1976 Topps #580 - Bert Campaneris

• Bert Campaneris had a long career as a major league shortstop. Bert was signed out of Cuba by the Kansas City A's in 1961. Bert played in the minors from 1961-1964 and was brought up to Kansas City in late July 1964 after batting .325 in  AA Birmingham. Campaneris hit two home runs in his first major league game on July 23, 1964 -- the first home run was off of Jim Kaat on the first major league pitch he ever saw. Bert batted .257 in 67 games for the A's in 1964.
• Campaneris was the first player to play all nine positions in a game on September 8, 1965. Bert played in 144 games in 1965 and batted .270. He led the AL with 51 stolen bases. This was the first of six AL stolen base titles for Campaneris. 
• Bert continued to play a steady shortstop for the A's through the 1976 season. He was usually right around the league average in fielding for shortstops. He didn't have very high on base percentages,  but when he did get on base Bert was usually wreaking havoc. He stole at least 40 bases every year from 1965-1970 and his lowest stolen base total as a full-time player was 24 in 1975.
• Bert's best year was in 1968. He batted .276 in an offensively-challenged year and led the AL with 177 hits. Campaneris made his first AL All Star team and finshed 11th in MVP voting.
• A's Campaneris Shooting for New Theft  Mark - July 1970 Baseball Digest
• Campaneris made six AL All Star teams:
• 1968 SS (0 for 1)
• 1972 (didn't play in game)
• 1973 starting SS (0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts)
• 1974 starting SS (0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts)
• 1975 starting SS (2 for 2)
• 1977 SS (0 for 1, 1 run, 1 walk, 1 strikeout)
• Campaneris saw a lot of post-season action with the A's (and later with the California Angels) in the 1970s:
• 1971 ALCS (2-12, .167 in 3 games)
• 1972 ALCS (3 for 7, .429, 3 runs scored in 2 games)
• 1972 World Series (5 for 28, .179 in 7 games)
• 1973 ALCS (7 for 21, .333 in 5 games)
• 1973 World Series (9 for 31, .290 in 7 games)
• 1974 ALCS (3 for 17, .176 in 4 games)
• 1974 World Series (6 for 17, .353 in 5 games)
• 1975 ALCS (0 for 11, .000 in 3 games)
• 1979 ALCS (one defensive appearance, no at bats)
• The reason why Bert played in only two games in the 1972 ALCS was because of an incident that happened late in game 2 of the series. Campaneris had three hits, two stolen bases, and two runs when he faced Detroit pitcher Lerrin LaGrow in the 7th inning. A pitch hit Campaneris on the ankle and Bert flung his bat out at LaGrow. A big brawl ensued and Bert was ejected from the game and suspended for the rest of the ALCS.
• After the 1976 season the once-great Oakland A's were only a shell of a team due to trades and free agent defections. Bert left as a free agent and signed with the Texas Rangers. Campaneris had a typical season (150 games, .254 batting avearage) and led the AL with 40 sacrifice hits. Bert really struggled in 1978 and batted only .186 in 98 games. Bert played in eight games in 1979 before being traded to the California Angels on May 12 for Dave Chalk. Campaneris batted .234 in 85 games for the Angels in 1979.
• Campaneris was a part-time player for the Angels in 1980 (.252 in 17 games) and in 1981 (.256 in 82 at bats). Bert played in the Mexican League in 1982 and then signed with the New York Yankees in 1983. Campaneris spent a couple of weeks in AAA and then batted .322 in 60 games for the Yankees. Campaneris retired after the 1983 season.
• Bert Campaneris: He Sparked Championship A's of 1970s- November 1990 Baseball Digest
• Bert now lives in Scottsdale, AZ and participates in old-timers games and golf tournaments for the Major League Baseball Players' Alumni Association.
• Liked to face: Geoff Zahn (.545 in 22 AB); Mike Paul (.476 in 21 AB); Lindy McDaniel (.440 in 25 AB)
• Hated to face: Rich Gale (.000 in 15 AB); Dick Woodson (.048 in 21 AB); Bill Parsons (.091 in 22 AB)

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1976 Topps #500 - Reggie Jackson

