1976 Hostess #25 - Larry Dierker

• Larry Dierker was only 29 years old, but he was just about at the end of his career when this card was printed
• Larry had a 13-14 record with a 3.69 ERA in his last full season in 1976
• On July 9, 1976 Dierker pitched a no-hitter against the Montreal Expos
• After 14 seasons with the Houston Astros, Dierker was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals after the 1976 season
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? after peak

1976 Hostess #5 - Bob Watson

• Bob Watson was in a great time in his career. He batted over .300 three times in the previous five years, and he came pretty darned close a fourth time.
• This five-year stretch included two All-Star appearances (1973 and 1975)
• Bob was the starting LF from 1971-1973 before moving to 1B in 1974
• Watson would go on to have a few  more good years with the Astros from 1976-1978
• Before peak, peak, or past peak? peak (right at the end of it)

1976 Topps Traded #497T - Joe McIntosh

• Joe McIntosh never pitched in the majors after being acquired by the Houston Astros after the 1975 season.
• Joe didn't play from 1976-1978. He tried to make a comeback with the Rookie League Gulf Coast League Astros 1979 but the comeback ended after four games.

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1976 Topps Traded #292T - Leon Roberts

• Leon Roberts was sent from Detroit to Houston in a multi-player trade after the 1975 season.
• Roberts was used as a backup outfielder by the Astros in 1976 and batted .289 in 87 games.
• Leon didn't have much success with Houston in 1977 and was sent to the minors in early June. He came back to Houston for a few September at bats and then was traded to the Seattle Mariners after the 1977 season.

1976 Topps #649 - Dave Roberts

• Dave Roberts pitched in the majors from 1969-1981. I always got him mixed up with the other Dave Roberts who played third base for the Padres (and other teams) during this time.
• After graduating from high school in 1963 Roberts signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. Dave was a minor leaguer in the Phillies organization (and later the KC A's and Pittsburgh Pirates organizations) before being selected by the San Diego Padres in the expansion draft after the 1968 season. Roberts was the pitcher of the Year in the International League in 1968.
• Dave started the 1969 season in the minors and was brought up to the Padres in July. Roberts was 0-3 with a 4.81 ERA in 22 games (5 starts) in 1969.
• In 1970 Roberts was mostly a reliever until mid-June when he joined the Padres' rotation. Dave was 8-14 with a 3.81 ERA in 43 games (21 starts) in 1970.
• Roberts probably had his best year in 1971. He finished second in the NL in ERA (2.10) and finished 6th in NL Cy Young voting. Dave's record was still below .500 because the Padres were so bad -- he went 14-17 in 34 starts. Dave Roberts on the Road to Stardom - November 1971 Baseball Digest
• After the 1971 season Roberts was traded to the Houston Astros for Bill Greif, Derrel Thomas, and Mark Schaeffer. Dave went 12-7 with a 4.50 ERA in 35 games (28 starts) for the Astros in 1972.
• Roberts had another good year in 1973, going 17-11 with a 2.85 ERA in 36 starts. In 1974 he was 10-12 with a 3.40 ERA and in 1975 Roberts went 8-14 with a 4.27 ERA.
• After the 1975 season Roberts was traded with Jim Crawford and Milt May to the Detroit Tigers for Terry Humphrey, Mark Lemongello, Gene Pentz, and Leon Roberts.
• Dave was 16-17 with a 4.00 ERA in 36 starts in 1976. Roberts had the distinction of allowing Hank Aaron's final career hit and RBI on the last day of the 1976 season. 
• After the 1976 season Roberts had surgery on an arthritic knee. Dave started slowly for Detroit in 1977 (4-10, 5.15 ERA in 22 starts) and was sold to the Chicago Cubs in July. On April 30 Rod Carew was ejected from a game for slugging Roberts after Roberts had hit him with a pitch. Dave went 1-1 with a 3.23 ERA in 16 games (7 starts) with the Cubs to finish the 1977 season.
• Roberts was better with the bat than he was on the mound in 1978. Dave batted .327 with a .500 slugging percentage in 52 at bats but was only 6-8 with a 5.25 ERA. After the 1978 season Roberts became a free agent and signed with the San Francisco Giants.
• Dave was used as a reliever by the Giants in 1979. He pitched in 26 games (1 start) and was 0-2 with a 2.57 ERA. In July Dave was traded (with Bill Madlock and Len Randle) to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Al Holland, Ed Whitson, and Fred Breining. Roberts pitched in 21 games (3 starts) for the Pirates and was 5-2 with a 3.26 ERA. Dave was able to enjoy a pennant race for the first (and only) time in his career. Dave appeared in one game in the 1979 NLCS and walked the only batter he faced. Roberts wasn't used in the World Series.
• Roberts started the 1980 season with the Pirates (0-1, 3.86 ERA in two games) and was sold to the Seattle Mariners on April 24. Dave went 2-3 with a 4.37 ERA in 37 games (4 starts) for the Mariners in 1981.
• Dave became a free agent again after the 1980 season and signed with the New York Mets. Roberts pitched in 7 games (4 starts) for the Mets and was 0-3 with a 9.39 ERA. The Mets cut Roberts on May 27 and he signed with the San Francisco Giants on June 15. Dave pitched in six games for the Giants' AAA Phoenix club and retired after the season.
• Roberts died of lung cancer at the age of 64 on January 9, 2009. His family said that he developed the lung cancer from regularly inhaling asbestos as a young man in his offseason job as a boilermaker.
• Liked to face: Graig Nettles (.000 in 19 AB); Tommy Helms (.050 in 20 AB); Mark Belanger (.071 in 14 AB
• Hated to face:  Jim Beauchamp (.600 in 15 AB); Dan Driessen (.588 in 17 AB); Bobby Murcer (.538 in 13 AB); Hank Aaron (.288 with 6 HR in 63 AB)

