tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5719735928763624532024-03-13T18:19:46.904-04:001970 Topps BaseballOn the 1-year anniversary (plus 3 days) of my being on these blogs, I have started this 1970 Topps card blog. As a kid, I only collected baseball cards in '67, '68, '69, and '72. After collecting all the 1970 Phillies several years ago, I began the task of completing this set in 2010. I now have 97% of this set, and this is one of only two years between 1964-1976 without a dedicated blog, so here goes... (28-SEP-2010)Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-47273318822171123192022-06-18T16:58:00.002-04:002022-06-18T17:08:21.424-04:00The Long and Winding Road<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib109juxzgTMu_N6KyUJPna9BgRQ2JSMy9qrjLO1VtMr03oV7BB7uLuac0hqikgF1fU0-JTNHiIntbIB-1KkFVINo4P7OKbWKWE2KU2rRU0vFFCeeB_KcTBC2gRc1gYsmjNoiUqYfIbqVjclvxacJ5K9EDQlXQ_tXXXV1WMf6H9zk9Vgszp6oq8WJQew/s296/1970.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="123" data-original-width="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib109juxzgTMu_N6KyUJPna9BgRQ2JSMy9qrjLO1VtMr03oV7BB7uLuac0hqikgF1fU0-JTNHiIntbIB-1KkFVINo4P7OKbWKWE2KU2rRU0vFFCeeB_KcTBC2gRc1gYsmjNoiUqYfIbqVjclvxacJ5K9EDQlXQ_tXXXV1WMf6H9zk9Vgszp6oq8WJQew/s400/1970.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>
And so, the last of my seven set blogs shuts down today. I have had a lot of fun doing this since I started in September 2009, but I must admit the last year or two has felt more like work than fun. </p><p>I still plan to check in 2 or 3 times a week to read the handful of blogs I never miss, and to enable any comments that readers may have left on my blogs. (I have comment moderation turned on (for posts older than 30 days) to avoid my blogs becoming a haven for gambling tips, porn links, fortune tellers, medical miracle workers, and other spammers. I've seen too many blogs overrun by that noise.)</p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-23492015989212578182022-06-11T11:00:00.002-04:002022-06-18T16:46:10.905-04:00AL Pitching Leaders (#68, #70, #72)<p>Here are the AL ERA, Wins, and Strikeout leaders for the 1969 season. </p><p>ELEVEN starting pitchers had an ERA under 3.00! What gets ignored on the card front are the relievers, but the back shows that Angels' reliever Ken Tatum had an ERA of 1.36, and two others were lower than Dick Bosman's "league leading" mark.</p><p>All six 20-game winners are shown on the middle card, with Denny McLain in his final year of glory.</p>
<p>Sam McDowell leads the league for the last time (<a href="https://1967topps.blogspot.com/2014/04/sam-mcdowell-295.html">and 4th time in the past 5 years</a>!) Mickey Lolich is right behind him, but Andy Messersmith finished a distant third, 60 strikeouts behind Lolich.<br /></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaRBXcm3trXxgrJQsQBGl3dfZsxFkSgRD7-QK3GGO3S2PLzqcTP_TAlafsXULXul60apw5Q85dgRuaEjKmjOhia2ulFMaySFnM_dvHr2wJmW23TCzaRdM_wuJrgk8Wb_1gvXfe2m7_dFeI20k_V_CcXYvpbrtkFFEF5lYf0r00_tjza2hwx76S25h0g/s4464/1970%20AL%20Pitching%20Leaders%20%28f%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2064" data-original-width="4464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaRBXcm3trXxgrJQsQBGl3dfZsxFkSgRD7-QK3GGO3S2PLzqcTP_TAlafsXULXul60apw5Q85dgRuaEjKmjOhia2ulFMaySFnM_dvHr2wJmW23TCzaRdM_wuJrgk8Wb_1gvXfe2m7_dFeI20k_V_CcXYvpbrtkFFEF5lYf0r00_tjza2hwx76S25h0g/s400/1970%20AL%20Pitching%20Leaders%20%28f%29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Xyv-i4dSDlRMkNbjC6l-U2G5Rw8vavCufXvr_F7_G76Mtj1z-ymf9h3V9R8gntDUn8bkhpC2O7oBY4gMhuSQLkJKBOghluEwMLWAb8XA3UKujkd2TkusJN-sYbWajjte75w25Hl0XCkTNg028LRYN-mos6gtZ7aIAm1w9XqEUz5-bYqhVlAXggtTrg/s4464/1970%20AL%20Pitching%20Leaders%20%28r%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2064" data-original-width="4464" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Xyv-i4dSDlRMkNbjC6l-U2G5Rw8vavCufXvr_F7_G76Mtj1z-ymf9h3V9R8gntDUn8bkhpC2O7oBY4gMhuSQLkJKBOghluEwMLWAb8XA3UKujkd2TkusJN-sYbWajjte75w25Hl0XCkTNg028LRYN-mos6gtZ7aIAm1w9XqEUz5-bYqhVlAXggtTrg/w400-h185/1970%20AL%20Pitching%20Leaders%20(r).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<p>The Orioles are well-represented with Mike Cuellar (twice), Jim Palmer (in his comeback season), and Dave McNally. We also have two Twins (Dave Boswell and Jim Perry, but surprisingly not Jim Kaat) and two Tigers (McLain and Lolich). </p><p><br /></p>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-91194644349599258262022-06-07T23:00:00.003-04:002022-06-08T01:22:06.919-04:00AL Batting Leaders (#62, #64, #66)<p>Here are the AL Batting Average, RBI, and Home Run leaders for the 1969 season. </p><p>On their way to the inaugural AL West title, the Twins also snared the Triple Crown, though it took two players to do it. For good measure, teammate Tony Oliva finished 3rd in the batting race.</p><p> Boog Powell and Frank Howard made frequent appearances on these cards in the late-60s/early-70s. </p><p>In his 2nd full season, Reggie Jackson finished 3rd in RBI and home runs.<br /></p><p>The other Reggie (Smith) was not one of the usual players you would think of for the batting title.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_zQzObdWmqBHc8by0Hxetji5HO7DIEVvX80CUuHInr04v2wwzUpLt01Z1aehV2CnOFNVaqrfETvVED3e1muuDB8dQ-hafD0NKolq9HBmipJszYLmITnKJB_uEc55Hfnwfd_3qxpPAO6i9dpEn20u6gKKcrmwi16Av9s8i7LmkQ1oLLrQI3x-IiBf8A/s4472/1970%20AL%20Batting%20Leaders%20%28f%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2072" data-original-width="4472" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_zQzObdWmqBHc8by0Hxetji5HO7DIEVvX80CUuHInr04v2wwzUpLt01Z1aehV2CnOFNVaqrfETvVED3e1muuDB8dQ-hafD0NKolq9HBmipJszYLmITnKJB_uEc55Hfnwfd_3qxpPAO6i9dpEn20u6gKKcrmwi16Av9s8i7LmkQ1oLLrQI3x-IiBf8A/w400-h185/1970%20AL%20Batting%20Leaders%20(f).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuPN9CdqJ5IqWq3sAZxHC8WPP72dOob6_iN_jBH__p8MWTplmCEH-XwT_QGxEEUfBzw6EU4AhoG0LSG_dCb0OhtRkd29YIAsLC1xxor5bN62daIxuIPMXtdTm59mZBvIH_428OHrk0fnRdCDbJGMx3AaeSRc71HenBLmr0f2z-VrrDSswL-6Je1gL1Q/s4472/1970%20AL%20Batting%20Leaders%20%28r%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2064" data-original-width="4472" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuPN9CdqJ5IqWq3sAZxHC8WPP72dOob6_iN_jBH__p8MWTplmCEH-XwT_QGxEEUfBzw6EU4AhoG0LSG_dCb0OhtRkd29YIAsLC1xxor5bN62daIxuIPMXtdTm59mZBvIH_428OHrk0fnRdCDbJGMx3AaeSRc71HenBLmr0f2z-VrrDSswL-6Je1gL1Q/w400-h184/1970%20AL%20Batting%20Leaders%20(r).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-29775336899156391142021-06-10T23:55:00.005-04:002021-06-12T01:35:06.325-04:00More New Acquisitions<div style="text-align: left;">I was so pleased with the 16 cards from a recent purchase, that I jumped right back into the pool and bought 10 more cards. I now need only 12 to complete the set. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I have my suspicions that the Norm Cash card may be a counterfeit or reprint. The card stock feels the same as the others, but the front is a darker gray, the back is a brighter white, and it was unexpectedly inexpensive for a 50-year-old Norm Cash card. <br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9iMYwKhDcVDgeJC0qKYeQH3VLl8EO-PNuINW2Xn6mJ8q52JAB1O918PH6_jP9TryFZw752gIKjw3_5ndYmO9071gUYoOG_qCgMpfIM4FnJE-MaUQ_iI_FTyJYPlTVtqCEacyI4wbQT8M/s2048/1970+acquisitions+3.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1622" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9iMYwKhDcVDgeJC0qKYeQH3VLl8EO-PNuINW2Xn6mJ8q52JAB1O918PH6_jP9TryFZw752gIKjw3_5ndYmO9071gUYoOG_qCgMpfIM4FnJE-MaUQ_iI_FTyJYPlTVtqCEacyI4wbQT8M/s400/1970+acquisitions+3.jpg" /></a><i>(Felix Millan and Ted Kubiak are still on their way) </i></div><pre>611 – Norm Cash
683 – Reds Rookies
688 – Ted Kubiak
689 – Frank Tepedino
705 – Tony Cloninger
708 – Jose Santiago
709 – Mike Fiore
710 – Felix Millan
714 – Al Spangler
716 – Cardinals Rookies
</pre>
This is my first card of Frank Tepedino, and possibly Mike Fiore too (unless he's in the 1972 set).
<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Still needed to complete the set are these cards:
<pre>189 – Yankees Rookies (Thurman Munson)
580 – Pete Rose
600 – Willie Mays
634 – Bud Harrelson
640 – Al Kaline
660 – Johnny Bench
665 – Jim Lonborg
699 – Hank Aguirre
700 – Frank Robinson
702 – AL Rookies
712 – Nolan Ryan
715 – Mickey Lolich
</pre></div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-90811512115858384352021-06-04T12:52:00.004-04:002021-06-04T13:12:18.671-04:00New Acquisitions<p>Last week I emerged from my pandemic hibernation and bought some baseball cards <a href="http://1966topps.blogspot.com/2019/09/new-acquisitions.html">for the first time in almost 2 years</a>. I snared 16 vintage 1970 cards on my want list, which leaves me with only 22 cards to complete the set.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjPU7gyEuhsF3RQJqZxo7nmfGzVv0OAW5_cif4vNgnM8UGV4Hd-on151vUeef2kIVhARi3A_JbkHKzZggGkPLBaMe88GEowaiUQGoNX30z9Vanbcikmb6ZdL1H5PZoQDwDUoZBdb2oHke/s2048/1970+acquisitions+1.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1437" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjPU7gyEuhsF3RQJqZxo7nmfGzVv0OAW5_cif4vNgnM8UGV4Hd-on151vUeef2kIVhARi3A_JbkHKzZggGkPLBaMe88GEowaiUQGoNX30z9Vanbcikmb6ZdL1H5PZoQDwDUoZBdb2oHke/s400/1970+acquisitions+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGu5BNSqlRCUpu-wtx7S8HQ4fjBqrde-wAjiGHepKTsL_eIsfRcb_J9lx0mwmUlwndc7EaLZy0_UVYZ6ySfK9k3CKk5gW-5r2T0OoOd4Bv9p9YBACzgL_dPDCK2t4U6c0Jj6-Qc4OXoSO_/s2048/1970+acquisitions+2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1437" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGu5BNSqlRCUpu-wtx7S8HQ4fjBqrde-wAjiGHepKTsL_eIsfRcb_J9lx0mwmUlwndc7EaLZy0_UVYZ6ySfK9k3CKk5gW-5r2T0OoOd4Bv9p9YBACzgL_dPDCK2t4U6c0Jj6-Qc4OXoSO_/s400/1970+acquisitions+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Almost all the remaining cards I needed were high numbers. Joining my binder are #590 Mike Cuellar, and these 15 high numbers:
<pre>647 – Tom Matchick
664 – Bob Robertson
667 – Bob Meyer
669 – White Sox Rookies
675 – Jose Cardenal
678 – Dave Duncan
679 – Ray Sadecki
685 – Tom Haller
691 – Joe Grzenda
695 – Bobby Knoop
697 – Jim Hannan
704 – Frank Baker
717 – Tom Phoebus
719 – Jim Roland
720 – Rick Reichardt
</pre><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Still to go are these cards:
</div><pre>611 – Norm Cash
634 – Bud Harrelson
665 – Jim Lonborg
683 – Reds Rookies
688 – Ted Kubiak
689 – Frank Tepedino
699 – Hank Aguirre
702 – AL Rookies
705 – Tony Cloninger
708 – Jose Santiago
709 – Mike Fiore
710 – Felix Millan
714 – Al Spangler
715 – Mickey Lolich
716 – Cardinals Rookies
</pre><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">What’s that you say? That’s only 15 cards? Oh yeah, these 7 also:
</div><pre>189 – Yankees Rookies (Thurman Munson)
580 – Pete Rose
600 – Willie Mays
640 – Al Kaline
660 – Johnny Bench
700 – Frank Robinson
712 – Nolan Ryan
</pre>
I have no expectations that I will get those last 7.
Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-34971095613539495042021-05-28T19:00:00.002-04:002021-05-29T14:55:30.903-04:00Jerry Kenney (#219)<div style="text-align: left;">Jerry Kenney was to be part of the "new wave" of Yankee stars to replace Mantle & Co (led by <a href="http://1969topps.blogspot.com/2012/01/bobby-murcer-657.html">Bobby Murcer</a>, and also including 1968 ROY <a href="http://1969topps.blogspot.com/2014/06/stan-bahnsen-380.html">Stan Bahnsen</a>). But things didn’t quite turn out for Kenney like they did for Murcer. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Kenney was signed by the Yankees in 1964. He was a shortstop in the minors, spending '64 and '65 with 2 different class-A teams, then advancing to AA and AAA over the next 2 seasons. He made his major-league debut with the Yankees in September 1967. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarJHREnqmnEvR0u7hSp-LKZkSz-79-SzN4GYnsvr-MEESqmbV15onxtBlRdhE-u6m2HTXs_ZosIkWLPwW3LkjgY02KgVQ0zkYApXLe7FyzkEPlvkTP1mTh6sAYpItsZMr6kHxqZURqMKr/s2048/1970+Jerry+Kenney+%2528f%2529.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1476" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarJHREnqmnEvR0u7hSp-LKZkSz-79-SzN4GYnsvr-MEESqmbV15onxtBlRdhE-u6m2HTXs_ZosIkWLPwW3LkjgY02KgVQ0zkYApXLe7FyzkEPlvkTP1mTh6sAYpItsZMr6kHxqZURqMKr/s400/1970+Jerry+Kenney+%2528f%2529.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xEB0_EX35FHyPlOkyLTvGh1kYMWLLS6zoFSLQCgbKU8FHBqb4LlNmVLRk34X5wJkwcSKHsskJyIqNEppqFFm-B_-APXI-WyZOvmlQdOcvnDsfsMj8qPs4ZrCU3eGODqGP6ZNavitdnwK/s2048/1970+Jerry+Kenney+%2528r%2529.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xEB0_EX35FHyPlOkyLTvGh1kYMWLLS6zoFSLQCgbKU8FHBqb4LlNmVLRk34X5wJkwcSKHsskJyIqNEppqFFm-B_-APXI-WyZOvmlQdOcvnDsfsMj8qPs4ZrCU3eGODqGP6ZNavitdnwK/s400/1970+Jerry+Kenney+%2528r%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
After missing the entire 1968 season for military service (like Murcer), he made the Yankees at the start of the 1969 season. Installed as the Opening Day center fielder (with Murcer also given the 3rd base job) the two of them remained at their new posts until mid-May, when Kenney was moved to 3rd base, and Murcer to right field. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Kenney platooned at the hot corner for the rest of the season with last year's 3rd base phenom <a href="http://1969topps.blogspot.com/2014/09/bobby-cox-237.html">Bobby Cox</a>, (while Murcer manned right field until late August, then moved over to <a href="http://1969topps.blogspot.com/2013/01/final-card-mickey-mantle.html">The Mick</a>’s old post). </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">With Cox dispatched to the minors for all of 1970, Kenney became the primary 3rd baseman, starting 2/3 of the games (with <a href="http://1967topps.blogspot.com/2009/09/classic-crew-cuts-part-1.html">Danny Cater</a> playing the rest). </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">In 1971 Jerry’s playing time slipped, as he shared the 3rd base job evenly with Cater.
In 1972 he was used as the backup shortstop (to <a href="http://1970topps.blogspot.com/2014/08/gene-michael.html">Gene Michael</a>), only starting a few dozen games. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">After the 1972 season he was traded to the Indians in the 6-player deal that brought Graig Nettles to the Big Apple, but after only 5 games with the Tribe, he was released on May 4th. The Yankees resigned him 3 months later and he played the next 2 1/2 years for their AAA team, never returning to the majors. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">In his 4 seasons with the Yankees, he hit .257, .193, .262, and .210. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/jerry-kenney/">The sad SABR story of Jerry Kenney</a>, (another "the next Mantle").<br /></div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-81002355194497358072021-04-24T15:08:00.006-04:002021-04-25T23:30:10.144-04:00Steve Renko (#87)<div style="text-align: left;">Today we look at Steve Renko's rookie card. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Renko was signed by the Mets in July 1965, but did not play that summer. He also only played one game in 1966. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">After 2 full seasons on the Mets' farm, he began the 1969 season with the Mets' AAA team, but was sent to the Expos in the June 15th trade that brought <a href="http://1966topps.blogspot.com/2014/08/donn-clendenon-375.html">Donn Clendenon</a> to New York. (The Expos also received 3rd baseman Kevin Collins and 2 minor-leaguers.)
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahbltsyN4F57fxA48pgjTA7TQNoBeZbC309yYfVZxBOnSnZ5ryUuolLh42zdXPJlWnO2iLti4L-AXfebsd_Sl9xUJxbsgvp1Rmxvhi_c4CYO5SVw0B9s6jXBTg0TupACUmjb_3-AZRx6k/s520/1970+Steve+Renko+%2528f%2529.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="374" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahbltsyN4F57fxA48pgjTA7TQNoBeZbC309yYfVZxBOnSnZ5ryUuolLh42zdXPJlWnO2iLti4L-AXfebsd_Sl9xUJxbsgvp1Rmxvhi_c4CYO5SVw0B9s6jXBTg0TupACUmjb_3-AZRx6k/s400/1970+Steve+Renko+%2528f%2529.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGeVCGGRSWgYhxpiO9wRITcGP0DdzI6A7KhKoH28O0TAfQ7bdNt8yRvuvOpmVJGVbTszjeyl3TXrxJOPA2QjAzw4pCPhgLvrsdYRu3e8iSBzMoJgOkJhMK_6E6ie0ct-ryFAWiYMkeeeG/s522/1970+Steve+Renko+%2528r%2529.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGeVCGGRSWgYhxpiO9wRITcGP0DdzI6A7KhKoH28O0TAfQ7bdNt8yRvuvOpmVJGVbTszjeyl3TXrxJOPA2QjAzw4pCPhgLvrsdYRu3e8iSBzMoJgOkJhMK_6E6ie0ct-ryFAWiYMkeeeG/s400/1970+Steve+Renko+%2528r%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
Steve made his major-league debut 12 days later. From that point until the end of the 1975 season he was a regular in the Expos’ starting rotation, twice winning 15 games (quite an accomplishment for a perennially bad team) along with 13 and 12-win seasons. His only bad year was 1972, when he posted a 1-10 record in 30 games (only 12 starts). </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Renko saw little action at the start of 1976, and was traded to the Cubs in May. After spending the first 7-plus seasons with the Expos, he bounced around for the 2nd half of his career. A year with the Cubs, then half a season with the White Sox. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He was granted free agency after 1977, then spent 1 season with the Athletics and 2 each with the Red Sox and Angels, before wrapping up his career with the Royals in 1983. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-79523756142496661882021-01-30T13:42:00.003-05:002021-01-30T14:06:31.301-05:00Roger Nelson (#633)<div style="text-align: left;">Roger Nelson had a 9 (essentially 6) year career from 1967-76, mostly with the Kansas City Royals.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Nelson was signed by the White Sox in 1963, and played 5 seasons in their farm system, culminating with a cup of coffee for the Sox in September 1967, where he pitched 7 innings over 5 games. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">After the season Roger was included in the deal that sent Don Buford and Bruce Howard to the Orioles in exchange for Luis Aparicio, Russ Snyder, and John Matias.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbr7HO4PCud6Tj2yhLKLNS5oxYFFF0BoL00M9aGM0qgXEZ94FmJ6qETfaKCLJG3HhRAz4qA5fr3pNJW6-JPQiC3NK8HrOf9Yqdb6A9BzIx81fymSfw0X7SKwx79xS6FKNcHuiVKbp8DoFE/s520/1970+Roger+Nelson+%2528f%2529.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="368" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbr7HO4PCud6Tj2yhLKLNS5oxYFFF0BoL00M9aGM0qgXEZ94FmJ6qETfaKCLJG3HhRAz4qA5fr3pNJW6-JPQiC3NK8HrOf9Yqdb6A9BzIx81fymSfw0X7SKwx79xS6FKNcHuiVKbp8DoFE/s400/1970+Roger+Nelson+%2528f%2529.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTx9-neUI_VWpD11xNtOCODswzUB4sA2I5j_QYkQnRPBXkG0FpuhwhWVomnQec2xSdnh-CB1p23zf_eStXUS-fPF1Cxd-YShikd9DrbFZ14VmUscrdLgAFv5_w5Dc7egdqJICoI6pUO5U/s520/1970+Roger+Nelson+%2528r%2529.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTx9-neUI_VWpD11xNtOCODswzUB4sA2I5j_QYkQnRPBXkG0FpuhwhWVomnQec2xSdnh-CB1p23zf_eStXUS-fPF1Cxd-YShikd9DrbFZ14VmUscrdLgAFv5_w5Dc7egdqJICoI6pUO5U/s400/1970+Roger+Nelson+%2528r%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Nelson was with the Orioles for the entire 1968 season, but only pitched 19 games. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He and Wally Bunker were not only the 2 youngest pitchers on the 10-man staff, but also made the least amount of appearances as they swung back and forth between 5th starter and occasional reliever. (The O’s had Dave McNally, Jim Hardin, and Tom Phoebus at the front of their rotation, with Gene Brabender and Dave Leonard as the primary swingmen filling the 4th starter’s slot. Eddie Watt, Moe Drabowsky, and Pete Richert were the 3 primary relievers, so there wasn’t much for Nelson or Bunker to do.) </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Left unprotected in the October 1968 expansion draft, Nelson was selected by the Royals (as was his O’s teammate Bunker). Together they headed up the starting rotation for the new Royals team. (Nelson made 29 starts, and was the only one of the 16 pitchers used by KC that season who made no relief appearances.) </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Injuries limited him to 4 games in 1970 and 13 games in 1971.
He returned to full-time duty in 1972, making 19 starts (3rd on the team) and 15 relief appearances while posting a 11-6 record and a 2.08 ERA. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">In November 1972 he was traded to the Reds (with outfielder Richie Scheinblum) for pitcher Wayne Simpson and outfielder Hal McRae. Roger pitched for the Reds for 2 seasons, appearing in 14 games each year as a small cog in the Big Red Machine. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Nelson was sold back to the White Sox after the 1974 season, but he was released during spring training the following year. The Athletics took a flyer on him, but after 20 games with their AA team, he was released in early-August.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">The Royals picked him up in April 1976, and he played most of ’76 and all of ’77 with their AAA team, making his final 3 MLB appearances with Kansas City in September 1976. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Roger played for the Pirates’ AAA team in 1978, and in Mexico in 1979 before retiring. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-60601417644969215782020-12-24T14:19:00.003-05:002020-12-24T19:19:21.642-05:00Born on the Same Day - 9/23/1942<div style="text-align: left;"><i>Another installment in my "Born on the Same Day" series, featuring players who were born on the same day (!) and year. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is post #28 in the series: Jim Rooker and Woody Woodward - both born on 9/23/1942.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dK3G2jAnJ-dJZ8GImg3c4gaubG0JDkLWfqxo96OdzEPx-mzy7Q_LWlp_V_uNxAUQ50cfDN2kzHdxSr_-yo31bST4BY9RiV0-JuGlOTUR8xK4RKpxqP7VU-s8kwDSTm_bKhYDZbeT4Kzl/s2048/Born+28+%2528Rooker-Woodward%2529.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1417" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dK3G2jAnJ-dJZ8GImg3c4gaubG0JDkLWfqxo96OdzEPx-mzy7Q_LWlp_V_uNxAUQ50cfDN2kzHdxSr_-yo31bST4BY9RiV0-JuGlOTUR8xK4RKpxqP7VU-s8kwDSTm_bKhYDZbeT4Kzl/s400/Born+28+%2528Rooker-Woodward%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://1970topps.blogspot.com/2019/10/jim-rooker-222.html">Jim Rooker</a> made his debut with the Tigers in 1968, and was a starting pitcher for the Royals in their first 4 seasons (1969-72). He was traded to the Pirates, and was in their rotation from 1973-79. Rooker missed most of the 1980 season, then was released.