• Reggie! Reggie! Reggie! I think that's the first time I heard a chant for one player in a game. Most people either loved or hated him, and some people (like me) liked and disliked him at the same time. 
• Reggie Jackson played for Arizona State University and was drafted by the Kansas City A's in 1966. He spent two years in the minors and was called up to the A's in mid-1967. Reggie didn't do much for the A's in 1967 (.178, 1 HR, 6 RBI in 118 at bats) but was given the starting right field job in 1968.
• The A's moved to Oakland in 1968 and Reggie did well. He led the AL in strikeouts with 171 -- he would lead the league five times -- but he batted .250 with 29 HR and 74 RBI in "The Year of the Pitcher." 
• Jackson had one of his best seasons in 1969, batting .275 with 47 HR, 118  RBI, and a league-leading 123 runs scored. Reggie Jackson - Baseball's Next Super-Star? - August 1969 Baseball Digest. How Williams Views Reggie As A Hitter -  November 1969 Baseball Digest. After the 1969 season Reggie had the first of several salary disputes with A's owner Charlie Finley. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn intervened, but the dispute affected  Jackson and he had an off year in 1970 (.237, 23 HR, 66  RBI).
• Reggie bounced back in 1971 with what would become a typical Jackson year (.265, 32 HR, 80 RBI). He was 4 for 12 with two home runs in the 1971 ALCS. In 1972 Reggie batted .265 with 25 HR and 75 RBI. He batted .278 in the 1972 ALCS and stole home to score the tying run in the decisive fifth game. Jackson tore a hamstring during the play and had to miss the World Series. Reggie Jackson: He Dared the A's to Win - January 1973 Baseball Digest.
• Jackson was the AL MVP in 1973. He batted .293 and led the AL with 32 HR, 117 RBI, a .531 slugging percentage, and 99 runs scored. Reggie batted only .143 in the ALCS but he batted .310 and was the MVP in the 1973 World Series. When The Real Reggie Jackson Stood Up... - January 1974 Baseball Digest.
• Jackson batted .289 with 29 HR and 93 RBI in 1974. He batted .167 in the ALCS and helped the A's to their third straight title by batting .286 in the World Series. In 1975 Reggie batted .253 with 104 RBI and a league-leading 36 HR. Jackson batted .417 in the ALCS but the A's were swept by the Boston Red Sox.
• Finley knew that he wouldn't be able to sign Jackson when he was due to become a free agent after the 1976 season, so Jackson, Ken Holtzman, and a minor leaguer were traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Don Baylor, Mike Torrez, and Paul Mitchell. Jackson played for the Orioles in 1976 and batted .277 with 27 HR and 91 RBI. It was the only season between 1971 and 1984 in which Reggie wasn't an AL All Star. After the 1976 season Jackson signed a five-year, $2.9 million contract with the New York Yankees.
• Jackson had been wearing #9 with the A's, but Graig Nettles had the number for the Yankees. Reggie switched to #44 and both numbers are now retired by the respective teams. Jackson didn't get along with manager Billy Martin and they had several run-ins. The most notable run-in was during a nationally televised game in 1977 when Martin pulled Jackson out of the game in the middle of an inning for not hustling after a batted ball. Martin lunged at Jackson in the Yankee dugout and had to be restrained by coaches Yogi Berra and Elston Howard. The scene was shown on television, much to the delight of the Red Sox fans. Reggie also got himself in trouble with teammates for the infamous "straw that stirs the drink" quote. Even with all of the swirling controversy, Reggie batted .286 with 32 HR and 110 RBI as the Yankees won the World Championship. Jackson batted only .125 in the ALCS but batted .450 with 5 HR in the World Series (including the famous three home runs in game 6) and won the World Series MVP for the second time.
