once started a game. I found this out of focus autographed photo on ebay.</div>
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<br /></div>ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-58881466878710323002011-11-01T08:45:00.000-07:002011-11-01T08:45:58.741-07:001977 Minnesota Twins<br />
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By 1977 the glory days of the mid 60's and early 70's for the Twin franchise now resembled mediocre baseball at it's best. A string of 3rd and 4th place finishes ran from 1972-1980. With Gene Mauch at the helm you could count on everyone being as tight as a snare drum. At 84-77, the Twins finished a half game worse than they did the previous season and 17 1/2 games behind KC. As late as the August 15th, Mauch had his troops maintaining sole possession of 1st place in the NL West. The team hovered close to the top, but began losing a string of games where their offense couldn't hit their way out of the holes that their pitching staff put them in. They would go 16-26 down the stretch, while the Royals zoomed past them to a 101 win season. Back 9 games on September 9th the Twins dropped 3 straight to KC to put the kibosh on their season. On top of the pennant race, which lasted 4 1/2 months was Rod Carew's quest for .400. Minnesota's future HOF'er eventually finished the season at .388, but for most of the summer he was at or above .400, which brought national attention to the sometimes forgotten franchise. The Twin bats as a whole were alive. They led the AL in average (.282), but finished near the bottom in homers. Carew (100) and leftfielder Larry Hisle (119) both eclipsed the century mark in RBI's. In a normal year, Lyman Bostock's .338 and 90 RBI's would have been a huge attention grabber, but with Carew flirting with .400 Bostock went virtually un-noticed. Glenn Adams hit .338 coming off the bench in a utility role and Craig Kusic and Rich Chiles split the DH duty and combined for 15 homers and a .260 average.</div>
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What went wrong ? You don't have to be a SABR-mathematician to figure it out. Other than Dave Goltz (20-11, 3.36) the Twins did not have a reliable starter to go to. Paul Thormodsgard (11-15, 4.62), Geoff Zahn (12-14, 4.68) and Pete Redfern (6-9, 5.18) put the offense's back up against the wall night in and night out. The pen reflected the rotation with close Tom Johnson (16-7, 3.13, 15 Sv) as the only reliable guy that Mauch could call on late in games. Johnson, despite his great win/loss numbers, did blow his share of saves, which accounted for the wins thanks to the comeback-ability of their run producers. Despite their status as contenders well up until mid August the Twins had troubles at the turnstiles finishing 11th in the league at attracting fans. Metropolitan Stadium was definitely showing it's age.</div>
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To complete this set of 1977 Topps Cards 18 new cards needed to be created. This was by far the easiest set for me to create, since I didn't have to create them. Sole credit goes to our friend <b>Jim from <a href="http://www.twinscards.com/">www.Twinscards.com</a></b>. Jim sent me the missing cards and all I needed to do was crop them down to the standard size that we use and update 1 or 2 of the fonts for the player names. I thank him for being so gracious in allowing us to use his great creations as part of our updated 1977 Topps Cards pack.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqi9gckFmMoI9noPslzDNHRuqdN_Z3f_7bcGjChN74FkPazTqnkCKJtBEXrORUjyKtQK5fRd_3IqynB_Z8kIL9gxcC_YZKH6B1WA6Jhq2aMwRLkoErD8aI3Y2M9eQRmygASRQIDM8RNkI/s1600/Rich_Chiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqi9gckFmMoI9noPslzDNHRuqdN_Z3f_7bcGjChN74FkPazTqnkCKJtBEXrORUjyKtQK5fRd_3IqynB_Z8kIL9gxcC_YZKH6B1WA6Jhq2aMwRLkoErD8aI3Y2M9eQRmygASRQIDM8RNkI/s320/Rich_Chiles.jpg" width="225" /></a>Chiles was a rule 5 draft pick from the Houston organization during the '76 off season. After bouncing around the minors for the better part of the decade the Twins were able to catch lighting in a bottle over the course of the next 2 seasons. In '77 he hit .264 as a part time DH/4th outfielder. In '78 he bettered that mark with a .268 average. For his troubles he was dealt to Cleveland where he was farmed out and never again returned to the majors. Interesting tidbits about Chiles that I found while searching the web: He is the cousin of HOF'er George Kelly and he was Dustin Pedroia's first batting coach (Pedroia was a 7 year old little leaguer at the time).</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9F2lTPWgI5U/Tq9-dDpZmLI/AAAAAAAAAos/rzTFELrHCLc/s1600/Bob_Gorinski.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9F2lTPWgI5U/Tq9-dDpZmLI/AAAAAAAAAos/rzTFELrHCLc/s320/Bob_Gorinski.jpg" width="227" /></a>Gorinski was the Twins #1 draft pick in 1970. It took him 7 years to get to the big leagues and based on his stats (.195-3-22) in 54 games, he blew his chance big time. He would return to the minors in '78 and hit in the .230's. The Mets took a flyer on him in '79 and he was so bad he couldn't even make their 95+ loss team. After a season in Tidewater he was released by the Mets and his baseball career was caput.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhrWSWata7k/Tq9-dCUbyDI/AAAAAAAAApc/pk-ZAPMpvqo/s1600/Jeff_Holly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhrWSWata7k/Tq9-dCUbyDI/AAAAAAAAApc/pk-ZAPMpvqo/s320/Jeff_Holly.jpg" width="229" /></a>24 year old rookie reliever Jeff Holly got off to a rocky start in his major league career by going 2-3 with a 6.89 ERA in 18 games for the Twins during the '77 season. Things looked better for him in '78 as his ERA dropped to 3.57 in 15 games, but when it ballooned up to 7.11 in 1979 the Twins were done with him. In December of 1979 he was dealt to the Tigers for Fernando Arroyo, but never made the Tigers major league roster. Detroit cut him outright and no other team picked him up despite the fact that he had a solid 1979 season at Toledo (4-3, 2.88). </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C0_xonmN9hU/Tq9-dAloDyI/AAAAAAAAAo4/WNq3jlBctMc/s1600/Dave_Johnson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C0_xonmN9hU/Tq9-dAloDyI/AAAAAAAAAo4/WNq3jlBctMc/s320/Dave_Johnson.jpg" width="229" /></a>Poor Dave Johnson. He got his start in the Baltimore chain and must have been referred to as "the other Dave Johnson", since the O's had an All-Star secondbaseman with the same name. Johnson rose very slowly through Baltimore's farm system and seemed to stall at Triple A Rochester, where he spent 4 seasons. Baltimore had some of the best arms on the planet with the parent club, which made them a pennant contender year in and year out. It also served to discourage their young draftees down on the farm. Johnson got into 11 games and went 2-2 (2.93) in 1974, but found himself back on the farm. His cup of coffee in '75 was not good at all. Expansion in 1977 rescued him from the Orioles quagmire. After the first year Mariners selected him from the O's they sold his contract to the Twins. In 30 games during the '77 season Johnson worked mainly (24 games) out of the pen. His 2-5 (4.58) record in 72 2/3 innings was sub par. The Twins gave him another shot in '78, but he failed miserably (0-2, 7.50). His return to the minors must have been very discouraging. After sporting a 9.00 ERA in 4 games the Twins released him.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oG_RZ8c2C0g/Tq9-dYKBErI/AAAAAAAAAo8/dUhNoLQWWF4/s1600/Willie_Norwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oG_RZ8c2C0g/Tq9-dYKBErI/AAAAAAAAAo8/dUhNoLQWWF4/s320/Willie_Norwood.jpg" width="225" /></a>Norwood was hitting over .400 at Triple A Tacoma when the Twins called him up during the middle of the '77 season. His success in the minors did not translate to the majors. In 39 games and 83 at bats he hit .229 with 3 homers and just 6 stolen bases. Norwood could play all 3 outfield spots and had great basestealing ability. Unfortunately during his major league career he was unable to steal 1st base. Based off of his minor league numbers he was given a starting spot in the oufield in 1978. He stole 25 bases, but hit just .255. 1979 saw his playing time dwindle and his average dropped to .248 and his stolen bases dropped to 9. His final shot with the Twins was in 1980 where he hit just .165 in 34 games. A return trip to the Triple A saw him hit just .275, which earned him his unconditional release at the end of the season.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f1CkVbGSkpU/Tq9-d1MK_XI/AAAAAAAAApM/jsOFDJMDONI/s1600/Sam_Perlozzo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f1CkVbGSkpU/Tq9-d1MK_XI/AAAAAAAAApM/jsOFDJMDONI/s320/Sam_Perlozzo.jpg" width="225" /></a>Legend has it that going into the last game of the 1977 season Perlozzo's teammate, Rod Carew, had 99 RBIs. Perlozzo started the game at shortstop in place of Roy Smalley, and just as Perlozzo was about to bat for the first time in the game, manager Gene Mauch grabbed him by the arm and said, "I want you to go up there and hit a triple, right now, this at-bat. You hit a triple, understand?" Perlozzo did hit a triple, and Carew hit a single to gain his 100th RBI of the season. Perlozzo made the most of his limited time with the Twins by going 7 for 24 (.292) during his brief stint in the majors during the '77 season. 1978 saw a return to the minors. His .244 average earned him a release. He wound up with the Padres and hit .301 for their Triple A affiliate Hawaii, which earned him a brief call up. After the Padres cut him he became a player coach for the Mets Tidewater AAA affiliate. He spent many years as a coach in the Mets organization before getting his big break to manage the Orioles.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nTx7paE37IU/Tq9-dsF7ZnI/AAAAAAAAApI/sVhKwbllhl4/s1600/Ron_Schueler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nTx7paE37IU/Tq9-dsF7ZnI/AAAAAAAAApI/sVhKwbllhl4/s320/Ron_Schueler.jpg" width="229" /></a>Just days before the 1977 season began, the Minnesota Twins purchased Schueler from the Phillies. With the Twins, he pitched as a reliever and spot starter, as he did in Philadelphia. Schueler's stay with the Twins lasted only one season, as he became a free agent after the 1977 season. Schueler went 8-7 (4.41) in 52 games in Bloomington. He logged 134 2/3 innnigs in 45 relief appearances and 7 spot starts. In 1978 he signed as a free agent with the White Sox and spent the next two seasons there before leaving baseball as an active player. He has spent the last 30 years as a coach, GM, special advisor and scout for a host of major league franchises. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pTW9SEtxXwk/Tq9-ebmdnFI/AAAAAAAAAp8/MSOyDLCZPzM/s1600/Larry_Wolfe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pTW9SEtxXwk/Tq9-ebmdnFI/AAAAAAAAAp8/MSOyDLCZPzM/s320/Larry_Wolfe.jpg" width="227" /></a>From 1973 to 1977 he played in the minor leagues on Twins affiliate teams, making his debut with the Twins in September 1977. After spending the full 1978 season with the Minnesota Twins, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Dave Coleman. He spent the 1979 and 1980 seasons with the Boston Red Sox. In 1981, Wolfe returned to the minor leagues and played for the Indianapolis Indians, then an affiliate for the Cincinnati Reds. In 1982, Wolfe played in Japan for the Kintetsu Buffaloes. Wolfe played in 8 games as a utility infielder during the '77 season and hit .240 (6-25) with no homers and 6 RBI's.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R1Aumdv7XMM/Tq9-eMzPItI/AAAAAAAAApY/r7Ipdb6ZMXc/s1600/Gary_Serum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R1Aumdv7XMM/Tq9-eMzPItI/AAAAAAAAApY/r7Ipdb6ZMXc/s320/Gary_Serum.jpg" width="229" /></a>20 year old Gary Serum was rushed to the majors to help the Twins solve their pitching woes. He contributed 22 2/3 innings out of the pen and posted an 4.37 ERA. The following season he pitched in 184 innings and posted a 9-9 record as a full time member of the starting rotation. His 4.10 ERA was about around the league average. The following season (1979) he bottomed out going 1-3 (6.61). He would spend the next 5 seasons shuttling back and forth between AAA and AA ball for the Twins and Yankee organizatioins. After going 6-1 (5.14) for the Columbus Clippers in 1982 he was let go by the Yankees and his career was over at the age of 25.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dKylfkvSmog/Tq9-eqCUKoI/AAAAAAAAApk/XgmXDvfD5U0/s1600/Jim_Shellenback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dKylfkvSmog/Tq9-eqCUKoI/AAAAAAAAApk/XgmXDvfD5U0/s320/Jim_Shellenback.jpg" width="229" /></a>Shellenback has been a longtime coach in the Minnesota Twins' minor league system, and served on their Major League staff in 1983. He has been the pitching coach of the Rookie-level Elizabethton Twins of the Appalachian League for 17 consecutive seasons, since 1994. Known more for his coaching than his playing, Shellenback was given one final chance during the '77 season to resurect his career. In 5 games with the Twins he did not have a decision and his ERA was 7.94. Prior to 1977 his last major league appearance was in 1974 with the Rangers in a career that started in Pittsburgh way back in 1966. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7mODqQgdhWo/Tq9-ei4gTJI/AAAAAAAAApo/3Fauywg6GwI/s1600/Paul_Thormodsgard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7mODqQgdhWo/Tq9-ei4gTJI/AAAAAAAAApo/3Fauywg6GwI/s320/Paul_Thormodsgard.jpg" width="229" /></a>Thormodsgard played three seasons in the majors, all of them as a member of the Minnesota Twins from 1977 to 1979. In 50 career games, Thormodsgard had a 12-21 record with an ERA of 4.74. He allowed 4 home runs, 33 runs, and had 118 strikeouts. In 1977, Thormodsgard started 37 games while posting a 11-15 record and striking out 94 batters. In Thormodsgard's final season in 1979, he pitched one inning in one game in relief, allowing one run and getting a no decision.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q3h_TydF5Zk/Tq9-fXSmhKI/AAAAAAAAAqo/6AZSx66kPZQ/s1600/Rob_Wilfong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q3h_TydF5Zk/Tq9-fXSmhKI/AAAAAAAAAqo/6AZSx66kPZQ/s320/Rob_Wilfong.jpg" width="225" /></a>23 year old rookie Rob Wilfong played in 73 games for the Twins during the '77 season and hit .246 in 193 plate appearances. In 5 1/2 seasons playing in the Twin Cities he would hit .262 and play a rock solid second base. His peak year was 1979, where he hit .313 and led the league with 25 sac hits. Midway through the '82 season he was traded to the Angels and help lead them to the AL West crown. In exchange the Twins acquired future star Tom Brunansky. In total he would spend 11 seasons in the big leagues.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_wAKJQ1ny8/Tq9-fABhanI/AAAAAAAAAp4/3QhHDw70M0o/s1600/Geoff_Zahn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_wAKJQ1ny8/Tq9-fABhanI/AAAAAAAAAp4/3QhHDw70M0o/s320/Geoff_Zahn.jpg" width="229" /></a>Geoff won 10 or more games for 6 consecutive seasons (1977–1982) with the Twins and Angels, totaling 81 wins over that span. After being released by the Cubs after the '76 season he signed with the Twins and spent the next 4 seasons in Minnesota. His 12-14 (4.68) was not outstanding, but certainly more than what could have been expected from a guy who bounced around baseball since 1966. Like most soft tossing lefties, it took Zahn time to figure it all out. He started to really figure it out at the age of 31 during his first season in Minnesota.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-STSHOnE4k5o/Tq9-fXvef2I/AAAAAAAAAqM/q-ipwrU8RgE/s1600/Randy_Bass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-STSHOnE4k5o/Tq9-fXvef2I/AAAAAAAAAqM/q-ipwrU8RgE/s320/Randy_Bass.jpg" width="230" /></a>Bass came up with the Minnesota Twins as a first baseman in 1977. In his six seasons in the Major Leagues (divided among five teams), he was never a day-to-day player, usually coming off the bench just to pinch hit. After his contract expired following the 1982 season, Bass signed with the Hanshin Tigers of the Central League, who made him their starting first-baseman. Bass is often credited as single-handedly turning the fortune of the Tigers which resulted in the team's run and eventual victory of the Japan Series in 1985. Bass took advantage of the differences between Japanese and American styles of pitching, and immediately became the Tigers' star slugger. He won four consecutive league batting titles; in 1986, he nearly became the first player in Japan to bat .400, finishing the season with a .389 average, a record that still stands, despite Ichiro Suzuki's formidable challenges to it in 1994 and 2000. Bass won consecutive batting Triple Crowns (1985 and 1986), a feat no player has accomplished in the U.S. Major Leagues since the 1960s. In 1985, he was on a pace to break Sadaharu Oh's record of 55 home runs in a single season, but fell short by one, because in the last game of the season the pitcher from Oh's Yomiuri Giants threw only intentional walks (allegedly to prevent the Westerner from breaking Oh's record).</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Azh0uensm0o/Tq9-fpgmMxI/AAAAAAAAAqI/oRXER6oZHeI/s1600/Bud_Bulling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Azh0uensm0o/Tq9-fpgmMxI/AAAAAAAAAqI/oRXER6oZHeI/s320/Bud_Bulling.jpg" width="227" /></a>Bulling's biggest claim to fame during his short 4 year major league career came in 1982 when he caught Gaylord Perry's 300th win. Other than that you're looking at a catch and throw catcher who wasn't much of a threat at the plate. In 1977 he got into 15 games and hit .156 for the Twins. He would spend the next 3 seasons in the minors before resurfacing in Seattle and hitting .247 in 62 games worth of action. The following season he dropped to .221 iin 56 games and by 1983 he was on his way out.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0AOBVSUgQlg/Tq9-f7plmOI/AAAAAAAAAqY/cPuPNGrjJxQ/s1600/Glenn_Adams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0AOBVSUgQlg/Tq9-f7plmOI/AAAAAAAAAqY/cPuPNGrjJxQ/s320/Glenn_Adams.jpg" width="231" /></a>Adams was the first round pick in the 1968 amateur draft of the Houston Astros (fourth pick overall). During his career, Adams appeared in 373 games as a designated hitter, and 145 games as an outfielder. Adams finished his Major League career a .280 hitter, with 34 home runs. After 2 cups of coffee with the Giants in '75 and '76 Adams moved over to the Twins and made the most of his golden opportunity by hit a robust .338 as a part time player (269 at bats). He spent the next 5 seasons reprising his role as 4th outfielder / DH for the Twins before signing as free agent with the Blue Jays for his final major league season. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--P0yCGgF2SQ/Tq9-fw7NXKI/AAAAAAAAAqU/ePgnHt8I6Ng/s1600/Bill_Butler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--P0yCGgF2SQ/Tq9-fw7NXKI/AAAAAAAAAqU/ePgnHt8I6Ng/s320/Bill_Butler.jpg" width="229" /></a>Butler was an "original" KC Royal and pitched rather well for the expansion team (9-10, 3.90) as a 22 year old rookie. The sky was the limit for him, but he was never able to attain any type of sustained success. Various trips between Triple A and the majors occurred during the next 7 seasons. At the age of 30 he was given his final shot at the biggs with the Twins and posted an awful 0-1 (6.86) record in 6 games (21 innings).</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NvZtOdnDXPI/Tq9-gPXumhI/AAAAAAAAAqk/cJZneYGTFAo/s1600/Don_Carrithers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NvZtOdnDXPI/Tq9-gPXumhI/AAAAAAAAAqk/cJZneYGTFAo/s320/Don_Carrithers.jpg" width="229" /></a>Carrithers showed great promise during his 8 year major league career, but was a victim of constant injuries. After 4 injury plagued seasons in San Fran he was dealt to the Expos, where he showed flashes of brilliance, but was once again bitten by the injury bug. The Twins purchased his contract from Montreal just before the '77 season started. He got into just 7 games and his 0-1 (6.91) record was hampered once again by injury, which eventually ended his carrer at the age of 27.</div>
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<a href=""></a>ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-6804061402018850412011-10-30T20:29:00.000-07:002011-10-30T20:29:23.141-07:001977 Chicago CubsThose lovable Cubbies finished dead even with an 81-81 record and 20 games behind the Phils during the 1977 season, which guaranteed them sole possession of 4th place in the NL East. In 1977, the franchise experienced one of its biggest collapses ever. The Cubs hit a high-water mark on June 28 at 47-22 with an 8½-game lead in the National League East. As late as August 6th the Cubs were tied for the divisional lead, but they were now deeply in the midst of one of their classic late season swoons going 20-40 down the stretch, while the Phillies were heading in the opposite direction. This Cubs team only had 1 guy with 20 or more homers. Bobby Murcer, who was resurrected from the dead out in San Francisco rebounded with 27 round trippers and 89 RBI's. Nobody else had more than a dozen, which normally wouldn't bode well for a team that played in a hitter's ballpark like the "Friendly Confines" of Wrigley Field. For the first time since Beckert and Kessinger they actually had a keystone combo that could really pick it. Ivan DeJesus and Manny Trillo could really flash the leather. Billy Bucks could pick it at first. Steve Ontiveros hit well (.299), but he was no Bill Madlock, who was sent to the Giants for Murcer. Big Daddy, Rick Reuschel, emerged as the team's ace by winning 20 games and losing only 10. His 2.79 ERA at Wrigley was definitely impressive. The rest of the rotation gave up runs at an alarming clip, but with Bruce Sutter being virtually un-hittable (69 hits in 107 IP) the pen was rock solid. Get to the 7th and Sutter could pitch the final 3, which he did on more than 1 occasion. Setting up for Sutter would be a young Willie (not Guillermo yet) Hernandez who threw 110 innings in relief. Paul Reuschel, Rick's brother, chipped in 107 innings himself. Basically the formula was ride Reuschel every 4th day and get 6 ok innings from the rest and hand the ball to Sutter and company.<br />