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://1968topps.blogspot.com/2014/04/woody-woodward-476.html">Woody Woodward</a> was a middle infielder for the Braves and Reds from 1963-71. He was an everyday player in 1966-67 as the Braves' 2nd baseman.
</div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-27324058238411577032020-10-17T14:01:00.007-04:002020-10-18T04:58:41.202-04:00Pedro Borbon (#358)<p>Pedro Borbon was a mainstay in the Big Red Machine’s bullpen from 1972-77, and led the team in saves in ’73, ’74, and ’77. Borbon pitched in 593 games in his 12-year career, starting only 4 games. He pitched in more games from 1970-78 than any other NL pitcher. This is his rookie card. </p><p>Pedro was signed by the Cardinals in late 1964, but did not start playing until 1966. After 3 seasons with 3 different class-A teams, he was selected by the Angels in the Rule 5 draft in December 1968. </p><p>Borbon played one full season (1969) with the Angels, pitching 41 innings over 22 games, then was traded to the Reds in the off-season (with pitcher <a href="http://1968topps.blogspot.com/2016/05/jim-mcglothlin-493.html">Jim McGlothlin</a>) for outfielder <a href="http://1966topps.blogspot.com/2012/06/alex-johnson-104.html">Alex Johnson</a> and infielder <a href="http://1966topps.blogspot.com/2013/09/chico-ruiz-159_7.html">Chico Ruiz</a>.
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFWkuZLZyMFO5yCu0fVQ97yTXuqfQ4EeuX_oCLkcdWK2znZsP1avj6JFD1hs34oiAfPY4h1yrD42m7b_MT1ESjWzVyY8qV3VGhcaeQ3E_rwdhGSo1h83mg5VdMzNhsjPnB0vzuOFEiBNj/s520/1970+Pedro+Borbon+%2528f%2529.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="370" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFWkuZLZyMFO5yCu0fVQ97yTXuqfQ4EeuX_oCLkcdWK2znZsP1avj6JFD1hs34oiAfPY4h1yrD42m7b_MT1ESjWzVyY8qV3VGhcaeQ3E_rwdhGSo1h83mg5VdMzNhsjPnB0vzuOFEiBNj/s400/1970+Pedro+Borbon+%2528f%2529.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrj9_ukxEZr-gGCbv2BZUKIvMqtwmIwTbv6On3umCFF50R7KDyNAEj5xBi31dL62V4TQORS1z9S3XXwme5B5xo4LzrVjI_QnmlWYU-ET0yPni5l00rFGmVxlUtw-PYvQpt2VKvccX_5_F6/s520/1970+Pedro+Borbon+%2528r%2529.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrj9_ukxEZr-gGCbv2BZUKIvMqtwmIwTbv6On3umCFF50R7KDyNAEj5xBi31dL62V4TQORS1z9S3XXwme5B5xo4LzrVjI_QnmlWYU-ET0yPni5l00rFGmVxlUtw-PYvQpt2VKvccX_5_F6/s400/1970+Pedro+Borbon+%2528r%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>
He played most of 1970 and 1971 in the minors, only pitching 12 times for the Reds in the first half of 1970, and 3 games in September 1971. </p><p>Pedro made the Reds on a full-time basis in 1972, and was 2nd to <a href="http://1968topps.blogspot.com/2017/01/clay-carroll-412.html">Clay Carroll</a> in games and saves.
In 1973 he posted a career-high 11 wins, while leading the staff in games and tied with Carroll with 14 saves.
In 1974 he led the bullpen in games and innings pitched, and again collected 14 saves. </p><p>For the next 2 seasons, Borbon maintained his high games and innings workload, although newcomers Rawly Eastwick and Will McEnaney picked up most of the saves. </p><p>With McEnaney traded before the season, and Eastwick traded in mid-season, Pedro was the team’s top reliever in 1977. </p><p>In 1978 he had a reduced role in the bullpen, although he posted an 8-2 record.
In 1979 it was Borbon’s turn to go – traded to the Giants in June for outfielder Hector Cruz. </p><p>He played for the Giants for the rest of that season, then was released just before the start of the 1980 season. Pedro hooked on with the Cardinals at the end of Aptil, but after 10 appearances he was released at the end of May. </p><p>Borbon appeared in 20 post-season games for the Reds from 1972-76, picking up 3 saves. </p><p>Pedro was inducted into the Reds’ Hall of Fame in 2010. He passed away in 2012 at age 65. </p><p>His son Pedro Jr. pitched for the Braves, Blue Jays, and others from 1992-2003.
</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg707Oy99sPn4-k7srYiAiWnoSoHLxIi6dZzyPOv0U9CBuEzYQ0iQfp_VcvH-qAnKs2u1JSuT_ieo0KsdsWa5YrRApcTeaOTUtGNCPZ72M-vR3PKtjF1dh0jv61ET28aTyrfOC9BLpqphLV/s300/TedStryker.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="300" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg707Oy99sPn4-k7srYiAiWnoSoHLxIi6dZzyPOv0U9CBuEzYQ0iQfp_VcvH-qAnKs2u1JSuT_ieo0KsdsWa5YrRApcTeaOTUtGNCPZ72M-vR3PKtjF1dh0jv61ET28aTyrfOC9BLpqphLV/w200-h144/TedStryker.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
"Pinch hitting for Pedro Borbon… Manny Mota…Mota...Mota"
Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-52210121676854249602020-08-27T23:57:00.001-04:002020-08-27T23:59:12.189-04:00NL PItching Leaders (#67, #69, #71) The days of one pitcher (Sandy Koufax) dominating every category are long gone. Juan Marichal, Bob Gibson, and Fergie Jenkins each appear twice among the leaders.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWiMkjSswOA0S0B-PbeK_yIH5VlvWF7AYNSHRWV5yMU0_t6Jt9DIgYLU10f4OtcC5k74dArkuL-CoSIVMjxTd7H3HPmSF7gKe_Jht5R4gXStKB3RrtaL-sDZloOAyJNkg9hssode8bgD9/s1600/1970+NL+Pitching+Leaders+%2528f%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="1118" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWiMkjSswOA0S0B-PbeK_yIH5VlvWF7AYNSHRWV5yMU0_t6Jt9DIgYLU10f4OtcC5k74dArkuL-CoSIVMjxTd7H3HPmSF7gKe_Jht5R4gXStKB3RrtaL-sDZloOAyJNkg9hssode8bgD9/s400/1970+NL+Pitching+Leaders+%2528f%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxBqQAua5B8TDH9dXsV75DsV7bYpd5o-5XxaYWMpZERCtt-_J0WmZWXZ3H-colUydmrvGG_dYSPYD6Ry0AXIJlTIVDfAoEu_VpBiKVUFbJgosyDOrGpamVIW24j8DIYq64jBC76UtfHMD/s1600/1970+NL+Pitching+Leaders+%2528r%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="1118" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxBqQAua5B8TDH9dXsV75DsV7bYpd5o-5XxaYWMpZERCtt-_J0WmZWXZ3H-colUydmrvGG_dYSPYD6Ry0AXIJlTIVDfAoEu_VpBiKVUFbJgosyDOrGpamVIW24j8DIYq64jBC76UtfHMD/s400/1970+NL+Pitching+Leaders+%2528r%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It's surprising to see Gibby not in the lead in any category, but he missed the strikeout crown by only 4 K's. (Bill Singer was in 3rd place, 22 strikeouts behind Gibson.)<br />
<br />
At the end of the ERA list is a section for relievers (pitching at least 75 innings). Tug McGraw led that bunch.<br />
<br />
In the middle card, 5 other guys were tied with 20 wins, rounding out the nine pitchers with 20 or more.<br />
<br />
<u>Re-cap:</u><br />
Cardinals - 3<br />
Cubs - 2<br />
Giants - 2<br />
Mets - 1<br />
Braves - 1<br />
Dodgers - 1<br />
<br />Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-185602167180689202020-07-03T15:28:00.005-04:002020-07-03T15:29:58.804-04:00NL Batting Leaders (#61, #63, #65) These are the 1969 NL leaders in batting average, RBI, and home runs.
Willie McCovey gets 2/3 of a triple crown, and was 5th in batting average, 28 points behind Pete Rose.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEial7oVlqWOEC59CAHxkYe2VmtenzBn4WsNIoam5XdgOrz8IPUR-Kva4SeS3VisMuzVgd0vVeOASzo1XwoCldrL5XEwaA5DJ94UnedzqOwGdlVXupSWIvHPWrePmoot8e5-7fwnnzwTIKQm/s1600/1970+NL+Batting+Leaders+%2528f%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="1122" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEial7oVlqWOEC59CAHxkYe2VmtenzBn4WsNIoam5XdgOrz8IPUR-Kva4SeS3VisMuzVgd0vVeOASzo1XwoCldrL5XEwaA5DJ94UnedzqOwGdlVXupSWIvHPWrePmoot8e5-7fwnnzwTIKQm/s400/1970+NL+Batting+Leaders+%2528f%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFDSI1zwKXZpT8NNFUwYE0I9H-Mc7LeaTgmH2RQTH3BeZKgvSHn5_umcckNS8-jbzE9FrjOtuCdB77KNwT5BG_9nzWcVnFRQ40zmOssrfT0NnhxxdeqGvayGVqhvWON9hY7LamQ7GdAN7/s1600/1970+NL+Batting+Leaders+%2528r%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="1122" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFDSI1zwKXZpT8NNFUwYE0I9H-Mc7LeaTgmH2RQTH3BeZKgvSHn5_umcckNS8-jbzE9FrjOtuCdB77KNwT5BG_9nzWcVnFRQ40zmOssrfT0NnhxxdeqGvayGVqhvWON9hY7LamQ7GdAN7/s400/1970+NL+Batting+Leaders+%2528r%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I was surprised to see Lee May among the home run leaders. He finished ahead of Ron Santo and Jimmy Wynn, who are usually among the leaders (along with automatics McCovey and Hank Aaron).
May's 38 were one less than his career-high in 1971. He's also 5th in RBI with a career-high 110.
Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-48122757634710305342020-04-25T21:36:00.002-04:002020-04-25T21:40:52.165-04:00Born on the Same Day - 9/21/1942<i>Another installment in my "Born on the Same Day" series, featuring players who were born on the same day (!) and year. </i><br />
<br />
This is post #27 in the series: Sam McDowell and Billy Wilson - both born on 9/21/1942.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboKrVYEfi-3z4ayBEpi4RQGg92zmBdcBiSAI6WeWe8FloVsG079J4N3YCIChStF0yn7okT-JWaiZEFXyh8Pk7VdNPQXMo72j6uxx9gUxHHPIhUQG-EQaNqomb3H-xpKxQZWysENG51vU_/s1600/Born+27+McDowell-Wilson%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1600" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboKrVYEfi-3z4ayBEpi4RQGg92zmBdcBiSAI6WeWe8FloVsG079J4N3YCIChStF0yn7okT-JWaiZEFXyh8Pk7VdNPQXMo72j6uxx9gUxHHPIhUQG-EQaNqomb3H-xpKxQZWysENG51vU_/s400/Born+27+McDowell-Wilson%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Wow, has there ever been 2 players in this "Born on the Same Day" series with such different careers?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1967topps.blogspot.com/2014/04/sam-mcdowell-295.html">Sam McDowell</a> was the AL strikeout king from 1965-1970. He pitched 425 games (winning 141) over 15 years, and was a 5-time All-Star.