• Jackson had a candy bar (REGGIE!) named after him in 1978. He batted .274 with 27 HR and 94 RBI and helped the Yankees to their second straight World Championship. Reggie batted .462 with two HR in the ALCS and .391 with two HR in the World Series. Even As A Runner, Reggie Jackson Attracts Attention - January 1979 Baseball Digest.
• Reggie batted .297 with 29 HR and 89 RBI in 1979. He finished second to George Brett in MVP voting in 1980 and batted .300 with 41 HR and 111 RBI. Reggie batted .273 as the Kansas City Royals swept the Yankees in the 1980 ALCS.
• Jackson had an off-year in 1981 and batted .237 with 15 HR and 54 RBI. Reggie was having difficulties with Steinbrenner during the season (it was the final year of his contract). He batted .300 with two HR in the 1981 ALDS but hurt himself running the bases during the ALCS and missed most of that series and the first two games of the World Series. Reggie was cleared to play in game 3 of the World Series but was held out of the lineup by manager Bob Lemon (apparently under orders from Steinbrenner). Jackson played in the last three games of the World Series and batted .333 with a home run. After the season Reggie signed a five-year contract with the California Angels.
• Jackson helped the Angels to the AL West title in 1982 by batting .275 with 101 RBI and a league-leading 39 HR. Reggie batted .111 with 1 HR in the ALCS.
• Reggie had his toughest season in 1983, batting .194 with 14 HR and 49 RBI in 116 games. In 1984 he batted .223 with 25 HR and 81 RBI and in 1985 Jackson batted .252 with 27 HR and 85 RBI. On September 17, 1984 Jackson hit his 500th home run off of Bud Black of the Royals.
• The Angels won the AL West in 1986. Reggie batted .241 with 18 HR and 58 RBI during the regular season and .192 in the ALCS. Critics Taint the Glory Days of Reggie Jackson - August 1986 Baseball Digest. After the 1986 season Jackson signed a one-year contract with the A's.
• Reggie finished his career in 1987 by batting .220 with 15 HR and 43 RBI. Reggie Jackson Left A Special Imprint on the Game - November 1987 Baseball Digest. Jackson ended up with 563 career home runs and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1993. Reggie Jackson: He Produced Best When in the Spotlight - April 1993 Baseball Digest.
• Reggie did various announcing jobs and had a few cameo acting appearances after his playing career. He parlayed his interest in classic cars into a string of auto dealerships in California. He also is a big trader in sports memorabilia. He is now a special assistant for the New York Yankees.
• Reggie's official website.
• Jackson was in 14 All Star games. His record in these games is as follows:
• 1969 0-2 with a BB (starting CF)
• 1971 1-1, HR, 2 RBI (pinch hitter)
• 1972 2-4, double (starting RF)
• 1973 1-4, double, RBI (starting RF)
• 1974 0-3, BB, 2 SO (starting RF)
• 1975 1-3, 2 SO (starting RF)
• 1977 1-2, SO (starting RF)
• 1978 (on the team but didn't play)
• 1979 0-1, BB (PH / RF)
• 1980 1-2, BB, SO (starting RF)
• 1981 0-1 (starting RF)
• 1982 0-1, RBI, sac fly (starting RF)
• 1983 (on the team but did not play)
• 1984 0-2, SO (starting RF)
• Liked to face: Jim Slaton (.333 with 7 HR in 66 AB); Jerry Augustine (.302, 6 HR in 43 AB); Clyde Wright (.315 with 6 HR in 73 AB)
• Hated to face: Rich Hand (.000 in 16 AB); Aurelio Lopez (.043 in 23 AB); Bret Saberhagen (.065 in 31 AB)

