1976 Topps #298 - Dick Bosman

• Mr. Bosman didn't know it at the time, but 1976 would be his last season in the majors. Dick pitched for several teams from 1966-1976. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1963. He was drafted from the Pirates system by the San Francisco Giants after the 1963 season, then drafted by the Washington Senators out of the Giants' system after the 1964 season.

• Bosman pitched in the minors again in 1965, then split the 1966 season between Washington and AA York. For the Senators Dick was 2-6 with a 7.62 ERA in 13 games (7 starts). In 1967 Bosman was at AAA Hawaii and was brought up in late August. Dick started seven games for the Senators in 1967 and was 3-1 with a 1.75 ERA.

• In 1968 Bosman was a swingman. He appeared in 46 games (10 starts) and was 2-9 with one save and a 3.69 ERA. Dick had a dramatic turnaround in 1969. He led the AL in ERA (2.19) and had a 14-5 record. Bosman had another good year in 1970 -- he was 16-12 with a 3.00 ERA in 34 starts.

• Bosman had a fall-off in his stats in 1971. He was 12-16 with a 3.73 ERA in 35 starts. In 1972 Dick missed three weeks in July. In 29 starts he was 8-10 with a 3.63 ERA.

• Dick split the 1973 season between the Texas Rangers (new home of the Senators) and the Cleveland Indians. He was 2-5 in seven starts with the Rangers and was traded with Ted Ford to the Indians on May 10 for Steve Dunning. Bosman didn't pitch as well for the Indians -- he was 1-8 with a 6.22 ERA. Altogether he was 3-13 with a 5.64 ERA in 1973.

• Bosman rebounded a bit in 1974. He had a 7-5 record with a 4.10 ERA in 25 games (18 starts). Bosman started a game on April 11 and then didn't start another one until July 1. During that time he made his seven relief appearances, which averages out to 1 game about every 10 days. A highlight of his career happened on July 19, 1974 when he pitched a no-hitter against the Oakland A's. He missed a perfect game due to his own fielding error. This was the only time a pitcher would miss a perfect game in this fashion.

• In 1975 Dick split the season between the Indians and the Oakland A's. He was 0-2 for the Indians when he was traded on May 20 with Jim Perry to the A's for Blue Moon Odom and cash. Bosman ended up being a valuable part of the A's staff in 1975 -- he went 11-4 with a 3.52 ERA in 21 starts. He made one appearance in the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox, pitching 1/3 of an inning.

• Bosman was a swingman in his last year in the majors (1976). He was 4-2 with a 4.10 ERA in 27 games (15 starts). He was released during spring training in 1977.

• After his playing career Bosman was a pitching coach for various major and minor league teams. He coached for the Chicago White Sox (1986-1987), the Baltimore Orioles (1992-1994), and the Texas Rangers (1995-2000). He is now a coach in the Tampa Bay Rays system.

• Dick spends his free time rebuilding old cars into hot rods.

• Liked to face: Sandy Alomar (.170 in 53 AB); Bobby Murcer (.156 in 45 AB); Dick McAuliffe (.158 in 38 AB); Ed Herrmann (.139 in 36 AB)
• Hated to face: Dave May (.364 in 55 AB); Mike Andrews (.380 in 50 AB); Carlos May (.442 in 43 AB)