1976 Topps #543 - Wayne Twitchell

• Wayne Twitchell pitched in the majors from 1970-1979. Wayne was the first round pick (third overall) of the Houston Astros in 1966. Twitchell worked his way up the Houston organization but didn't rise above AAA in four seasons. After the 1969 season Wayne was purchased by the Milwaukee Brewers.
• Twitchell pitched in AAA in 1970 and was brought up by the Brewers at the end of the season. He pitched in two games and allowed two runs (10.80 ERA) in 1.2 innings.
• At the end of spring training in 1971 Wayne was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for a minor leaguer. Twitchell pitched in AAA until September. Wayne pitched in six games (one start) for the Phillies in September 1971 and went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 16 innings.
• In 1972 Twitchell was used as a reliever until he was moved into the starting rotation in late July. Wayne pitched in 49 games (15 starts) for the Phillies in 1972 and was 5-9 with one save and a 4.06 ERA.
• The 1973 season was Twitchell's big year. He went 13-9 with a 2.50 ERA in 34 games (28 starts) and made the NL All Star team. Wayne pitched a scoreless sixth inning for the National League in the All Star Game.
• Twitchell had a late start to the 1974 season. He didn't pitch in his first game until May 26. Wayne went 5-9 with a 5.21 ERA in 25 games (18 starts) in 1974. 
• In 1975 Wayne started the season as a starter and moved to the bullpen in early July. Twitchell went 5-10 with a 4.42 ERA in 36 games (20 starts). 
• Twitchell's 1976 season was a good but spotty one. He pitched in a total of five games from April-June. Wayne pitched in 26 games (2 starts) and was 3-1 with one save and a 1.75 ERA. Wayne wasn't used by the Phillies in the 1976 NLCS.
• Wayne had a rough start in 1977. Twitchell was 0-5 with a 4.53 ERA in 12 games (8 starts) when he and Tim Blackwell were traded to the Montreal Expos for Barry Foote and Dan Warthen. The Expos moved Twitchell into the starting rotation and he went 6-5 with a 4.21 ERA in 22 starts.
• Twitchell had a rough go of it in 1978. He went 4-12 with a 5.38 ERA in 33 games (15 starts). Wayne was 3-8 when he was moved into the bullpen in mid-July.
•  After the 1978 season Twitchell was released by the Expos. Wayne caught on with the New York Mets during spring training in 1979. Twitchell went 5-3 with a 5.23 ERA in 33 games (2 starts) for the Mets. On August 19 Wayne was sold to the Seattle Mariners. Twitchell went 0-2 with a 5.24 ERA in four games (two starts) for the  Mariners to finish off the 1979 season. Wayne retired after the 1979 season. His career was shortened due to knee injuries
• After his playing career Wayne helped coach the pitchers at his old high school (Wilson HS in Portland, OR) for several years and became a commercial real estate broker.
• Wayne moved to Walla Walla, WA to be closer to his wife's ailing father in 2005. He later went back to Portland.
• Edit: Wayne passed away from cancer at the age of 62 on September 18, 2010.
• Liked to face: Derrel Thomas (.040 in 25 AB); George Foster (.091 in 22 AB)
• Hated to face: Joe Morgan (.455, 4 HR in 30 AB); Gene Richards/Ken Griffey (.500 in 18 AB); Bake  McBride (.480 in 25 AB)

.