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1976 Topps #625 - J.R. Richard

• J.R. Richard had an abbreviated career, but he was one of the most feared pitchers of the mid to late 1970s. 
• Richard never lost a high school game and was the second player taken in the 1969 draft by the Houston Astros. J.R. pitched in the minors from 1969-1971 and was called up to the Astros in September 1971. Richard was was 2-1 with a 3.43 ERA in four starts for Houston in 1971.
• For the next three seasons Richard split time between the minors and the Astros. In 1972 J.R. was 1-0 with a 13.50 in four games for the Astros. Richard was 6-2 with a 4.00 ERA in 1973 and  was 2-3 with a 4.18 ERA in 1974.
• Richard joined the Houston rotation in 1975. He led the NL in walks and wild pitches and went 12-10 with a 4.39 ERA in 1975.
• J.R. had his only 20-win season in 1976. He had a 20-15 record with a 2.75 ERA in 1976. Richard followed his 1976 season with a good year in 1977 (18-12, 2.97 ERA).
• Richard led the NL with 303 strikeouts, 16 wild pitches, and 141 walks in 1978. He had a record of 18-11 with a 3.11 ERA and finished fourth in NL Cy Young Award voting. J.R. Richard of the Astros: He Specializes in Smoke - December 1978 Baseball Digest.
• J.R. led the NL in ERA (2.75), strikeouts (313), and wild pitches (19), had an 18-13 record, and was third in NL Cy Young Award voting in 1979.
• Richard started the 1980 All Star Game for the National League. J.R. Richard of Astros Long Overdue for National Recognition - June 1980 Baseball Digest. He pitched two scoreless innings in the game. J.R. was 10-4 with a 1.90 ERA when he suffered a stroke during pre-game warmups on July 30. 
• Richard tried to come back in 1981 and was placed on Houston's 40-man roster in September, but manager Bill Virdon didn't put him in any games. Richard was also recalled in September 1982 but didn't get in any games.
• J.R. pitched in the minors in 1982 and in 1983 but although he had recovered from the stroke, the risk of future problems was too great for him to continue pitching. Richard was released by the Astros in 1984.
• After his playing career J.R. went into some business ventures in his native Louisiana, but he lost close to a million dollars in a bad oil venture and in a divorce settlement. He married and divorced again, this time losing his home near Houston and most of the rest of his money.
• In 1994 Richard was homeless and destitute in Houston. He started collecting his pension in 1995, started working for an asphalt company, and became a minister.
• Resurrection: The J.R. Richard Story is a movie about Richard made in 2005.
• Here is a tribute to Richard on Astros Daily.
• Here is a 2009 article about J.R..
• Liked to face: Barry Bonnell (.000 in 15 AB); Ken Reitz (.063 in 32 AB); Steve Yeager (.083 in 48 AB)
• Hated to face: Ed Ott (.476 in 21 AB); Ralph Garr (.429 in 21 AB); Al Oliver (.417 in 24 AB)

1976 Topps #602 - Doug Konieczny

• Doug Konieczny pitched in parts of five seasons for the Houston Astros from 1973-1977. Doug was the first round (4th overall) pick of the Astros in 1971 and earned a promotion to Houston after going 12-12 with a 2.66 ERA for AA Columbus in 1973. Konieczny started two games for the Astros in 1973 and was 0-1 with a 5.54 ERA.
• Doug started the 1974 season with Houston but he struggled (0-3, 7.63 ERA in six games) and was sent to AAA Denver in May.
• Konieczny was with the Astros for the entire 1975 season. Doug was 6-13 with a 4.47 ERA in 29 starts for Houston in '75.
• Doug pitched for AAA Memphis for the entire 1976 season. 
• Koneiczny started four games for the Astros in April 1977 (1-1, 6.00 ERA) and missed the rest of the season with an injury. Doug pitched in three games in Class A in 1978 before calling it a career.

1976 Topps #591 - Rookie Pitchers (Grilli, Mitchell, Sosa, Throop)

• Steve Grilli
• Signed by the Detroit Tigers in 1970.
• Pitched in three games for the Tigers in 1975 (0-0, 1.35 ERA)
• Went 3-1 with three saves and had a 4.64 ERA in 36 games in 1976.
• Appeared in 30 games (2 starts) and was 1-2 with a 4.83 ERA in 1977.
• Sold to the Toronto Blue Jays before the 1978 season.
• Was in the minors (AAA Syracuse) for the entire 1978 season.
• Made 49 appearances and had a 2.01 ERA for Syracuse in 1979.
• Appeared in one game for the Blue Jays on September 17, 1979 and allowed no runs in 2.1 innings. That was the last time Steve pitched in the  majors.
• Pitched in AAA in 1980 and in 1981 before retiring.
• Steve was the losing pitcher in the longest game (33 innings) in baseball  history on April 19 / June 23, 1981 (Rochester vs. Pawtucket). Grilli was with the Blue Jays Syracuse club on April 19 when 32 of the innings were played. Steve was cut loose by the Blue Jays and had hooked on with Rochester before the remainder of the game was played. Steve started the 33rd inning and walked the bases loaded. Another pitcher was brought in and surrendered a single, making Grilli the losing pitcher.
• Now lives in Baldwinsville (near Syracuse), NY. He owns a sports bar called "Change of Pace."
• Craig Mitchell
• Drafted in the first round by the Oakland A's in 1973 (first player taken in the June draft)
• Started in one game for the A's in 1975 (0-1, 12.27 ERA in 3.2 innings)
• Pitched in one game for the A's in 1976 (0-0, 2.70 ERA in 3.1 innings)
• Pitched in three games (one start) for the A's in 1977 (0-1, 7.94 ERA)
• Continued to pitch in the Oakland system through the 1979 season but never got back to the majors.
• Jose Sosa
• Signed by the Houston Astros in 1970
• Pitched for the Houston Astros in 1975 and 1976
• Hit a home run in his first plate appearance on July 30, 1975
• Went 1-3 with one save and had a 4.02 ERA in 25 games (2 starts) in 1975
• Pitched in nine games (0-0, 6.94 ERA) in 1976.
• Pitched in Houston's system through the 1978 season.
• George Throop
• Listed as 6'7" and 205 lbs.
• Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 1972
• Pitched in the minors from 1972-1975 and earned a promotion to Kansas City after going 12-9 with a 2.95 ERA for AAA Omaha.
• Pitched in seven games (0-0, 2 saves, 4.00 ERA) in September 1975.
• George couldn't break into the Royals' pitching staff and spent the entire 1976 season (and most of 1977 and 1978) at Omaha.
• 1977: 0-0, 1 save, 3.38 ERA in four games
• 1978: 1-0, 0.00 ERA in one game (3 innings)
• Started the 1979 season with Kansas City (0-0, 13.50 ERA in four games) and was traded to the Houston Astros for Keith Drumright on April 25.
• Spent the month of May in  and then pitched for the Astros from June-August 1979. 
• Pitched in 14 games for the Astros (1-0, 3.22 ERA) in 1979.

