tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75712525119934361092024-03-05T03:35:37.590-07:00Project Baseball 1976I'm going to make an attempt to collect as many baseball cards as possible from 1976. I was 9 when the 1976 Topps baseball cards came out. I have most of those cards, but I'd like to expand and get the other cards from this great year.Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.comBlogger898125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-25570068016672218442021-07-24T19:20:00.014-07:002021-07-24T19:20:00.233-07:001976 Kellogg's #37 - Jim Palmer<p> .</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWVBaweL3v_LbJV5vqb39LVF0fcrXXV8tJLGRx-Wv00PEdqANbIMzwoq3dVIcb1h3OUh0hQfH4tOYilwP-LjGnM8MpTUNWCYZXJpSEn9DyTO474pZGHTP8B12Irs_Xok8pRAPV3Q3nAyA/s976/76kelloggs37.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="624" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWVBaweL3v_LbJV5vqb39LVF0fcrXXV8tJLGRx-Wv00PEdqANbIMzwoq3dVIcb1h3OUh0hQfH4tOYilwP-LjGnM8MpTUNWCYZXJpSEn9DyTO474pZGHTP8B12Irs_Xok8pRAPV3Q3nAyA/s320/76kelloggs37.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQ16MvEOqiaq_lPTQDfeiHIbJrILeBhFJ2PpxaWuy85pZpCjaVLuc7r7rbN36My4c4-hQuSGrFT2vUD2pGPgM7kuRbApWNeZ5qxssaX9yGGJ_sPmLiVxEeGc6F3GnM3QMEvBpL6AFxKs-/s1024/76kelloggs37b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQ16MvEOqiaq_lPTQDfeiHIbJrILeBhFJ2PpxaWuy85pZpCjaVLuc7r7rbN36My4c4-hQuSGrFT2vUD2pGPgM7kuRbApWNeZ5qxssaX9yGGJ_sPmLiVxEeGc6F3GnM3QMEvBpL6AFxKs-/s320/76kelloggs37b.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* <b>What did he do to deserve a 1976 Kellogg's card?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> * </span>Multiple Cy Young Award winner</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span> * Multiple 20 game winner</span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span> * American League ERA leader</span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span> * American League victories leader</span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* <b>1976 Highlights:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> * Won his third Cy Young award</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span> * Led the AL in victories for the second of three straight years</span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><b>Twitter handle</b>: @Jim22Palmer</span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-48821659074696407022021-07-06T12:23:00.026-07:002021-07-06T12:23:00.230-07:001976 Kellogg's #55 - Pete Rose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52akiW9cYHSaR5g7T5yeeYt6ZSQDInnyO_RL02YTBuCrwL5UjacmKiE1df6GDQL7fMUcZlE_L_7MAYwpz4IJAjVMVEfnyswVPFP7N_2sH_rbHO-N7WRWz1m1InC_jwaI1d_3W27S6-aH8/s976/76kelloggs55.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="624" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52akiW9cYHSaR5g7T5yeeYt6ZSQDInnyO_RL02YTBuCrwL5UjacmKiE1df6GDQL7fMUcZlE_L_7MAYwpz4IJAjVMVEfnyswVPFP7N_2sH_rbHO-N7WRWz1m1InC_jwaI1d_3W27S6-aH8/s320/76kelloggs55.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKRDvIvILaTADJnN02eNRUSQ6NSSt3sJwzBLVBobMORYIGl0hRs36Hxakl5Z0njMwXC-Xkj3FIUEeFbbomZ6FBvVxykp8EwggbnEJXgMmCKUNcArQNGSbbYZGi0KGccAqf5_hXF-eGL2R/s1008/76kelloggs55b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1008" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKRDvIvILaTADJnN02eNRUSQ6NSSt3sJwzBLVBobMORYIGl0hRs36Hxakl5Z0njMwXC-Xkj3FIUEeFbbomZ6FBvVxykp8EwggbnEJXgMmCKUNcArQNGSbbYZGi0KGccAqf5_hXF-eGL2R/s320/76kelloggs55b.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* Another one of the "cards to get" for us in the mid 70s. This one definitely wouldn't have been put in the trade or flip piles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* <b>What did he do to deserve a 1976 Kellogg's card?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> * As the back of the card says, Pete bounced back from an off year (by his standards) to bat over .300 again.</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span> * World Series MVP in 1975.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span> * Moved to third base partway through the 1975 season so that Sparky could put George Foster in the lineup and complete the Big Red Machine.</span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* <b>1976 Highlights:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> * Led the NL with 130 runs scored, 42 doubles, and 215 hits.</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> * 4th in MVP voting</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span> * Started at 3B for the NL in the All Star Game and went 2 for 3 with a triple and a run scored.</span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span> * Only batted .188 in the World Series, but got his second ring.</span><br /></span></span></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> .</p>Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-83068109052830335762021-07-04T12:14:00.005-07:002021-07-04T12:14:55.514-07:001976 Kellogg's #54 - Steve Garvey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbyO7MzY0q4PkVstF_00TPkcS8oVhhFwtB27IIOKv3PmOjoPkCpuDnBCsnoAnjRsqYPXV5Kf5_lxj5jnhJv_2n9Xc0LPXcy3fqe0tI7Ekc5bB1FHqRTK0kFHHWr-Kjwyi3BZvqMDJci-2/s1008/76kelloggs54.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="624" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbyO7MzY0q4PkVstF_00TPkcS8oVhhFwtB27IIOKv3PmOjoPkCpuDnBCsnoAnjRsqYPXV5Kf5_lxj5jnhJv_2n9Xc0LPXcy3fqe0tI7Ekc5bB1FHqRTK0kFHHWr-Kjwyi3BZvqMDJci-2/s320/76kelloggs54.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmichOskTFqLONQp0WyLOv-5n0_sityVrUqehUz9NPqUY_siFhBz7424Df_51C4tHWF_9gMGSL-5x9KBviwPVsoCSyNbnWkHDW2i_E6yl3uGL7kmxDNOtp0IhizVli4v2R5KpUWPQtfUW/s1040/76kelloggs54b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1040" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmichOskTFqLONQp0WyLOv-5n0_sityVrUqehUz9NPqUY_siFhBz7424Df_51C4tHWF_9gMGSL-5x9KBviwPVsoCSyNbnWkHDW2i_E6yl3uGL7kmxDNOtp0IhizVli4v2R5KpUWPQtfUW/s320/76kelloggs54b.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* I was a Reds fan at this time, so getting a Dodger card wasn't much fun. But Steve Garvey was one of the prime cards to get no matter what team he played for.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* <b>What did he do to deserve a Kellogg's card?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- MVP award in 1974</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- Had another good year in 1975, batting .319 with 210 hits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- NL All Star both years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* <b>1976 Highlights:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- Batted .317 with 200 hits, but it still seemed like an off year due to having only 13 home runs and only 80 RBI</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- Made the NL All-Star team for the third straight year</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- Third of four straight Gold Glove awards.</div><br /><p><br /></p><p> .