Showing posts with label Atlanta Braves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Atlanta Braves. Show all posts

Monday, July 4, 2011

1976 Hostess #65 - Marty Perez


  • Marty Perez improved his batting average in each of the five seasons from 1971-1975
  • Perez was traded to the San Francisco Giants early in the 1976 season
  • Before peak, peak, or after peak? peak (such as it was)


Wednesday, June 22, 2011

1976 Hostess #3 - Phil Niekro


  • Phil had some pretty consistent stats during this five-year time frame
  • Niekro led the NL in wins (20) and in complete games (18) in 1974. He was 3rd in NL Cy Young Award voting that year.
  • Before peak, peak, or past peak? peak

Friday, February 11, 2011

1976 Topps Traded #632T - Rogelio Moret



  • Rogelio Moret pitched for the Braves for one season (1976). He went 3-5 with a 5.00 ERA.
  • After the 1976 season Moret was included in the big trade with the Texas Rangers that brought Jeff Burroughs to Atlanta.
  • Rogelio spent two seasons (1977 and 1978) with the Rangers.
  • Moret didn't make the Texas ballclub in 1979 and was released during spring training. This was mostly due to Moret's psychological problems.
  • Rogelio tried to come back with the Cleveland Indians in 1980 but was released during spring training.

Monday, January 31, 2011

1976 Topps Traded #464T - Ken Henderson



  • The 1976 season would be the only one that Ken Henderson would spend with the Atlanta Braves.
  • Henderson's last season as a regular was also in 1976.
  • Ken batted .262 with 13 HR in 133 games in 1976.
  • Henderson was traded to the Texas Rangers after the 1976 season in the big trade that sent Jeff Burroughs to the Braves.
  • Ken played for four teams in the next four seasons. He retired after his release from the Chicago Cubs on July 20, 1980.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

1976 Topps Traded #259T - Darrel Chaney


  • After spending seven seasons as a backup infielder for the Cincinnati Reds, Darrel Chaney was traded to the Atlanta Braves for pinch hitter Mike Lum.
  • Chaney became the starting shortstop for the Braves in 1976 and batted .252 in 153 games.
  • Darrel spent three more seasons (1977-1979) as a backup infielder for Atlanta before he was released after the 1979 season.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

1976 Topps Traded #99T - Lee Lacy


  • Lee Lacy was one of the players sent to the Atlanta Braves in the Dusty  Baker deal.
  • Lacy was coming off of a .314 season in 1975.
  • Lee played in 50 games for the Braves (.272 in 180 AB) in 1976 before being traded back to the Dodgers on June 23.
  • Lacy played for the Dodgers through the 1978 season before signing a six-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates for more than double what he was previously making.
  • Lacy played just about everywhere during his career, but he was mostly an outfielder from 1979 until the end of his career in 1987.

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Monday, December 20, 2010

1976 Topps #651 - John Odom


  • John "Blue Moon" Odom spent most of his 13-year career pitching for the Kansas City / Oakland A's. Odom was signed by the Kansas City A's in 1964. John was in the minors for most of the year in 1964. He was brought up to Kansas City in September at the age of 19 and went 1-2 with an ERA of 10.06 in 5 starts.
  • Odom spent most of the next two seasons in the minors. In 1965 John made one September appearance for the A's. In 1966 Odom came up to the A's in late July and went 5-5 with a 2.49 ERA in 14 starts.
  • Odom started the 1967 season with the A's but was sent down for a month in July/August. John went 3-8 with a 5.04 ERA in 29 games (17 starts) for Kansas City in 1967.
  • The  A's moved to Oakland in 1968 and Odom had his first big year for the club. John made the 1968 All Star team and pitched two scoreless innings. Odom went 16-10 with a 2.45 ERA in 1968 and led the AL with 17 wild pitches.
  • John was an All Star again in 1969 but this time he got hammered for five runs in 1/3 of an inning. Odom had a 15-6 record with an ERA of 2.92 for the A's in 1969.
  • Odom missed about six weeks of the 1970 season. He was 9-8 with a 3.80 ERA in 29 starts in 1970. 
  • John didn't make his first start until May 16 in 1971. Odom went 10-12 with a 4.29 ERA in 25 starts during the regular season. The A's won their first AL West title, but John didn't pitch during the 1971 ALCS.
  • In 1972 Odom had his last really good year. He had a 15-6 record with a 2.50 ERA in 30 starts. John won both of his starts in the 1972 ALCS and was 0-1 in two starts during the World Series.
  • Somehow John managed just a 5-12 record for the AL West Champion A's in 1973. His ERA also went up to 4.49. Odom allowed one run in five innings in a relief appearance in game 1 of the ALCS. John appeared in two games in the World Series and had a 3.86 ERA in 4.2 innings.
  • Odom was used mostly as a reliever in 1974. John appeared in 34 games (5 starts) and had a 1-5 record with a 3.81 ERA. John pitched 3.1 scoreless innings in game 1 of the ALCS. Before the World Series John got into a locker room scrap with teammate Rollie Fingers. The dispute was apparently about World Series shares. Odom pitched in two games in the 1974 World Series and was the winning pitcher in the series-clinching game 5.
  • John had a rocky year in 1975. Odom was 0-2 with a 12.27 ERA when he was traded with cash to the Cleveland Indians for Dick Bosman and Jim Perry. Odom wanted the Indians to pony up an extra $8,000 because he would be "losing playoff money" by going to the club. John pitched in only three games for the Indians, but the last one was a 2-hit shutout of the Kansas City Royals on June 4. Odom was traded with Rob Bellior to the Atlanta Braves for Roric Harrison on June 15. John went 1-7 with a 7.07 ERA for the Braves to finish the 1975 season.
  • John started the 1976 season in AAA Richmond. Odom was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Pete Varney on June 15. After spending a few weeks in AAA John was brought up to the White Sox. Odom went 2-2 with a 5.79 ERA in 8 games (4 starts) in 1976. John did have one highlight in 1976 -- he combined with Francisco Barrios on a no-hitter of the A's on July 28. Odom pitched the first five innings and allowed one unearned run. He also walked nine batters.
  • Odom was released after the 1976 season. John pitched for Oakland's AAA San Jose club but retired after making six starts. 
  • In 1977 Odom divorced from his wife. According to this article John was a three dollar an hour liquor store clerk at the time of the divorce.
  • Odom got in trouble with the law in 1985 when he was arrested for threatening his wife with a gun. In 1986 John served 55 days in a California jail for selling a small amount of cocaine to a co-worker.
  • John played for the St. Petersburg Pelicans in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989.

