1976 Topps #126 - Tom Dettore

• Tom Dettore's last year as a major league pitcher was 1976. He pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1973 and for the Chicago Cubs from 1974 to 1976. He was a good-sized pitcher (6'4", 200 lbs).

• Tom started in the Pittsburgh organization in 1968. He had a slow, steady progression through the Pirate system. Dettore finally made it to the majors at the end of the 1973 season after going 9-5 with a 2.16 ERA for AAA Charleston. Tom went 0-1 with a 5.96 ERA in 13 games for the Pirates in 1973.

• After the '73 season Dettore was traded to the Cubs for Paul Popovich. Tom split the next two seasons between the Cubs and AAA Wichita. In 1974 Dettore was 3-5 with a 4.18 ERA in 16 games (9 starts) for the Cubs. In 1975 Tom was 5-4 with a 5.38 ERA as a reliever and spot starter. He was second in the NL with nine hit batsmen.

• Tom pitched in only four games (0-1, 10.29) for the Cubs in 1976. He was released by the Cubs on April 22. Dettore signed with the San Diego Padres on April 29 and was assigned to AAA Hawaii. He had a pretty decent season in Hawaii (11-15, 4.33) but didn't make it back to the majors. Tom spent the 1977 season with AAA New Orleans (St. Louis Cards organization) and then retired.

• Dettore has been coaching at all minor league levels since his retirement. Tom is now the pitching coach for the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx (AA affiliate of the Seattle Mariners) in the Southern League.