1980 Topps Baseball

#339 John D'Acquisto

2011-07-29T22:00:00.002-04:00

Who is this player?
John D'Acquisto, relief pitcher, San Diego Padres
As the 1980 season wore on, John D'Acquisto was pitching in middle relief for a San Diego Padre team that floundering in last place. The 28-year old's solid, if unspectacular, output caught the eye of the Montreal Expos who traded for D'Acquisto in August to strengthen their bullpen for the stretch drive. John fashioned a 2.14 ERA in 21 innings with Montreal, but it belied the fact that he walked nine and had five wild pitches. Nonetheless, the California Angels came calling after the season and signed John to a multi-million dollar contract.

Born in San Diego on Christmas Eve in 1951, D'Acquisto grew up a Giants fan in the days before San Diego had major league baseball. Like most major leaguers, D'Acquisto excelled in high school at several sports, earning 144 college offers for football. Baseball, however, was his first love and he was selected in 1970 by the San Francisco Giants. The following spring he attended Spring Training, largely based on his ability to throw consistently at 100 MPH, a rare feat at that time. However, he was sent to the minors for some seasoning before returning to the bigs for good two years later.

He had his best season in 1974. Inserted into the Giants rotation, he won 12 games, finished in the top 10 in strikeouts and won the Sporting News Rookie Pitcher of the Year award. While he showed some wildness (was second in walks allowed), there was a general consensus that D'Acquisto had the "stuff" to be a great power pitcher. Unfortunately, he injured his arm, damaging nerves and missed nearly all of the 1975 season. Doctors even suggested that he may not even play again.

D'Acquisto struggled in his return to the majors and unfortunately, teams were not as patient then as they are today. Traded from the Giants to the Cardinals and finally to the Padres in less than three seasons, John transitioned into a relief specialist. In 1978, he had an excellent year as Rollie Fingers' setup man, a season that saw the Padres record their first ever winning season. He switched to the American League for the 1981 season in the hopes of helping the Angels return to the postseason, but injuries limited his effectiveness and 1982 was the final season of his 10-year major league career.

In retirement, John D'Acquisto has found a variety of experiences. After working in banking during his playing days, he transitioned into a second career as an investment banker. In 1996, he was sentenced to 63 months in prison for investment fraud, a crime proven later that he did not commit. He also worked as a fireman in San Bernadino for five years and was the pitching coach for the US Navy Baseball Team. After many years, D'Acquisto earned his Doctorate in Exercise Science and Physiology in 2004 and several of his studies have been published. Today, he is the Director of the Agriculture Division for Sorganics, Inc.

Why I love this card
I have admitted my ignorance for much of the NL West during this span of my youth, simply since we never saw the Padres in the midwest. What stuck me about this card was the following; I never thought that I was pronouncing D'Acquisto's name correctly; the yellow and brown were (and still are) mesmorizing; and like the cousin on the back of this card, I too have one that wears exactly the same shirt. Then and now.

Something else...
D'Acquisto tied an NL record with three wild pitches in one inning on September 24, 1976. I know it's not much...I must still be mesmorized by the brown and yellow.

#338 Johnny Wockenfuss

2011-07-25T22:53:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
John Wockenfuss, utility, Detroit Tigers
To merely designate John Wockenfuss a catcher as his 1980 Topps card indicates, would not accurately describe Wockenfuss' contributions to his ballclub. Appearing in a career-high 126 games, "Johnny B." would see action at catcher, first base, designated hitter and two outfield positions. His versatility allowed him to see action nearly every day and 1980 was by far the best statistical season of his career. A popular fan favorite, Wockenfuss was very handy for the Detroit Tigers.

Born in West Virginia, John Wockenfuss was a very late round selection of the Washington Senators in 1967 and signed for $500. He began his professional career as an outfielder and switched to catcher at Double-A Pittsfield in 1972. Johnny promptly led the Eastern League in putouts, assists and chances accepted that season. The following season, the Senators, now the Texas Rangers, included him in a trade that brought Jim Bibby to Texas. Before 1973 was over, he was traded again, this time to the Detroit Tiger organization.

It was with the Tigers that Wockenfuss earned his name in the majors. He broke in during the 1974 season and tied a major league record with an unassisted double play on June 21, 1975. With the Tigers in a position of transition with the retirement of Bill Freehan, Wockenfuss initially saw action behind the plate. In time, however, his versatility at several positions made him a valuable asset.

In 1977, he established his unique batting stance, which can be viewed here. After the 1980 season, he never saw as much action in a single season yet nonetheless was a very popular player. As the captain of the "Riders of the Lonesome Pine," Wockenfuss was the unofficial leader of Tiger reserves such as Champ Summers, Mick Kelleher, Lynn Jones and Stan Papi. As the Tigers of the early 1980s improved Wockenfuss felt that he was instrumental to their success and should be paid accordingly. When he wasn't, his frustration boiled over to the media when he called his teammates "clowns" during Spring Training 1984.

His displeasure known, the Tiger brass made it a point to trade him before the season began. With Glenn Wilson, Wockenfuss was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Willie Hernandez and Dave Bergman. Hernandez would become the Cy Young and MVP in 1984 and Bergman a valuable role player. Wockenfuss played two seasons in Philly, retiring after 12 years in 1985. Johnny managed in the minor leagues for several years with the Pirate and Tiger organizations and today operates a baseball instructional school in Maryland.

Why I love this card
I cannot overstate how popular John Wockenfuss was in the Detroit area when I was growing up. Maybe it was the batting stance which invariably, every kid copied during pickup games. Maybe it was because he was known by his middle initial. Maybe it was the blue collar, play-everyday-wherever-I'm-asked attitude that resonated with Detroiters. I always felt a little bad for Wockenfuss that he missed out on the 1984 season and a World Championship. He got a little revenge in 1989 when at age 40 he pitched 5 innings and earned the win in relief in a Toledo Mud Hens exhibition against the Tigers.

Something else....
Check out the youtube link of Wockenfuss' stance. I happend to be the guy that posted it. I don't want to toot my own horn, but...toot, toot.

#337 Carney Lansford

2011-07-22T22:24:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Carney Lansford, third baseman, California Angels
The June 1980 issue of Baseball Magazine touted Angels' third baseman Carney Lansford as one of the players most likely to be a star in the 1980s. Indeed, when the season began, it was thought that he would be a cornerstone of the franchise. After all only one year earlier, the Angels refused to part with him as part of the Rod Carew trade. However, the Angels changed their stance after a .261 15 80 season and traded him to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for All Star veteran Rick Burleson.

A native Californian born to an athletic family, Carney Lansford's little league team from Briarwood played in the finals of the 1969 Little League World Series. He was a three-sport star in high school, primarily in baseball. This drew attention from several teams and the California Angels drafted him on the third round in 1975. He spent a little over two years in the bushes, where a .332 average at El Paso in 1977 earned him a call to the majors for good. He made the Angels squad the following season as starting third baseman. His .294 average, speed and exceptional fielding drew raves, as well as a third place finish in Rookie of the Year voting.

He was a major piece of the 1979 AL West Champions, clubbing 19 home runs while typically batting second in the lineup. After his trade to Boston, he had a breakout season, leading the league with a .336 average and earning his only career Silver Slugger Award. Remarkably, Lansford was the only righthanded batter to lead the AL in an 18-year span (1971-1988). However, the emergence of Wade Boggs numbered his days in Beantown and he was traded again, this time to the Oakland A's for All-Star slugger Tony Armas.

It was in Oakland that Lansford earned his most renown. Although today he primarily remembered for his role on the dominant A's teams of the late 1980s, Lansford starred for them during many of the previous lean seasons. He was a .288 career hitter for Oakland, three times topping .300. He led baseball with a 24-game hit streak in 1984 and was named to the AL All Star team in 1988. Injuries and personal tragedy periodically interrupted his bottom line figures, but Lansford rightfully earned a reputation as a professional hitter with an excellent glove and a reliable teammate. The culminated in 1989 with a Worlds Championship as Oakland defeated the San Francisco Giants.

After the 1992 season, Lansford retired, completing 15-years of major league service. He transitioned into coaching, first as a bench coach with Oakland (1994-1995) and then with St. Louis (1997-98) and served as manager of the 1999 Edmonton Trappers. He left coaching to focus on the careers of his son's (both of whom are in the minor leagues) before returning in 2008 as hitting coach of the Giants. After a somewhat controversial tenure there, he now serves in the same capacity for the Colorado Rockies.

Why I love this card
I was always a fan of warm-up jerseys, primarily because you never really got to see them. The only time you could is if you showed up early for batting practice (which they never allow these days) or on cards. The Angels one always intrigued me. I don't know if they were the first to have them, but I am stretching to think of another.

Something else....
Lots of interesting tidbits about Carney. First he is a direct descendant of Sir Francis Drake and is also a distant cousin of Tex Ritter. Second, he is one of only seven men to play in both the Little League and Major League World Series. Finally, he had a cameo appearance in the 1994 movie "Angels in the Outfield" as White Sox slugger Kit "Hit or Die" Kesey

#336 George Medich

2011-07-14T21:50:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
George "Doc" Medich, starting pitcher, Texas Rangers
Although his card refers to him by the given name, George was widely known as Doc in baseball circles. Doc had a solid reason for the otherwise disappointing Texas Rangers, leading the club in victories with 14. He also logged his most starts and innings pitched in five seasons and was the most consistent starter on the staff. and 1980 was also the year, Dr. George Medich began a five-year residency in orthopedics at Fort Worth Children's Hospital while still pitching for the Rangers.

Born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, Medich was a three sport star at Hopewell High School in basketball, football, and baseball. He gained most of his fame as a pitcher enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh. Doc was the Panthers’ punter and starting end on the football team for three seasons. In 1967 he had 23 pass receptions for 269 yards to rank third on the team. He also kept his hand in as a 6'-5" 225 pound power pitcher for the Panthers, consistently ranking as one of the top collegiate hurlers in the East. He was drafted by the Yankees in 1970 and was called up to the major leagues after two seasons in the minors.

Medich quickly became the Yankees best starting pitcher, bursting on the scene in 1973 to win 14 games and post a 2.95 ERA, fifth best in the American League. The following year, he won a career high 19 games and went the route 17 times. Although he won 16 games in 1975, the Yankees used him as trade bait to acquire a second baseman. They found one in Pittsburgh in a 3 for 1 deal that had possibly the only Doc for Dock trade in baseball history.

He had a disappointing season in his hometown and was traded again, this time to Oakland before the 1977 season. Medich was in medical school at the time and was upset with the trade since he was enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh. He bounced around that year to the Seattle Mariners and New York Mets, before signing a free agent contract at the end of the year with the Rangers. Medich would spend five seasons in Arlington, the longest stop of his 11-year career.

Doc won 50 games in a Ranger uniform, leading his league in shutouts in 1981. However, he also tended to make the league leader board in losses, home runs allowed and wild pitches. Texas sold him to Milwaukee in 1982 for the stretch drive and he appeared in the postseason for the first time, pitching for the Brewers in the World Series. He left baseball after that to begin a career in orthopedics, and drew attention in 1983 for false prescriptions and was suspended from his staff privleges in 1992. In 2001,. he plead guilty to 12 counts of possession of a controlled substance and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine suspended Medich's licence. His attorney stated at that time that Medich had been battling addiction for some time.

Why I love this card
Any time you can find a skull on a baseball card, it is a huge plus for a nine-year old. It stood out because I remember opening a pack where the backs of the cards were visible first and I scanned this card before flipping them over to see who I got.

Sommthing else....
Twice during his playing career, Medich went into the stands to aid fans who had suffered heart attacks. He performed CPR on one fan in 1976 (unfortunatley, the fan died later in the day) and in 1978 he revived a man who was suffering a heart attack. I think it's safe to say that we will likely never see a ballplayer today transition into medicine later in life.

#335 Willie McCovey

2011-07-11T10:26:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Willie McCovey, reserve, San Francisco Giants
As the only active member of the illustrious 500 Home Run Club in 1980, pulling a Willie McCovey card that summer was a fairly big deal. After all, he was a future Hall of Famer and bonifide legend. Despite his senior status, there were calls in the media for "Stretch" to step aside. When Mike Ivie was slow recovering from injury, McCovey saw some starting action and in the process, became the eighth man in history to plan in four decades. Willie struggled and was replaced at first by Rich Murray. Shortly thereafter, he announced his retirement. Later that season, a day was held in his honor and his #44 was officially retired by the Giants.

Originally signed by the New York Giants, McCovey made a historic debut in 1959 against fellow future Hall of Famer Robin Roberts. Going 4-4 with two triples, he instantly became a fan favorite in San Francisco en route to winning the 1959 Rookie of the Year Award. He was inconsistent over the next three seasons, primarily due to a deep talent pool the Giants had at the time. He was a role player on the 1962 NL Champions, playing primarily outfield and occassionally first base. McCovey showed signs of things to come when he banged 20 home runs and slugged .590 in just 229 plate appearances.

In 1963, Willie led his league in home runs and topped the 100 RBI mark for the first time. He slowly evolved into one of the most feared hitters of his era and he moved to first base full time when Orlando Cepeda was injured and subsequently traded. During a six-year period (1966-1970), Willie hit 226 home runs and averaged 100 RBI per season. Making this accomplishment even more remarkable was that it was done during the so-called "second dead-ball era" where pitchers dominated the landscape. He was the National League MVP in 1969 when he batted .320 and led baseball with 45 home runs and 126 RBI. Willie was also the MVP of the 1969 All-Star Game when he crushed two home runs en route to a NL victory.

Willie helped lead the Giants to the 1971 NL West title, but the long effects of arthritis in his knees began and other injuries began to take their toll. In his prime, Willie admirably played in pain much of the time, but as he aged, that became more difficult to do. The Giants mistakenly thought that McCovey was near the end of the road, and traded him to the San Diego Padres. Willie would go on to play eight more seasons and hit 108 more home runs. McCovey led the Padres in home runs both full seasons he played there, but they sold him to the Oakland A's lat in the 1976 season. Willie only appeared in 11 games with Oakland.

He made a trimphant return to the Giants in 1977 where he became a mentor to younger players, helping the 1978 team to a memorable summer in contention. That season he hit his 500th home run and finished his career with an NL record 18 grand slams. In retirement, he became a Giants consultant and was elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1986. The Giants have annually awarded the Wille Mac Award to honor his spirit and leadership and a statue has been dedicated to him at AT&T park. The inlet of San Francisco Bay beyond the right field, historically known as China Basin, has been famously redubbed McCovey Cove in his honor. Although confined to a wheelchair today due to numerous surgeries, McCovey is still a fixure at the ballpark.

Why I love this card
First off, it's McCovey, what kid wouldn't be excited to get this card. It is also McCovey's second in this set, the other being a highlight card. But I will admit, Willie's signature on this card always bugged me somewhat. The little loop that hooks down onto the bill of his cap seemed out of place. Kind of reminded me when a hair would get loose on a movie screen and flickered in the corner...just enough to be annoying.

Something else....
McCovey is known in popular culture for a famous Peanuts cartoon and his bat was a focal point of Mick Foley's book "Scooter." However, I will always remember McCovey with a connection to my son. In the summer of 2007, he was six years old and we were playing wiffle ball in the back yard. He hit it over the neighbors fence for the first time and it landed in their in-ground pool. He extended both arms over his head and exclaimed "Into McCovey Cove!!!" I don't think I will ever forget that.

Finally, Willie's wikipedia page has a picture from Willie's last game that I thought I would include:

#334 Jim Beattie

2011-07-10T06:16:00.000-04:00

Who is this player?
Jim Beattie, starting pitcher, New York Yankees
After spending two frustrating seasons in New York, by the time 1980 began, Jim Beattie was wearing the uniform of the Seattle Mariners. The 25-year old right hander was the key man in a six player deal that sent Ruppert Jones to New York. Given an opportunity to start regularly, Beattie was immediately installed as the Mariners #2 starting pitcher. However, Jim struggled in his first season as a Mariner, with an ERA well over 5.00 for most of the season. He finished the campaign with a 5-15 record and a 4.85 ERA as the Mariners finished last in the AL West. However, it was still generally felt that there was a strong upside to Beattie and that his 1980 performance was not indicative of his true talent.

Born on the Fourth of July, Jim Beattie starred both on the baseball diamond and basketball court at Dartmouth University before he was selected by the New York Yankees in 1974. With a deep wealth of pitchers on the Yankees, it took some time before Beattie could break into the major leagues. He did so in style in 1978 defeating future Hall of Famer Jim Palmer in his debut. He begane the year slowly, but was instrumental in the great Yankee comeback that season, winning won four of his six decisions in September and finishing his rookie season with a 6-9 record. He followed that performance with a win in the ALCS against the Royals and a complete-game victory against the Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series.

However, the chaos of the "Bronx Zoo" management did more to impair Beattie's improvement and he was shuttled between the majors and minors in 1979. He was on the mound when Carl Yastzemski collected his 3000th hit, but the year was otherwise forgettable. The trade to Seattle was welcomed by Beattie, and although he did not pitch well in 1980, his health improved the following year. As Beattie told Baltimore Sports and Life:

My improvement came as a result of two things, getting healthier and pitching more. In 1980 my shoulder did not allow me to throw easily and hard although I kept going out to pitch and tried to battle through it. When I got healthy during the 1981 season (pitching in the minor leagues during the strike) I came back a different pitcher

In 1982, Beattie set a club record for a starter by pitching 19 consecutive scoreless innings and finished in the top ten in strikeouts. On September 27, 1983, Beattie threw the first one-hitter in Mariners history and the following year was fourth in the American League in complete games. However, it was difficuly for Jim to post a winning record because he pitched for poor Mariner teams. The final two seasons of his nine-year career were marred by injuries and when he retired after he was released by the Mariners at the end of the 1986 season.

Beattie returned to school where he earned his Master's Degree and began a long career in baseball administration. He returned to the Mariners in 1989 as Director of Minor League Operations and help oversee the M's rise in the 1990s. He moved on to the Montreal Expos as their General Manager and later assume the same role with the Baltimore Orioles. Today, he is a employed as a scout with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Why I love this card
Beattie signs his full name on the facimile autograph on this card. This was the way that we had to sign things in school. Complete first name "no nicknames," as Sister Julie would say, with middle inital. I wonder if Jim Beattie hated signing his full name as much as I used to back in 1980.

Something else....
Beattie was Director of Minor League Operations when they drafted Alex Rodriguez. He was also the GM when the Montreal Expos traded Pedro Martinez to the Boston Red Sox (granted, he had little choice in the matter). He also drafted future All-Stars Grady Sizemore, Milton Bradley, Jason Bay, Brandon Phillips and Cliff Lee.

#333 Jim Norris

2011-07-08T22:20:00.002-04:00

Who is this player?
Jim Norris, reserve outfielder, Cleveland Indians
Even before the 1980 season would get underway, Jim Norris had already switched uniforms, traded from the Cleveland Indians in January to the Texas Rangers. A useful utility man, Norris could play all outfield positions and occasionally first base. While he did not start regularly, he contributed a game-winning hit against the Yankees in May and drove in the winning run of a 13-inning marathon against the White Sox in July. Jim would appear in 119 games in 1980 and bat .247.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Jim Norris was a star at the University of Maryland before his career was slowed by injuries. He was drafted by the Indians in the fifth round of the 1971 player draft and was given a mere $2500 bonus. It took Norris quite some time to make it to the major leagues. A six year odyssey in the minors saw Norris suffer numerous injuries including a broken collarbone, shoulder, left arm, right arm, right hand, and right thumb, not to mention torn cartilage and ligaments in his right knee. Nonetheless, he demonstrated patience and perseverance, even being named a player-coach during his time at Triple-A Toledo.

Norris became the "feel-good" story of Spring Training 1977 when he survived the final cut and made the Indians roster. The fairy tale continued into Opening Day, where his two singles and dazzling outfield catch help lead the Indians to a 5-4 win over the Boston Red Sox.

As the Indians' starting centerfielder that season, he batted .270 and led the team with 26 stolen bases. Because of his Opening Day heroics, he quickly became a fan favorite and was even voted the Indians "Unsung Hero" by the Cleveland press. The following season, he saw action mainly a fourth outfielder, a role he would have for the remainder of his stay in Cleveland. He gathered a reputation as a fine fielder with excellent speed despite his many injuries.

His 1980 season in Texas would be the final one of his brief four year major league career. He was unable to make the club in 1981 and spent the season with the Wichita Aeros. At age 32, he called it a career. In 1989, Norris and his wife established Norris Sales & Marketing Inc in Burleson, Texas. According to records, it is a private company categorized under Building Stone Products. Current estimates show this company has an annual revenue of $2.5 to 5 million.

Why I love this card
Actually, I think my Mom would have loved this card more than I did. The jacket that Norris is wearing under his uniform reminds me of all the Little League games I played in April in Michigan when the weather was terrible. My mother insisted that I wear the jacket under my uniform, which made me feel soooo awkward. When I saw this card, I couldn't help but wonder if Norris' mom made him wear a jacket as I had to. Again, a small innocuous connection that drew baseball a little closer to the nine year old. And I got the last laugh as I didn't have to wear a jacket over my Stormtrooper costume that Halloween.

Something else....
Norris' card stood out for me because it was one of those Double Printed cards. If you need a small refresher, there were a couple old posts here and here.

Dick Williams 1929-2011

2011-07-07T20:55:00.005-04:00

I am sad to report that former major leaguer and Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams has died. He was 82 years old.

It is being reported that Williams died today at his Las Vegas home from what was believed to be an aneurysm.

A 2008 Hall of Fame inductee, Williams is the second manager in major-league history to win pennants with three different teams; the Boston Red Sox (1967), Athletics (1972-73) and San Diego Padres (1984). He had a 21-year major league managing record of 1,571-1,451 (.520). He also managed the California Angels, Montreal Expos and Seattle Mariners.

He also played for 13 seasons (1951-1964), primarily as an outfielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles. He also played for the Red Sox, Athletics and Indians.

Featured here is Williams on the 1980 Montreal Expos team card.

Our sympathies go out to the Williams family.

#332 Enrique Romo

2011-07-06T22:33:00.002-04:00

Who is this player?
Enrique Romo, relief pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates
As one of the trifecta of relievers that helped the Pirates to the 1979 World Championship, Enrique Romo's role in 1980 was clearly defined. As the righthanded setup man to closer Kent Tekulve, Romo appeared in 74 games, good for fifth in the league. Known for his wixed screwball and a fiery temper, Romo won five games and recorded eleven saves in helping the Pirates stay in contention well into September. A highlight came on October 1, when he hit a grand slam home run to help defeat the New York Mets.

Born in Mexico, there had be periodic questions of Romo's true birth date over the years. The brother of major league pitcher Vincente Romo, he followed his older brother's path, first to the Mexican League where he became a star hurler. Romo pitched for 11 seasons in south of the border helping lead the Mexico City Red Devils to three championships. Romo evolved into the ace of the Devils staff with a truly outstanding season in 1976. Recording a 20-4 record with a 1.89 ERA, Enrique earned the attention of major league scouts.

Signed by the Seattle Mariners in their inaugural season, Romo was a bright spot on an otherwise struggling pitching staff. He led the team in saves his first two seasons in the Emerald City and was a factor in 36% of the Mariners victories in those early days. The Mariners traded him to Pittsburgh in the winter of 1978 for a package of players and it was with the Pirates that Enrique would make his lasting contribution.

Appearing in a whopping 84 games in 1979, Romo was second only to teammate Tekulve in that category. After a slow start to the season, Romo was a rock during the summer, winning seven games in a row and pitching 19 2/3 scoreless innings at one stretch. He suffered a minor hamstring injury, which hampered is effectiveness in the postseason, but he still appeared in four postseason contests. Nevertheless, his contributions were vital to the "Family" and team captain Willie Stargell dubbed him "Pancho Villa."