  • Liked to face: Jackie Hernandez (.000 in 14 AB); Mark Belanger (.038 in 26 AB); Bernie Allen (.077 in 26 AB)
  • Hated to face: Carl Yastrzemski (.447 with 5 HR in 47 AB); Jose Tartabull (.538 in 13 AB); Mickey Mantle (.357 with 3 HR in 14 AB)

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Friday, December 10, 2010

1976 Topps #641 - Tom Paciorek



  • Tom Paciorek played in 18 seasons from 1970-1987. Tom was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1968. Paciorek was mostly a minor leaguer from 1968-1972. Tom was brought up for short stints in 1970 (.222 in 8 games), 1971 (.500 in 2 games), and 1972 (.255 in 11 games). Paciorek was the Sporting News  Minor League Player of the Year in 1972.
  • When he first  joined the Dodgers in 1970 Paciorek was given Don Drysdale's old number 53. Tom later switched to number 17.
  • After batting over .300 three years in a row in AAA, Tom was finally brought up to the Dodgers to stay in 1973. Paciorek was a fill-in outfielder for the Dodgers for the next few seasons. Tom batted .262 in 96 games in 1974 and batted .240 in 85 games in 1974. Tom played sparingly in the 1974 NLCS (1 for 1) and in the 1974 World Series (1 for 2 with a run scored).
  • Paciorek batted only .193 in 62 games in 1975. After the 1975 season Tom was traded with three other players to the Atlanta Braves for Dusty Baker and Ed Goodson (hence the airbrush job on this card).
  • Paciorek batted .290 in 111 games for the Braves in 1976. Tom didn't fare as well in 1977, batting .239 in 72 games.
  • In 1978 Tom was released during spring training, but was resigned by the Braves just before the start of the season. Paciorek went 3 for 9 (.333) in five games for the Braves before being released again on May 23. Tom signed with the Seattle Mariners on May 31. He played in AAA for a few weeks and then came up to the Mariners in late June and batted .299 in 70 games.
  • Paciorek finally blossomed with the Mariners. In 1979 Tom batted .287 in 103 games. Paciorek batted .273 with 15 HR in 126 games in 1980.
  • Tom was an AL All Star in 1981 (he appeared as a pinch hitter and singled) and finished 10th in AL MVP voting. Paciorek batted .326 with 14 HR and 66 RBI in 1981. It was the only season in which Tom was listed as a starting player.
  • After the 1981 season Tom was traded to the Chicago White Sox for three players. In 1982 Paciorek batted .312 with 11 HR and 55 RBI in 104 games. 
  • Tom batted .307 with 9 HR and 63 RBI in 1983. Paciorek went 4 for 16 (.250) in four games in the 1983 ALCS.
  • In 1984 Paciorek batted .256 in 111 games. Tom started the 1985 season with Chicago (.246 in 46 games) and was traded to the New  York Mets on July 16 for Dave Cochrane. Paciorek batted .284 in 46 games for the Mets in 1985 and was released after the season.
  • Paciorek signed with the Texas Rangers before the 1986 season. Tom batted .286 in 88 games in 1986. Paciorek batted.283 in 27 games in 1987. He became a free agent after the 1987 season but wasn't signed.
  • After his playing career Tom did color commentary for several ballclubs. His most famous announcing stint was his time with Ken Harrelson on Chicago White Sox broadcasts.


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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

1976 Topps #631 - Atlanta Braves


  • The Atlanta Braves were having a rough time in the mid and late 1970s. This was after the Henry Aaron era and before the Dale Murphy era. 
  • Dave Bristol managed the club in 1976. He also had two stints with the club in 1977. The Braves had a 130-192 (.404) record during Bristol's time with the team. Bristol also managed the Cincinnati Reds from 1966-1969, the Milwaukee Brewers from 1970-1972, and the San Francisco Giants from 1979-1980. 
  • Team Record: 70-92 (6th in NL West, 32 games behind Cincinnati)
  • Attendance: 818,179 (10th in NL)
  • Team Batting: .245 (11th in NL)
  • Team Home Runs: 82 (9th in NL)
  • Team Stolen Bases: 74 (11th in NL)
  • Team ERA: 3.86 (10th in NL)
  • Team Fielding: .974 (10th in NL)
  • Team Batting Leader: Willie Montanez (.321)
  • Team HR Leader: Jim Wynn (17)
  • Team RBI Leader: Jim Wynn (66)
  • Team Stolen Base Leader: Jerry Royster (24)
  • Team Victories Leader: Phil Niekro (17)
  • Team Losses Leader: Dick Ruthven (17)
  • Team ERA Leader (starters): Andy Messersmith (3.04)
  • Team ERA Leader (relievers): Adrian Devine (3.21)
  • Team Saves Leader: Adrian Devine (9)
  • League Leaders: Jim Wynn (walks - 127); Rod Gilbreath (sac hits - 20); Dick Ruthven (losses - 17); Phil Niekro (wild pitches - 14)
  • NL All Stars: Dick Ruthven

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Sunday, November 7, 2010

1976 Topps #608 - Vic Correll



  • Vic Correll was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1967. Correll played in the Cleveland system from 1967-1970 and was released by the Indians at the end of spring training in 1971. Vic signed with the Chicago White Sox and played in the Chicago minor league system in 1971. Correll was then taken by the Boston Red Sox in the minor league draft.
  • Correll played in AAA Louisville in 1972. Vic played in one game for the Red Sox at the end of the 1972 season and went 2 for 4 in the game.
  • Vic was in the minors in 1973 and then was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Chuck Goggin before the 1974 season. Correll batted .238 in 73 games for the Braves in 1974.
  • Correll was the starting catcher for much of the 1975 season before being replaced  by rookie Biff Pocoroba. Correll batted .215 with 11 home runs in 103 games in 1975. 
  • Vic shared time behind the plate with Pocoroba and Earl Williams in 1976. Correll batted .225 in 69 games in 1976.
  • Correll backed up Pocoroba in 1977 and batted .208 in 54 games. Vic was released during spring training in 1978. Correll signed with the Cincinnati Reds and split time between the Reds and AAA Indianapolis. Vic batted .238 in 52 games for the Reds in 1978.
  • In 1979 Correll batted .233 in 48 games.
  •  Vic didn't play  much in 1980 due to an Achilles' tendon tear suffered during spring training. Correll went 8  for 19 (.421 ) in ten late season games and was released after the season.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