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1970topps.blogspot.com/2012/10/billy-wilson-28.html">Billy Wilson</a> was just another Phillies' pitcher not named Steve Carlton back in the early 1970s. He pitched 83 games (all in relief) between 1969 and 1973, posting a career record on 9-15.Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-67454995099971632812020-04-11T22:56:00.000-04:002020-04-12T06:34:13.854-04:00Dick Drago (#37)<i>It's April, and time for some spring cleaning on my blogs. Gone are the sidebar lists of "Oldest Living Players Not Blogged" and "Top 20 Players to be blogged". In their place are extended "On-deck" lists of who's next.</i><br />
<br />
<i>I was also reviewing what I had left to post, and found about 50 for my 1969 blog, 30 for 1970, only 12 for 1968, and only 12 combined for my 1967 (wow, I was caught napping there!), 1966, and 1965 blogs. </i><br />
<br />
<i>So as I rotate through these blogs, the 1969 blog will take a double shift, while the 1965-68 blogs will alternate in each lap. (Those last 4 blogs have all the remaining planned posts listed in the "Final Countdown" sidebars.) </i><i>Who knows, when I get to the end I may just free-lance as the spirit moves me.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
This is <b>Dick Drago</b>'s first solo card. (He appeared on a Royals Rookies car in 1969.)<br />
<br />
Drago was signed by the Tigers in September 1964. He got into a few games that year in the Florida Instructional League, then pitched the next 4 seasons in the Tigers' farm system.<br />
<br />
Unlike many of the youngsters on the 4 expansion teams in 1969, Drago did not get a look-see by his former team in September 1968 before being exposed to the expansion draft.<br />
<br />
He was selected by the Royals in the draft and made his major-league debut on April 11, 1969. Drago played the next 13 seasons for various American League teams: 5 with the Royals, 2 with the Red Sox, 1 ½ with the Angels, a half-season with the Orioles, and back to Boston for 3 more years before finishing up with the Mariners in 1981.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpxRKDJPB4pzAY7vME_NZGkLgAxgHLqpik7EZT3n34NrvLwhW8U1pKwUsWChcD2XVkl3EvNO_tmZmtQigfch0cf2XkgwoQee4OMWkf63h-MOANR6aWP1WC4Tc2vAZAmEI2b7nxAkMUl6p/s1600/1970+Dick+Drago+%2528f%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="368" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpxRKDJPB4pzAY7vME_NZGkLgAxgHLqpik7EZT3n34NrvLwhW8U1pKwUsWChcD2XVkl3EvNO_tmZmtQigfch0cf2XkgwoQee4OMWkf63h-MOANR6aWP1WC4Tc2vAZAmEI2b7nxAkMUl6p/s400/1970+Dick+Drago+%2528f%2529.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56nPBYdKBAs6lRhUQpnIm-GCfDKJCGPt4QcKBWtLzMku6ZVmr3vjGWNx7SOmkT7gEp7GOcwyav7Ak7FgYdPcPXspnOG1IPyAj3qxIrVttn6XWSBvX6aKspG_B8-uF-14VoR955zw3nkgn/s1600/1970+Dick+Drago+%2528r%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="520" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56nPBYdKBAs6lRhUQpnIm-GCfDKJCGPt4QcKBWtLzMku6ZVmr3vjGWNx7SOmkT7gEp7GOcwyav7Ak7FgYdPcPXspnOG1IPyAj3qxIrVttn6XWSBvX6aKspG_B8-uF-14VoR955zw3nkgn/s400/1970+Dick+Drago+%2528r%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As a rookie in 1969, Dick was the Royals' #2 starter behind the veteran <a href="http://1967topps.blogspot.com/2015/09/wally-bunker-585.html">Wally Bunker</a> (actually they were both 24 years old). He started 26 games along with 15 relief appearances.<br />
<br />
In 1970 he was the staff ace, pitching 240 innings (26 more than the next guy) although slumping to a 9-15 record.
Drago rebounded in 1971 to win 17 games, and maintained his spot atop the rotation through the 1972 season.<br />
<br />
With the arrival of Paul Splittorff in '72 and Steve Busby the following year, by 1973 Drago slipped to #3 in the rotation. After the season he was traded to Boston for pitcher <a href="http://1970topps.blogspot.com/2016/12/marty-pattin-31.html">Marty Pattin</a>.<br />
<br />
His role changed in Boston. A swingman in 1974, he converted to full-time bullpen duty in 1975 (and for the rest of his career), collecting 15 saves in 72 innings over 40 games. He also appeared in 2 ALCS games and 2 World Series games.<br />
<br />
Drago was traded to the Angels before the 1976 season and to the Orioles in mid-1977. While with the Angels, in July 1976 he gave up <a href="http://1967topps.blogspot.com/2013/11/hank-aaron-250.html">Hank Aaron</a>'s 755th and final home run.<br />
<br />
After being granted free agency in October 1977, he re-signed with the Red Sox. (Boston also signed Drago's former Royals teammate Tom Burgmeier in that off-season.)
<br />
Dick led the staff in saves in 1979, and was a setup man for Bob Stanley ('78) and Burgmeier ('80) in the other years.
<br />
<br />
Drago was traded to the Mariners the day before the 1981 season for pitcher Manny Sarmiento. After one season there he was released the following April.Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-14499343735926235452020-03-27T21:49:00.000-04:002020-03-27T21:49:44.613-04:0050 Years Ago - 1970 Opening Day Lineups (AL) Here are the American League opening day lineups from half a century ago. Teams are shown in order of their 1970 finish.<br />
<br />
<u><b>East Division:</b></u><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4aw_v8dn-geDFPQ-GLS6j4Ysfx1AJ3lse91cFF0GxODi2Ms95-_rTFuxB9i-DgIcssC9HR6P1PE44k9ktnqxN2_IajkdpZgoHjU6AkFpqEthGVXaBld99qtJ_Z_0LED74a-VOPYHx-T9/s1600/1970+13+Opening+Day+Orioles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1566" data-original-width="1120" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4aw_v8dn-geDFPQ-GLS6j4Ysfx1AJ3lse91cFF0GxODi2Ms95-_rTFuxB9i-DgIcssC9HR6P1PE44k9ktnqxN2_IajkdpZgoHjU6AkFpqEthGVXaBld99qtJ_Z_0LED74a-VOPYHx-T9/s400/1970+13+Opening+Day+Orioles.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
Elrod Hendricks caught more games than Andy Etchebarren, but the other 7 were everyday regulars.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vUcJkRfB9pXt2RCHhtRabcMZ3HGcdnqVFRnsqmjGybylw_-JOR-qTcslzZ7gucpUs3oGPP6x_0LHnIKPT3smBZrF4ZemfloPzI7L1THgmmMuv2h9fezV1Vt_8U3pxBak1CMxNhJzhOtI/s1600/1970+14+Opening+Day+Yankees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1572" data-original-width="1130" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vUcJkRfB9pXt2RCHhtRabcMZ3HGcdnqVFRnsqmjGybylw_-JOR-qTcslzZ7gucpUs3oGPP6x_0LHnIKPT3smBZrF4ZemfloPzI7L1THgmmMuv2h9fezV1Vt_8U3pxBak1CMxNhJzhOtI/s400/1970+14+Opening+Day+Yankees.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
Danny Cater was the primary 1st baseman, with Jerry Kenney playing mostly at 3rd base.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJfrA6UlL4RFpM8z3u9vwvDz1P8A7xmv3xTccbQrzLbdmdJpV16VXPy2yG_CrC4IUX85BYkJFSoAHeStcFgU6gJ2uPuKHwHhIgkpyhyiCEz-TWzl_xr1qbIWu-2IB2OyP1LhmL-XfYOYf/s1600/1970+15+Opening+Day+Red+Sox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1130" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJfrA6UlL4RFpM8z3u9vwvDz1P8A7xmv3xTccbQrzLbdmdJpV16VXPy2yG_CrC4IUX85BYkJFSoAHeStcFgU6gJ2uPuKHwHhIgkpyhyiCEz-TWzl_xr1qbIWu-2IB2OyP1LhmL-XfYOYf/s400/1970+15+Opening+Day+Red+Sox.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>
Yaz moved in to play first base this season, with George Scott moving over to 3rd base. Billy Coniglaro was the primary left fielder.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKV-DL9LHQtaJuVY-tb6BPUeo4TENkif1ZolUzMe-MJnhpUPHzkr_7LP1CwTHQiG4XrMWx44VDWrG7bywJrCQ9zIDFF0fSvFEB7GW6hxbsKPra_BgVPvUAjWCWyOImZcUHnf3cXNYlVjED/s1600/1970+16+Opening+Day+Tigers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1570" data-original-width="1128" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKV-DL9LHQtaJuVY-tb6BPUeo4TENkif1ZolUzMe-MJnhpUPHzkr_7LP1CwTHQiG4XrMWx44VDWrG7bywJrCQ9zIDFF0fSvFEB7GW6hxbsKPra_BgVPvUAjWCWyOImZcUHnf3cXNYlVjED/s400/1970+16+Opening+Day+Tigers.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
Not pictured are the regular 3rd baseman (Don Wert) and center fielder (Mickey Stanley). Jim Northrup and Al Kaline shared the right field starts.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQ3E-NaB6tcv3gNa6yybBGN8g020OR4wFUB9Qwh_r1KD55yO94KZGR1QMqoRtL6ZZGfsN8TrZQTYCzRZSLSytyDsXnt2sTew0vze5xE9IP29lCwf3Dk78A85wD8Xqqn48cFNgqCVjU5zE/s1600/1970+17+Opening+Day+Indians.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1570" data-original-width="1122" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQ3E-NaB6tcv3gNa6yybBGN8g020OR4wFUB9Qwh_r1KD55yO94KZGR1QMqoRtL6ZZGfsN8TrZQTYCzRZSLSytyDsXnt2sTew0vze5xE9IP29lCwf3Dk78A85wD8Xqqn48cFNgqCVjU5zE/s400/1970+17+Opening+Day+Indians.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
Vada Pinson was the regular right fielder, otherwise this was the Tribe's regular lineup. <i>(Tony Horton custom card courtesy of the late <a href="https://boblemke.blogspot.com/">Bob Lemke</a>.) </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWLUZ1HFGUdzzbndnE3JbWuCdPhmnQyReJzUKriw9ksLCfiLG4N1xZJIlGtExE5Vzf19OG6O4B9QmNz71nTTPLfUiRB5QY5-pT5R5A4tGS07FI5W_wV73nqOrJx-iPtjRrYNBGMe-TGwM/s1600/1970+18+Opening+Day+Senators.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1570" data-original-width="1130" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWLUZ1HFGUdzzbndnE3JbWuCdPhmnQyReJzUKriw9ksLCfiLG4N1xZJIlGtExE5Vzf19OG6O4B9QmNz71nTTPLfUiRB5QY5-pT5R5A4tGS07FI5W_wV73nqOrJx-iPtjRrYNBGMe-TGwM/s400/1970+18+Opening+Day+Senators.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
The Senators made a lot of changes, before settling on Tim Cullen at 2B, Aurelio Rodriguez (acquired from the Angels) at 3B, Ed Stroud in CF and Lee Maye in RF.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>West Division:</b></u><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_52jQAm0CyD9k96aTzsG8qMXTbh6wleoYvQm5Zj0_AqYisrNvBd5EVUsIY7wh9_BlUHFJs3xGCa6njxbBFygd3LHpfpxGve3mjPw0YRp4W8me81Mqh_YeZztqRbvg7cp9KdKlPiWDlL1m/s1600/1970+19+Opening+Day+Twins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="1130" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_52jQAm0CyD9k96aTzsG8qMXTbh6wleoYvQm5Zj0_AqYisrNvBd5EVUsIY7wh9_BlUHFJs3xGCa6njxbBFygd3LHpfpxGve3mjPw0YRp4W8me81Mqh_YeZztqRbvg7cp9KdKlPiWDlL1m/s400/1970+19+Opening+Day+Twins.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