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REGGIE! bar commercial:

1976 Topps #475 - Joe Rudi

• This card was cool to get because of the All Star designation on the front. Joe Rudi was signed by the Kansas City A's in 1964. He played in the minors from 1965-1969 and had short stints in the  majors in 1967 (.186 in 43 AB) and in 1968 (.177 in 181 AB).
• Rudi spent the first two months of the 1969 season in AAA Iowa. He was also there for the month of August. Joe batted .354 for Iowa, but only .189 for the A's. Joe swung the bat  much better in 1970. He batted .309 with 11 HR and 42 RBI in 106 games at LF, 1B, and RF.
• In 1971 the A's won the first of five straight AL West titles. Rudi batted .267 with 10 HR and 52 RBI as the starting left fielder. Joe was 1 for 7 in the ALCS.
• Rudi finished second to Dick Allen in AL MVP voting in 1972. Joe batted .305, led the AL in hits (181) and triples (9), and hit 19 home runs. Rudi made his first AL All Star team  and doubled in his only at  bat. Joe batted  in the .250 in the ALCS and .240 with a home run in the World Series.
• Joe tailed off in 1973 and batted .270 with 12 HR and 66 RBI. He missed almost a month of the season in July and August. Rudi batted .222 with a home run in the ALCS and .333 in the World Series. Joe Rudi: The A's Unheralded Star - March 1973 Baseball Digest
• Rudi finished second in AL MVP voting again in 1974. There were four Oakland players in the top six, which may have split the vote and hurt Joe's chances at the award. He was an  AL All Star (he was 0 for 2) and won his first Gold Glove. Joe batted .293 with 22 HR and 99 RBI and led the AL with 39 doubles. Rudi batted .154 with a home run in the ALCS and .333 in the World Series.
• Joe had another nice year in 1975. He won another Gold Glove and went 1 for 3 as the starting LF in the All Star Game. Rudi played in 91 games at 1B and 47 games at LF for the A's in 1975. He batted .278 with 21 HR and 75 RBI in 126 games. Joe missed about five weeks in August and September. Rudi batted .250 in the 1975 ALCS. Joe Rudi: He's Underrated No Longer - September 1975 Baseball Digest
• The Oakland ballclub was breaking up in 1976. Owner Charlie Finley tried to trade or sell his players and get as much as he could for them. Rudi was sold to the Boston Red Sox on June 15 but Commissioner Bowie Kuhn invalidated the sale and Rudi returned to the A's on June 18. Joe played in 130 games for the A's in 1976 and batted .270 with 13 HR and 94 RBI. He also won his third (and last) Gold Glove. After the 1976 season Rudi became a free agent and signed with the California Angels.
• Rudi missed a lot of the 1977 season due to a broken wrist. He didn't play after  June 26. Joe batted .264 with 13 HR and 53 RBI in 64 games. Rudi played in 133 games in 1978 and batted .256 with 17 HR and 79 RBI.
• Joe had a couple of stints on the disabled list in 1979 and didn't play after August 15 due to achilles problems. In spite of Rudi's absences the Angels won their first AL West title. Joe batted .242 with 11 HR and 61 RBI in 90 games.
• Rudi played in over 100 games for the last time in 1980. In 104 games Joe batted .237 with 16 HR and 53 RBI. After the 1980 season Rudi was involved in a big trade -- he was traded with Jim Dorsey and Frank Tanana to the Boston Red Sox for Fred Lynn and Steve Renko.
• Joe didn't play very much in 1981. He batted .180 in 49 games, became a free agent after the season, and signed with the A's. Rudi batted .212 in 71 games with the A's in 1982, missed all of the 1983 season, and was released by the A's on October 28, 1983.
• Former A's Star Cites Changes in the Game - December 1990 Baseball Digest
• After his playing career Rudi went into real estate. He currently works in real estate in Baker City, Oregon.
• Here is a Sports Illustrated "where are they now" article from July 16, 2000.
• Liked to face: Dave Roberts (.429 in 21 AB); Mickey Lolich (.409 in 44 AB); Roger Erickson (.407 in 27 AB)
• Hated to face: Steve Barber (.000 in 13 AB); Bob McClure (.059 in 17 AB); Lerrin LaGrow (.100 in 20 AB)