</p><p><br /></p>Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-77553096604641027162021-06-26T08:45:00.005-07:002021-06-26T08:45:47.271-07:001976 Kellogg's #2 Claudell Washington<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_bjZOzB0_SfY1C-JNMu4zYR_KsK0aoQEQPeqyZ4vDAeLSKpPX-h2RwPzXWTMNN7lIeH7pAgcZIJtdsw77BBS1uKW6VZvfFNS9V-KvLrAp4sePdFw5jxCkqU146fAO_LsFXaiZY6N_T-CO/s992/76kelloggs02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="704" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_bjZOzB0_SfY1C-JNMu4zYR_KsK0aoQEQPeqyZ4vDAeLSKpPX-h2RwPzXWTMNN7lIeH7pAgcZIJtdsw77BBS1uKW6VZvfFNS9V-KvLrAp4sePdFw5jxCkqU146fAO_LsFXaiZY6N_T-CO/s320/76kelloggs02.JPG" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkknbXn2OoLZ7qquE-87bxtDjWelzOfqyA5ovK9mzgCtD2MaVXdkSsexnhlN0pPz97XlqARuayXu6VknIQmYXTbsyU_Ddn5_buGiTpokEz6LUqdmUTuI6-QNtzPV6xEAbnM8zkeeabYUw8/s1024/76kelloggs02b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkknbXn2OoLZ7qquE-87bxtDjWelzOfqyA5ovK9mzgCtD2MaVXdkSsexnhlN0pPz97XlqARuayXu6VknIQmYXTbsyU_Ddn5_buGiTpokEz6LUqdmUTuI6-QNtzPV6xEAbnM8zkeeabYUw8/s320/76kelloggs02b.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><b><u>What did he do to deserve a 1976 Kellogg's card?</u></b></li><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Made the 1975 AL All Star team as a 20-year-old outfielder</li><li style="text-align: left;">The A's didn't have many of their star players left</li><li style="text-align: left;">Batted a career-high .308 in 1975</li><li style="text-align: left;">Was 14th in AL MVP voting in 1975</li></ul><li style="text-align: left;"><b><u>1976 Highlights:</u></b></li><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Dropped to .257 but was still a valuable part of a team that was still a contender in the AL West.</li></ul></ul>Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-89855970936342269382021-06-09T09:48:00.002-07:002021-07-24T18:32:28.616-07:001976 Kellogg's #40 - Lou Brock<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZP5GVBhgfVlChS-DMYk8wN7brPzb1opnFzFvy3RrFSzIn5E8-qxHsBGV37QC7nWuat5n8GpXEsU2o0yANTrdjXzAEBr8oFZTNsA4ekkLVwaoBviioAzE3p9k_JKyioHp7TZuDfMvOHRV/s640/76kelloggs40.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="384" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZP5GVBhgfVlChS-DMYk8wN7brPzb1opnFzFvy3RrFSzIn5E8-qxHsBGV37QC7nWuat5n8GpXEsU2o0yANTrdjXzAEBr8oFZTNsA4ekkLVwaoBviioAzE3p9k_JKyioHp7TZuDfMvOHRV/s320/76kelloggs40.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwIdW0_kNSGrrUSZ8NXv8pRZ5ocN7Wu0eM2x2FsPo67rFqjDRTV1TgbKtjz2fz7VPpag7wQUB_oGhAFvLuU9Ye4MLrfivFJ5IeO-UFgKUPTzQ0x4lAku4aW9ppLsJoSO0of3MhMLM1w6P/s624/76kelloggs40b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwIdW0_kNSGrrUSZ8NXv8pRZ5ocN7Wu0eM2x2FsPo67rFqjDRTV1TgbKtjz2fz7VPpag7wQUB_oGhAFvLuU9Ye4MLrfivFJ5IeO-UFgKUPTzQ0x4lAku4aW9ppLsJoSO0of3MhMLM1w6P/s320/76kelloggs40b.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><b><u>What did he do to deserve a 1976 Kellogg's card?</u></b></li><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Was an NL All Star in 1975</li><li style="text-align: left;">Got some votes for 1975 NL MVP (21st place)</li><li style="text-align: left;">Even though he wouldn't get his 3000th hit for a few more years, Lou was probably already pretty close to being a Hall of Famer.</li><li style="text-align: left;">He didn't lead the NL in stolen bases in 1975, but he stole over 50 bases for the 11th year in a row. Lou led the NL in stolen bases in eight of those 11 years.</li></ul><li style="text-align: left;"><b><u>1976 Highlights:</u></b></li><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Stole 56 bases to extend his 50+ stolen base streak to 12 years.</li><li style="text-align: left;">Batted .301, which was the sixth season over .300 in the last seven years</li></ul></ul>Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-88950299953552863972021-05-17T09:37:00.001-07:002021-05-17T09:37:00.263-07:001976 Hostess #142 - Gary Matthews<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvITmc4i-G0PQp5Y7yVXJWTSy1NF8AUgkfeajSpk8ouo8e74Lz70Wb5QznkqnT3l4ZjnaCVcPrENHj13VbCF35TcoO4uojSD5N5_D580FrCtk8kK-aJmReb9l5JzhoBD6fp-cEnNhbgtN/s624/76hostessmathews-f.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvITmc4i-G0PQp5Y7yVXJWTSy1NF8AUgkfeajSpk8ouo8e74Lz70Wb5QznkqnT3l4ZjnaCVcPrENHj13VbCF35TcoO4uojSD5N5_D580FrCtk8kK-aJmReb9l5JzhoBD6fp-cEnNhbgtN/s320/76hostessmathews-f.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6soOrpYalb_DQgsH5WyV_sdRqQb2sCqV7T57y2mc5qY6Uf-9aP3beGIWHiTRDRKY-5wzfMFYfcdTwaTyS1LLnqsSTxu-He0R2j-sAGHX3uko45STPIIQ_jp9jfiaYjJKmravJ0JTus_Nw/s608/76hostessmatthews-b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6soOrpYalb_DQgsH5WyV_sdRqQb2sCqV7T57y2mc5qY6Uf-9aP3beGIWHiTRDRKY-5wzfMFYfcdTwaTyS1LLnqsSTxu-He0R2j-sAGHX3uko45STPIIQ_jp9jfiaYjJKmravJ0JTus_Nw/s320/76hostessmatthews-b.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* Gary Matthews was one of the really good outfielders that the Giants came up with in the early 1970s. Things could have been different if the Giants would have been able to keep Gary Matthews, Garry Maddox, and George Foster.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p>.</p><p><br /></p><p>.</p><p><br /></p>Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-41059385161994972152021-05-15T14:25:00.000-07:002021-05-15T14:25:14.846-07:001976 Hostess #41 - John Montefusco<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYDK7zgFZPLFH1LA8ioMi_AazJY9tJrNGcO-o7yKFytX_rDNrCispf2WLdM7TwWuWZ4qyYt3SxE7b51B-S4J824rHBdnlFg4ukAWpZGSbVsu54EGp_APM080WZpiJ9uHwVhnJFF93yfry/s608/76hostessmontefusco-f.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="416" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYDK7zgFZPLFH1LA8ioMi_AazJY9tJrNGcO-o7yKFytX_rDNrCispf2WLdM7TwWuWZ4qyYt3SxE7b51B-S4J824rHBdnlFg4ukAWpZGSbVsu54EGp_APM080WZpiJ9uHwVhnJFF93yfry/s320/76hostessmontefusco-f.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKD2AQwU_K3NFHbwHvroygeTOxEY5ADWncyjBg8p7zM7mImOLZmeKpHaR4YNXHfBo188vP1CBmFchOnTKCvbp1Gr-Wb_W3Ba6eIRkZ0Mzdl6MxG7vpgdd60C52DbB8DSIPQNqRrbE7K75K/s608/76hostessmontefusco-b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKD2AQwU_K3NFHbwHvroygeTOxEY5ADWncyjBg8p7zM7mImOLZmeKpHaR4YNXHfBo188vP1CBmFchOnTKCvbp1Gr-Wb_W3Ba6eIRkZ0Mzdl6MxG7vpgdd60C52DbB8DSIPQNqRrbE7K75K/s320/76hostessmontefusco-b.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p>Hello! I finally got to a place where I can spend a bit each month on cards. One thing I decided to do was to work on completing sets from my prime card collecting years (1974-1981). I'm a big Giants fan, so a lot of the first cards I get for these sets will be Giants.</p><p>John Montefusco didn't spend much time in the minors. He was dominant in A ball in 1973 and really rose through the system in 1974, going from AA to AAA to the majors all in the same year. I may have seen him pitch in Phoenix in 1974, but I was only seven and don't have any specific memories of the games my dad took me to that year.</p><p>John had great years in 1975 and in 1976 before he started to tail off a bit. Injuries hampered him and by 1979 he was struggling to stay in the rotation.</p><p>By the way, the card is in better shape than the scan indicates. I'm still learning how to operate this thing.