1976 Topps #386 - Ed Goodson

• Ed Goodson was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in 1966 but he didn't sign. After playing for East Tennessee State University and becoming an All-American in his sophomore year, Goodson was drafted by the San Francisco Giants (3rd player overall) in the first round in 1968. Ed played in the minors from 1968-1970 and had a brief trial with the Giants at the end of the 1970 season (.273 in 11 at bats).

• Goodson was in the minors for most of the 1971 season. He batted .190 in 42 at bats during his month with the Giants in June/July 1971. Ed batted .389 in 32 games for AAA Phoenix in 1972 and was recalled in mid-May. Goodson batted .280 in 150 at bats for the Giants in 1972. He didn't get much playing time since Willie McCovey was in front of him at first base.

• Ed had his best year in 1973. He played third base for the Giants and batted .302 with 12 home runs in 384 at bats. Ed's season was shortened by a broken finger suffered in August. His 1973 season was good enough to merit a Kellogg's card in 1974. Goodson split time between first base and third base in 1974 and batted .272 in 298 at bats. Ed missed a month of the 1974 season due to an injury.

• Goodson started slowly in 1975. He was batting .207 in 39 games when he was traded to the Atlanta Braves on June 11 for Craig Robinson. Ed batted .211 in 47 games for the Braves to finish the 1975 season. In November 1975 Goodson and Dusty Baker were traded to the LA Dodgers for Lee Lacy, Jerry Royster, Tom Paciorek, and Jimmy Wynn.

• The Dodgers used Goodson mainly as a pinch hitter. In 1976 Ed batted .229 in 118 at bats. Goodson batted .167 in 66 at bats in 1977. Ed was 0 for 1 in the 1977 NLCS and struck out in his only at bat in the 1977 World Series.

• Goodson didn't make the Los Angeles ballclub in 1978 and was released during spring training. He played 33 games for Cleveland's AAA Portland club, batting .327. Ed retired after the 1978 season.

• Ed returned to Grayson County in Virginia in 1982 to teach and coached Grayson County High School's baseball team for 12 years. He later became a jobs specialist with the Jobs for Virginia Graduates program at the same high school. Goodson was commended in a Virginia House Joint Resolution in 2003.
• Goodson and current Phillies manager Charile Manuel grew up near each other in Virginia. Here is an article about their connection.
• Liked to face: Ron Schueler (.500 in 20 AB); Don Sutton (.355 in 31 AB); Jack Billingham (.321 in 28 AB)
• Hated to face: J.R. Richard (.091 in 22 AB); Dock Ellis (.095 in 21 AB); Rick Reuschel (.156 in 32 AB)