I'm going to make an attempt to collect as many baseball cards as possible from 1976. I was 9 when the 1976 Topps baseball cards came out. I have most of those cards, but I'd like to expand and get the other cards from this great year.
Showing posts with label Chicago White Sox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago White Sox. Show all posts
After the 1975 season the Reds figured they had enough bullpen depth, so they traded Clay Carroll to the White Sox for Rich Hinton and a minor leaguer.
Carroll was 4-4 with six saves and had a 2.56 ERA in 29 games for the White Sox in 1976.
In 1976 Clay missed the entire month of July after he fractured his right hand in an accident at home.
Carroll was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Lerrin LaGrow during spring training in 1977, a move that saved the club some money. Carroll's salary was $100,000 at the time.
The White Sox unexpectedly contended for the AL West crown in 1977 so they reacquired Carroll in September.
As the card says, Spencer was traded twice between the 1975 and 1976 seasons.
Jim was the big power guy for the offensively-challenged White Sox in 1976. He batted .253 with 14 HR and 70 RBI. Spencer led the AL with 19 intentional walks in 1976.
Spencer spent one more season in Chicago before being traded to the New York Yankees after the 1977 season.
The Chicago White Sox had fallen on hard times in the mid 1970s. The other AL owners wanted White Sox owner John Allen to sell the club to Seattle interests in order to avoid a lawsuit that the city was bringing against baseball for moving the Seattle Pilots to Milwaukee. Charles Finley was then going to move the Oakland A's to Chicago. Bill Veeck bought the club after the 1975 season and kept the team in Chicago. The American League voted to put an expansion team in Seattle in order to mollify the people there.
Chuck Tanner is shown as the manager of the White Sox, but he was fired after the 1975 season and replaced by Paul Richards. Tanner had a job managing in the majors every year from 1970-1988. He managed the White Sox (1970-1975), the Oakland A's (1976), the Pittsburgh Pirates (1977-1985), and the Atlanta Braves (1986-1988).
The White Sox wore shorts for the first game of a doubleheader on August 8, 1976:
Manager: Paul Richards
1976 Record: 64-97, 6th in AL West, 25 1/2 games behind Kansas City
Attendance: 914,945 (10th in AL)
Team Batting: .255 (7th in AL)
Team HR: 73 (10th in AL)
Team Stolen Bases: 120 (7th in AL)
Team ERA: 4.25 (12th in AL)
Team Fielding: .979 (4th in AL)
Club Batting Leader: Ralph Garr (.300)
Club HR Leader: Jorge Orta / Jim Spencer (14)
Club RBI Leader: Jorge Orta (72)
Club Runs Leader: Jorge Orta (74)
Club Stolen Base Leader: Jorge Orta (24)
Club Victories Leader: Ken Brett (10)
Club Losses Leader: Rich Gossage (17)
Club ERA Leader (starters): Ken Brett (3.32)
Club ERA Leader (relievers): Clay Carroll (2.56)
Club Saves Leader: Dave Hamilton (10)
AL All Stars: Rich Gossage (P)
League Leaders: Jim Spencer (intentional walks - 19)
Rich Hinton was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1969. He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1965 but elected to attend the University of Arizona instead.
Hinton was brought up to Chicago in July 1971. Rich pitched in 18 games (2 starts) and had a 3-4 record with a 4.44 ERA. After the 1971 season Hinton was traded to the New York Yankees for Jim Lyttle.
Rich was up and down between New York and AAA Syracuse in 1972. Hinton went 1-0 with a 4.86 ERA in seven games (three starts) with the Yankees before he was sold to the Texas Rangers on September 7. Rich pitched in five games for Texas and was 0-1 with a 2.38 ERA.
Hinton was traded to the Cleveland Indians during spring training in 1973. Rich spent the 1973 season in the minors and then was released during spring training in 1974. Rich signed with the White Sox and pitched in the minors during the 1974 season.
Rich started the 1975 season in the minors and came back up to Chicago in late July. Hinton appeared in 15 games for the White Sox in 1975 and was 1-0 with a 4.82 ERA. After the 1975 season Rich was traded with a minor leaguer to the Cincinnati Reds for Clay Carroll.
In 1976 Hinton was up and down between AAA Indianapolis and Cincinnati. Rich was 1-2 with a 7.64 ERA in 12 games for the Reds in 1976. Hinton didn't pitch in 1977 and became a free agent after the season.
Hinton signed with the White Sox for a third time before the 1978 season. Rich started four games for AAA Iowa and went 2-6 with one save and had a 4.02 ERA in 29 games (4 starts) with the White Sox in 1978.
Rich made four starts in Iowa again in 1979 and then was with the White Sox. Hinton pitched in 16 games (2 starts) for the White Sox and was 1-2 with a 6.05 ERA. On July 6 Hinton was traded to the Seattle Mariners on July 6 for Juan Bernhardt. Rich went 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in 14 games for the Mariners to finish the 1979 season. Hinton retired after the 1979 season.
Rich Hinton now lives in Sarasota, FL with his wife and six children. He has had a Green Builder business since 1991.
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.
Played in the minors for eight seasons (1968-1975) and had a lifetime .302 batting average.
Batted .336 with 20 HR in AAA Denver in 1975.
