1976 Topps #588 - Kevin Kobel

• Is that a bit of a double entendre in that cartoon?
• Kevin Kobel pitched in the majors for parts of six seasons from 1973-1980. Kobel was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1971 and started pitching in the Milwaukee system at the age of 17. Kobel had a rough time of it in San Antonio in 1972 (3-15 record), but he pitched well for AA Shreveport in 1973 and earned a September call-up. Kevin went 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in two games for the Brewers in 1973.
• Kevin started the 1974 season as a reliever and moved into the Milwaukee starting rotation in May. He spent most of the season as a starter and went 6-14 with a 3.99 ERA in 34 games (24 starts).
• Kobel was injured and pitched in only seven games for AAA Sacramento. Kobel spent most of the 1976 season in AAA Spokane. He went 0-1 with an 11.25 ERA in three September games with the Brewers.
• Kevin pitched for Spokane for the entire 1977 season and was sold to the New York Mets after the season.
• Kobel started the 1978 season in AAA Tidewater. He pitched well for the Tides and was brought up to the Mets in May. Kevin pitched in 32 games (11 starts) for the Mets in 1978 and was 5-6 with a 2.91 ERA. 
• Kevin was mostly a starter for the Mets in 1979. Kobel pitched in 30 games (27 starts) and went 6-8 with one save and had a 3.51 ERA.
• Kobel had a rough time in 1980. He started the season with the Mets and had a 1-4 record with a 7.03 ERA in 14 games (1 start). Kevin was traded to the Kansas City Royals for Randy McGilberry on June 17. Kobel pitched for the Royals' AAA Omaha club for the rest of the season.
• Kevin didn't pitch in 1981. He pitched in seven games for AAA Portland in the Pittsburgh Pirates' organization in 1982 and then retired at the age of 28.
• Kevin  moved to Arizona after his playing career and is active in the Arizona Major League Alumni Association. He now lives in Camp Verde, AZ.
• Liked to face: Chris Chambliss (.000 in 12 AB); Graig Nettles (.059 in 17 AB); Ken Reitz (.077 in 13 AB)
• Hated to face: Johnnie LeMaster (.636 in 11 AB); Tim Foli (.583 in 12 AB); Mike Ivie (.500 in 14 AB)

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