Romo's effectiveness began to decline after the 1980 season, as his ERA swelled over 4.00 in 1981 and 1982, and his strikeout rate similarly fell. Despite that, he managed an excellent 9-3 record in 1982 and was expected to return to the Pirates the following season. Despite numerous requests, he never reported when Spring Training began in 1983. Several theories for this exist, including an apparent threat on his life if he returned to Pittsburgh. Romo's six year career was over and he apparently vanished to his native Mexico. However, he returned to the spotlight briefly when he was inducted in the inaugural class of the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.

Why I love this card
I am glad to see that Topps maintained the consistency in the cartoon on the reverse to show Romo in his Pirate pillbox hat with brother Vincente.

Something else....
Interesting stat: both Enrique and Vicente finished their major league career with identical totals in losses (33) and saves (52). Vincente also had a huge gap between appearances, pitching for the San Diego Padres in 1974 and with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1982.

#331 Richie Hebner

2011-07-05T20:37:00.004-04:00

Who is this player?
Richie Hebner, third baseman, New York Mets
For the first time in his career, Richie Hebner would be playing in a new league in 1980. Traded to the Detroit Tigers in November, 1979, he was slated to be the Tigers' cleanup hitter and third baseman. Hebner shifted to first after the trade of Jason Thompson and responded with an All-Star worthy first half, among the league leaders in RBI. An aggravated knee injury cut into his production in the second half, where he spent most of the final month of the season in a pinch-hit capacity. Nonetheless, he finished the year with a solid .290 batting average and respectable 82 RBI (a career high) in 104 games.

The Grave Digger. Today, the native of Walpole, Massachusetts is best known for his off-season training regimen that saw him working as a gravedigger at a cemetery run by his father at a time when major league ballplayers often held other jobs, earning $35 a grave. But it was his athletic ability that drew interest not only from baseball scouts, but hockey ones as well. Hebner was one of the top scholastic hockey players in the country and he was offered a contract by both the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings. When the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him on the first round in 1966 and signed him for $40,000, Hebner days on the rink were over.

Within two seasons, Hebner was in the major leagues, coinciding with the Pirates dominance of the NL East in the early part of the 1970s. Hebner was a integral performer on the Bucs as their starting third basemen and particularly elevated his game in the post season. He hit a game-winning home run off of Juan Marichal in Game 3 of the 1971 NLCS and helped lead the Pirates to a World Championship. He would leave Pittsburgh after nine seasons as a free agent to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1977. Hebner would switch to first base and be part of two division-winning teams in Philly. In all, Hebner would play for seven division champions during the 1970s.

When Pete Rose arrived on the scene, Hebner was off to New York, traded to the Mets. Hebner was unhappy in New York and was traded again to Detroit, where he spent three seasons as a first baseman/DH. The Tigers sold Richie to the Pirates midway through 1983, where Hebner began the transition into being a part-time player. While he had some notable contributions, he was counted on to provide a big hit off the bench. He signed on as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs prior to the 1984 season, where he made one final postseason appearance. Richie's 18-year career came to an end when he was cut in Spring Training, 1986.

Hebner began a second career in baseball by becoming a manager and coach. He was hired by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1988 to become a manager in the minors. When his good friend Joe Morgan took over as manager of the Boston Red Sox, Hebner was installed as hitting coach for three seasons. He returned to the Blue Jays organization to manage a Triple-A Syracuse and was a coach for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2001. Most recently, he managed the Frederick Keys in the Baltimore Orioles system and was on the Norfolk Tides coaching staff in 2010.

Why I love this card
This card is what this blog is all about for me. Every boy has a favorite player and in 1980, without question, Hebner was mine. Here's why. Hebner was a new Tiger with Pittsburgh roots. My Dad was a transplanted Pittsburgher, I can imagine when he saw this ad in the Spring of 1980, it peaked his interest.

So my Dad took me and to meet my first major leaguer. It was a significant moment in my young life, because things like this didn't happen all the time. Hebner was very nice and asked me about my Pirate hat. I asked him about Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell. He signed my autograph book and gave me every indication that this is what a professional ball player looked and sounded like. I can't recall how many times I looked at this card during that summer and thought of this day.

Here was a photo from that momentous occasion, yours truly with Mr. Hebner (note the Pirate hat and Tigers jacket)

Something else....
No post about Hebner would be worth its salt without a mention of his batting stance. Every time he would step in, he would reach around and tug on the back of his collar. Every time. It would be one of those things we would mimic, like Carew's crouch or Stargell's bat twirl. There is a small video of it here, but not until the 7:55 mark.

Finally, since Hebner was traded early in the off-season, Topps OPC was able to amend his card to mention he was now on the Tigers. What I would have given to have this card in 1980.

Dwight Gooden, 7-11 and the Fourth

2011-07-04T21:45:00.003-04:00

Disclaimer: This post has nothing to do with the 1980 Topps set, rather a remeberence of my father, who was the original inspiration for this blog. Periodically, I will break away from the 1980 set, to include these entries as a tribute to the man who started my card collection and my interest in the game.

The Fourth of July was one of my Dad's days. I guess that we all like certain holidays over others, but this one was one of his favorites. Like most, he liked to grill and he liked having family over. He always made a mention somehow of our service men/women and the sacrifices that they make. Year after year, pretty much the same thing. You knew what you would be doing on the Fourth. It was set.

Today was the first one without him. We did the same things, we had family over. Except this time, my brother-in-law did the grilling. I could see how tired the whole affair made my Mom, but she did it primarily to keep the tradition going, keep memories alive.

So what does this have in common with a 1986 7-11 Slurpee coin?

I found this today when I was going through an old shoe box of stuff. Slurpees also remind me of summer. I can remember sitting on the curb being impressed with the stats on the back. A 2.00 career ERA? It's hard to explain how huge Dwight Gooden was in those days. He was the man. A Strikeout Machine. A lock for the Hall of Fame.

Now I was no Mets' fan, but as baseball coverage and cards began to really escalate in the mid-1980s, Dwight Gooden was The Next Big Thing. It was a great summer to be a fan with several new products out (granted some were junk) and games all over cable TV. For a baseball-hungry boy, there was plenty to choose from.

Of course, my Dad was not as impressed with only two seasons. "Let's see what happens," is what he probably said, a reminder that its the body of work that counts, not just the highlights. He told me about Herb Score and how his flame was snuffed and reminded me about Steve Carlton and Nolan Ryan and how teams gave up on them and how, over time, they established themselves as the greatest pitchers in the game.

I begrudingly agreed. When Gooden's star fell, my Dad didn't gloat or "told me so." He did point out when guys like Ryan or Carlton did well or were elected to the Hall of Fame.

Which brings me back to today.

I can see why my Dad didn't gravitate towards Gooden as I had. Why it didn't excite him as much as it did me. For him, it was about consistency, working hard. Reliability. Knowing what to expect and counting on it. Year after year, pretty much the same thing.

And all this time, I thought that he was talking about pitching.

#330 Al Cowens

2011-07-03T22:39:00.005-04:00

Who is this player?
Al Cowens, rightfielder, Kansas City Royals
Two new teams, a brawl and an arrest warrant shaped the 1980 season for Al Cowens. Traded to the California Angels before the start of the season, he was shipped to the Detroit Tigers in May because Jason Thompson (a Gene Autry favorite) was available. He was in Detroit for less than a month when he charged and struck Chicago White Sox pitcher Ed Farmer in retaliation for a beaning the previous season. In an unusual move, a warrant was put out for Cowens' arrest, but the controversy ended in September when Farmer and Cowens buried the hatchet. He rebounded from his slow start with the Angels to hit .280 with Detroit and finish the year at .268.

Alfred Edward Cowens Jr. was born in Los Angeles, California and initially earned local renown as a football player at Centennial High School in Compton, CA. He was teammates with fellow future major leaguer Mitchell Page. The Kansas City Royals drafted Cowens on the 84th, yes 84th, round of the 1969 June free agent draft. He worked his way up the minor league ladder, first garnering attention in 1971. Cowens led the California League in fielding percentage that season and later was named Southern League Player of the Year in 1973. That performance earned him a promotion to Kansas City and he would spend the next 13 seasons in the major leagues.

An exceptional athlete, Al's tools were very subtle and often unnoticed by the media. His teammates, however, appreciated Al's skills in the field and at the plate. He was an integral part of a Royals team that won three consecutive AL West flags in the late 1970s, consistently providing stellar defense, speed on the basepaths and a timely bat when needed.

Cowens' best season came in 1977 when he was MVP-runner up to Hall of Famer Rod Carew. Playing in all 162 games, Al hit .312 that season with 189 hits, 23 home runs and 112 RBI. He was also recognized for his defensive excellence with his first (and only) Gold Glove Award. Cowens was a durable .282 hitter in his six Kansas City seasons rarely taking time off unless he was truly hurt. One such occasion came in 1979 when a pitch from Farmer (then with the Rangers) broke his jaw. Cowens felt he was hit intentionally and certainly Farmer did little to change that perception. Those bad feeelings would culminate in their 1980 brawl.

Al was sold by Detroit to Seattle prior to the 1982 season and he experienced ups and downs in Seattle. Most often, he was a productive outfielder contributing decent power and average as well as good defense. The only exception would be his slump during the 1983 season that saw him hit only .205. The Mariners were not a good ballclub during this era, but Al was a bright light in an otherwise dismal situation. As young players in Seattle began moving up, the veteran Cowens soon saw a decrease in playing time and his release in 1986. In retirement he scouted for his first team, the Royals and coached high school kids in California. Sadly, Al Cowens passed away from a heart attack in 2002 at the young age of 50. Today, his son runs the Al Cowens Heart Healthy Foundation.

Why I love this card
Being from Detroit, I remember the fight. What I remember more though was that no one seemed to understand what and why it was happening since it happened when both Farmer and Cowens were with different teams. I had the pleasure of meeting Cowens and getting his autograph the following season at Tiger Stadium and distinctly recall how polite and patient he was with all of the kids gathered. That will be the Al Cowens that I remember.

Something else....
Below is a version of Al's 1980 OPC card that designates him a member of the California Angels. With a traded set a year away, there would not be any mention of Cowens as a Tiger until 1981.

I neglected to include Tom Underwood's 1980 OPC card in his post the other day, which I will show now and add to his post.

#329 Bert Roberge

2011-07-02T20:26:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Bert Roberge, relief pitcher, Houston Astros
One man's misfortune is another man's opportunity. Such was the case for Bert Roberge during the summer of 1980. He failed to make the Astros final cut in Spring Training and spent the first half of the season pitching out of the bullpen for the Tuscon Toros. When J.R. Richard had his unfortunate stroke that ultimately ended his career, Roberge got the call to replace him on the roster. Bert appeared in 14 games for the eventual NL West Champions, winning two games in relief.

A native of Lewiston, Maine, the righthanded throwing Roberge stayed in his home state and attended the University of Maine. He had dual dreams in those days, to be a major league and to be accepted into dental school. During his four years as a Black Bear, Bert set the school career ERA record (1.82) and is tied for the career shutouts mark (six). His collegiate performance drew the attention of the Houston Astros who drafted him on the fourteenth round in 1976. While he was accepted, dental school would have to wait.

Roberge made his major league debut in 1979 and spent most of the summer with the Astros as they challenged for their first NL West title. While the Astros fell a little short, Roberge pitched tremendously in 26 appearances. He fashioned a 1.69 ERA, winning three games and saving four more. A highlight of the season was back-to-back saves against the Giants in mid-season that helped Houston maintain it's lead in the NL West race.

It appeared the Roberge earned a spot in the Houston bullpen, but acquistion of Frank LaCorte and the signing of Nolan Ryan to the already pitching-rich Astros moved Roberge down the depth chart. Bert did not appear in the majors in 1981 but he returned to Houston in 1982, mostly in a long relief capacity. He again did not pitch in the major leagues in 1983 and he was granted free agency at the end of the season. Bert signed with the Chicago White Sox where he picthed well, if unspectacularly in middle relief.

He moved to Montreal in 1985 where he achieved career-highs in most picthing categories, including appearances and innings pitched. He struggled in 1986 and split time between the majors and minors for the third consecutive seasons. He retired from professional baseball at the end of the season after six major league seasons. Bert has since been recognized as one of Maine's greatest athletes and was part of the 1988 class of the Auburn-Lewiston (ME) Sports Hall of Fame.

Why I love this card
The cartoon on the reverse. Something about someone in their cap and gown with a diploma in one hand and a baseball bat in the other. Made everything seem so simple. For a nine-year old boy, the possibilities were limitless. By the way, is this card airbrushed? Roberge's hat looks strange to me.

Something else....
Today, Roberge is a sucessful businessman for Curran Company, where he and two of his brothers oversee the operations. The company specializes in fresh cut vegatables and has been in Roberge's family for over 40 years.

#328 Gene Mauch Minnesota Twins Team Card

2011-07-01T21:36:00.002-04:00

What is this card?
Team Card, Minnesota Twins, Gene Mauch Manager.

The Minnesota Twins were a surprising team in 1979, finishing over .500 despite losing several star players over the past couple of seasons. Although they were not seriously expected to contend in 1980, most observers believed that Minnesota's young talent should continue to develop.

As was their pattern, the Twins lost another key free agent over the off-season, this time Dave Goltz to the Los Angeles Dodgers. They finished April with a .500 record, but in the AL West at that time, it was good enough to be three games back. The Twinkies completely collapsed in May and never truly recovered. Their home attendance of 769,206 was the worst in the American League and the Twins had a net loss of $1 million dollars, at the time the deepest loss in club history.

Gene Mauch, pictured here, did not even finish the 1980 season, choosing to resign on August 24th. Johnny Goryl was named manager on an interim basis and he guided the Twins to a 12-game September winning streak that earned him the job for 1981. Minnesota finished the year at 77-84, a distant third, 19.5 games back of the Kansas City Royals.

Other highlights of the season included Ken Landreaux's 31-game hitting streak and selection to the American League All-Star team; Jerry Koosman finishing in the top 10 in victories for the second season in a row; and work beginning in earnest at the Twins' new ballpark, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.

For those of you who forgot the old Metropolitan Stadium, here it is again.

Why I love this card
I have mentioned previously about my first game and this Twins team was the one that I saw. One player that stood out for me was their relief ace Mike Marshall who completely mowed down the Tigers that night. Turns out that Mike Marshall didn't have a baseball card in 1980. Turns out that he didn't have a card in the 1978 or 1979 set either. No one really had cards older than that, so I found it odd that he didn't have a card. He is pictured here, on the sitting in the first row on the far right.

Something else....
Staying with the Marshall theme, he was the Twins player rep and an extremely vocal advocate for the Player's Association. Despite setting an American League record with 90 appearance in 1979 the Twins released him in June 1980. The official reason was his age and performance, but Marhsall contested the decision and won. He never returned to baseball, due to actions such as this. I just can't imagine something like this happening to say, Mariano Rivera.

#327 Ray Fosse

2011-06-30T20:57:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Ray Fosse, reserve catcher, Milwaukee Brewers
As the 1980 season got underway, Ray Fosse was not on a major league roster. Six days before the Brewers broke camp, Fosse was cut in favor of Ned Yost. The free agent contract that he signed with Milwaukee prior to the 1978 season had other teams financially avoid him. He was unfortunately seen as too expensive to take a chance on at that point in his career. Fosse resigned himself to the fact that his 12-year career was at its end, taking a position in California with a commercial real estate firm.

A native of Marion, Illinois, Fosse was a heavily recruited high school athlete, especially by the Houston Astros. However, the Indians were part of a scouting co-op and drafted Fosse on the first round of the 1965 draft. Fosse's high school coach handled the negotiations with the Indians and Fosse eagerly signed a deal. He quickly moved up the minor league ladder and developed a reputation as a solid hitter and handler of pitchers. Ray earned the nickname "Mule" among his teammates for his strength and ability to carry a team when necessary.

He was derailed in 1969 when he broke his right index finger, but blossemed in the first half of 1970. By most accounts, Fosse was seen as a rising superstar. He was named to the All Star team, batting .313 with 16 home runs and was part of one of the most replayed All Star moments of all-time when Pete Rose crashed into him to score the winning run in the 12th inning. A fracture and seperation of his shoulder were never detected on the initial x-ray and Fosse gamely continued to play. He developed some bad habits during this stretch to compensate and since then, Fosse has gone one record that he never regained the power and the swing that he had prior to the All Star Game.

Fosse won consecutive Gold Glove Awars in 1970 & 1971 and was even named to his second All-Star squad, but a series of injuries cut into his playing time. The Indians traded Ray to Oakland before the 1973 season and with the A's, he won two World Series ring. He would suffer another serious injury in Oakland, breaking his neck while trying to be peacemaker in a locker room scuffle between Reggie Jackson and Bill North. He would never be a regular player again.

He returned to Cleveland in 1976 in a backup cacpacity and then was traded to Seattle the following season. He signed a free agent contract with the Milwaukee Brewers prior to the 1978 season, but he destroyed his knee in Spring Training, limiting him to only 19 appearances the next two seasons. After his retirement in 1980, Fosse became a broadcaster for the A's, a job that he has held since the 1986 sesaon.

Why I love this card
I remember when I got this card. I had no idea who Fosse was and asked my Dad who he was. I vividly recall his response as a sympathetic "Aww." I had no idea about the All Star collision and my Dad told me the story. I wouldn't go so far as to say that it turned me off to Pete Rose, but I do remember thinking more of Fosse than Rose every time I saw that play after that. Still do, in fact.

Something else....
Today, Pete Rose claims that he Fosse is angry with him about the play and doesn't know why. Maybe it has something to do with this.
Anyway, an interesting side note is that a week before the infamous All-Star Game, Fosse narrowly avoided serious injury when a fan at Yankee Stadium threw a cherry bomb on the field and in exploded near Fosse's foot. It was so serious in fact, that the Indians trainer initially thought Fosse was shot.

#326 Bo McLaughlin

2011-06-29T13:15:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Bo McLaughlin, relief pitcher, Atlanta Braves
Interestingly, Michael Duane "Bo" McLaughlin did not appear in a major league game in 1980 despite appearing in a career-high 59 games the previous year in split duty between the Braves and the Houston Astros. He was philosophical when he was sent to the minors shortly before the season began, even when some of his teammates were not so gracious. Bo dutifully reported to Triple-A Richmond where he was utilized as a starting pitcher until injuries to his neck cut short his season.

McLaughlin was born in Oakland, California but attended high school in Batavia, Ohio. He excelled as a high school athlete and was offered 55 baseball scholarships and seven basketball scholarships. Bo chose Limpsomb University in Nashville, Tennessee because of its integrity and emphasis on baseball. He spent three years in college and represented the United States in the World Games in 1974. Shortly thereafter, he signed with the Houston Astros after they selected him in the 1975 amateur draft.

In his first professional game, McLaughlin pitched 6.2 no-hit innings at Double-A and established himself as a major league prospect. He made his major league debut in 1976 and fashioned an impressive 2.85 ERA in 17 appearances with the Astros. He split time between the bullpen and rotation the following season, but his ERA rose nearly two full runs. When he started the 1978 season poorly he shuttled between the majors and Triple-A before being traded to Atlanta during the 1979 season.

Bo became a free agent and in 1981 moved on to the Oakland Athletics who won the AL West that season. McLaughlin's season was derailed by a horrific injury in which a ball batted by Harold Baines hit him squarely in the face. Traveling at an estimated 125 MPH, the ball broke his cheekbone and eye socket. He had to endure two surgeries and there was some concern that he would not survive. The 1981 Players Strike enabled Bo to recuperate and he returned to the A's later that season. Understandably though, he was unable to completely get into pitching shape and 1982 was the final year of his six-year career.

McLaughlin spent three years in the minors attempting to come back, but his heart was never truly in it. He moved to the Phoenix area and began a baseball school and real estate company. He returned to baseball in 1992 at the request of Jim Lefebvre, then-manager of the Chicago Cubs. For the first time in seven years he pitched batting practice and then began his second career as a coach with the Chicago Cubs, Expos and Orioles. Most recently, he has been the roving pitching instructor with the Colorado Rockies.

Why I love this card
What I recall about this card was not anything related to baseball. I didn't have WTBS yet, so the Braves did not resonate with me. There was nothing about the card that jumped out at me, nor anything on the back. No, what got me was "Bo." Before all the "Bo Knows" hype, the only Bo (other than this one) that I knew or cared about was this one:

Yes, I watched. Every Friday night. I've admitted to worse.

Something else....
McLaughlin goes into a little more detail about the injury here. It's very interesting to read how it effected Harold Baines as well has how their two paths would cross again nearly two decades later.

The Twelfth 25: A Roster

2011-06-28T19:37:00.001-04:00

A brief look back in team form at the last 25 player cards in the 1980 set (#300 through #325) as if constructing a fantasy league team.

Manager - Tom Lasorda

1B - Keith Hernandez
2B - Mike Edwards
SS - Chris Speier
3B - Denny Walling
OF - Dave Parker
OF - Steve Kemp
OF - Claudell Washington
C - Butch Wynegar
DH - Dan Driessen

Glass half full:: Incuded here are the two most recent NL MVPs in Parker and Hernandez, an All-Star performer in Kemp and a Rookie of the Year in Wynegar. Washington at the time was loaded with potential and there are solid veterans in Speier and Walling. You can interchange Driessen and Hargrove at the DH without losing anything.

Glass half empty: Substance issues plague this team as will injuries. Many of the players in the lineup are at their peak right now (1980) and see a bit of a decline after this, despite some longevity.

Bench: Mick Kelleher, Mike Hargrove, Roger Metzger, Johnny Grubb, Mike Anderson

Glass half full:: Good balance of glove men and potent bats off of the bench. Grubb and Hargrove are former All-Stars.

Glass half empty: Can't really complain about this group, however, there isn't a backup catcher which would have been nice.

Rotation
Ron Guidry
Jerry Reuss
Dennis Eckersley
Randy Jones
Larry McWilliams

Glass half full:: Three Cy Young winners here and four left-handed starters. Very solid group, whether it be for 1980 only or for career value. If Jones gets' hurt, Honeycutt come out of the pen.

Glass half empty: Not a dominant righthander unless Jones is on and to be fair Eckersley would win his Cy Young 12 years later.

Bullpen: Rick Honeycutt, Tom Underwood, Bill Castro, Mike Barlow Bob Lacey, Tim Stoddard

Glass half full:: Good balance here of guys that can jump into the rotation if need be, do an inning or two as setup to the closer Stoddard. Underwood and Honeycutt can both start and relieve effectively.

Glass half empty: Stoddard gets the job by default simply because no one else here has experience as a closer. Would have been nice to have a Gossage or Quisenberry, but you can't get greedy.

OVERALL: Nice group here with a Hall of Fame manager (Lasorda) leading the way. This group would be a very competitive team and is stocked with guys with major league pedigrees. The only thing keeping it from an A is the lack of a backup catcher and the fact that this team could have been so much better if not for substance abuse issues.

GRADE: B+

#325 Dan Driessen

2011-06-27T21:45:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Dan Driessen, first baseman, Cincinnati Reds
As the regular first sacker of the defending National League West champions, Dan Driessen had a secure position with the Cincinnati Reds. The left-handed hitter had established a reputation as a steady performer with a reliable glove. He began the 1980 season slowly, but batted .345 in May and raised his batting average to .291 by the All Star break. The Reds remained in contention for much of the season before finally fading after Labor Day and Drieseen led the NL in walks and was fifth in on-base percentage.

A native of Hilton Head, South Carolina, Driessen's path to the major leagues was not a traditional one. Driessen never played on his high school baseball team, primarily because his school didn't have one. He cut his baseball teeth on the South Carolina sandlots playing with men's semi-pro teams. The locals contacted major league scouts about the young spray hitter and he was given a tryout and impressed the Reds' brass, who signed him to a contract in 1969. He feasted on minor league pitching and earned a major league promotion in 1973.

Almost instantly, Driessen was hailed as the next star hitter for the Big Red Machine. His .301 average in 102 games earned him some Rookie of the Year consideration and the Reds tried him full-time at third base in 1974. He was a solid performer in his early years with the Reds, but the general perception was that, if given the chance to play regularly, Driessen could be a star. Driessen enhanced that reputation in 1976 when, as the first designated hitter in World Series history, he batted .357 in a four game sweep of the Yankees.

