1976 Topps #287 - Pete Mackanin

• Pete Mackanin had a nine-year career for four teams from 1973-1981. Pete was drafted by the Washington Senators in 1969, when he was 17 years old. He didn't exactly set the minors on fire from 1969-1972 (his highest average was .259 in 1971).

• In 1973 Pete batted .302 for AAA Spokane and the Texas Rangers called him up in July. He batted .100 in 90 at bats. Pete went back to Spokane in 1974 and batted .291 with 28 HR and 103 RBI. He got to play in two games for the Rangers (.167 in six AB). After the 1974 season Pete was traded with Don Stanhouse to the Montreal Expos for Willie Davis.

• Mackanin became Montreal's starting second baseman in 1975. He batted .225 with 12 HR and 44 RBI in 130 games. Pete started 90 games at 2B in 1976 and also filled in at the other infield positions. He batted .224 in 380 AB with 8 HR. Mackanin had a propensity to strike out -- he whiffed 99 times in '75 and 66 times in '76 (about 3 times more strikeouts than walks).

• Pete's playing time was sharply curtailed in 1977. He appeared in 55 games and batted .224 in 85 at bats. Mackanin spent most of the 1978 playing for Montreal's AAA Denver club. He had a good year for Denver -- .276 with 17 HR and 112 RBI. The Philadelphia Phillies selected Pete off of waivers in early September and he was 2 for 8 in five games.

• Mackanin didn't play a whole lot in 1979. He played in five games in April then he didn't appear again until September. Pete was 1 for 9 in 13 games in '79. After the season he was traded to the Minnesota Twins for Paul Thormodsgard. In 1980 Pete started 60 games at 2B and 23 games at SS. He played in 108 games and batted .266. He was a utility guy in 1981 and batted .231 in 77 games.

• After the 1981 season Pete became a free agent and signed with the Chicago White Sox. Mackanin didn't make the club in 1982 and was cut loose. He played in the minors from 1982-1984 but was never called up.

• After his playing career Pete has had a long career as a manager, scout, and coach. He managed in the minors from 1985-1986, 1988-1996, 2001-2002, and 2006. Pete had two stints as a major league interim manager -- 2005 for the Pittsburgh Pirates and 2007 for the Cincinnati Reds. He is currently the bench coach for the Philadelphia Phillies.
• Liked to face: Pete Falcone (.389 in 18 AB); Mike Caldwell (.333 in 27 AB); Jon Matlack (.300 in 30 AB)
• Hated to face: Paul Splittorff (.059 in 17 AB); Jerry Koosman (.188 in 32 AB); Gene Garber (.118 in 17 AB)