1976 Topps #583 - Tommy Helms

• Tommy Helms was a major league infielder from 1964-1977. Helms was signed by the Cincinnati Reds in 1959. Tommy played in the minors from 1959-1964. He got a late season call-up in 1964 and went 0 for 1 in two games.
• Tommy was in the minors for most of the 1965 season. He went 16 for 42 (.381) in 21 games with the Reds in 1965.
• Helms became the regular third baseman for the Reds in 1966. Tommy won the NL Rookie of the Year award in 1966 and batted .284 in 138 games. In 1967 the Reds put Tony Perez in the regular third base position,  moved Pete Rose to left field, and made Helms the starting second baseman. Tommy made the NL All Star team in 1967 (0 for 1 as a pinch hitter) and batted .274 in 137 games. Helms didn't walk much, but he also didn't strike out much. He was a good guy to have at the plate if you needed the ball put in play.
• Helms was an NL All Star again in 1968. He started the game at second base and went 1 for 3 with a double. Tommy batted .288 in 127 games in 1968 and batted .269 in 126 games in 1969.
• The Reds won the NL West and made it to the World Series in 1970. Helms had his lowest batting average (.237) as a regular player in 1970. Tommy went 3 for 11 (.273) in the NLCS and 4 for 18 (.222) in the World Series. Helms also won the Gold Glove in 1970.
• Tommy's last year with the Reds was 1971. He batted .258 in 150 games. After the 1971 season Helms was part of the big trade with the Houston Astros that sent Joe Morgan and Cesar Geronimo to the Reds.
• Tommy was the regular 2B for the Astros for three seasons. He batted .259 in 1972, .287 in 1973, and .279 in 1974. 
• Tommy's offense fell off sharply in 1975. His season didn't start well when he was hit by an Andy Messersmith pitch in spring training. Helms fractured a finger and missed the first three weeks of the season. Helms batted .207 in 64 games in 1975. After the 1975 season Helms was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Art Howe.
• Helms was a utility infielder and pinch hitter for the Pirates in 1976, batting .276 in 87 at bats. Tommy was purchased by the Oakland A's after the 1976 season but was traded back to the Pirates during spring training in 1977 as part of the big trade that brought Phil Garner to the Pirates and Tony Armas to the A's.
• Helms was used as a pinch hitter for the Pirates in 1977 and didn't play the field at all for the Pirates during the season. Tommy was hitless in 15 at bats and was released on June 14. Tommy was signed by the Boston Red Sox a week later and batted .271 in 59 at bats. Helms was released during spring training in 1978 and retired.
• Helms coached for the Texas Rangers in 1981 and 1982. Tommy joined the coaching staff of the Reds in 1983 and filled in for Pete Rose as manager when Rose was suspended for a  month in 1988 and when Rose was banned from baseball in August 1989. Helms later did some managing in the Chicago Cubs' system and for some independent baseball teams.
• Here is a link to a video of Helms talking about the 2010 Reds team.
• Liked to face: Don Carrithers (.500 in 20 AB); Carl Morton (.457 in 35 AB); Jon Matlack (.400 in 30 AB)
• Hated to face: Ron Willis (.000 in 17 AB); Dave Roberts (.050 in 20 AB); Bob Miller (.083 in 24 AB)

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1976 Topps #568 - Rob Andrews

• Rob Andrews played in the majors from 1975-1979. Andrews was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1970. Rob played in the Orioles' system from 1970-1974 without getting a shot at the big leagues, although he batted .309 in AA in 1973 and .306 for AAA Rochester in 1974. After the 1974 season Andrews was traded with Enos Cabell to the Houston Astros for Lee May and Jerry Schlueter.
• Rob made the Houston ballclub in 1975 and was used at 2B and at SS. Andrews played in 103 games and batted .238 in 277 AB. In 1976 Rob batted .256 in 109 games. He also had a 25-game stint in AAA Tucson in '76.
• During spring training in 1977 Andrews was traded (with cash) to the San Francisco Giants for Willie Crawford and Rob Sperring. Rob became the starting second baseman for the Giants and batted .264 in 127 games.
• The Giants moved some players around in 1978 (Bill Madlock from 3B to 2B, Darrell Evans from LF to 3B, Terry Whitfield becoming a starting OF) and these moves left Andrews as the odd man out. Rob backed up at 2B and SS in 1978 and batted .220 in 177 AB. Andrews had a similar role in 1979 and batted .289 in 154 AB.
• After the 1979 season the Giants released Andrews. Rob signed with the New York Mets in 1980 but he didn't make their ballclub and retired.
• Rob's brother Mike Andrews was also a major league player.
• Rob did some high school and college baseball coaching and taught elementary school after his retirement as an active player.
• Andrews ran a baseball camp from 1985-2008 in the San Francisco bay area.
• Liked to face: Rob Dressler (.538 in 13 AB); Joe Niekro (.467 in 15 AB); Tom Seaver (.429 with 2 HR in 21 AB) Note: Rob hit only three career HR and two of them were off of Seaver -- both in one game in 1979
• Hated to face: Eddie Solomon (.000 in 10 AB); Steve Rogers (.056 in 18 AB); Jerry Koosman (.105 in 19 AB)

