1976 Topps #132 - Don Hood

• Don Hood had a 10-year career as a pitcher for several teams. He started in the Baltimore Orioles organization in 1969 and put up some nice numbers (10-10, 2.88 in 1970; 11-9, 2.69 in 1971; 9-10 3.48 in 1972; 4-7, 3.16 in 1973) in his various stops.

• Hood made his big league debut on July 16, 1973. He pitched in eight games (4 starts) and was 3-2 with a 3.90 ERA. Hood was used as a middle reliever and spot starter in 1974 (20 games, 2 starts) and was 1-1 with a 3.45 ERA. The Orioles had a constant stream of good pitchers coming up through their system. After the 1974 season Don and Boog Powell were traded to the Cleveland Indians for Dave Duncan and a minor leaguer.

• Don was mostly a starting pitcher in 1975. He pitched in 26 games (19 starts) and had a 6-10 record with a 4.39 ERA. Hood was a reliever and a spot starter in 1976 (3-5, 4.87) and 1977 (2-1, 3.00). Don went back to the starting rotation in 1978. He made 19 starts and then went back to the bullpen in July. Hood ended up 5-6 with a 4.48 ERA.

• In 1979 Hood split the season between the Indians and the New York Yankees. He was traded on June 15 for Cliff Johnson. Don ended up a combined 4-1 with a 3.22 ERA for the two teams. Hood became a free agent after the 1979 season and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a swingman for the Cards in 1980 and had a 4-6 record with a 3.39 ERA. Don was released by the Cardinals after the 1980 season.

• Hood signed with the Kansas City Royals and spent the 1981 season with AAA Omaha. He was 4-3 with a 3.69 ERA in a swingman role for Omaha. Don shuttled back and forth between Kansas City and Omaha in both 1982 and 1983. His final season (1983) was probably his best year. Don was 2-3 with a 2.27 ERA in 27 games with the Royals.