This prompted the Reds to trade veteran Tony Perez prior to the 1977 season, enabling Driessen to take over first base, full time. Driessen paid immediate dividends, batting .300 with 17 home runs and 91 RBIs. He would hold the down position for seven years, helping the Reds win the NL West in 1979 and the best record in baseball during the strike-shortened 1981 season. During that span, Dan would three times lead NL first basemen in fielding percentage but eventually became the subject of consistent trade rumors.

Shipped to Montreal in 1984, Driessen became a part-time player for the remainder of his 15-season career. From there, he went first to San Francisco, then Houston and finally St. Louis. He even spent time in the minor leagues in 1986 and 1987 to work his way back. When Jack Clark was injured late in the 1987 season, Driessen was inserted as his replacement in the NLCS and World Series. It was a nice comeback story despite the Cardinals seven-game loss in to the Twins. Today, Driessen remains in South Carolina as a high school coach. He is the unlce of former Major Leaguer Gerald Perry and the cousin of Reggie Kinlaw, an NFL nose-guard for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.

Why I love this card
Much like the Tom Hume card, here is a shot of a Cincinnati Red at Detroit's Tiger Stadium. As I mentioned in the Hume post, seeing a National Leaguer pictured an AL park in the days before interleague was a big deal. The Reds and Tigers played each other in an annual exhibition called the Kid Gloves Game where the proceeds would go to Sandlot baseball in Cincinnati and Detroit. This shot of Driessen was taken before the April 23, 1979 game in which the Tigers beat the Reds 14-3.

Something else....
In other time when I enjoyed the nicknames Chris Berman would periodically throw out in the early days of ESPN, I admit that I always liked Dan "Salad" Driessen. I even said it to myself when I saw he was the next card for this blog.

#324 Tom Underwood

2011-06-26T20:47:00.002-04:00

Who is this player?
Tom Underwood, starting pitcher, Toronto Blue Jays
When this card was being pulled from packs during the 1980 season, Tom Underwood was already long gone from Toronto. The lefthanded pitcher was traded as part of a package to the New York Yankees shortly after the 1979 season ended. He began the season in the bullpen to fill a role on the staff and did so well he remained there, much to his chagrin. When he returned to the Yankees rotation, he was their best pitcher, winning five straight starts. Nevertheless, he remained unhappy how he was used, despite winning 13 games for the AL East Champions.

The Kokomo, Indiana native was a three-sport athlete in high school, going 25-1 in American Legion ball and helped his team to a state championship in 1972. That attracted the attention of the Philadelphia Phillies who drafted him later that summer. Tom never had a losing season in the minor leagues and he made his major league debut in the summer of 1974. He was inserted into the starting rotation the following year and he had the best year of his career, winning 14 games and being named to the Topps All-Rookie Team. His performance that season led to predictions of stardom.

Underwood was never able to equal the performance of his first full season, despite being part of the Phillies 1976 NL East Champions. In fact, he was on the mound when the Reds clinched the NL pennant. Midway through 1977, Underwood was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Bake McBride, and he was subsequently dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays after that season. He pitched decently for horrible Blue Jays teams but Toronto saw him as a chip to trade for some veteran players.

After a rocky start to the 1981 season, he was traded to the Oakland A's. Pitching as a swingman during the second half he again appared in the postseason, this time with the AL West champions. The following year, Underwood put together an effective 1982 season. Again splitting his time between the bullpen and the rotation, Underwood forged a career best ERA of 3.29, won ten games, and saved seven others for Billy Martin, who liked his versatility and willingness to pitch in any role. Underwood played one more year in Oakland and another in Baltimore before his ten-year career came to an end in 1984.

Shortly after his retirement following the 1984 season, Mr. Underwood met his wife and began a second career as financial advisor for Wells Fargo Advisors. He was elected Howard (IN) County's athlete of the century in 1999 and was inducted into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997. Mr. Underwood fought a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer which ultimately led to his death in 2010. His daughter has a site dedicated to raising funds for cancer research where you can donate here

Why I love this card
Immediately, this card makes me think of May 31, 1979. Underwood faces his younger brother Pat, who was making his major league debut. Pat outdeuls Tom in a 1-0 decision. Pat was pitching for the Tigers, Tom for the Blue Jays. The local media made a huge deal out of this in Detroit and I always felt a little sorry for Tom. After all, in my nine-year old mind, Tom was the one that pitched the complete game.

Something else....
For most of the 1980 season, the New York Yankees had four lefthanders in their starting rotation: Underwood, Ron Guidry, Tommy John and Rudy May. I cannot recall any team that has done that since.

#323 Mick Kelleher

2011-06-25T14:04:00.008-04:00

Who is this player?
Mick Kelleher, utility infielder, Chicago Cubs
The current first base coach of the New York Yankees, in 1980 Mick Kelleher had a reputation as a tremendous glove man. He appeared in 105 games, primarily as a defensive specialist. His hitting, however, didn't reach the same laurels. He batted only .146 in limited action at the plate (14 for 96) but his best moment at the plate that year came on September 28 against Pittsburgh. Mick's triple drove in two runs and proved to be the game-winning hit as the Cubs downed the Bucs.

A native of Washington state, Mick Kelleher was a scholar-athlete at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. In addition to receiving his bachelor's degree in political science, he was an NCAA Division II All American in 1969 and was named to the NCAA Division II All-Tournament Team the same season. This attracted the attention of major league scouts and he was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the third round of the 1969 player draft.

In the minor leagues, Mick paced league shortstops in fielding during four of his minor league seasons and established an American Association record for shortstops with a .979 fielding percentage in 1972. He glove earned him looks by the parent club, but his hitting typically kept him from sticking at the major league level. He was swapped to the Astros and back to the Cardinals, yet still managed to win two Rawlings Silver Glove Awards (in 1972 and 1975) as the minor leagues best fielding shortstop.

His trade to the Cubs before the 1976 season would be a big break for Mick as he was the Cubs everyday shortstop, appearing in a career high 124 games and committing only nine errors. However, with Ivan DeJesus waiting in the wings, Mick and his durable glove was returned to the bench. In his five seasons in Chicago, Kelleher was equally effective defensively at third base, second base and shortstop. A memorable moment came when the diminutive Kelleher got into a fight with Dave Kingman in 1977. An interview with Mick regarding the fight can be found at our friend's site Johngy's Beat.

In Spring Training of 1981, he was traded to the Tigers where he backed up Alan Trammell. Trammell has credited Kelleher with helping him become a Gold Glove winner and Tram would later repay the favor by appointing Mick one of his coaches when Trammell was manager of the Detroit Tigers from 2003-2005. Kelleher would spend one season in Detroit and he was shipped again, this time to the California Angels. It would be his eleventh and final season in the majors after a back injury curtailed his career. Since his playing days have ended, he has served in a coaching or scouting capacity every season since 1984.

Why I love this card
As a Detroit native, I remember Kelleher's stay in Detroit well. Although he was with the Cubs here, this card would be moved to my Tigers team pile in 1981. We all had those right? Didn't matter what year the card was or what team they were pictured with, if they were on the team at that moment, that card immediately was upgraded as being more "special." After all, he was on the home team!

Something else....
Kelleher is credited with tutoring Derek Jeter in his early days and his primary project for the last three seasons has been Robinson Cano. In 2010, the Yankees led the Majors with a .988 fielding percentage and committed only 69 errors, setting franchise records for highest fielding percentage and fewest errors for a season. The Yanks also set a Major League record with 18 consecutive errorless games in 2009, so Kelleher must be doing something right.

#322 Claudell Washington

2011-06-24T10:15:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Claudell Washington, rightfiedler, Chicago White Sox
Spring Training for Claudell Washington began with a contract dispute, and the miserly White Sox were not about to sign him to the multimillion dollar deal he was seeking. Already unpopular with White Sox fans who famously hung "Washington Slept Here" signs because of his casual style of play, it was widely believed that it would be a matter of time before he was traded. Indeed, the Sox shipped Claudell to the New York Mets for a minor league pitcher in June. He made history shortly after the trade, becoming (at the time) only the third player to hit three home runs in a game in both leagues on June 20 (he hit three in a game for the Sox in 1979). After the season, he signed the contract he was seeking with the Atlanta Braves, a five year deal worth $3.5 million dollars.

Washington's path to the major leagues was an unusual one. A very talented athlete, he spent most of his youth concentrating on basketball and track. He was working as a janitor while playing on the sandlots of Berkely, California when he was discovered and signed by the legendary A's owner Charlie Finley in 1972. Two years later, he was destroying minor league pitching when the A's brought him up shortly before the 1974 All Star break. After a few weeks getting acclimated, he hit .310 in the final month of the season and helped the A's to their third straight World Series, where he batted .571 (4 for 7) in a five-game victory over the Dodgers.

Handed the leftfield job in 1975, Claudell blossomed into a star and he became a favorite of Finley. He was selected to the All Star Game for the first time and finished fifth in batting and second in stolen bases. He struggled in 1976 as the A's dynasty disintegrated. In March of 1977 Finley peddled him to Texas for cash and two players. He never gelled with the Rangers, so when Texas had a chance to get Bobby Bonds they swapped him to the White Sox in May of 1978. His tenure in Chicago was described as uninspired and underwhelming after so much promise only three years previous.

The Braves gambled that with a long-term deal, Washington would blossom into a superstar. While he did help lead the Braves to the 1982 NL West title and was also named to the 1984 NL All Star team, Washington was a solid, if unspectacular outfielder. In six years with Atlanta, the most he would spend with any team, he hit a cumulative .278 and hit just 67 home runs. One of the possible reasons Washington put up such underwhelming numbers may have been due to a substance abuse issues that he had during these stages of his career.

He was traded to the Yankees in mid-1986 and had a fine year in 1988, hitting over .300 for a second time and playing solid outfield for a contending team. Claudell also earned the unique distinction of hitting the 10,000th home run in Yankee franchise history that season. His 1988 effort earned him his last big free agent contract, this time with the California Angels but his career quickly wound down after that. The final year of his 17-year career was 1990 when he hit .167 in 45 games with the Angels and Yankees.

Why I love this card
I loved this card, because of this card:

This was my first ever Kellogg's card and it came in the Spring of 1980. When I ended up getting his Topps card, I thought I was on to something special...after all, if you had a Kellogg's card, you had to be a superstar, right?

Something else....
In addition to being known as the player that Nolan Ryan has struck out the most (39 times), recently, Washington has been indentified as the player that hit the foul ball that Ferris Bueller caught in the 1986 movie. Ah, Retrosheet, you did it again.

Koufax & Drysdale: Beaten on the Same Day

2011-06-23T14:15:00.001-04:00

Disclaimer: This post has nothing to do with the 1980 Topps set, rather a small baseball tale that my father talked about for much of my life. Periodically, I will include these as a tribute to the man who started my card collection and my interest in the game.

In the history of baseball, there may have been no greater pitching twosome than Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. These two future Hall of Famers dominated the much of the 1960s en route to three World Championships in seven seasons and accolades too numerous to mention.

However, my Dad insisted that he saw both of them get beat in the same day. And not early in their careers, mind you, but in their prime. Occasionally, I would press him for details about the game or what year this may have happened, but they were sketchy. Some facts did remain constant. The Pittsburgh Pirates won both games at Forbes Field. One of the games went long. Vern Law pitched. But most importantly, both Koufax and Drysdale were the losing pitchers of record and they were in their prime.

For years, this event remained a mystery to me. A mystery, until Retrosheet came out. Through the magic of this incredible site, I was able to fill in the blanks.

The date was Wednesday, September 1, 1965. The place was Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. My Dad was 24 years old at the time and was visiting his family in Clairton, PA. He had left the state and come to Michigan only three years before. But on this day, he was one of the 26,394 to witness this historic event.

In the first game, Koufax started for the Dodgers against Tommie Sisk. Koufax was in the midst of a unanimous Cy Young season while Sisk would make only twelve starts for the Pirates. Despite giving up two early runs, Sisk buckled down and the Pirates managed to scratch across a pair to tie the game. Sisk turned things over to Joe Gibbon in the sixth and he matched Koufax pitch-for-pitch. The game stretched on to the 11th inning, when with two outs, Willie Stargell walked. Pirate catcher Jim Pagliaroni doubled to score Stargell and win the game for Pittsburgh.

Despite the loss, Koufax was still the star of the game. He struck out 10 Bucs and in the process, broke his own single-season National League strikeout mark. He would go on to set the major league record later that year with 382.

In the second game, the Dodgers again jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. Pirate ace Vern Law settled down after that and shut Los Angeles out for the remainder of the game. Bill Virdon tied the contest with a homer in the sixth and scored the go-ahead run in the eighth when Maury Wills bobbled Manny Mota's grounder (yes, Mota was with the Pirates).

Virdon and Roberto Clemente each had three hits in the game as Law went the distance to earn his 16th win of the season.

While I haven't done the research, just seeing two Hall of Famers of this caliber on the same day is something special. Thanks for sharing the memory, Dad.

#321 Keith Hernandez

2011-06-22T23:38:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Keith Hernandez, first baseman, St. Louis Cardinals
As one of the reigning co-MVP's in the National League, Keith Hernandez began 1980 by signing a new five-year contract. Hernandez was also the league's defending batting champion and he was again among the league leaders for nearly the entire season. He was selected to the National League All-Star team and finished the campaign with a sparkling .321 average, second in the league. He won his third consecutive Gold Glove, led the league in runs scored and on-base average and earned his first Silver Slugger Award. Amazingly, "Mex" was able achieve these accolades in a year that, by his own admission, he "went crazy" on cocaine.

The son of a professional baseball player, Keith Hernandez grew up in northern California where he was schooled in the game at an early age by his father. He matured into a star quarterback and first baseman in high school and was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 42nd round of the 1971 player draft. Initially, he struggled with minor league pitching, but he developed a reputation as an excellent fielder; one that would become his hallmark. His bat quickly came around and he was the leading batter in AA in 1974 and earned his promotion to St. Louis near the end of the season.

Keith earned a starting position in 1976 and again established a reputation as an excellent fielder with a steady bat. His breakout year came in 1979 when he won the batting title en route to an MVP season and consistently was one of the most feared hitters in the National League. In 1982, his clutch single in Game 7 helped the Cardinals win a World Championship against the Milwaukee Brewers. However, Hernandez's tenure in St. Louis suddenly and shockingly came to an end the following season when he was traded to the New York Mets. Later, it was divulged that he was traded dueto his (and the team's) cocaine issues.

With New York, Hernandez gave up the drug and helped lead the young Mets into contention in 1984. He was in the midst of 11 consecutive Gold Glove seasons and again helped a team to the postseason, this time the Mets, in 1986. Hernandez's veteran presence helped the Mets navigate a tough NLCS against Houston and another clutch hit in Game 7 of the World Series against Boston helped to break open the game and give New York its second championship. Hernandez and the Mets made a return to the postseason in 1988, where they were upset by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Hernandez's cocaine issues became national attention during the summer of 1985 as part of the Pittsburgh Drug Trials. As one of the bigger "names" of the trial, his testimony was widely reported. When he estimated that 40% of major leaguers were using cocaine during that period, he came under fire and had to recant. Unfortunately, it became a significant part of his career that some believe may have kept him from receiving serious Hall of Fame consideration.

He left the Mets following the 1989 season and spent 43 games with the Cleveland Indians in 1990 before ending his 17-year career. In retirement Hernandez became even more popular than he was as a player, mainly due to his famous "Seinfeld" appearance and his "Just for Men" commercials with Walt Frazier. He has been a popular broadcaster since 2006 and despite a flap or two is respected for his keen knowledge of the game.

Why I love this card
OK, I'll be honest. I didn't love this card in 1980. I was a huge Willie Stargell/Pittsburgh Pirates fan and my nine-year old mind was unreasonably angry with Hernandez for the whole co-MVP thing. I had thought that Willie should have won out right and I selfishly blamed Hernandez. Yes, he won the batting title, but I didn't appreciate him at all at the time.

Something else...
Why did Topps give Hernandez card such an odd numbering? As an All-Star and MVP, usually guys like that got a card with a number ending in 0 or 5. It seems odd to give a player of Hernandez's caliber such a common number. Keith also had a Topps Super issue and a Burger King card which are pictured below. Which makes the numbering thing of his primary card all the more puzzling.

#320 Dennis Eckersley

2011-06-21T21:57:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Dennis Eckersley, starting pitcher, Boston Red Sox
Hall of Fame, Class of 2004

Only 25 years old during the 1980 season, Dennis Eckersley was already in the midst of his sixth big league season. He was the Red Sox Opening Day starter, but began the season with back pain suffered a five game losing streak. He still managed to make 30 starts, including a one-hitter in the next-to-last appearance of the year. True to his nature, "Eck" made no excuses for his inconsistent performance and despite finishing the year with a losing record, he considered one of the bright young pitchers in the major leagues.

Hailing from northern California, the young Eckersley emulated Giants' Hall of Fame hurler Juan Marichal and gained a reputation a hard throwing prep star. He was selected by the Cleveland Indians out of high school in 1972 and threw a shutout in his first professional start for the Reno Silver Sox. After only three seasons in the bushes, Eckersley was promoted to the parent club in 1975. The young fireballer paid immediate dividends; not allowing an earned run for the first 28 2/3 innings of his career, a rookie record. His 13-7 record with a 2.60 ERA would have earned him the Rookie of the Year Award had he not been overshadowed by the "Goldust Twins," Fred Lynn and Jim Rice.

Nonetheless, Eckersley future looked bright. He fired a no-hitter in 1977 en route to his first All-Star appearance. He was consistently among the league leaders in strikeouts and ERA and was the unquestioned young ace of the Indians staff. However, behind the scenes, all was not well, Eckersley's wife was involved in an affair with Indians teammate Rick Manning, which ultimately prompted his trade to the Red Sox. Despite this development, Eck responded with a 20-win season in 1978, the year Boston famously lost the AL East title in a one-game playoff. He would go to win 84 games in a little more than six seasons in Beantown, a highlight being named the American League's All Star starting pitcher in 1982.

However, near the end of his Boston tenure, his fastball was not what it once was and Eck was suffering the effects of alcoholism. In 1984, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Bill Buckner, one of many deals that would lead the Cubs to the 1984 NL East title. He was inconsistent for much of his tenure in Chicago and they traded him to the Oakland Athletics in 1987. It was at this time that two developments saved Eck's career and propelled him into the Hall of Fame.

The first was his acknowledgement of his alcoholism after seeing a home video of himself with his daughter during Christmas 1986. It served as a catalyst that changed his life. The second was association with manager Tony LaRussa. LaRussa would eventually insert Eckersley as his closer and together the two of them would establish how that role is used today (one inning of work, only come in with a lead). This would culminate in a World Championship in 1989 and four AL West titles in five seasons.

Eckersley's 1992 season was his best. He was only the fourth pitcher to be named both Cy Young and MVP when he had what is generally regarded as one of the best seasons ever for a relief pitcher. His effectiveness slowly began to wane from then on, and after nine years in Oakland he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. He ended his career in 1998 with the Boston Red Sox and at the time of his retirement had appeared in more games than any other pitcher in history. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2004.

Why I love this card
Eck's glare. Every now and then you would run across a card that would just creep you out as a kid and this card was one of them. Yes, I know that they call this "intensity" these days, but those eyebrows were just at weird angles.

Something else....
Of course, no post about Eckersley would not be complete without mentioning Kirk Gibson's home run in the 1988 World Series. Consider it mentioned. I loved the moment that this home run provided, but if it meant that I wouldn't have to hear the phrase "walk off" ever again (which Eckersley coined) then I would make that trade. Call me old fashioned, but I was never crazy about that term.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T08:32:00.006-04:00

A bit of explanation is probably in order.....

This blog has not been updated in almost a year. Along the way, there were many friends made and several folks who offered well wishes. I probably should have come on here sooner to update and it is amazing how quickly time can get away from you.

Last July, I had a computer crash and had to by a new one. My father, who is the inspiration for this blog, reminded me at the time that "there are more important things in life." It stuck me then, to take his words to heart. I'm glad that I did.

See, my Dad was living with cancer and emphysema. Over 50 years of smoking had taken its toll and in December 2008, he had a cancerous tumor removed from his lung. Fortunately, it did not return. However, effects of chemo and radiation exacerbated the emphysema and his breathing got worse.

He died on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.

Something told me last year to take a step back and focus on spending more time with him and my family. I am glad that I did.

Not knowing it at the time, there were alot of good memories along the way. He got to see his third grandchild born last July. He lived to his 70th birthday and got to tease his son when he turned 40. He watched his team, the Steelers, play in the Super Bowl one last time and didn't get mad when his grandson showed up wearing a cheesehead. We had one last Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. We talked about sports, politics, entertainment and life in general. He shared with me things that I had never known about him before. And he died with his family around him the way he would have liked.

So on Father's Day, I return to this blog to begin again. I hope to be more frequent with my posts....life sometimes takes funny turns. If you don't mind, I will occasionally throw in a baseball-themed story or two that don't have much to do with 1980, but everything to do about my Dad.

Happy Father's Day Dad, we do miss you.

#319 Chris Speier

2010-08-09T22:23:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Chris Speier, shortstop, Montreal Expos
The 1980 season was one of ups and downs for Montreal Expos shortstop Chris Speier. He lost his starting position in late April when he wasn't hitting and wasn't sharp defensively. After nearly a month on the bench, he returned with a flourish, going 11 for 16 with a triple in and five RBI over a five game stretch. He slumped again over the summer due to a finger injury, and at one point his average dipped to .228. But Chris was consistent in the field and as September came, he helped the Expos surge towards the NL East flag. Speier batted .348 during the month as Montreal stayed in the race until the final weekend of the season.

A native of Alameda, California, the righthanded hitting Speier was drafted by the Washington Senators out of high school but turned it down for a chance to play in college. He starred at the University of California, Santa Barbara which caught the attention of the San Francisco Giants. They selected Chris on the first round of the 1970 draft. He played only one season in the minor leagues where he was a Texas League All Star. The next year, he was handed the starting shortstop position and he appeared in 157 games as the Giants won the NL West pennant. Speier batted .357 in the NLCS, including a home run, but the Giants were defeated by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In the early days of his career, Speier was a star; three times being selected to the National League All Star team and even making the cover of Sports Illustrated. He had a reputation as a fiery competitor and was one of the best glove men of his era. Speier had a knack for consistent clutch hitting, batting .314 for his career with the bases loaded. After six full seasons in San Francisco, Speier was traded to the Montreal Expos shortly after the 1977 season began in exchange for Tim Foli.

Speier would go on to spend eight seasons in Montreal, all of them as their starting shortstop. He would hit for the cycle as an Expo uniform in 1978. In 1982, Chris' set a franchise record for RBI in a game with eight. He enhanced his reputation as a fine fielder by consistently placing among the league leaders in putouts and fielding percentage. Chris again appeared in the postseason in 1981 as he helped lead the Expos to an elusive NL East crown and NLCS appearance.

Towards the end of the 1980s, Chris became a journeyman infielder, traded to St. Louis, Minneosta. Chicago (NL) and back to San Francisco to round out his 19-year major league career. It was during this time that Speier again hit for the cycle (1988) and was a member of the 1987 and 1989 NL West championship teams. After his playing days, he became a coach and manager at both the major and minor league levels. He was the third base coach for the 2001 World Champion Arizona Diamondbacks and currently is the bench coach for the Cincinnati Reds.

Why I love this card
This one was easy. Speier and I shared the same first name. Any player, no matter their skill level immediately moved up a notch if they had the same first name. Speier, Chambliss, Knapp - it didn't matter to me. Their cards were special.

Something else....
Chris' son Justin has pretty together a pretty decent career. The 12-year veteran has played for seven clubs, mostly as a middle reliever. He is currently with the Los Angeles Angels. Additionally, in 1993 Speier served as principal of Ville de Marie Academy, a parochial school in Scottsdale, Arizona.

On this date in 1980:
The Top 40 in popular music was released today, the #1 song in the country was "Magic" by Olivia Newton-John. The complete list can be found here.