1976 Topps #420 - Joe Morgan

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  Joe Morgan was one of the greatest second basemen in baseball history. He played from 1963-1984 and gained most of his fame by being an integral part of the 1970s Cincinnati Reds teams. Morgan was signed by the Houston Colt .45s in 1962. Joe was having trouble with his swing because he kept his back elbow down too low. Nellie Fox suggested to Joe that he should flap his back elbow to keep his elbow up. That became the most distinctive part of Joe's stance at the plate.

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  Morgan played in the minors in 1963 and 1964. He had a brief September stint with Houston in 1963 (.240 in 8 games). Joe batted .323 with 113 runs, 90 RBI, and 47 stolen bases for AA San Antonio in 1964 and was judged to be ready for the majors. He batted .189 in 10 games for the Colt .45s at the end of the 1964 season.
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  Joe had an excellent rookie season. He batted .271 and led the NL with 97 walks. He was in double figures in doubles, triples, and home runs. Morgan finished second to LA Dodger Jim Lefebvre in NL Rookie of the Year voting. It was an odd vote since Joe had superior stats in every category except RBI and home runs (Morgan trailed 14 to 12 in that category). It must have been some sort of "pennant-winning team" effect. Little Joe Rookie of the Year? - September 1965 Baseball Digest.
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  Morgan made his first NL All Star team in 1966 (he didn't get in the game) and batted .285 in 122 games. He missed about six weeks from late June to early August with an injury. Joe played in 133 games in 1967 and batted .275. Morgan missed three weeks in June with an injury.
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  Joe was hurt and missed most of the 1968 season. He played in six games in April and made four pinch hitting appearances in May. Morgan ended up batting .250 in 10 games.
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  Morgan came back to play in 147 games in 1969 but his offense wasn't all the way back yet. He batted .236 but walked 110 times to boost his on base percentage to .365. Joe also stole 49 bases -- it was the first of nine straight years of stealing 40 or more bases. He improved to .268 in 1970 and went to his second All Star game (he was 1 for 2 with a run scored).
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  Morgan led the NL with 11 triples in 1971 and batted .256 in 160 games. Astros manager Harry Walker wanted more power in the lineup so after the 1971 season Morgan was traded (with Cesar Geronimo, Jack Billingham, Dennis Menke, and Ed Armbrister) to the Cincinnati Reds for Lee May, Tommy Helms, and Jimmy Stewart. The trade ended up being a great one for the Reds.
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  Joe started a string of great years with the Reds in 1972. He made the All Star team every year he was with the Reds (1972-1979) and won five straight Gold Gloves (1973-1977). In 1972 Morgan was fourth in MVP voting as he led the NL in runs (122), walks (115), and on base percentage (.414). Morgan batted .292 and hit 16 homers. He was named the All Star MVP after he singled in the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning. The Big Red Machine Rolls Again - October 1972 Baseball Digest. Morgan batted .250 in the 1972 NLCS and .125 in the World Series. Joe Morgan Talks about Base-Stealing Strategy - December 1972 Baseball Digest.
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  Morgan finished 4th in MVP voting again in 1973. He batted .290 with 26 HR and 116 runs scored. Joe batted .100 (2 for 20) in the 1973 NLCS. Morgan batted .293 with 22 HR in 1974 but the Reds were beaten out in the NL West by the LA Dodgers that season. Little Joe...Big Man in Reds' Lineup - May 1974 Baseball Digest
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  In 1975 Morgan won the first of two straight MVP awards. He batted .327 with 17 HR and 94 RBI, walked 132 times, stole 67 bases, and had a .466 on base percentage. Joe had his best postseason in 1975. He batted .273 and stole four bases in the Reds' 3-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Morgan batted .259 in the World Series. Little Joe Morgan: Destsined for the Hall of Fame - October 1975 Baseball Digest.
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  Morgan batted .320 with 27 HR and 111 RBI in 1976 and was the NL MVP again. He went 0 for 7 (but walked five times and scored four runs) in the Reds' sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLCS and batted .333 in the World Series. Joe Morgan, Baseball's Most Complete Player in 1976 - December 1976 Baseball Digest.
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  Joe's stats started to drop in 1977. He was an All Star again (a home run in 4 at bats) and batted .288 with 22 HR and 78 RBI. It was the last season in which he would walk over 100 times (117) or steal more than 40 bases (49). Morgan also won his fifth and final Gold Glove in 1977.
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  Morgan dropped to .236 in 1978. The fans voted him into the All Star game (1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored) but it was probably his worst season as a regular player.
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  Joe's last season in Cincinnati was 1979. He made the All Star team as a reserve (Davey Lopes was voted in as the starting 2B by the fans) and went 0 for 1 with a walk. It was Joe's last All Star game. Morgan batted .250 in 127 games. He went 0 for 11 in the NLCS as the Reds were swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Morgan became a free agent after the 1979 season and signed with the Houston Astros. Joe  Morgan Hits the Comeback Trail with Houston - May 1980 Baseball Digest.
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  In 1980 Morgan led the NL with 97 walks. He batted .243 in 141 games and batted .154 in 4 games in the NLCS. Joe  Morgan Played Pivitoal Role in Rise of Astros - Baseball Digest January 1981. Joe was released  by the Astros after the 1980 season. He later signed with the San Francisco Giants.
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  Morgan batted .240 in 90 games in the strike-shortened 1981 season. He had a good year in 1982, batting .289 and winning the Silver Slugger Award at second base. Joe homered in the last game of the 1982 season to win the game and knock the LA Dodgers out of the NL West race.
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  After the 1982 season Joe was traded with Al Holland to the Philadelphia Phillies for Mike Krukow, Mark Davis, and a minor leaguer. He rejoined former teammates Pete Rose and Tony Perez on the Phillies. A Love Triangle: Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, and Baseball - May 1983 Baseball Digest.  Morgan batted .230 with 16 HR and 18 stolen bases. He batted .067 (1 for 15) in the NLCS and .263 in the World Series. The Phillies released Morgan after the 1983 season.
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  Morgan went back home to Oakland to finish his career with the Oakland A's. He batted .244 in 116 games and retired after the season. Joe Morgan Recalls His Favorite Major League Tutor - October 1984 Baseball Digest. Joe was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990. Hall of Fame Inductee Joe Morgan Remembers His Early Mentor - August 1990 Baseball Digest.
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  After his playing career Morgan went on to become a broadcaster. He started off doing broadcasts for the Cincinnati Reds (1985), San Francisco Giants (1986-1994), and the Oakland A's (1995). He also announced for ABC (1988-1989) and NBC (1994-2000). He is most noted for his Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts with Jon Miller that he has been doing on ESPN since 1990. Joe Morgan Decries Decline of Running Game in the Majors - October 1999 Baseball Digest.
• Here is Night Owl's take on Joe Morgan's 1975 card. He did his entry just two days before mine.
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  Liked to face: Ray Washburn / Mike Marshall (.462 in 26 AB); Wayne Twitchell (.455 in 33 AB); Tony Cloninger (.455 in 44 AB)
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  Hated to face: Sammy Ellis (.045 in 22 AB); Pascual Perez (.048 in 21 AB); Joe Sambito (.125 in 24 AB)
  
