1976 Topps #335 - Bob Grich

• Bobby Grich was drafted in the first round by the Baltimore Orioles in 1967. He played in the minors from 1967-1970 and was brought up to the Orioles in late June of 1970 after batting .383 in 63 games with AAA Rochester. He batted .211 in 30 games for the Orioles and didn't play in the postseason.

• Grich spent the 1971 season in Rochester and batted .336. He batted .300 in 7 September games for the Orioles. Bobby was the starting shortstop for the American League in the 1972 All Star Game (he was 0 for 4 with two strikeouts). He batted .278 with 12 HR and 50 RBI in 133 games. Bobby Grich: The Best is Yet to Come - November 1972 Baseball Digest

• Before the 1973 season the Orioles traded Davey Johnson in order to make room for Grich at second base. Bobby played in all 162 games and won his first Gold Glove (.995 fielding percentage). He batted .251 with 12 HR and 50 RBI while walking 107 times. Grich batted .100 in the 1972 ALCS. Bobby Grich: The Next Big Star for the Orioles? - June 1973 Baseball Digest

• In 1974 Grich won another Gold Glove, made the AL All Star team (he went 1 for 3), and batted .263 with 19 HR and 82 RBI. He was also hit by a pitch 20 times, which led the American League. Grich usually had on-base percentages around .370 and never had an on-base percentage below .354 after his first two seasons. Bobby batted .250 in the 1974 ALCS.

• Grich won his third straight Gold Glove in 1975 and batted .260 with 13 HR and 57 RBI. Orioles' Bobby Grich: He's A Talent and A Winner - January 1975 Baseball Digest He won his fourth (and last) Gold Glove in 1976 and batted .266 with 13 HR and 54 RBI. Bobby was the starting second baseman for the AL All Stars and went 0 for 2. After the 1976 season Grich became a free agent and signed with the California Angels.

• Bobby had a tough first season with the Angels. The Angels had Jerry Remy at second base, so Grich was moved to shortstop. He was injured and didn't play after June 8. Grich batted .243 in 52 games. In 1978 he moved back to second base and batted .251 with six HR and 42 RBI in 144 games.

• Grich came all the way back from his injury in 1979. He was 8th in MVP voting and made the AL All Star team (he struck out in his only at bat). Bobby batted .294 with 30 HR and 101 RBI for the Angels in '79. Bobby's struggles in the postseason continued as he batted .154 in the ALCS. The Game I'll Never Forget: Bobby Grich - February 1986 Baseball Digest.

• Grich made the AL All Star team again in 1980 (he walked in his only plate appearance) and batted .271 with 14 HR and 62 RBI. Bobby led the AL with 22 home runs and a .543 slugging percentage in 1981, batted .304, and won the Silver Slugger Award.

• Bobby made his sixth (and last) All Star team in 1982. He started at second base and had a walk and a strikeout in two plate appearances. He batted .261 with 19 HR and 65 RBI and batted .200 in the 1982 ALCS.

• Grich continued to be the Angels' starting second baseman through the 1985 season. In 1983 Grich batted .292 with 16 HR and 62 RBI. Bobby batted .256 with 18 HR and 58 RBI in 1984. The 1985 season was Bobby's last full season. In 144 games he batted .242 with 13 HR and 53 RBI.

• Grich was slowing down in 1986 and played in only 98 games, splitting time with Rob Wilfong at second base. He batted .268 with 9 HR and 30 RBI in his final season. He hit a big 2-run homer in the bottom of the 6th inning of game 5 that put the Angels ahead 3-2. They eventually lost the game in heartbreaking fashion and went on to lose the series. Bobby batted .208 in the 1986 ALCS and announced his retirement after the series.

• Here is a "Where are they now" article from 2002.

• Liked to face: Bill Champion (.462 in 26 AB); Tom Underwood (.433 in 30 AB); Jim Kaat (.433 in 30 AB)
• Hated to face: Danny Jackson (.080 in 25 AB); Bill Travers (.111 in 27 AB); Jim Clancy (.133 in 30 AB)