#318 Jerry Reuss

2010-08-07T21:17:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Jerry Reuss, starting pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers
1980 would prove to be a truly memorable year for Jerry Reuss of the Los Angeles Dodgers. While he did not begin the season as a starter, he pitched excellently in relief to earn a return to the rotation in mid-May. From there, he was the Dodgers' best pitcher and arguably the best in the National League. En route to a Comeback of the Year award, Reuss went 18-6, led his league in shutouts and posted the third best ERA in the NL (2.51). He appeared in the All Star Game in his home park, striking out three batters and earning the victory. However, his individual highlight of 1980 likely came on June 28th when he pitched a no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants.

Jerry Reuss is a Missouri native that played at Sportsman's Park as a little league All Star and led his high school to a state championships in baseball. This would lead to his selection by the hometown Cardinals on the second round of the 1967 baseball draft. He ascended to the major leagues was a rapid one and he made his major league debut late in the 1969 season. He was inserted into the Cardinals starting rotation the following season, but the Redbirds were not patient with the young Reuss and traded him to Houston after only two seasons.

With the Astros, Reuss began to show the durability and consistency that would define his career. He started a league-best 40 games in 1973 and led Houston in innings pitched and complete games. The Astros' however, desperate for hitting, traded Reuss to the Pittsburgh Pirates following the season for catcher Milt May. In Pittsburgh, Reuss found himself on a contending team for the first time and he was an integral part of the Pirates success as they won the NL East in 1974 & 1975. Individually, Jerry was honored by being named the starting pitcher for the National League in the 1975 All Star Game. He averaged 14 wins and 229 innings for the first four seasons of his Pirate career.

Traded to the Dodgers early in the 1979 season, Reuss already had a reputation as an irrepressible jokester, but more importantly, a valued teammate. His affable demeanor helped to defuse many existing tensions in the Dodger clubhouse and it went a long way towards leading Los Angeles to a World Championship in 1981. While the title had been elusive for LA, the presence of Reuss, Jay Johnstone and other valuable role players is what pushed the Dodgers over the hump. Reuss would pitch in Los Angeles for nine seasons becoming a fan favorite and second only to Fernando Valenzuela in the Dodger rotation.

As his 22-year major league career wound down, he made stops with five teams, Cincinnati, Chicago, Anaheim, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh. Four appearances with the Pirates in 1990 enabled Jerry to become one of only a handful of "four-decade" players in major league history. In retirement, Jerry has worked as a broadcaster for the Dodgers and ESPN. His passion for photography has led to some of his work being seen on Upper Deck baseball cards and today runs his own website. His photography can be seen at his flickr page, here. There are several excellent photos of major league parks here that you will find truly unique.

Why I love this card
What stood out for me about this card was how happy Jerry Reuss looked in this card. Some of the players in this set seemed so serious and stoic and as a kid, I never understood that. Reuss looked how I imagined I would look like on a big league field, with a grin from ear to ear. In looking at Jerry's cards throughout his career, though, I noticed that he is smiling in every card. Thanks Jerry for reminding us that while baseball is a business, it doesn't hurt for all of us to enjoy ourselves along the way.

Something else.....
Remember The Big Blue Wrecking Crew? Neither did I. Apparently, some of the Dodgers cut a record shortly after their 1981 Series triumph. This was five years before the "Super Bowl Shuffle" mind you.

The guys even took their act on the road, appearing on Solid Gold with Andy Gibb and Marilyn McCoo.

After seeing this, I really want to hear the rendition of "New York, New York."

On this date in 1980
Alice Cooper performs at the Kentucky State Fair with special guest Billy Squire. I know, sounded strange to me too.

#317 Mike Anderson

2010-08-06T23:25:00.002-04:00

Who is this player?
Mike Anderson, reserve outfielder, Philadelphia Phillies
Shortly before the 1980 season was to begin, Mike Anderson of the Philadelphia Phillies was sent to the minor leagues. This was not a unique occurrence for Anderson, who had been shuttled between the majors and Triple-A for most of his career. This time, however, Anderson did not return to the parent club. Despite hitting .327 in 84 games at Triple-A Oklahoma City, the Phillies did not recall Anderson for the stretch drive late in the season. He would not see major league action again, concluding his nine-year major league career.

Mike Anderson was from an athletic family that was the pride of Timmonsville, South Carolina. His sister was an All-American basketball player and his older brother played baseball in the minor leagues. Mike was a high school football star and signed a letter of intent to play tight end for the University of South Carolina. When the Philadelphia Phillies selected him in the first round of the 1969 draft, he chose a different athletic path.

The righthanded hitting Anderson was a slugging star in the minor leagues and tied a Pacific Coast League record in 1971 by homering in six consecutive games. He was a fearsome batter that combined average with power and his 1971 season numbers were eye popping (.334 36 100, .658 111 runs) and was seen as one of the best prospects in the Phillies organization. In this era, his minor league teammates included Mike Schmidt, Oscar Gamble, Bob Boone and Greg Luzinski and Anderson out shined them all. He was given his first major league look in 1971 and by 1973 was handed the reigns as the team's regular right fielder.

However, for three straight years, his average never rose above .260 and he never reached double-digit figures in home runs. Out of patience, the Phillies traded Anderson to the St. Louis Cardinals for pitcher Ron Reed. Anderson performed well in St. Louis, but was essentially a reserve player. After a poor showing in 1977 he was sold to the Baltimore Orioles and wasn't used often. The Phillies welcomed him back into the fold for the 1979 season and he appeared in 79 games batting .231. The Philies released him in October 1980 shortly after winning the World Series.

Mike was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates played one more season in the minor leagues (1981) before ending his baseball career. He returned to South Carolina and coached both high school baseball and basketball. His younger brother Kent, followed him to the big leagues, appearing in 135 games over two seasons with the 1989-90 California Angels. Any current information on what Mike is up to these days would be most appreciated.

Why I love this card
I remember debating the cartoon on the back. Was Anderson supposed to be the cartoon fielder in the foreground or the background. It would seem that he would be in the back since it would make the most sense considering the runner. Then again, most of Topps cartoons back in those days usually tried to show the featured player up front. I've said it before, but the things kids argue about sitting on the curb during the lazy days of August, 1980.

Something else....
Much is made of Anderson's 1969 season at Pulaski. His manager that season in Rookie Ball? None other than Dallas Green, the man who would be at the helm in 1980 and the same man that sent Anderson down in the Spring. I always felt sorry for guys like Anderson that play most of their career with a team and then the year they don't, the win the World Series. It was a shame that he couldn't have at least gotten an at bat or something.

On this day in 1980:
Remember the K-Car?

Regardless of your thoughts, these were a staple of the 1980s. On this day, Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca drove the first one off the assembly line.

The legacy of these cars is that the helped Chrysler rebound from a disastrous era in the late 1970s to a prosperous time in 1980s. What's that line about those not learning from history?

#316 Bob Lacey

2010-08-05T22:36:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Bob Lacey, closer, Oakland Athletics
In 1980, Bob Lacey may have been the least used closer of the modern era. While Lacey appeared in a team-high 47 games, finishing 31 he only earned six saves. This was due to Oakland's record-setting starting pitching. In what will likely never be duplicated in today's game, the A's pitched an astonishing 94 complete games in '80, leaving little left for relievers like Lacey. This eventually led to friction with his manager Billy Martin over how he was used. Martin did give Lacey his first ever starting assignment near the end of the season, and he blanked the Milwaukee Brewers. Naturally, it was a complete game.

Colorful. Flake. Eccentric. All of these words and more were used to describe Bob Lacey during his major league days. Like most pitchers with that description, Lacey was a lefthander that once struck out 19 batters during an American Legion playoff game as a youth. He was a late round draft selection of the Oakland A's in 1972, and while he was 13-2 in his first minor league season, he floundered in the minor leagues. However, as the A's dynasty began to crumble as the decade wore on, Lacey found himself given an opportunity at the major league level during the 1977 season.

In just his fourth major league appearance, he struck out future Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson twice in crucial situation, enraging Jackson and the Yankees in the process. Later, he would engage in a brawl with the Kansas City Royals' Darrell Porter, who called Lacey a "crazy, immature, punk." Despite this, he emerged as Oakland's most reliable relief pitcher and led the American League in appearances in 1978.

No other pitcher in league history inherited more baserunners than Bob Lacey did in 1978 (104). Despite that, he won eight games, crafted a 3.01 ERA and saved five games. He had a disappointing 1979 season suffering with bursitis in his heel, but then again, so did the A's as they lost 109 games. He fell out of favor with Martin and he refused to use Lacey at all during Spring Training. In fact, legend goes that Martin went so far to bar anyone from even playing catch with Lacey. Eventually he was traded to the San Diego Padres in late March. He was with the Padres for three days who in turn traded him to the Cleveland Indians.

Lacey split time between the Indians and Rangers in 1981 and pitched for Satillo in the Mexican League in 1982. He was a late-season call up for the California Angels in late-1983 and pitched in relief for the San Francisco Giants in 1984. He bounced around the minors for the 1985 season before pulling the plug on his seven-year career. He made a comeback of sorts in the late 1990s as manager of the Greensville Blusemen. Not content to just the dugout, Lacey appeared in eight games of relief over the 1998 & 1999 seasons, four games each year.

Why I love this card
What a great pose! I can't figure out exactly what Lacey is doing....pointing to a quarter on the ground? Throwing a paper airplane? Admonishing a small child? Whatever it was, it didn't fit the "traditional" pitcher pose, which I guess is typical regarding Lacey. Added bonus points to "FACE" printed across his mitt.

Something else....
One final story regarding Lacey. Apparently he gained too much weight during the 1981 Player's Strike. When asked how he would get back into playing shape, Lacey replied that his plan would be to drive his car with the windows rolled up and heat turned on full blast. With the August heat, Lacey rationalized, he would have a sauna on wheels.

On this date in 1980
Montreal Expos manager Dick Williams wins his 1,000th career game, 11 - 5 over the Mets, at Olympic Stadium. He is 3rd in wins among active managers behind Gene Mauch and Earl Weaver. The Expos overcome the offense of Doug Flynn, who ties the modern major-league record with three triples.

#315 Steve Kemp

2010-08-04T22:26:00.003-04:00

Who is this player?
Steve Kemp, left fielder, Detroit Tigers
As the decade began, Steve Kemp of the Detroit Tigers was generally regarded as one of baseball's future superstars. Coming off of an All-Star season, Kemp engaged in a salary squabble with the Tigers' front office who begrudgingly made him the team's highest paid player through arbitration. Kemp responding with another strong year at the plate, batting .293 with 21 home runs 101 RBI; the first Tiger with consecutive 100+ RBI seasons in more than a decade. As the year came to a close, it appeared that Kemp would be the cornerstone on which the young Tigers would be built.

As part of a long lineage of major league stars off the campus of USC, Steve Kemp was considered one of the best. He hit a record .435 in 1974 en route to a College World Series championship and decided to forgo his senior year and made himself eligible for the baseball draft. He was selected with the first overall pick by the Detroit Tigers, and began a quick ascent to the major leagues. He batted .386 at Triple-A Evansville in 1976, with only an ankle injury preventing his major league debut that season. The following year, Kemp found himself in the Tigers' starting lineup.

The lefthanded hitting Kemp quickly became one of the most feared bats in the Tiger lineup as he averaged 20 HR and 93 RBI the first four seasons of his career. He earned a reputation as a hard nosed player who would play hurt and would do anything to win. However, his time in Detroit was shortened by run-ins with management. After winning arbitration before the 1980 season, he filed again and won again. Frugal Tigers GM Jim Campbell likely began looking to move Kemp before his contract came up, a move made easier by a disappointing performance in 1981. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox in December 1981 for Chet Lemon.

In Chicago, Kemp put together an outstanding season. Playing in a a career-high 160 games, he batted .286 with 98 RBI and scored a career best 91 runs. Chicago was only a one year stop for Kemp, as he signed a huge free agent contract with the New York Yankees. Big things were again predicted for Kemp as a Yankee, but his season was beset by injuries. The first game in a outfield collision in the season's fourth game. He severely injured his shoulder and it effected his performance. A scarier injury came later in the year when he was hit in the face by a line drive in batting practice. While not known at the time, the cumulative effects of these injuries eventually hastened the end of Kemp's career.

After two disappointing seasons with the Yankees, Kemp was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1985. He played in only 105 games in two seasons with the Bucs and was released. Kemp, however, refused to give up on his major league ambitions and worked in the minors for most of 1986 and all of 1987. He was given a brief 16-game trial by the Texas Rangers in 1988 before in 11-year career came to a close. Today, Kemp is a fixture on many Detroit Tigers' alumni events, including the fantasy camps the club holds every spring in Florida.

Why I love this card
Steve Kemp taught me the bird. May 1980. Probably my third game ever. I didn't know much about autographs then and stood around the third base line with a bunch of other kids trying to get Kemp's signature. Like many around me, I was unsuccessful. Someone yelled to Kemp that he was a bum and he shielded his mitt around his response, an extended middle finger. I returned to my seat and said "Dad, what does this mean?" fully extending my middle finger to probably all of section 138. My Dad, embarrassed, asked where I learned that, and I replied "Steve Kemp." My father just replied with "Steve Kemp is a very very bad man." To be quickly followed by "Don't tell your mother about that."

Something else....
Kemp had a 1980 Super card that was a prize collectible in my neighborhood, despite the middle finger. I fact, I recall a pretty good shoving match in the 7-11 between Ricky Carneghie and Johnny Reshid that ended with the clerk pulling it away from both of them, leaving neither with the prize and thrown out of the store.

On this date in 1980
A lazy entry today. Watch all about Billy Beer, John Lennon and Caddyshack on this date in 1980 here.

#314 Tim Stoddard

2010-07-07T09:34:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Tim Stoddard, closer, Baltimore Orioles
Moved into the role of top fireman with the departure of Don Stanhouse, Tim Stoddard responded by pitching in a career-high 64 games and finishing fourth in the American League with 26 saves. The hard throwing righthander was an imposing figure on the mound at 6'7" and 250 pounds. Stoddard was particularly tough down the stretch as the Birds chased the Yankees for the AL East title. In September, Tim appeared in 16 games, saved seven and won two while posting a 2.04 ERA. Unfortunately, Baltimore was not as successful as they finished three games back.

Tim Stoddard is the only man in history to have earned both World Series and NCAA basketball championship rings. At his high school in Indiana, Stoddard excelled on the diamond and the hardwood and his team won a basketball state title. This led him to North Carolina State University where he was the power forward on the 1974 team led by Hall of Famer David Thompson. The Wolfpack went 30-1 that season and stunned the UCLA Bruins and Bill Walton on their way to the title. Meanwhile, Stoddard also lettered in baseball at NC State.

While Tim considered a future in the NBA, the Chicago White Sox drafted him in June, 1974 and his career path took a different road. He made his major league debut within a year, but spent two seasons in the bushes before the White Sox released him. The Orioles quickly scooped him up and he made the majors for good in 1979 as the Orioles went on to become American League champions. In Game 4, Stoddard was the winning pitcher and drove in a run with an eighth-inning single, becoming the first player to drive in a World Series run in his very first at-bat. However, the O's lost the Series in seven games.

After 1980, he shared the Orioles' closer role with Tippy Martinez, but his ERA swelled to 6.09 in 47 games in 1983, the year Baltimore won the World Series. Tim was a member of the team, but did not appear in the postseason. He was traded to the Oakland A's in December and was traded again to the Chicago Cubs in Spring Training 1984. He won 10 games for the Cubs, mainly serving as a setup man to closer Lee Smith Chicago, meanwhile, went on to win the NL East. Stoddard appeared in two games in the NLCS, Games 3 & 4.

Stoddard spent the final five seasons of his 13-year career in San Diego, New York and Cleveland, primarily as a setup man for Rich Gossage, Dave Righetti and Doug Jones. He finished his career with 485 appearances, all in relief. In retirement, Stoddard briefly appeared in two movies; 1988's Big and 1993's Rookie of the Year. Both times he appeared as, predictably, a pitcher. Since 1995, he has been the pitching coach at Northwestern University. One of his more recent pupil's has been J.A. Happ of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Why I love this card
The absence of a background here always sticks out for me. With a guy of Stoddard's physical size, you think that Topps would have photographed him in a way that would emphasize that.

Something else....
If you can click the link above with NC State's 1974 tourney you will see Stoddard as the guy the ball is passed around. If you have never seen how high David Thompson could actually jump, check it out.

On this date in 1980:
USA's Shawn Weatherly crowned 29th Miss Universe in Seoul, South Korea. While this escaped my attention at the time, I would certainly become aware of Shawn Weatherly later on.

#313 Johnny Grubb

2010-07-06T08:32:00.001-04:00

Who is this player
Johnny Grubb, rightfielder, Texas Rangers
Not as heralded as some of his more famous mates in the Texas Rangers outfield, Johnny Grubb was a solid and reliable rightfielder in 1980. The no-nonsense Grubb played all three outfield positions for the Rangers and occasionally appeared as a DH. His top performance of the season most likely came in a 9-1 thrashing of the Blue Jays. Grubb drove in a career-high five runs with a home run and a double.

A native of Richmond, Virginia, Johnny Grubb was a natural righthanded hitter who taught himself to switch hit emulating Mickey Mantle. High school coaches instructed him to continue as a lefthanded batter. He played two years of junior college baseball at Manatee Community College in Bradenton, Florida and was an outfielder on the Junior College World Series all-tournament team in 1968. After two years at Manatee, Grubb transferred to Florida State University, where he hit .303 his junior year and was named honorable mention All-American by The Sporting News in 1970. FSU finished second in the College World Series that year and Grubb was named to the all-tournament team.

Selected by the San Diego Padres in 1971, Johnny was given the opportunity to be the Padres' regular centerfielder in 1973. He responded with a .311 average in 113 games and received minor Rookie of the Year consideration. The following year, he was named to the National League All-Star team with his batting average well over .300. in 1975, he achieved career highs in several offensive categories, including doubles. He hit 36 two-baggers which was a club record at the time and was seventh best in the National League.

Several trips to the disabled list during his career followed Grubb as he was traded to the Cleveland Indians and then Texas Rangers. It has been said that the injuries were a testament to his hustle and desire to win. Known around the league as a great teammate, Johnny developed a reputation as a clutch performer and one of the most dangerous bats in the league in the late innings. With Texas in 1979, he put together the longest hitting streak in the league that year (21 games).

Traded to the Detroit Tigers before the 1983 season, Grubb would help lead the Tigers to a World Championship in 1984. Playing in the postseason for the first time, Grubb had a game-winning double off of Dan Quisenberry to win Game 2 of the 1984 ALCS. In 1986, he had one of his finest seasons. Pressed into daily service because of injuries, Grubb batted .333 with 13 homers and 51 RBI in only 81 games. The last hurrah of his 16-year career came in the 1987 ALCS when he batted .571. Today, Grubb is the head baseball coach at Meadowbrook High School in Virginia.

Why I love this card
I'm sure that the dugout behind Johnny in this picture is likely one of the older stadiums of the era, such as Fenway or Comiskey, but to me it always looked like he was emerging from a cave. During the summer of 1980, one of our roadside stops was to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, so that was possibly an explanation.

Something else....
One of the pitchers that Grubb coached in high school made it to the major leagues, Cla Meredith of the Baltimore Orioles. Additionally, Grubb holds the distinction of being the hitting coach for the Colorado Silver Bullets. The Bullets were an all-female professional baseball team that played across the United States from 1994-1997.

On this date in 1980:
In Cleveland, Ohio, students are just finishing the school year due to a teacher's strike. I can't imagine how ticked off I would be as a kid, having to be in school in July.

1980 All Star Ballot

2010-06-28T15:11:00.001-04:00

One of the highlights of summer was getting the official All Star ballot. I only went to one game a season from 1979 until 1985 and every single one of them fell either before or after the All Star voting period.

Therefore, the only way I ever got a ballot during those years was through the Gillette display at my local grocery store. The store was called Great Scott!! (yes the exclamation points were part of the store's name). Interestingly, the display was usually located in the isle somewhere, but if you wanted a ballot, you had to ask for one at the welcome desk.

That was sometimes tricky. There was a really crabby lady who usually manned the desk and she wasn't to fond of kids coming in the store and getting something for free. Many times she would say something like "we're out" or pretended that she didn't know what we were talking about.

Thankfully, there was a bagger named Greg, about 19 years old that everybody knew and liked. He knew everybody by their name and greeted you as soon as you came into the store. He would talk to us when we drove our bikes in the parking lot and he would collect the carts. Often times, it was Greg who would get the ballots for us and he didn't mind when we came back a few days later to get another.

Without further ado, here is one of those 1980 ballots:

Sometimes we would punch them and bring them back, other times we would keep and argue about them. Where was Tony Perez? Why was Mike Hargrove in the outfield? People really voted for Jerry Royster? (no offense intended). And it was cool that Jose Cruz got to have his whole name on the ballot.

Who did you vote for? Who would you vote for now?

#312 Mike Barlow

2010-06-27T23:47:00.000-04:00

Who is this player?
Mike Barlow, relief pitcher, California Angels
Midway during Spring Training in 1980, Mike Barlow found himself traded from the defending AL West Champion California Angels to the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite coming off a 109-loss season, there was optimism in Toronto and Barlow was being called upon to provide veteran guidance on the young Blue Jays pitching staff. The imposing (6'6") righthander served primarily as a setup man and sometimes closer. He won three, saved five and posted a 4.09 ERA in 40 games in 1980. A highlight for Mike came on September 7th, when he saved both games of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox.

An outstanding athlete as a youth, Mike Barlow pitched two no-hitters in American Legion baseball in New York, but he was also an outstanding basketball player. He was such a good hoops player, he received a scholarship to play at Syracuse University. Barlow played sparingly for three seasons with the Orangemen, though he would letter in 1968 and 1969. Illness kept him to only 3 games his senior year. He also stood out on the diamond and was drafted twice (by the Orioles and Dodgers) before signing a free agent contract with the Oakland A's in 1970.

Used mostly as a middle reliever for the majority of his career, Barlow pitched with four different teams; the St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, Angels and Blue Jays. For nearly every year of his career, Barlow split time between the majors and minors, the only exception being 1979, the season the Angels won their first ever division title. Though he posted a high ERA (5.13), he appeared in 35 games for the AL West champs, including Game 4 of the American League Championship Series.

Barlow last appeared in a major league game in 1981, bringing to end a major league career that spanned parts of seven seasons. He stayed in the Blue Jays organization in 1982, earning 8 saves in relief for the Syracuse Chiefs. When the minor league season ended, Barlow was not recalled to the major leagues, and Mike left organized baseball.

From 1987 to 1993, he teamed with Syracuse's Doug Logan as the official broadcast team for Syracuse University basketball games. He became the Athletic Director of Bishop Grimes High School (Syracuse) in 2001 as position that he still holds today.

Why I love this card
I loved the backs of cards of players like Barlow. Seeing all the minor league stops all the way made me appreciate how long the road sometimes is to the major leagues. However, later on I became curious as to why they included some player's minor league records and not others. I know that there are space limitations, but I wonder what the decision making process was. Barlow's entire history is here, but for a similar player, say Dave Rosello, only his major league record is listed. Funny what I still waste time thinking about.

Something else....
I am fairly certain that this photograph was taken at Tiger Stadium in Detroit. The visitor's dugout in relation to the seats is consistent and the shadows suggest a 1:35 afternoon start. What I cant figure is what Barlow is leaning on. He is above the top of the dugout, so its not that. It appears to be a chair turned the opposite way that he is sitting on, which would be highly unusal for Tiger Stadium at that time. Again, funny what I still waste time thinking about.

On this date in 1980:
One of the worst heat waves in history begins to claim its first victims. In Dallas, record temperatures reach 113 degrees and the drought continues in Montana, Minnesota, Wyoming and the Dakotas. Comparisions to Dust Bowl days of the 1930s are evoked. By the time the summer comes to an end, more than 200 deaths are blamed on the heat in 13 states.