1976 Topps #551 - Jerry DaVanon

• Jerry DaVanon was a utility infielder in parts of eight seasons from 1969-1977. Jerry was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1966. He played in the minors from 1966-1968 and then was chosen by the San Diego Padres in the expansion draft. 
• DaVanon played in 24 games for the Padres in 1969 and batted .136 in 59 at bats. On May 22 DaVanon was traded back to the Cardinals. Jerry was sent to AAA Tulsa where he batted .281 in 79 games. DaVanon came back to the Cardinals in September and batted .300 in 40 AB.
• Jerry spent most of the 1970 season in Tulsa. He batted .111 (2 for 18) with the Cardinals in 11 games at the end of the season. After the 1970 season DaVanon was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Moe Drabowsky.
• DaVanon stayed with the Orioles for the entire 1971 season but he didn't get much playing time. Jerry batted .235 in 81 at bats during the regular season and didn't see any action during the postseason.
• DaVanon started the 1972 season in AAA Rochester. On June 10 Jerry was traded to the California Angels for Roger Repoz. The Angels sent DaVanon to AAA Salt Lake City, which is where he spent the rest of the season.
• Jerry started the 1973 season with the Angels and batted .245 in 49 at bats. DaVanon was sent back to Salt Lake City in late July and played there until he was traded to the Cardinals for Bill Stein in late September.
• The Cardinals assigned Jerry to Tulsa to start the 1974 season and he stayed there until mid-July. DaVanon batted .150 in 40 AB for the Cardinals in 1974.
• Jerry was sold to the Detroit Tigers in January 1975. A few weeks later he was released and signed with the Cleveland Indians. On April 9, 1975 DaVanon was sold to the Houston Astros. Jerry played for AAA Iowa for the first part of the 1975 season and was recalled to Houston in early August. DaVanon batted .278 in 32 games for the Astros in 1975.
• DaVanon stayed with the Astros for the entire 1976 season. He batted .290 in 107 at bats and was traded back to the Cardinals after the season for Joe Ferguson and Bob Detherage.
• In 1977 Jerry went 0 for 8 for the Cardinals and was released on May 11.
• Here is a 2005 interview with DaVanon. Jerry taught high school social studies during the off season and after his playing career he became a sales rep. DaVanon now referees high school basketball games.
• Jerry is the father of current major leaguer Jeff DaVanon.
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1976 Topps #532 - Milt May

• Milt May was in the majors from 1970-1984. May was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1968. Milt was signed as an infielder and the Pirates converted him to catcher. May spent three seasons in the minors and was brought up at the end of the 1970 season a month after he turned 20. Milt played in five games and went 2 for 4 (.500).
• May was a backup catcher for the next two seasons. In 1971 he batted .278 in 49 games. Milt appeared in one game in the NLCS and went 0 for 1. He played in two games in the World Series and was 1 for 2. He singled in Bob Robertson with the winning run in the seventh inning of game 4 In 1972 Milt batted .281 in 57 games. He played in one game in the NLCS and was 1 for 2.
• Roberto Clemente died in the offseason and the Pirates decided to try Manny Sanguillen in RF and start May at catcher. In the middle of the season Milt went back to the bench when Sanguillen was unable to adjust to playing right field. May batted .269 in 101 games in 1973. After the 1973 season the Pirates traded May to the Houston Astros for Jerry Reuss.
• Milt became Houston's starting catcher in 1974 and performed well, batting .289 with 7 HR in 127 games. In 1975 Milt batted .241 in 111 games. On May 5, 1975 Milt drove in Bob Watson with the millionth run in major league history. After the 1975 season May and Jim Crawford were traded to the Detroit Tigers for Mark Lemongello, Gene Pentz, Leon Roberts, and Terry Humphrey.
• Milt played in only six games in 1976 (.280 in 25 AB). He broke his ankle on April 20 and missed the rest of the season. May batted .249 with a career-high 12 HR in 1977. May batted .250 with 10 HR in 1978. The Tigers gave the starting catcher  job to Lance Parrish in 1979 and May's playing time sharply declined. He went 3 for 11 in six games for the Tigers before he was sold to the Chicago White Sox on May 27. Milt batted .272 in 65 games for the White Sox in '79.
• May became a free agent and signed a four-year contract with the San Francisco Giants. Milt batted .260 in 111 games for the Giants in 1980. May had his best year for the Giants in 1981 when he batted .310 in 97 games. In 1982 May batted .263 in 114 games.
• In 1983 Milt split time with Bob Brenly behind the plate. Milt batted .247 in 66 games for the Giants before he was traded (along with cash) to the Pirates on August 19 for Steve Nicosia. Milt played in seven games for the Pirates in 1983 and batted .250.
• Tony Pena had a firm hold on the starting catcher job in 1984 and May was used mostly as a pinch hitter. Milt batted .177 in 96 at bats in 1984 and retired after the season.
• May started coaching for the Pirates in 1987. He was the hitting coach for the Pirates from 1987 through 1996. He was the hitting coach for the Florida Marlins in 1997 and 1998 and then coached for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for the first part of the 1999 season. Milt was the pitching coach for the Colorado Rockies for the last part of the 1999 season. He was a scout for the Rockies in 2000 and the minor league hitting coordinator for the Pirates in 2001. He now lives in Bradenton, FL.
• Liked to face: Pedro Borbon (.615 in 13 AB); Don Robinson (.500 in 16 AB); Luis Tiant (.409 in 22 AB)
• Hated to face: Ron Guidry (.000 in 9 AB); Tom Burgmeier (.063 in 16 AB); Frank Pastore (.071 in 28 AB)

