1976 Topps #652 - Ed Armbrister

• Ed Armbrister was a backup outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds from 1973-1977. Armbrister was drafted by the Houston Astros in 1967. After playing in the Houston system from 1967-1971, Ed was included in the trade that sent Joe Morgan, Cesar Geronimo, and Jack Billingham to the Reds.
• Armbrister played in AAA Indianapolis in 1972 and for most of the season in 1973. Ed came up to Cincinnati late in the 1973 season and batted .216 in 18 games. Armbrister was 1 for 6 (.167) in the 1973 NLCS.
• Ed was in Indianapolis again for most of the 1974 season. Armbrister played for the Reds late in the 1974 season and went 2 for 7 (.286) in nine games.
• Armbrister stayed with the Reds for the next three seasons. In 1975 Ed didn't get much playing time since the Reds had such a solid outfield (George Foster, Geronimo, and Ken Griffey). Ed batted .185 in 65 at bats during the regular season in 1975. Armbrister appeared in two games in the 1975 NLCS and had a sacrifice fly in his only plate appearance.
• Ed is remembered most for a controversial play in the 10th inning of game 3 of the 1975 World Series. Armbrister was put in the game as a pinch hitter and ordered to lay down a bunt. After Ed bunted the ball Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk collided with him. The Red Sox argued that Ed should have been called out for interference, but the umpires didn't agree. Armbrister appeared in four games in the 1975 World Series and was 0 for 1 with two walks, a run scored, and a sacrifice.
• Armbrister batted .295 in 78 AB in 1976. He  made one appearance in the NLCS (a sacrifice bunt) but did not play in the World Series.
• Ed batted .256 in 78 AB in 1977. Armrbrister had an operation for bone spurs in his elbow before the 1978 season. Dave Collins replaced Armbrister as the extra outfielder in 1978 and Ed was back in Indianapolis.
• Armrbrister played in the Mexican League in 1979 and 1980 and then retired from baseball.
• Ed returned to his native Bahamas and worked at a casino. He was also involved in promoting baseball in the Bahamas.
• Here is Ed's SABR biography.

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