1976 Topps #286 - Jim Wohlford

• Jim Wohlford played for four teams from 1972-1986. Wohlford was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 1970. He had good years in the minors from 1970-1972 (.308, .301, .291) and was called up to the Royals in September 1972. Jim batted .240 in 25 AB at the end of the 1972 season.

• In 1973 Jim split time between the Royals and AAA Omaha. He batted .319 in 65 games for Omaha and .266 in 45 games for the KC Royals. Jim became the starting left fielder in 1974 and batted .271 in 143 games. Jim was in double figures in stolen bases from 1974-1977 but didn't have much power.

• Wohlford started 84 games in either in LF or RF in 1975. He played in a total of 116 games and batted .255. In 1976 Jim was more of a 4th outfielder and backup guy -- he played in 107 games but batted only 334 times. Jim batted .249 in the regular season and .167 in 12 at bats in the ALCS.

• Jim was traded with Bob McClure and Jamie Quirk to the Milwaukee Brewers before the 1977 season for Jim Colborn and Darrell Porter. Wohlford became the starting LF for the Brewers in 1977 and batted .248 in 391 at bats. It would be his last year as a starting player.

• Wohlford played two more seasons as a backup player. He batted .297 in 118 at bats in 1978 and .263 in 175 at bats in 1979. After the 1979 season Jim became a free agent and signed with the San Francisco Giants.

• Jim's best year with the Giants was 1980. He batted .280 in 91 games (193 at bats) as a backup outfielder and third baseman. He slumped badly in 1981, batting .162 in 68 at bats. Wohlford had a better year in 1982 (.256 in 250 AB). Jim was traded to the Montreal Expos for Chris Smith before the 1983 season.

• Wohlford did pretty well with the Expos in 1983 and 1984. In '83 he batted .277 in 141 at bats. In '84 Jim batted .300 in 213 at bats. In 1985 Wohlford had an off-year, batting .192 in 125 at bats. Jim batted .266 in 94 at bats in 1986 and was released after the season. He tried to hook on with the Cincinnati Reds in July 1987 and played for the Reds' AAA Nashville club but he hung 'em up after batting .210 in 33 games.

• Jim now works as a financial planner in his home town of Visalia, CA.

• Quote: "Ninety percent of this game is half-mental." The quote has often been attributed to Yogi Berra, but Jim was the one who actually said it. He got a $50 check from Reader's Digest for the quote being used in its Notable Quotables.
• Another quote: On the home of the San Francisco Giants, he said, "the only difference between Candlestick and San Quentin is that at Candlestick they let you go home at night."

• When he was with the Royals Jim wore number 6 in honor of Al Kaline, a player he admired.

• Liked to face: Bill Lee (.348 in 46 AB); Ed Figueroa (.357 in 28 AB); Jim Hunter (.346 in 26 AB); Shane Rawley (.346 in 26 AB)

• Hated to face: Larry McWilliams (.154 in 39 AB); Fergie Jenkins (.158 in 38 AB); Claude Osteen (.111 in 18 AB); Gaylord Perry (.105 in 19 AB)