1976 Topps #567 - George Stone

• George Stone pitched in the majors from 1967-1975. Stone was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1966. George pitched in the minors in 1966 and 1967. He was called up at the end of the 1967 season and pitched in two games (4.91 ERA in 7 1/3 innings).
• George spent the first three months of the 1968 season in the minors. Stone was brought up in early July and went 7-4 with a 2.76 ERA in 17 games (10 starts). 
• For the first two months of the 1969 season Stone was a reliever and a spot starter. George was inserted into the Atlanta rotation in June and stayed there most of the time for the rest of the season. Stone went 13-10 with a 3.65 ERA in 36 games (20 starts) in 1969. George allowed one run in one inning pitched in game 3 of the 1969 NLCS.
• George was a regular member of Atlanta's starting rotation in 1970. He went 11-11 with a 3.86 ERA in 35 games (30 starts) in 1970. In 1971 Stone was a fifth starter and went 6-8 with a 3.60 ERA in 27 games (24 starts). Stone split the 1972 between the starting rotation and the bullpen. He went 6-11 with a 5.51 ERA in 31 games (16 starts).
• Before the 1973 season Stone was traded to the New York Mets with Felix Millan for Gary Gentry and Danny Frisella. George was a reliever for the first two months of the season and then became a starter in early June. Stone lost his first two decisions but rebounded to win his last eight decisions as the Mets won the NL East. George went 12-3 with a 2.80 ERA in 27 games (20 starts).
• Stone started game 4 of the 1973 NLCS and allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings. The game went 12 innings and the Mets lost, but the Mets went on to win game 5 and advance to the World Series. Stone pitched in games two and seven of the World Series, earning the save in game 2 and allowing no runs in three innings. Mets manager Yogi Berra endured a lot of second-guessing after bypassing Stone for the game 6 start (the Mets had a 3-2 lead in the series) and starting Tom Seaver on three days rest instead. The Mets lost games 6 and 7 and lost the series.
• George didn't pitch as well in 1974 (2-7, 5.03 ERA in 15 games) and 1975 (3-3, 5.05 ERA in 13 games). Stone was sidelined for the last part of the 1974 season and the first part of the 1976 season with a shoulder injury. After the 1975 season Stone was traded to Sacramento (AAA club of the Texas Rangers) for Bill Hands. Hands retired and Stone didn't play after the 1975 season.
• After his playing career Stone became a physical education teacher.
• Liked to face: Jeff Torborg (.000 in 13 AB); Hal Lanier (.053 in 19 AB); Johnny Edwards (.059 in 17 AB)
• Hated to face: Gary Matthews (.615 in 13 AB); Tony Perez (.538 in 39 AB); Larry Bowa (.500 in 36 AB)

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