The Twins had a fairly stable lineup, with only Danny Thompson replacing the injured Rod Carew at 2nd base.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlzbaDMbtCEyBizfFy_4vrkEY2PeiKSPQxDQ5jdAjBz74-wQRZcWYI41K2NmoWgB82Y-IFqTMvSQdhs5oLjtyxqErdL1H2NT1G6s9gavKSR-SOSnthrcYd20MFv0Se8lFvzpILCz6AAxQ/s1600/1970+20+Opening+Day+Athletics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1576" data-original-width="1126" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlzbaDMbtCEyBizfFy_4vrkEY2PeiKSPQxDQ5jdAjBz74-wQRZcWYI41K2NmoWgB82Y-IFqTMvSQdhs5oLjtyxqErdL1H2NT1G6s9gavKSR-SOSnthrcYd20MFv0Se8lFvzpILCz6AAxQ/s400/1970+20+Opening+Day+Athletics.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
The Athletics were the only team whose 1970 Opening Day lineup was their regular lineup all season.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7ol6oTpImvHo3mnJ2zgTOkbxznF09hcNPYvmdscniHWKvebNRnDuNRIZlGO8yqK8QuLNkGIlDcaJJ_4H9NJ5iduXRqUWTlDKyb3nzBRG38xp3NaI8bQsMu4A7L1KC_JGcz3jvDm6caMh/s1600/1970+21+Opening+Day+Angels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1570" data-original-width="1128" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7ol6oTpImvHo3mnJ2zgTOkbxznF09hcNPYvmdscniHWKvebNRnDuNRIZlGO8yqK8QuLNkGIlDcaJJ_4H9NJ5iduXRqUWTlDKyb3nzBRG38xp3NaI8bQsMu4A7L1KC_JGcz3jvDm6caMh/s400/1970+21+Opening+Day+Angels.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
The Angels traded Aurelio Rodriguez to the Senators for 3B Ken McMullen. Jay Johnstone was the regular center fielder, pushing Roger Repoz to right field.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjgQJrKBLQX_iu79aPH9nGG0tvDkZITg4OT2Gb0JPBfE5h7THB3HFNYCL7qUred_AQkaCvd_urRXxOwDAd4x38isq3TBDICqMPY6VWnn2yxq5jp9HXmufBpzICAHj3VV66hiWSTx7ryi4/s1600/1970+22+Opening+Day+Royals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="1124" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjgQJrKBLQX_iu79aPH9nGG0tvDkZITg4OT2Gb0JPBfE5h7THB3HFNYCL7qUred_AQkaCvd_urRXxOwDAd4x38isq3TBDICqMPY6VWnn2yxq5jp9HXmufBpzICAHj3VV66hiWSTx7ryi4/s400/1970+22+Opening+Day+Royals.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
Ed Kirkpatrick, Bob Oliver, Cookie Rojas (acquired from the Cardinals in June), and Paul Schaal were the regulars at C, 1B, 2B, and 3B. Shortstop and the outfielders were as shown above.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmGZdm80moyEvCuLEjYJiw30hoeEbvqE7sTfHnNVtQaVUhypQ4NSOioMhh8iObO3ozxVmNg4XamsDMk3LbVtKNAoTXskbLdeje96doxY0STYJDAqAD5HNWP0hSVvguI7emGmT-mXh4oz7/s1600/1970+23+Opening+Day+Brewers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="1128" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmGZdm80moyEvCuLEjYJiw30hoeEbvqE7sTfHnNVtQaVUhypQ4NSOioMhh8iObO3ozxVmNg4XamsDMk3LbVtKNAoTXskbLdeje96doxY0STYJDAqAD5HNWP0hSVvguI7emGmT-mXh4oz7/s400/1970+23+Opening+Day+Brewers.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
As you would expect from a disaster only one year removed from the Seattle Pilots, this lineup was unstable. The regulars were: C-Phil Roof, 1B-Mike Hegan, 2B-Ted Kubiak, SS-Roberto Pena, 3B-Tommy Harper, LF-Danny Walton, CF-Dave May, RF-Bob Burda.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkONLSlgdbzvmpgKtf-_BhYcBC0lBJJBA2e65AMOu_VmNQN30Uy4ORGBtgQ6EUvsPntBXR6F2_IrsvbioOYZtLpq62tCPWZ1tFlUVOrwsIa2J6VYcVDb29KiL3OSHYPv1JZKeqIexfWC0/s1600/1970+24+Opening+Day+White+Sox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1576" data-original-width="1121" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkONLSlgdbzvmpgKtf-_BhYcBC0lBJJBA2e65AMOu_VmNQN30Uy4ORGBtgQ6EUvsPntBXR6F2_IrsvbioOYZtLpq62tCPWZ1tFlUVOrwsIa2J6VYcVDb29KiL3OSHYPv1JZKeqIexfWC0/s400/1970+24+Opening+Day+White+Sox.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
Ahhh, those White Sox. In 1969 they finished behind the expansion Royals but ahead of the expansion Pilots. Now the Pilots/Brewers have passed them too.<br />
<br />
Ed Herrman and Duane Josephson split the catching. 1st and 2nd base were manned by Gail Hopkins and Bobby Knoop respectively, while Ken Berry was the center fielder. Bill Melton actually played more games at 3B and also in RF that any other player.Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-67241626395374414762020-03-26T20:45:00.000-04:002020-03-26T20:45:27.661-04:0050 Years Ago - 1970 Opening Day Lineups (NL) This season is temporarily on hold, but 50 years ago next week was Opening Day 1970.<br />
<br />
April 6, 1970 featured the traditional opening games in Cincinnati and Washington. All other teams began the following day. (Cincinnati always hosted the NL's first game, because it is the oldest NL team. Washington hosted the AL's first game so that the president could throw out the first pitch.)<br />
<br />
Here are the National League opening day lineups from half a century ago. Teams are shown in order of their 1970 finish.<br />
<br />
<u><b>East Division:</b></u><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dKhQvLpgQd1qH4BdtN8UnORsIQ8fAYJjaKL2fVMkWBUjgrPUsHLcsMNS8PcA_8MokQy2mWUWRQ-cC7xcYzEmGm5W34TV_9Vr1cceDWPCrfgkHJ4g5OealSeM18k2iI4_xPxc1G4YMV5Y/s1600/1970+01+Opening+Day+Pirates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1570" data-original-width="1130" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dKhQvLpgQd1qH4BdtN8UnORsIQ8fAYJjaKL2fVMkWBUjgrPUsHLcsMNS8PcA_8MokQy2mWUWRQ-cC7xcYzEmGm5W34TV_9Vr1cceDWPCrfgkHJ4g5OealSeM18k2iI4_xPxc1G4YMV5Y/s400/1970+01+Opening+Day+Pirates.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
The Pirates won the division with this regular lineup, except for Manny Sanguillen (C ) and Bob Robertson (1B).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMU-ZVRsV6jDB3ZQY3FsDuGNkJSUf379UuqMRboM3mpW7alY61quvLtpX93meduV5dtef4zx22NerKATNnKk29mhyphenhyphenrZ3TE1yK0wsRuCs22XIHzYiZuLK94UrXaNwhM1eg6fCHcsPPDXjPd/s1600/1970+02+Opening+Day+Cubs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1566" data-original-width="1128" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMU-ZVRsV6jDB3ZQY3FsDuGNkJSUf379UuqMRboM3mpW7alY61quvLtpX93meduV5dtef4zx22NerKATNnKk29mhyphenhyphenrZ3TE1yK0wsRuCs22XIHzYiZuLK94UrXaNwhM1eg6fCHcsPPDXjPd/s400/1970+02+Opening+Day+Cubs.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
Randy Hundley did most of the catching. Jim Hickman replaced Ernie Banks at 1st base, and Joe Pepitone came over from the Astros to play center field.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYztk6l7QR8dctCWLbURUgQ5y3EzKgGwDKD7RLa_ka-pS-i37DXovq1tXkzFsIwKYi_uSZzv1k0qUbye-wdCsYKY8OkLftFDLPZXwfrsrtzVCXK7zfA7rok_9kg9lDdPVD08keHTh9OCNA/s1600/1970+03+Opening+Day+Mets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1570" data-original-width="1130" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYztk6l7QR8dctCWLbURUgQ5y3EzKgGwDKD7RLa_ka-pS-i37DXovq1tXkzFsIwKYi_uSZzv1k0qUbye-wdCsYKY8OkLftFDLPZXwfrsrtzVCXK7zfA7rok_9kg9lDdPVD08keHTh9OCNA/s400/1970+03+Opening+Day+Mets.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
Donn Clendenon and Ken Boswell were the regulars at 1B and 2B, otherwise those above were the regulars.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CpXKSxGXttATtK6Oi3aUVYkVJ8Ua6w-8oAs27s6wpqzMw1D47Tv7-DY1_hTz4EW478z3zlXqoQDIqOPTM4irY2iEKtSWy0U7nMZmsZQR8GmZmHdB-xTNWsPYIujJ8Vecpqniyq0O93u-/s1600/1970+04+Opening+Day+Cardinals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1570" data-original-width="1130" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CpXKSxGXttATtK6Oi3aUVYkVJ8Ua6w-8oAs27s6wpqzMw1D47Tv7-DY1_hTz4EW478z3zlXqoQDIqOPTM4irY2iEKtSWy0U7nMZmsZQR8GmZmHdB-xTNWsPYIujJ8Vecpqniyq0O93u-/s400/1970+04+Opening+Day+Cardinals.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
Joe Torre split his time between catcher and 3rd base, with rookie Ted Simmons catching many games. Dick Allen was the primary 1st baseman in his only season with the Cardinals. Leron Lee and Joe Hague shared right field.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRG89UHE7xCm8ZEJ71QC-1SXZL13zhkNNVhXr_1UhPP63byN3_X_O2w3vSW0i_ZQo6lk_DyFJH5AynvCWwfvTqIN19au6jdMOQlBQZqdyAcCJQUf-nkYSMDHUCZMmrKZw11EoLr5xYY1pl/s1600/1970+05+Opening+Day+Phillies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="1130" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRG89UHE7xCm8ZEJ71QC-1SXZL13zhkNNVhXr_1UhPP63byN3_X_O2w3vSW0i_ZQo6lk_DyFJH5AynvCWwfvTqIN19au6jdMOQlBQZqdyAcCJQUf-nkYSMDHUCZMmrKZw11EoLr5xYY1pl/s400/1970+05+Opening+Day+Phillies.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
The Phillies were assembling a good infield, but their pitching and corner outfielders were still sub-par. Johnny Briggs was the primary left fielder, while Byron Browne and others played right field.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfIljX09qJqaV-RQsvrikRiJf_NGOjVRGoqyMRFSv1ELwm-vXYx091liqoT8yKrx-ZPqzWANxRW0w08QGMW5fiCRAOVT9vYVxaEXFPM3pG4ccZF_vNeFg7M3t9C_AqHDikQBSRMcDyiNN/s1600/1970+06+Opening+Day+Expos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="1130" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfIljX09qJqaV-RQsvrikRiJf_NGOjVRGoqyMRFSv1ELwm-vXYx091liqoT8yKrx-ZPqzWANxRW0w08QGMW5fiCRAOVT9vYVxaEXFPM3pG4ccZF_vNeFg7M3t9C_AqHDikQBSRMcDyiNN/s400/1970+06+Opening+Day+Expos.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
John Bateman was the #1 catcher, and Mack Jones took over the left field job.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>West Division:</b></u><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg226sZggwdVk5GzLpbqOZKg9i2k0r5pdYjUyyIvQOPCL3TCZKvuYFOIL4GTlRgrWkl4TZmy359NCFcrOTtWH4-Oz7dHZgXNz9acqLMIOgudeGC9-AFlXKU5odC7XaHOTHKWp9iBBUQdKfl/s1600/1970+07+Opening+Day+Reds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1572" data-original-width="1130" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg226sZggwdVk5GzLpbqOZKg9i2k0r5pdYjUyyIvQOPCL3TCZKvuYFOIL4GTlRgrWkl4TZmy359NCFcrOTtWH4-Oz7dHZgXNz9acqLMIOgudeGC9-AFlXKU5odC7XaHOTHKWp9iBBUQdKfl/s400/1970+07+Opening+Day+Reds.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
The Reds had most, but not all of their "Big Red Machine" parts together. Dave Concepcion and Woody Woodward split the shortstop duties.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7isYVaF6mYa_Bb96JQroyVhl_x5Nk254bcePOieCdPLy7yx2Cu_6hO7BLRYrwGMYr0OHvOUI5d6y-MYtKncqe-NF04tVz-LvVtPxFnly_MhVbISTbRb5ydKCnJ3ujdWqnSVprWlXyr5M/s1600/1970+08+Opening+Day+Dodgers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1578" data-original-width="1122" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7isYVaF6mYa_Bb96JQroyVhl_x5Nk254bcePOieCdPLy7yx2Cu_6hO7BLRYrwGMYr0OHvOUI5d6y-MYtKncqe-NF04tVz-LvVtPxFnly_MhVbISTbRb5ydKCnJ3ujdWqnSVprWlXyr5M/s400/1970+08+Opening+Day+Dodgers.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