1976 Topps #597 - Rookie Pitchers (Aase, Kucek, LaCorte, Pazik)



  • Don Aase
    • Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1972
    • Pitched in Rookie League as a 17-year-old in 1972 and went 0-10 with a 5.81 ERA
    • Continued to pitch in the minors until the middle of the 1977 season
    • Came up to Boston in late July of 1977 and was 6-2 with a 3.12 ERA in 13 starts
    • Traded to the California Angels after the 1977 season for Jerry Remy
    • 1978: 11-8, 4.03 ERA in 29 starts
    • 1979: 9-10, 4.81 ERA in 37 games (28 starts)
      • Pitched in two games and allowed one run in five innings in the 1979 ALCS. 
      • Earned the win in game 3 of the ALCS
    • 1980: 8-13, 4.06 ERA in 40 games (21 starts)
    • 1981: Converted to a reliever. Was 4-4 with 11 saves and had a 2.34 ERA in 39 games
    • 1982: 3-3 with four saves and a 3.46 ERA in 24 games
      • Injured on July 17 and  missed the rest of the season
    • 1983: Missed the entire season due to injury (elbow surgery)
    • 1984: 4-1, 1.62 ERA, 8 saves in 23 games
    • Became a free agent after the 1984 season and signed with the Baltimore Orioles
    • 1985: 10-6, 3.78 ERA, 14 saves in 54 games
    • 1986: 6-7, 2.98 ERA, 34 saves in 66 games
    • 1987: 1-0, 2 saves, 2.25 ERA in 7 games
      • Did  not pitch after May 23 due to injury
    • 1988: 0-0, 4.35 ERA in 35 games
    • Released after the 1988 season and signed with the New York Mets
    • 1989: 1-5, 3.94 ERA, two saves in 49 games
    • Became a free agent after the 1989 season and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers
    • 1990: 3-1, 3 saves, 4.97 ERA in 32 games
    • Retired after the 1990 season

  • Jack Kucek
    • We used to call Jack Kucek "cartoon character" because of the picture on this card
    • Graduated from the University of Miami in 1974 and was drafted by the Chicago White Sox
    • The White Sox called Kucek up after he went 5-2 with a 1.76 ERA for Class A Appleton
    • Went 1-4 with a 5.26 ERA in nine games (seven starts) for the  White Sox in 1974
    • Spent most of the next several seasons in the minors with some short stints in the majors:
      • 1975 - 0-0, 4.91 ERA in two games
      • 1976 - 0-0, 9.64 ERA in two games
      • 1977 - 0-1, 3.63 ERA in eight games (three starts)
      • 1978 - 2-3, 3.29 ERA in ten games (five starts)
        • Jack pitched three complete games in a row in September 1978 (he was 1-2 in those three games)
    • Started the 1979 season with the White Sox (0-0, 0.00 ERA in one game) and was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in April for Jim Morrison
    • Was 1-0 with a 8.31 ERA in four games for the Phillies in 1979
    • Released after the 1979 season and signed with the Toronto Blue Jays
    • The 1980 season was the only year in which Jack was in the majors for the entire season
    • Kucek was 3-8 with a 6.75 ERA in 23 games (12 starts)
    • Pitched in the minors in 1981 and retired after the season
      • His career was ended by a rotator cuff injury
    • Invented "Strikeout Strippz" (a pitching training tool)
  • Frank LaCorte
    • Signed by the Atlanta Braves in 1972
    • First came up with the Braves in September 1975 and went 0-3 with a 5.27 ERA in three games (two starts)
    • Was up and down between the Braves and AAA Richmond from 1976-1978
    • 1976: 3-12, 4.70 ERA in 19 games (17 starts)
    • 1977: 1-8, 11.68 ERA in 14 games (7 starts)
    • 1978: 0-1, 3.68 ERA in two games
    • Started the 1979 season with Atlanta (7.56 ERA in six games) and traded to the Houston Astros for Bo McLaughlin on May 25
    • Played in the minors for Houston for a while and came back to Houston in late July.
    • Went 1-2 with a 5.00 ERA in 12 games (three starts) for Houston in 1979
    • Had his best year in 1980 as a reliever
    • Went 8-5 with 11 saves and had a 2.82 ERA in 55 games in 1980
    • Was 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in two appearances in the 1980 NLCS.
    • Went 4-2 with five saves and had a 3.64 ERA in 1981
    • Pitched 3.2 scoreless innings in two games in the 1981 NLDS.
    • Appeared in 55 games in 1982 and went 1-5 with seven saves and had a 4.48 ERA
    • In 1983 LaCorte was 4-4 with a 5.06 ERA
      • His shoulder was hurt during a brawl with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1983. The injury affected his pitching for the rest of his career.
    • Became a free agent after the 1983 season and signed with the California Angels
    • Went 1-2 with a 7.06 ERA in 13 games (1 start) in 1984
    • Was injured in 1984 and didn't pitch at all in 1985
    • Frank tried to come back in 1986 but didn't make it back to the majors
    • LaCorte moved back to his hometown of Gilroy, CA after his playing career ended and bought Marx Towing. He and his wife still run the business today.
  • Mike Pazik
    • When I googled Mike Pazik I got a bunch of pictures of a model. I had no idea why until I saw that his daughter Kristen is a model who is married to Ukranian soccer player Andriy Shevchenko.
    • Drafted by the New York Yankees in 1971
    • Traded to the Minnesota Twins in May 1974 for Dick Woodson
    • Had short stints with the Twins in 1975, 1976, and 1977
      • 1975: 0-4 in five games (three starts) and had an 8.24 ERA
      • 1976: 0-0 with a 7.00 ERA in five games
      • 1977: 1-0 with a 2.50 ERA in three starts
    • Became a free agent and signed with the Chicago White Sox in 1978
    • Played in the minors in 1978 and 1979 before he retired after the 1979 season
    • Managed and coached in the minors after his playing career
    • Was the pitching coach for the Chicago White Sox from 1995-1998.
    • Edit: Someone e-mailed me and asked me to add this information about Mr. Pazik:
      • Please add:  The Minnesota Twin is team that has generally avoided tragic stories.  I can not think of a Twin who died while playing for them.  However Mike Pazik's story is about as close as it gets.  In 76 Mike was one of top PCL pitchers.  He seemed primed for greater things with a great start in the 1977 season, being the starter in 3 wins in April.  However he and fellow pitcher Don Carrithers were involved in a serious car accident.  Neither were killed but the injuries substained effectively ended there careers.  Given the Twins needed pitching badly that year, people who remember that season are left with a what if Pazik had not had the car accident.