  

1976 Topps #48 - Dave Concepcion

• A few days ago I got a package from the Dean family (1980 Topps Blog). It had a lot of SF Giants cards that I needed for my team set project. Also in the pack was this nice 1976 Dave Concepcion card. Now I'm only one card (#525 Billy Williams) from completing the set. Thanks a lot for the card! :)

• Dave Concepcion was a great shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds in the 70s and 80s. He spent his whole career (1970-1988) with the Reds. I think Dave may merit some consideration for the Baseball Hall of Fame. He had nine All Star selections (five as a starter) and five Gold Glove awards. There are several "Concepcion for Hall of Fame" pages out there.

• Dave signed with the Reds as an amateur free agent and played in the minors in 1968 and 1969. He made the Reds in 1970 and batted .260 in 265 at bats in his rookie season. His hitting fell off in 1971 (.209) and 1972 (.205).

• Concepcion was off to a great start in 1973 and made his first All Star team. Two days before the All Star game he broke his ankle and missed the rest of the season. I wonder if the Reds would have been able to win it all in 1973 if Dave would have been there. He played in 89 games and batted .287 with 22 stolen bases.

• Dave played in 160 games in 1974 and won his first Gold Glove. He batted .281 with 14 HR and 82 RBI. It was the only year from 1973-1982 that Concepcion didn't make the All Star team. Here is an August 1974 Baseball Digest article about "The Making of Dave Concepcion"

• From 1975-1982 Concepcion had solid seasons. There are a lot of AS and GG abbreviations in his baseball reference stat sheet. He usually batted between .280 and .306, usually had 10-20 stolen bases, and about 25-30 doubles a year. In 1982 Dave homered in the All Star game and wsa named the game's MVP. It was his last All Star game. Here is a December 1979 Baseball Digest article about "The Best All-Around Shortstop"

• Dave usually did well in the postseason. He had a lifetime .297 average in 101 post season at bats. He batted .455 in the 1975 NLCS, .357 in the 1976 World Series, and .429 in the 1979 NLCS.

• In 1982 Dave had shoulder surgery. The surgery and an elbow injury affected his performance in 1983 (.233 in 143 games). He continued to start at shortstop through the 1985 season but he didn't hit as well. Then Barry Larkin came along. Dave became a utilityman and even pitched an inning in his last season (1988).

• Here is a December 1987 Baseball Digest "Game I'll Never Forget" article about a 1975 World Series game.

• Dave was inducted into the Reds' Hall of Fame in 2000 and had his #13 retired by the Reds in 2007.

1976 Topps #169 - Graig Nettles

• Graig Nettles played for six teams from 1967-1988. He is most famous for his stint with the New York Yankees. Nettles was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 1965. He played in the minors from 1966-1968. Graig made his debut as a September call-up in 1967 and had one hit in three at bats. After a good year in AAA he got a longer look in September 1968 and batted .224 with five homers in 76 at bats.

• Nettles was a fourth outfielder and backup third baseman for the Twins in 1969 and he batted .222 with seven home runs in 96 games. He singled in his only at bat in the AL Championship Series. After the season he was involved in a multi-player trade which sent him to the Cleveland Indians. The trade was good for Nettles as he became a regular third baseman.

• In 1970 Graig hit 26 home runs and batted .235 in 157 games. He did better in 1971 as he hit 28 homers and batted .268 in 158 games. Graig's 1972 season wasn't quite as good -- he dropped to 17 home runs and a .253 average.

• After the 1972 season Nettles was traded by the Indians with Jerry Moses to the New York Yankees for John Ellis, Jerry Kenney, Charlie Spikes and Rusty Torres. It was a great trade for the Yankees since it gave them their regular third baseman for the next decade. In 1973 Graig started a run of seasons until 1979 in which he would have home run totals in the 20s and 30s (with a high of 37 in 1977 and a league-leading 32 in 1976). He made five AL All Star teams and won two Gold Glove awards (1977 and 1978).

• In 1980 Graig had hepatitis and didn't play from July 24-October 3. His numbers were down as he played in only 89 games and hit only 16 home runs. From 1981-1983 he continued to start at 3B for the Yankees but his home run totals were down to the upper teens and lower twenties.

• After the 1983 season Graig wrote Balls (a memoir of his career) with Peter Golenbock. He said some less than complimentary things about owner George Steinbrenner. When Steinbrenner heard about the comments he had Graig traded to the San Diego Padres for Dennis Rasmussen and a minor leaguer.

