1976 Topps #578 - Ted Kubiak

• Ted Kubiak played in the majors from 1967-1976. Ted was signed by the Kansas City A's in 1961. Kubiak played in the minors from 1961-1966. He made the A's ballclub in 1967 and batted .157 in 53 games as a utility infielder.
• Kubiak was a backup 2B and SS for the next two seasons with the A's. Ted batted .250 in 48 games in 1968 and .249 in 92 games in 1969. Ted was traded with George Lauzerique to the Milwaukee Brewers after the 1969 season for Ray Oyler and Diego Segui.
• Ted split time between 2B and SS in 1970. He played in 158 games and batted .252. In 1971 Kubiak started in Milwaukee and batted .227 in 89 games. On July 29 Kubiak and a minor leaguer were traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Jose Cardenal, Bob Reynolds, and Dick Schofield. Ted batted .250 in 32 games with the Cardinals in 1971. 
• After the 1971 season Kubiak was traded to the Texas Rangers for Joe Grzenda. Ted batted .224 in 46 games for the Rangers and was traded to the A's in a multi-player deal on July 20. Kubiak batted .181 in 54 games for the A's in 1972. Ted went 2 for 4 in the 1972 ALCS and 1 for 3 in the World Series.
• Kubiak played in 106 games in 1973 and batted .220 in 182 AB. Ted went 0 for 2 in the 1973 ALCS and 0 for 3 in the World Series.
• Ted batted .209 in 99 games in 1974. He wasn't used by the A's in the postseason. Kubiak played in 20 games (.250 in 28 AB) for the A's in 1975 and was traded to the San Diego Padres for Sonny Siebert on May 16. Ted batted .224 in 87 games for the Padres in 1975.
• Kubiak's last season was 1976. He batted .236 in 96 games and retired after the season.
• Kubiak has been managing in the minor leagues off and on since 1989. He was the minor league defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Indians from 2004-2008. Here is a Baseball Prospectus interview with Ted about defense. Kubiak managed the Lake County Captains to the Midwest League title in 2010. Here is Ted's Facebook community page.
• Liked to face: Wally Bunker (.556 in 9 AB); Joe Coleman (.400 in 25 AB); Wilbur Wood (.375 in 32 AB)
• Hated to face: Vida Blue/Sparky Lyle (.000 in 10 AB); Dick Drago (.105 in 35 AB)

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