Friday, October 22, 2010

1976 Topps #592 - Rookie Infielders (Randolph, McKay, Royster, Staiger)



  • Willie Randolph
    • Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1972
    • Played in 30 games for the Pirates in 1975 (.164 in 61 AB)
    • Was traded with Dock Ellis and Ken Brett to the New York Yankees after the 1975 season for Doc Medich
    • Started at 2B for the Yankees from 1976-1988
    • 1976: Batted .267 in 125 games
    • 1977: Batted .274 in 147 games
    • 1978: Batted .279 in 134 games
    • 1979: batted .270 in 153 games
    • 1980: batted .294 in 138 games
    • 1981: Batted .232 in 93 games 
    • 1982: Batted .280 in 144 games
    • 1983: Batted .279 in 104 games
      • Played only once between June 26 and August 5
    • 1984: Batted .287 in 142 games
    • 1985: Batted .276 in 143 games
    • Was the Yankee team captain from 1986-1988
    • 1986: Batted .276 in 141 games
    • 1987: Batted .305 in 120 games
    • 1988: batted .230 in 110 games
    • Became a free agent after the 1988 season and signed with the LA Dodgers
    • Had an all-star season in 1989 (.282 in 145 games) 
    • Started the 1990 season with the Dodgers (.271 in 26 games) but was traded to the Oakland A's in May 1990 for Stan Javier
    • Played for the A's in 1990 (.257 in 93 games), the Milwaukee Brewers in 1991 (.327 in 124 games), and the New York Mets (.252 in 90 games) in 1992.
    • All Star appearances:
      • 1976: did not get into game
      • 1977: starting 2B, 1 for 5 with one RBI
      • 1980: starting 2B, 2 for 4
      • 1981: starting 2B, 1 for 3
      • 1987: starting 2B, 0 for 1
      • 1989: Played for the NL, 2B, 0 for 1
    • Coached with the New York Yankees from 1993-2004
    • Managed the New York Mets from 2005 until the middle of the 2008 season.
      • Won the NL East in 2006
      • Mets had one of the worst collapses in history in 2007. They had a 7-game lead in the NL East with 17 games to play but were overtaken by the Philadelphia Phillies.
    • Liked to face: Greg Harris/Bill Krueger (.524 in 21 AB); Steve Trout (.406 in 32 AB)
    • Hated to face: Mike Scott (.053 in 19 AB); Bill Swift (.095 in 21 AB); Nolan Ryan (.115 in 26 AB)
  • Dave McKay
    • Signed by the  Minnesota Twins in 1971
    • Played in the minors from 1971-1975 
    • Came up to Minnesota in August 1975 and batted .256 in 125 at bats
    • Started the 1976 season with the Twins and batted .203 in 45 games
    • Sent down to AAA in June and stayed there for the rest of the year
    • Selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the expansion draft
    • Batted .197 in 95 games as a utility infielder in 1977
    • Started at 2B in 1978 and batted .238 in 145 games
    • Started the 1979 season in Toronto and sent to AAA in mid-May
    • Came back to the Blue Jays in September and ended up batting .218 in 47 games
    • Released after the 1979 season
    • Tried out for the A's in spring training in 1980 and  made the club
    • Batted .244 in 123 games as a utility infielder in 1980
    • Batted .263 in 79 games in 1981
    • Batted .198 in 78 games in 1982
    • Played in the minors in 1983 and retired after the season
    • Coached for the Oakland A's (1984-1995) and for the St. Louis Cardinals (1996-present). 
      • Was the first base coach for most of those seasons
    • Co-wrote a book (Strength Training for Baseball) with Jose Canseco about proper weight training techniques.
  • Jerry Royster
    • Jerry was a versatile player who saw action at every position except P, C, and 1B during his major league career.
    • Signed by the LA Dodgers in 1970
    • Despite having seasons of .303, .275, and .333 in AAA Albuquerque from 1973-1975, Royster was unable to break into the Dodgers' lineup.
    • Jerry batted .211 in ten games in 1973.
    • Royster appeared in six games in 1974 but didn't bat. He scored two runs in pinch running appearances.
    • In 1975 Jerry went 9 for 36 (.250) in 13 games for the Dodgers.
    • Traded to the Atlanta Braves (with Jimmy Wynn, Lee Lacy, and Tom Paciorek) for Dusty Baker and Ed Goodson after the 1975 season.
    • Became the Braves' starting third baseman in 1976. For the next several seasons played several different positions but managed to stay in the lineup most of the time.
      • 1976: Batted .248 with 24 stolen bases in 149 games
      • 1977:  Batted .216 with 28 stolen bases in 140 games
      • 1978: Batted .259 with 27 stolen bases in 140 games
      • 1979: Probably his best season -- batted .273 with 35 stolen bases and 103 runs scored in 154 games
      • 1980: Batted .242 with 22 stolen bases in 123 games
      • 1981: Batted .204 in 64 games but had only 93 at bats
      • 1982: Batted .295 in 108 games (261 AB).
        • Went 2 for 11 (.182) in NLCS
      • 1983: Batted .235 in 91 games.
      • 1984: Batted .207 in 81 games
      • Became a free agent after the 1984 season and signed with the San Diego Padres
      • 1985: Played five different positions and batted .281 in 90 games
      • 1986: Batted .257 in 118 games
      • Became a free agent and signed with the Chicago White Sox after the 1986 season.
      • Batted .240 in 55 games for the White Sox in 1987
      • Traded with a minor leaguer to the New York Yankees for Ken Patterson and a minor leaguer on August 29, 1987
      • Batted .357 in 18 games for the Yankees to finish the 1987 season
      • Released at the end of spring training in 1988. Signed with the Braves on May 17
      • Batted .176 in 68 games in 1988 and retired after the season
      • Coached and managed for various clubs in the minors after his retirement
      • Coached under Davey Lopes in Milwaukee in 2002 and was named interim manager when Lopes was fired after 15 games. Jerry finished the season but was not brought back
      • Has managed the Lotte Giants in South Korea since 2008.
      • Liked to face: Pedro Borbon (.421 in 19 AB); Doug Rau (.400 in 20 AB)
      • Hated to face: Nolan Ryan (.000 in 14 AB); Bill Gullickson/Bill Lee (.059 in 17 AB); 
  • Roy Staiger
    • First round pick of the New York Mets in 1970
    • Played in the minors from 1970-1975.
    • Went 3 for 19 (.158) in a brief September trial in 1975.
    • Batted .220 in 304 at bats for the Mets in 1976.
    • Started the 1977 season with the Mets but was sent to AAA Tidewater in mid-June. Came back in September and ended up batting .252 in 123 at bats for the Mets.
    • Traded to the New York Yankees after the 1977 season for Sergio Ferrer.
    • Spent the entire 1978 season in AAA Tacoma
    • Played in AAA Columbus in 1979.
    • Played in four games and went 4 for 13 (.273) for the Yankees at the end of the 1979 season.
    • Played in Columbus in 1980 and retired after the season.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