1976 Topps #516 - Wayne Granger

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• Wayne Granger pitched for seven teams from 1968-1976. Wayne was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965. He was a starting pitcher in 1965 but after that Wayne was a reliever and spot starter. In 1968 Wayne got his chance with the Cardinals and went 4-2 with four saves and a 2.25 ERA in 34 games. Granger pitched two scoreless innings in game 6 of the 1968 World Series. After the 1968 season Granger and  Bobby Tolan were traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Vada Pinson.
• Wayne had three good seasons with the Reds. In 1969 he led the NL with 90 appearances and was 9-6 with 27 saves and a 2.80 ERA. Granger got a few votes in NL Cy Young Award balloting in 1970. He went 6-5 with a league-leading 35 saves and a 2.66 ERA in 67 games. Wayne made one appearance in the NLCS (2/3 of an inning with no runs allowed) and made two appearances in the World Series. Granger pitched 1.1 innings and allowed five runs (33.75 ERA). Wayne gave up a grand slam  to Dave McNally in game 3. It was the only time a pitcher has ever hit a grand slam in a World Series game.
• In 1971 Wayne again led the NL in appearances again with 70. Granger was 7-6 and had 11 saves and a 3.33 ERA. After the 1971 season the Reds decided to go with Clay Carroll as their closer and traded Granger to the Minnesota Twins for Tom Hall.
• Wayne went 4-6 with 19 saves and a 3.01 ERA in 63 games for the Twins in 1972. After the 1972 season Granger was traded to the Cardinals for John Cumberland and Larry Hisle.
• Granger started the 1973 season with the Cardinals (2-4, 5 saves, 4.24 ERA) and was  traded to the New York Yankees on August 7 for Ken Crosby and cash. Wayne was 0-1 with a 1.76 ERA in seven appearances with the Yankees.
• Wayne didn't make the Yankees club in 1974 and was released during spring training. Granger signed with the Chicago White Sox in April  and was up and down between the White Sox and AAA Iowa. Wayne made five appearances with the White Sox in 1974 and had no record and an 8.22 ERA. Granger was released by the White Sox after the season and signed with the Houston Astros.
• Granger pitched in 55 games in 1975 and was 2-5 with five saves and a 3.65 ERA. He was released after the season and signed with the Montreal Expos. Wayne started the 1976 season with the Expos and was 1-0 with two saves and a 3.66 ERA in 27 games. Granger was sent to the minors in late June and didn't come back up. 
• After the 1976 season Wayne was  released again and signed with the Atlanta Braves. His arm injuries caught up to him and he didn't make the Braves squad. Wayne retired after he was released by the Braves.
• Granger now lives in Huntington, MA. Here is his TTM information. Wayne will be inducted into the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame in November 2010.
• Liked to face: Dave Cash (.000 in 15 AB); Bill Russell/Enzo Hernandez (.083 in 12 AB)
• Hated to face: Dennis Menke/Rusty Staub/Deron Johnson (.500 in 10 AB)

1976 Topps #489 - Skip Jutze

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• Skip Jutze was a catcher in the major leagues from 1972-1977. Skip was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1968. He was previously drafted by the Boston Red Sox (1966) and the Detroit Tigers (1967) but didn't sign with those two clubs. He elected to attend Central Connecticut State University and taught at Candlewood Junior High in Dix Hills, New York before  becoming a major league catcher. Jutze progressed through the Cardinals' farm system and batted .324 for AAA Tulsa in 1972 before being brought up at the end of the season. Skip batted .239 in 21 September games for the Cardinals in 1972. 
• The Cardinals had Ted Simmons at catcher so Jutze was expendable. He was traded with Milt Ramirez to the Houston Astros for Ray Busse and Bobby Fenwick after the 1972 season. Skip started the 1973 season with AAA Denver and was brought up to the Astros in mid-May. He batted .223 in 90 games for the Astros in 1973.
• Skip spent  most of the 1974 season in Denver where he batted .321 in 102 games. Jutze batted .231 in eight games for the Astros.
• Jutze spent two more season with Houston, batting .226 in 93 at  bats in 1975 and .152 in 92 at  bats in 1976. After the 1976 season he was traded to the expansion Seattle Mariners for a minor leaguer and cash.
• Skip batted .220 in 109 at bats for the  Mariners in 1977. Jutze has the distinction of hitting the first grand slam in Mariners history on May 17, 1977 against the Baltimore Orioles. Skip hit three home runs in his career, all in 1977. He was released during spring training in 1978 and retired.
• Skip lives in Colorado and is the business operations manager for Jeffco, a company that provides vocational training and job placement for the developmentally disabled. 

