1976 Topps #234 - Mike Sadek

• Mike Sadek spent his entire career (1973, 1975-1981) as a backup catcher with the San Francisco Giants. I remember him more as a Phoenix Giant since he spent several years there.

• Sadek was originally drafted by the Giants in 1966, but he didn't sign. Mike was then drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 1967. He spent three years in the Twins' system, but never played more than 81 games. After the 1969 season Mike was taken by the Giants in the Rule 5 draft.

• Mike played in the Giants' system from 1970-1972, never getting into more than 91 games. He made the Giants club in 1973 and stayed with them all season. Sadek played in 39 games and batted .167 in 66 at bats.

• In 1974 Sadek spent the entire season with AAA Phoenix, where he batted .251 in 117 games. In one of those "They Said It" blurbs in Sports Illustrated, here is what Mike had to say: " Mike Sadek, .132 batter for the Phoenix Giants of the Pacific Coast Baseball League before getting three solid hits in four at bats as 208 fans watched: "It was so quiet in the park, every time I came to bat I could hear the radio announcer giving my average. I was so embarrassed I decided to do something about it."

• He started the 1975 season in Phoenix and played 50 games there. Mike was brought up in early June and spent the rest of the season in San Francisco. He batted .236 in 106 at bats for the Giants in '75.

• Mike's seasons from 1976-1980 were similar. He played in 42-64 games a year, batted about 90-150 times a year, and usually batted somewhere around .230. In 1981 he played in 19 games and was batting .167 in 36 at bats when he was released on August 3.

• After his playing career Mike was involved in community relations with the Giants for several years.

• Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper were once asked their opinions about several things by Giants Magazine. About who was the worst-dressed Giants of all time, Krukow said, "Then there was Mike Sadek. He was so bad he was awesome. He would wear a pair of green pants with orange shoes and a gold shirt with a navy blue blazer. And he thought that looked good! It was like, whatever came up off the floor, he put on." (Baseball Digest, December 2002)

• Sadek has an autographed ball from Pope John Paul II. Apparently Mike sent Monsingior Lacey the ball and the Pontiff signed it as he was flying into San Francisco to celebrate mass at Candlestick Park on September 18, 1987. He signed it, "J.P. II."