1980 Topps Super Unopened Pack

2010-06-27T10:02:00.006-04:00

About a month ago, I picked up an unopened pack of three 1980 Topps Superstar Photo Cards via ebay. With the recent posting of Dave Parker, I thought that this feature would be timely, especially since the Cobra is the one on the top:

Chet Lemon is the card on the back, seen here.

Interestingly, these cards have white backs, instead of the grey ones with the Topps logo that I have been showing. The cards were very popular at first and were distributed in these three card packs. Apparently, hobby dealers tried to snap up cases of these in a bit of mindless speculation. Perhaps due to the unexpected demand, Topps printed all sixty cards again, but this time on thinner gray card stock. These cards were distributed a number of ways, including five card cello packs. I have learned that the white-backed cards are more valuable, although not by a lot.

When I was a kid, I always got these either at 7-11 or Kmart. Does anyone recognize the price tag logo in the top right corner? It is obscuring Tommy John's hat. Someone already blacked out "89" cents for the retail price. We didn't get a Walgreens in Michigan until the late 1990s, I am wondering if that is it?

On the back is a checklist of all 60 cards in the set, some of which have been featured here already. There is also a "Full Series Offer" where with this wrapper and nine bucks you can get the whole set directly through Topps. A quick search of ebay shows that 30 years later, you can still get the set for around the same or less.

I wonder what would happen if I sent this to Topps today and apologized for it being late?

#311 Roger Metzger

2010-06-26T15:40:00.003-04:00

Who is this player?
Roger Metzger, utility infielder, San Francisco Giants
In November 1979, Roger Metzger of the San Francisco Giants was badly hurt when he severed parts of four fingers on his right hand in a sawing accident at his home in Texas. Determined, Metzger reported for Spring Training to reclaim his position on the Giants. He not only won a roster spot by batting .300 during the exhibition season, but the respect and admiration of peers and teammates. Used primarily as a defensive substitute and pinch-runner, Metzger struggled at the plate, batting only .074 (2 for 27). He retired in August, ending his 11-year career, and spent the remainder of the season as a coach on the Giants' staff.

Texas-born Roger Metzger was a collegiate star at St. Edward's University in Austin. The switch-hitting shortstop was an All-Conference player and was selected as an alternate to the 1968 Olympic baseball team. In 1969, he batted .414 was was named to the All-American baseball team. This made him the #1 selection of the Chicago Cubs in June, 1969. He was in the major leagues the following season, but only appeared in one game. That winter, he was traded to his hometown Houston Astros, for whom he would play the majority of his career.

As a shortstop, his reputation with the Astros quickly rose; he led the National League in triples in 1971 & 1973, setting a team record in the process. He also developed a reputation as one of the premier defensive shortstops in the league, leading NL shortstops in putouts in 1971 and double plays in 1972. He was rewarded for his fielding excellence in 1973, when he earned the National League Gold Glove Award. He was also named Astros team MVP that season, when he batted .250 and achieve career highs in most offensive categories.

In eight seasons in Houston, Metzger was a popular player, setting a NL record with 59 consecutive errorless games in 1976 (since broken). However, Roger batted a collective .229 during this period. As the Astros built towards contention in the late-1970s, Metzger's playing time diminished and he was traded to the San Francisco Giants midway during the 1978 season. Metzger was a valuable man off the bench for the Giants, often splitting time with Johnnie LeMaster in the starting shortstop role.

After leaving baseball following the 1980 season, he and his wife ran a local restaurant for more than 10 years. He graduated with a degree in mathematics in 1972 and taught math for several years at Brenham High School (TX). Today, Roger works as the job procurement officer at the Brenham State School. The school is home to 400 people with mental disabilities from ages 12–82. His wife also works there as a fundraising coordinator.

Why I love this card
I knew nothing about Roger Metzger's accident when I got this card during the summer of 1980. I don't know why I didn't, but I didn't learn about it until much later. Today though, I am much more in awe of what he has done with his life since 1980 than what he did before. There aren't many guys in this set that I can honestly say that about, but Roger Metzger is one.

Something else....
In 2005, Metzger's jersey #14 at St. Edward's was retired, this first in the history of its athletics program. He had already been inducted into the St. Edward's Hall of Fame in 1987, the first year the hall accepted inductees.

On this date in 1980:
Two future professional athletes are born on this day - Michael Vick (insert your own remark here) and Chris Shelton. Shelton will be best remembered for his prodigious home run output early in the 2006 season. Playing with the Detroit Tigers, "Red Pop" hit nine home runs in the first 13 games of the season; this made him the fastest player in American League history to reach that mark at that point in a season. He dropped off quickly though and was not a factor in the Tigers' World Series run that fall. He currently is in the Houston Astros organization trying to return to the majors.

#310 Dave Parker

2010-06-25T20:48:00.004-04:00

Who is this player?
Dave Parker, rightfielder, Pittsburgh Pirates
Although he was considered one of the best players in the game, Dave Parker was a target for criticism, due to his boastful demeanor and million-dollar-a-year contract. Nevertheless, the "Cobra" was elected to start the All-Star Game by the fans and led the Pirates in RBI. But 1980 was not a good year for Dave Parker. Fans threw batteries at him, he played much of the year with a myriad of injuries, went through a divorce and got sued. Although he batted a very respectable .295, it was considered a "down" year for him and it was widely thought that he would bounce back to his previous form.

Born in Mississippi, but growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a youth Parker was given a glove by future Hall of Famer and Red star Frank Robinson. At age 15 he was big enough and good enough to play with a local semipro team and he was a football star in high school. His senior season he tore his knee yet still earned attention from 62 schools that wanted him to play football. Dave decided he had better chances in baseball, but his injury made several teams wary. He was drafted on the 14th round of the 1970 amateur draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Parker made an immediate impact in the minors; MVP of the Florida League in 1970 and the Carolina League in 1972. He was in Pittsburgh a year later and it took little time for him to be compared to Pirate greats Willie Stargell and Roberto Clemente. During a five year period (1975-1979) he won two batting championships, batting a collective .321, won three Gold Gloves, led the league in hits and doubles, was the 1979 All Star Game MVP and the 1978 National League MVP. As the 1980s began, it appeared that Parker was on the road to Cooperstown.

Unfortunately, it was not to be. After the distractions of 1980, Parker slumped at the plate, gained weight and simply did not perform at his previous levels. When his contract elapsed in 1983, the Pirates allowed him to leave as a free agent and Parker signed with his hometown Cincinnati Reds. One of the reasons for his sudden drop in performance was revealed in 1985 when Parker testified at the Pittsburgh Drug Trials. There, he described his heavy cocaine use and how it effected his play. He claimed that he was now drug-free, and he returned to All-Star status in 1985. He led the NL in RBI and was second in the league's MVP vote while batting .312 and clubbing 34 home runs.

After four years in Cincinnati, the productive, but aging Parker was traded to the Oakland A's where he served as designated hitter. His veteran presence helped lead Oakland to the World Series the two years he was there, including a championship in 1989. He was an All-Star again with Milwaukee in 1990 and played for both the Angels and Blue Jays the following year. He was unable to catch on with another team in 1992 and his 19-year major league career came to an end. He served as a first-base coach for the Anaheim Angels, then as a batting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1998. Today, he owns several Popeye's chicken franchises in the Cincinnati area.

Why I love this card:
This was a premium card to get during the summer of 1980. Yet, I found it very difficult to warm up to Parker. I knew he was a great player, but I didn't view him in the same light as a Brett, Schmidt or Rice. What I remember most about this was my Dad's shock when Parker wore an earring in his ear. To him, it was disrespectful and distasteful. Remember, it was 1980 and it wasn't as common as today. I too, couldn't figure out why a guy would want to wear an earring.

Something else....
Largely due to his peak years, Parker still receives minor Hall of Fame consideration. I suspect that with the recent inductions of Rice and Andre Dawson, Parker's body of work will get further review. I wonder how much the Drug Trials effected his overall bottom line.

Nevertheless, Parker was a star in 1980 and was given a Topps Super Card and Burger King card. I actually like the Burger King version a little better since I think they did a much better job of centering the photo. Both are shown below:

On this date in 1980:
The #1 song in the country on this date is "Coming Up" by Paul McCartney. A largely forgettable song today, it is notable since it is McCartney's first #1 hit after the breakup of his second band, Wings. The video is pretty good and is here.

#309 Larry McWilliams

2010-06-23T23:35:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Larry McWilliams, starting pitcher, Atlanta Braves
In his first full season in the Braves starting rotation, Larry McWilliams made 30 starts and won nine games. The lefthander began the year as Atlanta's #3 starter but he struggled early, losing four of his first six and posting an ERA over 5.00. He rebounded in late June with a stretch of solid pitching, including a nifty three-hit shutout against San Diego on the 4th of July. Two more complete game victories later in the month earned him NL Player of the Week honors. Though he struggled down the stretch, losing his last five decisions, it seemed that McWilliams was part of the Braves' long term plans.

Larry McWilliams starred and Bell High School in Hurst, Texas where he was named his district's Most Valuable Player. He attended Paris Junior College and earned All Conference honors and was selected on the sixth pick in the first round by the Braves in 1974. After an unspectacular minor league career, the pitching-poor Braves gave him an opportunity when they called him up in 1978. Pitching guru Johnny Sain adjusted McWilliams delivery from a slow motion to an accelerated, whip-like delivery. Larry responded masterfully, winning nine games, including his first seven in a row. The highlight of that rookie year game on August 1, 1978 when he and Gene Garber combined to end Pete Rose's 44-game hitting streak.

McWilliams was not as successful in 1979, getting shelled in his first seven starts and he missed significant time with an injury. When Larry pitched poorly in Spring Training 1981, he was optioned to the minor leagues and did not return until after the Player's Strike. He pitched well in limited action in '81 and earned him a return ticket to the Braves rotation in 1982. Pitching out of the bullpen, McWilliams again had difficulty and was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in June, 1982

It would be the biggest break of his career as McWilliams did his best pitching in a Pirate uniform. McWilliams peaked in 1983 as he won a career-best 15 games and was named a Sporting News All-Star pitcher. He was fifth in the Cy Young voting and had more strikeouts (199) than any Pittsburgh pitcher since 1969. Larry finished second in the league in winning percentage and shutouts as the Pirates made a serious challenge for the NL East flag.

He suffered arm trouble again in 1985 and was relegated to relief and spot-start duty. He was released by the Pirates in 1987 and picked up again by the Braves. McWilliams moved to four teams in five seasons (Atlanta, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Kansas City). In all cases, these teams were looking for lefthanded pitching and McWilliams was used in several starting and relieving roles. His career came to an end after the 1990 season and 13 years in the major leagues.

Why I love this card
This is the third card in a row to discuss a player's degree or college in the cartoon. Don't think that this fact was lost on me at the time. Bonus points to my Dad as it wasn't lost on him either as he made sure that he drove the point home when my inevitable questions came. Thanks again Dad, for a lot of things, but also making sure that my education wasn't too far away from center.

Something else....
McWilliams is on one of my favorite cards of all-time. Granted it is not a 1980 card, but a 1984 Fleer, but here it is nonetheless:

#308 Mike Hargrove

2010-06-23T11:29:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Mike Hargrove, first baseman, Cleveland Indians
The Human Rain Delay. Mike Hargrove's deliberate routine at the plate before each at-bat belied the fact that the Indian first baseman was an excellent hitter. Playing in 160 games, Hargrove batted .304 and drew a career-high 111 walks. The Tribe's third place hitter also reached career highs in base hits, plate appearances and RBI. A tough player, he was hit on the forearm on a pitch from Ron Guidry, but was in the lineup the next day. His 23 game hitting streak early in the season was one of the longest of the season and he was clearly one of the best players on the Indians.

Best known today by younger fans as the manager of the Indians, Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners, Mike Hargrove put together a very respectable career as a major leaguer. Without ever playing baseball in high school, he attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University, where he lettered in baseball, basketball, and football. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 25th round of the 1972 amateur draft. After just two seasons in the minors, he reached the majors with the Rangers in 1974, and after hitting .323, won the American League Rookie of the Year Award.

In five seasons in Arlington, Hargrove was traded to the San Diego Padres even though he was a consistent hitter and solid fielder. Unfortunately, the Rangers were beset with big financial losses and embarked on a housecleaning. Hargrove looked forward to the move, but expressed remorse that he was leaving the Rangers. He struggled in San Diego, batting .192 in 52 games and was traded to the Cleveland Indians in mid-June, 1979.

Hargrove spent seven seasons in Cleveland, and was noted as a patient hitter with a careful eye and took a lot of pitches. He exceeded 100 bases on balls in 4 seasons and typically had one of the highest on base percentages in the league. He was slowly phased out in Cleveland in favor of Pat Tabler. He was granted free agency following the 1985 season that saw him bat .285 but he did not receive an offer from another team. Collusion by the owners was likely the cause and Hargrove's 12-year major league career came to an end.

He became the Indians manager in 1991 and became the franchise's second winningest manager of all-time. Mike led the Tribe to two World Series appearances (1995 & 1997) and five consecutive division titles, the most successful stretch in team history. He came under fire after losing the 1997 World Series, yet his dismissal as Indians manager by GM John Hart in 1999 was controversial with many fans. He moved on to Baltimore for four years and then to Seattle where he abruptly resigned in the midst of an eight-game winning streak saying his passion for the game was gone. He has since returned to baseball, managing the Liberal BeeJays, a semi-professional baseball team in Kansas for which he also played while in college.

Why I love this card
I remember being perplexed by this card. Where was Hargrove when this photo was taken? Was this the inside of a dugout? A garage? His house? The apparent wood paneling in the background, very fashionable at the time, made it tough to determine. I think I love this card even more know as it is a reminder of how much time we wasted as kids passionately debating the most ridiculous things.

Something else....
Between high school, college and his major league debut, all five of the teams for which he played (Perryton High, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Class A, Class AA, and Texas) all shared the same nickname, the Rangers.

On this date in 1980:
David Letterman begins his morning television program on NBC. One of his guests was Andy Kaufman. You can watch it here. Letterman did not connect with AM audiences, but his show would be repackaged and moved to late night. Kaufman would be a staple of the early days of that show as well.

#307 Rick Honeycutt

2010-06-22T17:56:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Rick Honeycutt, starting pitcher, Seattle Mariners
1980 was a tale of two seasons for Rick Honeycutt. The lefthander began the season quickly, winning his first six decisions. When the month of June began, his record stood at 7-1 and his 2.59 ERA was among the league leaders. Rick was rewarded for his performance with a spot on the American League's pitching staff at the All-Star Game. However, Honeycutt struggled from then on, as he would go on to lose 14 of his next 15 decisions. His frustration boiled over in late-September when he was caught scuffing the ball by hiding a thumbtack within a bandage on his finger. He was subsequently suspended for 10 days and in December was part of a multi-player trade with the Texas Rangers.

Tennessee-born Rick Honeycutt led his high school baseball team to State Championship titles in both his junior and senior years. He was originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles after his senior year, but instead decided to attend the University of Tennessee on a baseball scholarship. There, he was an All-American first baseman-pitcher and won the Southeastern Conference batting title with a .404 mark. Honeycutt was drafted as both a pitcher and a first baseman by the Pittsburgh Pirates in June of 1976. In his first game as a professional, he was the starting pitcher, he batted clean-up and he hit a home run in his first at-bat.

Traded to the Seattle Mariners in July, 1977, Rick made his major league debut that season and spent the next 21 seasons in the major leagues. For his first ten seasons, Rick was a starting pitcher, with the Mariners, Rangers and Dodgers and was twice an All-Star. He had his best year as a starter in 1983, winning 16 games and winning the American League ERA title with 2.42, despite being traded to the Dodgers in August. He proved to be a serviceable, if not spectacular starter with the Dodgers and when he began the 1987 season poorly, he was traded to the Oakland A's.

It was in Oakland that he began the second phase of his career and evolved into
one of the toughest left-handed specialists in the game. Under the guidance of Tony LaRussa, Rick often set up closer Dennis Eckersley. Honeycutt helped the A's to the postseason four times, including three consecutive trips to the World Series and a championship in 1989. He continued that role in the mid-1990s with the Rangers and Yankees before reuniting with Tony LaRussa in 1996 with the St. Louis Cardinals. Although he was the oldest player in baseball at this point, he was still effective; he had 65 appearances and a 2.85 in 1996 as the Cardinals advanced to the NLCS.

His 797 appearances is 8th all-time for lefthanded pitchers and his playing career ended in 1997 after elbow surgery. After his playing career ended, he was inducted into the State of Tennessee Hall of Fame and was the Los Angeles Dodgers' minor league pitching coordinator from 2002 to 2005. He was named pitching coach of the Dodgers in 2006, a position he still holds today.

Why I love this card
I remember that I got this card right around the time that Honeycutt was busted for the thumbtack. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out how or why he would need a thumbtack on the mound. I know my Dad tried to explain it to me, but it was more confusing than ever. I do remember getting a pack of 1980 Football cards at the same time as the transition from summer to fall began.

Something else....
Honeycutt's daughter, Holli, earned a doctorate in physical therapy. The Honeycutt's purchased a 100-acre, 42-stall ranch in northern Georgia that his wife, Debbie, has turned into a retreat for special-needs children, Heartland Ranch.

On this date in 1980:
The Soviet Union announces partial withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.

#306 Denny Walling

2010-06-21T23:34:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Denny Walling, utility, Houston Astros
A valuable role player, Denny Walling was a key player off the bench as the Houston Astros won their first ever National League West title in 1980. Playing mostly first base and outfield, the left-handed Walling batted .299 in 100 games playing primarily against the right-handed pitchers. His 11th-inning sacrifice fly in Game 3 of the NLCS gave the Astros a 1-0 win and a brief 2-1 series lead. Walling scored a game-tying run in Game 5 and later gave the Astros the lead with a 7th inning single, but the Astros fell to Philadelphia in 10 innings 8-7.

Denny Walling was a collegiate star at Clemson University, where he was a two-time All American. The Oakland A's selected him with the first overall selection in the 1975 June secondary amateur draft. Before the season ended, Walling had made his major league debut, batting .125 in limited action with Oakland. He spent most of 1976 in the minor leagues and was traded to the Houston Astros in June 1977 in a deal for Willie Crawford that most did not notice at the time.

It turned out to be the turning point in Walling's career. Denny would spend 13 years in Houston and was a member of both the 1980 and 1986 NL West Champions. Primarily an outfielder on his arrival, Walling would soon find plenty of playing time at first and third base over the years, and although he often platooned, he still managed to appear in over 1000 games with the Astros. A tenacious hitter with an excellent eye for the strike zone, his best season came in 1986 when he batted .312 and reached career highs in several offensive categories. He had the game-winning hit in Mike Scott's division clinching no-hitter in September, but batted .158 in the NLCS as Houston lost a memorable series to the New York Mets in six games.

Traded in 1988 to the St. Louis Cardinals for pitcher Bob Forsch, Walling was used primarily as a pinch-hitter. In 1989, his .344 average in a pinch-hitting role was among the league leaders. He played one more season in St. Louis before moving on to Texas and then back to the Astros for a brief stint in 1992 to finish his 18-year career.

After his playing career ended, Walling remained in baseball as a coach. In the major leagues, he has served as the hitting coach for the Oakland A's (1996-1998) and for the New York Mets (2002-2004). Both times, he served under manager Art Howe, who was his teammate with the Astros. In 2007, he was hired by the Baltimore Orioles as their roving minor league instructor, a position which he currently holds.

Why I love this card
I rooted hard for the Astros in the 1980 playoffs. When Walling had two hits with two runs and an RBI in Game 5, he became a favorite. It probably didn't hurt that Walling's photo here looked a lot like my little league picture, complete with a shot of the parking lot in the background. I know it is a Spring Training shot, but he looks like they stopped him on his way to his car.

Something else....
Walling is listed as being from Neptune. Granted, it is Neptune, New Jersey, but to a eight-year old getting this card and reading that....I guarantee that it was discussed for hours.

On this date in 1980:
Walling goes 2 for 4 as the Astros defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 at the Astrodome. The victory gives Houston a three game lead in the NL West as summer begins. Other division leaders are Montreal, New York and Kansas City.

#305 Randy Jones

2010-06-20T21:56:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Randy Jones, starting pitcher, San Diego Padres
On the morning of May 16, 1980 things were looking up for Randy Jones of the San Diego Padres. He had just pitched his third consecutive shutout, defeating the Chicago Cubs. His record stood at 4-2 with a 1.82 ERA. It appeared that he had regained the Cy Young form that had been elusive since 1976. He went on to lose three straight all by one run before being shelled and landing on the disabled list with a rib separation. He pitched poorly upon his return and was shelved again, this time for the season in August. Randy finished 1980 5-13 and the longtime Padre was traded to the New York Mets in December.

As a youngster, the lefthanded throwing Jones received pitching tutelage from Claude Osteen when he was pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Osteen taught him a curve ball and a sinker which would propell Jones into the major leagues. First, Randy earned a Bachelor's Degree in business from Chapman College in California and made the College All-America team as a senior. This attracted attention from the San Diego Padres who drafted him in 1972. He spent a little less than a year in the minors before he was brought to the parent club for good.

Jones became the first Padre-developed superstar and helped bring respectability to the floundering franchise. He won seven of 13 decisions in 1973 with a 3.16 ERA and was named to the Topps Rookie All Star team. He was the team's most effective pitcher in the second half and from then on, was clearly established as the team ace. He suffered a hard luck season in 1974, losing 22 games but was poised to establish himself as one of the games best pitchers.

Indeed, Jones did so in 1975, winning 20 games and being named an All Star and Comeback Player of the Year. He defeated every team in the National League and finished second in the Cy Young voting. Incredibly, Jones improved on his performance in 1976. En route to winning the Cy Young, Randy won 16 games by the All-Star break and was named the NL's starting pitcher. His 22 wins represented nearly one-third of his team's total output for 1976. Known for his quick work on the mound, Jones tied Christy Mathewson's league record of 68 consecutive innings without issuing a walk. He didn't strike out many (93), rather he was a master at inducing an easy ground ball.

Unfortunately, he never achieved the same level of success, primarily due to nerve damage in his pitching arm and poor run support from the weak-hitting Padres. He spent the final two seasons of his 10-year career with the New York Mets and retired after failing to catch on with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1983. Jones has kept busy in retirement; he operates a BBQ business at Petco Park, runs a baseball academy and is the host of Outdoor Channel's "Randy Jones' Strike Zone" television program.

Why I love this card
Unlike the other Padres players featured so far, the Randy Jones card features the player's name in blue ink rather than the customary black. I remember thinking that perhaps this was an error card, but that wasn't the case. At the time, it was more memorable to me than Jones' blond afro.

Something else....
Just as Jones was tutored by Claude Osteen as a youth, Jones himself taught the finer art of pitching to several kids over the years. One of them was a very young Barry Zito, who like his mentor, also won a Cy Young Award, with the A's in 2002.

On this date in 1980:
After 14 seasons, the original Hollywood Squares goes off the air with its final broadcast on NBC. Here is what replaced it. You know, that Letterman guy?

#304 Butch Wynegar

2010-06-19T23:52:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Butch Wynegar, catcher, Minnesota Twins
An excellent defensive receiver with a keen batting eye, Butch Wynegar of the Minnesota Twins was seen as a rising star as the 1980 season began. Indeed, The Complete Handbook of Baseball tabbed him as "the next Johnny Bench." He had a solid first half at the plate before tailing off and finished the year batting .255. The popular fan favorite also led all American League catchers with 13 double plays and threw out 44% of enemy base runners. In a sharp departure from club policy, the Twins rewarded Wynegar after the season with a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract.

A product of York, Pennsylvania, Harold "Butch" Wynegar took up switch hitting at age eight, emulating his idol, Mickey Mantle. He was an outstanding player in high school and switched to catcher when his potential became apparent. He wound up being drafted by the Minnesota Twins on the second round in 1974. After leading the Appalachian League in batting and fielding in his first season, he topped the California League in RBI and batted .314 in his second. Those performances earned him an extended look in Spring Training 1976 from new Twins manager Gene Mauch.