These were the everyday 8 starters except for Bill Grabarkiewitz (3B), Manny Mota (LF), and Andy Kosco (RF).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HUm_4zfHfcYHHkg4oHPTcyeGIprN4bkIpiq6m6PVIRnnT5jIqYi2kB0D-iNzWuE96Ioo4vLfPrTQaea3Mu4XjQLosyecNChX9y4HKx8ICyDFFOCIsCHcumXehAR8G8Vzxe-Dfebwpim4/s1600/1970+09+Opening+Day+Giants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1572" data-original-width="1130" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HUm_4zfHfcYHHkg4oHPTcyeGIprN4bkIpiq6m6PVIRnnT5jIqYi2kB0D-iNzWuE96Ioo4vLfPrTQaea3Mu4XjQLosyecNChX9y4HKx8ICyDFFOCIsCHcumXehAR8G8Vzxe-Dfebwpim4/s400/1970+09+Opening+Day+Giants.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
These were the everyday players all season except for 2nd base, where Ron Hunt split time with Tito Fuentes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjmvyy4vSolpa67uiSvSwVuHfoihOhVJ_Wg7nO8JOW0E6mJ1-sIWndL_MfyurB_foOFhXFxqHqZwWN7XzLNwbTFL10zp39u9skcSheJ3WbH0tLpHZPA8RvkDA3Z7iw8qwfmAi8obRVBeu/s1600/1970+10+Opening+Day+Astros.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1570" data-original-width="1130" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjmvyy4vSolpa67uiSvSwVuHfoihOhVJ_Wg7nO8JOW0E6mJ1-sIWndL_MfyurB_foOFhXFxqHqZwWN7XzLNwbTFL10zp39u9skcSheJ3WbH0tLpHZPA8RvkDA3Z7iw8qwfmAi8obRVBeu/s400/1970+10+Opening+Day+Astros.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
Bob Watson was the primary 1st baseman this season. By mid-season, the outfield was Jim Wynn in left, rookie Cesar Cedeno in center, and Jesus Alou in right.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsf-_RLW_bSrwTflPBa5Py2muTYjb2fuQVNpTENMWqn8w98KI-OsOgAxPFqCO8ZtEhyphenhyphenHCZGe_Tm0bN2qJr1ONtVDtBcqIcpbb8xpysNJ7J63iX8h6P1yYSpk6kMeb3Xe412HnOu1E6_orp/s1600/1970+11+Opening+Day+Braves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1570" data-original-width="1130" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsf-_RLW_bSrwTflPBa5Py2muTYjb2fuQVNpTENMWqn8w98KI-OsOgAxPFqCO8ZtEhyphenhyphenHCZGe_Tm0bN2qJr1ONtVDtBcqIcpbb8xpysNJ7J63iX8h6P1yYSpk6kMeb3Xe412HnOu1E6_orp/s400/1970+11+Opening+Day+Braves.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
Bob Tillman caught more games than Bob Didier, and Sonny Jackson shared the shortstop job with Gil Garrido.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8bL_t3VE98YPzMbTgXplSJVmyh82NUyNUUjCHLAGyuhXsum5NaHV8kBdoGHlQBOR3OoVckFYiccsaGUmrVR9nuLVW1e4spNKKRuZO4zhqo_-ZGl6aPJn0vAVGpEAFecUMdtjeLM1lI_X/s1600/1970+12+Opening+Day+Padres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1566" data-original-width="1118" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8bL_t3VE98YPzMbTgXplSJVmyh82NUyNUUjCHLAGyuhXsum5NaHV8kBdoGHlQBOR3OoVckFYiccsaGUmrVR9nuLVW1e4spNKKRuZO4zhqo_-ZGl6aPJn0vAVGpEAFecUMdtjeLM1lI_X/s400/1970+12+Opening+Day+Padres.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
This was the Padres' regular lineup all season, except for Ed Speizio at 3B and Al Ferrara in left field. <i>(Van Kelly custom card courtesy of the "When Topps Had (Base)Balls" blog.) </i><br />
<br />
<br />
Tomorrow: The AL starters<br />
.Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-24098124595608016332020-03-25T00:58:00.001-04:002020-03-25T01:02:29.915-04:00Angel Bravo (#283)Angel Bravo is the oldest living player (with a card in the 1966-70 sets) that I have not yet featured on a blog.<br />
<br />
He had a very brief major-league career with the White Sox (1969), Reds (1970-71), and Padres (1971).<br />
<br />
He was signed by the White Sox in 1963, and played in the minors every season from 1963 to 1972, except for the 1970 season. He also played in the Mexican League from 1973-76, and the Inter-American League in 1979.<br />
<br />
After 3 seasons in class-A ball, he advanced to AA in 1966. He played at the AA and AAA levels in '67 and '68. In 1969 he led the Pacific Coast League with a .342 batting average.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVdtw6XxZKuxelfgPDfiQ-OyVZasTcwbYsDmuawE-u455e7bfr5L5Nbn_vn8jD9H54FMOjLRuOL8Q5Htae94liWv7K8VxS0FXxT6BoGmVMtRnUNE3w7Jflw_5e54IpRfmo_u48RGAqmBG/s1600/1970+Angel+Bravo+%2528f%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="366" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVdtw6XxZKuxelfgPDfiQ-OyVZasTcwbYsDmuawE-u455e7bfr5L5Nbn_vn8jD9H54FMOjLRuOL8Q5Htae94liWv7K8VxS0FXxT6BoGmVMtRnUNE3w7Jflw_5e54IpRfmo_u48RGAqmBG/s400/1970+Angel+Bravo+%2528f%2529.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGId7Lt_Nioz-NSQlQJ5Be_-ynj6fS4FlIUxhO4usMTjsfx-dd87MCRs971o1L_WjCvPkSEgiBIzfKDRA46Y-mP8MM3eAH8bseIMpJPCMPbpgyNyori1yljl-Gukg3BqHjFFwD_366zyDT/s1600/1970+Angel+Bravo+%2528r%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="520" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGId7Lt_Nioz-NSQlQJ5Be_-ynj6fS4FlIUxhO4usMTjsfx-dd87MCRs971o1L_WjCvPkSEgiBIzfKDRA46Y-mP8MM3eAH8bseIMpJPCMPbpgyNyori1yljl-Gukg3BqHjFFwD_366zyDT/s400/1970+Angel+Bravo+%2528r%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Angel made his major-league debut with the White Sox in June 1969, and started 2 dozen games in center field, mostly in late-June and mid-September. After the season he was traded to the Reds for pitcher <a href="http://1966topps.blogspot.com/2018/02/gerry-arrigo-357.html">Gerry Arrigo</a>.<br />
<br />
Bravo spent the entire 1970 season on the Reds' roster (his only season not in the minors). The Reds lineup being what it was, Bravo rarely got any playing time, starting only 6 games in center field (to <a href="http://1970topps.blogspot.com/2017/06/bobby-tolan-409.html">Bobby Tolan</a>'s 146 starts), and was the team's 8th outfielder (behind even Johnny Bench and Jimmy Stewart). Although only playing parts of 22 games in the field, he did get into 43 other games as a pinch-hitter.<br />
<br />
In mid-May 1971 he was traded to the Padres for OF <a href="http://1967topps.blogspot.com/2009/11/al-ferrara-557.html">Al Ferrara</a>. Once again he was mostly a pinch-hitter, since the Padres had <a href="http://1970topps.blogspot.com/2012/01/clarence-gaston-604.html">Cito Gaston</a> and <a href="http://1967topps.blogspot.com/2018/01/ollie-brown-83.html">Ollie Brown</a> as everyday outfielders, along with <a href="http://1970topps.blogspot.com/2018/12/larry-stahl-494.html">Larry Stahl</a>, Leron Lee, and Ivan Murrell all sharing left field.
Bravo’s last major-league games came in September 1971.<br />
<br />
He played all of 1972 for San Diego's AAA team in Hawaii, then played in Mexico for 4 seasons.
In 1979 he played 15 games in the ill-fated Inter-American League before it folded.<br />
<br />
---<br />
<br />
<b>The Inter-American League</b> lasted only 3 months in 1979. It planned to play 130 games, but 2 teams (Panama and Puerto Rico) dropped out in mid-June. Two weeks later the league folded.<br />
<br />
The standings at that time were:<br />
1. Miami (72 games played)<br />
2. Caracas (64)<br />
3. Santo Domingo (67)<br />
4. Maricaibo (67)<br />
5. Panama (51)<br />
6. Puerto Rico (55)Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-1722760523282971732020-03-16T22:24:00.002-04:002020-03-16T23:03:07.286-04:00Dan McGinn (#364)Dan McGinn was the Expos’ first closer. He was the Reds’ 1st-round pick in 1966, and made his major-league debut with 14 games (12 innings) in September 1968.<br />
<br />
McGinn was selected by the Expos with the 27th pick in the October 1968 expansion draft. He appeared in 74 games as a rookie in 1969 (30 more than the next guy) and led the Expos with 6 saves. He also hit the first home run in Expos’ history.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_acPmWLBx-tgRwweOiGDuPqDv31srXAkjeZl_IVxjeJjKcZHYYIOyhcHzeuDJHkTnYQ-Q3n_kFTLBG8CznVLElKdm2pCF0_HXlQVhmI98aJKJ9CgECa_BAakvgLBwuzHhhgf5EQ2AgryY/s1600/1970+Dan+McGinn+%2528f%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_acPmWLBx-tgRwweOiGDuPqDv31srXAkjeZl_IVxjeJjKcZHYYIOyhcHzeuDJHkTnYQ-Q3n_kFTLBG8CznVLElKdm2pCF0_HXlQVhmI98aJKJ9CgECa_BAakvgLBwuzHhhgf5EQ2AgryY/s400/1970+Dan+McGinn+%2528f%2529.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wxGj4f52xWK-_QycBInSvl8kmyD64auGIe-vjfzjCoe_gnPy4lQiM7PZavA7uHn_BZC5SOZQoLzVIpabJ_FGRTh5lme_0S5ZdC-Enmo0ohTb_2qVdAq4TXlp7_BJqUVoNjD8Hm8ASBCZ/s1600/1970+Dan+McGinn+%2528r%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wxGj4f52xWK-_QycBInSvl8kmyD64auGIe-vjfzjCoe_gnPy4lQiM7PZavA7uHn_BZC5SOZQoLzVIpabJ_FGRTh5lme_0S5ZdC-Enmo0ohTb_2qVdAq4TXlp7_BJqUVoNjD8Hm8ASBCZ/s400/1970+Dan+McGinn+%2528r%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
In 1970 he pitched in 52 games, but unlike the previous year he spent some time in the rotation, making 19 starts (compared to 1 in 1969). He ended up with the same 7-10 record as in 1969, and with similar innings pitched (130 vs. 132). On the down side, his ERA ballooned from 3.94 in ‘69 to 5.44 in ’70.<br />
<br />
The wheels began to fall off in 1971, as McGinn began the season in AAA, rejoining the Expos in mid-May to pitch in 28 games (posting a 1-4 record).<br />
<br />
A week before the start of the 1972 season he was traded to the Cubs for 1B Hal Breeden and SS <a href="http://1969topps.blogspot.com/2014/08/hector-torres-526.html">Hector Torres</a>. (P <a href="http://1968topps.blogspot.com/2012/09/final-card-bill-kelso.html">Bill Kelso</a> was later sent to the Cubs as part of the deal.)
Dan pitched 42 games for the Cubs in 1972, but that would be his last season in the majors.<br />
<br />
He spent the 1973 season with the Cubs’ and Cardinals’ AAA teams before retiring.Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-69839547274490686912019-10-08T02:12:00.000-04:002019-11-17T11:55:33.449-05:00Jim Rooker (#222)This is Jim Rooker's first solo card, and one of the many nice cards from the '69 and '70 sets featuring the new Royals' uniform.<br />
<br />
Although the expansion 1969 Royals pitching staff was led by ex-Oriole veterans <a href="http://1967topps.blogspot.com/2015/09/wally-bunker-585.html">Wally Bunker</a> and <a href="http://1967topps.blogspot.com/2016/04/moe-drabowsky-125.html">Moe Drabowsky</a>, Rooker was one of several youngsters (along with Roger Nelson, Dick Drago, <a href="http://1970topps.blogspot.com/2014/02/bill-butler-377.html">Bill Butler</a>, and Tom Burgmeier) forming the foundation of a solid pitching staff.<br />
<br />
Rooker was signed by the Tigers in 1960, and was an outfielder in their minor-league system from 1960-64. He has also pitched 10 innings in 1962, but by 1964 was pitching on a regular basis.<br />
<br />
In 1965 he pitched 115 innings in 28 games, collecting 95 strikeouts but only compiling a 2-11 record.
