1976 Topps #527 - Mike Anderson

• Mike Anderson played outfield in the major leagues from 1971-1979. Anderson was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the first round in 1969. Mike played in the minors from 1969-1972 and had a great season in AAA Eugene in 1970 (.334 with 36 HR). Anderson was brought up to Philadelphia at the end of the 1971 season and batted .247 in 26 games.
• Mike played with the Phillies in April and May of 1972 but batted only .194 in 36 games. He was sent back down to Eugene at the end of May and spend the rest of the season there.
• Anderson had his best slugging year in 1973. He batted .254 with nine HR in 193 AB and had a .454 slugging percentage. Mike started 102 games in right field for the Phillies in 1974. In a total of 145 games Mike batted .251 with five HR.
• In 1975 Anderson was a backup outfielder and first baseman. He batted .259 in 247 AB in 1975 and after the season he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Ron Reed.
• Mike backed up in the outfield and first base for the Cardinals in 1976. He had a career  high in batting average (.291) in 199 AB. In 1977 Mike's offense fell off as he batted .221 in 154 AB.
• Anderson was released during spring training in 1978. He signed with the Phillies and batted .313 for Philadelphia's AAA Oklahoma City club. The Phillies didn't have room for Anderson so he was released on June 23. Mike signed with the Baltimore Orioles on the same day but he didn't fare well, batting .094 in 32 AB.
• The Orioles cut Anderson loose after the 1978 season and he signed with the Phillies again. Mike started the 1979 season in Oklahoma City and was recalled at the end of April. Anderson was used a lot as a late-inning defensive replacement and batted .231 in 78 AB for the Phillies. Mike pitched an inning in a blowout game on June 27.
• Mike spent the 1980 season in Oklahoma City and was released after the season. Anderson signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1981 and played for their AAA Portland club but he batted .193 in 39 games and retired after the season.
• Former major league infielder Kent Anderson is Mike's brother.
• Mike later coached high school baseball and basketball in South Carolina. His 1980 Topps Baseball blog entry is here.

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