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It took 18 new cards to finish off the 1977 Topps set for the Cubbies.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-99EQbtMqGuE/TqxwQvfxurI/AAAAAAAAAlo/jGr2jHc1JhQ/s1600/Bill_Buckner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-99EQbtMqGuE/TqxwQvfxurI/AAAAAAAAAlo/jGr2jHc1JhQ/s320/Bill_Buckner.jpg" width="223" /></a>Professional sports can be so cruel. How else can you explain the fact that a man who collected 2,715 hits during a 22 year career winds up being remembered for one bad play in a World Series. Well that's the way the legend of Bill Buckner is going to be written. That slow roller down the first base line in game 6 of the 1986 World Series has become his defining moment in baseball. I choose to remember Buckner as a guy who hustled his butt off and hit scorching line drive into right center 3 out of 10 times that he strolled to the plate. Seven times during his illustrious career Buckner eclipsed the .300 plateau in a season. 1977 was his first year in Chicago. It was also the first time he reached double digits in homers. He hit .284 in 457 plate appearances and for the next 7 seasons would become a fixture at first base in the Northside of Chicago. The picture from this card came from the obscure 1978 SSPC set, which I believe was the final set issued by that company.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gY17jYLo2bI/TqxwQjfXq-I/AAAAAAAAAls/HAtbOY86Pxc/s1600/Bobby_Darwin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gY17jYLo2bI/TqxwQjfXq-I/AAAAAAAAAls/HAtbOY86Pxc/s320/Bobby_Darwin.jpg" width="222" /></a> Hard to believe Darwin made his debut for the LA Angels as a 19 year old in 1962. He got 1 AB that season then disappeared into the minors until he resurfaced 7 years later with the Dodgers. Once again he bounced back to the minors and came back 2 years later and hit .250 in 11 games at the advanced age of 28. Things looked very bleak until he was liberated in a change of scenery trade to the Twins. As Minnesota's starting left fielder for the next 3 years he would hit 22, 18 & 25 homers respectively, but he also had a huge hole in his swing. During those three season Darwin led the league in strikeouts. Midway through he '75 season the Twins grew tired of his lack of contact and his .219 batting average, so he was shipped out to Milwaukee. Then he was sent to Boston in '76, and on May 28, 1977 he wound up in Chicago as a broken down 34 year old veteran attempting to hand on to his major league career. Darwin got into 11 games and in 12 AB's hit just .167. The Cubs sent him to their Triple A affiliate in Wichita, where he hit .266 with 7 homers in 79 AB's. That stink in Wichita would be his swan song. Little known fact to most is that Darwin spent most of the 1960's as a pitcher in the minors before being converted into an every day ball player. This autographed photo was found while doing a Google search.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2qbxhPlEnDU/TqxwRMAcT2I/AAAAAAAAAnU/G30iu3tV32w/s1600/Bobby_Murcer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2qbxhPlEnDU/TqxwRMAcT2I/AAAAAAAAAnU/G30iu3tV32w/s320/Bobby_Murcer.jpg" width="222" /></a>By 1977 Bobby Murcer was a superstar in search of his power. Some said he lost it when he left Yankee Stadium, others just thought he was washed up. Murcer proved them all wrong by leading the Cubs with 27 homers and 89 RBI's. Sadly Murcer's revival in the "Second City" was short lived. In 1978 his homer total dropped to 9 in 146 games. Midway through the 1979 season he was sent back home to the Bronx where tragedy struck nearly 2 months later when his close friend Thurman Munson died in an airplane crash. Bobby would be entrusted with delivering the eulogy, then delivering a come from behind game winning hit that very day. Murcer, who was known mostly for his bat led the league in outfield assists many times and had the most in MLB during the decade of the 70's. He was a 5 time All-Star and a gold glove winner in 1972. This dugout shot was taken at Wrigley and used in the '78 SSPC set.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vuDthe2BMLk/TqxwQ-DKHtI/AAAAAAAAAl4/83qgWN-NXis/s1600/Dave_Giusti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vuDthe2BMLk/TqxwQ-DKHtI/AAAAAAAAAl4/83qgWN-NXis/s320/Dave_Giusti.jpg" width="222" /></a>On August 5, 1977 the Cubs purchased the contract of the 37 year old reliever from the Oakland A's. Giusti, known for his heavy sinking palm ball spent the first 7 years of his career languishing as a middle of the road starter. Then in 1970 he arrived in Pittsburgh as a 30 year old on his last legs, until Danny Murtaugh converted him into a reliever. Giusit didn't just become a reliever, for the next 6 years he was the premier reliever in the National League. His 30 saves in 1971 led the league and also paced the Bucs to their first World Championship in 11 seasons. By 1976 his key stats began to tell the tale of a star in decline. The Bucs shipped him to Oakland, where he started the '77 season and did fairly well. Since the A's were in a rebuilding mode he was expendable. After finishing 0-2 with a 6.04 ERA in 20 games for the Cubs in '77 he retired from baseball. I found this autographed photo via a Google search.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2GRJ4Xagyhs/TqxwRMWZ5yI/AAAAAAAAAl8/DlRAiQhq9yM/s1600/Dave_Roberts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2GRJ4Xagyhs/TqxwRMWZ5yI/AAAAAAAAAl8/DlRAiQhq9yM/s320/Dave_Roberts.jpg" width="222" /></a>The "other" Dave Roberts had some good years with the Padres and Astros in the early/mid 70's. By 1977 he was hanging on as a major leaguer. After starting the season in Detroit and going 4-10 (5.25) Roberts' contract was sold to the Cubs where he went 1-1 with a 3.23 ERA in 17 games, six as a starter. Roberts would bottom out the following season by going 6-8 with a 5.25 ERA in 35 games (20 starts) for the Cubs. He bounced over to the Giants, Pirates, Mariner and finally the Mets in 1981 where he posted a 0-3, 9.39 record to end his career. His lifetime 103-125 (3.78) record indicates that he didn't exactly get a lot of run support when he toed the rubber. Even during his best season (1971), he was unable to best the .500 mark. His 14-17 record with a 2.10 ERA helped place him 6th in the NL Cy Young Award voting. This photo came from the '78 SSPC set.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwNlt_S2RCQ/TqxwRWvRXjI/AAAAAAAAAmI/xkXxBohl2ow/s1600/Dennis_Lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwNlt_S2RCQ/TqxwRWvRXjI/AAAAAAAAAmI/xkXxBohl2ow/s320/Dennis_Lamp.jpg" width="222" /></a>The Cubs called up a 24 year old Dennis Lamp in hopes of stopping their free fall in the standings. Lamp was not up to helping out the varsity as evidenced by his 0-2, 6.30 record in 30 innings of work. The following 3 seasons he was a 200+ inning workhorse for the Cubs. He moved over to the crosstown White Sox in 1981 and spent 3 seasons there as a swingman. After 3 years in the South side Lamp moved over to Toronto and had himself a season for the ages in 1985. In 53 games (52 out of the pen) he posted an 11-0 record with a 3.32 ERA in 105 innings. The expansion Blue Jays also made the post season for the first time in franchise history. Lamp made the most season in '83 with the Chisox as well. He would then move on to Oakland for 1 season and Boston for 4 season before finishing up in 1992 at the age of 39 in Pittsburgh. His career mark would be an even 96-96 with a 3.93 ERA. This photo came from the '78 SSPC set.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sH0AVYNffuM/TqxwRcxEq5I/AAAAAAAAAmM/zCZPIAX6tpM/s1600/Donnie_Moore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sH0AVYNffuM/TqxwRcxEq5I/AAAAAAAAAmM/zCZPIAX6tpM/s320/Donnie_Moore.jpg" width="222" /></a>Never was there more a tragic figure than Donnie Moore. A man who while at the apex of his career gives up a series changing hit and never recovers both professionally and personally. With 1 out away from clinching the pennant for the Angels in 1986 Moore had a 2-2 count on Dave Henderson and gave up a 2 run gopher ball. The Angels never recovered and lost the final 2 games of the series. Moore's career began to spiral down due to injures and drugs. Eventually it led to him being cut by the Royals 3 years later. As a result of deep depression he shot his wife and then took his own life at the age of 35. It's a tragic story about a man who had struggled for so long and finally made it as an elite closer only to see it all come crashing down. In 1977 he was a 23 year old rookie for the Cubs. In 27 games he went 4-2 with a 4.07 ERA in 48 innings of relief. His 3 seasons in Chicago were nothing to write home about. His next two seasons in Milwaukee and St. Louis weren't good either. At the age of 28 in 1982 in Atlanta he began to "right" the ship. By the time he arrived in California for the '85 season he was a top notch reliever in the making. I chose this '78 SSPC photo because Moore was a smiling 23 year old when it was taken. No traces of the problems that would occur years later. Just a young guy happy to be in the biggs.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kaz4bQ6vals/TqxwRomZ0uI/AAAAAAAAAmY/usJgb91mWRc/s1600/Gene_Clines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kaz4bQ6vals/TqxwRomZ0uI/AAAAAAAAAmY/usJgb91mWRc/s320/Gene_Clines.jpg" width="222" /></a>Clines spent the better part of his 10 year major league career as a platoon player / 4th outfielder. He never appeared in more than 116 games in any given season. He had good speed and played great defense in all 3 outfield positions. His lack of power (5 homers in 2,328 AB's) kept him from being an everyday player. After arriving from Texas in an offseason trade Clines appeared in 101 games for the Cubs in 1977 and hit .293. He even posted 3 of his 5 career homers that season. He would slacken off 1978 with a .258 average and go belly up in 1979 by hitting .200 in just 10 at bats. Clines retired during that season and immediately became a coach for the Cubs. He spent the next 30 years coaching and instructing minor leaguers. His best season was 1972, where he hit .334 for the Pirates. This photo came from his '78 SSPC card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5MQO4DMCHy0/TqxwR1B3iuI/AAAAAAAAAmc/K-dR3dCbphY/s1600/Ivan_DeJesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5MQO4DMCHy0/TqxwR1B3iuI/AAAAAAAAAmc/K-dR3dCbphY/s320/Ivan_DeJesus.jpg" width="222" /></a>After tooling around the Dodger chain for a few years DeJesus was liberated in a trade that sent him and Buckner to the Cubs for Mike Garman and Rick Monday. Upon arrival he was immediately installed as the Cubs starting shortstop. He hit .266 in 155 games that season, but his real value was with his leather. He led all MLB shorstops in assists and finished in the top 5 in baseball history for a single season. For the next 5 seasons he was a fixture at short for the Cubs. In 1981 he bottomed out with a .194 average. In 1982, the Cubs dealth him to the Phillies, who needed to find a replacement for Larry Bowa. In return they got Ryne Sandberg, which turned out to be a pretty good deal for the North Siders. This photo was a spring training shot taken for the '78 SSPC set. He hit for the cycle in 1980.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hK4LgjM4KdM/TqxwSBnBVdI/AAAAAAAAAms/yB6b_5eh6Qs/s1600/Mike_Adams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hK4LgjM4KdM/TqxwSBnBVdI/AAAAAAAAAms/yB6b_5eh6Qs/s320/Mike_Adams.jpg" width="222" /></a>Adams was that classic 6th outfielder on a team that only carried 5. After hitting .212 in 55 games during the 1973 season for the Twins he was sent back down to the farm for the next 3 seasons. The Cubs called him up in '76 and he hit .138 in 38 plate appearances. He went 0 for 2 for the Cubs in '77 and wound up with Oakland in '78, where he hit an even .200 in 15 AB's. The A's sent him down to Vancouver (Triple A affiliate) where he hit .293, but was cut at season's end. Understandably there weren't many good photos to use for Adams' updated card. I took his 1974 Topps card and removed the Twins cap, built up some more sky background, then pasted Jack Aker's cap from the 1974 Topps set on top of Adam's head. I changed the Twins colors to Cubs colors and even pasted the CHICAGO letters on his jersey.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VHhiEZyiPcc/TqxwSC2NlfI/AAAAAAAAAmo/AfHLpp3Au8M/s1600/Mike_Gordon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VHhiEZyiPcc/TqxwSC2NlfI/AAAAAAAAAmo/AfHLpp3Au8M/s320/Mike_Gordon.jpg" width="221" /></a>Gordon saw limited action with the Cubs over two seasons (1977-78). In 26 plate appearances during the '77 season he hit .043 for Chicago. In '78 he went 1-5. His numbers in the minors were not much better (.216 career avg), which leads me to believe that he was probably an excellent defensive catcher. I was shocked to find that SSPC actually issued a card for him in their '78 set, considering his limited action with the Cubs during that season and his lack of status as a prospect.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Cz_8Z5qrXI/TqxwSaKn4-I/AAAAAAAAAm8/Xh8cQPn48gs/s1600/Mike_Krukow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Cz_8Z5qrXI/TqxwSaKn4-I/AAAAAAAAAm8/Xh8cQPn48gs/s320/Mike_Krukow.jpg" width="222" /></a>The "Polish Prince" was just a mere 25 year old rookie for the Cubbies in 1977. His 8-14 (4.44) record reflects the complete collapse the team had over the final half of the season. Krukow started out 7-4, then went 1-10 the rest of the way. This is not an indictment on Krukow's skills, but merely pointing out how the team just lost it during the second half of the season. Krukow had 5 respectable seasons in Chicago before moving over to Philly for 1 season. He spent the final 7 seasons of his 14 year career in San Fran. His 20-9 (3.05) 1986 season was his best year in the majors. It earned him an All-Star selection and 3rd place in the Cy Young balloting. A rotator cuff injury in 1989 ended his career. He is now known as "Krook" to Giants fans, whom he has been broadcasting games to for over 20 years. This spring training shot wound up being used as his '78 SSPC card.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xcJXcZnc4lM/TqxwSuXoRXI/AAAAAAAAAm4/MrRLOTMpxTs/s1600/Steve_Ontiveros.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xcJXcZnc4lM/TqxwSuXoRXI/AAAAAAAAAm4/MrRLOTMpxTs/s320/Steve_Ontiveros.jpg" width="222" /></a>A solid third baseman with an average arm, Ontiveros was named Minor League player of the Year by The Sporting News in 1973. He reached the majors with the San Francisco Giants late in the season, spending four years with them before moving to the Chicago Cubs. His most productive season came in 1977 for the Cubs, when he posted career-highs in games played (156), batting average (.299), home runs (10), RBI (68), hits (162), and on-base percentage (.390). After the 1980 season he would leave the Cubs and head to Japan to play for a few more years. This shot is is his 1978 SSPC Card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gJ0Be_nGiA/TqxwTCZv1oI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/4dASnyE47dI/s1600/Willie_Hernandez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gJ0Be_nGiA/TqxwTCZv1oI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/4dASnyE47dI/s320/Willie_Hernandez.jpg" width="222" /></a>As a 22 year old rookie reliever in 1977 Hernandez fared quite well. His 8-7 (3.03) record in 110 innings should have at least gotten him a top 10 finish in the Rookie of the Year voting, but nobody seemed to notice. In fact nobody seemed to notice him at all during his 6 1/2 years in Chicago. Midway through the 1983 season he was traded to the Phillies and became a key contributor for the "Wheeze Kids" as they won the NL Pennant. Before the '84 season he was dealt to the Tigers and that's where he put together 3 back to back All-Star seasons, including his Cy Young/MVP year of 1984. During that season he went 9-3 with a 1.92 ERA and 32 saves in 140 innings. In total he would have a fine 13 year career (70-63, 3.38, 147 saves). I found this autographed 8x10 glossy on ebay. It looks like it was colorized. If it was, its a great job !</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDI1L5TkNV0/TqxwTNB07eI/AAAAAAAAAnE/UEZzPfukifg/s1600/Mike_Sember.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDI1L5TkNV0/TqxwTNB07eI/AAAAAAAAAnE/UEZzPfukifg/s320/Mike_Sember.jpg" width="222" /></a>Sember appeared in just 3 games and hit .250 (1-4) for the Cubs in 1977. He played second base. In '78 he appeared in 9 games and hit .333 (1-3). He was a career .237 hitter in the minors and did not appear in another major league game after the 1978 season. This card was created by pasting a Cubs cap on his Syracuse minor league card photo.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E9tFUv1jkI8/Tqy12dMb8VI/AAAAAAAAAoM/FwVP06FjLx4/s1600/Greg_Gross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E9tFUv1jkI8/Tqy12dMb8VI/AAAAAAAAAoM/FwVP06FjLx4/s320/Greg_Gross.jpg" width="221" /></a>Gross spent 17 seasons in a major league uniform with 2 of them spent as a Cub. In 1977 he would play all 3 outfield spots and be the first left handed bat off the bench. His .322 average and .397 OBP were flat out awesome. He also hit 5 of his 7 career homers that season. He actually had more triples (46) than homers (7) during his long career. He signed with the Phillies as a free agent after the '78 season and settled into the roll of 4th outfielder / pinch hitter. In 1989 he returned to Houston, where his career started for one final season. In 1974 he came in second in the Rookie of the Year balloting as a member of the Astros. His lack of power prevented him from being an everyday player. When interviewed, Gross explains his predicament: "The cycle that baseball was in back then, with the AstroTurf and everything, centered on the stolen base or the home run, and I did neither of those." Gross' 1978 SSPC card was used for this updated '77 card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-deUYUZDLPAM/Tqy12TzMENI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/XLhLA7CPnNI/s1600/Jim_Todd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-deUYUZDLPAM/Tqy12TzMENI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/XLhLA7CPnNI/s320/Jim_Todd.jpg" width="222" /></a>Jim Todd's second stint in Chcago lasted just 20 games. In 1977 his 1-1 record hid his 9.10 ERA, which was spread out over 30 innings of work. I used his 1975 Topps card photo for this updated '77 card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ao_2RoRrTKs/Tqy12etIFUI/AAAAAAAAAoY/BoMtwr5Ie0Q/s1600/Pete_Broberg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ao_2RoRrTKs/Tqy12etIFUI/AAAAAAAAAoY/BoMtwr5Ie0Q/s320/Pete_Broberg.jpg" width="222" /></a>Broberg had a live fastball, but not much else. He broke into baseball in 1971 straight from the Dartmouth campus. He acquitted himself quite well in 1971 pitching for the Washington Senators in their final season in our nation's capital. He moved with the franchise to Texas, but over the next 3 seasons his numbers steadily got worse. He rebounded with a decent season in Milwaukee in 1975, but then lost his control again and bottomed back out. He would get into 22 games for the Cubs in '77 and go 1-2 (4.75) He moved on to Oakland the following season and started 26 games. The A's, who originally drafted him in 1968, realized he was never going to achieve his potential so they traded him to the Dodgers. Broberg decided to go to law school instead. For this picture I used his airbrushed 1978 Topps card. Pretty pathetic that Topps had to resort to the airbrush when Broberg spent the '77 season in Chicago. I did do a little touch up work on the airbrush to make it look a bit more realistic.</div>
<br />ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-27139682282815257252011-10-25T21:20:00.000-07:002011-10-25T21:20:02.627-07:001977 San Diego PadresSan Diego finished 69-93, which was good enough for 29 games behind the NL West Champion LA Dodgers. As bad as their season was, the Padres averted last place by finishing 8 games ahead of the lowly Braves, who lost 101 games. Owner Ray Kroc made a huge splash in the free agent market by signing former 3 time Oakland A's champions Gene Tenace and Rollie Fingers, in the hopes of turning around his franchises fortunes. Judging by their record, it really didn't work. The starting rotation was still subpar and in this game of baseball you can only go as far as your pitching takes you. Superstar in the making,Dave Winfield, produced his first All -Star season (.275-25-92). Part of that could be attributed to his maturing and the other part to having George Hendrick (another high priced import) next to him in the lineup. Hendrick hit .311 with 23 homers and 81 RBI's. Besides their lack of front end pitching the Padres lacked production from their infield. Mike Champion (2B) hit .229 and Tucker Ashford (3B) hit .217. Bill Almon and Mike Ivie both hit over .260, but neither provided any real pop whatsoever.<br />
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To complete the Padres 1977 Topps Set I had to add 16 new cards.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vDEgVMgJzPg/TqOGAQWWMeI/AAAAAAAAAkM/z0N8_Yjg1h4/s1600/John_D%2527Acquisto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vDEgVMgJzPg/TqOGAQWWMeI/AAAAAAAAAkM/z0N8_Yjg1h4/s320/John_D%2527Acquisto.jpg" width="221" /></a>D'Acquisto arrived along with Pat Scanlon for 1976 Rookie of the Year Butch Metzger. D'Acquisto finished the season up 1-2 with a 6.95 ERA in 17 games (12 starts). He rebounded for a solid '78 season (4-3, 2.13) out of the pen, but faltered again in '79 (9-13, 4.92). Late in the 80 season he was shipped off to the Expos for a "Player to be Named Later" (Randy Bass). I used his 1979 Topps card for this updated 1977 card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ws9YIdBNeYg/TqOGAbWgK1I/AAAAAAAAAig/TpgADwNKUpg/s1600/Luis_Melendez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ws9YIdBNeYg/TqOGAbWgK1I/AAAAAAAAAig/TpgADwNKUpg/s320/Luis_Melendez.jpg" width="221" /></a>After 6 mediocre seasons as a 4th outfielder in St. Louis, Melendez was traded to the Padres for Bill Grief during the '76 season. He would hit .244 in 72 games in a similar role for the Padres that year, but play in just 8 games in '77 and go hitless in 4 plate appearances. It was hard to find any photos of him in a Padre uniform, so I tracked down a black and white team issue 5x7 glossy that I colorized for this updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMPPU1mmwrw/TqOGAMcZfxI/AAAAAAAAAic/kuFxUqYHs_k/s1600/Mike_Champion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMPPU1mmwrw/TqOGAMcZfxI/AAAAAAAAAic/kuFxUqYHs_k/s320/Mike_Champion.jpg" width="221" /></a>Champion was a late season call up during the '76 campaign and batted just .237 in 38 at bats. His reward: A starting position (2nd base) in the lineup. Results: 150 games played, 507 at bats and a .229 average. 1978 saw the Padres come to the realization that Champion was an average second baseman with a below average bat. In 32 games during the '78 season hit hit .226 and signed his ticket to oblivion. He would spend the balance of the '78 season in Hawaii (AAA affiliate of the Padres) and hit .328, then hit .311 and .281 respectively at Tacoma (Indians AAA), but never see any further major league action.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tnc_DOeOFuU/TqOGAcszP1I/AAAAAAAAAiw/0khGq1fsaXU/s1600/Pat_Scanlon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tnc_DOeOFuU/TqOGAcszP1I/AAAAAAAAAiw/0khGq1fsaXU/s320/Pat_Scanlon.jpg" width="222" /></a>Scanlon's final stop in a short lived career was San Diego. In 47 games he hit .190, while playing 2nd, 3rd and left field. His 3 previous seasons in Montreal were no better. He would kick around the minors until 1980 when the White Sox cut him loose. I used his 1978 Topps card photo for this updated card. Much credit needs to be given to the Topps folks for creating one of their best airbrushes ever. You definitely have to do a double take to pick it out as an airbrush.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vBKUlcpNies/TqOGAs-t1mI/AAAAAAAAAis/aAy84kzdT14/s1600/Paul_Siebert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vBKUlcpNies/TqOGAs-t1mI/AAAAAAAAAis/aAy84kzdT14/s320/Paul_Siebert.jpg" width="222" /></a>Siebert showed decent numbers in the 3 partial seasons that he spent in Houston before being acquired by the Padres during the off season. He had a 2.45 ERA in 4 games (3 2/3 innings) of action during the '77 season before being dealt to the Mets in the Dave Kingman trade. After 2 seasons with the Mets his major league career was over. One final season at Triple A (Denver - Montreal) where he went 1-3 with a 5.25 ERA marked his exit from professional ball at the age of 26. Due to the fact that he played so sparingly with the Padres it was impossible to find a photo of him in a SD uniform. I found a Venezuelan Winter League card and airbrushed the cap and used the picture. Since the "action shot" was taken at such a distance it was very easy to hand airbrush the cap.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fuj3xnkGVt4/TqOGA6L26sI/AAAAAAAAAi8/HbLF-hday-A/s1600/Tucker_Ashford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fuj3xnkGVt4/TqOGA6L26sI/AAAAAAAAAi8/HbLF-hday-A/s320/Tucker_Ashford.jpg" width="221" /></a>Ashford went 3 for 5 during his late season call up at the end of the '76 season. Given 249 at bats in the '77 campaign yielded a .217 average with just 3 homers. Ashford filled the utility role by playing 2nd, short and 3rd. He recreated that role in '78 and hit .245. That won him a ticket back to the farm. He resurfaced in Texas, the Bronx, Flushing and KC as one of those fill in type of guys to replace a injured star. In all 4 of those stints he did nothing to impress. He hit over .300 from 1981-83 in Triple A. By 1984 at the age of 29, he sunk to .247 as a member of the Rochester Red Wings (Orioles affiliate) and then in 1985 was cut from Portland (Philly affiliate) after hitting .100 in 30 AB. This card was created using an autographed 8x10 gloss that I found via a Google search.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNt_PHtw194/TqOGA0z5EOI/AAAAAAAAAi4/60bB-xvUTyQ/s1600/Victor_Bernal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNt_PHtw194/TqOGA0z5EOI/AAAAAAAAAi4/60bB-xvUTyQ/s320/Victor_Bernal.jpg" width="222" /></a>1977 was Bernal's one shot at the majors. He got into 15 games, pitched 20 1/3 innings and compiled a 1-1 record with a 5.31 ERA. It was amazing in itself that he even got a shot at "the show" considering his lifetime minor league record of 23-26, 4.14). He was 5-6 at Hawaii during the '77 season with a 3.72 ERA. I found this colorized photo while doing a Google search. It looks to have been taken at Wrigley.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Bi3KXWqq_4/TqOGBMkZCaI/AAAAAAAAAjI/G59MA9e5MZY/s1600/Bill_Almon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Bi3KXWqq_4/TqOGBMkZCaI/AAAAAAAAAjI/G59MA9e5MZY/s320/Bill_Almon.jpg" width="222" /></a>Almon played collegiate baseball at Brown University. He was the first overall pick in the 1974 amateur draft, by the Padres. Almon led all major league shortstops in putouts with 303 in 1977 and
led the National League in sacrifice hits with 20 that same year.