</p>Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-50178350186183949962013-01-04T11:54:00.000-07:002013-01-04T12:07:51.275-07:001976 Topps Traded - The Missing Cards!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2lZEBrvinExAtoPErXnTtEk3AeZf5kAYXeBnURlQKPKv4YmO9LpPQOTV2A2E0-Ub80QqIKxvE-Aw-UWrnvYlmf7WMTAFO7pzdv24ho1xt43ler_goZLALN3F9HBAUIL_tT7TJslLTomG/s1600/101126_1976_topps_cello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2lZEBrvinExAtoPErXnTtEk3AeZf5kAYXeBnURlQKPKv4YmO9LpPQOTV2A2E0-Ub80QqIKxvE-Aw-UWrnvYlmf7WMTAFO7pzdv24ho1xt43ler_goZLALN3F9HBAUIL_tT7TJslLTomG/s320/101126_1976_topps_cello.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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This is something I've been wanting to do, but I lack the graphic skills to pull it off. Ben, Mike, and Travis at <a href="http://baseballcardblog.blogspot.com/">The Baseball Card Blog</a> made a "second set" of <a href="http://baseballcardblog.blogspot.com/p/1976-topps-traded-missing-cards.html">1976 Topps Traded cards</a>. This set includes deals that were voided (Vida Blue, Rollie Fingers, Joe Rudi, and Sal Bando) and deals that were made late in the season (such as Willie McCovey).<br />
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On the <a href="http://1977baseball.blogspot.com/">1977 blog</a>, I've been tracking which cards would be good as a "traded set candidate." I may give it a shot after the Topps set is finished.Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-19883478613904876962011-11-07T14:38:00.000-07:002011-11-07T14:38:12.256-07:00On to 1977<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPIaXSrpo0BqeZw7CEzEiiwydmT9wFaQPio894kCg9eO5LLUUOn-kz8Q9r9AYqXNdKJFAyi158fZRC5fT02YKzFO2idKL3f0ynt2vp8GFr-FJDmZ3aTDMEd1D8ZR8nmzjnFq4s1rTBfMx/s1600/77toppsbbcards.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPIaXSrpo0BqeZw7CEzEiiwydmT9wFaQPio894kCg9eO5LLUUOn-kz8Q9r9AYqXNdKJFAyi158fZRC5fT02YKzFO2idKL3f0ynt2vp8GFr-FJDmZ3aTDMEd1D8ZR8nmzjnFq4s1rTBfMx/s320/77toppsbbcards.JPG" width="235" /></a></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">As you have probably noticed, I've run out of cards to post for 1976. As I obtain the last few cards needed for the 1976 Kellogg's, Hostess, and SSPC sets, I'll post them here.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">To the best of my knowledge, there aren't any 1977 baseball blogs out there. So <a href="http://1977baseball.blogspot.com/">I'm starting one</a>. I hope you go and start enjoying the blog</li>
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<br /></div>Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-39130102087254000922011-09-25T09:48:00.001-07:002021-07-24T18:33:54.162-07:001976 Hostess #124 - Willie McCovey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBu6Svj8p5V1SPsJfguIl8ddczLt4ZsLze39X6Lp0ssrrKEU-4Yg1s0QItFWkmpb-Z0wbnX6bqZnMwlgCKc2NKzZ69TnzE8NfqEH1FyaBhDRlhyphenhyphen_enwjn2cybLiW0iQLEAUWT55-6h3lW/s1600/76hostess124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBu6Svj8p5V1SPsJfguIl8ddczLt4ZsLze39X6Lp0ssrrKEU-4Yg1s0QItFWkmpb-Z0wbnX6bqZnMwlgCKc2NKzZ69TnzE8NfqEH1FyaBhDRlhyphenhyphen_enwjn2cybLiW0iQLEAUWT55-6h3lW/s320/76hostess124.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYLFmOB4J_-nUH5vHwFBIb0nQ7fkR6r3QJUh4sJPPbmEayl25P1sXKTsyYMIZi55pdvjWJFTmohyphenhyphenyzOOXsux_k96jNjlVM5djBzn_LymD5K_kXluZG0a66EFVLgldgeHTxqGUig75OeFN/s1600/76hostess124b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYLFmOB4J_-nUH5vHwFBIb0nQ7fkR6r3QJUh4sJPPbmEayl25P1sXKTsyYMIZi55pdvjWJFTmohyphenhyphenyzOOXsux_k96jNjlVM5djBzn_LymD5K_kXluZG0a66EFVLgldgeHTxqGUig75OeFN/s320/76hostess124b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Willie McCovey was still a dangerous power hitter when this card was printed</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">McCovey <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wboqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LmcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5669,3693282&dq=willie+mccovey&hl=en">wanted to play out his option</a> in 1976 so the Padres cut his salary by 20% to $100,000.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">The San Francisco Giants <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AY5QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SV0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5951,2342308&dq=willie+mccovey&hl=en">wanted Willie back</a> before the 1976 season. The Giants had traded McCovey to the Padres in 1973 mainly for economic reasons.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">McCovey had his poorest season in 1976. He played in 71 games for the Padres, starting 51 of those games at first base. Willie batted .203 with 7 HR and 36 RBI for the Padres.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Willie was<a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=z5JHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gP8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=1163,3644961&dq=willie+mccovey&hl=en"> sold to the Oakland A's</a> on August 30.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">McCovey <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EpUzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QuoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5415,3977309&dq=willie+mccovey&hl=en">wasn't sure if he would report</a> to the A's at first, but he <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cARdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IloNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1592,94960&dq=willie+mccovey&hl=en">reported on September 1</a>.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">The A's used Willie as a DH and a pinch hitter in September, but Willie struggled and batted .208 (5 for 24) with no home runs or RBI.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">After his poor 1976 season there <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LEYhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Sn8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1112,2919877&dq=willie+mccovey&hl=en">wasn't very much interest</a> in McCovey in the free agent market. Willie ended up signing with the Giants for $50,000 and had a great year in 1977, winning Comeback Player of the Year honors and cementing his place as an eventual Hall of Famer.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Before peak, peak, or after peak?<b><i> after peak</i></b></li>
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Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-27096664953307412022011-09-24T12:46:00.000-07:002011-09-24T12:46:00.333-07:001976 Hostess #105 - Dave Lopes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3iITjfWOWkriP7_yZaBFrzS8rTgrh1Gp7r9LZCbgfV_7dQEkCVHpnxuhai8zh0MM1ExSoZz3P0QPo1gsLO8_cfolh-jGF_6AZV1oHuKBnp8Tcox6rgSLPOWiYwJRSVaYaLvIDMnuRCz9/s1600/76hostess105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3iITjfWOWkriP7_yZaBFrzS8rTgrh1Gp7r9LZCbgfV_7dQEkCVHpnxuhai8zh0MM1ExSoZz3P0QPo1gsLO8_cfolh-jGF_6AZV1oHuKBnp8Tcox6rgSLPOWiYwJRSVaYaLvIDMnuRCz9/s320/76hostess105.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NNG8fhDvOWRi2wsS3MeBj-E0bPR-KbwH8_SbKKwoWNR5VrGdB6_xtu01exWkFb6-IbQrkwc9Xrd6W3E6Gk1dVJ3PEgKDLmvUBjaQ8lxk5XWC3WioyOopTWhYZNLzJ6tk_cEHxIftYmp_/s1600/76hostess105b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NNG8fhDvOWRi2wsS3MeBj-E0bPR-KbwH8_SbKKwoWNR5VrGdB6_xtu01exWkFb6-IbQrkwc9Xrd6W3E6Gk1dVJ3PEgKDLmvUBjaQ8lxk5XWC3WioyOopTWhYZNLzJ6tk_cEHxIftYmp_/s320/76hostess105b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Here's another beat up Hostess card that I got from a lot on eBay.</li>
