1976 Topps #178 - Tom Buskey

• Tom Buskey was a relief pitcher for three American League teams from 1973-1980. He started with the New York Yankee organization in 1969 and progressed through their minor league system. Tom was called up to the Yankees at the end of the 1973 season and had a 5.40 ERA in eight appearances.

• Buskey pitched in four games for the Yankees in 1974 and then was traded to the Cleveland Indians as part of a lopsided trade that got the Yankees Chris Chambliss and Dick Tidrow. Tom appeared in a total of 55 games in 1974 and was 2-7 with 18 saves and a 3.38 ERA. Buskey had some good seasons with Cleveland. He was 5-3 with a 2.57 ERA in 1975 and was 5-4 with a 3.63 ERA in 1976.

• In 1977 Tom split time between the Indians and AAA Toledo. With the Indians he made 21 appearances with no record and a 5.40 ERA. Before the 1978 season Tom was traded with John Lowenstein to the Texas Rangers for David Clyde and Willie Horton. He didn't make the Rangers club and was released in spring training. Buskey signed with the Toronto Blue Jays and spent most of the season with AAA Syracuse. Tom was 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA in eight appearances for the Blue Jays in September 1978.

• Buskey spent some time with Syracuse in 1979 but was with Toronto for most of the year and was 6-10 with a 3.43 ERA in 44 appearances. The 1980 season was Tom's last one -- he was 3-1 with a 4.46 ERA in 33 games before his release on August 8. Tom retired with 288 appearances, all out of the bullpen.

• After his career Buskey was involved with the Sesquehanna Employment and Training Corp. He was cited as a contributor to technical and career special needs education in 1997. Tom died on June 7, 1998 of injuries sustained in an auto accident in his hometown of Harrisburg, PA. Here is a link to a picture of his gravestone.
  
• Edit: According to his daughter Tom died of a heart attack, not in a car accident.