Almon's best season was in the strike shortened 1981 campaign when, as the starting shortstop for the Chicago White Sox, he hit .301 with 16 stolen bases. Alman hit .261 in 155 games for the Padres during the '77 season. He would go on to have a 15 year career where at times he was a starter and at other times he was a valuable utility man who could play every infield and every outfield spot. He played for 7 major league franchises before hanging it up after the '88 season. I used his '79 Topps card photo for this card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RqtXIRIb0OY/TqOGBKRb3_I/AAAAAAAAAjM/MWdhAkZg9-k/s1600/Bob_Owchinko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RqtXIRIb0OY/TqOGBKRb3_I/AAAAAAAAAjM/MWdhAkZg9-k/s320/Bob_Owchinko.jpg" width="222" /></a>Owchinko attended Eastern Michigan University, from where he was picked in the first round (5th overall) by Peter Bavasi for the San Diego Padres in 1976. The 22 year old Owchinko started 28 games for the Padres in 1977 and finished 9-12 with a 4.45 ERA. His numbers would improve in '78 then level off in '79. He bounced to Cleveland, Oakland, Pittsburgh, Cincy and Montreal before calling it a day after the '86 season. His career record of 37-60, with a 4.28 ERA was exceptionally unimpressive for a first round pick. I found a sharp black and white glossy and colorized it for this card shot.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zON6rHrrmKg/TqOGBR829cI/AAAAAAAAAjc/JGFOH6-o1q4/s1600/Bob_Shirley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zON6rHrrmKg/TqOGBR829cI/AAAAAAAAAjc/JGFOH6-o1q4/s320/Bob_Shirley.jpg" width="221" /></a>Shirley skipped several levels of minor league baseball, being assigned directly to the Double-A Amarillo Gold Sox to start the 1976 season. After posting a Win-loss record of 9-5 with a 3.32 ERA in 16 starts, he was promoted to the Triple-A Hawaii Islanders, finishing the season there. It would be the last time Shirley played in the minors until 1987. Shirley was named to the Padres' starting rotation to open the 1977 season. He posted what turned out to be one of his best seasons in his rookie year, setting what would be career highs in wins (12), games started (35), innings pitched (214) and strikeouts (146). It was also his only year as a full-time starter, as he never started more than 25 games in a season after 1977. I used his 1979 Topps card for this photo.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bzIrYgEfPis/TqOGBds9iRI/AAAAAAAAAjY/kw-s-YDPpAw/s1600/Brian_Greer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bzIrYgEfPis/TqOGBds9iRI/AAAAAAAAAjY/kw-s-YDPpAw/s320/Brian_Greer.jpg" width="221" /></a>Greer was drafted eighth overall in the 1977 draft. He appeared in five games with the San Diego Padres in 1977 and 1979. He was the youngest player on the Padres in 1977. 18 year old Greer went hitless in his one at bat during the '77 season and did the same in 3 at bats in '79. He compiled a career .210 average in 7 minor league season and would be termed more of a "suspect" than a prospect during his entire career. Topps created a rookie panel card for the Padres in 1980 that included this grainy shot of him. There were no other pictures available on the web, so I attempted to sharpen this one up a bit for his new card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBCJkFbgjYU/TqOGBvFTObI/AAAAAAAAAjs/vPXoZTAH95Q/s1600/Dave_Kingman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBCJkFbgjYU/TqOGBvFTObI/AAAAAAAAAjs/vPXoZTAH95Q/s320/Dave_Kingman.jpg" width="222" /></a>San Diego was stop #2 for "Kong" during his 1977 victory tour. After being dealt by the Mets at the trade deadline to the Padres he appeared in 56 games and hit 11 homers in 168 AB's with a .238 average before moving along to stop #3 (California). I found this batting pose shot on the Topps Vault site. Apparently they were going to use it for his '78 card, but declined to use or airbrush it after he was dealt 2 more times during the '77 season. He eventually signed as a free agent with the Cubs for the '78 season.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VdXiMns0ne0/TqOGBgyg01I/AAAAAAAAAjo/x-zK7osKBd4/s1600/Dave_Roberts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VdXiMns0ne0/TqOGBgyg01I/AAAAAAAAAjo/x-zK7osKBd4/s320/Dave_Roberts.jpg" width="221" /></a>The full story behind the Dave Roberts saga can be found by <a href="http://1977topps.blogspot.com/2011/10/mr-robertser-mr-roberts.html">clicking here</a>. Roberts was a good all purpose utility man who never lived up to his #1 draft pick hype. He played in 82 games during the '77 season and hit .220. This is a zoomed in version of his 1979 Topps card photo.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1Tv8o8EePI/TqOGCJC99OI/AAAAAAAAAj4/njI0G1iGHhg/s1600/Dave_Wehrmeister.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1Tv8o8EePI/TqOGCJC99OI/AAAAAAAAAj4/njI0G1iGHhg/s320/Dave_Wehrmeister.jpg" width="222" /></a>Wehrmeister was the San Diego Padres' first-round pick, and third overall, in the January regular phase of the 1973 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his major league debut with the Padres in 1976, and split the next three seasons between the Padres and their minor league system. In June of 1979, Wehrmeister was traded to the New York Yankees for outfielder Jay Johnstone, but did not play for the Yankees until 1981, when he appeared in four games in relief. His less than impressive 1-3, 6.07 record in '77 was compiled during 30 games (69 2/3) innings of work. This photo was an airbrush that I did of his 1981 Columbus Clippers (Yankees AAA affiliate) minor league card. I chose to cut and paste another player's cap onto the card and color the jersey trim to match Padre colors. I decided to leave the pinstripes, but remove the Clippers logo.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZ3IfW4MKy4/TqOGCBQWWEI/AAAAAAAAAj0/G4MsLJlSAI8/s1600/Gene_Richards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZ3IfW4MKy4/TqOGCBQWWEI/AAAAAAAAAj0/G4MsLJlSAI8/s320/Gene_Richards.jpg" width="222" /></a>Richards made a big splash hitting .290 as the Padres starting right fielder in 1977. He finished 3rd in the Rookie of the Year balloting after the season's conclusion. In '78 he improved even more by upping his average to .308. Richards' game was build on sharp defense and great speed. He stole 56 bases during his rookie campaign. His high point was in 1980 when he stole 61 bags and batted .301. A career .290 hitter in 7 seasons in San Diego, Richards was dealt to the Giants midway through the 1984 campaign, where he hit a career low of .252 and never played in the majors again. I found this 8x10 shot on ebay and decided to use it for his 1977 "rookie" card.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AXU2SZbnt9E/TqSpavHHKSI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/NB4s29Wq3cM/s1600/George_Hendrick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AXU2SZbnt9E/TqSpavHHKSI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/NB4s29Wq3cM/s320/George_Hendrick.jpg" width="221" /></a>Acquired before the '77 season in a deal with Cleveland for Johnny Grubb, Fred Kendall and Hector Torres. Consider this deal a steal for the Friars who got a .311-23-81 season out of "Silent George". Unfortunately Ray Kroc's big plan to sign free agents and acquire guys in the last year of their contracts didn't help the team improve in the standings. As a result, Hendrick was dealt to the Cardinals for Eric Rasmussen early in the '78 season in a deal that helped the Cardinals build their '82 Championship team. Hendrick retired after the 1988 season after an impressive 18 year career where he hit .278 and homered 267 times, with most of his career played in pitcher's ballparks. He would be a 4 time All-Star and two time Silver Slugger winner. I found this autographed 8x10 studio shot on ebay and cropped it, so it could be used for his updated '77 card. His original Topps '77 card pictured him on the Indians, which showed extreme laziness since he was traded over to San Diego in December.</div>ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-72474232959075833612011-10-22T20:59:00.000-07:002011-10-22T21:10:21.006-07:00Mr. Roberts...er, Mr. Roberts ???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Baseball fans: When you hear the name <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Dave Roberts</span></b> what comes to your mind ? For most of us it's probably the "well traveled" outfielder with the lightning fast speed who stole game 4 of the 2004 ALCS for Boston during their incredible comeback against the Yankees. For those of us who have an older/more obscure memory we think of the Dave Roberts of the San Diego Padres during the 1970's. Now of course when we think like that the next question pops up: The pitcher Dave Roberts or the player Dave Roberts ?</div>
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You see by the early 1970's the Padres had cornered the market in two things: losing season and players named Dave Roberts. The first Dave Roberts was a pitcher who played for the franchise during their first 3 seasons (1969-1971). He actually had some good seasons, but the team couldn't score any runs (what expansion team can ?), so he consistently sported a losing record with a low ERA. By 1972 he was dealt to Astros, which was just a bit before the "other" Dave Roberts was drafted #1 out of the University of Oregon on June 6, 1972. Not wasting any time the Padres put their "new" Dave Roberts into uniform and pressed him into action with the big club the day after the draft. Today we would call this "rushing a player", which is usually followed by the comment "ruining the kid". Back in 1972 it was know as, "replacing the lack of talent on an expansion team". Those '72 Padres were not exactly the love-able losers like the '62 Mets were. They were boring, drab and wore the ugliest uniforms in the majors. They had one true star, Nate Colbert, and a bunch of guys who couldn't hit and barely could field.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dnD8DD73WFZi2_nbnsjya5U8nVHXGzdBA7LUE5SIwFffC9Qhf91FpDSJcOO5sdqCBD7pSq8JWzdPpLrqJGXt0kk-nBIRxbW3QilM0oJmK6ZLhWDrlg8FneDMy2E60XtkgXTFsvWhpHo/s1600/DRoberts73Cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dnD8DD73WFZi2_nbnsjya5U8nVHXGzdBA7LUE5SIwFffC9Qhf91FpDSJcOO5sdqCBD7pSq8JWzdPpLrqJGXt0kk-nBIRxbW3QilM0oJmK6ZLhWDrlg8FneDMy2E60XtkgXTFsvWhpHo/s320/DRoberts73Cup.jpg" width="171" /></a></div>
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Roberts went 0-3 in his first big league action. In fact he didn't hit all that much the rest of the way. He finished his partial rookie campaign splitting time between 2nd base and 3rd base, while hitting .244 with 5 homers. The following season he started off even worse. By the end of April he was hitting .083, which earned him a ticket to the Padres Triple A affiliate in Hawaii. Talk about punishment. Being "demoted" to Hawaii. I bet if the Padres thought this through they might have realized that a minor league team would do better to be placed in a less exotic place than the tropical paradise of Hawaii. To say the 50th state suited Roberts well would be an understatement. In a month of action he was batting a crisp .375 and was summoned back to the big club when 3rd baseman Dave Hilton shocked the world, ok he shocked no one, by bottoming out with an average slightly north of the Mendoza line. Roberts was hot in Hawaii and remained hot in San Diego. As the Padres regular 3rd baseman he finished the season with a .286 average, 22 homers and 64 RBI's. The sky was the limit for the 1972 #1 pick, or so it seemed. 1973 would be the high point in Roberts' career.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0lpLWcCtwkIavQdXj5R3ohrcjeJHhQmziTCqyZp6-QBroFZosK-8eVEg_wVwas7H0Jfh6DFTBWFt4CFiP2KfZmiYCDrrz1Gz0wIEUS9CCRT_DjVaW8TAFHJuZwkmjw1i6E_ZTEb9lLE/s1600/DRtexas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0lpLWcCtwkIavQdXj5R3ohrcjeJHhQmziTCqyZp6-QBroFZosK-8eVEg_wVwas7H0Jfh6DFTBWFt4CFiP2KfZmiYCDrrz1Gz0wIEUS9CCRT_DjVaW8TAFHJuZwkmjw1i6E_ZTEb9lLE/s320/DRtexas.jpg" width="176" /></a>He would spend the next few years shuttling back and forth between San Diego and Hawaii never duplicating the success he had of 1973. To his credit he was not about to shrivel up and quit. When the organization decided to convert him into a catcher, he embraced the challenge and learned how to ply his trade with the "tools of ignorance". He started the 1977 season on the expansion Blue Jays roster. After converting him into a catcher, the genius Padre management signed free agent catcher Gene Tenace, which made Roberts expendable. The result: A trip to Toronto. The with a twist of luck and fate, Tenace couldn't really catch much, so he was shuffled over to 1st and the Padres bought Roberts' contract back from the Blue Jays.</div>
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Regular playing time didn't come and by the end of the '78 season Roberts earned his free agency and migrated to the Texas Rangers, which was not exactly a strategic move on his behalf. The Rangers had both Jim Sundberg and John Ellis ahead of Roberts on the depth chart. Sundberg was an All-Star catcher who played about 150 games, which didn't leave much playing time for anyone else willing to put on a mask and some shin guards. Due to this untenable situation Roberts split time between Triple A Tucson and Texas. When he was with the big club he hit .264 and began filling in at just about every position. Roberts righted a bad situation by becoming the team's utility man extraordinaire. In 1980 he played in 37 games at third base, 33 at shortstop, 22 at catcher,
five in right field, and four each at first and second base for Texas. Roberts basically played every position except Pitcher or Shortstop. His batting average wasn't exceptionally high (.238), but he did cash in with 10 homers.<br />
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For those hoping for the "happy ending", the one where I write that Roberts found his niche and remained with the Rangers as a world class utility ball player for the better part of the next decade, that ending isn't going to be written. 1981 saw Roberts move over to the Astros and play even less than he did in 1979. 1982 saw him take his skills to South Philly with much the same result. By 1983 he was injured. The Phillies saw no reason to invest any time or effort into a broken down utility man and Roberts was cut loose, thus ending his 10 year up and down career in the big leagues.</div>
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David Wayne Roberts, not to be confused with David Arthur Roberts never achieved the success predicted for him back when he was a #1 pick in the 1972 draft. Did the Padres rush him along too soon or was he just another 1st round bust ? We may never know the answer to that question, and except for a handful of fans in Southern California, nobody else is probably even asking it.</div>ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-37253939206571830262011-10-21T14:17:00.000-07:002011-10-21T14:17:11.245-07:001977 St. Louis Cardinals<div style="text-align: justify;">
Call the 1970's the "Forgotten Decade" for the great Cardinal Franchise. Sandwiched in between their dominant run in the late 1960's and their great run in the early to mid 80's the 1970's was a time of transition for the Cardinals. Lou Brock was the lone remaining member representing the "old guard" of the great teams of the '60's. By 1977 Bob Gibson had retired and Red Schoendienst was no longer the steady skipper behind the bench. The Cardinals were looking to rebound from a rare 90 loss season in 1976 and Vern Rapp was able to lead them to a winning record. St. Louis would finish a distant 3rd place in the NL East (18 games back), but fans were happy to see winning baseball return to the shores of the Mississippi.</div>
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Bob Forsch, who finished a disappointing 8-10 the previous season became the ace of the staff by winning 20 games (20-7, 3.48) and logging over 200 innings. The rest of the rotation was average at best. Eric Rasmussen (11-17, 3.48) experienced a lot of hard luck. With an identical ERA to that of Forsch's Rasmussen won 9 less games and lost 10 more. The pen was solid, except for the "Mad Hungarian", Al Hrabosky who faltered as a closer. Hrabosky's 6-5 record featured a 4.38 ERA and 10 saves. Rookie Joh Urrea was the workhorse of the pen logging almost 140 innings. Former Cincy closer Rawly Eastwick signed a big contract and came up small (3-7, 4.70).</div>
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The Cardinals finished 4th in the league in batting. 21 year old shortstop Garry Templeton hit a robust .322 and stole 28 bases. Catcher Ted Simmons hit .318 with 21 homers and 95 RBI's and was easily the team's most feared hitter. 38 year old Lou Brock managed to hit .272 and swipe an amazing 35 bases to help pace the offense. Keith Hernandez' gold glove at first anchored a rock solid infield. The true story of the team was it's bench. With pinch hitter Roger Freed hitting close to .400 and getting clutch pinch hit after another the Cardinals could rally from behind and pull out games late. Tony Scott hit .291 as a part time centerfielder and bench player. Aging veteran Don Kessinger could still be counted on for his glove as a late inning defensive replacement and spot starter.</div>
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If the Cardinals can get their pitching to overachieve they just might have a chance to contend.</div>
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I added 21 new cards to round out the 1977 Cardinals full Topps set.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPs6hZrVey7F7hhXdw0PdjDu6f28Snh3_jN-fExqkiBu4NgAjzyo30NyYxZ8RRd2p50KG2vkfBgMYyIVbUrdCW4C9-fO32ynx5cGt-_S4BMaC03_NmiPXzQXo81Aj7eMjiBVQf5JltqY/s1600/Rawly_Eastwick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPs6hZrVey7F7hhXdw0PdjDu6f28Snh3_jN-fExqkiBu4NgAjzyo30NyYxZ8RRd2p50KG2vkfBgMYyIVbUrdCW4C9-fO32ynx5cGt-_S4BMaC03_NmiPXzQXo81Aj7eMjiBVQf5JltqY/s320/Rawly_Eastwick.jpg" width="222" /></a>After 2 full seasons in the majors, Eastwick looked like a HOF caliber relief pitcher. In his first full season (1975) he saved 22 games, won 2 in the World Series and saved another. Not a bad way to start off your career. The following season he was even better. His ERA dropped 50 points, he added 4 more saves adn bumped up to 107 innings coming out of the pen for the repeat champion Reds. 1977 started out very similar to his first 2 seasons. In 23 games with the reds he had 7 saves and a 2.91 ERA, but contract squabbles began to frighten the Reds. Cincy shipped him over to St. Louis and the downward spiral began. Who knows why it happened. Was he just a product of a winning atmosphere ? Did Sparky Anderson know how to best use him ? It's inexplicable. After 2 1/2 HOF caliber season Eastwick now looked like a triple A pitcher trying to hold on to the dream. He would finish 3-7 with just 4 saves in 53 innings of work for the Cardinals and be granted free agency at year's end. He would bounce from team to team over the next 4 seasons before his career was over after the 1981 strike season.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ZrxO73mc5M/TqEx21tDDZI/AAAAAAAAAe8/DNKN4eGbynM/s1600/Rick_Bosetti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ZrxO73mc5M/TqEx21tDDZI/AAAAAAAAAe8/DNKN4eGbynM/s320/Rick_Bosetti.jpg" width="221" /></a>Bosetti arrived in the Gateway City as part of trading deadline deal along with Dane Iorg and Tom Underwood. The Cards sent Bake McBride to Philadelphia in a deal that pretty much helped both clubs. Bosetti would play in 41 games and hit .232 with no homers and just 3 RBI's. At the end of the season he was sent packing to the Blue Jays, where he started in center field for the next two seasons. The highligh of his career would be hitting .260 in 1979 while playing in all 162 games. The following season Lloyd Moseby took over as the every day centerfielder and Bosetti's career began to spiral downward. Unlike most outliers, Bosetti's numbers were actually better in the season where he played the most. After that his playing time became limited and his numbers plummeted. When researching some interesting facts about his career. According to his bio page on baseball-reference.com I found out that he achieved his goal of urinating in the outfield of every major league park. No doubt this is an impressive feat. Even more impressive thatn him leading all AL outfielders in 1978 with putouts and repeating that the following year. I just wonder when he found the time to pull this off ? Did he actually urinate on the field itself or did he he perform the act during games without dropping his draws ? I'm now intrigued beyond belief. I was surprised to find an autographed photo of Bosetti on ebay considering the fact that he only spent a half season in St. Louis. Knowing what he was up to in the outfield I'm thinking I wouldn't want to touch any photo that he hand signed.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ICbBiKEJFso/TqEx203nsiI/AAAAAAAAAfE/tLBnwMSk5Go/s1600/Roger_Freed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ICbBiKEJFso/TqEx203nsiI/AAAAAAAAAfE/tLBnwMSk5Go/s320/Roger_Freed.jpg" width="221" /></a>You can read the mini-article that I did on Freed by <a href="http://actionpcsports.yuku.com/topic/11236/Roger-Freed-Cardinal-Cult-Hero">clicking here</a>. Suffice it to say he had a magical season as a pinch hitter deluxe and almost eclipsed the .400 mark. He will be the 1st guy off the bench in a key clutch situation late in the game. I couldn't find any decent photos of him to use for the updated card, so I went with a cleaned up version of his '78 Topps card photo, which was taken @the Stick during the '77 season.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83kJoES4FGA/TqEx3FmCWuI/AAAAAAAAAgM/ns780TNJhq8/s1600/Taylor_Duncan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83kJoES4FGA/TqEx3FmCWuI/AAAAAAAAAgM/ns780TNJhq8/s320/Taylor_Duncan.jpg" width="222" /></a>Duncan was a Rule 5 selection from the Orioles system. He appeared in just 8 games in the month of September and went 4 for 12 (.333) and played a mean third base. The A's selected him from the Cardials during the off season and he performed admirably hitting .257 in 319 at bats during the 1978 season, then mysteriously he was farmed out and never heard from again. It was rumored that a severe ankle injury that he sustained while playing in the minors hampered his mobility and prevented him from being a solid major leaguer. This was a interesting photo to work with. Originally it pictured him wearing an A's uniform. I copied the uniform and pasted it into into a new photo and turned it into gray scale. Then I colorized it and changed the Oakland green to the Cardinals light blue. I added the red sleeve color trim and "bleached" the yellow undershirt to white. For good measure I cut and pasted a Cardinal Cap onto his head.