<li><a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=I8U0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=jI8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6391,299056&dq=davey+lopes&hl=en">Lopes was the first Dodger</a> to sign a contract for the 1976 season.</li>
<li>Before the 1976 season there was some talk of moving Lopes to shortstop and playing Ted Sizemore at second base. Dodger shortstop Bill Russell was mentioned in trade talks between the Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals for Reggie Smith, but he eventually stayed with the club.</li>
<li>Dave was still playing a little bit in center field in 1976. After the 1976 season Lopes would play all of his games but two at 2B until he moved to the Oakland A's in 1982.</li>
<li>In 1976 Lopes led the NL with 63 stolen bases and batted .241 in 117 games</li>
<li>Dave<a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rgpZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=T10DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6231,3065129&dq=davey+lopes&hl=en"> missed the first month</a> of the 1976 due to a pulled muscle in his side that he suffered during spring training.</li>
<li>Before peak, peak, or after peak? <b><i>early peak</i></b></li>
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Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-19866948689800189832011-09-23T11:14:00.002-07:002011-09-23T11:14:37.995-07:001976 Hostess #92 - John Candelaria<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ry-eNOd-vDj_ZlH1z42AKxY0hgFSsX75WTWwo5IwtC4JvET65SPQ3zG8FvrC9MgvvAwyZUv0O0LTHaDM4TOoLxGrCsDi6YUsK9KxlDHftl7_CZy5l_4qs3HP7TQUp6-2GiiIo_92zSBp/s1600/76hostess92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ry-eNOd-vDj_ZlH1z42AKxY0hgFSsX75WTWwo5IwtC4JvET65SPQ3zG8FvrC9MgvvAwyZUv0O0LTHaDM4TOoLxGrCsDi6YUsK9KxlDHftl7_CZy5l_4qs3HP7TQUp6-2GiiIo_92zSBp/s320/76hostess92.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRg-aJg_QjSnJwa8ZRm_7PCpT2gxeq9v79t4gSE0reYbCDBbCXVoFpju-HY_VjkyJ4DF6a6Yd__V4OhKiP_NM1NueGpksfm8tFmXobAPGzdEQD18pkYvY1aLIZYgfHEp4ooIOJxsZ3mZTW/s1600/76hostess92b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRg-aJg_QjSnJwa8ZRm_7PCpT2gxeq9v79t4gSE0reYbCDBbCXVoFpju-HY_VjkyJ4DF6a6Yd__V4OhKiP_NM1NueGpksfm8tFmXobAPGzdEQD18pkYvY1aLIZYgfHEp4ooIOJxsZ3mZTW/s320/76hostess92b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">This card is a victim of some kid's poor cutting skills. Hey kid----the lines are your friends! ;)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">This card was printed right at the beginning of a nice career.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">The Pirates didn't win the NL East in 1976, but John did his part to keep the club competitive. Candelaria was 16-7 with a 3.15 ERA during the season.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">John <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VnpQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dV0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6326,619825&dq=john+candelaria&hl=en">pitched a no-hitter</a> against the Los Angeles Dodgers on national television on <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT197608090.shtml">August 9</a>. A third inning walk to Steve Yeager and two Pirate errors were the only things that prevented Candelaria from pitching a perfect game.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Before peak, peak, or after peak? <b><i>just before peak</i></b> --- John's best year was 1977.</li>
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Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-68707640147274599392011-09-18T05:44:00.000-07:002011-09-18T05:44:00.048-07:001976 Hostess #53 - Jim Hughes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAZwKEJX8ytw7ZDR5bqvzB1HIlZtNxtKpqhKqsxKeJkHJWI9HQPpAhlY4DXl1LrxrFy2jBFqsCc25QjSvWkHkvyoOOc7cVFY_cweUH57vmOTrzQ4cf1sQFuN_-E-OxwNrj-UHgC-8dH6_/s1600/76hostess53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAZwKEJX8ytw7ZDR5bqvzB1HIlZtNxtKpqhKqsxKeJkHJWI9HQPpAhlY4DXl1LrxrFy2jBFqsCc25QjSvWkHkvyoOOc7cVFY_cweUH57vmOTrzQ4cf1sQFuN_-E-OxwNrj-UHgC-8dH6_/s320/76hostess53.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jtMZ4DEmQ1lsEm0JjUUNtF8oiQwUfQsLSPDrZwTSlSYhHjPXzY0NUiI53SXg2IbmbaM2VQkuoCedr0oIL095fkXKGT9KqF15m1xqhkn5dAeHcZqE0qpC8Jnz0Ff2gX0DKKqaUKOTEdkc/s1600/76hostess53b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jtMZ4DEmQ1lsEm0JjUUNtF8oiQwUfQsLSPDrZwTSlSYhHjPXzY0NUiI53SXg2IbmbaM2VQkuoCedr0oIL095fkXKGT9KqF15m1xqhkn5dAeHcZqE0qpC8Jnz0Ff2gX0DKKqaUKOTEdkc/s320/76hostess53b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Jim Hughes got this Hostess card on the strength of his good 1975 rookie season.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Hughes was bitten by the sophomore jinx in 1976. He had a 9-14 record with a 4.98 ERA</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Jim was in the minors for most of the 1977 season -- he appeared in two April games for the Twins before being sent to AAA.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Hughes<a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NEZQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TVgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4862,897550&dq=jim+hughes+baseball&hl=en"> signed with the Chicago White Sox</a> after the 1977 season but was cut during spring training in 1978. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Jim signed with the Texas Rangers and spent a couple of years in the minors but never made it back to the major leagues.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Before peak, peak, or after peak? <b><i>after peak</i></b></li>
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Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-22092507528505070232011-09-17T05:44:00.000-07:002011-09-17T05:44:00.207-07:001976 Hostess #25 - Larry Dierker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ILatfMpyL8TRfpzNNHXGj246LVvkWGg2yaRazKEXQGBGIAlc-1pH5lu1DFGrBy0K1VnLJzCDx225Xa6uR0XwJOZIaaK71yL8QhyphenhyphenMuo8c8y4oR6LDdOiPnpBrbvOoTeC5Yv7IXWFUMAe5/s1600/76hostess25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ILatfMpyL8TRfpzNNHXGj246LVvkWGg2yaRazKEXQGBGIAlc-1pH5lu1DFGrBy0K1VnLJzCDx225Xa6uR0XwJOZIaaK71yL8QhyphenhyphenMuo8c8y4oR6LDdOiPnpBrbvOoTeC5Yv7IXWFUMAe5/s320/76hostess25.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOgBDnkGCq1LEmGkjRvPyS9VOh1LSWGj_3F-uhll8CCHMgPfZt49_eDCbaUy7JQSyL9d9LLCFJ-nhcQh9thpKKFmMET2gc18vOqmjovGphQZeb3niiYZSS1zqUZwiNsIbJyBc9QtR6si7/s1600/76hostess25b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOgBDnkGCq1LEmGkjRvPyS9VOh1LSWGj_3F-uhll8CCHMgPfZt49_eDCbaUy7JQSyL9d9LLCFJ-nhcQh9thpKKFmMET2gc18vOqmjovGphQZeb3niiYZSS1zqUZwiNsIbJyBc9QtR6si7/s320/76hostess25b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Larry Dierker was only 29 years old, but he was just about at the end of his career when this card was printed</li>