1976 Topps #589 - Rookie Pitchers (Alcala, Flanagan, Pactwa, Torrealba)



  • I didn't care for these four-player rookie cards when I was a kid:
    • I couldn't file the cards under a particular team
    • The cards didn't have very much information about the players
    • I cared more about getting players I had heard of instead of rookies
    • The only rookies I heard of were the ones who played with or against the Phoenix Giants in the Pacific Coast League.
  • Santo Alcala
    • Signed by the Cincinnati Reds in 1970
    • Pitched for the Reds (1976, 1977) and the Montreal Expos (1977)
    • 11-4, 3.70 ERA in 30 games (21 starts) in 1976 -- did not pitch in the postseason
    • Started the 1977 season 1-1 with a 5.74 ERA in seven games (two starts) for the Reds
    • Traded to the Montreal Expos on May 21 for Shane Rawley and Angel Torres
    • Was 2-6 with two saves and had a 4.69 ERA in 31 games (10 starts) for the Expos in 1977
    • Waived to the Seattle Mariners before the 1978 season
    • Pitched in the Seattle organization in 1978 and in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization from 1979-1982 but never got back to the majors.
  • Mike Flanagan
    • Mike was by far the most successful player on this card.
    • Drafted in 1973 by the Baltimore Orioles
    • Started pitching for the Orioles in September 1975 (0-1, 2.79 ERA in two games)
    • 1976 - split the season between Baltimore (3-5, 4.13 ERA) and AAA Rochester.
    • 1977 - 15-10, 3.64 ERA
    • 1978 - 19-15, 4.03 ERA; led AL with 40 starts; AL All Star (didn't get in game)
    • 1979 - 23-9, 3.08 ERA; led AL in wins; AL Cy Young Award winner; 1-0 in ALCS, 1-1 in World Series
    • 1980 - 16-13, 4.12 ERA
    • 1981 - 4-6, 4.19 ERA
    • 1982 - 15-11, 3.97 ERA
    • 1983 - 12-4, 3.30 ERA; missed 10 weeks of the season with a knee injury; 1-0 in ALCS, 0-0 in one start in World Series
    • 1984 - 13-13, 3.53 ERA
    • 1985 - 4-5, 5.13 ERA; didn't pitch until July 20 due to a torn achilles tendon
    • 1986 - 7-11, 4.24 ERA
    • 1987 - 3-6, 4.94 ERA with Orioles; traded to Toronto Blue Jays on August 31; 3-2, 2.37 ERA with Blue Jays
    • 1988 - 13-13, 4.18 ERA
    • 1989 - 8-10, 3.93 ERA; started and lost game 4 of ALCS
    • 1990 - 2-2, 5.31 ERA in five starts; last game was May 4; released by Blue Jays on May 8
    • 1991 - Tried out with Orioles in spring training and made the ballclub; 2-7, 3 saves, 2.38 ERA in 64 games (1 start)
    • 1992 - 0-0, 8.05 ERA in 42 games; retired after the season
    • Has been a pitching coach, a front office executive, and a broadcaster with the Orioles since his playing career ended.
    • Mike Flanagan: A Career That Almost Wasn't - January 1980 Baseball Digest
  • Joe Pactwa
    • Drafted by the New York Yankees in 1966
    • Pitched in the Yankees organization from 1966-1974 without making it to the majors
    • Originally an outfielder but started pitching in 1973.
    • Spent most of the 1975 season in the Mexican League and purchased by the California Angels on September 12.
    • Pitched for the Angels at the end of the 1975 season and went 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA in four games (three starts)
    • Played in Mexico from 1976-1982.
    • Passed away at the age of 60 on March 10, 2009
  • Pablo Torrealba
    • Signed by the Atlanta Braves in 1966
    • Pitched in the minors from 1966-1971
    • Did  not pitch in 1972 and then returned to the Braves organization in 1973 and pitched in the minors from 1973-1975.
    • Started the 1975 season with the Braves and went 0-1 with a 1.35 ERA in six games before being sent down to AAA Richmond
    • Spent the entire 1976 season with the Braves and went 0-2 with two saves and had a 3.57 ERA in 36 games
    • Sold to the Oakland A's during spring training in 1977
    • Went 4-6 with two saves and had a 2.62 ERA in 41 games (10 starts) in 1977.
    • Traded to the Chicago White Sox during spring training in 1978 for Jim Essian and Steve Renko
    • Had a 2-4 record with one save and a 4.71 ERA in 25 games (three starts) in 1978
    • Started the 1979 season with the White Sox (0-0, 1.59 ERA in three games) but was sent down in late April and spent the majority of the season with AAA Iowa. Pablo had a 6.95 ERA for Iowa in 1979, which was  his last season.
    • Pablo is now the scouting coordinator in Venezuela for the Houston Astros.