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ozZcVOyeLaE/TqEx3OHXjKI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/-cQI73GaC0I/s1600/Tom_Underwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ozZcVOyeLaE/TqEx3OHXjKI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/-cQI73GaC0I/s320/Tom_Underwood.jpg" width="221" /></a>Good things seemed to happen to teams that Underwood played on, just not the Cardinals. After arriving at the trade deadline as part of the McBride trade. In 19 games (17 starts), he went 6-9 with a 4.95 ERA. His tenure in St. Louis would end right after game 162, when he was shipped off to Toronto to complete a previous deal. In his 11 year career he made the post season 4 times (Philly, Yanks & Oak). Sadly he passed away last year (2010) due to Pancreatic cancer. I used his 1978 Topps card photo for this one. It is an airbrushed photo taken during spring training 1977. If you look in the background you can see that there are two Phillies players. They airbrushed a Cardinal home white jersey for him.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ue4JGhr8RY/TqEx3AS41CI/AAAAAAAAAfM/2g-e7RPN12s/s1600/Tony_Scott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ue4JGhr8RY/TqEx3AS41CI/AAAAAAAAAfM/2g-e7RPN12s/s320/Tony_Scott.jpg" width="222" /></a>Scott arrived in St. Louis as part of a huge multiplayer trade with Montreal. Neither team acquired or traded much. Call it a "change of scenery" type of deal. Scott, who hit .182 in 92 games with Montreal in 1975 was coming to the Cardinals straight from a one year banishment to the minors. In 1977 he would split time in center with Jerry Mumphrey and hit .291 in close to 300 at bats. He would not equal that success over the next 3 1/2 seasons in St. Louis. In 1981 he was dealt to the Astros for Joaquin Andujar. He duplicated his 1977 #'s in his first half season in Houston, but then fell back into the same rut that got him shipped out of St. Louis. His 11 year career would come to an end after the 1984 season. I found this photo while doing a google search. It had him sitting next to Templeton in the dugout with both guys looking like they would rather be someplace else or doing something else. Scott's body language has that "Get me out of here" look. I thought it would fit perfectly on a card since Topps made a regular habit of using dugout shots for their cards during this era.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kn1NES447IQ/TqEx3ZZz9hI/AAAAAAAAAfc/kSXasaz-zcE/s1600/Benny_Ayala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kn1NES447IQ/TqEx3ZZz9hI/AAAAAAAAAfc/kSXasaz-zcE/s320/Benny_Ayala.jpg" width="222" /></a>Originally drafted by the Mets back in 1971, Ayala made a big splash in his major league debut in 1974 by hitting a homer in his first at bat. Unfortunately for him the rest of the season was pretty much downhill from there. He would resurface 2 seasons later (1976) for another cup of coffee with the Mets. After hitting just .115 he knew his days were numbered. The Mets shipped him off to the Cardinals, where he appeared in just 1 game in 1977 and went 1 for 3. That would be the only action he would see as a Cardinal, which is why I was shocked to find an autographed photo of him in a Cardinal uniform, which I used for the updated card. His best years would come starting in 1979 when he signed with the Orioles, who used him as a platoon player. In his 6 seasons in Baltimore he would hit .257 with 33 homers as a part time DH and corner outfielder. He would play on 2 pennant winners and 1 world champion.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1k2kYcgCDTg/TqEx3QX4hBI/AAAAAAAAAfY/kIIxPUgYeRo/s1600/Buddy_Schultz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1k2kYcgCDTg/TqEx3QX4hBI/AAAAAAAAAfY/kIIxPUgYeRo/s320/Buddy_Schultz.jpg" width="221" /></a>After two horrible seasons playing for the Cubs Schultz arrived in St. Louis in a deal for a low level minor leaguer. He responded with a career year by going 6-1 with a 2.32 ERA in 84 innings worth of work out of the pen. He would stick around for 2 more season, but his numbers would get progressively worse. After being send down to the minors for the 1980 season things completely unraveled for him. A string of injuries an ineffectiveness led to him dropping from triple A to double A and then out of baseball. His career highlight dates back to college where he set the NCAA record for most strikeouts in a game (26), while playing at the University of Miami. This autographed photo was taken at Wrigley Field. It looked to be outside the park, which was quite strange in itself. I found it while doing a google search.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EFMsq2KMDp8/TqEx3q3TKCI/AAAAAAAAAfo/c53tdeCq6dY/s1600/Butch_Metzger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EFMsq2KMDp8/TqEx3q3TKCI/AAAAAAAAAfo/c53tdeCq6dY/s320/Butch_Metzger.jpg" width="221" /></a>Metzger struggled with control issues for most of his career. Somehow he was able to harness his wildness during the 1976 season where he went 11-4 with a 2.92 ERA and 16 saves. He was rewarded by the BBWAA with the NL Rookie of the year award. Only 17 games into the '77 season the Sophomore jinx took full control over Metzger. With a 5.56 ERA and no saves the Padres had seen enough and he was dealt to the Cardinals on May 17th. He finished out the season going 4-2 with a 3.11 ERA and 7 saves in 92 2/3 innings. It looked like he was able to right the ship. The Cardinals weren't convinced that that was the case and they sent him to the Mets where he couldn't find the strike zone if he had a GPS. Going 1-3 with a 6.51 ERA in 25 games in Flushing earned him a trip to Tidewater (AAA). While in the minors his issues got worse and he would never return to major league baseball. This photo came from his 1978 Topps card, that was taken @ the Stick on what is most likely the same day that Roger Freed's photo was snapped.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mljrz3uKWlQ/TqEx3h9MYVI/AAAAAAAAAfs/jwXKhp1SeFU/s1600/Clay_Carroll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mljrz3uKWlQ/TqEx3h9MYVI/AAAAAAAAAfs/jwXKhp1SeFU/s320/Clay_Carroll.jpg" width="221" /></a>Carroll was a big game post season reliever. He allowed just five earned runs in 32.3 innings of post season work for the Reds from 1970-1976. He led the NL in saves with 37 during the '75 season, which at the time was a MLB record. The "Hawk" was a NL All-Star in 1971 and 1972. He arrived in St. Louis at the end of Spring training in exchange for Lerrin LaGrow. He would go 4-2 with a 2.40 ERA and 4 saves for the Cards in 52 games, before strangely being dealt back to the Chisox in August. St. Louis was hovering near the .500 mark, while the Chisox who were in desperate need for pitching, were in the thick of a pennant race in the AL West. Carroll was horrible in his 8 games on the South Side and wound up being released. He caught on with the Pirates the following season for 2 games then retired with a 96-73 record and a 2.94 ERA over a 15 years career. His best season were obviously in Cincinnati (71-43, 2.73). This autographed 8x10 glossy photo was taken at Wrigley.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VmrwLmXgd8A/TqEx4K0ZuKI/AAAAAAAAAf4/14TgXoEiJno/s1600/Dane_Iorg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VmrwLmXgd8A/TqEx4K0ZuKI/AAAAAAAAAf4/14TgXoEiJno/s320/Dane_Iorg.jpg" width="221" /></a>After arriving at the trade deadline as part of the McBride deal Iorg got into 30 games and hit a .313. Over the next 6 1/2 seasons he would serve as the finest utility man in the NL. Iorg played all 4 corner positions quite well, but just never hit for much in the way of power. Still he had a fine bat for hitting line drives and making contact. His .294 career average while a member of the Redbirds is nothing to sneaze at. He would serve as St. Louis' DH in the 1982 World Series, vs Milwaukee, and hit .529 as the Cardinals captured their first world championship in 15 years. Midway through the 1984 season he was dealt to cross state rival, the Kansas City Royals. The following season he got a chance to face his old mates in an "all Missouri" series. His walkoff RBI single in game 6 helped force a deciding game 7, which the Royals won easily to capture their first (and so far) only world title. Surprisingly there weren't many good photos of Iorg to choose from, so I went with his 1981 Topps card head shot that was taken at Shea.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2oNWatK_2Fo/TqEx63ebZvI/AAAAAAAAAhY/Otk0ww-yPZI/s1600/Doug_Capilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2oNWatK_2Fo/TqEx63ebZvI/AAAAAAAAAhY/Otk0ww-yPZI/s320/Doug_Capilla.jpg" width="221" /></a>Capilla was hit hard in just two games worth of action during the '77 season, then was traded to the Reds for Rawly Eastwick. He pitched in a grand total of 9 games during the two years that he saw limited duty for St. Louis. The pitching starved Reds would press him into immediate service as a starter, where he went 7-8 with a 4.23 ERA. While searching ebay I found this black and white shot. I ran it through my new colorization process before using it for his updated '77 Card.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrRBhpBq3X_jAyqY5jpC-g0wp2qg6HWc1Pt5xjHnHJ9LdR8rBez-aIGWQADcm7GTQAykRjDl9NaOiWRrGhyaxP7n54tfZ-tA4gPh90VfinOAECscKghRK52ELVBt5SwXh-ydCpxnJRIY/s1600/Jim_Dwyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrRBhpBq3X_jAyqY5jpC-g0wp2qg6HWc1Pt5xjHnHJ9LdR8rBez-aIGWQADcm7GTQAykRjDl9NaOiWRrGhyaxP7n54tfZ-tA4gPh90VfinOAECscKghRK52ELVBt5SwXh-ydCpxnJRIY/s320/Jim_Dwyer.jpg" width="222" /></a>In an 18 year career as a 4th outfielder / DH, Dwyer made the rounds. Having played for 7 different teams (3 twice) Dwyer found a way to be a key contributor off the bench while hitting .260 over the course of his career. His best years were in Baltimore, where Earl Weaver used his unique skills to perfection. As a member of the Cardinals, Dwyer served two tours of duty. As a rookie in 1973 he appeared in 28 games as a Cardinal and posted a .193 average. The following year he hit .279 in 86 at bats. Midway through the '75 season he was dealt to Montreal. A year later he wound up in Flushing. In 1977 he returned to St. Louis and hit .226 in 13 games. Taken at Wrigley, this 8x10 autographed photo was found on ebay.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sLyIRO1bf-o/TqEx43AXeVI/AAAAAAAAAgY/N7wQuJbas_k/s1600/Joel_Youngblood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sLyIRO1bf-o/TqEx43AXeVI/AAAAAAAAAgY/N7wQuJbas_k/s320/Joel_Youngblood.jpg" width="222" /></a>Yougblood, who was a versatile player, started the '77 season with the Cardinals and played in 25 games. He hit just .185 in 27 at bats before being sent to the Mets for Mike Phillips at the trade deadline. To make room for him on the Mets roster, player/manager Joe Torre was forced to officially retire from active competition. Youngblood would have a rock solid career playing 6 seasons for some very forgettable Mets teams. On August 4, 1982 the Mets dealt Youngblood to the Montreal Expos. Earlier in the day he played in a day game vs the Cubs at Wrigley and got a hit. Excited to join his new ball club, Youngblood amazingly got a flight out of O'Hare and arrived in Philly just in time to play for the Expos, where he recorded another hit, thus becoming the 1st player in major league history to get a hit for 2 different teams on the same day. Even more interesting is the fact that he recorded those hits off of two future HOF pitchers (Fergie Jenkins & Steve Carlton).</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PIAxZnxMeLI/TqEx48MZ6gI/AAAAAAAAAgc/oYIDt4Iob-Q/s1600/John_Sutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PIAxZnxMeLI/TqEx48MZ6gI/AAAAAAAAAgc/oYIDt4Iob-Q/s320/John_Sutton.jpg" width="221" /></a>24 year old John Sutton made the most of his limited action with the Cardinals during the '77 season. In 14 games he pitched 24 innings, compiled a 2-1 record with a 2.59 ERA. For his troubles he was left unprotected and the Twins drafted him as a rule 5 eligible. In '78 he got into 17 games for the Twins and pitched 44 innings, but had no record. He would get set back down to the minors and never appear in another major league game. While in the minors his numbers got worse and worse year in and year out until he was released by the Mariners chain in 1983. This photo came from a minor league card, while he was at Oklahoma City. I replaced the "truckers" cap that the Oklahoma City team wore with a nice new Cardinal cap. Since the jersey logo was obscured I decided to not airbrush it out.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h1TGdQ-30rk/TqEx5NU5KvI/AAAAAAAAAgo/PvKdF3jZDF4/s1600/John_Tomargo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h1TGdQ-30rk/TqEx5NU5KvI/AAAAAAAAAgo/PvKdF3jZDF4/s320/John_Tomargo.jpg" width="222" /></a>Tamargo's 5 year major league career was split evenly amongst 3 teams: STL, SFG & MON. During the '76 season he got into 10 games and hit and even .300 (3 for 10). The following year, 1977, he appeared in just 4 game and went hitless in 4 at bats. During the '78 season he was dealt to the Giants for a player to be named later (Rob Dressler). This autographed player photo was taken during his brief stay in St. Louis during the 1976 season. I love the bicentennial caps that the Cardinals wore that season on special occasions. I believe the Mets, Phillies and of course the Pirates also donned these great keepsakes.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Bo63-QFbN4/TqEx5QE4q7I/AAAAAAAAAgs/1AKPUpkch-k/s1600/John_Urrea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Bo63-QFbN4/TqEx5QE4q7I/AAAAAAAAAgs/1AKPUpkch-k/s320/John_Urrea.jpg" width="221" /></a>Urrea served the Cardinals well as a "swingman" pitching 29 games out of the pen and starting 12 others. He posted a 7-6 record to go along with his 3.16 ERA in 139 innings worth of work. Guys like him are valuable to teams, because of their flexibility. The following season was not so good. St. Louis used him in the same role, but with his ERA ballooning up to 5.38 the results were much different. 1979 was a year for him to work out the kinks back on the farm and 1980 looked to be a renaissance year (4-1, 3.48) for him. After the '80 season he was dealt to the Padres, where he pitched 1 final season. I used his 1979 Topps card photo for his updated card. I cropped it a bit closer, so it has a tighter zoom.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eUkxxrF6AX0/TqEx5iv0BcI/AAAAAAAAAg8/5_Y6FDLjbQo/s1600/Ken_Oberkfell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eUkxxrF6AX0/TqEx5iv0BcI/AAAAAAAAAg8/5_Y6FDLjbQo/s320/Ken_Oberkfell.jpg" width="221" /></a>"Obi-Wan's" first taste of the biggs was his 9 game cup of Joe with the Cardinals in 1977. The then 21 year old second baseman hit .111 in 9 trips to the plate. In '78 he would get an even bigger sip of Sanka, but still hit just .120. The Cardinals must have liked what the saw, because he was given the regular second base job in 1979 and hit .301 in 135 games worth of action. Never a big power guy, "Obi" managed to his .292 in 8 seasons at Busch before moving over to Atlanta. He was a rock solid third basemen and hit .292 in the '82 World Series when the Cards defeated the Brewers in 7 games. This photo is a signed action shot that I found on ebay. Interestingly his signature looks like K.Oberfell, not Oberkfell.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LNaFYZm3JEo/TqEx5_aeaFI/AAAAAAAAAg4/uXIS7NxcmuE/s1600/Ken_Reitz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LNaFYZm3JEo/TqEx5_aeaFI/AAAAAAAAAg4/uXIS7NxcmuE/s320/Ken_Reitz.jpg" width="222" /></a>Known as "Zamboni" because of the way he used to scoop up grounders off of the Busch Memorial Stadium carpet, Reitz served 2 tours of duty in St. Louis. From 1972-1975, the year he won the gold glove at third base, Reitz was a star on the rise in St. Louis. After the '75 season he was dealt to his hometown team, the San Francisco Giants for Pete Falcone. A year later he was dealt back to the Cardinals in exchange for Lynn McGlothen. 1977 marked the start of his second go round in St. Louis. In 157 games he would hit a career high 17 homers and bat .261, which would turn out to be one point higher than his career average. For the next 4 seasons he would play gold glove caliber third base, but not get the award thanks to Mike Schmidt winning 9 consecutive gold gloves. In total he would spend 8 season in a Cardinal uniform. In 1974 he would hit a 2 out homer off of Jerry Koosman, at Shea to tie the game at 3-3. The game would head to extra innings before Bake McBride would win it with a homer in the 25th inning.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bldjhn4BGR0/TqEx6CcZMMI/AAAAAAAAAhI/fz0mnhbK2DE/s1600/Mike_Phillips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bldjhn4BGR0/TqEx6CcZMMI/AAAAAAAAAhI/fz0mnhbK2DE/s320/Mike_Phillips.jpg" width="222" /></a>After arriving at the trade deadline in exchange for Joel Youngblood Phillips served the role of utility infielder and wound up in 48 games. His .241 average doesn't justify his worth as a utility guy who could play every infield position. For the next 3 seasons he would serve that role to perfection for St. Louis, before being dealt to the Padres in a blockbuster 8 player deal. I used his 1979 Topps card photo for this updated '77 card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gz_I7XhUsiA/TqEx6fCBWdI/AAAAAAAAAhM/LQHDS1dfT60/s1600/Mike_Potter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gz_I7XhUsiA/TqEx6fCBWdI/AAAAAAAAAhM/LQHDS1dfT60/s320/Mike_Potter.jpg" width="221" /></a>Porter spent just 14 games in the major, spread out across both the 1976 and 1977 seasons. He would not record a major league hit in 24 career plate appearances. In 5 games during the '77 season he would bat just 7 times. He was a late season call up who played the corner outfield spots. When guys spend as little time with the big club as Porter did, it's very tough to find a photo to use. I found a grainy black and white photo while doing a google search and then went through a comprehensive colorization process. Unlike the "head" shots, this full action pose required me to colorize the sky, the grass and his uniform. Each piece had to be copied and pasted and colorized, then pasted back into the original photo. When I finished the job I noticed that his cap looked exceptionally grainy, so I copied a cap from another Cardinal player's card and sized it accordingly, before placing it on top of his head.</div>
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<br /></div>ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-13992433360924981992011-10-21T01:25:00.000-07:002011-10-21T01:25:57.637-07:00Roger Freed: Cardinal Cult Hero<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GveIdBcn4JxAnqHMXxMyfnai9hR1_gnk6wpZzZn-zjt-FQHCuTKvuFp88LQG56S42NDDz9XNjT4lGz8u3Pbr77dsxcDvhRHOhjGaaaye5OuWKPI8oFPXsQLBydRDfDiyrfKNvBEWZDQ/s1600/Roger_Freed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GveIdBcn4JxAnqHMXxMyfnai9hR1_gnk6wpZzZn-zjt-FQHCuTKvuFp88LQG56S42NDDz9XNjT4lGz8u3Pbr77dsxcDvhRHOhjGaaaye5OuWKPI8oFPXsQLBydRDfDiyrfKNvBEWZDQ/s320/Roger_Freed.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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After completing hundreds of updated baseball cards and looking at countless lifetime stats I came to the conclusion that there are literally hundreds of players with similar career numbers and career paths like <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Roger Freed</span></b>. At first glance you see a typical journeyman type who had what the pros call AAAA skills. This means that he was too good for Triple A, but just not good enough for the majors. Still, this kind of player somehow captures our hearts and our imaginations for one reason or another. In Freed's case it has nothing to do with his two International League MVP's or the fact that he captured them 7 years apart. Heck, most guys who win an MVP in the minors don't stick around that long to have another shot at it...right ? For Freed, baseball was a way of life. While most guys, at the age of 30, after having bounced around 5 organizations, would have called it quits, Freed was still fighting tooth and nail to keep the dream alive. If you have the time, search the annals of Baseball-Reference.com and you'll see similar type players who just gave it up by this point and headed back home to work on the farm, drive a forklift at the warehouse or even open an office to sell insurance. This guy just wouldn't give it up. I wish I could write a Joe Hardy happy ending and tell you that the magic elixir kicked in and Roger Freed became an overnight sensation at the age of 30 and rode it all the way to the hallowed halls of Cooperstown. I can't. I will leave those stories to the creative geniuses in Hollywood. I can, however, tell you that all of Freed's hard work and due diligence paid off with one shining season in the sun, 1977.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-I7tRLSDKEKO1JRxWm4mCRWqcn0-q5NpwCJ7WtDZaNV0Iyca0f7OftKUPbX9dlV-JgpXW5wxDtfqkHAqUJYez_VVSNrSjf7Rs2JJSPXDbx___ewE7egpBhorvCaEFYZryylsf6JCCbMs/s1600/FreedPhills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-I7tRLSDKEKO1JRxWm4mCRWqcn0-q5NpwCJ7WtDZaNV0Iyca0f7OftKUPbX9dlV-JgpXW5wxDtfqkHAqUJYez_VVSNrSjf7Rs2JJSPXDbx___ewE7egpBhorvCaEFYZryylsf6JCCbMs/s320/FreedPhills.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>
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By all estimations, 1977 was a failure for the Cardinal franchise. Sure the Redbirds finished over .500 (83-79), and they did land in 3rd place, but success in St. Louis is defined by pennants. I would be stretching if I said that the Cardinals were the Yankees of the National League. I would probably be insulting Cardinal fans with that comparison, because they view their franchise as a small town / regional team that is a baseball institution. However you want to define the franchise, the Cardinals have won more National League Pennants (18) than any other franchise. By 1977 the franchise was stuck in a rut. In fact the 1970's, relatively speaking, would be one of the most disappointing decades for the franchise. After dominating the National League during the late 1960's the Cardinals became also rans in the 70's. Not bad enough to ever finish dead last, but not good enough to seriously contend either. 1976 saw them lose 90 games for he first time since Taft was president (1912). That poor finish ended decade long managerial tenure of Cardinal legend Red Schoendienst. Vern Rapp took over in '77 and had the flirting with a winning record. Roger Freed, who was plucked from he Expos system via a Rule 5 draft, was just another puzzle piece sitting in the box. Not truly part of anyone's grand plan, Freed came to spring training hoping to win a job and continue his quest to be a major leaguer. By the end of the season Freed metamorphasized from virtual unknown journeyman into a local cult hero. How did he do this ? He did it by coming through as a clutch pinch hitter virtually every time Rapp called his number. As the season began drawing to a close Freed's batting average was north of .400. At this point I will concede that Freed's .400 (in 80 or so at bats), was not the same as Rod Carew's quest. Carew, who played regularly finished at .388, but did threaten the .400 mark most of the summer. Still Freed produced money hits time in and time out, which helped the Cardinals in their battle for respectability during the '77 season.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjllP3TbfZpfehTMdEUHavWGZlntwAXNR99jaUZpHeCNlszwB8BH464MNaRXKcs8gpFJXOOHZYZwm-ATY8f0do2GGeYGoi3z7rHIXIm6xwSTYXhVRTsSFAz4SbYcGw8YuVrtD_qlNDtc/s1600/FreedDenver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjllP3TbfZpfehTMdEUHavWGZlntwAXNR99jaUZpHeCNlszwB8BH464MNaRXKcs8gpFJXOOHZYZwm-ATY8f0do2GGeYGoi3z7rHIXIm6xwSTYXhVRTsSFAz4SbYcGw8YuVrtD_qlNDtc/s320/FreedDenver.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