<li>Larry had a 13-14 record with a 3.69 ERA in his last full season in 1976</li>
<li>On <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU197607090.shtml">July 9, 1976</a> Dierker <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JthYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=V10DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6513,745348&dq=larry+dierker&hl=en">pitched a no-hitter</a> against the Montreal Expos</li>
<li>After 14 seasons with the Houston Astros, Dierker was<a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=McBRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gF0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2533,170652&dq=larry+dierker&hl=en"> traded to the St. Louis Cardinals</a> after the 1976 season</li>
<li>Before peak, peak, or after peak? <b><i>after peak</i></b></li>
</ul>
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Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-81561641300883686882011-09-16T06:07:00.002-07:002011-09-16T06:07:29.846-07:001976 Hostess #12 - Rick Manning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtu_OWBLr31IJI78UlIp6WGONmg53tsI-u2pSpygL31xseLBiuXG9BVf1r-zIRayyv2cKmAXzAwlZEERzM6jMXBWio6EahXu6hNwsWNcKm29Pmbc5tQ3m2tMzZgEXmuSMcqOA2hthaySDW/s1600/76hostess12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtu_OWBLr31IJI78UlIp6WGONmg53tsI-u2pSpygL31xseLBiuXG9BVf1r-zIRayyv2cKmAXzAwlZEERzM6jMXBWio6EahXu6hNwsWNcKm29Pmbc5tQ3m2tMzZgEXmuSMcqOA2hthaySDW/s320/76hostess12.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDVLaV9sgh5auwLTrPjXO3i7oePb5aoCKpLGPXVYswFAyQv3An2hCA39uhg8g3Ps_h1IPw2ImU8crQUvG5MQ67bSzxJ1CCdI7DbjXoF1hyywhmFbdkP76YoccOWLnSBVcLRJURAgEpR_T/s1600/76hostess12b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDVLaV9sgh5auwLTrPjXO3i7oePb5aoCKpLGPXVYswFAyQv3An2hCA39uhg8g3Ps_h1IPw2ImU8crQUvG5MQ67bSzxJ1CCdI7DbjXoF1hyywhmFbdkP76YoccOWLnSBVcLRJURAgEpR_T/s320/76hostess12b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>After posting decent numbers in the minors from 1972-1974, Rick Manning earned a promotion to the majors at the age of 20 in 1975 after a good start in AAA Oklahoma City.</li>
<li>Rick's best two seasons were in 1975 and in 1976</li>
<li>In 1976 Manning won a Gold Glove award and batted .292 in 138 games</li>
<li>Rick <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_W80AAAAIBAJ&sjid=ksAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2301,1599351&dq=rick+manning&hl=en">broke up a no-hit bid </a>by the Rangers' Steve Hargan on <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE197608152.shtml">August 15</a> by doubling in the 7th inning.</li>
<li>Before peak, peak, or after peak? <b><i>peak</i></b></li>
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Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-10211397485384548352011-09-02T11:04:00.001-07:002011-09-02T11:04:00.342-07:001976 Hostess #142 - Gary Matthews<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAshyphenhyphenVm57izxrebWVJj61A7wqyC6RUg6UZaLpfxTCqDr1yJTHx28fNvBwk5KcckeUYqcdv3nzfHq_FV9SBfUN7oZM-gdK7kRGtzCAuXEstycUSdhs4nwB_nW6a0Sjlu_58ahBWpvaRXuH-/s1600/76hostess142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAshyphenhyphenVm57izxrebWVJj61A7wqyC6RUg6UZaLpfxTCqDr1yJTHx28fNvBwk5KcckeUYqcdv3nzfHq_FV9SBfUN7oZM-gdK7kRGtzCAuXEstycUSdhs4nwB_nW6a0Sjlu_58ahBWpvaRXuH-/s320/76hostess142.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoYvmkSt1jNizNoyBFiwUkxrFjEzZeoOrookXyueLnqXEx4-m3DZbQdrb81_ZhAqvuv2gy0yGfDpNr-P2bi4u9Vxbyjlf9devuyD4f1d4dqhfBA20ucmNqGLEL_KG_g8I5Ro8QUWILPtC/s1600/76hostess142b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoYvmkSt1jNizNoyBFiwUkxrFjEzZeoOrookXyueLnqXEx4-m3DZbQdrb81_ZhAqvuv2gy0yGfDpNr-P2bi4u9Vxbyjlf9devuyD4f1d4dqhfBA20ucmNqGLEL_KG_g8I5Ro8QUWILPtC/s320/76hostess142b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Gary Matthews was one of the unsung young stars of the game in 1976. Playing for several bad Giants teams didn't help him gain much notoriety.</li>
<li>In 1976 Matthews batted .279 with 20 HR and 84 RBI.</li>
<li>After the 1976 season Gary <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=D8RaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=h10DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3392,2844913&dq=gary+matthews&hl=en">signed a multi-year contract</a> with the Atlanta Braves.</li>
<li>The Braves <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9wNcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4lQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6218,946491&dq=gary+matthews&hl=en">lost a first round draft choice and were fined</a> for contacting Matthews without permission before the opening of the free agent season.</li>
<li>Before peak, peak, or after peak? <b><i>peak</i></b></li>
</ul>
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Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-68593547621676586262011-09-01T11:03:00.000-07:002011-09-01T11:03:00.290-07:001976 Hostess #150 - Cesar Geronimo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7R139jcg68Ojjvq-b_wq85TXZA4E_fih0AXtNfndD_vfW5EC_rufcYzX1-7tDIshnKjJTbBrrRGDd3ZVRlK-MjpzdQc8HImlVtJAI5VzbmhVHQC5DDGDIg6SbPqgQ8ZS98CarkhehxmH/s1600/76hostess150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7R139jcg68Ojjvq-b_wq85TXZA4E_fih0AXtNfndD_vfW5EC_rufcYzX1-7tDIshnKjJTbBrrRGDd3ZVRlK-MjpzdQc8HImlVtJAI5VzbmhVHQC5DDGDIg6SbPqgQ8ZS98CarkhehxmH/s320/76hostess150.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4FkR-at92F1ojuRKg4u2W_DPvOFKHHkrjoWV_qasf9mwwQqgycJLLKxlIBoJPiq3jvjVtdFPGNUhZFBW4NpvfsUDl_bAfJV0Ym8MJvnLR0Adf3Y3Xd1gI3EvH5paiSUPlU6PGBGRl3f8/s1600/76hostess150b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4FkR-at92F1ojuRKg4u2W_DPvOFKHHkrjoWV_qasf9mwwQqgycJLLKxlIBoJPiq3jvjVtdFPGNUhZFBW4NpvfsUDl_bAfJV0Ym8MJvnLR0Adf3Y3Xd1gI3EvH5paiSUPlU6PGBGRl3f8/s320/76hostess150b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Cesar Geronimo was a good fielder and had a great arm. He won four straight Gold Gloves from 1974-1977</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Offensively, this five-year run is decent, but not awe-inspiring. Cesar had a nice year in 1974 -- it was the first year that he started more than 100 games.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">In 1976 Geronimo had his best offensive year. He batted .307, hit 11 triples, and stole 22 bases. Cesar also had a .382 on base percentage.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Before peak, peak, or after peak? <b><i>peak</i></b></li>
