1976 Hostess #122 - Gene Tenace

• As the card back shows, Gene Tenace was a part-time player until 1973. 
• Tenace spent most of 1973 playing first base, then he was behind the plate for about 2/3 of the time in 1974. Gene played catcher for about 3/4 of his games in 1975.
• Gene had some good power years from 1973-1975, averaging 26.3 home runs per season.
• Tenace was an AL All Star in 1975 and also got a little bit of MVP support (18th in MVP voting)
• Gene played in only 128 games in 1976. Tenace strained his left knee sliding into second base on April 20. It was thought that he would miss 10-14 days, but he ended up missing five weeks.
• Tenace batted .249 with 22 HR and 66 RBI. It was the only year from 1973-1979 that he didn't walk over 100 times (he had 81 bases on balls)
• After the 1976 season Tenace signed a six-year, $1.8 million contract with the San Diego Padres. He made $40,800 in 1976, so the pact represented a huge raise for Gene.
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? after peak (barely)