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Fast forward to the final day of the season. It's a meaningless game between a last place Mets team that narrowly avoided 100 losses and a middle of the road Cardinal team that was barely over .500. The date was October 2, 1977. Game 162. Fewer than 8,000 fans were in attendance that day at Busch Memorial Stadium, which means there were well over 40,000 empty seats disguised as people. Pat Zachry was on the hill for the lowly Mets and Bob Forsch toed the rubber for the Cards. For most of the afternoon Zachry was cruising toward an easy victory. The hometown team was definitely "mailing it in". Heading into the bottom of the 8th the Cards were down 6-0. My guess is that there were about a thousand or two left in the stands for some unknown reason. St. Louis mounted a 3 run rally in the bottom of the 8th off a tired Zachry to cut New York's lead in half. After the Mets went weakly in the top of the 9th the Cardinals came to bat down to their final 3 outs. Paul Siebert, who replaced Zachry, started off the bottom of the 9th by getting Keith Hernandez to ground out to second. Mike Tyson, the shortstop, not the boxer, doubled to left with 1 out. Siebert walked Mike Anderson to put runners on 1st and 2nd. Former Met Mike Phillips would line a clean single to right to score Tyson to make it 6-4. Late season call up Mike Potter hit a bullet to left off new reliever Rick Baldwin, but Steve Henderson was able to make the catch for the second out of the inning.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGTCJEadhrP_v3RCSrQX6aldL_AMmPaUJJLSaz9QMoysGakdayaUJwej5474JcQp2ghS1YdrRv12kD0UHjaW4yEDY1zw0DLeNwuMs5nLUSRzJn2uXZyBmcQLrevmJ_KqkjmP8fWzFGPk/s1600/FreedBaltimore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGTCJEadhrP_v3RCSrQX6aldL_AMmPaUJJLSaz9QMoysGakdayaUJwej5474JcQp2ghS1YdrRv12kD0UHjaW4yEDY1zw0DLeNwuMs5nLUSRzJn2uXZyBmcQLrevmJ_KqkjmP8fWzFGPk/s320/FreedBaltimore.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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Now comes the moment we've all been waiting for. Two outs in the bottom of the 9th and the tying run is on 1st. The pitcher's spot is due up. What does manager Rapp do ? Does he call on one of his September call ups or does he go back to the well one more time a put the game in Freed's hands ? Freed, who last saw action 2 days before, was sitting at .402. Since he only had 82 at bats to this point he would need a hit to remain above .400. Just 5 days earlier he was at .410, but Rapp started him in the second game of a double header on the 30th and he went 1-4, which saw his average drop 8 points. Could Rapp ask him to take another one for the team ? Would Freed do it ? Of course he would. He had given his heart and his soul, his blood and his sweat, and every other cliche' just to have a chance in a moment like this. If it was good enough for Ted Williams to play on the final day and not sit and protect his .400 average, why would a mere mortal like Freed sit ?</div>
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So the stage is set. Runners on 1st and 2nd. Two men out. A shaky reliver, Rich Baldwin, on the hill and the consummate pinch hitter Roger Freed at the plate. If Hollywood was writing the script Freed would have hit a walk off grand slam and the place would go wild. Since there were only 2 men on that Hollywood slam was not an option. Still a tidy 3 run homer would have been classic. In Freed's case a walk or a hit would have been nirvana. Instead, Freed hit a one hopper to short that Bud Harrelson flipped to Leo Foster, who was covering the bag at second, for the final out of the game and the 1977 season. Roger Freed did not hit .400, but he became a cult hero in the hearts and souls of Cardinal fans. In a meaningless games at the end of a forgettable season he chose to eschew personal satisfaction in favor of team commitment.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4xFRzVtnYF324MvNjCBK68GlJT3JaPjDt1ZgnWwmgKlzIr2qGjEWt-b_WNdSByE1mahQRsARtyPnUgurh4lqzhbm5eGT6dUvfrW-yU3_h_c7-qw45uQfJ_scbNZzGVL3MUN18nbJ2oQ/s1600/Freed1979Tribune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4xFRzVtnYF324MvNjCBK68GlJT3JaPjDt1ZgnWwmgKlzIr2qGjEWt-b_WNdSByE1mahQRsARtyPnUgurh4lqzhbm5eGT6dUvfrW-yU3_h_c7-qw45uQfJ_scbNZzGVL3MUN18nbJ2oQ/s320/Freed1979Tribune.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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Roger's major league career would last 2 more partial season. He was never able to duplicate his successes in 1977. By 1979 he gasping for air, barely holding on to his place on the Cardinals major league roster. 33 year old pinch hitters, who are batting .000 don't last long in the majors. By May 1st 1979 Freed was looking more like the 26th man on a 25 man roster, than a man flirting with .400. In an extra inning game vs the Astros the Cardinals saw Houton break out for 3 runs in the top of the 11th to lead 6-3. Heading out to the mound to close the game out in the bottom of the 11th was Houston's closer Joe Sambito. Sambito was in his second inning of work having dispatched of the Cardinals easily in the 10th. In 1977 he would save 22 games for Houston and have an ERA below 2.00. He was definitely on the top of his game, so there was no reason for hope if you rooted for the Cards. Tony Scott led off the bottom of the 11th with a single. Sambito struck out Ken Reitz for the first out of the inning, but walked he next two batters (Ken Oberkfell & Steve Swisher) to load he bases. All-Star shortstop Garry Templeton stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and did the unthinkable...he struck out. So, with 2 out and the bases loaded switch hitter Jerry Mumphrey was scheduled to come to the plate. Cardinal legend, Ken Boyer, who was now managing the team went with a hunch and called back Mumphrey. He looked to his right and gave the signal to Roger Freed to grab his helmet and his lumber and make a miracle happen. Freed picked up his tools of his trade and headed to the plate along with his .000 batting average. In the blink of an eye Sambito had run the count to 1-2. Fans were out of their seats and heading up the aisles to beat the rush to the parking lot. Freed dug down deep and battled Sambito until the count was full. What must have been going through Roger's mind at this moment ? Let Roger tell you himself, “My knees were shaking and sweat kept pouring into my eyes. I asked the ump (Dave Pallone) for time and took a few deep breaths. I felt a bit strange because I’d only been up two or three times in the last three weeks.” After Freed collected himself and dug in Sambito set himself and began his wind up. Freed got a good look at Sambito's 3-2 offering and turned on it with a vengeance and launched it over the left field fence for a walk off grand slam homer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaOoe0_mgqw8c48Zox_5PFZKTbRxhBQ78OFJClM5D2564Es-X7W_9Xeo0wgSDr1_essLd1HJ_OPre-s0xkdUTN2a3U9hyphenhyphensK4QzPfpDW0TGVjBIJvnW3r7LC_744OwEQv_k9bqNM4TpHI/s1600/FreedAndRose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaOoe0_mgqw8c48Zox_5PFZKTbRxhBQ78OFJClM5D2564Es-X7W_9Xeo0wgSDr1_essLd1HJ_OPre-s0xkdUTN2a3U9hyphenhyphensK4QzPfpDW0TGVjBIJvnW3r7LC_744OwEQv_k9bqNM4TpHI/s1600/FreedAndRose.jpg" /></a>Walk off grand slams are a rare breed. To this date only 25 have been hit in the history of major league baseball. To put that in proper context there have been just 20 perfect games hurled in major league history, so Freed's feat was rare indeed. After the game Roger chatted with the press and said, “It’s impossible to describe the feeling, I’d begun to feel like I was dead wood. “When you hit a homer to win it,” said Freed, “that’s the greatest feeling in the world.”</div>
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After thousands of games in the minors in an up and down 10 year career, Roger Freed earned his shinning moment in the sun. Roger would tragically pass away in 1996 due to heart disease at the young age of 49. He was a tireless worker, who never gave up on his dream and had to have the jersey literally taken off his back. A true cardboard hero, who sacrificed his one chance at personal glory for the good of his team.</div>ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-3779806685348976552011-10-20T07:02:00.000-07:002011-10-20T07:02:04.009-07:001977 Houston Astros<br />
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Finishing in 3rd place with an 81-81 record the Astros were an up and coming young team. The pitching was also young, but darn good. The team finished 2nd in ERA and first in complete games. 27 year old James Rodney Richard was the ace of the staff. JR threw bee-bees. His 18-12 record screams out for lack of run support when you pair it up with his 2.97 ERA in 267 innings worth of work. The other starters were pretty good. Joe Niekro split time betwen the pen and the rotation and compiled a 13-8 record with a 3.04 ERA and 5 saves. They did not have one true closer, but that didn't matter since the bullpen by committee stragegy worked to perfection. Playing in the "8th wonder" of the world...aka-The Astrodome was a huge advantage to the pitching staff.</div>
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Of course that huge advantage to the pitchers turned into a huge detriment for the hitters. Astro hitters finished 8th and 9th respectively in most key hitting categories. Shockingly they did have 6 hitters in double digits for homers with Bob Watson leading the way with 22 round trippers and 110 RBI's. While the Astros weren't a great hitting team they were one of the best running teams in the league. Enos Cabell, who hit 16 homers and batted .282 swiped 42 bases, while playing a solid thrid base. Jose Cruz hit .299 with 17 homers and 84 RBI's plus 44 thefts. The enigmatic Cesar Cedeno stole a whopping 61 bases with 14 homers, while hitting .279, but that wasn't enough to detract from his critics who expected him to be the "next Willie Mays". Since the days when he arrived in the biggs, Cedeno was "annoited" that burdensome title. There was only one Willie Mays and we will never see the likes of him again on a ball field. Everyone pales in comparision to the Say Hey kid and so did Cedeno who was only a 4 time All-Star and a 5 time Gold Glover in his 7 seasons prior to '77. Who knows how great he might have been playing in a more hitter friendly park ?</div>
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The bench was pretty good too. Backup catcher Ed Herrmann (not the dude who played FDR), hit .291. Cliff Johnson, who backed up behind the plate and 1st hit .299. Wilbur Howard, the 4th outfielder hit .257. So how did the team come up short ? Playing in the same division as the Dodgers and the Big Red Machine was not easy. Having an every day shortstop like Roger Metzger, who hit .186 hurt a lot too. Joe Ferguson was pretty good with the bat, but he wasn't the best catch and throw guy behind the plate. Art Howe hit well (.264), but he was not your prototypical second baseman. He was more cut out to play the corner infield spots, but his bat wasn't heavy enough to warrant him playing there daily. Terry Puhl, at age 20, came up and dazzled fans with his fielding and his .301 average. He was a skinny kid who could hit, throw and run, but at this point in his career he had no pop in his bat (zero homers) and that's a tough sell for a guy playing right field. The good news is that the framework for success was built. In 3 short years the team would make the post season and wind up 1 inning away from the World Series. This could be a real fun team to manage with their speed and pitching.</div>
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To complete the Astros 1977 Topps team set I had to add 18 new cards plus update Jose Cruz' card..<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GcaaSKPXC8w/Tp5Y1IG8XrI/AAAAAAAAAbM/UEE7YTzv29U/s1600/Jose_Cruz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GcaaSKPXC8w/Tp5Y1IG8XrI/AAAAAAAAAbM/UEE7YTzv29U/s320/Jose_Cruz.jpg" width="222" /></a>As previously mentioned, Cruz's original card had him batting from the wrong side of the plate. The updated card makes him look lean and mean. Cruz hit .299 with 17 homers, which means he had some pretty good pop in his bad considering the fact that he played half his games in the Astrodome. He would have a long and illustrious career in Houston and might be considered one of the top 3 or 4 every day players to ever wear an Astro uniform.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cUpiKWVEv3g/Tp8_yEz2zMI/AAAAAAAAAbg/8GzEHHl_BZo/s1600/Floyd_Bannister.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cUpiKWVEv3g/Tp8_yEz2zMI/AAAAAAAAAbg/8GzEHHl_BZo/s320/Floyd_Bannister.jpg" width="221" /></a>The 22 year old Bannister posted and 8-9 record with a 4.04 ERA and finished 4th in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. After a 3-9 season in 1978 he was dealt to the Mariners for shortstop Craig Reynolds. The deal helped both franchises. Bannister performed admirably in 4 seasons on a cellar dwellar. He even made the All-Star team in 1982, his final year in the Pacific Northwest. He also led the league in strikeouts (209) that season. As a free agent he signed with the Chisox and went 16-10 with a career best 3.35 ERA as the White Sox made the post season for the first time in 24 years. Bannister finished his career 9 games under .500, but if you allot for all the second division teams that he played for you can see that he was a better pitcher than his record indicates. This signed 8x10 photo was fond via a google search.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-41CVq6vVK9E/Tp8_yIqmuMI/AAAAAAAAAbk/Atj91A4sRNM/s1600/Jim_Fuller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-41CVq6vVK9E/Tp8_yIqmuMI/AAAAAAAAAbk/Atj91A4sRNM/s320/Jim_Fuller.jpg" width="222" /></a>After hitting just .222 in 202 plate appearances for the Orioles in 1974 Fuller was sent back down to the farm. The O's were consistent contenders, so he was not about to get another shot to play regularly. Eventually the Astros signed him during the offseason and gave him a shot to back up the corner oufield spots and 1st base. Fuller got 100 at bats and hit a woeful .160 in 1977. The Astros would ship him to Pittsburgh the following year. He would never return to the majors. The only photo I could find of Fuller on the Astros was a black and white 5x7 glossy being sold on ebay. I played around with Paint Shop and found a better way to colorize photos. I won't say I perfected it, but I feel like it's a lot better than previous efforts.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MjwRPCuTVSA/Tp8_yK8HEdI/AAAAAAAAAdc/73Q3L71DsUQ/s1600/Joe_Cannon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MjwRPCuTVSA/Tp8_yK8HEdI/AAAAAAAAAdc/73Q3L71DsUQ/s320/Joe_Cannon.jpg" width="221" /></a>Cannon had speed and hit for average during his years in the Astro chain. During his two cups of coffee with the parent club he never hit higher than .222. In just 17 at bats in 1977 he hit .118. After the '78 season ended he was sent in a package to Toronto for Alan Ashby, which turned out to be huge steal for the Astros. Cannon hit just .211 in 146 plate appearances during the 1979 season for the Jays. He his a brutal .080 the following year and must feel fortunate to have gotten 50 at bats. His major league totals over 4 partial season was .176, 1 homer and 11 RBI's. Not exactly the numbers the Astros envisioned when they spent their 1974 #1 pick on him. This card was exceptionally hard to creat. There were no know Astro photos of Cannon, so I had to take his 1980 Topps card photo, which had him in a Jays uniform and try and convert it to a Houston look. It took me a wile to find a cap that fit nicely and looked closed to authentic. I had to cut his uniform and paste it into a new file, then turn it to black and white and re-colorize it. I'm not happy with this effort, but it was a hard picture to work with. It was somewhere on a par with Topps's work during the era. Possibly a bit worse, but not as bad as Rich McKinney 1973.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DnL5IslRYo4/Tp8_ydz1CeI/AAAAAAAAAbw/ZcUnb0VuyK8/s1600/Julio_Gonzalez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DnL5IslRYo4/Tp8_ydz1CeI/AAAAAAAAAbw/ZcUnb0VuyK8/s320/Julio_Gonzalez.jpg" width="221" /></a>Gonzalez spent 4 non-descript seasons in Houston as a utility infielder. Having Roger Metzger start ahead of you at shortstop while batting in the .180's tells you just how lightly Astro management thought of his skills. Splitting time between 2nd and short he hit .245 in 383 at bats. That would be the most action he would see during any of the remaining 6 seasons in his career. After hitting just .115 in 1980 in 40 games Gonzalez was allowed to leave via free agency. He hit .318 in limited action with the Cardinals in 1981, then dropped to .241 when his playing time was doubled. He wound up in Detroit the following season, hit .143, and was released.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9wtSAm41BBAYB3cwi7jkzdlp6EY-7Hi5SjLrIzcJ5JR1qp09HxNTOipJxuVGNPkJSiPaXQVbnQvNtdVLDJotkZMw5ssOYsMbJw0Qkle6ou-cRPwfGVrBHazUhni3SD9JcJGvXGXoVeU/s1600/Luis_Pujols.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9wtSAm41BBAYB3cwi7jkzdlp6EY-7Hi5SjLrIzcJ5JR1qp09HxNTOipJxuVGNPkJSiPaXQVbnQvNtdVLDJotkZMw5ssOYsMbJw0Qkle6ou-cRPwfGVrBHazUhni3SD9JcJGvXGXoVeU/s320/Luis_Pujols.jpg" width="222" /></a>Famous for being Prince Albert's cousin and infamous for allowing his team, the Detroit Tigers to bat out of order when he was managing, Pujols was a rookie in '77. Getting into just 6 games and getting 1 hit in 15 trips to the plate earned him a trip back to triple A. From 1978-1983 he would serve as a part time / platoon catcher for the 'Stros. His bat was virtually non-existant as evidenced by his career .193 average in 850 AB's. The photo used for this card is a colorized Black and White 5x7 team issue print. I used the same process to colorize it that I used on Jim Fuller's card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tn0K9sdMzcY/Tp8_yhUXVgI/AAAAAAAAAb8/YU8HDpfsmEI/s1600/Mark_Lemongello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tn0K9sdMzcY/Tp8_yhUXVgI/AAAAAAAAAb8/YU8HDpfsmEI/s320/Mark_Lemongello.jpg" width="222" /></a>Jersey City native Lemongello was more famous for his off the field exploits than his on the field accomplishments. Once quoted as saying, "Do Canadians speak American ?" In 1982 he and former teammate Manny Seoane were arrested for kidnapping Lemongello's famous cousins Mike (Bowlwer) and Peter (Singer). Like his major league career, Lemongello also failed at kidnapping and got busted and was sentenced to 10 years of probation. In 1977 he went 9-14 with a 3.48 ERA. He logged 214 innings at the tender age of 21 and allowed 237 hits. The following year he would replicate the same level of futility. After the '78 season he was sent to Toronto as part of the Ashby deal. His one season in Toronto was horrible (1-9, 6.29), so he was sent back to Triple A. By 1980 his career was over at the age of 24 and his future life in crime awaited him. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zYsQtywocZI/Tp8_yhs04HI/AAAAAAAAAb4/zQYE79IWLYY/s1600/Mike_Fischlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zYsQtywocZI/Tp8_yhs04HI/AAAAAAAAAb4/zQYE79IWLYY/s320/Mike_Fischlin.jpg" width="222" /></a>Apparently Fischlin was one of Scott Boras' first clients. As payback, he works for Boras today in his player development department. If Boras was able to get this guy a huge contact then he really did earn his bucks, that's for sure. The 21 year old Fischlin played in 13 games and got 15 AB's with 3 hits during his brief stay with the big club in 1977. He would return in '78 for 44 games, but hit only .116. 1979 saw him spend the full season in the minors with him returning in 1980 to play in just 1 game. That's probably where this photo was taken. It's an intersting cover shot that features HOF'er Joe Morgan and somehow he wound up in the shot. Since I thought it was interesting and there were no other shots of him in a Houston uni.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Wkf25xjpHc/Tp8_y0iun4I/AAAAAAAAAcM/TsJLbaY1WG4/s1600/Rob_Sperring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Wkf25xjpHc/Tp8_y0iun4I/AAAAAAAAAcM/TsJLbaY1WG4/s320/Rob_Sperring.jpg" width="221" /></a>Along with Willie Crawford and cash, Sperring arrived in Houston in exchange for Rob Andrews. His stock was so low the Giants dealt him without ever letting him play a game for them. He would serve the role of utility infielder and play in 58 games and hit .186 in 143 plate appearances. After the season he was sent down to Charleston (AAA) where he played for 2 seasons before being given his unconditional release. This card was created by using his 1978 Topps card photo, which was clearly taken at Shea.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vGKPhgs-NJA/Tp8_zDT8xAI/AAAAAAAAAcI/0m51Yd0eIe8/s1600/Roy_Thomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vGKPhgs-NJA/Tp8_zDT8xAI/AAAAAAAAAcI/0m51Yd0eIe8/s320/Roy_Thomas.jpg" width="221" /></a>His Astro career lasted all of 4 games during the '77 season. In 6 1/3 innings of work he gave up just 2 earned runs. He arrived in Houston via a trade that sent infielder Larry Milbourne to the Mariners just after spring training ended. After the season he was released by the 'Stros and wound up in St. Louis where he hasd 3 solid seasons. After 2 years in the minors he wound up back in Seattle. His lifetime 20-11 record with a 3.82 ERA in 182 games spans parts of 8 seasons. This card was created using his 1978 rookie panel card shot from Topps, which was horribly airbrushed.