1976 Topps #460 - Cesar Cedeno

• Cesar Cedeno was one of those "what might have been" players. He started off like gangbusters but his career was never the same after the murder incident after the 1973 season. Cedeno was signed by the Houston Astros in 1967. He started playing in the minors at the age of 17 in 1968. By 1970 Cesar was ready for the majors. He was batting .373 for AAA Oklahoma City when he was called up to the Astros in June of 1970. Cedeno played in 90 games for the Astros in 1970, batted .310, and finished 4th in NL Rookie of the Year voting.
• Cedeno led the NL with 40 doubles in 1971 but his batting average dipped to .264 and his on base percentage was only .293. Cesar Cedeno - Baseball's Next Superstar? - July 1971 Baseball Digest
• Cesar made the first of four All Star games in 1972. He played CF and went 1 for 2 with a run scored. Cedeno batted .320, led the NL with 39 doubles, stole 55 bases, and hit 22 home runs. Cesar finished 6th in NL MVP voting and won his first Gold Glove award. Cesar Cedeno...The Next Super Star? - August 19, 1972 Sporting News. Cesar Cedeno: A New Clemente in the Making - November 1972 Baseball Digest.
• Cedeno's 1973 season was a virtual carbon copy of his 1972 year. He batted .320 again, hit 35 doubles and 25 HR, stole 56 bases, went 1 for 3 with an RBI in the All Star game, and won another Gold Glove.
• After the 1973 season Cedeno was involved in an incident that would be an albatross over the rest of his career (and his life). He and a mistress were drinking in a hotel room when she picked up Cesar's gun. Cesar tried to get the gun away from her and it went off. The mistress was killed and Cedeno fled the scene. He turned himself in eight hours later. He spent the Christmas holiday in jail, was charged with involunary manslaughter, and was released after paying a 100 peso fine. Cesar was heckled during spring training in 1974. He said that the incident wouldn't affect his playing, but there is a dropoff in his stats after the 1973 season.
• Cedeno made the All Star team again in 1974 (he was 0 for 2 with a strikeout) and won his third straight Gold Glove. Cesar batted .269 with 26 HR and 102 RBI and also stole 57 bases. In 1975 he batted .288 and stole 50 bases, but his home run total dipped to 13. Cesar won another Gold Glove but didn't make the NL All Star team. Cesar Cedeno: Will He Ever Reach His Potential? - August 1975 Baseball Digest.
• Cesar made his fourth (and last) All Star team in 1976. He struck out and hit a 2-run homer in the game. Cedeno batted .297 with 18 HR and 83 RBI and also stole 58 bases. Cesar won his fifth and final Gold Glove award in 1976. Cesar Cedeno -- How Good A Player is He - Really? -- November 1976 Baseball Digest.
• Cedeno batted .279 with 14 HR and 71 RBI and stole 61 bases in 1977. In 1978 Cesar was injured and missed 3 1/2 months of the season. He batted .281 in 50 games in '78. Cesar Cedeno: The Best All-Around Center Fielder - May 1978 Baseball Digest.
• Cesar played about 2/3 of his games at first base in 1979. He batted .262 in 132 games, hit 6 home runs, and stole 30 bases.
• Cedeno's last really big year was 1980. He went back to center field, played in 136 games, and batted .309 with 10 HR, 73 RBI, and 48 stolen bases. Cesar batted .182 in three games in the 1980 NLCS.
• Cesar split time between first base and center field in 1981. He batted .271 in 82 games and batted .214 in the NLDS. After the 1981 season Cedeno was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Ray Knight.
• The 1982 season was Cesar's last as a full-time player. He batted .289 in 138 games but his home run (8) and stolen base (16) totals were way down. Cedeno had a stint on the DL in 1983 and batted .232 in 98 games. In 1984 Cesar was a fourth outfielder and backup first baseman. He batted .276 with 10 HR in 110 games.
• Cedeno had the same role with the Reds in 1985. Cesar was batting .241 in 83 games when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for a minor leaguer on August 29. The Cardinals needed someone to play first base after Jack Clark was injured. Cedeno batted .434 in 28 games for the Cards and helped them to the NL East title. He didn't do much for them in the playoffs (.167 in the NLCS and .182 in the World Series).
• Cesar became a free agent after the 1985 season and signed with the Toronto Blue Jays during spring training. Cedeno didn't make the Toronto ballclub and he was released at the end of spring training. Cesar was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers and stayed with them for about six weeks. Cedeno batted .237 in 31 games before he was released on June 5. Cesar signed with the Cardinals and went to AAA Louisville in July 1986 but he retired after batting .169 in 20 games for Louisville.
• Cedeno had a couple of other run-ins with the law (usually involving women) after his playing career. He coached hitting and fielding in the Dominican Republic for several years after his retirement as an active player. He now coaches with the Gulf Coast League affiliate of the Washington Nationals.
• Liked to face: Dale Murray (.550 in 20 AB); Woodie Fryman (.458 in 24 AB); Ron Bryant (.435 in 23 AB)
• Hated to face: Orel Hershiser (.000 in 13 AB); Tim Lollar (.050 in 20 AB); Tug McGraw (.115 in 26 AB)

1976 Topps #454 - Tom Griffin

• Tom Griffin pitched in the majors from 1969-1982. Griffin was a first round draft pick of the Houston Astros in 1966. Although he had a 7-14 record with a 4.34 ERA in AAA in 1968 Tom was called up to the majors in 1969. He was in Houston's starting rotation and went 11-10 with a 3.54 ERA in 31 starts in 1969.
• Griffin struggled in his next two seasons. He was 3-13 with a 5.76 ERA in 23 games for the Astros in 1970. Tom was sent down to the minors in August and made five starts in AAA. In 1971 Griffin started the season 0-5 with a 5.08 ERA before being sent down to AAA. He came back in September and ended up with an 0-7 record.
• Tom was a reliever and spot starter in 1972. He made 39 appearances (5 of them starts) and was 5-4 with 3 saves and a 3.24 ERA. Griffin missed about five weeks of the 1973 season. He went 4-6 with an ERA of 4.15 in 25 games (12 starts).
• Griffin became a starter in 1974. He started 34 games and was 14-10 with a 3.54 ERA. Tom had injury problems again in 1975. He didn't appear in any games after June 24. He ended up 3-8 with a 5.33 ERA in 17 games (13 starts).
• Tom was 5-3 with a 6.05 ERA for the Astros in August of 1976 when he placed on waivers and claimed by the San Diego Padres. Griffin started 11 games for the Padres and was 4-3 with a 2.94 ERA. The Padres used Griffin as a fifth starter and long reliever in 1977. Tom went 6-9 with a 4.40 ERA in 38 games (20 starts). After the 1977 season Griffin became a free agent and signed with the California Angels.
• Griffin missed three weeks in May of 1978 with an injury. He went 3-4 with a 4.02 ERA in 24 games (4 starts). Tom was released after the season. He was invited to spring training in 1979 with the San Francisco Giants and made the club. Tom went 5-6 with 2 saves and a 3.91 ERA in 59 games (3 starts) for the Giants in 1979.
• Griffin had a similar role for the Giants in 1980. He made 42 appearances (4 starts) and was 5-1 with a 2.76 ERA. In 1981 Tom went into the Giants' starting rotation. He was 8-8 with a 3.76 ERA in 22 starts in 1981. After the season Griffin was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Doe Boyland.
• Tom had a rough time with the Pirates. He was 1-3 with an 8.87 ERA when he was released on May 15.
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• Liked to face: Bob Watson (.000 in 14 AB); Gary Carter (.080 in 25 AB); Ivan De Jesus (.095 in 21 AB)
• Hated to face: Billy Williams (.485 in 33 AB); Ken Griffey (.480 in 25 AB); Bud Harrelson (.448 in 29 AB)