After another 2 1/2 seasons in the minors, he made his major-league debut with the Tigers in mid-1968, pitching 2 innings on June 30 and 2 more on July 6th, before returning to the minors.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjHnYr7NISP4hSNR6_CyYjmqZ2fBAY0QxtYBm3u7E8dl_ycIDqknmTR_g8KIJCkgH8VxPwIJjhPlijmMsKIzu7PTIg8FAQFj4SOXzV2yB_okQ53QshsOiYwqHprsUxzsrs5EWymdL1IoN/s1600/1970+Jim+Rooker%2528f%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1154" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjHnYr7NISP4hSNR6_CyYjmqZ2fBAY0QxtYBm3u7E8dl_ycIDqknmTR_g8KIJCkgH8VxPwIJjhPlijmMsKIzu7PTIg8FAQFj4SOXzV2yB_okQ53QshsOiYwqHprsUxzsrs5EWymdL1IoN/s400/1970+Jim+Rooker%2528f%2529.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvegYinTCdlh0tO_6Hb7qvDH4YcYxF-AOqEXDGvg7_IafPIofs1MoeVUpft2exjI1ne8j11AcUiZ72gkN_G6aC_Av0TstRMS6qgduBjHzO3RkQW3rY41Y67IR363LjlLo6mRzwOu_S_4_/s1600/1970+Jim+Rooker%2528r%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvegYinTCdlh0tO_6Hb7qvDH4YcYxF-AOqEXDGvg7_IafPIofs1MoeVUpft2exjI1ne8j11AcUiZ72gkN_G6aC_Av0TstRMS6qgduBjHzO3RkQW3rY41Y67IR363LjlLo6mRzwOu_S_4_/s400/1970+Jim+Rooker%2528r%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The day after the season was over, he was sent to the Yankees as payment for the earlier acquisition of pitcher <a href="http://1968topps.blogspot.com/2010/02/john-wyatt-481.html">John Wyatt</a>. 2 weeks later, he was selected by the Royals in the expansion draft.<br />
<br />
Jim was the team's #5 starter the first year, then jumped to #2 in 1970. He was moved to the bullpen in 1971, and spent parts of ’71 and 72 in triple-A. Upon his return to Kansas City in 1972 he was back in the starting rotation.<br />
<br />
After the 1972 season he was traded to the Pirates for pitcher Gene Garber. He put in 7 solid seasons (1973-79) in the Pirates' starting rotation, and for the first few years was one of their top 3 starters (along with Jerry Reuss and John Candelaria) He played in the post-season in '74, '75, and '79.<br />
<br />
Rooker only pitched 4 games in 1980 (the last on May 2nd) and was released after the season, ending his 13-year career.<br />
<br />
<br />
After his playing career he was a broadcaster for the Pirates from 1981-1993, and for ESPN from 1994-97.<br />
<br />
From Wikipedia:<br />
<br />
<i>Rooker's most famous moment as a broadcaster came on June 8, 1989, during a Pirates' road game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Veterans Stadium. The Pirates scored 10 runs in the top of the first inning, including three on a Barry Bonds home run. </i><br />
<br />
<i>As the Pirates' cross-state rivals came to bat in the bottom of the first, Rooker said on the air, "If we don't win this one, I don't think I'd want to be on that plane ride home. Matter of fact, if we don't win, I'll walk back to Pittsburgh." </i><br />
<br />
<i>Both Von Hayes and Steve Jeltz hit two home runs (the latter would hit only five during his Major League career) to trigger a Phillies comeback. In the eighth inning the Phillies, now trailing only 11–10, scored the tying run on a wild pitch, then took the lead on Darren Daulton's two-run single and went on to win 15–11. </i><br />
<br />
<i>Rooker had to wait until after the season to make good on his "walk home" promise, conducting a 300-mile-plus (480 km) charity walk from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. </i><br />
<br />
<br />
He now writes childrens' books.
Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-3521215862679447512019-10-01T00:26:00.000-04:002019-10-01T00:26:21.431-04:00Willie Smith (#318)This is "Wonderful" Willie Smith, on his last decent-looking baseball card.
Willie had a card every year from 1965 to 1971, but Topps didn’t make much of an effort on his cards. He was capless in '66, '67, '68, and '71, and airbrushed in 1969. The same photo was used in '67 and '68. <br />
<br />
Here's a surprising fact I just learned today while researching Smith's career. He began as a pitcher in the Tigers' organization from 1960 to 1963, including pitching 11 games for the Tigers in 1963.<br />
<br />
<i>(Baseball-Reference.com also shows that he played Negro League baseball in 1946 and 1948 (pitching 6 innings in '46 and 4 innings in '48), but that must be a mistake because he would have been 7 and 9 years old. Maybe it was an Eddie Gaedel-type stunt?) </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_D7V4kLiX_XkOLjvgR76-7WkSyXfB-cHlcZ8Q-Rhx4szYOtWiOBYS9oBNWOeSXaLh2mg_PnL9daoPkzuRz2cvhLUs3B_SfaYYl9o_EM5u99WN36Eq8FlW1T3kA04gRvPkp6NmwrgTHiT/s1600/1970+Willie+Smith+%2528f%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1146" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_D7V4kLiX_XkOLjvgR76-7WkSyXfB-cHlcZ8Q-Rhx4szYOtWiOBYS9oBNWOeSXaLh2mg_PnL9daoPkzuRz2cvhLUs3B_SfaYYl9o_EM5u99WN36Eq8FlW1T3kA04gRvPkp6NmwrgTHiT/s400/1970+Willie+Smith+%2528f%2529.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkY-0ZQYI616LCGslWBhoRcWRSB_joev7sXHEuN1OncwlMDwSQ1MwaTwlEBNCy7ZV9VWjI9XqeNuHHvY7W3Cl_eSqqW1iHIPqTOUHvnaxuSej-TcFZA6QiUsbO9DnPsRzeM5kQWxyPyu_/s1600/1970+Willie+Smith+%2528r%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkY-0ZQYI616LCGslWBhoRcWRSB_joev7sXHEuN1OncwlMDwSQ1MwaTwlEBNCy7ZV9VWjI9XqeNuHHvY7W3Cl_eSqqW1iHIPqTOUHvnaxuSej-TcFZA6QiUsbO9DnPsRzeM5kQWxyPyu_/s400/1970+Willie+Smith+%2528r%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
In April 1964 he was traded to the Angels for pitcher <a href="http://1966topps.blogspot.com/2010/05/final-card-julio-navarro.html">Julio Navarro</a>, and was converted to an outfielder to get his bat in the lineup. He responded with a .301 average! Smith also pitched 19 games for the Angels that year. Willie was the backup left and right fielder, but was 2nd overall in innings played (717) among Angels' outfielders. Not bad having never played outfield before!<br />
<br />
In 1965 he was the regular left fielder, playing 122 games there, but still #2 overall – this time behind rookie center fielder <a href="http://1966topps.blogspot.com/2013/06/jose-cardenal-505.html">Jose Cardenal</a>.<br />
<br />
Willie's playing time decreased greatly in 1966. Young <a href="http://1969topps.blogspot.com/2018/03/rick-reichardt-205.html">Rick Reichardt</a> took over the left field job, and with rookie <a href="http://1970topps.blogspot.com/2014/01/jay-johnstone-485.html">Jay Johnstone</a> also joining the team, Smith spent a lot of time on the bench – only starting 40 games. After the season he was traded to the Indians for 3rd baseman <a href="http://1966topps.blogspot.com/2010/04/final-card-george-banks.html">George Banks</a> (who never played in the majors after 1966).<br />
<br />
Smith spent most of 1967 in triple-A, only appearing in 21 games for the Indians, mostly as a pinch-hitter in April and September.<br />
<br />
He began the 1968 season with the Tribe, but again was used only as a pinch-hitter, playing in 33 games until his late-June trade to the Cubs for outfielder <a href="http://1968topps.blogspot.com/2010/04/lou-johnson-184.html">Lou Johnson</a>.
He had more success in Chicago, starting 36 games in left field (with <a href="http://1967topps.blogspot.com/2014/07/billy-williams-315.html">Billy Williams</a> moving over to right field on those days). <i>The fact that Smith only played left field (or pinch-hitter), and moved a star like Williams out of position, makes me think Willie was either a defensive butcher or had a candy arm.</i><br />
<br />
In 1969 he started 30 games in left field (again moving Williams to right field, not giving him a day off. Because Williams NEVER took a day off). Smith also made 16 starts at 1st base when <a href="http://1968topps.blogspot.com/2009/12/ernie-banks-355.html">Ernie Banks</a> took a breather. Willie played more games that year (103) than any season since 1965.<br />
<br />
His final lap in Chicago was 1970, but he only played 2 innings in the outfield all season. Rather, he was the 3rd-string 1st baseman (behind <a href="http://1970topps.blogspot.com/2015/10/jim-hickman-612.html">Jim Hickman</a> and Banks), with 43 games (32 starts).<br />
<br />
In November he was traded to the Reds, and split the 1971 season between Cincinnati (31 games) and their triple-A team (77).<br />
<br />
Smith also played in Japan in 1972 and 1973.<br />
<br />
He passed away in 2006 at age 66.Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-45599097119606210092019-09-21T22:12:00.000-04:002019-09-21T22:12:29.796-04:00Tom Hilgendorf (#482)This is Tom Hilgendorf's rookie card. On the back, it shows that he made his major-league debut in 1969, pitching only 6 games (and 6 INNINGS!) To which I say "Why does he have a card?" Surely he only rates half of a Cardinals Rookie Stars card?<br />
<br />
I'm also labeling this post as "new to me", because back in the day I only collected cards from 1967-69, and also in 1972. Either he wasn't in the 1972 set, or I wasn't paying attention to relievers on teams I didn't follow. So I was not aware of Tom for many years. I got this card just a few years ago as I was building the 1970 set prior to starting this blog.<br />
<br />
Truth be told, my first awareness of him was when I got his 1976 Phillies card sometime in the 1980s, while I was completing my 1964-present run of Phillies cards. Still, although I followed the Phillies closely from 1967 to the mid-1980s, I have absolutely no recollection of him pitching 53 games for Philly in 1975. (Surprising, because I DO remember many forgettable appearances by Phillies' relievers Mike Wallace, Dave Wallace, Ron DiOrio, <a href="http://1966topps.blogspot.com/2013/01/frank-linzy-78.html">Frank Linzy</a>, John Montague, Ed Farmer (in his 1st go-round), Jesus Hernaiz, <a href="http://1967topps.blogspot.com/2017/09/pete-richert-590.html">Pete Richert</a>, and George Culver.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEKLfSi7fU2UYNxiqLzjcRbl2mW8Wb3YvxwpSka63dyp9_AEdu24eGdPSLCbiS07i2mqkQeXW1HVvraD8C7ZkCiG_6TS8klcQH1_ZaaL4nXxtzIJpiRMGcXmD3B_VEpo5ubRx2a9GvKbi/s1600/1970+Tom+Hilgendorf+%2528f%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1136" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEKLfSi7fU2UYNxiqLzjcRbl2mW8Wb3YvxwpSka63dyp9_AEdu24eGdPSLCbiS07i2mqkQeXW1HVvraD8C7ZkCiG_6TS8klcQH1_ZaaL4nXxtzIJpiRMGcXmD3B_VEpo5ubRx2a9GvKbi/s400/1970+Tom+Hilgendorf+%2528f%2529.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8IjO9XAvqlVNEdWofojiG3ejtGoVtsi2e2wIJ2Ac1-hNY5ZIOScd2uZv53_cHbZrYO6Wx1emui2DthimH-udWFybwHmFaSNaaBZ33qqFCBInW2UBgjxxcjoAAGU098Pn_-GqJzTQ9a-H/s1600/1970+Tom+Hilgendorf+%2528r%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8IjO9XAvqlVNEdWofojiG3ejtGoVtsi2e2wIJ2Ac1-hNY5ZIOScd2uZv53_cHbZrYO6Wx1emui2DthimH-udWFybwHmFaSNaaBZ33qqFCBInW2UBgjxxcjoAAGU098Pn_-GqJzTQ9a-H/s400/1970+Tom+Hilgendorf+%2528r%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Anyway, Tom began his career in the Cardinals' organization way back in 1960. After 6 seasons on the farm, he missed the '66 and '67 seasons.<br />
<br />
Hilgendorf returned to the Cards' organization in 1968 and made his major-league debut in August 1969.
In both 1969 and 1970, he played for the Cardinals and for their AAA team.<br />
<br />
After the 1970 season, he was traded to the Royals but played all of 1971 in the minors.<br />
<br />
Tom began the '72 season in the minors but was traded to the Indians in mid-June. He pitched 19 games for the Tribe in the second half.