• Nettles was the starting 3B in 1984 and batted .224 with 20 home runs. He didn't have any extra-base hits in the NLCS or the World Series for the Padres. Graig made the NL All Star team in 1985 and homered 15 times as a 40-year-old third baseman. He batted .218 with 16 home runs in 1986 and was released after the season.

• The Atlanta Braves picked Nettles up for the 1987 season. He was used mostly as a pinch hitter and occasional third baseman and he batted .209 in 177 at bats. Graig was sold to the Montreal Expos before the 1988 season and he finished his career as a pinch hitter (with a few appearances at 3B and 1B).

• Graig was involved in the senior league in Florida in 1989. After his playing career Graig did some coaching for the Yankees (1991) and the Padres (1995).

• Nettles has recently battled prostate cancer. Here is a 2009 "where are they now" article about him.

"When I was a little boy, I wanted to be a baseball player and join the circus. With the Yankees I have accomplished both." - Graig Nettles

1976 Topps #150 - Steve Garvey

• To say that Steve Garvey had a nice career would be an understatement. His accomplishments include one NL MVP award (1974), ten All Star games (1974-1981, 1984, 1985), two All Star MVP awards, four Gold Glove awards (1974-1977), two National League Championship Series MVP awards (1978, 1984), the Roberto Clemente Award (1981), and the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award (1984). The San Diego Padres also retired his #6. By the way, why wasn't his number retired by the Dodgers?

• Garvey started in the LA Dodgers' system in 1968. He had a great year for AA Albuquerque in 1969 and he was given a little look-see (3 at bats) by the Dodgers at the end of the 1969 season. Steve started the 1970 season with the Dodgers but was sent back down to AAA Spokane at the end of April after batting only .087. After a couple more months of minor league seasoning he was brought back to the Dodgers in early July and ended up batting .269 in 93 at bats.

• Steve didn't become a regular until 1973. In 1971 he batted .227 in 81 games, and in 1972 he batted .269 in 96 games. He spent most of his time at 3B during this time. In 1973 Garvey spent most of his time at 1B (76 games) and played 10 games in the outfield. He batted .304 in 114 games. After the 1973 season, Garvey didn't play a single game at a position other than 1B.

• Garvey burst on the national scene in 1974. He was elected as a started for the NL All Star team as a write-in at first base. He also won his first Gold Glove award and the aforementioned NL MVP award. Steve batted .312 with 21 homers and 111 RBI. It was also the first of six season in which he would have 200 or more hits. Garvey topped off the season by batting .389 in the NLCS and .381 in the World Series.

• In 1975 Garvey started his famed consecutive game streak that lasted 1207 games (September 3, 1975 to July 29, 1983). Between 1975 and 1982 Steve never batted below .282 and had four seasons of over 20 home runs. It looked like he was headed for the Hall of Fame.

• After the 1982 season, Garvey became a free agent and signed with the San Diego Padres. He appeared to be headed for another typical Garvey season when he broke his thumb in a home plate collision against the Atlanta Braves on July 29, 1983. He was out for the season. In 1984 Garvey came back to play in 161 games and bat .284 for the NL Champion Padres. He played in all 162 games in 1985 and batted .281 with 17 home runs.

• Garvey slipped to .255 in 1986 but hit 21 homers (his highest total since 1980). He slipped badly in 1987. He was batting .211 in 27 games when he played his last game on May 23, 1987.

• Steve had the nickname "Mr. Clean." His clean image irritated some people. He and Don Sutton had a memorable scuffle in the vistor's clubhouse at Shea Stadium in 1978 which damaged Garvey's reputation around the league. Garvey was hit with several paternity suits which further diminshed his reputation. Now Steve is a motivational speaker and does some VIP greeting for the Dodgers.

• Here is a 2006 LA Times article about Steve's financial problems.

• Here is a link to several other LA Times articles about Garvey.

• Here is a link to Steve Garvey's official web site.

• Here is an article in Hardball Times about whether or not Garvey should be considered for the Hall of Fame.
• By the way, I just noticed that GCRL sponsors Steve's page on baseballreference.com. Cool!
  

1976 Topps #140 - Vida Blue

• Vida Blue had a good career from 1969-1986. One cannot help but wonder what kind of career he would have had if it weren't for the drug problems he had in the latter half of his career.

• Blue was in the minors from 1968-1970. He had late season call-ups in 1969 (1-1, 6.64 ERA in 12 games) and in 1970 (2-0, 2.09 ERA in 6 starts). One of those wins was a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals on September 21.