1976 Topps #428 - Jim Crawford

• Jim Crawford pitched parts of five seasons between 1973 and 1978. Crawford was drafted and signed by the Houston Astros in 1972. He was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in 1968 but didn't sign (he opted to attend Arizona State University). Jim was 12-1 with a 2.13 ERA for the Sun Devils in 1972.

• After posting an ERA of 1.58 in two minor league stops, Crawford made the Astros club in 1973. Jim pitched in 48 games (all in relief) and was 2-4 with six saves and a 4.50 ERA. Crawford spent 1974 with AAA Denver. His stats don't look real good (11-10, 4.96 ERA), but this was in Denver in the PCL, which was more of a hitter's league.

• Jim started the 1975 season with AAA Iowa but was recalled to Houston after making one start. Crawford was with the Astros for the rest of the season and went 3-5 with 4 saves and a 3.63 ERA in 44 games (2 starts). After the 1975 season Jim was traded to the Detroit Tigers with Milt May for four players.

• Crawford was a reliever and spot started for the Tigers in the last three years of his career. In 1976 Jim went 1-8 with two saves and a 4.53 ERA in 32 games (5 starts). He was 7-8 with 1 save and a 4.79 ERA in 37 games (7 starts) in 1977.

• In 1978 Jim pitched in 20 games for the Tigers and was 2-3 with a 4.35 ERA. He also spent some time with AAA Tulsa. Crawford retired after the 1978 season.
• Liked to face: Lee May (.100 in 10 AB); Butch Hobson (.167 in 12 AB); Darrell Porter (.000 in 7 AB)
• Hated to face: Lou Piniella (.474 in 19 AB); Rico Carty/Doug DeCinces (.455 in 11 AB)

1976 Topps #404 - Enos Cabell

• Enos Cabell played in the majors from 1972-1986. Cabell was signed by the Baltimore Orioles in 1968. He played in the minors from 1968-1972 and got a September call-up in 1972. Cabell was 0 for 5 in '72.

• Cabell spent 1973 going back and forth between Baltimore and AAA Rochester. Enos batted .354 at Rochester but was having a hard time getting playing time in Baltimore. The Orioles had Brooks Robinson at 3B and Boog Powell at 1B. Enos batted .213 in 47 at bats in 1973. In 1974 Cabell was a utility guy who played five positions and occasionally DH'd. He batted .241 in 80 games and was 1 for 4 in the 1974 ALCS. After the 1974 season Cabell and Rob Andrews were traded to the Houston Astros for Lee May and Jay Schlueter.

• The Astros had Bob Watson at 1B and Doug Rader at 3B, so Enos was again a utility player in 1975. He batted .264 in 378 at bats. Cabell became the starting third baseman for the Astros in 1976 after Rader was traded to San Diego and batted .273 with 35 stolen bases. Enos had a nice year in 1977, batting .282 with 16 HR, 42 stolen bases, and 101 runs scored.

• In 1978 Cabell played in all 162 games and led the NL with 660 at bats. He batted .295 with 33 stolen bases and 92 runs scored. Enos batted .272 with 37 stolen bases in 1979 and .276 with 21 stolen bases in 1980. He batted .238 in the 1980 NLCS. After the 1980 season Cabell was traded to the San Francisco Giants for Bob Knepper and Chris Bourjos.

• Enos spent one season in San Francisco and batted .255 as the starting first baseman. After the 1981 season he was sent to the Detroit Tigers for Champ Summers and cash.

• Cabell was a utility player for the Tigers in 1982 (.261 in 125 games) and 1983 (.311 in 120 games). Enos became a free agent after the 1983 season and signed with the Astros.

• Enos batted .310 as the starting 1B for the Astros in 1984. He started the 1985 season with the Astros (.245 in 60 games) and was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Rafael Montalvo and German Rivera on July 10. Enos batted .292 in 57 games for the Dodgers in 1985 and batted .077 (1 for 13) in the 1985 NLCS.

• Cabell was one of seven players suspended for the 1986 season for admitting cocaine use during the 1985 Pittsburgh drug trials. He and the others avoided the suspension by making anti-drug donations and doing community service. Enos batted .256 in 107 games for the Dodgers in 1986. After the season he became a free agent but wasn't signed.
• Enos is now a special assistant to Astros GM Ed Wade. He was also the President and Chief Executive Officer of Cabell Motors, Inc. (a large Houston car dealership) from 1992-1995. The dealership went into Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 1999 after being investigated by the Harris County District Attorney's office. Cabell and two other people were sued by Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young for using Young's initials and 'Invinceable' nickname to sell products without permission in 2006. Cabell denies wrongdoing and the suit is still in litigation.