Mauch installed him as his starter behind the plate and he responded with a .300 batting average most of the first half. This earned him a spot on the AL All Star Team and at 20 years, 121 days, Wynegar became the youngest player ever to appear in the Midsummer Classic. Although his performance in his rookie year was overshadowed by Mark "The Bird" Fidrych, he was named the Sporting News' Rookie of the Year for 1976. Another solid season followed in 1977, with Wynegar again earning another All Star nod.

While the Twins at various times during this period had some exceptional talent, the frugal mindset of ownership kept several players from staying any extended period of time. Rather than pay high contracts to players such as Rod Carew, Larry Hisle, Dave Goltz, Roy Smalley, Ken Landreaux and others, the Twins traded them away. This eventually led to Mauch leaving the club and when Wynegar's production suffered due to bone chips in his elbow, he was next - traded to the New York Yankees.

Butch was the Yankees' starting catcher for three seasons, but he never quite fulfilled the early promised predicted for him. Some of that was due to nagging injuries to his knees and big toe that made it painful for him to squat. The other part was due to the high anxiety of playing in New York and for two emotional managers; Billy Martin and Lou Piniella. Wynegar often stated that Martin in particular made it difficult to do his job due to Martin's incessant ump baiting.

After two season as a part-timer with the California Angels, Wynegar retired after the 1988 season at the age of 32. Like many of his contemporaries, he began a second career teaching the game, both at the collegiate and professional levels. He was the hitting coach of the Milwaukee Brewers from 2003-2006 and has since been the hitting coach for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees.

Why I love this card
I bought the Butch Wynegar hype in 1980. Switch-hitter. Two-time All-Star. Strong-accurate arm. This card did little to damage the aura. With the possible exception of Gary Carter, there hasn't been a better shot of a catcher in action so far. I would have given Wynegar the nod simply for the eye black. That and the fact that it appeared the person over Butch's shoulder wasn't wearing any pants.

Something else....
In October 1978, Twins owner Calvin Griffith delivered several salacious comments regarding the Twins and baseball when he appeared at a dinner hosted by the Waseca (Minnesota) Lions Club. Among other things, he stated that Butch Wynegar's drop off in performance in 1978 was due to:

The worst thing that can happen to a ballplayer is to get married and then go to spring training.....Wynegar did the same thing and he's had a miserable year. He was playing 'hands' with his wife during spring training and instead of running around the outfield he did his running around the bedroom. Now, love is love, but it comes pretty cheap for these young ballplayers these days, and I think they should take advantage of that and wait to get married. That's the way I look at it.

I can't imagine any owner getting away with saying something like that today, and those were some of the more milder things Griffith said. An article regarding it can be read here.

#303 Bill Castro

2010-06-19T09:07:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Bill Castro, relief pitcher, Milwaukee Brewers
In what was generally regarded as a disappointing season for the Milwaukee Brewers, righthanded pitcher Bill Castro had perhaps his finest season. Working in a career-high 56 games, Castro provided a solid and reliable arm while much of the Brewer pitching staff was injured or inconsistent. After two months, he allowed only two earned runs and found himself with a 0.67 as June began. He would go on to lead the Brewers in ERA (2.77) and games finished (36). Castro was particularly impressive against division leaders, posting a 2.16 ERA with 2 saves against the eventual champions, the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees.

No man has spent more time in a Milwaukee Brewer uniform than Bill Castro. After spending seven of his ten big league seasons as a pitcher for the Brewers, he became the team's bullpen coach in 1992 and stayed with the club in a coaching capacity until 2009. After 25 years in Brewer colors, Castro was fired in August of 2009, mainly due to the Brewers letdown after a playoff appearance in 2008. Castro was in his first season as pitching coach under new manager Ken Macha and his dismissal was seen by some as making Castro a scapegoat for Milwaukee's disappointing season.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Castro has since told researchers that he is actually a year and a half older than his listed birthday of December 13, 1953. He was signed by the Brewers as a free agent in 1970 and proceed to excel in their minor league system. He led the Midwest League with 17 saves at Danville in 1972. Bill followed that with a Midwest League led in won-lost percentage (.733) and a 1.82 ERA. These showings earned him a late season look by the Brewers in 1974.

Castro quickly became one of the Brewers top pitchers. He led the staff in ERA during the 1975 campaign and had eight saves for the team in 1976. During this time, he was the Brewers' go-to pitcher in several critical situations. However, when the Brewers acquired relief ace Rollie Fingers in December 1980, Castro's time in Milwaukee was over. He left the team as a free agent and signed on to pitch with the New York Yankees. He was demoted to the minor leagues shortly before the 1981 strike and didn't appear in another major league game that season.

Bill moved on to Kansas City in 1982 where he spent parts of two seasons before being released. He returned to the Brewers and spent the remainder of the 1983 season at Triple-A before finishing his pitching career. After his playing days, he served as a scout with the Brewers (1985-87) and minor league pitching coordinator (1989-91).

Why I love this card
I know that I have mentioned that I am not a fan of the headshots in this set, but for some reason, Castro's reminds me of the Olan Mills photographs you would get for your grade school pictures. I know that is supposed to be the blue sky behind Castro, but I think that was also the background for my entire class Grades 4 through 6.

Something else....
When Castro signed with the New York Yankees, most in the media considered the move a sign that New York was looking to deal Ron Davis. Indeed, Davis himself felt the move was imminent. Oakland manager Billy Martin openly campaigned to get Davis, but ultimately the deal wasn't made and Davis continued to set up closer Rich Gossage. The arrangement was successful as the Yankees advanced to the World Series.

On this date in 1980:
After weeks of mounting tension, race riots boil over in Cape Town, South Africa. In one of the most ugly scenes, 34 people die in clash between police and demonstrators.

Yahoo Fantasy Baseball Links Us!

2010-06-18T11:53:00.001-04:00

My apologies if this post comes off as egotistical, but we began this Friday with a certain amount of pride regarding this blog.

Since it began, I never really considered who read this blog or who it reached. That was never the intent. I guess it is always in the back of your mind, but it not something you really think about. Much like my childhood, this blog was merely sharing cards and memories among a small group of friends. From time to time, I notice that there is a new follower added and am grateful that there are 32 this morning. Your comments and encouragement keep me motivated and for that I remain appreciative.

In my mind, that was it; 32 like minded baseball card/1980 fans who share in the enjoyment. Imagine my surprise when this link from Yahoo Fantasy Sports was passed along to me last night.

I'm not really into Fantasy Baseball so I didn't understand the connection between Brandon Morrow of the Toronto Blue Jays to this blog. I read along and the writer, Brad Evans, concludes with the line "For the Love of Dave Stieb." When you click on that it immediately jumps to Stieb's 1980 page!

Now while I'm not into Fantasy Baseball, I know that there are millions who are. Whether intentionally or not, Mr. Evans just sent who-knows-how-many of his readers to this blog! Thank you very much, sir. I am humbled that my meager summaries of a given player's career has been deemed sufficient to appear on a national website.

Again, if this comes across as bragging or much ado about nothing, I apologize. This is fairly new to me and I am sharing the excitement. So if you will indulge me in tooting my own horn, toot, toot!

We now return you to 1980 programming.....

#302 Tom Lasorda Los Angeles Dodgers Team Card

2010-06-17T22:30:00.002-04:00

What is this card?
Team Card, Los Angeles Dodgers, Tom Lasorda Manager

A year after falling out of contention in the National League West, the Los Angeles Dodgers began 1980 intent on reclaiming their status at the premier team in the division. The seeds were planted in November, 1979 when the Dodgers signed two free agents, Dave Goltz and Don Stanhouse. Later, they added veteran Jay Johnstone. Although they lost pitcher Tommy John via free agency, the Dodger farm was producing several quality pitchers such as Bob Welch, 1979 Rookie of the Year Rick Sutcliffe and promising prospect Steve Howe.

The Dodgers were involved in a three-team race with the Houston Astros and Cincinnati Reds for much of the season. Although their famous infield got most of the press, outfielders Reggie Smith and Dusty Baker were the two biggest bats in the Dodger lineup. Smith, in particular, was selected to start the All Star Game and was headed towards an MVP-type season. The game was held that summer at Dodger Stadium for the very first time and Smith was joined in the starting lineup by teammates Steve Garvey and Davey Lopes. Pitchers Jerry Ruess and Welch also made the team as reserves, with Ruess earning the win for the National League.

Smith suffered an injury in August that would sideline him for the remainder of the year, but the Dodgers pressed on without him, as the race came down to the Dodgers and Houston Astros. Down by three games going into the final weekend, Los Angeles defeated the Astros three times to force a tie and a one-game playoff. The Dodgers dream came to an end the following day, when Houston won the game and the division in the tie-breaker. The Dodgers finished the year fourth in batting, second in ERA and third in fielding percentage.

End of the year honors went to Howe, who won Rookie of the Year, and to Baker who won a Silver Slugger Award. Garvey led the entire National League in games played and hits, while Don Sutton led in ERA. Sutton would leave the club that December via free agent, but his replacement in the starting rotation would be the youngest player to appear in a National League game in 1980: Fernando Valenzuela. By the end of the year, the Dodgers and their fans had every reason to be excited about 1981.

Why I love this card
Dodger Stadium. By far, one of my favorite NL parks of this era. It seemed that every game was played under the bright sunshine with Hollywood celebrities dotting the crowd. I loved seeing the late afternoon shadows on the national telecasts (like the 1980 ASG) and it was always beautiful on the Saturday Game of the Week. For years, any time I saw a 76 gas station ball, I thought of Dodger Stadium.

Something else....
Dodger legend Duke Snider, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980, had his number #4 retired at a ceremony at Dodger Stadium on July 6, 1980.

On this date in 1980:
Led Zeppelin kicks off their farewell tour in Germany. The band played only 14 shows mostly in Germany as a warm up for an American Tour in the fall. That tour never got underway due to the untimely death of John Bonham in September.

#301 Mike Edwards

2010-06-16T23:01:00.002-04:00

Who is this player?
Mike Edwards, second baseman, Oakland A's
The year began curiously for the A's Mike Edwards; he went to salary arbitration with the notorious owner Charlie Finley. Edwards likely became the only player in history to ask for less than what any owner offered, $50,000 to Finley's offer of $58,000. Of course, Edwards was not aware of the offer, and signed on to what would be his fourth and final major league season. New skipper Billy Martin used Edwards sparingly and he batted .237. He was not offered a contract at the end of the season and he did not catch on with another major league club.

Mike Edwards was from a baseball family. Two of his brothers made the major leagues as well. Younger brother Dave has a card featured in this set and played the most seasons in the majors (1978-1982). Mike's twin, Marshall, saw postseason action with the 1982 AL Champion Milwaukee Brewers. Mike and Marshall are part of baseball history; only nine sets of twins have both advanced to the major leagues.

The Los Angeles, California native was the first in his family to reach the bigs after a successful minor league career. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1974, he led the New York-Penn League in games played, at-bats and triples while playing for Niagara Falls and later led the International League (AAA) in hits and stolen bases. Edwards also showed his talents in the field, leading the IL in double plays and total chances. He appeared in a handful of games for the Pirates in 1977, but his big break came when he was traded to the Oakland A's in April, 1978.

He made an immediate impact, setting a club record with a 17-game hitting streak and scoring five runs in a game. The defining moment of his career came on August 10, 1978 when he tied the major league record for unassisted double plays by a second baseman. Mike pulled the trick twice against the California Angels. On the other side, he also established a major league record for most time caught stealing by a rookie (21).

His production fell off precipitously in 1979 as his average fell by 40 points and he stole 17 fewer bases. However, that is tempered by the fact that the A's of 1979 were one of the worst teams of the modern era and in a constant state of flux. When he lost his job in 1980, he rebounded and played in Japan in the early 1980s. Any information on his current whereabouts would be most appreciated.

Why I love this card
What a great action shot! I can hear my Little League coach now, "Two hands! Two hands!" By far, the A's lead this set with the best live game photography. Interestingly, the standouts have been of their middle infielders, first Mario Guerrero, then Rob Picciolo, now Edwards. Even if you didn't know who Edwards was or even care about the A's, if this card showed up in your pack, you were guaranteed to spend some of your summer afternoon gazing it over.

Something else....
Here is Edwards' 1979 Record Breaker card:

I ended up getting this card probably in the mid-1980s sometime and wondered what happened to Mike. After all, he set a record, didn't he? My mind couldn't comprehend the 'here today, gone tomorrow' turnover in major league baseball. I'm still wondering what happened to Mike Edwards.

On this date in 1980:
The Blues Brothers debuts on this date in Chicago. I was not fortunate to see this in theatres the first time through, but have seen it a hundred times since. I don't get tired of it (I know, I'm sick) and am glad that this movie introduced me to artists like Ray Charles, John Lee Hooker and Cab Calloway. Shame, a boy that young goin' bad.....

The Third 100 Cards - A Review

2010-06-16T13:02:00.005-04:00

It's been over a year since this blog began and we have just turned the page on card #300. Even though we are not even near the halfway mark, it has been a fun ride and I appreciate the folks that have been following along. I'm glad that we have been able to share in the memories and enjoyment.

As I have done previously, here is a brief review of the third 100 cards of the 1980 set (201-300).

The division leaders so far are:

AL East - Baltimore/Cleveland/Detroit/New York - 13 cards
AL West - Kansas City/Texas - 13 cards
NL East - Pittsburgh/St. Louis - 14 cards
NL West - Houston - 15 cards

Interesting distribution here as I am sure that the League Leader cards have helped The NL teams. How about Cleveland? Holding their own in the AL East with 13 players featured so far.

The Cubs continue to have little love, again with the fewest cards so far, only 9. San Diego and Montreal join them at the bottom of total players featured.

Here is a breakdown of players featured by position

Catchers - 7 (30 total)
Firs Basemen - 5 (13 total)
Second Basemen - 2 (10 total)
Third Basemen - 5 (12 total)
Shortstops - 6 (16 total)
Outfielders - 18 (52 total)
Designated Hitters - 0 (2 total)
Utilitymen - 12 (31 total)
Starting Pitchers - 19 (64 total)
Relief Pitchers - 13 (42 total)
Swingmen - 2 (5 total)
Team Cards - 4 (10 total)
Checklist - 1 (2 total)

Additionally there were seven 1979 League Leader cards featured at in this group as well.

Also in this group, there were 7 regular issues of Hall of Famers (Carlton, Dawson, Niekro, Perry, Schmidt, Winfield, Yount) with Dawson up for enshrinement next month.

Starting pitchers and outfielders were the two most dominant positions featured and the starters maintain their lead overall.

Finally, there is a pretty even breakdown in the type of photo on the card:

First, the traditional headshot of a player - 34 cards (104 total)
A posed "action" shot - 21 cards (65 total)
Game action photos - 33 cards (106 total)

This breakdown has been remarkably consistent with the previous 100 cards with a nice blend of cards shown. There really hasn't been an overwhelming majority of any one card anywhere in the set, and when it seems like there is, a team card or checklist pops up.

Thanks again to all of you who have been following along, as always, I appreciate your comments and support.

#300 Ron Guidry

2010-06-15T22:11:00.002-04:00

Who is this player?
Ron Guidry, starting pitcher, New York Yankees
Two years removed from the best season of his career, Ron Guidry began 1980 as the unquestioned ace of the Yankees staff. In "Bronx Zoo" fashion, he started the year by being fined by the club for participating in ABC's Superstars competition. On Opening Day, the southpaw allowed only two singles and retired 20 of the final 21 batters he faced, but earned a no-decision against the Texas Rangers. His performance was streaky for much of the year, but his 17 wins helped lead the Yanks to the AL West flag. Ron started and lost Game 1 of the ALCS, a series that saw New York lose to the Kansas City Royals. When the season ended, his name was involved in trade rumors to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Fred Lynn. Instead, the Yankees renegotiated Guidry's contract and he stayed in New York.

1978, 25-3. Those numbers will forever be linked with Ronald Ames Guidry. His dominating performance that year not only led to a Cy Young Award and an another world championship, but was one of the finest pitching seasons of the modern era. Guidry's defining moment of the 1978 season was his 18-strikeout performance against the California Angels and his .893 winning percentage that year is the highest ever for a starting pitcher. Additionally, Guidry's 1.74 ERA remains the lowest in the American League since 1968. Throw in two post-season victories, including a World Series complete game, and you begin to see just how good Guidry was at his very best.

No one could have predicted such success when the man known as "Gator" was selected by the Yankees in 1971. The Louisiana-born Guidry pitched well in the minors, but found it difficult to crack the starting rotation. There was also a knock against him that he was too small to pitch effectively in the majors. However, he was moved into the starting rotation for good in 1977 and won 16 games en route to a world championship. His blazing fastball found him atop the game's strikeout leaders and he was soon alternately known as "Louisiana Lightning." His size would never again be an issue.

A four-time All-Star, Guidry quietly distinguished himself with class, hardly ever finding himself tabloid fodder like most of his teammates. He won the Gold Glove Award five consecutive seasons (1982-86) and three times won 20 games, leading the league again in 1985. Guidry began to experience some arm trouble in 1981 and despite his high levels of achievement, it effected his pitching. He struggled during the last three years of his 14-year career and retired in 1989 when shoulder surgery did not improve his arm.

His number 49 was retired on "Ron Guidry Day," August 23, 2003. The Yankees also dedicated a plaque to hang in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium. He joined Joe Torre's staff as pitching coach in 2006 and was criticized when the pitchers did not perform well in '07 and '08. Though he was interested in returning to the Yankees for the 2008 season, he was not offered a position on new manager Joe Girardi's coaching staff. He has returned to the Yankees as a spring training instructor and remains a popular figure at Yankee events and Old-Timers gatherings.

Why I love this card
When I got this card, I was convinced that Guidry was going to go to the Hall of Fame. This was one of those "hands off" cards that everybody respected. You didn't even bother to ask to trade for it because the unspoken law was that you didn't trade it. After all it was a "hundreds" card. Any card that ended with two zeros (300) was special. You either had it or you didn't. It would be a couple years later when we stopped caring about that and just traded liberally.

Something else....
Guidry was featured earlier on the ERA Leaders card, and he also had two other issues in 1980, first in the Burger King set and again in the Topps Super. Here are both.

The Eleventh 25 - A Roster

2010-06-14T11:33:00.000-04:00

A brief look back in team form at the last 25 player cards in the 1980 set (#274 through #299) as if constructing a fantasy league team.

Manager - Darrell Johnson

1B - Steve Garvey
2B - Rob Andrews
SS - Tom Veryzer
3B - Dale Berra
OF - Dale Murphy
OF - John Lowenstein
OF - Steve Henderson
C - John Ellis
DH - Don Baylor

Let's look at this glass half full: Garvey, Murphy and Baylor are three solid players in the middle of the order. Four MVP awards, 18 All-Star appearances and 9 Gold Gloves between them. Ellis and Lowenstein provide power and Henderson is a good contact hitter.

Now the half empty: Not one Hall of Famer in the lineup. Ellis, Lowenstein and Henderson at best were part-time players. The middle of the lineup is exceptionally weak and Berra was mainly a shortstop with limited third base experience.

Bench: Rick Bosetti, Paul Blair, Larry Murray, Charlie Spikes, Bruce Bochy, Dave Rader, Jim Spencer, Tim Johnson

Spencer and Blair are defensive specialists, but they are behind Garvey and Murphy who don't need one. There is catching depth with Rader and Bochy, but a solid third baseman would have been more helpful. Spikes and Bosetti could have earned the nod over Lowenstein, or platoon with him. Murphy provides speed off the bench and Johnson infield depth. With this group, however, quantity does not necessarily mean quality.

Rotation
Gaylord Perry
Jerry Koosman
Larry Gura
Ken Holtzman

Only four needed here as these pitchers eat innings, led by Hall of Famer Perry. Koosman made a career out of being an exceptional second banana. Gura was a solid performer for many years as was Holtzman. These guys are used to finishing what they started, so not much need for bullpen support.

Bullpen: Darold Knowles, Randy Scarbery, Elias Sosa, Dave Rozema

Turns out a strong rotation will be needed as the bullpen depth is a little thin. Knowles was solid in his day, but was at the end of the road in 1980. Sosa would likely be the #1 man coming out of the pen. Rozema and Scarbery can provide both setup and long relief assistance when needed.

OVERALL: Manager Darrell Johnson didn't survive 1980 with the Mariners and I suspect that he wouldn't have done all that better with this group of players either. Despite some excellent individual talent as a unit, this offering has some fairly significant holes. After peaking with an excellent Ninth Team a couple of squads ago, we have been sliding as we approach the 300s.

GRADE: C

All Pro Baseball Stars 1980

2010-06-11T21:45:00.004-04:00

Today is my son's last day school. Hard for me to believe, but third grade is now in the books.

Every now and then I drive by my old elementary school (now closed) and am reminded of certain things when I was my children's age. In 1980 when I was collecting these cards, I was my son's age. Now, with my Dad getting older and his health not what it was, many days I feel like the linchpin between the generations. While I do my best to be a good father, I won't ever shake that little voice that tells me to also be a good son.

Baseball has been our common language. It is the first thing that Grandpa and grandson talk about when they see each other. When he was feeling better, the first person to pitch to my son was my Dad.

Now, with my son's final grades in, my Dad and I watched my son play in his little league game tonight (they won). I lost count of how many times we did that over the year, either at a ballpark somewhere or on TV. Sometimes it may even be sitting in the driveway in the old Buick trying to get KDKA to hear Bob Prince or KMOX for Jack Buck.

Inevitably, our conversation turned to when I was nine.

"Do you still have all of those books from when you were his age?"

Indeed, I do Dad.

He was talking about books that I got through the Troll Book Club. For those of you that are unfamiliar, these were a highlight during the school year. Kids would order and just when you forgot about them, they would come in.

Every year, Scholastic Books would print another edition of the "All Pro Baseball Stars" by Bruce Weber. Even though these were already in the school library, it was still special to own your own copy. The first one I ever got was the 1980 edition and we got it on my last day of third grade in 1980. Why we got it in June is questionable, but I didn't care, I was just happy to have it.

Here are the front and back covers:

For a time, I took this book everywhere. In the car. In the backyard. To restaurants when we went out to eat. I devoured everything within its 92 pages. Then I devoured it again.

The book contained their All-Star selections for the AL and NL from the previous seasons (the All-Pro title always bothered me, that was football). Here's a scan:

There was also another section on the top rookies and complete team previews for every major league team:

Finally, there were complete listings of all position players and pitchers. I loved how they refered to players by their complete name, like Lawrence Bowa and Louis Brock.

In time, I would obtain every one of these between 1976 and 1988. I think that was the run of these, but I am not certain. But it's also not the point.

It's about the start of summer. It's about baseball. It's about fathers and sons. And it's about how great things are when all three of them come together.

#299 Steve Henderson

2010-06-11T12:17:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Steve Henderson, left fielder, New York Mets
The year 1980 began painfully for the Mets' Steve Henderson, as he injured his shoulder in January playing winter ball in Puerto Rico. He healed up in time for Spring Training and was ready to go by Opening Day. Henderson got off to a great start, putting together 14 multi-hit games by Memorial Day. By early June, he had a 13-game hitting streak and was leading the National League in batting. He tailed off as the season wore on, but he still hit a strong .290, leading the team and show the promise predicted for him when he was traded for Tom Seaver in 1977.

The pride of Prairie View A&M, the righthanded hitting Henderson was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in 1974. Henderson rapidly became one of the prize prospects in the Reds system after leading the 1975 Eastern League with 158 hits, 11 triples and 255 total bases. The following year, he batted .312 at Double-A and improved upon that when he was batting .326 for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians in 1977. It was in June that he was part of a multi-player package in the Seaver deal, and Henderson was considered the prize of the group.

Thrust into the Mets' lineup, Henderson paid immediate dividends. He hit a dramatic game-winning home run in the 11th inning to defeat the Atlanta Braves in just his fourth major league game. For the season, Henderson had a .297 batting average in 99 games with twelve home runs and 65 RBI. He narrowly finished second to Andre Dawson of the Montreal Expos in NL Rookie of the Year balloting and was considered a coming star.