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Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-42493403404884388822011-08-31T11:58:00.017-07:002011-08-31T11:58:00.665-07:001976 Hostess #134 - Don Kessinger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekaxfwry72WesWxmern73wWhMvZ6NWL445DZBUByMol6Uf4a8KWT5-KtMeMr-sJ7Vw9g5nieUipFCDf6Ow6Nu3llc9FNzhHtP5ZNiFV3hBm8RrYQCtE-W1yYlTx9LJof5asFBLqKZc4re/s1600/76hostess134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekaxfwry72WesWxmern73wWhMvZ6NWL445DZBUByMol6Uf4a8KWT5-KtMeMr-sJ7Vw9g5nieUipFCDf6Ow6Nu3llc9FNzhHtP5ZNiFV3hBm8RrYQCtE-W1yYlTx9LJof5asFBLqKZc4re/s320/76hostess134.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohL9drW6WvfYYpv2kiYrtuhlvKjhOopIEjI4Kr9R850gQuO8lCUcVnN1sg68xBJl6InmzElewuhMCPIF8s5gSYw3RjGsKembUs3Bu-8EyikMmmnhF_k0eNMq-fu51RP2QjD66wNder1q9/s1600/76hostess134b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohL9drW6WvfYYpv2kiYrtuhlvKjhOopIEjI4Kr9R850gQuO8lCUcVnN1sg68xBJl6InmzElewuhMCPIF8s5gSYw3RjGsKembUs3Bu-8EyikMmmnhF_k0eNMq-fu51RP2QjD66wNder1q9/s320/76hostess134b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Don Kessinger had spent 11 seasons as the shortstop for the Chicago Cubs. He was <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0vJLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ce0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4879,5672603&dq=don+kessinger&hl=en">traded to the St. Louis Cardinals </a>after the 1975 season.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Kessinger was expected to <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ORRZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WEYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=4602,4054602&dq=don+kessinger&hl=en">help provide leadership for a young infield.</a> Cardinals manager Red Schoendienst placed Don in the #2 spot behind leadoff hitter Lou Brock.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Don played one full season for the Cardinals in 1976, batting .243 in 145 games. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">The emergence of Garry Templeton in 1977 relegated Kessinger to a utility role. <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MAsyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1qEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2389,4329694&dq=don+kessinger&hl=en">Don was traded </a>to the Chicago White Sox in August 1977.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Before peak, peak, or after peak? <b><i>after peak</i></b></li>
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</div>Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-3892592872903789492011-08-30T11:59:00.022-07:002011-08-30T11:59:00.337-07:001976 Hostess #128 - Dave Concepcion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSyc557Z2N9BOgEJkJ7_U6RwWl5PH4xVxg1nV5ZJojgyD_HHI_tkvyMpBJV007mSh7F6aBxo5MA8VLQ_jmaxA2xRTGUkJOWX8I3yird2A4XmFfVwgq0u53uugsoHZ8lAQRHeWqyYfZRKr/s1600/76hostess128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSyc557Z2N9BOgEJkJ7_U6RwWl5PH4xVxg1nV5ZJojgyD_HHI_tkvyMpBJV007mSh7F6aBxo5MA8VLQ_jmaxA2xRTGUkJOWX8I3yird2A4XmFfVwgq0u53uugsoHZ8lAQRHeWqyYfZRKr/s320/76hostess128.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_5fAiGCkixVzA9dkks7X5TxmiqyceQ90cQosQX1igbl8qTHIK-EEN1EZoz7YHVE3uFWCuuWc7CIx4rjclT39_Ow8zNB4hcDJbpyXscfR2o_UzBa5N-p9nSqz4kSFqseVDIFgu7A-kzYl/s1600/76hostess128b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_5fAiGCkixVzA9dkks7X5TxmiqyceQ90cQosQX1igbl8qTHIK-EEN1EZoz7YHVE3uFWCuuWc7CIx4rjclT39_Ow8zNB4hcDJbpyXscfR2o_UzBa5N-p9nSqz4kSFqseVDIFgu7A-kzYl/s320/76hostess128b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Dave Concepcion established himself as the Reds' starting shortstop in 1973. He didn't play a full season in '73 due to an injury.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">In 1975 Dave started a string of All Star appearances that would last through the 1982 season</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sNJDAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qq8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=1173,439042&dq=dave+concepcion&hl=en">According to a poll of National League players</a>, Dave would not have been the NL starting shortstop in the All Star Game if players had voted. Larry Bowa would have been the starter instead.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Concepcion had a typically good season in 1976. He batted .281 with 9 home runs and 21 stolen bases. He won the second of five Gold Glove awards.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WYdPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nAUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6645,5885865&dq=dave+concepcion&hl=en">Dave was voted</a> to the Associated Press All Star Team after the 1976 season.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Before peak, peak, or after peak?<b><i> peak</i></b></li>
<li style="text-align: left;">After the 1976 season Dave and teammate Tony Perez <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9uheAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7lMNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2065,4862353&dq=dave+concepcion&hl=en">voiced frustration </a>about how Latin ballplayers were forgotten and underrated.</li>
</ul><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-67515963617369284402011-08-28T17:59:00.028-07:002011-08-28T17:59:00.367-07:001976 Hostess #122 - Gene Tenace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbzsrHFDwV169oUfPLceIFJehuEGRmlXe2CQg88wuX1p9KRWMDHdNTX0w-IMkntKwmk7UiM56oDEW9R9MM3QlMdcoRW74Tzm678tKVofzoFiDthPh9bnw7NS45jnRQ6RNCfvyv2k0A4wL/s1600/76hostess122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbzsrHFDwV169oUfPLceIFJehuEGRmlXe2CQg88wuX1p9KRWMDHdNTX0w-IMkntKwmk7UiM56oDEW9R9MM3QlMdcoRW74Tzm678tKVofzoFiDthPh9bnw7NS45jnRQ6RNCfvyv2k0A4wL/s320/76hostess122.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EwhVk7S7l-e8lnPhpAz2y6OOekOL0unPD66V5an6_8ja8c3vuA8tn8AwbKT0lk-KHm4fIFIDL2iZuEXqEB5zdew3dJKjt2Gn8Y6WmjE68HHxaxMjqYwtWfx7Qu1O5NJXTiUarx55ikeh/s1600/76hostess122b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EwhVk7S7l-e8lnPhpAz2y6OOekOL0unPD66V5an6_8ja8c3vuA8tn8AwbKT0lk-KHm4fIFIDL2iZuEXqEB5zdew3dJKjt2Gn8Y6WmjE68HHxaxMjqYwtWfx7Qu1O5NJXTiUarx55ikeh/s320/76hostess122b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li style="text-align: left;">As the card back shows, Gene Tenace was a part-time player until 1973. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Tenace spent most of 1973 playing first base, then he was behind the plate for about 2/3 of the time in 1974. Gene played catcher for about 3/4 of his games in 1975.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Gene had some good power years from 1973-1975, averaging 26.3 home runs per season.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Tenace was an AL All Star in 1975 and also got a little bit of MVP support (18th in MVP voting)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Gene played in only 128 games in 1976. Tenace strained his left knee sliding into second base on April 20.<a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nhwiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MGcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4448,2683142&dq=gene+tenace&hl=en"> It was thought</a> that he would miss 10-14 days, but he ended up missing five weeks.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Tenace batted .249 with 22 HR and 66 RBI. It was the only year from 1973-1979 that he didn't walk over 100 times (he had 81 bases on balls)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">After the 1976 season Tenace <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aIVQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3xEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2021,3254988&dq=gene+tenace&hl=en">signed a six-year, $1.8 million contract</a> with the San Diego Padres. He made $40,800 in 1976, so the pact represented a huge raise for Gene.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Before peak, peak, or after peak? <b><i>after peak</i></b> (barely)</li>