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Tuesday, October 5, 2010

1976 Topps #576 - Maximino Leon


  • Maximino Leon is a Mexican League Hall of Famer who pitched in six seasons in the major leagues. Leon was signed by the Atlanta Braves in 1972. Max had pitched in the Mexican League for several years before the Braves signed  him. Leon pitched in the minors in 1972 and 1973 before being brought up to Atlanta in July of 1973. Leon pitched in 12 games for the Braves in 1973 and was 2-2 with a 5.33 ERA.
  • Maximino had his best season for Atlanta in 1974. Leon started the season in AAA Richmond and was recalled after five starts. He appeared in 34 games (two of them starts) and went 4-7 with three saves and had an ERA of 2.64.
  • Leon appeared in 50 games (1 start) in 1975 and was 2-1 with six saves and had a 4.13 ERA. Maximino had another good year as a reliever in 1976. He had a 2-4 record with three saves and an ERA of 2.75.
  • Leon fell off a bit in 1977. He was 4-4 with one save and an ERA of 3.97 in 31 games (nine starts).
  • Maximino was in the minors for most of the 1978 season. He came back to Atlanta in August and made five appearances (0-0, 6.35 ERA).
  • After the 1978 season Leon was sent to Durango of the Mexican League in an "unknown transaction." Maximino pitched in the Mexican League from 1979-1991 and was selected to the Mexican League Hall of Fame in 1997.
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Friday, September 17, 2010

1976 Topps #558 - Clarence Gaston


  • Clarence "Cito" Gaston played in the majors from 1967-1978. He was more famous as a championship  manager for the Toronto Blue Jays. Gaston was signed by the Milwaukee Braves in 1964. He played in the minors from 1964-1967 and was brought up by the Braves for a few weeks at the tail end of the 1967 season. Gaston roomed with Hank Aaron and later said that Aaron "taught him how to be a man." Clarence bated .120 in 25 at bats for the Braves in 1967.
  • Gaston was back in the minors in 1968. Clarence was selected by the San Diego Padres in the expansion draft after the 1968 season. Gaston got a chance to play with the Padres and batted .230 in 129 games in 1969.
  • Clarence had his career year in 1970. Gaston made the NL All Star team (he was 0 for 2 with a walk) and batted .318 with 29 HR and 93 RBI.
  • Gaston never had a year that approached his 1970 season. In 1971 he batted .228 with 17 HR and 61 RBI and in 1972 Clarence batted .269 with 7 HR and 44 RBI. Gaston's last year as a full-time player was in 1973. He batted .250 with 16 HR and 57 RBI in '73.
  • Clarence was a  backup outfielder in 1974 and batted .213 in 267 at bats. After the 1974 season Gaston was traded to the Braves for Danny Frisella.
  • Gaston spent the last part of his career as a pinch hitter and backup OF/1B. Clarence batted .241 in 141 AB in 1975, .291 in 134 AB in 1976, and .271 in 85 AB in 1977.
  • Clarence started the 1978 season with the Braves and batted .229 in 118 AB. Gaston was sold to the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 22 and went 1 for 2 in two games. The Pirates declined to offer Clarence a contract after the 1978 season.
  • Gaston played for various independent league and Mexican League teams in 1979 and 1980.
  • Aaron got Clarence back into organized baseball as the Braves' minor league hitting instructor in 1981. Gaston became the hitting coach of the Toronto Blue Jays under manager Bobby Cox in 1982. He remained as the Blue Jays' hitting coach until he was appointed as the team's manager in 1989.
  • Gaston was successful at first as the Toronto manager. The Blue Jays won world championships in 1992 and 1993. Gaston remained as the Blue Jays' manager until the last week of the 1997 season.
  • Cito rejoined the Blue Jays as hitting coach in 1999 but was let go after the 2001 season. Gaston was hired by the Blue Jays again in 2003 as a special assistant. He was rehired as manager of the Blue Jays in 2008 and has been there ever since. Gaston is due to step down as manager after the 2010 season.
  • Gaston's SABR biography
  • Liked to face: Bill Stoneman (.650 in 20 AB); George Stone (.381 in 21 AB); Jerry Reuss (.341 in 44 AB)
  • Hated to face: Charlie Hough (.000 in 10 AB); Tom Bradley (.071 in 14 AB); Tom Seaver (.136 in 44 AB) 

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Thursday, August 26, 2010

1976 Topps #536 - Mike Thompson


  • By the time this card was released Mike Thompson had already pitched in his last  major league game. Thompson pitched in the majors in 1971 and from 1973-1975. Mike was drafted by the Washington Senators in 1967. Mike pitched in the minors from 1967-1971. In 1971 Thompson had a short stint with the Senators in May and was brought up again in late July. In all Mike pitched in 16 games (12 starts) and was 1-6 with a 4.86 ERA.
  • Thompson was in the minors again in 1972. Before the 1973 season Thompson was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Charlie Hudson and Mike Nagy. Thompson spent most of the 1973 season in AAA. He made two September starts for the Cardinals (no record, 0.00 ERA in four innings).
  • Mike started the 1974 season with St. Louis and was 0-3 with a 5.63 ERA in 19 games (4 starts). Thompson was sold to the Atlanta Braves on September 17. He made one start for the Braves (no record, 4.50 ERA in four innings) in 1974.
  • Thompson played in his last major league season in 1975. He went 0-6 with a 4.70  ERA in 16 games (10 starts).
  • Just before the 1976 season Mike was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Terry Crowley. Thompson spent the season in AAA Indianapolis. After the 1976 season Mike was traded to the Texas Rangers for a minor leaguer. Thompson retired rather than report to the Rangers.

Saturday, July 31, 2010

1976 Topps #511 - Jamie Easterly

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  • Jamie Easterly pitched in the majors off-and-on from 1974-1987. I had lost track of him when he left the National League in 1980 and I don't remember his AL career at all. Easterly was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1971. He was in the minors for all of the 1971-1973 seasons and most of the 1974 season. Jamie was 9-6 with a 2.54 ERA in 23 starts for AAA Richmond in 1974 and got his first taste of the majors at the end of the 1974 season (0-0, 16.88 ERA in 3 games).
  • Easterly was with the Braves for most of the 1975 season and went 2-9 with a 4.98 ERA in 21 games (13 starts). He was in Richmond for most of the 1976 season. Jamie went 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in four September starts for the Braves in 1976.
  • Jamie stayed with the Braves for the entire 1977 and 1978 seasons. In 1977 Easterly was 2-4 with a 6.14 ERA in 22 games (5 starts) and in 1978 he was 3-6 with a 5.65 ERA in 37 games (6 starts). On June 30, 1978 Easterly gave up Willie McCovey's 500th home run. Jamie was back in Richmond for the first part of the 1979 season and was 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA in four appearances for the Braves in May and June. He then was loaned to the Montreal Expos organization and he pitched a 7-inning perfect game for AAA Denver on July 14, 1979.
  • After the 1979 season Easterly was purchased by the Expos. He spent the 1980 season with Denver and was sold to the Milwaukee Brewers in September of 1980.
  • Jamie's best season was probably the 1981 season. He became a full-time reliever and was 3-3 with four saves and a 3.19 ERA in 44 games. Easterly pitched in two games in the ALDS and gave up one run in 1.1 innings.
  • Easterly missed about nine weeks of the 1982 season with an injury. He went 0-2 with two saves and a 4.70 ERA in 28 games and wasn't on the Brewers' postseason roster. 
  • Jamie started the 1983 season with the Brewers and was 0-1 with a 3.65 ERA in 12 games. Easterly was traded with Ernie Camacho and Gorman Thomas to the Cleveland Indians for Rick Manning and Rick Waits on June 6. He went 4-2 with three saves and a 3.63 ERA in 41 games for the Indians to finish the 1983 season.
  • Easterly signed a 2-year $490,000 contract with the Indians before the 1984 season. In 1984 Jamie was 3-1 with two saves and a 3.38 ERA in 26 games (1 start). Easterly was 4-1 with a 3.92 ERA in 50 games (7 starts) in 1985.
  • After the 1985 season Jamie became a free agent and resigned with the Indians for two years and $720,000. He was injured a lot and didn't have much success in those two years. In 1986 Jamie was 0-2 with a 7.64 ERA in 13 games and in 1987 he was 1-1 with a 4.55 ERA in 16 games. The Indians released Easterly after the 1987 season.
  • After his playing career Jamie returned to his hometown of Crockett, Texas. Here is his TTM information.
  • Liked to face: Lee Lacy (.000 in 11 AB); Gary Roenicke (.063 in 16 AB); Ken Griffey (.077 in 13 AB)
  • Hated to face: Cecil Cooper (.571 in 14 AB); Ken Griffey (.550 in 20 AB); Dave Concepcion (.526 in 19 AB)