From 1973 to 1975 he managed to stay out of the minor leagues. Tom was the Indians' top man in the bullpen in 1973, leading the relievers in innings pitched and saves (6). In '74 he dropped to the #4 reliever slot.<br />
<br />
During spring training in 1975, he was traded to the Phillies for a minor-leaguer and spent his final MLB season pitching 96 innings (all in relief) slotted behind <a href="http://1969topps.blogspot.com/2018/02/tug-mcgraw-601.html">Tug McGraw</a> and Gene Garber.<br />
<br />
The Phillies released him the following April, and although he was picked up by the Pirates, he played the 1976 season in triple-A before retiring.Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-1846951345666954602019-09-12T13:41:00.001-04:002019-09-12T13:41:27.084-04:00Doug Rader (#355)This is Doug Rader’s 3rd solo card, but anyone familiar with vintage Topps cards will know that the '68 and '69 Astros cards are not much to look at. Rader also appeared on an Astros Rookies card in 1967.<br />
<br />
Rader was signed by the Astros before the 1965 season. After just 2 ½ seasons, he made his major-league debut in July 1967.<br />
<br />
He played a bit at 3rd base, but was mostly used at 1st base during his rookie season, starting 33 games there during the 2nd half. (In early-August, the Astros traded veteran <a href="http://1968topps.blogspot.com/2009/10/final-card-eddie-mathews.html">Eddie Mathews</a> to the Tigers, opening up 1st base for Rader.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQs-fSa1tzK3_lfAfnD2mbBhOEZMs9l3v8xV3ilHloviDbBxoY0T6qBwE_Ny-La5juCK_6IN33KLsBxCDrzzasuTOy67JOOYzOEwiMeiKOcyu82jgz1T3J6hfNKqDE_72vj3kBv9GAmZu/s1600/1970+Doug+Rader+%2528f%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1148" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQs-fSa1tzK3_lfAfnD2mbBhOEZMs9l3v8xV3ilHloviDbBxoY0T6qBwE_Ny-La5juCK_6IN33KLsBxCDrzzasuTOy67JOOYzOEwiMeiKOcyu82jgz1T3J6hfNKqDE_72vj3kBv9GAmZu/s400/1970+Doug+Rader+%2528f%2529.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFW3E4klDAtiMjwvicipJ5xWZJEY2lRXUInbNDYxEZkGyaY6F_nnDPaFM-C3k57ra7-zPBYQAY6K6F6WG4B8v4bMB0caIgWYCYmhLiZMW6bMs5rePelmVUSHkpmid4_3kdmuFaqQGUKYAa/s1600/1970+Doug+Rader+%2528r%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFW3E4klDAtiMjwvicipJ5xWZJEY2lRXUInbNDYxEZkGyaY6F_nnDPaFM-C3k57ra7-zPBYQAY6K6F6WG4B8v4bMB0caIgWYCYmhLiZMW6bMs5rePelmVUSHkpmid4_3kdmuFaqQGUKYAa/s400/1970+Doug+Rader+%2528r%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Rader was back on the bench at the start of 1968, but with long-time regular (and original Colt .45) <a href="http://1968topps.blogspot.com/2009/10/bob-aspromonte-95.html">Bob Aspromonte</a> out of the lineup for a month beginning in mid-June, Doug began a streak of 32 starts at 3rd base. Even after Aspro’s return, Rader played most of the time.<br />
<br />
Aspromonte was traded away after the ’68 season, so Rader was the full-time 3rd baseman, starting almost every game until early-September 1975.<br />
<br />
Doug also won the Gold Glove award every season from 1970 to 1974.<br />
<br />
In December 1975 he was traded to the Padres for pitchers Larry Hardy and Joe McIntosh. He started 136 games at the hot corner in 1976, an improvement over the 7-man committee playing there in 1975. <br />
<br />
He started 47 of the first 55 games in 1977, then was sold to the expansion Blue Jays in early-June.<br />
<br />
Rader played 96 games with Toronto that year, split between 3B and DH. He was released during spring training in 1978.<br />
<br />
After his playing career he became a manager. He coached for the Padres in 1979, then managed their AAA team from 1980-82. He also managed the Rangers (1983-85), White Sox (1986), Angels (1989-91), and Marlins (1993-94).<br />
Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-16244682740109752832019-08-31T17:29:00.001-04:002019-09-01T01:49:26.594-04:00Joe Coleman (#127)Joe Coleman Jr. was a starting pitcher for the Senators (1965-70) and Tigers (1971-76), then spent his last 2 ½ years bouncing around to 5 different teams.<br />
<br />
Coleman (whose father pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics and others from 1942-55) was the Senators’ 1st-round pick in the June 1965 draft. He made his major-league debut that September, with 2 complete-game wins at age 18.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhVhXRFpHP-MZ9TYlRa_NArcSP8qJOEdCktR55b04TadPwPiTnvBS08PRw9Zr1MhyrqYmvayM8YxEXhy_kqJpHJp91VLqDHRpEEnsOsrRU510XuzclXbt-1a1WQ8SgYSa8ax2bmZY77Gl/s1600/1970+Joe+Coleman+%2528f%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1154" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhVhXRFpHP-MZ9TYlRa_NArcSP8qJOEdCktR55b04TadPwPiTnvBS08PRw9Zr1MhyrqYmvayM8YxEXhy_kqJpHJp91VLqDHRpEEnsOsrRU510XuzclXbt-1a1WQ8SgYSa8ax2bmZY77Gl/s400/1970+Joe+Coleman+%2528f%2529.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1yuwsT44T1jmLVlANi4Q8EtcYt4J0-K8murpbC3wYwQe1AWpkdHT7ZOqaP1taBx0E9sgMndIA21jkcz9FHPRTFV0EDmKSGswp7mzLfHGaNdJLZToKa7V-IwoW2q7yE8KWW7tXWqwgtvg/s1600/1970+Joe+Coleman+%2528r%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1600" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1yuwsT44T1jmLVlANi4Q8EtcYt4J0-K8murpbC3wYwQe1AWpkdHT7ZOqaP1taBx0E9sgMndIA21jkcz9FHPRTFV0EDmKSGswp7mzLfHGaNdJLZToKa7V-IwoW2q7yE8KWW7tXWqwgtvg/s400/1970+Joe+Coleman+%2528r%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After spending much of 1966 back in the minors, Joe made the Senators on a permanent basis in April 1967. He started 22 games and posted 8 wins in his rookie season.<br />
<br />
Coleman won 12 games in 1968 and 1969 – not bad for a perennially bad team. He also had an identical 3.27 ERA both years, and struck out 139 and 182 batters.<br />
<br />
After an off-year in 1970, Joe was part of an 8-player trade with the Tigers. Coleman, along with shortstop <a href="http://1967topps.blogspot.com/2018/11/ed-brinkman-311.html">Ed Brinkman</a>, 3rd baseman <a href="http://1969topps.blogspot.com/2016/08/aurelio-rodriguez-653.html">Aurelio Rodriguez</a>, and pitcher <a href="http://1966topps.blogspot.com/2017/09/jim-hannan-479.html">Jim Hannan</a> were exchanged for pitchers <a href="http://1968topps.blogspot.com/2009/12/denny-mclain-40.html">Denny McLain</a> and Norm McRae, 3rd baseman <a href="http://1967topps.blogspot.com/2016/12/don-wert-511.html">Don Wert</a>, and outfielder Elliott Maddox. With McLain’s career crumbling, the Tigers got the better of that deal.<br />
<br />
Joe put in 5 full seasons with Detroit, including winning 20, 19, and 23 games from 1971-73. He also struck out over 200 batters each of those seasons, and made the All-Star team in 1972.<br />
<br />
In June 1976 he was sold to the Cubs, which started the slow unwinding of his career, as he bounced from the Cubs to the Athletics, Blue Jays, Giants, and finally the Pirates in 1979.<br />
<br />
Coleman has been a minor and major-league pitching coach for the Angels, Cardinals, Rays, Tigers, and Marlins since 1980.<br />
<br />
Joe Jr was the middleman in 3 generations of ballplayers. His son Casey pitched for the Cubs and Royals from 2010 to 2014.Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-28582972748802809102019-07-21T08:00:00.000-04:002019-07-21T08:00:08.614-04:00Born on the Same Day - 4/18/1942<i>Another installment in my "Born on the Same Day" series, featuring players who were born on the same day (!) and year. </i><br />
<br />
This is post #25 in the series: Steve Blass and Chuck Taylor - both born on 4/18/1942.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGbp45vdGky08d71r-WrmlYUdyctWlNFY9ilJwBY9DJPKvdeR42ZxnPlwIrkfjMvDr6CPrzB5AAv7SsCSybgvjoPf3g7iwJwFlPEOdaH9cwemW8k6oSO7tOQSTEcHD_TGThSJ1yYgD2j4/s1600/Born+25+%2528Blass-Taylor%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGbp45vdGky08d71r-WrmlYUdyctWlNFY9ilJwBY9DJPKvdeR42ZxnPlwIrkfjMvDr6CPrzB5AAv7SsCSybgvjoPf3g7iwJwFlPEOdaH9cwemW8k6oSO7tOQSTEcHD_TGThSJ1yYgD2j4/s400/Born+25+%2528Blass-Taylor%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://1967topps.blogspot.com/2018/02/steve-blass-562.html">Steve Blass</a> played for the Pirates from 1964 to 1974, and was their ace from 1968 to 1972. In 1972 he won 19 games and finished 2nd in the Cy Young voting.<br />
<br />
The following season he mysteriously lost his ability to control the ball, and his strikeout/walk ratio plummeted. It became known as "Steve Blass disease". <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://1970topps.blogspot.com/2015/10/chuck-taylor-119.html">Chuck Taylor</a> was a reliever for the Cardinals and Expos from 1969 to 1976.<br />
. Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571973592876362453.post-32042743533444623292019-07-14T08:00:00.001-04:002019-07-14T08:00:00.324-04:00Dave Campbell (#639)<i>About 5 years ago (wow, has it been that long?) a blog reader sent me four cards from my 1970 want list in exchange for a handful of 1968 Topps playing cards.
Those cards were <a href="https://1970topps.blogspot.com/2014/09/dave-leonhard-674.html">Dave Leonhard</a>, Dalton Jones, Bob Allison, and Dave Campbell (all high numbers). </i><br />
<br />
<b>Dave Campbell</b> (whose nickname is "Soup") was a utility infielder who played for the Tigers and Padres, but he did have 2 seasons (1970-71) as a regular for the
Padres.<br />
<br />
Campbell was signed by the Tigers in 1964, and played in their farm system for several years, initially as a first baseman until switching to 2nd base in 1966.
He made his major-league debut with 2 games in September 1967.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0pv0ui9IGJG6WPgClhyL_10KFH-6Xafvml_u5AcoFBwSQqvc7YSHE3QDCpiRncHEVF5EuC9qx004onYsIf-prLz74kOuqtbomv0zsBzvtYS1bhkFdV1s5QC-F8LwuYmPjhMh5GFxqbIM/s1600/1970+Dave+Campbell+%2528f%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="490" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0pv0ui9IGJG6WPgClhyL_10KFH-6Xafvml_u5AcoFBwSQqvc7YSHE3QDCpiRncHEVF5EuC9qx004onYsIf-prLz74kOuqtbomv0zsBzvtYS1bhkFdV1s5QC-F8LwuYmPjhMh5GFxqbIM/s400/1970+Dave+Campbell+%2528f%2529.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFa11SBzdw3PRfElUjFlcOO6M9UeR7KTzxJd024-LV0PHpe0zyl_Lp57mAXv8LhKQ48yXoJSR5wIqQHGPzCNRFb9y0f04W0DlPxJ5WNenVpAI28cAww3bexsF6KkkfbIMS9YUOMKw1XBf/s1600/1970+Dave+Campbell+%2528r%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="690" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFa11SBzdw3PRfElUjFlcOO6M9UeR7KTzxJd024-LV0PHpe0zyl_Lp57mAXv8LhKQ48yXoJSR5wIqQHGPzCNRFb9y0f04W0DlPxJ5WNenVpAI28cAww3bexsF6KkkfbIMS9YUOMKw1XBf/s400/1970+Dave+Campbell+%2528r%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Campbell returned to the minors the following season, except for a 9-game stint with Detroit in June.<br />
<br />
In 1969 he played 32 games for the Tigers, spread across the entire season, although it appears he was back in the minors for much of mid-May to mid-July.<br />
<br />
In December 1969 Dave was traded to the Padres (with pitcher <a href="http://1969topps.blogspot.com/2018/07/pat-dobson-231.html">Pat Dobson</a>) for pitcher <a href="http://1969topps.blogspot.com/2014/03/joe-niekro-43.html">Joe Niekro</a>. This was Campbell’s big break, as he was San Diego’s regular 2nd baseman in 1970, replacing 1969’s trio of Jose Arcia, John Sipin, and <a href="http://1969topps.blogspot.com/2012/06/roberto-pena-184.html">Roberto Pena</a>. Dave reached career-highs in games (154), at-bats (581), runs (71), hits (127), doubles (28), homers (12), and RBI (40). The only blemish was his paltry .219 batting average.<br />
<br />
In 1971 the Padres acquired 2nd baseman Don Mason from the Giants, so Campbell alternated between 2B (with Mason) and 3B (with <a href="http://1970topps.blogspot.com/2011/06/ed-spiezio-718.html">Ed Spiezio</a>). In late-May Gary
Jestadt was acquired from the Cubs, and joined the 2B/3B mix. Campbell started 68 games at 2B and 31 at 3B. By late-August, the team had settled on Mason at 2B
and Jestadt at 3B, so Campbell rarely played after that.<br />
<br />
Dave started 30 of the first 35 games at 3rd base in 1972, but then Jestadt reclaimed the job, and Campbell was shipped off to the Cardinals. He played
sparingly for St. Louis, and in August was traded to the Astros for outfielder Tommie Agee.<br />
<br />
He played 9 games for Houston in 1973, and 35 games in 1974. In his final season he was used mostly as a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner.<br />
<br />
In the late-1970s he started doing play-by-play for the Padres. This led to a 20-year career at ESPN (1990-2010).Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0