</ul><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-18338498240612765822011-08-27T20:11:00.018-07:002011-08-27T20:11:00.240-07:001976 Hostess #106 - George Foster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgMA7aJ4Q5M6Ge0MmnukviqiUpG46WHM6ZAQcHu6eAXTqK0iNos_iHMxhXIEYV9LUYO8Ev3ohjGGGdQ8uAmmvPOK1m04eGlY0q6fLrS84J39crOP9Qh03OOkr4XPYo6Oeuu-YIh67lLRh/s1600/76hostess106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgMA7aJ4Q5M6Ge0MmnukviqiUpG46WHM6ZAQcHu6eAXTqK0iNos_iHMxhXIEYV9LUYO8Ev3ohjGGGdQ8uAmmvPOK1m04eGlY0q6fLrS84J39crOP9Qh03OOkr4XPYo6Oeuu-YIh67lLRh/s320/76hostess106.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvQ49C2nubM2bQo1M_A6o6cRAMqesPth2dptjXl1hK3cryHkn_IFk4zlieeFaGlzVq0TfXRy3BddVyW0B_5Mkg0w_Y7fyBScOKb_2USMeP0HTiUc_HFsuOeZ-QcP-sOc8KomZYYtuDjCP/s1600/76hostess106b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvQ49C2nubM2bQo1M_A6o6cRAMqesPth2dptjXl1hK3cryHkn_IFk4zlieeFaGlzVq0TfXRy3BddVyW0B_5Mkg0w_Y7fyBScOKb_2USMeP0HTiUc_HFsuOeZ-QcP-sOc8KomZYYtuDjCP/s320/76hostess106b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li style="text-align: left;">In the mid to late 1970s, getting any Cincinnati Reds player would have been great. They had a lot of great players!</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">After several years as an extra outfielder, George Foster had his "breakout" season in 1975.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">George added to his success in 1976. </li>
<ul><li style="text-align: left;">He led the NL with 121 RBI, </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">He <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Lw9aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lEsNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6641,690384&dq=george+foster&hl=en">made his first NL All Star team</a> and hit a two-run homer and an RBI single off of Catfish Hunter (<a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=teJeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=u1MNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2425,3039112&dq=george+foster&hl=en">he was named the All Star MVP</a>)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">He<a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ChpgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Km4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1258,5098666&dq=george+foster&hl=en"> finished second</a> to teammate Joe Morgan in MVP voting.</li>
</ul><li style="text-align: left;">Before peak, peak, or after peak? <b><i>just before his peak --- 1977 was a monster year</i></b></li>
</ul><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-36798495638814275412011-08-26T18:23:00.025-07:002011-08-26T18:23:00.074-07:001976 Hostess #100 - Bill Madlock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqySekGensOzsecXEE6c_jY2LINDa6YFDSxt7PUlTAVPfiw45NjdyERgG6rVsA8rj97RtHR2SzlggCv0EuXYFcddup2zVFuvgwBgAoWa82nRK-90iHOm3PqPKtPZa5wQk-LWMvEw0LO7bq/s1600/76hostess100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqySekGensOzsecXEE6c_jY2LINDa6YFDSxt7PUlTAVPfiw45NjdyERgG6rVsA8rj97RtHR2SzlggCv0EuXYFcddup2zVFuvgwBgAoWa82nRK-90iHOm3PqPKtPZa5wQk-LWMvEw0LO7bq/s320/76hostess100.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M6eqNGVUXJVUjeCYwDln8IuBFStYwQAuH_2NFM9b3yWXBzTAS3R0BYnjALkrsyDSRX3oUe92PpIovWQfVE0ePCaX-MIp4JY_ux03Y7N_Ans-OGY1jgVOFRmVNd6A66e_TUL-jn_qMacZ/s1600/76hostess100b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M6eqNGVUXJVUjeCYwDln8IuBFStYwQAuH_2NFM9b3yWXBzTAS3R0BYnjALkrsyDSRX3oUe92PpIovWQfVE0ePCaX-MIp4JY_ux03Y7N_Ans-OGY1jgVOFRmVNd6A66e_TUL-jn_qMacZ/s320/76hostess100b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li style="text-align: left;">That is a nice looking lifetime batting average. The average would drop as the years went by, but Bill Madlock still retired with a .305 average in a 15-year career</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Bill had a great start to his career. He finished a distant third in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 1974, but he avoided the sophomore jinx by winning the first of four NL batting titles in 1975.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Madlock had an eventful 1976 season.<a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jBQfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5p0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6968,219703&dq=bill+madlock&hl=en"> He made the headlines</a> in early May when he took exception to being hit by a pitch by San Francisco's Jim Barr. Barr had been warned by umpires earlier in the game after some inside pitches to Jose Cardenal. Madlock and Barr brawled and Madlock managed to land a right hook to Barr. Oddly, even after Barr had been warned, he was allowed to stay in the game while Madlock was ejected.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Bill was in contention for a second straight batting title in 1976, but <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Sb0sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KhQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3109,3774459&dq=bill+madlock&hl=en">he was quoted in August </a>as saying his chances weren't very good because there were too many good hitters in the league.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">On the last day of the season Ken Griffey was leading the batting race with a .338 average while Madlock had a .333 average. Griffey was not in the lineup for the final game. After Madlock went 4 for 4, Griffey was inserted into his game but struck out twice. Madlock <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cT9VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Vz4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=3009,895793&dq=bill+madlock&hl=en">won the title with a .339 average</a>, three points ahead of Griffey's .336 average.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Before peak, peak, or after peak? <b><i>peak</i></b></li>