• Liked to face: Bert Blyleven (.550 in 20 AB); John D'Acquisto (.522 in 23 AB); Tom Underwood (.480 in 25 AB)
• Hated to face: David Palmer (.056 in 18 AB); Charlie Hough (.103 in 39 AB); Gary Lavelle (.133 in 30 AB)

1976 Topps #379 - Ken Boswell

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  Ken Boswell was an infielder for the New York Mets and the Houston Astros from 1967-1977. Boswell was drafted by the Mets in 1965. He played in the minors from 1965-1967 and was called up at the end of the '67 season. Ken batted .225 in 40 at bats for the Mets to finish the season.

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  Boswell split time with Phil Linz at second base in 1968. Ken batted .261 in 284 at bats. He got more playing time in 1969 and batted .279 in 362 at bats. Boswell batted .333 with 2 home runs in the 1969 NLCS and was 1 for 3 in the World Series.

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  Ken had similar years in 1970 (.254 in 351 AB) and 1971 (.273 in 392 AB). In 1970 he set the major league fielding record for second basemen with a .996 fielding percentage. In 1972 Boswell's hitting dropped off sharply as he batted .211 in 355 at bats.

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  In 1973 Boswell became a reserve infielder, playing 2B and 3B. He batted .227 in 110 AB in 1973. He was 0 for 1 in the NLCS and was 3 for 3 in three pinch hitting appearances in the World Series. Ken got more playing time in 1974 as a utility infielder and outfielder and batted .216 in 222 at bats. After the 1974 season Ken was traded to the Astros for Alan Gallagher.

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  Boswell was a backup infielder for the Astros from 1975-1977. In 1975 he batted .242 in 178 at bats. Ken batted .262 in 126 AB in 1976 and .216 in 97 AB in 1977. After the 1977 season Boswell became a free agent and retired.
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  Liked to face: Gaylord Perry (.471 in 17 AB); Dick Selma (.444 in 18 AB); Bill Singer (.375 in 24 AB)
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  Hated to face:  Clay Carroll (.000 in 18 AB); Burt Hooton (.100 in 40 AB); Lynn McGlothen (.059 in 17 AB)

1976 Topps #357 - Ken Forsch

• Ken Forsch had a 16-year career as a major league pitcher from 1970-1986. His brother Bob also had a good career as a major league pitcher. Forsch was drafted by the Houston Astros in 1968. He was in the minors from 1968-1970 and was brought up to the Astros in September 1970. Ken was 1-2 with a 5.62 ERA in four starts for the Astros in 1970.

• For the next three years Forsch was a 5th starter and occasional reliever. In 1971 he was 8-8 with a 2.53 ERA in 33 games (23 starts). Ken was 6-8 with a 3.91 ERA in 30 games (24 starts) in 1973. The Astros started to use Forsch out of the bullpen more in 1973 -- he pitched in 46 games (26 starts) and was 9-12 with four saves and a 4.20 ERA.

• From 1974-1978 Forsch spent most of his time as a reliever. Ken made 70 appearances in 1974 and was 8-7 with 10 saves and a 2.79 ERA. In 1975 Forsch was a swingman. He made 34 appearances, 9 of them starts. Ken was 4-8 with 2 saves and a 3.22 ERA in 1975. Ken must have been injured in '75 -- he missed all of August and three weeks in September.

• The 1976 season was probably Ken's best one as a reliever. Forsch made 52 appearances and had 19 saves. He was 4-3 with a 2.15 ERA. Ken was selected to the 1976 NL All Star team and pitched a scoreless 9th inning.

• Forsch had two more good seasons as a swingman in 1977 (5-8, 8 saves, 2.72 ERA) and 1978 (10-6, 7 saves, 3.04 ERA). In 1979 Ken went back to being a starting pitcher and stayed in that role until his final season in 1986. Forsch was 11-6 with a 3.04 ERA in 24 starts in 1979. On April 7 he pitched a no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves. He missed about five weeks in May and June. Bob and Ken Forsch: No-Hitters Are A Family Affair - August 1979 Baseball Digest.

• Ken and the Astros finally made it to the postseason in 1980. Forsch made 32 starts in 1980 and was 12-13 with a 3.20 ERA. He started game 1 of the NLCS and lost to the Phillies' Steve Carlton. Ken also appeared in the 8th inning of game 5 and got a blown save as Manny Trillo hit a 2-run triple to put the Phillies ahead 7-5. The Phils eventually won the game in the 10th inning and went on to win the World Championship.

• On April 1, 1981 Forsch was traded to the California Angels for Dickie Thon. He had a good year for the Angels and was an All Star for the American League (he pitched the 5th inning and allowed a home run to Gary Carter). Ken was 11-4 with a 2.88 ERA in 20 starts in 1981.

• Forsch was 13-11 with a 3.87 ERA in 32 starts for the Angels in 1982. He wasn't used in the ALCS. Ken was 11-12 with a 4.06 ERA in 31 starts in 1983. In 1984 Forsch was 1-1 with a 2.20 ERA in 2 starts when he was injured (he landed on his elbow and dislocated his shoulder making a tag) and missed the rest of the season. He also missed the 1985 season with elbow problems and was released. Forsch came back to the Angels in 1986 and pitched in 10 games (0-1, 9.53 ERA) before being released again on May 25. The Seattle Mariners signed Forsch and assigned him to AAA Calgary. Ken pitched for Calgary in 1986 and then retired.

• After his playing career Forsch went into real estate in Anaheim and did community relations work with the Angels. He became the Angels' Director of Player Development in 1994. Ken is now the Assistant General Manager, a position he has had since 1998. Here is a January 2009 interview with Forsch.

• Liked to face: Larry Biittner (.000 in 15 AB); Mike Phillips (.087 in 23 AB); George Foster (.103 in 29 AB)
• Hated to face: Felix Millan (.433 in 30 AB); Willie Davis (.429 in 35 AB); John Milner (.423 in 26 AB)