1976 Topps #489 - Skip Jutze

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• Skip Jutze was a catcher in the major leagues from 1972-1977. Skip was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1968. He was previously drafted by the Boston Red Sox (1966) and the Detroit Tigers (1967) but didn't sign with those two clubs. He elected to attend Central Connecticut State University and taught at Candlewood Junior High in Dix Hills, New York before  becoming a major league catcher. Jutze progressed through the Cardinals' farm system and batted .324 for AAA Tulsa in 1972 before being brought up at the end of the season. Skip batted .239 in 21 September games for the Cardinals in 1972. 
• The Cardinals had Ted Simmons at catcher so Jutze was expendable. He was traded with Milt Ramirez to the Houston Astros for Ray Busse and Bobby Fenwick after the 1972 season. Skip started the 1973 season with AAA Denver and was brought up to the Astros in mid-May. He batted .223 in 90 games for the Astros in 1973.
• Skip spent  most of the 1974 season in Denver where he batted .321 in 102 games. Jutze batted .231 in eight games for the Astros.
• Jutze spent two more season with Houston, batting .226 in 93 at  bats in 1975 and .152 in 92 at  bats in 1976. After the 1976 season he was traded to the expansion Seattle Mariners for a minor leaguer and cash.
• Skip batted .220 in 109 at bats for the  Mariners in 1977. Jutze has the distinction of hitting the first grand slam in Mariners history on May 17, 1977 against the Baltimore Orioles. Skip hit three home runs in his career, all in 1977. He was released during spring training in 1978 and retired.
• Skip lives in Colorado and is the business operations manager for Jeffco, a company that provides vocational training and job placement for the developmentally disabled.