1976 Topps #364 - Elias Sosa

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  Elias Sosa was a relief pitcher for eight teams in twelve seasons in the majors. Sosa was signed by the San Francisco Giants in 1968. Elias put up fair numbers in the minor leagues from 1968-1971 but really started to do well when the Giants converted him to a reliever in 1972. Sosa was brought up to the majors in September 1972 and was 0-1 with three saves and a 2.30 ERA in eight games.

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  Sosa was a big part of the Giant bullpen in 1973. He was 10-4 with 18 saves and a 3.28 ERA in 71 games. Sosa finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting. In 1974 Elias was 9-7 with 6 saves and a 3.48 ERA in 68 games. Sosa was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals with Ken Rudolph for Marc Hill after the 1974 season.

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  Sosa didn't stay in St. Louis very long. He pitched in 14 games (0-3, 3.95 ERA) before being traded with Ray Sadecki to the Atlanta Braves for Ron Reed and Wayne Nordhagen on May 28. Sosa was 2-2 with 2 saves and a 4.48 ERA in 43 games for the Braves to finish the 1975 season.

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  Elias started the 1976 season with the Braves but soon found himself on the move again. He was 4-4 with 3 saves and a 5.35 ERA in 21 games with the Braves when he was traded with Lee Lacy to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Lee Lacy Mike Marshall (thanks Night Owl). Sosa pitched in 24 games for the Dodgers and was 2-4 with a 3.48 ERA in 1976.

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  In 1977 Sosa had a nice year as a set-up man for the Dodgers. He was 2-2 with 1 save and a 1.98 ERA in 44 appearances. Elias made two appearances each in the NLCS and the World Series but had a rough time. He lost game 1 of the NLCS and had a 10.12 ERA. Sosa had an 11.57 ERA in the World Series.

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  After the 1977 season Sosa was purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He never pitched for Pittsburgh - before the start of the 1978 season he was traded with Miguel Dilone and Mike Edwards to the Oakland A's for Manny Sanguillen. Sosa had a good year for the A's in 1978 - he was 8-2 with 14 saves and a 2.64 ERA in 68 games. After the 1978 season Elias became a free agent and signed with the Montreal Expos.

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  Sosa spent three seasons with the Expos (1979-1981). In 1979 he was 8-7 with 18 saves and a 1.96 ERA in 62 games. Elias was 9-6 with 9 saves and a 3.07 ERA in 67 games in 1980. Sosa wasn't used as much in 1981 (even including the strike). He pitched in 32 games and was 1-2 with 3 saves and a 3.66 ERA. Sosa pitched in two games in the NLDS (3.00 ERA) and in 1/3 of an inning in the NLCS (0.00 ERA).

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  During spring training in 1982 Sosa was sent to the Detroit Tigers as part of a "conditional deal" (whatever that is). He appeared in 38 games and had a 3-3 record with 4 saves and a 4.43 ERA. The San Diego Padres purchased Sosa from the Tigers after the 1982 season. Sosa pitched in 41 games in 1983 and was 1-4 with a 4.35 ERA. He became a free agent after the 1983 season and wasn't signed by anyone. Elias attempted a comeback in 1987 and had a 9.95 ERA in three appearances in single-A ball.

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  Sosa is now a special envoy for Major League Baseball in Central America and South America.

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  Liked to face: Lou Brock (.000 in 12 AB); Jose Cruz (.056 in 18 AB); Ron Cey and Bill Russell (.136 in 22 AB)
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  Hated to face: Dave Concepcion (.577 in 26 AB); Steve Garvey (.458 in 24 AB); Pete Rose (.361 in 36 AB)