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KM8mYaVvAII/Tp8_zRyL2tI/AAAAAAAAAcc/bQgH_E-92Q4/s1600/Terry_Puhl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KM8mYaVvAII/Tp8_zRyL2tI/AAAAAAAAAcc/bQgH_E-92Q4/s320/Terry_Puhl.jpg" width="222" /></a>Canadian born Terry Puhl shot through the Astros chain like a lightning bolt in the Texas sky. He was called up to the majors in July of 1977 and stayed in the biggs for the rest of his career. He hit .301 during his rookie campaign and the following year was an All-Star. He hit .526 in the 1980 NLCS, but the Astros still came up short vs the Phillies. He holds the 9th best all time career fielding percentage (.993) for major league outfielders, although he never won a gold glove. The photo used for his card came from his 1981 Fleer card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ODhS9ZytkJM/Tp8_zTnFbFI/AAAAAAAAAcY/nRdy9DJjzHg/s1600/Tom_Dixon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ODhS9ZytkJM/Tp8_zTnFbFI/AAAAAAAAAcY/nRdy9DJjzHg/s320/Tom_Dixon.jpg" width="221" /></a>22 year old rookie Tom Dixon logged 30 innints over 9 games (4 starts) and posted an impressive 3.26 era and a 1-0 record. Given 19 starts the following season his ERA bumped up to 3.99 with a 7-11 record in 140 innings. In '79 he bottomed out by going 1-2 with a devil like 6.66 ERA in 19 games. He was shipped off to the Mets where he was burried at Tidewater for 3 seasons before he moved on to Syracuse (TOR) then Wichita (MON). Pictured here is his minor league card while at Tidewater. I did a cut/paste of an Astro cap over his Tides cap.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQNrQHyGhVY/Tp8_zoakE_I/AAAAAAAAAc0/Jyv6dkEi6Zc/s1600/Willie_Crawford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQNrQHyGhVY/Tp8_zoakE_I/AAAAAAAAAc0/Jyv6dkEi6Zc/s320/Willie_Crawford.jpg" width="222" /></a>After being acquired by the Giants in the offseason Crawford was dealt to the Astros without ever playing a game in the Bay area. coming off a .304 season in St. Louis, 30 year old Crawford aged like he was the star of a Twilight Zone episode. After 114 at bats spanning 42 games he and his .254 average were sent packing to Oakland where he hit .184. After the season he signed back with the Dodgers and was released. At 31 he had 14 seasons under belt. What should have been his prime was his twilight. As an 18 year old he got to play in the 1965 World Series for the Dodgers. He could lay claim to being a teammate of both Sandy Koufax and JR Richard. I copied Jesus Alou's cap from his '74 card and enlarged it then pasted it on Crawford's head after airbrushing away his batting helmet that was airbrushed to show Giant colors.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Tm8gBpzENQ/Tp8_zo2J31I/AAAAAAAAAck/Up0Lfr78IdA/s1600/Art_Gardner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Tm8gBpzENQ/Tp8_zo2J31I/AAAAAAAAAck/Up0Lfr78IdA/s320/Art_Gardner.jpg" width="221" /></a>In 66 games during the '77 season Gardner was used mostly as a defensive replacement and pinch runner. In 65 AB's he hit .154. Houston sold his contract to the Giants after the season and he played in just 7 games in a similar role, which would be his final shot at the biggs. I found this semi-action photo shot on an Astro-fan website.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejInQ0oQ4yE/Tp8_z41Nt9I/AAAAAAAAAcw/BZ9GQm_fkic/s1600/Art_Howe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejInQ0oQ4yE/Tp8_z41Nt9I/AAAAAAAAAcw/BZ9GQm_fkic/s320/Art_Howe.jpg" width="222" /></a>Rescued from the Pirates system as a player to be named later during the '76 season, Howe was 29 years old and going nowhere fast in professional ball. After hitting .138 in limited action during the '76 season he looked all but done. Then out of nowhere at the age of 30 he found the fountain of youth in the Astrodome. For the next 6 seasons he was a mainstay in the Astros infield until he suffered what was thought to be a career ending injury in 1982. After missing the whole 1983 season he returned in 1984 for two season in St. Louis before heading off to a successful career as a major league manager. I used his 1978 Topps card photo for this card.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RDTPhfzBvi4/Tp8_0JCUA5I/AAAAAAAAAdM/H1cH-ovlkWc/s1600/Craig_Cacek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RDTPhfzBvi4/Tp8_0JCUA5I/AAAAAAAAAdM/H1cH-ovlkWc/s320/Craig_Cacek.jpg" width="222" /></a>Not a huge call for a 1st baseman who hits .050 in his only shot in the majors, is there ? Cacek got into 7 games and batted 20 times during the '77 season, which was his only chance at the biggs. If you look at his triple A career (7 years) that ran from 1976-82 he posted Keith Hernandez type numbers. He was a lifetime .301 Triple A hitter with medium power. He bounced from the Astros chain over to Pittsburgh's and then to Spokane (CAL) before calling it quits after 1982. I would have expected a guy with his type of numbers to have gotten at least another shot at the majors. I was pleasantly surprised to have found this photo on a website called Astroland. It needed a little bit of touch up work since the photo was quite faded. It looks just grainy enough now to be a Topps card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SK1mBm7nBTQ/Tp8_0OD6qRI/AAAAAAAAAc8/2mqM7J8R1BQ/s1600/Danny_Walton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SK1mBm7nBTQ/Tp8_0OD6qRI/AAAAAAAAAc8/2mqM7J8R1BQ/s320/Danny_Walton.jpg" width="221" /></a>Walton actually started out in the Astros organization in the late 60's and even got 2 AB's during the '68 season at the age of 20. He was an original Seattle Pilot in their ony year of existence (1969), but never got mentioned in Jim Bouton's classic book "Ball 4". Walton had a breakout year in 1970 after the Pilots moved to Milwaukee and became the Brewers. He hit 17 homers and batted close to .260. Then the wheels came off and he bounced up and down between AAA and the majors for the next decade. He landed in Houston in 1977 and got into 13 games and hit .190 after a mid season deal brought him over from the Dodgers where he hit 42 homers at their Albuquerque affiliate. Walton would be that classic AAAA player. Too good for Triple A, but not good enough for the major leagues. I used his airbrushed 1978 Topps card for this updated '77 card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VZlDwZg4ilA/Tp8_0byFPEI/AAAAAAAAAdI/MjlQFwVd5oU/s1600/Denny_Walling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VZlDwZg4ilA/Tp8_0byFPEI/AAAAAAAAAdI/MjlQFwVd5oU/s320/Denny_Walling.jpg" width="222" /></a>Nicknamed "Good Wood" for the solid line drives that he hit, Walling was stolen from the A's in a mid season deal where Houston dumped the elderly Willie Crawford who was quickly winding down his career. Walling go into just 6 games, but his .286 average was a preview of the type of hitter he was going to become. Never a big power guy, Walling would platoon at third base for the next dozen years and serve as the first lefty pinch hitter off the bench when he wasn't starting. His 109 career pinch hits puts him just outside the top 10 in that career category. I used his 1979 Topps card photo for this updated card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p8HfOyq5j6I/Tp8_0muWXDI/AAAAAAAAAdY/rIM8P44hc1c/s1600/Doug_Konieczny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p8HfOyq5j6I/Tp8_0muWXDI/AAAAAAAAAdY/rIM8P44hc1c/s320/Doug_Konieczny.jpg" width="221" /></a>After two cups of coffee as a late season call up in 1973 and 1974 Konieczny was give a full time shot in the rotation in 1975 and came up short with a 6-13 record and a 4.47 ERA in 171 innings. He spent the whole '76 season at Triple A and got the call up in '77 and appeared in 4 games. In 21 innings of work his ERA was 6.00. He developed arm troubles and was out of baseball the rest of the year. In '78 he started the season in A ball on a rehabilitation assignment, but could not cut it, so he retired from baseball at the age of 26. He holds the distinction of being the only major leaguer to have come out of Wayne State University. This photo came from the 1976 SSPC mini card set and was taken at Shea Stadium.</div>
<br />ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-10979963545344706122011-10-19T13:54:00.000-07:002011-10-19T13:54:39.772-07:00Cruz-ing<br />
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After underperforming in St. Louis for the better part of 5 seasons Jose' Cruz was sold to the Houston Astros. Talk about making a great purchase. Basically the Astros got themselves their starting left fielder for the next 13 years for a few sheckles. By 1977 Cruz was 29 years of age and ready to hit his prime. The previous season (1976) he hit .303, but didn't have much power. '77 was his breakout year for power. He clocked 17 homers and hit 1 tick below .300. I know, you're thinking "even in 1977, 17 homers isn't really all that powerful". I get what your saying and if Cruz played his home games in Atlanta Fulton County Stadium I would have to agree, but he playe 81 games in he cavernous Astrodome...a place where long fly balls came to die. Hitting 17 there would be like hitting 30-35 in Atlanta. Cruz was also a solid fielder with a decent arm. He would finish his 19 year career with a .284 batting average, 165 homers, 1,077 RBI's and 2,251 hits. If there was a Hall of the Very Good, he would have to be a first ballot inductee. Since such a place only exists in blogs and talk radio, the memory of a player like Cruz is relegated to pieced of cardboard with wax stains on them and the occassional MLB Greatest games ever video (Game 5 of the 1980 NLCS or Game 6 of the 1986 NLCS).</div>
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After looking at his original 1977 Topps Card something didn't look right. "Cheo", his semi-popular nickname is pictured on the card batting from the right side of the plate. OK, I'm not a CSI guy, but even I could tell that Topps had him batting from the wrong side, or did they ? Did they reverse the negative ? Was Jose playing a joke on the Topps photographer ? Did they airbrush his card ? Only thing to do was to get out my magnifying glass and my scanner and go to work. My first clue was the uniform # sewn onto his pant leg. Houston displayed numbers on their game pants. Cruz wore #25, but on his pants leg it looks like he's wearing #2E. No that's not a typo. It looked like 23 backward. What happened ? Did I solve some big mystery ? Actually I'm now more confused. The star on Houston's hideous jersey matches up where it should be. Did they airbrush it ? Was he wearing Cesar Cedeno's pants (#28) ? It just doesn't make any sense. And so at 11:30pm I decided to just get a new picture of Jose and create a new card. When I flipped the original in Photo Shop his facsimile autograph got flipped and his uni was all backward. It didn't look good at all. No improvement. Mystery unsolved, but Cruz did get himself a new card and I got a chance to post something about a pretty darn good ballplayer who outside of the Houston area is all but forgotten today.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSAtonLnLIU/Tp5YzqGCRDI/AAAAAAAAAbE/oKQBHOLOYp4/s1600/Jose_Cruz_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSAtonLnLIU/Tp5YzqGCRDI/AAAAAAAAAbE/oKQBHOLOYp4/s1600/Jose_Cruz_orig.jpg" /></a></div>
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This is the original card issued by Topps in '77. Pay close attention to the fact that his pant leg # does not look like his #25. Also he is batting RH, and he's a lefty.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5nvC-a8T8B8/Tp5g86TyLjI/AAAAAAAAAbU/BMare4-ctmw/s1600/Jose_Cruz_mirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5nvC-a8T8B8/Tp5g86TyLjI/AAAAAAAAAbU/BMare4-ctmw/s1600/Jose_Cruz_mirror.jpg" /></a></div>
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For this one I did a mirror image of the original. The pant leg # now looks lie 35 ? The facsimile signature is now completely reversed. Not a good look at all.</div>
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Finally I settled on this card of him peering out from the dugout and giving someone a dirty look. Cruz was a pretty intense guy.</div>
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I'm working on the rest of the Astros set, which should be done in a day or two.</div>
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<br /></div>ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-61731990139350221862011-10-15T22:33:00.000-07:002011-10-15T22:33:29.408-07:001977 Baltimore Orioles<br />
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At 97-64 the O's were an Excellent team. As late as early August they held sole possession of 1st place yet somehow they finished 2 games out of 1st to a surging Yankee team. How did the O's come up short ? Maybe they didn't ? If you look at their pythagorean they should have won 88 games. The great Earl Weaver somehow coaxed 9 more wins out of his team and in most years 97 wins would take the division hands down. His pitching ranked just above average after you look at HOF workhorse Jim Palmer, who was 20-11 with a 2.91 ERA, while logging 319 innings. A typical O's team was built on dominant pitching and the 3 run homer. The pitching was good and the 3 run homer didn't come as often. The O's were in the bottom half of the league in batting average and OBP, so a lot of those 3 run homers became solo homers. Still, Weaver pushed all the right buttons and got his team to overachieve. People talk about him only winning 1 championship, but they forget about all the teams that he got to the post season that were either one dimensional or understaffed. The man was a genius. During his first tour of duty with the O's 1968-82 (15 years) he NEVER had a losing season. In fact his worst finish was 4th place and that team won 90. In 1980 he would finish second to the Yankees once again even though he won 100.</div>
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Besides Palmer, who were the stars on this team ? With Lee May entrenched at 1st, rookie sensation Eddie Murray was the regular DH for 110 of the 160 games that he played. Murray won the Rookie of the Year award hitting .283 with 27 homers. May also had 27 homers and Kenny Singleton had 24 with 99 RBI's. Doug DeCinces was a fine glove man at 3rd, who also chipped in with 19 roundtrippers. The middle of the infield was a bit of a problem. Perenial gold glover Mark Belanger was beginning to lose range at short, which meant it was becoming hard to justify his .206 average. Billy Smith hit .215 while manning second. Singleton (.328) let the team in batting, followed by centerfielder Al Bumbry (.317). Pat Kelly had 25 stolen bases. Bumbry stole 19. Belanger even stole 15. Weaver knew he needed to manufacture runs any way shape or form. Rudy May (18-14, 3.61), Mike Flanagan (15-10, 3.64) and Ross Grimsley (14-10, 3.96) rounded out the rotation with rookie Dennis Martinez going 14-7 as a spot starter and long man. Nobody had more than 9 saves, so Weaver went to a bullpen by committee with Tippy Martinez finishing the most games.</div>
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To complete the 1977 Topps set for Baltimore I had to add 20 cards in total. I created two different ones for Eddie Murray, since this would have been his Rookie card if he had a card in the '77 set.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nNd-RElqIrU/TpkbtGVcWZI/AAAAAAAAAXM/Xrw8fc3sSSs/s1600/Rich_Dauer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nNd-RElqIrU/TpkbtGVcWZI/AAAAAAAAAXM/Xrw8fc3sSSs/s320/Rich_Dauer.jpg" width="222" /></a>After a fast cup of coffee with the O's in '76 Dauer spent the full season in '77 battling Billy Smith for the second base slot. By 1978 he would evenutally become the everyday second baseman for the next 8 seasons. Dauer hit .243 in 304 AB's during the '77 season. He was a lifetime .257 hitter in 10 big league seasons. Dauer career will be defined by his glove. He holds the AL single season fielding record for second baseman (86 consecutive errorless games spanning 425 chances). Shockingly he never won a gold glove. The photo from this card came from a Topps negative that was never used on cardboard.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0K04heWgvak/TpkbtdPhJZI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/rxey4Fe1NtU/s1600/Scott_McGregor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0K04heWgvak/TpkbtdPhJZI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/rxey4Fe1NtU/s320/Scott_McGregor.jpg" width="222" /></a>A 23 year old Scotty McGregor spent 1977 pitching primarily out of the pen in long relief situations. His 3-5 record with a 4.42 ERA were not indicative of the sustained excellence that was to come. He would spend 13 seasons in the big leagues, all in Baltimore. He would win 20 games in 1980 and make the All-Star team in '81. He would finish 6th in the Cy Young voting in '80 and '83. He was a clutch post season performer who had a 3-3 record with a slim 1.63 ERA. He pitched game clinching shutouts in the 1979 LCS and 1983 World Series. Originally drafted by the Yankees he was sent to the O's along with Rick Dempsey, Tippy Martinez, Rudy May and Dave Pagan for Doyle Alexander, Jimmy Freeman, Ellie Hendricks and Grant Jackson. It's a safe bet to say that the O's got the better end of that 1976 trade deadline transaction. The photo used here came from an 8x10 glossy action shot that was unsigned.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6d4R4k03NqVD3dRXwsgJHmrWeOW9MIQKHJbVQXGY24qd9KolrUAKNwe_xt5WuRF2L3x9Ocz1zPcYLWYSuPf9emKK9cTaEiYQcr487rXgJGDUwgYdJgvTyDwhRtn9uYNabyBf6tRWlTo/s1600/Terry_Crowley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6d4R4k03NqVD3dRXwsgJHmrWeOW9MIQKHJbVQXGY24qd9KolrUAKNwe_xt5WuRF2L3x9Ocz1zPcYLWYSuPf9emKK9cTaEiYQcr487rXgJGDUwgYdJgvTyDwhRtn9uYNabyBf6tRWlTo/s320/Terry_Crowley.jpg" width="221" /></a>Crowley arrived back in Baltimore for his second tour of duty in the middle of the '76 season. He built a solid 15 year major league career as a backup outfielder, part time DH and most importantly a clutch left hand pinch hitter. Crowley is 13 on the all time pinch hit list with 113. He first broke into the big leagues with the '69 O's and was part of their 3 straight pennant winning clubs. He was traded to Cincy in time to earn a World Series ring in 1975. In 1977 he appeared in 18 games as a pinch hitter and hit .364. He was a career .260 hitter as a pinch hitter. He was the second native Staten Islander (NY) to make it to the majors (Bobby Thomson was the first). The photo used here came from his 1979 Topps card.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dUbJ056qbHA/Tpkbtaby3pI/AAAAAAAAAXc/CjtuxbA_xAk/s1600/Tom_Shopay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dUbJ056qbHA/Tpkbtaby3pI/AAAAAAAAAXc/CjtuxbA_xAk/s320/Tom_Shopay.jpg" width="221" /></a>Shopay was a bit player who bounced back and forth between "the biggs" and triple A, never batting more than 79 times in any of the 7 partial seasons he spent in the majors. 1977 would be his final shot at the biggs. At 32, he would hit just .188 in 79 plate appearances as the team's 5th outfielder. The photo I used was taken during his first stint with the big club in the early 70's. Shopay was sent down to Rochester (AAA) for 3 years, then resurfaced in '75 with the O's once again. THis was a 8x10 glossy taken at Comiskey.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R5RFviiFQyY/TpkbtsFf1GI/AAAAAAAAAXg/Jn50vePbNxk/s1600/Tony_Chevez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R5RFviiFQyY/TpkbtsFf1GI/AAAAAAAAAXg/Jn50vePbNxk/s320/Tony_Chevez.jpg" width="221" /></a>Born Silvio Antonio Aguilera Chévez in Telica Nicaragua, "Tony" spent 3+ seasons in the minors before getting a shot with the O's. In 4 games, spanning 8 innings he would allow 10 hits, 13 runs and sport a 12.38 ERA in his own action in the bigs. For those of you paying attention, there is a spelling error on Tony's card. Once I noticed it I had 2 choices: Fix it or call it a rare "error card". I went with the latter, since Topps was infamous for their "error cards" and poor Tony only played in 4 games. This photo was surprisingly found while searching Google. I believe it was taken in Anaheim Stadium.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LMdY8juOjhQ/TpkbuampDnI/AAAAAAAAAXw/FgRFTUfXyfY/s1600/Billy_Smith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LMdY8juOjhQ/TpkbuampDnI/AAAAAAAAAXw/FgRFTUfXyfY/s320/Billy_Smith.jpg" width="222" /></a>This Hall of Fame Goalie won 4 straight Stanley Cups with the Islanders in the early 80's...Oooops, I think I got that one wrong. Let me start again. This second baseman had a quick 6 year career, 3 of which was spent in Baltimore either splitting time with Rich Dauer or backing him up. In 1977 he hit just .215 in 109 games, but down the stretch lost more and more playing time to Dauer, who as a gold glove caliber fielder. After playing in just 68 games in 1979 the O's cut him loose. He would eventually wind up with the Giants organization. His call up in 1981 was his last shot at the big leagues. After hitting .180 in 71 plate appearances his career was over at the age of 27. For this card I used his 1978 Topps card photo, which I airbrushed out the position ball in the top right corner where the cloud formation was.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2qfAO1D3R-I/TpkbuGabd0I/AAAAAAAAAXs/gT22aDRz0dM/s1600/Dave_Criscione.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2qfAO1D3R-I/TpkbuGabd0I/AAAAAAAAAXs/gT22aDRz0dM/s320/Dave_Criscione.jpg" width="222" /></a>On July 25, 1977 David Gerald Criscione hit a walk off homer in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the O's a comeback win over the Brewers. This would be Criscione's one bright shining moment in a major league career that spanned just 9 at bats in 7 games. In 3 of those at bats he would reach base safely and finish his brief major league career with a .333 average. This photo was originally a black and white shot that came from a 1991 set of Orioles cards featuring every player in franchise history up to that point..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOm3HfGO5x3xHnw-5U7-dWje-eMx_A0kWiL8oHl4mX9eOrLPURXREfXnGX3U3sP1aUaE7i9qDMdlW2ijsj2gFDSfe09cUUkMse6yV0bRLMRCriLzz7NlfVzUud55FDdC0-c_xDTPmz5uc/s1600/Dave_Skaggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOm3HfGO5x3xHnw-5U7-dWje-eMx_A0kWiL8oHl4mX9eOrLPURXREfXnGX3U3sP1aUaE7i9qDMdlW2ijsj2gFDSfe09cUUkMse6yV0bRLMRCriLzz7NlfVzUud55FDdC0-c_xDTPmz5uc/s320/Dave_Skaggs.jpg" width="221" /></a>Skaggs split time behind the plate with Rick Dempsey who was injured a lot during the '77 season as well as batting a very low batting average. Skaggs hit .287 in 216 at bats, so he was definitely the hitting catcher. That designation would be removed the following season when his average plumeted to .151. After hitting .248 in 63 games during the '79 season he looked to be back into the catching rotation. ONce again he began to slip and was sold to the Angels early in the '80 season. A sub .200 average in California earned him his unconditional release, which marked the end of his career. For this card I used his 1978 Topps card.