</ul><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-80437833858967693132011-08-25T20:05:00.000-07:002011-08-25T20:05:14.404-07:001976 Hostess #93 - Bake McBride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_JTrcgyJg8syP4mVIKti9LGF2xQkw3efx-O8g01YfZ38izdWmRSr3ujIPfBBnMAcFPuvoccs2Gp9STpMlCDt6yGdSUhoIrbXUf70gt3eO5ssJf_aNDTfvK-flGyxXsvEGLhHtoqEkXgf/s1600/76hostess93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_JTrcgyJg8syP4mVIKti9LGF2xQkw3efx-O8g01YfZ38izdWmRSr3ujIPfBBnMAcFPuvoccs2Gp9STpMlCDt6yGdSUhoIrbXUf70gt3eO5ssJf_aNDTfvK-flGyxXsvEGLhHtoqEkXgf/s320/76hostess93.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhRqYVN5wOOGLU_ork7yeZ4R0Bq33wld4kLtA5L54qH0bmoeErieKJonIOxkgskp7jCLHX-FfCDOQrhQ6dI5bRtXwzzrnlrtwQH9RoLMsmnFOr2BNrzX_ccjE5GuS3xz_y1aJuZVBO9-y/s1600/76hostess93b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhRqYVN5wOOGLU_ork7yeZ4R0Bq33wld4kLtA5L54qH0bmoeErieKJonIOxkgskp7jCLHX-FfCDOQrhQ6dI5bRtXwzzrnlrtwQH9RoLMsmnFOr2BNrzX_ccjE5GuS3xz_y1aJuZVBO9-y/s320/76hostess93b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Bake McBride was off to a fine start. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1974.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">McBride was selected as a member of the 1976 NL All Star team. He didn't play in the game. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Bake had an injury-riddled 1976 season. He missed three weeks in May with an injury and also missed most of the first two weeks of July<a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bAYuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CawFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3789,832952&dq=bake+mcbride&hl=en"> due to knee problems</a>.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">McBride<a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1PZQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=x8AMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1787,1422563&dq=bake+mcbride&hl=en"> had knee surgery</a> in early August and missed the rest of the 1976 season.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Bake played in 72 games and batted .335 in 1976.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Before peak, peak or after peak? <b><i>peak</i></b></li>
</ul><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-48467877575070121462011-08-24T18:59:00.019-07:002011-08-24T18:59:00.131-07:001976 Hostess #61 - Bert Campaneris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazdoOB4aTqxQ3r90Xuhb1YsT-TPk8h_X_p_FuMVot-KWT2M03hlxwuGZJzKbdhKngNM6AmFgplkQMkgoOHuOO1kafdmtVuCmpNM83qwGEJzQo8g7rUD30REYdnSb2_GScnwCXqSGjuW-U/s1600/76hostess61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazdoOB4aTqxQ3r90Xuhb1YsT-TPk8h_X_p_FuMVot-KWT2M03hlxwuGZJzKbdhKngNM6AmFgplkQMkgoOHuOO1kafdmtVuCmpNM83qwGEJzQo8g7rUD30REYdnSb2_GScnwCXqSGjuW-U/s320/76hostess61.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpFgCYteSLX0MWoJirrsYqjECjYrN4Hf8ZAlhTNg-v5MWFiZhrBDVH3yjOA4xCtFemJod6cYj8bcpZgtPc9RgRYmBJDc99kfCo0z2Zk-lptEEw5moSuySgbO4IA713GwAInU5jAjsJXT-/s1600/76hostess61b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpFgCYteSLX0MWoJirrsYqjECjYrN4Hf8ZAlhTNg-v5MWFiZhrBDVH3yjOA4xCtFemJod6cYj8bcpZgtPc9RgRYmBJDc99kfCo0z2Zk-lptEEw5moSuySgbO4IA713GwAInU5jAjsJXT-/s320/76hostess61b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Bert Campaneris was an AL All Star from 1972-1975.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Campaneris played out his option in 1976 in order to become a free agent after the season. Oakland owner Charlie Finley cut Bert's salary the maximum 20% (from $90,000 to $72,000).</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">In his final season with the A's, Campaneris batted .256 in 149 games and had a pukey .291 slugging percentage. He also stole 54 bases.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CZBPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AAYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5221,4401100&dq=bert+campaneris&hl=en">Bert signed</a> a five-year, $950,000 contract with the Texas Rangers after the 1976 season.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">After leaving Oakland, Campaneris had only one more full season (1977). He struggled offensively in 1978 and became a part-time player.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Before peak, peak, or after peak? <b><i>after peak or very end of peak</i></b></li>
</ul><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571252511993436109.post-88129540344999792692011-08-23T15:02:00.033-07:002011-08-23T15:02:00.908-07:001976 Hostess #30 - Reggie Smith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmsZvPej4XhWG-QQ0DHInH-iLVzCeYYE2SdKTAGMe9n6Jqo6r-fC3kG7xt6C3rf2cpCquR5Y7yzAP4Z2zojcHtA_2f0X1r-ih6aOZu9uRFl5-SxJQiPX4THi0GViPOlKc9mchr-ZIUeEm/s1600/76hostess30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmsZvPej4XhWG-QQ0DHInH-iLVzCeYYE2SdKTAGMe9n6Jqo6r-fC3kG7xt6C3rf2cpCquR5Y7yzAP4Z2zojcHtA_2f0X1r-ih6aOZu9uRFl5-SxJQiPX4THi0GViPOlKc9mchr-ZIUeEm/s320/76hostess30.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLvCV2JCfDZLgIoW8evF8SJIriQeU15-Q_w_0csySJ_AqI-vp0243xcubs3B_4TdqsK-vPn-60WlA3iREvTW1QG3pigLGFwrTPQF2feskAap_UdS2E9B3xOvhq8x_4La4_AdKjbqzhkwk/s1600/76hostess30b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLvCV2JCfDZLgIoW8evF8SJIriQeU15-Q_w_0csySJ_AqI-vp0243xcubs3B_4TdqsK-vPn-60WlA3iREvTW1QG3pigLGFwrTPQF2feskAap_UdS2E9B3xOvhq8x_4La4_AdKjbqzhkwk/s320/76hostess30b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Reggie Smith was an All Star in three seasons (1972, 1974, 1975) during this five-year run</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Smith led the AL in doubles and in total bases in 1972</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Reggie got off to a slow start in 1976. In the first ten weeks of the season he was batting .281 with eight home runs in 47 games.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XpofAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Z9QEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1257,4717008&dq=reggie+smith&hl=en">Smith was traded</a> to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Joe Ferguson and two minor leaguers on June 15, 1976</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0-ZdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ll8NAAAAIBAJ&pg=5234,2474109&dq=reggie+smith&hl=en">Reggie was happy</a> to go back to where he was born and raised.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Smith performed better in Los Angeles, batting .280 with ten home runs. He was out for three weeks with an injury in August.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Smith felt that <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tkJPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=b48DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3168,812288&dq=reggie+smith&hl=en">baseball had made progress</a> in hiring blacks in management positions, but he said that the sport had a ways to go.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">After the 1976 season Reggie underwent left shoulder surgery. He bounced back to have two good years in 1977 and in 1978.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">In mid-October 1976 <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=csRiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lngNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1568,4395858&dq=reggie+smith&hl=en">Smith made news</a> when his beaded necklace that had been stolen from Dodger Stadium turned up in the home of two Los Angeles youths who were selling stolen merchandise.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Before peak, peak, or after peak? <b><i>peak</i></b> (but 1976 was an off-year)</li>
</ul><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Matt Runyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386635541020320778noreply@blogger.com0