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

1976 Topps #486 - Bruce Dal Canton


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  • Bruce Dal Canton pitched in the majors from 1967-1977. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1966 at the age of 25. Bruce had been teaching high school at the time and was signed at an open tryout. Bruce was in the minors for the entire season in 1966 and would be in the minors for parts of the 1967 and 1968 seasons. Dal Canton was with the Pirates briefly in 1967 and was 2-1 with a 1.88 ERA in eight games (two starts).
  • After spending most of 1968 in the minors, Dal Canton came back to the Pirates in September and was 1-1 with two saves and a 2.12 ERA in seven games. Bruce had a good year as a relief pitcher in 1969. He was 8-2 with five saves and a 3.34 ERA in 57 games.
  • Dal Canton was a reliever and spot starter for the Pirates in 1970. He went 9-4 with one save and a 4.57 ERA in 41 games (6 starts). After the 1970 season Bruce was traded with Jerry May and Freddie Patek to the Kansas City Royals for Jim Campanis, Jackie Hernandez, and Bob Johnson.
  • Bruce became a starting pitcher for the Royals in 1971. He started 22 games and was 8-6 with a 3.44 ERA. Bruce missed the entire month of August with an injury.
  • Dal Canton split time between the bullpen and the starting rotation in 1972. Bruce was 6-6 with two saves and a 3.40 ERA in 35 games (16 starts). He had what was probably his worst season in 1973. Bruce was 4-3 with three saves and a 4.81 ERA in 32 games (3 starts).
  • In 1974 Dal Canton led the AL with 16 wild pitches. He went 8-10 with a 3.13 ERA in 31 games (22 starts). Bruce got off to a rough start in 1975 (0-2, 15.58 ERA in four games) and the Royals had several young pitchers who were ready for the majors. Dal Canton was traded (with Ray Sadecki) to the Atlanta Braves on June 30 for cash, Norm Angelini, and Al Autry. Dal Canton went 2-7 with three saves and a 3.36 ERA in 26 games (nine starts) for the Braves in '75.
  • Bruce was mostly a reliever in 1976. In 42 games (1 start) he went 3-5 with one save and a 3.56 ERA. Dal Canton didn't make the Braves ballclub in 1977 and was released on March 30. He was signed by the Chicago White Sox a week later but pitched in only eight games (0-2, 2 saves, 3.75 ERA) in April and  May. Bruce was released by the White Sox in August. He tried to come back with the White Sox' AAA club in 1978 but he didn't make it back to the majors.
  • After his playing career Bruce was a pitching coach in the Atlanta Braves organization for 26 years, including a stint as the Braves' pitching coach from 1987-1990.
  • Dal Canton was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
  • Bruce died of esophageal cancer on October 7, 2008.
  • Liked to face: Pete Rose (.000 in 9 AB); Willie Horton (.067 in 15 AB); Mickey Rivers (.071 in 15 AB)
  • Hated to face: Chris Chambliss (.583 in 12 AB); Rusty Staub (.500 in 14 AB); Vada Pinson (.435 in 23 AB)

Thursday, June 3, 2010

1976 Topps #458 - Earl Williams

 
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  • Earl Williams played in the majors from 1970-1977. Williams was a first round draft pick of the Milwaukee Braves in 1965. He was only 17 years old when he started playing in the minors in 1966. He started off as a pitcher in 1966 and was 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA in 11 games. Williams was moved to outfield and then to first base after the 1966 season. Earl batted .340 with 33 HR in Class A ball in 1969 and .309 with 24 HR in AA and AAA in 1970. Williams batted .368 in 10 games for the Braves at the end of the 1970 season.
  • Earl was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1971. He batted .260 with 33 HR and 87 RBI. The Braves converted Williams to catcher even though he hadn't played the position in the minors. He also saw a lot of action at 1B and 3B. 
  • Earl signed a $35,000 contract but reported to spring training 15 pounds overweight. Will The Sophomore Jinx Hobble Earl Williams? - May 1972 Baseball Digest. Williams had a similar year in 1972, batting .258 with 28 HR and 87 RBI. He became disenchanted with catching and after the 1972 season Williams was  traded with Taylor Duncan to the Baltimore Orioles for Pat Dobson, Roric Harrison, Davey Johnson and Johnny Oates.
  • The Orioles were hoping for big things out of Earl. Jim Palmer was an early critic of the deal, but manager Earl Weaver thought he could win the pennant with Williams behind the plate. It was a tumultuous season for Earl, but the Orioles did win the AL East. In 1973 he batted .237 with 22 HR and 83 RBI. Williams batted .278 with 1 HR in five games in the 1973 ALCS.
  • Earl didn't do as much in 1974, batting .254 with 14 HR and 52 RBI in 118 games. Williams was hitless in six at bats in the 1974 ALCS.
  • On April 17, 1975 Earl was traded back (with cash) to the Braves for Jimmy Freeman. Williams spilt time between first base and catcher in 1975 and batted .240 with 11 HR and 50 RBI in 111 games. In 1976 Earl started off slowly (.212 with 9 HR and 36 RBI in 61 games) and was sold to the Montreal Expos on July 24. Williams played in 61 games for the Expos and batted .237 with 8 HR and 29 RBI.
  • Williams was released by the Expos during spring training in 1977. Earl signed with the Oakland A's and batted .241 with 13 HR and 38 RBI in 100 games. Williams broke his thumb during spring training in 1978 and was unable to play. The A's released Earl on May 17. Nobody claimed him off of waivers and Earl played two years (1979 and 1980) in the Mexican League.
  • Liked to face: Dan Spillner (.571 in 14 AB); Jim Slaton (.478 in 23 AB); Jim Kaat (.471 in 17 AB)
  • Hated to face: Steve Foucault/Jim Brewer (.000 in 11 AB); Bruce Kison (.056 in 18 AB); Don Sutton (.071 in 28 AB)

