1976 Topps #406 - Ed Herrmann

• Ed Herrmann was signed by the Milwaukee Braves in 1964. He says on his website that he signed with the Braves because his grandfather Marty Herrmann) had played for them in the early 1900s. Marty actually pitched for the Brooklyn Robins, so I'm not sure what's going on there. Ed was drafted from the Braves' organization by the Chicago White Sox in the "First Year Player Draft" after the 1964 season. Hermann played in the minors from 1964-1968. He had a short major league look in September 1967 and was 2 for 3 in two games.

• Herrmann made the White Sox club in 1969 and split time behind the plate with Don Pavletich and Duane Josephson. Ed batted .231 in 290 at bats in '69. Ed's best year was 1970 when he batted .283 with 19 HR in 297 at bats. In 1971 Herrmann batted .214 with 11 HR in 294 at bats.

• Ed  led the AL with 19 intentional walks in 1972 and batted .249 with 10 HR in 354 at bats. He batted .224 with 10 HR in 379 at bats in 1973.

• Herrmann made the All Star team in 1974 but didn't get into the game. In his last season as a regular player Ed batted .259 with 10 HR in 367 at bats. During spring training in 1975 Ed was traded to the New York Yankees for four minor leaguers and cash. Herrmann was used more often as a DH than as a catcher since the Yankees already had Thurman Munson. Ed batted .255 in 200 at bats in 1975.

• Herrmann was sold to the California Angels before the 1976 season. He played in 29 games for the Angels and was batting .174 when he was traded to the Houston Astros for Mike Barlow and Terry Humphrey on June 6. Ed caught 75 games for the Astros in 1976 and batted .204 in 265 at bats. He caught a Larry Dierker no-hitter in '76. Herrmann backed up Joe Ferguson in 1977 and batted .291 in 158 at bats.

• Ed's last season was 1978. He batted .111 in 16 games for the Astros and was sold to the Montreal Expos on June 9. Herrmann backed up Gary Carter in Montreal and didn't play a whole lot. Ed batted .175 in 19 games and was released after the 1978 season.

• Ed was a baseball scout, tutor, and coach for many youth baseball teams after his major league career. Herrmann is now a coach for Del Mar Powerhouse (a baseball travel team) and is involved in recruiting for Seminara Sports. He is involved in several other baseball camp and charity activities as well. Here is a 2001 interview with Ed on an Astros site.  This is a recent interview with Ed Herrmann on seamheads.com

• Liked to face: Rollie Fingers (.500 in 26 AB); Jim Perry (.455 with 4 HR in 33 AB); Marty Pattin (.407 with 4 HR in 27 AB)
• Hated to face: Joe Decker (.000 in 16 AB); Andy Messersmith (.083 in 36 AB); Steve Busby (.133 in 30 AB)