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-si1YH98gmfw/TpkbutZT-JI/AAAAAAAAAYE/89iJwva762U/s1600/Dennis_Martinez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-si1YH98gmfw/TpkbutZT-JI/AAAAAAAAAYE/89iJwva762U/s320/Dennis_Martinez.jpg" width="222" /></a>1977 was El Presidente's first full season in the big leagues. 21 years later he would leave the game with 245 career wins and a perfect game. He holds the destinction of having the most career wins for a pitcher who never won 20 games in a single season. Sadly his 1981 season (14-5) would have been that 20 win campaign if the strike didn't cut out 1/3 of the schedule. After a very promising cup of coffee in 1976, Matinez made the most of his full time promotion to the big club in '77. Going 14-7 with a 4.10 ERA in 42 games (13 starts) caught the eye of manager Earl Weaver. For the next 8 season, until he was traded to Montreal, he was a fixture in the Orioless rotation. In 1990 at the age of 35 he made his first All-Star team. At the age of 40, in 1995 he made his 4th All-Star appearance. His 3.32 post season ERA (in 43 innings) is quite impressive. In 1998 at the age of 43 he made 4 appearances in the NLCS for the braves and won 1 without giving up a single run. This photo was found while searching Google. It was posted on a blog by an Oriole fan who took the picture with a 126 Instamatic camera during the late 70's.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vpeW1BtNQFg/TpkbvHhyFSI/AAAAAAAAAYI/59-40EW904A/s1600/Dick_Drago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vpeW1BtNQFg/TpkbvHhyFSI/AAAAAAAAAYI/59-40EW904A/s320/Dick_Drago.jpg" width="221" /></a>By 1977 Drago had successfully made the transition from frontline starter to frontline reliever. On June 13, 1977 the O's dealt Dyar Miller to the Angels to acquire Drago who went 6-3 with a 3.63 ERA in 36 games out of the pen. Drago would sign with Boston after the '77 season ended and spend 3 years there before ending his career in the Pacific Northwest with the Mariners in 1981. This photo was an 8x10 autographed picturte taken in what looks like Tiger Stadium, judging by the roof overhang. Interesting fact: He gave up the final homer run ever hit by Hank Aaron.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0H-h23spiy8/TpkbvPGH2vI/AAAAAAAAAYU/0tua2WEkmLo/s1600/Earl_Stephenson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0H-h23spiy8/TpkbvPGH2vI/AAAAAAAAAYU/0tua2WEkmLo/s320/Earl_Stephenson.jpg" width="222" /></a>Played parts of 2 seasons in Baltimore (1977-78). Got into just 1 game in '77 and gave up 3 runs in 3 innings of work. He would pitch in 2 games the following year, then disappear in the minors. His only season of full time action (1972) saw him go 3-5 with a 3.25 ERA in 35 games for the Brewers. This rare shot was taken while he was up with the big club during either the '77 or '78 season or quite possibly during spring training one year.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hCrrYWMo_pY/TpkbvWepDiI/AAAAAAAAAYY/Y9Uz0IBmR0Q/s1600/Ed_Farmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hCrrYWMo_pY/TpkbvWepDiI/AAAAAAAAAYY/Y9Uz0IBmR0Q/s320/Ed_Farmer.jpg" width="221" /></a>Best known as one of the radio voices of the White Sox, "Farmio", spent more years as a scout for the Orioles organization (3) than he did pitching for it (1 game). Farmer had two separate careers as a major league pitcher. From 1971-1974 he struggled with the Indians, Tigers adn Phillies. He developed arm trouble and spent the next 3 seasons trying to find his way back to the show. His 1 game in '77 with the O's left him with an ERA of "infinity" since he never registered an out and gave up 1 run. He would get into just 2 games in Milwaukee the following season, so his career looked to be over. They mysteriously the light bulb went on and he figured it out. He would go on to have six solid years as a reliever for Texas, Chicago (AL), Philly and Oakland. His peak year was 1980, where he saved 30 games for the Chisox. As much as I hated to do it I had to go with the BHNH look for this updated card. Farmer's one game in an Oriole uniform didn't warrant anyone taking a picture of him, so I used this 1980 Topps sticker photo taken of him while he was a member of the Pale Hose.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_eiQkklH49g/Tpkbv1-u6_I/AAAAAAAAAYo/QLI-aAImtM4/s1600/Eddie_Murray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_eiQkklH49g/Tpkbv1-u6_I/AAAAAAAAAYo/QLI-aAImtM4/s320/Eddie_Murray.jpg" width="222" /></a>1977 Rookie of the year, 8 time All-Star starter, 3 time gold glover, 3 time silver slugger award winner and two time MVP runner up are the titles that Murray accrued during his 21 seasons in the big leagues. Along the way he would collect 504 homers, the second most for a switch hitter, 1,917 RBI's and 3,255 hits. Murray was a sure fire first ballot HOF'er and was inducted in 2003. He spent 13 of his 21 seasons as an Oriole. In 1977 the only blemish on his Rookie of the Years season was that he struck out 104 times. That would be the only time in his illustrious career that he would eclipse the century mark for k's. For Eddie's "pre"-rookie card I decided to use this team issue portrait photo.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-svJSetC1vVk/Tpkbv0L0hAI/AAAAAAAAAYk/6sjmPUPZ5m8/s1600/Eddie_Murray_BAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-svJSetC1vVk/Tpkbv0L0hAI/AAAAAAAAAYk/6sjmPUPZ5m8/s320/Eddie_Murray_BAL.jpg" width="222" /></a>Many people think of Murray as this nasty / threatening dude who didn't like to talk to the media. Sadly we get these portrayals of players from a media that is very opinionated and feels the urge to make us feel the same way they do. These two photos show Murray laughing and smiling. By all accounts he was a great teammate and the fans in Baltimore still love him to death. When I walked outside of Camden Yards and tried to buy a #33 Murray T-shirt off a street vendor I was told, "sold out, we can't keep them in stock". This tells you volumes about the guy. I created two cards for him, because I wasn't 100% sure which one I liked best. I will leave that to you all.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JIe2k7tSvp0/TpkbwKmf_dI/AAAAAAAAAY4/QOUjAA80icg/s1600/Elliott_Maddox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JIe2k7tSvp0/TpkbwKmf_dI/AAAAAAAAAY4/QOUjAA80icg/s320/Elliott_Maddox.jpg" width="221" /></a>In January 1977 the Yankees traded Maddox and Rick Bladt to the Baltimore Orioles for Paul Blair. At the time Maddox was recovering from a horrible knee injury that he sustained during the 1975 season while he was playing for the Yankees. Maddox turned around and sued the New York Yankees as his employer, the New York Mets as lessees of Shea Stadium, and the City of New York as owners of the stadium. In the notable decision Maddox v. City of New York, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that Maddox knew of the condition of the grass at the time and decided to play anyway. Therefore he assumed the risk, and the defendants were found to be not liable for any damages that occurred to him. He had come off two of his best seasons ever to that point. After his half season in Baltimore he ironically signed with the Mets as a free agent, where he played the final 3 seasons of a career that was good, but not as good as he or his employers expected. In 49 games with the O's he hit .262 and played a flawless centerfield and third base. I shockingly found an autographed photo of him on ebay and used it for this card.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hBHGNPIqCG8/TpkbwOGnqKI/AAAAAAAAAY0/Z50YkN2rxrc/s1600/Ken_Rudolph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hBHGNPIqCG8/TpkbwOGnqKI/AAAAAAAAAY0/Z50YkN2rxrc/s320/Ken_Rudolph.jpg" width="222" /></a>Rudolph's 9 year run as a well traveled back up catcher ended in Baltimore in 1977 after his contract was purchased from the Giants in August. Ironically the light hitting Rudolph (.213 career avg) hit a career best .286, albeit in 11 games, for the O's. He was released at the end of the season and resigned by the Cardinals, then cut. This card was created using a photo from that Black and White 1991 Orioles franchise set. I had to colorize it and removed the black sharpie autograph which blocked his face on the original.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jsA9qZexZfs/Tpkbwrnl4DI/AAAAAAAAAZE/g7TCFRTbWLY/s1600/Kiko_Garcia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jsA9qZexZfs/Tpkbwrnl4DI/AAAAAAAAAZE/g7TCFRTbWLY/s320/Kiko_Garcia.jpg" width="222" /></a>Garcia spent 1977 serving as a utility man biding his time while looking to push Mark Belanger out of the starting lineup. That time would come in 1979, but Garcia couldn't hit much better than Belanger and after bottoming out with a .199 average in 1980 he was traded to the Astros. He played in 65 games during the '77 season and hit .221 with 139 plate appearances. The photo here came from a team issue 5x7 set.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gnlSSfqsoqI/TpkbwloyBqI/AAAAAAAAAZI/ObVdtPo9zPU/s1600/Larry_Harlow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gnlSSfqsoqI/TpkbwloyBqI/AAAAAAAAAZI/ObVdtPo9zPU/s320/Larry_Harlow.jpg" width="220" /></a>Harlow was that classic 4th outfielder who didn't hit for much in the way of average or power. At 25, he finally got a chance to play with the big club in '77 and hit just .208 in 54 plate appearances. He would play regularly in '78 (147 games) and hit just .243 with 8 homers, which isn't going to cut it if you are going to play the outfield in the majors and you don't have a glove like Curt Flood. After just 38 games in '78 he was sent packing to California for Floyd Rayford and that all important "cash". After hitting just .207 in 1981 he left the majors and headed to the Japanese League. This photo was found in the same team set where Garcia's photo was found.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OK4a8lAXPzQ/TpkbxLcFSQI/AAAAAAAAAZU/PlCkOWnBbZA/s1600/Mike_Dimmel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OK4a8lAXPzQ/TpkbxLcFSQI/AAAAAAAAAZU/PlCkOWnBbZA/s320/Mike_Dimmel.jpg" width="222" /></a>Dimmel got into 25 games as a defensive replacement for the O's in 1977. He got to bat 6 times and did not register a hit. Curiously he did register a stolen base and scored 8 runs, so I suspect he was used a lot down the stretch as a pinch runner. The following season he was dealt to St. Louis for Benny Ayala, who would help the O's win pennants in 1979 and 83. To make this card I airbrushed a minor league card of his when he played for Rochester.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RELlYyUYoY/TpkbxCabQTI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/Z7PKah5W6co/s1600/Mike_Parrott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RELlYyUYoY/TpkbxCabQTI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/Z7PKah5W6co/s320/Mike_Parrott.jpg" width="221" /></a>Parrott played for the Rochester Red Wings and was the International League's Most Valuable Pitcher in 1977. He was called-up later that year by the Orioles and in three games, two starts, he gave up just one earned run. He spent 5 years in the Oriole chain before being liberated with an end of season exchange of minor league prospects with Seattle. His 4 seasons in Seattle were sub par except for his breatkout 1979 season, where he was 14-12 with a 3.77 ERA in 38 games (229 innings). The following year he was 1-16, then 3-6 and then bye-bye.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-meGHPXCzDVY/TpkbxhkrZlI/AAAAAAAAAZk/jV7UxcYW6Rs/s1600/Nelson_Briles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-meGHPXCzDVY/TpkbxhkrZlI/AAAAAAAAAZk/jV7UxcYW6Rs/s320/Nelson_Briles.jpg" width="223" /></a>After 12 years in the big leagues Briles was coming to the end of the road when the Rangers sold his contract to Baltimore on September 19, 1977. With the O's fighting to stay in the pennant race Briles was brought on for veteran leadership and much needed stretch help in an overworked pen. He would see action in just 4 innings over 2 games and post a 6.75 ERA. He would return in '78 for one final major league campaign and go 4-4 with a 4.64 ERA as a spot starter and long man in the pen. Briles had some great years for the Cardinals and the Pirates in the late 60's and early 70's. He led the NL in winning percentage in 1967 with a 14-5 record. He was a key contributor for St. Louis' 1967 and 1968 back to back pennant winners. He won his second world championship with the Bucs in 1971. When he hung it up after the '78 season his career record was 129-112. This photo came from an Orioles fan page found via Google.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F57jOm5iQko/TpkbxoGeEtI/AAAAAAAAAZo/KdBvZ-IyL3U/s1600/Pat_Kelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F57jOm5iQko/TpkbxoGeEtI/AAAAAAAAAZo/KdBvZ-IyL3U/s320/Pat_Kelly.jpg" width="221" /></a>Pat Kelly, who curiously looks very much like famed (SNL) ex-Met second baseman Chico Escuela (pictured below), joined the O's in an offseason trade for Dave Duncan. Topps got it right by creating a card for Kelly on the O's and Duncan on the Chisox, but they did a brutal Airbrush job on Duncan's card and gave Kelly the "look to the heavens" look on his. I updated Kelly's card with a team issued portrait photo. kelly played all 3 outfield positions and DH'd for the O's in '77. He hit .256 with 10 homers in 426 plate appearances. His next 4 seasons in Baltimore would be even better and he would be a key platoon contributor for the '79 pennant team. After the '80 season he signed with Cleveland as a free agent, which marked the beginning of the end for a guy who had a solid 15 year major league career (.264 avg).</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMuPuqnjtsQ/Tpkbx7Tal3I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/GFC6dt-dr90/s1600/Randy_Miller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMuPuqnjtsQ/Tpkbx7Tal3I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/GFC6dt-dr90/s320/Randy_Miller.jpg" width="222" /></a>Miller's 1 game shot with the O's in '77 reads like this: 1 game, 2/3 inning pitched, 4 hits and 3 earned runs. For his troubles he recorded a 40.50 (no typo) ERA. On December 7, 1977he was traded by the Baltimore Orioles with Rudy May and Bryn Smith to the Montreal Expos for Joe Kerrigan, Gary Roenicke and Don Stanhouse. That trade would help the O's win the '79 pennant. It would not help Miller's career one bit. He appeared in 5 games for the Expos in '78 and pitched 7 innings. He gave up 11 hits and 8 earned runs with a 10.29 ERA. His modest improvement was not enough to overwhelm Expo management who sent him back down to Denver (AAA Affiliate). At Denver he would sport a winning record with a sky high ERA and would be released after the 1980 season at the age of 27. I did some airbrush touch ups on a photo that was taken from a Venezuelan league baseball card that he appeared on. The team colors looked similar to Baltimore's, so all I needed to do was add the smiling bird logo to the cap and crop the jersey high enough so the team name wasn't legible.</div>
<br />ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652833592471607240.post-35377061559003328082011-10-14T13:40:00.000-07:002011-10-14T13:40:19.509-07:001977 Chicago White SoxRather than write my normal review of the team I figured it would be best to quote the Amazon review of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/South-Side-Hitmen-Chicago-Baseball/dp/0738539899">the book</a>: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"></span><br />
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<span id="btAsinTitle">South Side Hitmen: The Story of the 1977 Chicago White Sox </span></h1>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span class="contributorNameTrigger"><a asin="B001HD3TEI" href="http://www.amazon.com/Dan-Helpingstine/e/B001HD3TEI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" id="contributorNameTriggerB001HD3TEI" style="color: #003399; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">Dan Helpingstine</a><a asin="B001HD3TEI" href="http://www.amazon.com/South-Side-Hitmen-Chicago-Baseball/dp/0738539899#" style="color: #003399; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="contributorChevron" style="margin-left: 5px;"><span class="swSprite s_chevron" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/common/sprites/sprite-site-wide-2._V155328293_.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -30px -40px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; height: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 11px;"></span></span></a></span> (Author), <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_2?_encoding=UTF8&sort=relevancerank&search-alias=books&field-author=Leo%20Bauby" style="color: #003399; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">Leo Bauby</a> (Photographer)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">By self-admission, the 1977 Chicago White Sox couldn’t catch, run, or throw; and only on occasion could they pitch (no starter had an ERA under 4.00). Some felt unwanted and unloved by past teams. Two were told by skeptics that they didn’t even belong on the field. Yet it was these qualities that made them one of the most entertaining teams in franchise history. They didn’t bunt to move runners along, steal bases to distract the opposing defense, or turn the double play. They just hit and hit until demoralized opponents cried uncle. They didn’t win the World Series or even a division title. They couldn’t be called champions, but they lived up to another title. They were the South Side Hitmen. Team owner Bill Veeck transformed a hapless 1976 ball club into contenders and big-time draws at the ticket box. New acquisitions Oscar Gamble, Richie Zisk, and Eric Soderholm led the team to a franchise record 192 home runs, while legendary broadcaster Harry Caray led Comskey Park fans through the seventh-inning stretch. The White Sox won 90 games (lost 72) that season (including 22 in an amazing month of July) and finished first in the hearts of baseball fans across the city’s South Side.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/South-Side-Hitmen-Chicago-Baseball/dp/0738539899">An awesome book</a> chronicling a surprising yet memorable season of baseball on Chicago's South Side, full of Falstaff beer, softball-type uniforms with big wide collars, more Bill Veeck fan promotions than you could shake a stick at, astounding home runs from "rent-a-players" Richie Zisk and Oscar Gamble, not to mention exciting play from favorites Jim Spencer, Steve Stone, Lamar Johnson, Wilbur Wood, Chet Lemon and Eric Soderholm ("the Poet Laureate of the White Sox"), and the beginnings of Comiskey Park organist Nancy Faust leading the "Na-Na Hey-Hey Goodbye" chant that Sox fans partake in to this day. Helpingstine provides a very informative narrative here, and this book contains one of the most bountiful collections of photographs you'll find from the mid-70s White Sox (most of which were generously provided by Leo Bauby). My favorites among these are a rare photograph of broadcaster Harry Caray with colleague Mary Shane (the first female play-by-play announcer in Major League history... her time in the White Sox booth was limited to the '77 season only), a photo of a Kansas City Royals player confiscating a fan's banner reading "WELCOME ANNUAL PENNANT CHOKERS", a picture of pitcher Terry Forster in the infamous shorts the Sox wore in an August, 1976 game (yes it was from the previous season but the photo still fits here), and a VERY rare photograph of Harry Caray with the Falstaff Beer mascot "Holy Cow". Unfortunately a division championship wasn't meant to be, and one by one the Hitmen moved on (the book closes with a list chronicling "the dismantling of the South Side Hitmen" and all the trades and losses to free agency). Despite that, the magic of <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070418&content_id=1916716&vkey=news_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws">the South Side Hitmen</a> lives on with White Sox fans everywhere and this book captures everything we cherish from that one wild, wacky summer.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In total I had to create 26 Custom Cards to finish off the team set thanks to all of the trades and signings that Bill Veeck made !</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O3ccAy9HvsM/Tpe2XdtaMJI/AAAAAAAAATA/npUQSk0XF1A/s1600/Mike_Squires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O3ccAy9HvsM/Tpe2XdtaMJI/AAAAAAAAATA/npUQSk0XF1A/s320/Mike_Squires.jpg" width="222" /></a>Squires played for the Chicago White Sox primarily as a first baseman from 1975 and 1977 to 1985. Squires was best known as a defensive player, often coming on in late inning situations when the White Sox had a slim lead. He did not have the typical power associated with a corner infielder, never hitting more than two home runs in a season. Nonetheless, he was a valuable member of the White Sox of the early Tony LaRussa era, particularly in their 1983 AL West championship run. He is best known as the guy who caught and played third base as a fill in even though he threw lefty. He won a gold glove in 1981. In '77 he saw action in 3 games and went hitless in 3 AB's This card was created by using a photo from an 8x10 glossy that I found while doing a Google search.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-90b-xoiCxgs/Tpe2XBBJxiI/AAAAAAAAASw/WpNydvGMmtI/s1600/Bill_Nahorodny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-90b-xoiCxgs/Tpe2XBBJxiI/AAAAAAAAASw/WpNydvGMmtI/s320/Bill_Nahorodny.jpg" width="222" /></a>"Naha" was a phenom who flew through the Phillies system until he hit a bottleneck at AAA thanks to the fact that the Phightins had an All-Star starter in Bob Boone and a former All-Star as a backup (Tim McCarver). Bill Veeck had a keen eye for hidden talent and drafted "Naha" off of waivers from the Phillies. In '77 he would get into 7 games and hit .261 with a homer and four RBI's. In '78, his only full season as a starter behind the plate, he would hit .236 with 8 homers in 108 games. The rest of his career he would bounce around with 4 other franchises and finish with a .241 lifetime average. This updated card was originally going to be created using his 1979 Topps card photo, but at the last minute I found a signed 8x10 while Google searching another player. Go figure...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_7D2YVfZ5Hs/Tpe2XKXkZwI/AAAAAAAAASs/hRgh-teesaw/s1600/Bob_Coluccio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_7D2YVfZ5Hs/Tpe2XKXkZwI/AAAAAAAAASs/hRgh-teesaw/s320/Bob_Coluccio.jpg" width="221" /></a>After 2 full seasons as a starter for the Brewers Coluccio was dealt to the Chisox for Bill Sharp in May of 1975. Never more than a .225 hitter, Collucio dipped to .205 with just 4 homers in 161 AB's before being sent back down to the farm where he didn't exactly tear it up either. He spent the whole '76 season in AAA and only spent 20 games in '77 with the big club hitting a robust .270 in 37 AB's. He was released by the Chisox at the end of spring training in '78, but never played a game for the 'Stros. He was dealt to the Cardinals where he got into 5 games then never played again in the majors. This card was created using an unsigned photo being hawked on Yahoo auctions.