1976 Topps Traded #158T - Ken Reitz

• Ken Reitz won a Gold Glove at third base in 1975. The Giants were looking to shore up their defense, so they traded pitcher Pete Falcone to the Cardinals for Reitz.
• Ken played only one season (1976) in San Francisco. He batted .269 in 155 games but  hit only five homers and had a .293 on base percentage.
• After the 1976 season the Giants traded Reitz back to St. Louis for pitcher Lynn McGlothen.

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1976 Topps #158 - Ken Reitz

• Ken Reitz played for four National League teams from 1972-1982. He won one Gold Glove award (1975 3B) and was an NL All Star in 1980.

• Reitz played for various teams in the St. Louis Cardinals' system from 1969-1972 and consistently hit .270-.290. He was called up to the Cardinals in September 1972 and batted .359 in 21 games. That would be a nice Stat-O-Matic card!

• During his career Ken's fielding percentace at 3B usually exceeded the league average by at least 20 points. His nickname was "The Zamboni Machine" because of the way he scooped up ground balls. In 1973 he batted .235 in 147 games but earned his keep with his great defense. Reitz improved to .271 in 154 games in 1974 but led the NL in "grounded into double plays" with 25. Ken won the NL Gold Glove in 1975 and batted .269 in 161 games.

• Before the 1976 season Ken was traded to the San Francisco Giants for Pete Falcone. He had one of his typical seasons (.267 in 155 games). After the season Reitz was traded back to the Cardinals for Lynn McGlothen. In 1977 Ken had his biggest power year with 17 home runs, 36 doubles , and a .261 average in 157 games.

• Ken had three more similar years from 1978-1980 and started at 3B for the NL All Star team in 1980. After the 1980 season he was traded with Leon Durham and Ty Waller to the Chicago Cubs for Bruce Sutter. Ken had his worst season as a full-time player in 1981--he batted .215 in 82 games. Reitz was released by the Cubs during spring training of 1982. He was picked up by the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 16 and went hitless in ten at bats before being released on June 5.

• Reitz signed with the Cardinals as a free agent in 1983 and played three games in AAA Louisville. He didn't play in 1984 but played in the minors (A ball) from 1985-1987. Ken even pitched a few games in each of those seasons.

• Ken Reitz does speaking engagements now. Here is a link to his page. He also works in public relations for the St. Louis Cardinals. Ken also is a good golfer--in 2002 he carried a 2 USGA handicap.