1976 Topps #414 - Wayne Garland

• Wayne Garland pitched in the majors from 1973-1981. He was one of the first pitchers to get a big contract after becoming a free agent. Garland was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1969. He pitched in the minors from 1969-1974. Garland had a hard time breaking into the Baltimore pitching staff. Wayne had a great season in AA in 1971 (19-5 with a 1.71 ERA) but still spent three more season in AAA Rochester before getting to the majors to stay.

• Garland had a short stint in the majors in 1973 (0-1, 3.94 ERA in 4 games). He split the 1974 season between Rochester and the Orioles. Wayne was 5-5 with a 2.97 ERA in 20 games (6 starts) in 1974. He pitched 2/3 of an inning for the Orioles in the 1974 ALCS. In 1975 Wayne was mostly a reliever -- he pitched in 29 games (including 1 start) and was 2-5 with 4 saves and a 3.71 ERA.

• Garland's big season was in 1976. He was 20-7 with a 2.67 ERA in 38 games (25 starts). He didn't join the rotation until mid-June. The Orioles tried hard to get Wayne his 20th win. In his last start on September 28 Wayne pitched 11 innings before getting the win. After the 1976 season Garland became a free agent and signed a 10-year, $2.3 million contract with the Cleveland Indians.

• Garland started 38 games for the Indians in 1977 and led the AL with 19 losses. He was 13-19 with a 3.60 ERA in '77. He had torn his rotator cuff during spring training in '77 and tried to pitch through the injury. Wayne had rotator cuff surgery in 1978 and made only six starts (2-3, 7.89 ERA). In 1979 Wayne was a member of the rotation through June and then went on the DL for two months before rejoining the Indians in late August. Garland went 4-10 with a 5.23 ERA in 18 games (14 starts) in '79.

• Wayne pitched in 25 games (20 starts) in 1980 and went 6-9 with a 4.61 ERA. Garland was 3-7 with a 5.79 ERA in 12 games in 1981. He was released after the 1981 season.

• Garland made six starts for AA Nashville (New York Yankees organization) but was 1-3 with a 7.48 ERA.

• After his playing career Wayne became a minor league pitching coach. He also managed the minor league Nashville Sounds for three games in 1988.

• Here is a chapter about Garland in Our Tribe: A Baseball Memoir by Terry Pluto. Here is a chapter from Tales from the Tribe Dugout by Russell Schneider.

• Liked to face: Lou Piniella (.000 in 17 AB); Jorge Orta (.083 in 24 AB); Bucky Dent (.115 in 26 AB)
• Hated to face: Jeff Newman (.722 in 18 AB); Jerry Remy (.500 in 30 AB); Rick Miller (.441 in 34 AB)