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pm_NMTPyk3w/Tpe2Xs5FBHI/AAAAAAAAAUk/w--PEr7je1c/s1600/Bob_Molinaro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pm_NMTPyk3w/Tpe2Xs5FBHI/AAAAAAAAAUk/w--PEr7je1c/s320/Bob_Molinaro.jpg" width="222" /></a>Molinaro's career spanned 18 years, 13 teams and 7 different leagues. He would definitely fit into that class of players that could be defined as a AAAA type. Molinaro made his major league debut for the Detroit Tigers on September the 18th of 1975. Molinaro went to play five more games for the Tigers that season. A return the Majors came a year later in 1977 with the Detroit Tigers for one game. Later, on September 22 of that year, Bob Molinaro was selected off waivers by the Chicago White Sox from the Detroit Tigers. After getting picked up by Chicago, Bob Molinaro would see action in four games for the White Sox in 1977. He returned to the majors for a full season with the White Sox in 1978, before heading back to the minor leagues for the 1979 season, which saw him play for the American Association's Iowa Oaks. Molinaro did have another brief stay in the major leagues in 1979 when he played eight games for the Baltimore Orioles. Once again, he was back in a White Sox uniform, and playing full-time for them in 1980 and in 81. After two years with the Chicago White Sox, he was dealt to the crosstown Cubs. He would finish out his career in 1983 with an 8 game stint back in Detroit. This card was created by using a spring training photo posted on a White Sox fan's website.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZO6d_1_cbkE/Tpe2XQ6XruI/AAAAAAAAAS8/L1S6Sf2mlN4/s1600/Bruce_Dal+Canton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZO6d_1_cbkE/Tpe2XQ6XruI/AAAAAAAAAS8/L1S6Sf2mlN4/s320/Bruce_Dal+Canton.jpg" width="222" /></a>1977 marked Dal Canton's final season in a major league uniform. He would go 0-2 with a respectable 3.75 ERA in 8 game (24 IP). His best years were spent in the early 70's as the "long man" in the Royals pen. He also spent time with the Pirates in the late 60's and early 70's. His 11 year career record was 51-49, 3.67. His path to the majors came via an open tryout with the Bucs while he was a 25 year old high school teach in PA. Sadly he would pass away due to Esophageal Cancer in 2008. He was only 66 at the time. This card was created by using an autographed photo on ebay. At the time I didn't understand why it was going for $35. Since learning of his passing I now understand why the value was so high.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mau3JkKIH8A/Tpe2X22uObI/AAAAAAAAATM/wnZGnVVe234/s1600/Dave_Frost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mau3JkKIH8A/Tpe2X22uObI/AAAAAAAAATM/wnZGnVVe234/s320/Dave_Frost.jpg" width="222" /></a>When I first saw the name David Frost listed on the Chisox roster I thought, "Isn't that the British dude who interviewed Nixon ?". I immediately realized how stupid a thought that was and realized that this was the journeyman righthander who pitched in 4 games for the Pale Hose during the '77 season. Frost made his major league debut on September 11, 1977 against the California Angels at Anaheim Stadium. He turned in a quality start, pitching 6.1 innings and giving up just two earned runs. He struck out three, walked none, and received a no decision in the 5-4 White Sox loss. His first big league win came a week later in another great start against the Angels, this time at Comiskey Park. He went 7.2 innings, gave up three runs, and won 7-3. He was traded to the Angels on December 5, 1977 in a six-player deal. I searched high and low for a photo of him playing for Chicago and had to settle on his 1981 Topps card photo while with the Angels. A little log airbrushing on the cap would do the trick.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZC03dSN76c/Tpe2X_ZuVpI/AAAAAAAAATI/tfjj-_VyfGE/s1600/Don_Kessinger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZC03dSN76c/Tpe2X_ZuVpI/AAAAAAAAATI/tfjj-_VyfGE/s320/Don_Kessinger.jpg" width="221" /></a>A 2 time gold glover and 6 time All-Star for the crosstown Cubs during the late 60's and early 70's, Kessinger was a late season (Aug 20) acquisition from the Cardinals. For a little more than a suspect minor leaguer the Chisox got a man who could play both middle infield positions. Kessinger, who I did not confuse with Nixon's Secretary of state Kissinger (I'm on a Nixon theme here for some reason), played in 39 games down the stretch and batted .235. In '78 he would play 131 games at short and second and hit .255, which was 3 points over his career average. 1979 would be his final season. Playing in just 56 games and hitting an even .200 Kessinger decided to hang it up after 16 solid big league seasons. He played 12 seasons with the Cubbies and 2 and a half with the Pale Hose. To make this card I took the photo from his 1978 Topps card, which was shot @Comiskey.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PUywwgeewJU/Tpe2YRRguoI/AAAAAAAAATY/3IjY9OhKrNg/s1600/Don_Kirkwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PUywwgeewJU/Tpe2YRRguoI/AAAAAAAAATY/3IjY9OhKrNg/s320/Don_Kirkwood.jpg" width="222" /></a>Acquired from California at the June 15th trade deadline along with John Verhoeven and John Flannery in exchange for Ken Brett. In 16 games, all out of the pen, Kirkwood posted a 1-1 record with a 5.18 ERA. He logged 40 innings over that stretch. His contract would be sold to the Blue Jays during Spring Training of 1978. This means that he would have a 1978 Topps card with a Chisox uni on. I used that card's photo to create his updated 1977 Topps Card. As you can see the good folks at Topps couldn't scratch themselves out of their NY offices to shoot a new photo. Instead they did do a creditable job on the airbrush, but you can still see that it was touched up.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w5GMk-vI8a0/Tpe2Ys6B1qI/AAAAAAAAATc/SnbsaVJO6mM/s1600/Henry_Cruz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w5GMk-vI8a0/Tpe2Ys6B1qI/AAAAAAAAATc/SnbsaVJO6mM/s320/Henry_Cruz.jpg" width="222" /></a>On September 2, 1977 Veeck snatched Cruz via waivers from the talent deep Dodgers. He would hit .286 in 16 games for Chicago during the month of September, while playing all 3 outfield positions. Given a chance to play more in '78 (53 games), Cruz flopped miserably hitting just .221. He returned to Iowa (AAA affiliate of Chicago) and never returned to the majors. After his final season in the minors (1981) he would play 4 more years in the Mexican league. This card was created using his 1978 Topps card photo, which featured a decent airbrush job.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lu92lzwgrAo/Tpe2Y6F9W6I/AAAAAAAAATo/szYh3bgnxC4/s1600/Jerry_Hairston.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lu92lzwgrAo/Tpe2Y6F9W6I/AAAAAAAAATo/szYh3bgnxC4/s320/Jerry_Hairston.jpg" width="221" /></a>Hairston spent 14 seasons at Comiskey during two tours of duty. A the height of his powers he was a part time oufielder and DH. For most of his career he was a pinch hitter, due to the fact that he was a clutch hitter who's lack of power kept him out of the everyday line up. He started the '77 season by playing 13 games with the Chisox and hitting .308, before being sold to Pittsburgh. After the season concluded he headed south of the border to Durango, Mexico to play in the Mexican league for 3 years. Hairston would return to the Chisox from Mexico in 1981 and play on the south side for parts of the next 9 seasons. He batted .265 as a pinch hitter during his 14 year MLB career. Known today as the dad of major leaguers Scott and Jerry. This card was created with an autographed 8x10 glossy that I found on ebay that was clearly taken during the '77 season.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yaTf_gGye0I/Tpe2Y11gNgI/AAAAAAAAATk/HQbWinHfNt0/s1600/John_Flannery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yaTf_gGye0I/Tpe2Y11gNgI/AAAAAAAAATk/HQbWinHfNt0/s320/John_Flannery.jpg" width="222" /></a>A career minor leaguer who's full major league resume consisted of 7 games with the Chisox during the '77 season. Flannery was 0 for 2 with a walk in 3 plate appearances. His .228 career average in the minors is further evidence as to why he never cut it as a major leaguer. This card was created by using a minor league card of his that I found on ebay. I was not shocked at all that I wasn't able to find any pictures of him in a White Sox uni, since he only had a 7 game MLB career.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puy5wPLGos4/Tpe2ZAX-nGI/AAAAAAAAAT0/3VDUMvq-kUM/s1600/John_Verhoeven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puy5wPLGos4/Tpe2ZAX-nGI/AAAAAAAAAT0/3VDUMvq-kUM/s320/John_Verhoeven.jpg" width="220" /></a>After arriving on June 15th as a part of the Ken Brett trade, Verhoeben appeared in 6 games (10 innings) and had a 2.61 ERA. He would spend the next 2 seasons on the farm before moving over to Minnesota where he pitched in almost 70 games in relief during the 1980 and 1981 seasons. This airbrush picture comes from his 1978 Topps card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLsjRlK7dVg/Tpe2ZTL_89I/AAAAAAAAAT4/v2rB3Y2niSg/s1600/Larry_Anderson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLsjRlK7dVg/Tpe2ZTL_89I/AAAAAAAAAT4/v2rB3Y2niSg/s320/Larry_Anderson.jpg" width="222" /></a>Not to be confused with Larry Andersen, the slider specialist. This Larry Anderson appeared in a grand total of 16 major league games over the course of 3 seasons. After spending parts of two non-descript seasons in Milwaukee he was taken by the Blue Jays in the '77 expansion draft. He never pitched for Toronto and was sent to the Chisox in January for catcher Phil Roof. He would appear in 6 games, all in relief, for Chicago and post a 1-3 record with a huge 9.35 ERA. He would not make another major league appearance after 1977. Topps created 2 rookie panel cards for him (77 and 78). This photo, however, was taken from one of the many teams he appeared on. He was dealt in August to the crosstown Cubs in exchange for Steve Renko.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KhSZdpFm4E4/Tpe2Ztp2t-I/AAAAAAAAAUA/sFccQTFeqZk/s1600/Lerrin_LaGrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KhSZdpFm4E4/Tpe2Ztp2t-I/AAAAAAAAAUA/sFccQTFeqZk/s320/Lerrin_LaGrow.jpg" width="222" /></a>Lead the Chisox in ERA (2.46) and saves (25) on the heels of 66 appearances (98 innings). LaGrow enjoyed his finest season in baseball in 1977. He started '78 as the White Sox closer only to falter and lose his job. 11 games into the '79 season he was sold to the Dodgers, who were hoping to catch lighting in a bottle. LaGrow performed admirably (5-1, 3.41), but was not resigned. He would join the Phillies during their 1980 championship season, but was released on July 17th. This photo comes from his 1979 Topps card.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8sHQLV7GGmbjXfoEvGehfWBzH0ObMnMWnPisg2b1XF1_ruKH2C3s6E2ZtpIQWI1imy20nRw34u_fhtRniq5mN5YbklVEs0yNbgrVVg21GGXz_Vl8jjYJjO5Hlqfa8j6TDzddXRJFaJU/s1600/Nyls_Nyman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8sHQLV7GGmbjXfoEvGehfWBzH0ObMnMWnPisg2b1XF1_ruKH2C3s6E2ZtpIQWI1imy20nRw34u_fhtRniq5mN5YbklVEs0yNbgrVVg21GGXz_Vl8jjYJjO5Hlqfa8j6TDzddXRJFaJU/s320/Nyls_Nyman.jpg" width="221" /></a>Nyman had his big chance on the South Side of Chicago in 1975. Playing in 106 games he hit just .226 with only 2 homers, while playing all 3 outfield positions. He hit only .133 in '76, in just 8 games with the parent club, which would explain why Topps didn't even bother to issue him a card in the '77 set. Speaking of '77 he played in just 1 game and had just 1 hitless at bat during that season and never again returned to the majors. I took his 1976 Topps card and changed the color of the Sox uni and cap from Red to dark blue. I didn't redo the logo, basically because it wasn't worth working on due to his lack of activity.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tf2vYBkmcvk/Tpe2aEnEb0I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/brdmk4m_0zw/s1600/Oscar_Gamble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tf2vYBkmcvk/Tpe2aEnEb0I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/brdmk4m_0zw/s320/Oscar_Gamble.jpg" width="221" /></a> The prototypical "South Side Hitman", Gamble came over to the Chisox in a deal that sent Bucky Dent to the Yankees in exchange for him and LaMarr Hoyt. Talk about a deal where both teams benefited. Gamble became expendible in New York when Reggie signed his big free agent contract. In 137 games as a DH/Outfielder Gamble hit .297 with 31 homers and 83 RBI's. In his 17 year big league career he would hit 200 homers and hit a solid .265. He is best know for having the the coolest afro ever sported by a major leaguer. Oscar's 'fro was so big his cap looked like a little beanie place on top of it. His original '77 card came with him pictured in a Yankee uniform. This card was created with a signed 8x10 photo found while doing a Google search. On a side note, the Chisox originally didn't want Hoyt in the deal. They were holding out for a skinny lefty named Guidry instead. When the Yanks wouldn't budge Veeck did the deal anyway.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtOecqbZtsxvI0jeag2RLYDR_Wi3XONcXaMjM5kg3Pw1v6A9CwyUyTzY4zPXpueGyR34pUkGczRzU5y_ItzzLniz1DJz5mfXviAktmG5nc3eZaqCmqBc-YWwbbMLnPfas7J20YZeINYU/s1600/Richie_Zisk2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtOecqbZtsxvI0jeag2RLYDR_Wi3XONcXaMjM5kg3Pw1v6A9CwyUyTzY4zPXpueGyR34pUkGczRzU5y_ItzzLniz1DJz5mfXviAktmG5nc3eZaqCmqBc-YWwbbMLnPfas7J20YZeINYU/s320/Richie_Zisk2.jpg" width="224" /></a>Zisk sent all of 1 season playing in the South Side of Chicago, but that season was arguably the best of his career. Being part of the fabled "South Side Hitmen" afforded Zisk the ability to see good pitches all year. In 141 games he hit 30 homers and led the team with 101 RBI's to go along with an above average .290 season average. Zisk would be elected to teh All-Star team for the first of 2 consecutive seasons. He would sign in '78 with Texas as a free agent. He would hit 207 homers and bat .287 in his 13 year career, which saw him collect 1,477 hits. His final 3 seasons would be spent solely as a DH in Seattle. This card is a scanned copy of his 1977 Topps "Cloth Sticker" card. It is quite blurry due to the cloth it was printed on. It is a zoomed in version of his original Pirates card + the horrible Topps airbrushing.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OVQk-IQgn3I/Tpe2aMSc2WI/AAAAAAAAAUU/6SG4iffJnF8/s1600/Richie_Zisk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OVQk-IQgn3I/Tpe2aMSc2WI/AAAAAAAAAUU/6SG4iffJnF8/s320/Richie_Zisk.jpg" width="222" /></a>This card was created using Zisk's 1977 Hostess card. It was obviously taken in the same photo shoot as his regular card. This is a better air brush version than Topps' cloth issue. The White cap looks a bit more realistic airbrushed than the blue one from the cloth offering. For the record, Zisk arrived in Chicago as part of an off season trade where the Chisox sent relievers Goose Gossage and Terry Forster to the Pirates of him and up and coming pitcher Silvio Martinez.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsaH4ux5BdG-pnnjurh2RafPf93GISeuAwmh-fE25FdZf-CphoLEj7uIOoAhLWNsiqUWG0a7oyKHyRejonFrW6Bm8WrHh1Kq3sFIATIg7WMwiM8diciyHATM0cozmcQrp8iqRB6hdNOS0/s1600/Richie_Zisk4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsaH4ux5BdG-pnnjurh2RafPf93GISeuAwmh-fE25FdZf-CphoLEj7uIOoAhLWNsiqUWG0a7oyKHyRejonFrW6Bm8WrHh1Kq3sFIATIg7WMwiM8diciyHATM0cozmcQrp8iqRB6hdNOS0/s320/Richie_Zisk4.jpg" width="221" /></a>Not wanting to see Zisk's '77 card be an airbrush I finally found an actual picture of him at Comiskey in a Sox uniform. Zisk is definitely wearing Chicago's home "whites" along with those horrible colors. Still it is cool to finally give this "South Side Hitman" a '77 card with a clean photo. Richie Zisk hit two of the most memorable Comiskey Park blasts among his 30 on the season. The first was the fifth all-time shot to the center field bleachers, on May 22 vs. the Detroit Tigers, and the second was the seventh all-time roof shot by a White Sox player, on June 4 vs. the Yankees.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dNwHTUnxgTg/Tpe2amH8IDI/AAAAAAAAAU0/PP_lrOhXSaU/s1600/Royle_Stillman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dNwHTUnxgTg/Tpe2amH8IDI/AAAAAAAAAU0/PP_lrOhXSaU/s320/Royle_Stillman.jpg" width="222" /></a>Stillman was a utility player that the Chisox signed as a free agent during the off season. After playing parts of 2 seasons in Baltimore (23 games) and not distinguishing himself, he was let go uncermoniously. In 56 games for the Chisox during the '77 season he hit .210 while playing right, left and some first base. H had 3 homers and 13 RBI's. He was released at the end of spring training during the following season (1978). He was a career .303 hitter in 11 seasons in the minors, but just couldn't make the step up to the majors. The photo used here comes from his 1978 Topps card taken at Yankee Stadium.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-66JsN8Ssob0/Tpe2ay3FPuI/AAAAAAAAAUw/66PipbDFI5o/s1600/Silvio_Martinez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-66JsN8Ssob0/Tpe2ay3FPuI/AAAAAAAAAUw/66PipbDFI5o/s320/Silvio_Martinez.jpg" width="221" /></a>21 year old Silvio Martinez just wasn't ready for the Big Show in 1977. After arriving with Zisk from Pittsburgh he say action in 10 games out of the pen and finished up with an 0-1 record with a 5.57 ERA. At the end of the season he was sent to St. Louis as the player to be named later to complete the Clay Carroll deal. Martinez would find his stride in St. Louis and have two rock solid season in 1978 (9-8, 3.64) and 1979 (15-8, 3.27). Arm troubles would catch up to him in 1980 and after the 1981 season his career was over, before he hit his 26th birthday. I took his 1979 Topps Card and airbrushed out the Cardinal cap and changed the colors on the piping of his jersey from Red to Dark Blue. I cut and pasted a new cap on top of his awesome 'fro.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CPR-L4UfxiA/Tpe2bTnwk0I/AAAAAAAAAVM/4agWsZM1NTw/s1600/Steve_Renko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CPR-L4UfxiA/Tpe2bTnwk0I/AAAAAAAAAVM/4agWsZM1NTw/s320/Steve_Renko.jpg" width="222" /></a>Desperate for any sort of stating pitching the Chisox dealt seldom used Larry Anderson and cash to the crosstown Cubbies for 9 year veteran Steve Renko. In 8 starts down the stretch Renko was 5-0 with a 3.54 ERA, which easily was the best set of numbers for a White Sox starter. His say in Chicago would be short lived. He was dealt after the season to Oakland. His best seasons were with the expansion Expos form 1969-1976, where he had a sub .500 record, but he did win 15 games twice. This photo comes from his '78 Topps card.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ql_-b974SGE/Tpe2bQD47CI/AAAAAAAAAU8/lsCbrlEj7SM/s1600/Tim_Nordbrook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ql_-b974SGE/Tpe2bQD47CI/AAAAAAAAAU8/lsCbrlEj7SM/s320/Tim_Nordbrook.jpg" width="221" /></a> A career utility infielder, who played for 5 franchises, Nordbrook played in just 15 games for the White Sox in 1977. Hitting just .250 and not being a regular, Nordbook was expendable and his contract was sold to the Blue Jays in late August. In 169 career at bats he recorded just 2 extra base hits (double & triple). His .238 career minor league average was not much better than his numbers in the majors. The photo used for this card was shockingly found on ebay.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kMvviHfW3rw/Tpe2bscU8dI/AAAAAAAAAVI/q044pZa5ZmQ/s1600/Tommy_Cruz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kMvviHfW3rw/Tpe2bscU8dI/AAAAAAAAAVI/q044pZa5ZmQ/s320/Tommy_Cruz.jpg" width="222" /></a>The least famous of he 3 Cruz brothers (Jose, Hector & Tommy), he only appeared in 4 games for the Chisox during the '77 season. He was traded to the Yankees at the end of the season and never again made a Major League appearance. His career stat line reads 7 games played 2 AB's, 2 runs and no hits. He hit an even .300 with 55 homers on the triple A level in 7 seasons for 4 different chains. It was almost impossible to find a picture to use. I had to search high and low until I found this black and white closely cropped head shot. It was taken with him wearing a Cardinal cap. I airbrushed out the STL logo and pasted the "SOX" logo instead. I colorized his face, but didn't bother to work on anything else due to his lack of playing time.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8HBswQzz17c/Tpe2cG5EZqI/AAAAAAAAAVc/zabZng-vMPg/s1600/Wayne_Nordhagen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8HBswQzz17c/Tpe2cG5EZqI/AAAAAAAAAVc/zabZng-vMPg/s320/Wayne_Nordhagen.jpg" width="222" /></a>Nordahagen was originally drafted by the Yankees in 1968 then proceeded to spend the next 8 years burried in the minors in 5 organizations (NYY, ATL, STL, PHI & CHW). Finally in 1976 at the advanced age of 27 he got his first "cup of Joe" with the big club, but did not impress anyone with his .189 average in 61 plate appearances. He would be called up in '77 for an encore and became a key member or Chicago's bench hitting .315 in 124 AB's. His flexibility in the field (all 3 OF positions & catcher) made him a valuable commodity. He followed that up by hitting .301 the following season in 206 AB's. He would hit .287 with 37 homers in 6 years of part time work in Chicago as as a "super sub". Curiously he was traded in 1982 for the same player (Dick Davis) twice. He is also the uncle of former Red Sox star Kevin Millar. I used his 1979 Topps card to create this updated 1977 card.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TlK8D6eEU4I/Tpe2cJitDJI/AAAAAAAAAVY/AhwPyNfReDc/s1600/Randy_Wiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TlK8D6eEU4I/Tpe2cJitDJI/AAAAAAAAAVY/AhwPyNfReDc/s320/Randy_Wiles.jpg" width="222" /></a>Future White Sox manager Tony La Russa was traded to the Cardinals for pitcher Randy Wiles, who appeared in five games for the White Sox and never again played in the Majors. On August 23, 1977 the Cardinals claimed him back from Chicago on waivers. Wiles 1977 and for that matter career record was 1-1 with a 10.13 ERA. He gave up 5 hits and 3 earned runs in 2 2/3 innings of forgetable work. The photo used here was taken while he was at AAA, while in the Cardinal system. It was originally black and white, so I colorized it and then pasted on a new cap that looked like it matched up well.</div>
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...Next up, the 1977 Baltimore Orioles.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>ARAIG EXPOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13036891265134222123noreply@blogger.com3