1976 Topps #151 - Bill Bonham

• Bill Bonham had a ten-year career as a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds. Bonham began his career in the Cubs' system in 1970 and had a good year for the short season Class A Huron club. Bill started the 1971 season with the Cubs but was sent down in early May to get more innings. He went 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA for AAA Tacoma and was brought back up in early June. He ended up 2-1 with a 4.65 ERA in 33 games for the Cubs.

• Bonham started the 1972 with AA Wichita, where he started 18 games. He was brought back to the Cubs in late July and was 1-1 with a 3.19 ERA in 19 games. Bill saw more action in the 1973 season when he pitched in 44 games (with 15 starts) and went 7-5 with a 3.02 ERA.

• Bill led the NL in losses with 22 in 1974. He was 11-22 with a 3.86 ERA. Bonham had a much higher ERA in 1975 (4.71) but improved his record to 13-15 in 36 starts. In 1976 Bill started 32 games and was 9-13 with a 4.27 ERA. Bonham was 10-13 with a 4.36 in his last year with the Cubs (1977).

• After the 1977 season Bill was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Bill Caudill and Woodie Fryman. He started 23 games in 1978 for the Reds and was 11-5 with a 3.53 ERA. He struggled with bone chips in his elbow, was put on the shelf a few times (April 17 - May 12, July 7 - August 6) and he didn't pitch after September 15.

• In 1979 Bill helped the Reds to the NL West crown by going 9-7 with a 3.79 ERA in 29 starts. He didn't appear in the League Championship Series. Bonham struggled with injuries in 1980 and started only four games for the Reds. On May 3 he got hammered (5 runs, 5 hits, 1 walk in 1/3 of an inning). He started one more game in July and didn't pitch in the majors again. Bill attempted comebacks in the minors in 1981 and 1982.