1976 Topps #518 - Doug Flynn

• Doug Flynn was an infielder in the majors from 1975-1985. Doug was signed by the Cincinnati Reds in 1971 after a tryout camp and played in the minors from 1972-1974. Flynn came up to the Reds in 1975 as a backup infielder. He batted .268 in 89 games during the regular season and wasn't used in the postseason.
• Flynn was a backup infielder again in 1976 and batted .289 in 93 games. Doug got to see some postseason action in 1976 when he was used as a defensive replacement in one game in the NLCS.
• Doug backed up in the infield again in 1977. He didn't get much playing time (.250 in 32 AB) and on June 15 was included in the trade with the New York Mets that brought Tom Seaver to the Reds. Flynn was a backup for the Mets in 1977 and batted .191 in 282 AB.
• Second baseman Felix Milan retired after the 1977 season and Flynn was given the Mets' starting second base job.  Doug batted .237 in 156 games in 1978 and .243 in 157 games in 1979.
• Doug won the NL Gold Glove at second base in 1980. He batted .255 in 128 games in 1980 and .222 in 105 games in 1981. Flynn hit three triples in one game on August 5, 1980. After the 1981 season Flynn was traded to the Texas Rangers for Jim Kern.
• Flynn wasn't with the Rangers for very long. He batted .211 in 88 games for the Rangers and was sold to the Montreal Expos on August 2. Doug started at second base for the last two months of the season and batted .244 in 58 games for the Expos in 1982.
• Doug batted .237 in 143 games in 1983 and .243 in 124 games in 1984. He split time between second base and shortstop in both of those seasons.
• In 1985 Flynn was 1 for 6 (.167) in nine games for the Expos when he was released on June 11. He signed with the Detroit Tigers on June 20 and batted .255 in 32 games. Flynn didn't make the Tigers club in 1986 and was released in spring training.
• Flynn managed in the Mets' system in 1996 and 1997. He is now a banker in his hometown of Lexington, KY.
• Liked to face: Tom Bruno (.545 in 11 AB); Rick Camp (.500 in 20 AB); Don Sutton (.450 in 20 AB)
• Hated to face: Preston Hanna/Rick Honeycutt (.000 in 11 AB); Tug McGraw (.059 in 17 AB); Rick Rhoden (.077 in 39 AB)