Nicknamed "Stevie Wonder," Henderson began the 1978 season quickly, homering three times in the first five games. Typically batting third, he played in a career-high 157 games and Steve batted .306 in 1979. His season was cut short by an ankle injury that saw him miss nearly two months of action. When the Mets changed owners in 1980, they began to make moves to appease their fan base. On February 28, 1981, the Mets sent Henderson and cash to the Chicago Cubs in order to re-acquire fan favorite Dave Kingman. Steve spent two seasons with the Cubs and it began to become clear that while Henderson was a good hitter with an excellent eye, his lack of power ultimately cost him playing time.

Henderson was traded to Seattle for the 1983 season and it was the last time he played as a regular. He bounced from Seattle to Oakland and to Houston as a part-time player before ending his 12-year career in 1988. He became a player-coach with the Pittsburgh Pirates' affiliate Buffalo Bisons in 1990 and remained a coach in the system for three more years before becoming a Houston Astros coach for three seasons (1994-1996). Henderson joined the expansion Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization and spent 8 years as the minor league hitting coordinator (1997 and 1999-2005). He was the Rays hitting coach in 1998 and returned to that position in 2006.

Why I love this card
This is just a great card. Maybe it's the pose. Maybe it's the bold royal blue throughout. Or maybe it's that when this set first came out, Steve was the most famous Henderson in the 1980 set. Of course, by the fall, Rickey had something to say about that, but for a moment at least, Steve's promise is captured in this card in the bright afternoon sunlight.

Something else....
Steve was the scapegoat in the Rays' disappointing 2009 season when Tampa failed to return to the postseason and defend their AL Championship. He was fired after the season ended, following a season in which the Rays set team records for runs, home runs, on-base percentage and walks. Many of the current Rays stars, such as Evan Longoria and B.J. Upton have credited Henderson's tutelage as instrumental to their success.

On this date in 1980:
Henderson goes 0-4 with a run scored as the Mets defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 at Shea. The Mets were in the midst of playing improved ball excited their fans and moved them into fourth place in the NL East. It would be short-lived, however, as the Mets lost 95 games and finished 24 games behind the World Champion Phillies.

1980 Topps Phillies Burger King

2010-06-10T15:25:00.004-04:00

The recent Dave Rader post illicited two responses from our friends Jim from Downingtown who has several excellent late 1960s set blogs and The Phillies Room.

They reminded me of a regional version of the 1980 Topps Burger King Pitch-Hit-Run set. To my knowledge, Philadelphia was the only city to have a regional set in 1980 as the rest of the country was issued the national Pitch-Hit-Run set, the only nationally distributed set of the era.

This set featured several Phillies on 1980 cards that were not issued with the rest of the 22-card set. Specifically, Keith Moreland, Lonnie Smith, Dallas Green, John Vukovich and Kevin Saucier. Here are a couple scans of some of the cards. This Phillies set is slightly different from the national set in that the Burger King logo is not in place of the position flag in the upper left corner like it is in the national issues, nor does it have the stamp "Collector's Series" in green.

These cards were originally intended to support local Pitch-Hit-Run competitions throughout the country. The Pitch-Hit-Run competition has long been the official skills competition of Major League Baseball and over the years has several different sponsors. Today it is sponsored by Aquafina, but during the 1977-1980 seasons, Burger King sponsored the competition and printed several sets of cards.

Burger King began producing the cards with Topps in 1977. There was no "national" set, only a 24-card New York Yankees edition. Probably the most unique card of this set is the Reggie Jackson, which differs from his airbrushed headshot version in the 1977 base set.

Base Set:

Burger King:

In 1978, the program was expanded with outlets in the home areas of the Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers along with the Tri-State Region for the Yankees cards. All of these sets had 23 cards. Another Yankee free agent, this time Rich Gossage, got a another version of his 1978 card, except this time they went with a simple headshot instead of the bad airbrushed Yankee uniform:

Base set:

Burger King:

Also, in the case with the Tigers, several players received their own card instead of on a rookie card like Alan Trammell

The offering for 1979 was reduced from the four teams which had sets the previous year to two teams - the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies. Both teams had 23 cards. Probably the most remembered card from this set was the Pete Rose issue which showed him as a member of the Phillies:

I wonder if these cards eventually led to the creation of the "Traded" sets in 1981. Surely Topps had to know that there was a demand for such cards as they tried to incorporate similar traded sets in 1974 and 1976. With free agency in its infancy and the Topps monopoly broken, Topps must have realized what they had on their hands with the potential of such cards.

Speculation on my part, but with Topps being motivated to print cards such as these, Fleer and Donruss would have to respond. This would eventually lead to the "Rated Rookies" craze of the mid-1980s and the boom thereafter. Sure, it may be a stretch to think that these meager BK cards were partially responsible for the card collecting growth later in the decade, but I can't help but think that sometime during this period, someone over at Topps knew that they had a pretty good idea on their hands and was testing it out through these mostly regional sets.

#298 Ken Holtzman

2010-06-09T22:41:00.002-04:00

Who is this player?
Ken Holtzman, pitcher, Chicago Cubs
By the time kids across America were pulling this card from their packs in 1980, Ken Holtzman had already moved away from the diamond and transitioned into the brokerage business. After 15 years in the major leagues, Holtzman retired as a 3-time World Champion with the Oakland A's, pitched two no-hitters and was one of the more underrated pitchers of his era.

Holtzman was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 1965 amateur draft, the inaugural First-Year Player draft. He was the first drafted player to make it to the majors when he made his big league debut that September. The following season, the fireballing southpaw led the Chicago staff in wins and strikeouts. Dubbed "The New Koufax" the Jewish Holtzman faced the Dodger legend in late-September. He defeated the future Hall of Famer late in the 1966 season, holding the Dodgers hitless for eight innings the day after Yom Kippur. He played only part-time in 1967, due mainly to military obligations, but posted a perfect 9-0 record pitching on primarily on weekends.

Holtzman became a strong second starter behind Cubs' ace Ferguson Jenkins. After going 11-14 in 1968, he posted consecutive 17-win seasons. In military service again in 1969, he was able to return to the team and pitch in weekend games. On of those was his first career no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves. Despite this promise, and a second no-hitter against the "Big Red Machine" era Cincinnati Reds, Holtzman was traded to the Oakland A's, namely because Cub manager Leo Durocher didn't care for Holtzman. It would prove to be a ill-fated move for Chicago.

In Oakland, Holtzman was the #2 starter on an Oakland team that dominated baseball. He averaged 19 wins a season in his four years with the A's, with a high of 21 in 1973. He won four games during three World Series with the A's, including Game 7 in 1973 against the New York Mets. However, Holtzman would be known more for his bat during World Series play. Never known as a great hitter in his NL days, Holtzman batted .308 during the World Series, including key hits during the 1973 Series. In 1974 he homered, the last pitcher to do so in World Series play until 2008.

When Charlie Finley dismantled the A's, Holtzman was one of the first to go, traded to Baltimore in 1976. Shortly thereafter, he was sent to the New York Yankees. In New York, he saw his playing time limited, and did not appear in the 1976 or 1977 postseasons with New York due to owner George Steinbrenner being disappointed by his performance and refusal to meet his demands. Holtzman needed consistent work to be sharp and he didn't get it in New York. When he did make an appearance, it was typically in mop-up or long relief roles. He went to the Chicago Cubs and spent the final two years of his career where it began before beginning a successful and lucrative career away from the game.

Why I love this card
I was always a sucker for the cards of longtime veterans. The back of Holtzman's card facinated me to see how long his career was. To see a guy begin his career in the 1960's? That was impressive to me. I may not have known who Holtzman was at the time, but I knew that he must have been good to have been around so long. My Dad filled in the rest.

Something else....
Holtzman is the all-time winningest Jewish pitcher with 174 career victories. He was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame and in 2007 he managed the Petach Tikva Pioneers in the inaugural season of the Israel Baseball League.

On this date in 1980:
In Los Angeles, comedian Richard Pryor is badly burned trying to freebase cocaine. He later made this part of his comedy act as part of 1982's concert, Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip. A clip can be seen here. LANGUAGE WARNING.

#297 Tim Johnson

2010-06-06T13:04:00.002-04:00

Who is this player?
Tim Johnson, infielder, Toronto Blue Jays
After putting the finishing touches on a seven-year career as a major league infielder, Tim Johnson was spending his first season with the Major Leagues Central Scouting Bureau in 1980. It was the start of a second career in baseball for Johnson that would culminate of him being named manager of the Toronto Blue Jays in December 1997.

As a youth, Tim Johnson led his Connie Mack team to the state finals in North Dakota two consecutive seasons (1966 & 1967). This caught the eye of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who signed Johnson as an amatuer free agent in 1968. Tim made a splash immediately, becoming only the ninth player in the history of the California League to get six hits in a game and he led all shortstops in assists, chances and double plays. Johnson earned a repution as a solid defensive player, winning a Silver Glove as the best fielding minor-league shortstop in 1970. However, he had trouble with the bat, batting .243 in parts of six minor league seasons. Since the Dodgers were so deep in minor league talent in the early 1970s, Johnson was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1973.

The Brewers of the early 1970s were a different story than the Dodgers. Only a few seasons removed from their expansion season as the Seattle Pilots, the Brewers had many holes at the major league level. Johnson filled one at shortstop and although he hit only .213, he appeared in 136 games and was named to Baseball Digest's All Rookie Team for 1973. However, the next season he lost the position to future Hall of Famer Robin Yount and spent the remainder of his Milwaukee career in a utility role.

Johnson played every infield position during his Brewer days, but his performance was one of contrasts. He hit .275 in 1976 but followed that with a .061 mark in 1977. With his major league career on the proverbial bubble, he was able to play two more season with the Toronto Blue Jays in a similar role. When the 1979 season concluded, so did Johnson's career. From there Johnson scouted and coached for several teams throughout the 1980s and 1990s before earning his first shot as a major league manager.

When Johnson took over the Blue Jays in 1998, they were a team in decline. He earned the job over more notable candidates due to his reputation for motivation, communication and enthusiasm. Although the Jays would win 88 games and make a Wild Card run, Johnson had clashes with coaches and players. The discontent boiled over when it was revealed that Johnson embellished his military service and athletic background. He was fired by the Blue Jays during Spring Training 1999. Since then, Johnson has managed in independent leagues and in Mexico but has never made a return to the major leagues.

Why I love this card
When I look at this card now, I honesty cannot recall any specific memories of what drew me to this card. When I see this card, all I think of the public disgrace that Johnson endured (granted by his own doing) as manager of the Blue Jays. What gets forgotten is that Johnson led the Jays to their most victories since their World Series championship season of 1993.

Something else....
Today, Johnson is managing the independent Tuscon Toros. His son has created a production group develop both a documentary and a feature-length film about his dad. I will say this, the entire Tim Johnson saga would make for an interesting made-for-TV movie.

On this date in 1980:
It was the 36th anniversary of D-Day, arguably the most significant date of the last 100 years. Like Topps has done with #7 in their base sets, I am "retiring" this date to stop and honor those who have served and died in the call of duty. I humbly thank you.

#296 Dave Rader

2010-06-05T18:25:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Dave Rader, reserve catcher, Philadelphia Phillies
Shortly before the 1980 season got underway, the Phillies traded Dave Rader to the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox were in a pinch due to an elbow injury to incumbent Carlton Fisk and were looking to add depth. The veteran Rader earned the starting nod on Opening Day. He had a 4-hit performance against Kansas City in early May and his batting average didn't dip below .300 for the remainder of the season. In spot-starting duty, Rader finished 1980 batting .328 with 3 HR and 17 RBI.

An excellent high school athlete, Rader starred on the gridiron as an linebacker and fullback, but it was on the diamond where he truly shined. Switched to catcher in his junior year after receiving accolades at third base, Rader was twice an All-League performer. This earned him attention from major league scouts and the San Francisco Giants made him their first selection in the 1967 draft. Rader was an excellent defensive receiver and when he batted .314 at Triple-A Phoenix in 1971, he earned a chance with the major league club.

Manager Charlie Fox and the Giants were in the midst of a youth movement in San Francisco and the 23-year old Rader won the job from longtime veteran Dick Dietz. His performance in 1972 earned him The Sporting News' Rookie of the Year Award for 1972. Playing in 133 games, Rader batted .259 and also achieved career highs in hits and RBI. He followed that with another solid season in 1973, while cementing his reputation as a fine fielder when he recorded an unassisted double play, rare for a catcher. Not that it means anything, but the game was also played on Friday the 13th.

Even though he batted a career high .291 in 1974 and again in 1975, new manager Wes Westrum platooned the lefthanded hitting Rader with Marc Hill. Even though Rader saw the majority of the action, he would never appear in more than 100 games in a season again. After six years in San Francisco, he was traded; as part of a multi-player deal to the St. Louis Cardinals.

From there, Rader would spend the final four seasons of his ten-year career with four different teams. At each stop, Rader served as the backup catcher, with St. Louis, the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Philles and finally Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox did not offer him a contract for 1981 and he signed on with the California Angels. He made the Angels roster out of Spring Training that year, but never appeared in a game for California and was released in late-April. He never again played in a major league game.

Why I love this card
One of the things I used to do was line up my cards while I watched a particular game on TV. I was doing this during the World Series that fall and had out all my Phillies and Royals. By October, I had a majority of the cards and certainly all the key players. I distinctly recall the pregame introductions with everybody being introduced from both teams. I was disappointed that there was no Rader. My Dad didn't know what happened to him either. Somehow, his entire 1980 season in Boston managed to escape both of our attention.

Something else....
Rader has one of the more interesting rookie cards in history. Here it is:

I didn't get this card until several years later as 1973s were as far away as the moon to a nine-year old in 1980. If Rader's name didn't appear on this card, I would swear that it was a Dave Concepcion card.

On this date in 1980:
George Bush throws in the towel and ends his two-year run for the presidency and instead, throws his support to Ronald Reagan, the man who defeated him. Said Bush:

My overwhelming instinct was to stay and fight, but you’ve got to be realistic. There is a widespread perception that the campaign is over. As a result, it has become increasingly difficult to raise the funds needed.

#295 Larry Gura

2010-06-04T23:36:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Larry Gura, starting pitcher, Kansas City Royals
When I first pulled this card from the top of a grocery pack in the summer of 1980, Larry Gura of the Kansas City Royals was in the midst of his finest season. Armed with an array of off speed pitches, the lefthanded Gura helped lead the Royals to the American League pennant and was named an All-Star. A winner of 18 games, Gura finished fifth in his league with a 2.95 ERA and fourth with 16 complete games. He won the opening game of the ALCS against the Yankees and pitched well in the World Series against the Phillies (2.19 ERA) but did not earn a decision in either of his starts.

Originally from Joliet, Illinois, Larry Gura pitched for Arizona State University and pitched two no-hitters in the National Baseball Congress Tournament in 1968. The NBC is organization of 15 amateur and semi-professional baseball leagues. This performance earned Gura a spot on the 1968 Olympic baseball team. While never blessed with an overpowering fastball, Gura learned the fine art of pitching with pinpoint control and stamina.

Originally taken by the Chicago Cubs in the second round of the 1969 draft, Gura arrived in the Windy City one year later. Pitching sporadically over his first four seasons, Gura failed to impress and never gained the support of manager Leo Durocher. The Cubs traded Gura to the Texas Rangers where he played just one year and was traded again, this time to the New York Yankees. Gura performed well when called up from the minors in 1974 and earned a spot in the New York rotation as the fifth starter. Gura's status changed, however, when Billy Martin was named manager and he went with a four-man rotation. Gura was traded to the Kansas City Royals shortly thereafter.

It was as a Royal that Gura earned his greatest fame. He appeared in the postseason five times in ten seasons in Kansas City, establishing himself as one of the finest pitchers in team history. In the early part of the 1980s, Gura was regarded as one of the premier starting pitchers in the American League, three times posting among the league leaders in victories, ERA, starts and innings pitched. He was the Royals Opening Day starting pitcher twice and is still among the franchise leaders in several pitching categories.

After leading the league in losses in 1983, Gura never regained the effectiveness that he previously enjoyed. After struggling again in 1984, the Royals released Gura early in the 1985 season. His career came full circle as he was signed by the Cubs, where he appeared in five games before ending his 16-year career. Gura was inducted by the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame in 1992 and like most fan favorites, even had a bobblehead night in his honor in 2008. Today, Gura is enjoying his retirement on his ranch near the Royals' Spring Training home in Surprise, AZ.

Why I love this card
I was always so jealous of the Royals pitching during this era. It seemed that they were so rich in pitching while nearly every other team was woefully short. Even more maddening is that they weren't particularly overpowering. Guys like Gura, Paul Splitorff, Dennis Leonard, they just won division championships. Even today when I see a "crafty lefthander" my mind eventually comes to a guy like Larry Gura.

Something else....
One of the more interesting (and largely forgotten) sidebars of the 1976-1977 Yankee-Royals matchup was the animosity that existed between Gura and Billy Martin. Gura never forgave Martin for trading him and Martin didn't consider Gura an exceptional pitcher. It irked Martin that Gura was ahead of his time in regards to nutrition, conditioning and weight training, Gura's passions. And if the legendary brawler Martin would have decided to mix it up with Gura, Larry owns a green belt in tae kwon do.

On this date in 1980:
Hockey superstar Gordie Howe of the Hartford Whalers announces his retirement at age 51. "Mr. Hockey" retires owning nearly every individual hockey record imaginable.

#294 Charlie Spikes

2010-06-03T23:10:00.003-04:00

Who is this player?
Charlie Spikes, utility, Atlanta Braves
In what would be the final season of his nine-year major league career, Charlie Spikes was the Atlanta Braves pinch-hitting specialist during the 1980 season. 34 of the 41 games Charlie appeared in that season came as a pinch-batter and he excelled in the role, batting .323. He thrived in late-inning and pressure situations and often keyed several Brave rallies. He became a free agent at the end of the season and when no major league team made an offer, Charlie signed a million dollar contract to play with the Chunichi Dragons in Japan.

Charlie Spikes was a high school baseball star out of Bogalusa, Louisiana and led his team to a state championship in 1969. Charlie homered for the only run of the game, capping a prep career that would lead to his selection by the New York Yankees on the first round of the amateur draft. He would lead the Carolina League in homers in 1971 and was an minor league All-Star the following season. He quickly established a reputation as one of the finest prospects in the Yankee organization. Charlie played in a handful of games near the end of the 1972 season, but was involved in a multi-player trade that sent him to the Indians for Graig Nettles.

Spikes would lead Cleveland with 23 home runs as a rookie in 1973, the most by an Indian freshman in 23 years. He was an instant fan favorite and the club's PR department dubbed him "The Bogalusa Bomber." Stardom seemed certain for Spikes. His manager, Ken Aspromonte compared him to Hall of Famer Larry Doby and initially New York fans were critical of the trade as Spikes outperformed Nettles in 1973 and 1974.

Things began to change for Spikes when Frank Robinson was hired as Cleveland manager in 1975. The easy-going Spikes did not blossom under the harsh and critical eye of Robinson, whose "tough-love" approach did not help Spikes' career. Charlie was criticized in the press, slumped, lost playing time and eventually found himself demoted to the minor leagues. When he clashed with his manager at Triple-A Toledo, he found himself traded to the Detroit Tigers. To his credit, Spikes never blamed Robinson's for his career turn, instead praising Robby's efforts as the first black manager in major league history.

Despite high hopes, he played very little for Detroit in 1978 and was almost out of baseball before his old minor league manager Bobby Cox (now in Atlanta) recommended the Braves sign him before the 1979 season. He played two seasons in Atlanta, mostly as a reserve player. After his playing days, Spikes returned to his native Louisiana where he worked for several innings in a textile factory. He suffered a back injury a few years ago and is now collecting his disability and retired.

Why I love this card
Leslie Charles Spikes. I always loved the full signature. And we giggled because we were dumb kids and thought Leslie was a girl's name.

Something else....
Charlie receives not one, but two mentions on the fifth-ever episode of "Cheers." Here is the link. The first mention is at the very beginning, the second at about the 1:50 mark.

On this date in 1980:
The Amateur Free-Agent Draft draft is held. The New York Mets have the first selection and draft outfielder Darryl Strawberry out of Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles. Also selected in the first round of this draft is future Red Sox manager Terry Francona (by the Expos) and current Oakland GM Billy Beane (by the Mets)

#293 Elias Sosa

2010-06-02T23:23:00.002-04:00

Who is this player?
Elias Sosa, relief pitcher, Montreal Expos
A crucial member of the Montreal Expos relief corps, Elias Sosa appeared in a team-leading 67 games, ninth best in the National League. He won nine and saved nine, finishing the 1980 season with a 3.07 ERA as a setup man and sometime closer. Sosa defeated the Philadelphia Phillies three times in 1980 and helped setup a win on September 27th that virtually tied the Expos for the NL East lead. Unfortunately, Montreal was unable to overtake Philadelphia and the Expos lost the division on the final weekend.

Born in the Dominican Republic, the righthanded Sosa grew up idolizing Hall of Famer Juan Marichal of the San Francisco Giants. He followed Marichal's path to the major leagues when he was drafted by the Giants in 1968 and was a minor league standout. As a starter, he was among the league leaders in several categories and was named an All-Star. When he reached the bigs for good in 1973, he was used exclusively as a relief pitcher, a role that he would assume for the remainder of his career.

The hard-throwing, righthanded reliever had an outstanding season in his rookie year of 1973, possibly the best in his 12-year career. He won 10 and saved 18 and earned Rookie of the Year consideration. He finished third in appearances in fifth in saves and both would be career highs. The Giants traded Sosa to the St. Louis Cardinals after the 1974 season, and although effective, Sosa was consistently on the move, to Atlanta, Los Angeles and then Oakland before signing a free agent contract with Montreal before the 1979 season.

Sosa would spend four years in Montreal, fashioning a 2.70 ERA in his time north of the border and saving 30 games. He squabbled with Montreal management over his contract and they sent him to Detroit shortly before the 1982 season began. Despite Sparky Anderson's proclamations that Sosa would become the team's "stopper" in the bullpen, Sosa did not pitch well in Detroit and was sold to the San Diego Padres following the season. Elias would play one more season in the majors, 1983 before retiring at the age of 33.

After playing a few years in the Dominican Republic, Sosa attempted a comeback in 1987 with the independent San Jose Bees. At the time, the Bees were getting national attention for signing several former major leaguers. More recently, Sosa has been employed as a baseball diplomat, holding clinics and teaching the game to youngsters in Panama.

Why I love this card
Another acknowledgement of the cartoon on the back. The bunting to signify the postseason could offer no better representation. To this day, the patriotic bunting either means Opening Day or the postseason. Not to sound unpatriotic, but it is the first thing that my mind goes to.

Something else....
Sosa appeared in the World Series as a member of the 1977 Los Angeles Dodgers. In Game 6, when Reggie Jackson famously hit three home runs, Sosa was the second pitcher that Jackson faced and homered off of. The other pitchers were Burt Hooton and Charlie Hough.

On this date in 1980:'
Two games on this date go 13 innings. First, Montreal outlasts Chicago 8-7 in Montreal. The winning run comes when Bob Pate (in his major league debut) walks with the bases loaded to drive in Rodney Scott. The second game was in Detroit where the Tigers and Seattle Mariners go 13 innings tied at 3 before the game is called due to rain.

1980 Topps Set for $24.99

2010-06-02T11:53:00.000-04:00

During the summer of 1980, the only people in my world that actively collected baseball cards were kids. There were three places that you could regularly get cards in my neighborhood: 7-11, the corner party store and the supermarket. If you couldn't get the cards you wanted in the packs, your only other option was to trade with your friends. If they didn't have it, too bad. It was just that simple.

I didn't go to my first baseball card show until 1984. Yet I was an aspiring baseball junkie and my fix started to rise above baseball cards. I would anxiously wait until Sunday mornings when the newspaper would print batting and pitching leaders. Sometimes my craving would be allieved by the 1980 Topps Super set, sometimes my Dad would buy me a baseball magazine where I would devour rosters, statistics and stories.

