1976 Topps #207 - Andy Hassler

• Andy Hassler pitched for six teams from 1971-1985. He had a rough time in postseason starts -- he lost starts in both the 1976 and 1977 ALCS for the Kansas City Royals. Andy pitched two one-hitters (1974 and 1977).

• Hassler was drafted by the California Angels and pitched in AA in 1970. He spent some time in AAA Salt Lake City in 1971 then was brought up to the Angels in late May. After going 0-3 in six games as a 19-year-old, Andy was sent back to Salt Lake City and pitched there until the middle of the 1973 season. Andy had a three-week stint with the Angels in May-June and then came up to the Angels in September. He was 0-4 with a 3.69 ERA in 1974.

• Andy started the 1974 season in Salt Lake City and was recalled for good in mid-June. He was 7-11 with a 2.61 ERA in 22 starts for the Angels. Hassler had a tough time of it in 1975 -- he was 3-12 with a 5.94 ERA in 30 games (18 starts).

• Hassler started the 1976 season 0-6 before he was sold to the Kansas City Royals on July 5. Andy lost 17 straight games as a starter and a reliever in 1975 and 1976 for the Angels. He went 5-6 with a 2.89 ERA for the Royals. Andy took the loss in Game 3 of the ALCS. In 1977 Hassler was 9-6 with a 4.20 ERA. He was the losing pitcher in Game 2 of the ALCS.

• In 1978 Andy pitched for two teams. He started with the Royals and was sold to the Boston Red Sox on July 24. His total record for the two teams was 3-5 with a 3.87 ERA.

• Andy struggled for the Red Sox in 1979. He was 1-2 with an 8.80 ERA in eight games before he was sold to the New York Mets on June 15. Hassler went 4-5 with a 3.75 ERA in 29 games for the Mets and was granted free agency after the season. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

• Hassler didn't spent much time in Pittsburgh in 1980. He pitched in six games and was sold to the California Angels on June 10. Andy was converted to middle relief (and occasional closer) and didn't make another start in his career. He pitched about 40-50 games a year for the Angels from 1980-1983, usually (except 1983) with ERAs around 3.00. He appeared in two games in the 1982 ALCS but didn't figure in any decisions.

• After a tough 1983 season (0-5, 5.45 ERA), Andy was released during spring training in 1984. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals on May 2 and spent most of the season in the minor leagues. Hassler appeared in three September games for the Cardinals in 1984. He started the 1985 season with the Cardinals and pitched in 10 games but was sent back to the minors in mid-May and didn't make it back to the majors. Andy was released after the 1985 season and retired. He finished his career with a 44-71 lifetime record (.383 winning percentage).