• Vida had an awesome season in 1971. He was 24-8 with a 1.82 ERA and was invited to his first All-Star game. He also won the AL MVP and Cy Young awards. Blue lost to the Baltimore Orioles (5 runs in 7 innings) in his only start in the American League Championship series (he was 1-5 in the postseason in his career).

• After the 1971 season Blue held out for more money. He made $15,000 in 1971 and wanted an increase to $90,000. The A's at first didn't budge but finally relented in May 1972. But Vida wasn't in shape when he reported to the team and had a poor (by his standards) season (6-10, 2.80 ERA in 23 starts.

• Vida bounced back in 1973 by going 20-9 with a 3.28 ERA. Here is a 1973 Sports Illustrated article about his rebound. He went 17-15 with a 3.25 ERA in 1974, then had his final 20-win season in 1975 (22-11, 3.01 ERA). A's owner Charlie Finley tried to sell Blue to the Yankees in June 1976 but Commissioner Bowie Kuhn invalidated the sale "in the best interests of baseball." Blue ended up 18-13 with a 2.35 ERA for the A's in '76.

• The Oakland A's didn't have many of their good players left by 1977. Vida had a 14-19 record for the last-place A's in '77. Sal Bando, when asked about Blue still being with the A's, said, "We look upon Vida as a hostage." After the season he was traded to the San Francisco Giants for seven players and a bunch of money. Blue came back with an 18-10 record and a 2.79 ERA for the Giants in 1978. He made the NL All Star team and was 3rd in Cy Young Award balloting as the Giants almost managed to take the NL West. Here is a May 29, 1978 article about Blue and the Giants' improbably rise to contention.

• Blue had just about his poorest season in 1979. He was 14-14 with a 5.01 ERA. Vida bounced back in 1980 with another All-Star appearence and a 14-10 record with a 2.97 ERA. Blue made his last NL All-Star team in 1981 and was 8-6 with a 2.45 ERA in the strike-shortened season.

• During spring training in 1982 Blue was traded to the Kansas City Royals in a multi-player trade that got the Giants Atlee Hammaker. Vida was 13-12 with a 3.78 ERA for the Royals in 1982. In 1983 the bottom fell out for Blue as he was 0-5 with a 6.14 ERA. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail for cocaine possession and Kuhn suspended Blue for the whole 1984 season.

• Vida signed with the Giants as a free agent on April 6, 1985 and was 8-8 with a 4.47 ERA for the last-place Giants. He was 10-10 with a 3.27 ERA in 28 starts in 1986. He was signed by the Oakland A's in 1987 and was slated to rejoin Reggie Jackson, but he flunked a uring test and Blue retired rather than face further scandal.

• In 1994 Vida was named commissioner of the "Junior Giants." Here is a 2004 article about that.

• Blue had many legal troubles after his baseball career. He had several arrests for drunken driving and violation of probation.

• Here is a YouTube link to an interview a 9-year-old boy did with Vida in 2007.
• According to his Wikipedia entry, Blue is now living in Costa Rica.

1976 Topps #60 - Jerry Reuss

Jerry Reuss won 220 games in a career that spanned from 1969-1990. He was one of the few players to play in four different decades. He is probably best known for his stint with the Dodgers from 1979-1987. Jerry was also one of the few pitchers to win over 200 games without winning 20 games in a season.

As this card shows, Reuss was an All-Star in 1975. He was 18-11 with a 2.54 ERA that year. Jerry remained as a valuable started with Pittsburgh through 1977. He had a bad year in 1978 and was traded to the Dodgers after the season for Rick Rhoden. He didn't do very well in 1979 (7-14, 3.54) but bounced back in 1980 with his best year (18-6, 2.54), no-hit the Giants, was second in Cy Young balloting, and won NL Comeback Player of the Year. Here is a Sports Illustrated article about Reuss from August of that season.

At the end of his career Jerry must have really wanted to pitch. He spent time in the minors both in 1987 and in 1990. The 1987 stint looks like it could have been a rehab assignment.

Jerry Reuss is now a color commentator for LA Dodgers broadcasts.

1976 Topps #10 - Lou Brock

This story has to do with 1975, but I'll mention it anyway.

It was September and I was very close to completing my 1975 Topps set. It was my first year of trying to complete a set. I had spend many allowances at the nearby Circle K on baseball cards and Wacky Packages stickers. For some reason, Lou Brock was really hard to get. Early one Saturday morning I went across the street to Jimmy's house. In the window screen I saw two Lou Brock cards. Jimmy was a real wheeler-dealer, and itt cost me a lot of football cards to get one of those Lou Brocks. I didn't care -- it was only football. :)

I still have that card. I've since upgraded, but I'll always remember how hard it was to get my '75 Lou Brock.