It was 35 years ago today -- Rick Monday saves a flag

• In the fourth inning of a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers, two guys doused an American flag with lighter fluid and attempted to burn it. Centerfielder Rick Monday ran in and yanked the flag away before they could get it lit. Way to go Rick!
• Dodger third base coach Tommy Lasorda tried to get out there to stop them, but Monday got there first. It would have been quite interesting to hear what Lasorda had to say to these guys as they were escorted off of the field.
• I wonder where these guys are now.

It was 35 years ago today -- Rick Monday saves a flag

• In the fourth inning of a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers, two guys doused an American flag with lighter fluid and attempted to burn it. Centerfielder Rick Monday ran in and yanked the flag away before they could get it lit. Way to go Rick!
• Dodger third base coach Tommy Lasorda tried to get out there to stop them, but Monday got there first. It would have been quite interesting to hear what Lasorda had to say to these guys as they were escorted off of the field.
• I wonder where these guys are now.

Happy Birthday Pete

Here is a public service announcement from 1976. It's hard to believe Mr. Rose is 70 today.

1976 Topps Statistics

• Time for some numbers on the 1976 Topps Baseball set:
• If the Sporting News All Time All Stars are included, 43 Hall of Famers were featured in this set. If the All Time All Stars are removed, that number would go to 33. When I was originally collecting this set as a nine-year-old, I had no idea that many players would  make the HOF. There were some sure HOFers like Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson, but there were others who were just starting their careers like Robin Yount and Gary Carter.
• Six pitchers went on to win over 300 games -- can you name them? (answer is on the bottom of this entry).
• Eight players went on to get over 3000 hits -- can you name them? (answer is on the bottom of this entry).
• Eight pitchers in this set struck out 3000 or more batters in their career -- can you name them?
• Three players in this set hit over 500 career home runs -- can you name them?
• Excluding the Sporting News All Stars and the Father/Son cards, 44 players in this set are deceased as of 6 April 2011. :(
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• 300 wins: Tom Seaver, Don Sutton, Gaylord Perry, Phil Niekro, Nolan Ryan, and Steve Carlton.
• 3000 hits: Pete Rose, Hank Aaron, Rod Carew, Robin Yount, Carl Yastrzemski, George Brett, Lou Brock, and Dave Winfield.
• 3000 strikeouts: Tom Seaver, Don Sutton, Phil Niekro, Gaylord Perry, Steve Carlton, Nolan Ryan, Fergie Jenkins, Bert Blyleven
• 500 home runs: Reggie Jackson, Mike Schmidt, Hank Aaron

Oscar Gamble Traded -- 1976 Topps Card of the Year

• It was a close vote (13-11), but Oscar Gamble won.

• There were a LOT of great cards in this set. After reviewing the set, I have changed  my opinion. I used to rank 1976 about 4th or 5th in the decade of the 1970s. Now I would put this set at #1 or #2. The 1971 set is still a favorite of mine, as is 1974, 1975, and 1978. 
• What is your favorite 1970s Topps set? The poll is on the right. :)
• Some statistics on this set will be forthcoming in a future entry. Then it will be on to Kellogg's and Hostess.
• If someone else doesn't pick it up in the next couple of months, I'll do the 1977 Topps set next.

1976 Topps Card of the Year - Finals

• I added the results of the two polls together and the Oscar Gamble traded card beat out Johnny Bench by three votes. It kinda bums me out since the 1976 Bench is one of my favorites of all time.
• The finals will be between Pete Rose and Oscar Gamble Traded. Please vote for your favorite! :)

Pete Rose #240

Oscar Gamble Traded #74