It was in one of those magazines that I saw this for the first time:

Now, if you need an explanation of what this is, chances are you didn't collect cards in the early 1980s.

Renata Galasso was my first exposure to card collecting outside of my little corner of the universe. I would equate it with when I stumbled across Blogger about this time last year. This advertisement truly perplexed my young mind. Adults did this too? You mean you can buy a whole set? My rubber bands and shoe box wasn't good enough? I don't think that I even showed this with my friends, instead keeping it a secret that I wasn't ready to share.

Eventually, I would forget about this ad as the $24.99 to spend on this was deemed way, way, way out of range on a passing folly such as baseball cards. My Mom wouldn't allow that; there were "more important" things to spend money on. If only she would know what would come, some of that supplied by ads like this.

I made my first purchase with Renata Galasso in 1983, buying a complete Topps set as well as a USFL set. I would buy a little more here and there, but I eventually found card shows and stopped mail order completely.

However, when I fell across this ad over Memorial Day weekend, I couldn't help but smile and recall how much of this madness all began.

#292 Dale Berra

2010-06-01T17:44:00.002-04:00

Who is this player?
Dale Berra, reserve infielder, Pittsburgh Pirates
The son of a famous father, during the summer of 1980 Dale Berra was looking to establish himself as a major league player. He received an opportunity to play everyday when regular shortstop Tim Foli was hurt in June. In his first start, he had two hits and two RBI, and he followed that performance with a 3-hit, 5-RBI showing against the Mets. His batting average steadily dropped, however, and when Foli returned, so did Berra's spot on the Pirate bench. Berra also saw action at second and third and was considered one of Pittsburgh's top young players.

What must it be like to be the son of a Hall of Famer? Especially if you chose to follow in his footsteps? On one hand, you have the best advice, guidance and support possible. On the other, you have a pretty big legacy to live up to. Such was the case when Dale Berra began his professional career out of high school in 1975. Within two years, he made his major league debut and initially stardom was considered inevitable.

Things would not be that simple. It would take Berra almost five seasons to become an everyday player as he spent his early years with the Pirates shuttling back and forth to Triple-A. When he finally cleared that hurdle, he cut his teeth as a role player. Given his first opportunity as a regular in 1982, the righthanded hitting Berra had the most satisfying season of his career. He batted .263, clubbed 10 homers and drove in 61 runs, better than average for a National League shortstop at that time. More importantly, it proved once and for all that Berra was indeed a major league-caliber player.

Berra was with the Pirates for eight seasons and then traded to the New York Yankees were he was reunited with his father, now the manager. Yogi lasted only 16 games and Dale saw his playing time reduced under new manager Billy Martin. His improvement regressed since 1982 and the reason soon became clear; Berra was involved with drugs. Like many of his generation, cocaine was the drug of choice and Dale was soon in the spotlight during the Pittsburgh Drug Trials of 1985. In his testimony, Dale also implicated former teammates Bill Madlock and Willie Stargell. Within two years, Dale was out of baseball, playing a handful of games for the Houston Astros in 1986-87 before retiring after and 11-year career.

It would take some time before Berra fought back the demons of substance abuse. His arrest in 1989 was a wake up call and he got his life back in order. Today, he and his brothers are actively involved in the Yogi Berra Museum in Montclair, New Jersey. Among other things, Dale is responsible for the educational programs provided by the museum and maintaining his father's image and likeness. Those Aflac commercials? That's Dale, keeping his father in the public eye.

Why I love this card
When you are nine years old and you get a card with "Berra" on it, you know that its a keeper. Especially if your neighbor had just moved on the block from New York and is a Yankee fan. The first time I got this card, I traded it for a Stargell and Fidrych. The second time I got it, I traded it for a Pete Rose. Yes, he wanted a second one that bad. It took me a couple of years to get this card again to complete my set, but it was worth it.

Something else....
Dale's older brother Tim was an All-American football player at the University of Massachusetts and played one season in the NFL. In 1974, Tim Berra returned 84 kicks and punts with the Baltimore Colts.

On this date in 1980:
Cable News Network (CNN) makes its debut on this day. Here is their first few moments of broadcasting.

Topps Super Card #28 Eddie Murray

2010-06-01T14:39:00.001-04:00

Here's another installment of the 1980 Topps Super Cards set.

Eddie Murray was card #160 in the regular issue set and was featured on October 9, 2009.

Here is his 1980 Topps Super Card:

#291 Randy Scarbery

2010-05-31T20:52:00.002-04:00

Who is this player?
Randy Scarbery, relief pitcher, Chicago White Sox
After leading the Chicago White Sox in appearances in 1979, things did not go as well for Randy Scarberry in 1980. When allowed three earned runs in his first appearance, and when April ended, his ERA was well over 5.00. He pitched in ten more games during May and began to get into a groove, allowing seven runs in 18.2 innings. To his surprise, he was sent to the minor leagues and then traded to the California Angels for infielder Todd Cruz. Randy never again made a appearance in a major league game, drawing the curtain on his brief two-year career.

A native of Fresno, California, Randy Scarbery was the first player selected twice in the first round of the amateur draft when Houston Astros selected him in 1970. He turned down an $86,000 bonus, choosing college instead, and was a standout at USC, a collegiate baseball powerhouse. The Trojans won the College World Series every year that Scarbery was on on the team, and he led the nation with 15 victories in 1973. He was drafted in the first round in 1973 by the current World Champion Oakland Athletics.

He immediately debuted at the Triple-A level, and although he sometimes struggled, he was often among the Pacific Coast League leaders in innings and starts. After three seasons in the Oakland organization, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in April 1977 for fellow prospect Steve Dunning. He was granted free agency at the end of the season and signed on with the Chicago White Sox.

In Chicago he would finally break through and make the major league roster. He made his major league debut in April of 1979 and spent most of his rookie season coming out of the bullpen. He was used in virtually all roles, periodically used as a closer, long relief, and was even given five starting assignments. He finished his first season with a 2-8 record and a 4.62 ERA.

Scarbery didn't pitch anywhere after the 1980 season and I could not find any information on his whereabouts or activities post-baseball. Any information would be most appreciated.

Why I love this card
I loved the cartoons like the one depicted on the back of Scarbery's card. I always wanted to earn a trophy like that. The ones that I had always had a little baseball player on it and the bat always broke off.

Something else....
I found a little clip of Scarbery (along with several White Sox teammates) in Spring Training that you can find here.

On this date in 1980:
Ken Landreaux of the Minnesota Twins goes 0-for-4 in an 11 - 1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, ending his hitting streak at 31 consecutive games, the longest streak in the American League since Dom DiMaggio hit safely in 34 games in a row in 1949.

#290 Steve Garvey

2010-05-30T22:23:00.002-04:00

Who is this player?
Steve Garvey, first baseman, Los Angeles Dodgers
Iron Man. Popeye. Mister Dodger. By 1980, critics of Steve Garvey had been chipping away at the veneer of Garvey's public persona for some time. An article in the August issue of "Inside Sports" exposed issues in Garvey's private life and marriage. The couple engaged in a prolonged libel suit to prevent publication, but to no avail. The distraction seemingly didn't effect Garvey on the field. He was elected to start the All-Star Game in his home stadium, led the National League in hits (200), drove in 100 runs for the fifth time and batted over .300 for the seventh time. He played in every game, leading the Dodgers in a furious run at the NL West title against the Houston Astros. The Dodgers tied for the division lead on the last game game of the season before falling in a playoff.

Much of Steve Garvey's story is well known. His father was a bus driver for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers in Spring Training when he young. This eventually led to a job as a batboy. Garvey was a high school standout and drafted by the Minnesota Twins, but he accepted a scholarship at Michigan State University. Steve played both baseball and football and excelled on the diamond under the tutelage of former major leaguer Danny Litwhiler. Garvey was drafted on the first round of 1968 amateur draft, which was one of the greatest drafts in sports history. In addition to Garvey, the Dodgers also drafted Bobby Valentine, Ron Cey, Joe Ferguson, Tom Paciorek and Doyle Alexander that summer.

This influx in young talent initially made it difficult for Garvey to find consistent playing time. It wasn't until he was stationed as the Dodgers' regular first baseman in 1973 that became one of the most consistent players of the decade. Garvey's breakout year came in 1974 when he was voted to the All-Star Game as a write-in candidate and was named the NL MVP. That season began a string were Garvey averaged 201 hits, 23 HR and 104 RBI for the next seven seasons. He was a perennial All-Star (named MVP of the game twice) and Gold Glove winner. The Dodgers made the World Series three times but were unable to clinch the championship.

The Dodgers finally broke through in 1981, winning the World Series over the Yankees with Garvey batting .417 in the six games. His production began to slip as the 1980s wore on and, with the Dodgers in the midst of a youth movement, Garvey was allowed to leave as a free agent after the 1982 season. He signed with the San Diego Padres and immediately provided legitimacy to the rising club. In San Diego, Garvey set the NL record for consecutive games played with 1207 and led the Padres to their first World Series in 1984. Garvey's dramatic game-winning home run in Game 4 of the NLCS turned the tide in the Padres favor, but they were unable to ride that momentum to a championship, losing to the Detroit Tigers.

Garvey set a record in 1984 playing in 193 consecutive errorless games and was an All-Star again in 1985, but his production was dwindling rapidly. He suffered an injury in 1987 and never played again, ending his 19-year career. Garvey alleged collusion played a role in the sudden end to his playing days and sued unsuccessfully in court. In the late-1980s, his public persona was shattered for good when he was named in several high profile paternity suits. He has since appeared in several informercials and is on the Board of Directors of the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.)

Why I love this card
To me this card was a version of the old saying "Wait an hour before you go swimming." I wanted to like Garvey, I really did. Everything told me that I should; he had the stats, he was on a good team and he had the All-Star banner on this card. Look at the forearms, for crying out loud! However, like the saying, something told me to not entirely believe the hype. I respected Garvey but wasn't really a fan. And I didn't get cramps, either.

Something else....
Looking to establish an elite fighting force to take on Ninja mafia terrorists? Enlist the help of Steve Garvey! To be seen is to believe, here and here.

Garvey also had a 1980 Topps Super Card, below:

On this date in 1980:
Garvey goes 2 for 4 in an 8-4 Dodger victory over the Atlanta Braves.

Topps Super Card #50 Amos Otis

2010-05-30T10:52:00.000-04:00

Here's another installment of the 1980 Topps Super Cards set.

Amos Otis was card #130 in the regular issue set and was featured on nearly one year ago on Thursday, August 27, 1980.

Here is his 1980 Topps Super Card

The kids in the neighborhood played a joke on me saying that this wasn't really Amos Otis and Topps made a mistake. After all, just look at his 1980 card, they reasoned, it wasn't the same guy.

Silly me, I could definately see that Clark Kent was Superman with or without the glasses, but put a moustache on Amos Otis and he was an entirely different person. Ah, the perspective of a nine-year old.

#289 Bruce Bochy

2010-05-29T18:00:00.001-04:00

Who is this player?
Bruce Bochy, reserve catcher, Houston Astros
Now the skipper of the San Francisco Giants, when this card was new in 1980 Bruce Bochy was the backup catcher on the NL West Champion Houston Astros. He appeared in 22 games during the season, doing a fine job in relief of the injured Astro catchers. Known more for his defense than bat, Bochy had a strong and accurate throwing arm. He saw action in the NLCS against the Phillies, appearing in Game 4 and lining out in his only at-bat.

Born Landes de Boussac, France, Bruce Bochy is The son of a US Army officer and raised in Virigina and later Florida. He attended Florida State University, was drafted on the 1st round by the Houston Astros out of Brevard Community College in 1975. He made his major league debut in less than three years, getting two hits off of Craig Swan in his first game against the New York Mets. The following day, he homered off of Mets' starter Kevin Kobel. Despite such an impressive start, Bochy never appeared in more than 63 games in any one year over his nine-year career.

After splitting time between the minor leagues and Houston, the Astros traded him to the New York Mets. He spent only one year in New York, traded again to the San Diego Padres in 1983. Bochy spent five years in San Diego, where he was a popular player, despite his lack of playing time. He singled in his only World Series appearance in 1984 and enjoyed his best season in 1986, setting personal bests in home-runs, RBI, and games played. He finished his career throwing out 28.6% of enemy baserunners and guided pitchers to a career 3.87 ERA in 298 games behind the plate. His 26 career homers are the most by any player born in France.

Upon his retirement as a player, Bochy began the second phase of his baseball career, also with the Padres. First working his way up through the minor leagues, he won three minor league championships before being promoted to the Padres' coaching staff in 1993. He was given the managerial post in 1995 and was the only former Padre to be the team's manager. Bochy simply became the best manager in Padre history, winning Manager of the Year twice and leading the Padres to three NL West titles and four postseason appearances. Bochy was at the helm when the Padres advanced to their second World Series, in 1998, a unfortunate loss to the New York Yankees.

Bochy has earned a well-deserved reputation as a straightforward manager that has made the most out of a ballclubs abilities. After 12 seasons in San Diego, Bochy left to accept the same position with the San Francisco Giants in 2007. Bruce is currently 7th among active big league managers for wins, and is 39th on all-time list. He is the all-time leader for most wins by a manager born outside of the United States (passing Felipe Alou).

Why I love this card
I remember some of the older kids having discussions about what players would eventually become managers. Some of the talk centered around Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, maybe even Rod Carew or George Brett. It never entered my mind at the time that a guy like Bochy are typically the kind of player that becomes the most successful manager. I think the only thing that jumped out at me then was "I really want to get an Astros helmet."

Something else....
Bochy is known for having one of the largest cap sizes in Major League Baseball at 8 3/4. Also, as a teen, he worked in a furniture-refinishing shop, where a chemical reaction permanently added a blonde hue to the eyelashes over his right eye. I can't see it on this card.

On this date in 1980:
Vernon Jordan is shot and critically injured in an assassination attempt in Fort Wayne, Indiana by Joseph Paul Franklin. Franklin says he shot and seriously wounded the civil rights activist and Urban League president after seeing him with a white woman in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Franklin initially denied any part in the crime and was acquitted, but later confessed.

#288 Dave Rozema

2010-05-28T16:10:00.002-04:00

Who is this player?
Dave Rozema, starting pitcher, Detroit Tigers
After spending the first three years of his career exclusively as a starting pitcher, Dave Rozema began the 1980 season in manager Sparky Anderson's doghouse. In Spring Training, he missed a team bus when he overslept after a late night judging a wet T-shirt contest. When he began the season inconsistently, he was sent to the bullpen and spent the first half of the season in and out of the starting rotation. After he was blasted for seven runs by the Red Sox in mid-July, he spent the remainder of 1980 pitching in long relief, mainly in mop-up situations.

The Karate Kick. Undoubtedly, no one baseball player is more closely identified with that phrase than Dave Rozema. On May 14, 1982, Rozema was involved in one of the most bizarre injuries in the history of the game. In a wild game between the Tigers and Twins, Rozema was hurt during a bench-clearing brawl. He attempted to karate kick Minnesota's John Castino. The plan failed miserably and he blew out his knee, missing the remainder of the season. If you haven't seen it, you need to click the link.

But Rozema's career was much more than that one moment. The righthanded Rozema was a high school baseball star at Grand Rapids Central High School and was originally drafted out of high school in June 1974 by the San Francisco Giants, but did not sign. He played for Grand Rapids Community College in 1974 and was drafted in January 1975 by the Detroit Tigers. He dominated the minors, leading the league in ERA and winning a minor league championship with the Montgomery Rebels.

Called up to the Tigers in 1977, Rozema was the AL Rookie Pitcher of the Year, winning 15 games and was among the league leaders in ERA and complete games. At the time, it was thought that Rozema would be one of the cornerstones (along with Mark Fidrych) that would lead the Tigers' resurgence. Unfortunately, Rozema never had a season quite as good as 1977. He developed a reputation as a fun-loving, party animal and never quite overcame a myriad of injuries.

He was a member of the Tigers 1984 World Championship team, starting 16 games for with a 7-6 record and 3.74 ERA in 101 innings. Rosey did not appear in the post-season and left for the Texas Rangers via free agency the following year. After compiling a 5.91 ERA at the start of the 1986 season, Rozema was released by the Rangers on May 6, 1986, ending his 10-year major league career. He returned to his native Michigan where he resides today, still making several appearances in the Detroit area while working as a salesman for a waste disposal company.

Why I love this card
In 1980, Rozema was just a pitcher for the Tigers. If you live in Southeast Michigan, you know in the time since how his legend has grown. It is hard for me to pick one Rosey moment; is it him serving beer to Ron Gettlefinger at the Super Bowl in 2006, or my high school friend cursing him out for not giving him an autograph five years prior? Wait, what aboutBobblehead night or maybe Grand Slam 1978 taking him deep at Tiger Stadium - "That's the sound hitter's like." Sorry, absolute overload on this post.

Something else....
I almost forgot. Kirk Gibson is Rozema's brother in law. Rozema and Gibby married sisters in a double ceremony at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. The legend goes ballplayers met their future brides at an establishment called "The Booby Trap." I'll let your imagination take it from there.

On this date in 1980:
The Cubs-Expos game was suspended due to darkness. If you recall dear readers, Wrigley Field had no lights, so when the game went long and into extra innings it had to be called. The game was restarted on August 8, 1980 with the Cubs winning on a grand slam by Cliff Johnson in the bottom of the 14th inning. In an interesting twist, Johnson wasn't with the Cubs when this game started and was acquired by the Cubs via trade on June 23.

#287 John Lowenstein

2010-05-27T23:30:00.003-04:00

Who is this player?
John Lowenstein, outfielder, Baltimore Orioles
Perhaps no single statistic or anecdote describes John Lowenstein's 1980 season as what happened on June 19. With Baltimore trailing the Oakland A's by a run in the 7th inning, Lowenstein smacked a game-tying single to right. Lowenstein tried to take second on the throw home, but A’s first baseman Jeff Newman cut the ball off and fired towards second base. The ball bounced off Lowenstein's neck, allowing the go-ahead run to score. Then things got dramatic. Lowenstein stayed down and a stretcher carried him off the field. Amidst stunned silence, Lowenstein sat up abruptly and raised both his fists. The crowd went wild. He wasn't hurt badly and returned to the lineup a week later. John finished the season batting .311 with several clutch performances along the way.

A popular fan-favorite, the lefthanded-hitting Lowenstein is one of the best baseball players to come from the state of Montana. After three years starring as a shortstop at the University of California-Riverside, Lowenstein was a low-round draft selection by the Cleveland Indians in 1968. After a year in the military, he rose through the minor league ranks and was named an American Association All-Star in 1970. When he led the club in batting during Spring Training the following year, he earned his ticket to the major leagues.

A versatile performer, Lowenstein played first, second and third with the Tribe, but was most often used as a designated hitter. In eight seasons with Cleveland, John only appeared in more than 100 games one time (1974) and batted a collective .239. The Indians had difficulty finding Lowenstein a regular place to play; so much so that they traded him to the Toronto Blue Jays in December 1976, only to re-acquire him the following March, without ever appearing in a game as a Blue Jay.

After a one-year stopover in Texas, Baltimore signed Lowenstein in the spring of 1979. The move would rejuvenate his career. Famously platooning with Gary Roenicke, Lowenstein was a significant member of the 1979 AL Champions. His extra-inning, pinch-hit home run won Game 1 of the ALCS as Baltimore would claim the AL East flag. He had another clutch home run in Game 2 of the 1983 World Series, coming at a crucial moment and turning the Series in the O's favor. John batted .385 as Baltimore won the championship in five games. His platoon with Roenicke was so effective that in 1982 the two combined to bat .292 with 45 homers and 140 RBI.

Alternately known as "Steiner" and "Brother Lo" by his teammates, Lowenstein retired early in the 1985 season after 16 big league seasons. When he retired, he was the only man to homer from nine different positions (1B, 2B, 3B, SS, RF, CF, LF, DH and PH), a mark since matched by Rex Hudler. His colorful personality was a natural for television and he spent ten seasons as a commentator for the Orioles. Today, Lowenstein is enjoying retirement in Nevada.

Why I love this card
It reminds me of the summer nights when I used to keep score to games on television. I would be allowed to stay up late and that was always a huge deal. I never took out my cards just in case it was perceived that I was making a mess and everything would be ruined. Therefore, I had no frame of reference and I always spelled Lowenstein or Roenicke wrong. It was inevitable. Happened every time. Even on this post, I triple checked since I am still self-conscious about it. I wish I would have kept those scorecards, though.

Something else....
There are several quotes attributed to Lowenstein over the course of his career, but my favorite has to be one when he was asked for his autograph:

Sorry kid, I left it in the clubhouse.

On this date in 1980:
2000 people in South Korea are killed as part of an uprising against the current government. The Kwangju massacre was to became an important landmark in the struggle for South Korean democracy. It heightened provincial hostility and marked the beginning of the rise of anti-American sentiment in South Korea.

Topps Super Card #25 J.R. Richard

2010-05-27T14:10:00.002-04:00

I haven't featured a Super Card in a while and I've been meaning to catch up, so here goes....

J.R. Richard was card #50 in the regular issue set and was featured on nearly one year ago on Monday, June 1, 2009.

How sweet is it that it refers to him by his full name on the reverse?

Here is his 1980 Topps Super Card:

#286 Darold Knowles

2010-05-26T21:52:00.002-04:00

Who is this player?
Darold Knowles, relief pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals
After making the final cut in Spring Training, the 38-year old veteran Darold Knowles was hoping to get another season out of his well-used left arm. In only his second appearance, Knowles was treated rudely by the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving up a home run and a double and losing the game 12-10. Shortly thereafter, he was let go by the St. Louis Cardinals. Knowles did not appear in another game in 1980, and finished his 16-year career holding the record for most lifetime appearances by a lefthanded pitcher (765).

Best known for his time as one of Oakland's "Moustache Gang" of the 1970s, Darold Knowles was initially product of the University of Missouri. The Baltimore Orioles selected him as an amateur free agent in 1961 and he was a highly regarded prospect when he pitched a no-hitter in 1962 won 16 games with Elmira in the Eastern League the following year. After a brief appearance with the Orioles in 1965, Darold was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. He spent only one year with the Phillies, finishing third in the National League in appearances and seventh in saves.

Traded to the Washington Senators in 1967, he was consistently one of the most durable and reliable pitchers in the baseball. Except for one year spent in the Air Force, Darold was consistently among the league leaders in appearances and saves. This workload earned him All Star recognition in 1969. Pitching in front of his hometown fans, Knowles worked the American League out of a jam in the third inning. He saved 64 games in a Washington uniform and posted a 2.46 ERA over his six seasons there.

When he was traded to the Oakland A's during the 1971 season it would prove to be the most successful run of Knowles' career. As setup man to Rollie Fingers, Knowles had an indispensable role with the A's as they won the World Series three consecutive years. Although he missed the 1972 season with a finger injury, he appeared in all seven games of the 1973 Classic, notching two saves and not allowing a run. No other pitcher before or since has replicated the feat of appearing in every game of a seven game set.

After his years in Oakland, Knowles became a journeyman, with stops with the Chicago Cubs, Montreal and finally in St. Louis. Like most players of his era, Knowles went into coaching when his career ended, with the Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies at the major league level. Most recently he was a pitching coach with the Dunedin Blue Jays. He also has a Facebook account with a friends ranging from George Brett to Casey Blake.

Why I love this card
The cartoon on the back was the first I had ever heard of Knowles' World Series feat. However, it always left me with the impression that Knowles didn't do as well as he did. Must be the squiggly arms and legs. Or the pained expression. Or maybe the really huge star.

Something else.....
Knowles' card is a DP variety, and it figures since I have four of these, but only one Don Baylor. We've also had a bit of a run lately of guys in their last season or last card. With Knowles, that makes five out of the last eight. I wonder if Topps knew something the rest of us didn't?

On this date in 1980:
The #1 song in the country on this date is "Funkytown" by Lipps, Inc. I'm having shivers just typing that.