Monday, May 10, 2010

1976 Topps #435 - Phil Niekro



  • Phil Niekro was a Hall of Fame knuckleball pitcher who pitched for 24 seasons and won 318 games in his career. When this card was made it wasn't obvious that Niekro would be a future HOFer. He had 145 career wins at the age of 37 when the 1976 season started. Phil had 121 victories after the age of 40.

  • Niekro was drafted by the  Milwaukee Braves in 1958. He pitched in the minors from 1959-1962, mostly as a reliever. Phil didn't pitch in 1963 (military service).
  • Niekro made the Milwaukee Braves club in 1964. Phil pitched in ten games for the Braves (0-0, 4.80 ERA) before being sent back to the minors in mid-May. In 1965 Niekro was 2-3 with six saves and a 2.89 ERA in 41 games (1 start). Phil split the 1966 season between the Braves and AAA Richmond. He was 4-3 with a 4.11 ERA in 28 games for the Braves in '66.
  • Phil led the NL with a 1.87 ERA in 1967. He started 20 games and relieved in 26 others. He was 11-9 with nine saves in '67. The Braves made Niekro a full-time starter in 1968. He went 14-12 with a 2.59 ERA in 34 starts in 1968.
  • Niekro had one of his best seasons for the NL West Champion Braves in 1969. He made the All Star team (Phil pitched a scoreless 9th inning and earned the save), finished second to Tom Seaver in Cy Young Award balloting, and finished 9th in MVP voting. Phil went 23-13 with a 2.56 ERA during the regular season. Niekro took the loss in game 1 of the NLCS.
  • The 1970 season was Phil's worst season of the decade. He led the NL with 40 home runs allowed and went 12-18 with a 4.27 ERA. Niekro came back in 1971 to go 15-14 with a 2.98 ERA. He was 16-12, 3.06 in 1972 and 13-10, 3.31 in 1973. Phil no-hit the San Diego Padres on August 5, 1973.
  • Phil was a 20-game winner for the second time in 1974. He went 20-13 and led the NL in wins, complete games (18) and innings pitched (302.1). Phil was third in NL Cy Young Award balloting behind Dodgers Mike Marshall and Andy Messersmith that year.
  • Niekro made the NL All Star team in 1975 but didn't get into the game. He went 15-15 with a 3.20 ERA in 1975. Phil was 17-11 with a 3.29 ERA in 1976. Phil Niekro: The Braves' Bargain Pitcher - November 1976 Baseball Digest.
  • Starting in 1977 Phil had a run in which he led the NL in starts and in losses. Niekro was 16-20 in 1977 and 19-18 in 1978. Phil was an NL All Star in 1978 and got Darrel Porter to foul out to end the game. He also won the first of five Gold Glove awards. In 1979 Niekro led the NL in wins (21) and in losses (20). Phil led the NL in complete games and in innings pitched for the third straight year in 1979 and also won his second Gold Glove. Niekro won the Gold Glove again in 1980 and was 15-18.
  • Phil was 7-7 in 22 starts in the strike-shortened 1981 season. In 1982 Niekro led the NL with a .810 winning percentage. He went 17-4 in 35 starts and was an All Star again (he didn't get into the game). Phil won a Gold Glove and was fifth in Cy Young Award voting. Niekro started game 2 of the NLCS and had a 3-2 lead after six innings but the bullpen was unable to hold the lead. Phil Niekro Still Knuckles Down To Task of Winning - January 1983 Baseball Digest.
  • Niekro went 11-10 with a 3.97 ERA in 1983 and won a Gold Glove for the fifth and final time. The Braves released Phil after the season and he signed with the New York Yankees. End of the Line for An Old Brave? - February 1984 Baseball Digest.
  • In 1984 Phil went 16-8 with a 3.09 ERA and was an AL All Star (again he didn't get into the game). Niekro Still  Makes Batter Knuckle Under - September 1984 Baseball Digest. Niekro was 16-12 with a 4.09 ERA in 1985. Phil won his 300th game in his last start of the season on October 6. He didn't throw the knuckleball until the 9th inning but still pitched a complete game 4-hit shutout.
  • Phil was released by the Yankees during spring training in 1986. He signed with the Cleveland Indians and went 11-11 in 32 starts. A Rare Pair of Indinas: Knucksie and Candy - October 1986 Baseball Digest.
  • Niekro's last season was 1987. He started with the Indians and went 7-11 with a 5.89 ERA in 22 starts. On August 7 Phil was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Don Gordon and a minor leaguer. Niekro was 0-2 with an 8.25 ERA in three starts for the Blue Jays before being released on August 31. The Braves brought Phil back for one last start on September 27. Phil lasted 3+ innings and gave up 5 runs. After Niekro was taken out the scoreboard showed highlights from his career and Phil left to a standing ovation.
  • After his playing career Niekro managed the Colorado Silver Bullets all woman baseball team. Phil was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1997. His nephew Lance was a first base prospect for the San Francisco Giants. Lance didn't make it as a first baseman so Phil taught him the knuckleball. Lance signed with the Braves organization in 2009. Phil is now a member of the Kiz Toys Board of Advisors.

  • Liked to face: Rich Gedman (.045 in 22 AB); Dave Campbell (.071 in 28 AB); Jim Hickman (.100 in 30 AB)

  • Hated to face: Lonnie Smith (.514 in 37 AB); Larry Biitner (.471 in 34 AB); Ken Singleton (.441 in 34 AB)

Phil's knuckleball during the 1982 National League Championship Series (game 2)