First played in the majors in 1974 and batted .345 in ten games.
Played in eight games in 1975 and batted .200 in 30 AB.
Was a designated hitter and played some first base and left field during his career.
1976 -- batted .320 in 82 games
1977 -- Batted .302 with 18 HR in 118 games
Sang the national anthem before the game on June 19, 1977 and hit two home runs in the game, which were the only two White Sox hits of the day (Chicago won 2-1)
1978 -- Batted .273 with 8 HR and 72 RBI in 148 games.
1979 -- Batted .309 with 12 HR and 74 RBI in 133 games
1980 -- Batted .277 with 13 HR and 81 RBI
1981 -- slowed by injuries and the strike and batted .276 in 41 games
Became a free agent after the 1981 season and signed with the Texas Rangers
1982 -- Batted .259 with 7 HR and 38 RBI in 105 games
Didn't make the Texas ballclub in 1983 and was released at the end of spring training
Played in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989 and 1990
Coached for several teams in the 1990s and 2000s.
Johnnie LeMaster
Johnnie LeMaster was always a favorite of mine. It started one day in 1974 or 1975 when LeMaster was playing for the AAA Phoenix Giants. My dad took me to a game and Johnnie made an error. A drunk guy a few rows behind us yelled, "You *@^&#!! Do you have a hole in your glove?" I felt bad for Johnnie and he became my favorite player on the team
Was the first pick (6th overall) of the San Francisco Giants in 1973
Played in the minors from 1973-1977
First came up at the end of the 1975 season after batting .292 in 143 games for Phoenix.
Hit an inside-the-park home run in his first major league at bat.
He split time at shortstop with Tim Foli (1977) and Roger Metzger (1978 and 1979) during the first few years of his career
Became the Giants' starting shortstop in 1980 and held the job through the 1984 season
Johnnie wasn't in there for his offense -- he batted above .250 only twice in his career and he had a lifetime .222 batting average
He wasn't a huge glove man either -- Johnnie's fielding percentages were usually a few points below league average.
LeMaster lost his starting job to Jose Uribe in 1985 and was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Scott Bailes on May 30, 1985
Johnnie was cut loose by the Pirates at the end of spring training in 1986. He signed with the Montreal Expos in June and played for AAA Indianapolis for a couple of weeks before being released again.
LeMaster signed with the Oakland A's in 1987 and was up and down between Oakland and AAA. He was released in the middle of the 1987 season, ending a 12-year career.
LeMaster now lives in Paintsville, KY and is an elder in the Paintsville Church of Christ
Here is a card tribute with all of Johnnie's Topps Giants cards.
Jerry Manuel
Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the first round in 1971
Was a minor leaguer for most of his playing career (1971-1984)
Went 1 for 18 (.056) in six games in 1975
Batted .140 in 43 AB in 1976
Traded to the Montreal Expos in 1980 for Duffy Dyer
Went 0 for 6 in seven games for the Expos in 1980
Batted .200 in 55 games in 1981
Started at second base in the 1981 NLDS but was replaced for the NLCS by Rodney Scott after going 1 for 14 in the NLDS
Traded to the San Diego Padres in May 1982 and batted .200 (1 for 5) in two games
Traded back to Montreal in June 1982 and spent the rest of his playing career in the minors
Coached and scouted in the minors from 1985-1989
Started managing at AA in 1990 and managed in AAA in 1991
Became the Montreal Expos' third base coach in 1991 and continued in that position through 1996
Was the bench coach for the World Champion Florida Marlins in 1997
Managed the Chicago White Sox from 1998-2003
Was a first base coach and bench coach for the New York Mets from 2005-2008
Traded to the Detroit Tigers for Steve Kemp after the 1981 season
1982: Batted .266 with 19 HR
1983: Batted .255 with 24 HR. Led the AL in times hit by a pitch for the fourth time in five years.
1984: Batted .287 with 20 HR and 76 RBI. Went 1 for 2 with an RBI as the starting CF in the All Star Game. Was hitless in 13 AB in the ALCS and went 5 for 17 (.294) in the World Series. How Sweet It Is for a Secure Chet Lemon - September 1984 Baseball Digest
1985: Batted .265 with 18 HR
1986: Batted .251 with 12 HR
1987: Batted .277 with 20 HR. Went 5 for 18 (.278) in the ALCS.
1988: Batted .264 with 17 HR as the starting RF (was the starting CF for every previous year)
Liked to face: Matt Young (.571 in 21 AB); Ken Schrom (.481 in 27 AB); Allan Anderson (.452 in 31 AB)
Hated to face: Bob Welch (.000 in 13 AB); Juan Nieves (.048 in 21 AB); Greg Swindell (.080 in 25 AB)
Ellis Valentine
Drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1972
Appeared in 12 games at the end of the 1975 season (.364 batting average)
Played all three OF positions in 1976 and batted .279 in 94 games
Made the NL All Star team in 1977 (0 for 1 with a BB) and batted .293 with 25 HR in 127 games
Won a Gold Glove in 1978. His arm was considered by many to be the best in the game. Batted .289 with 25 HR
Batted .276 with 21 HR in 1979.
Was hit in the jaw by a pitch on May 30, 1980 and missed 40 games with a broken cheekbone. Valentine's injury probably cost the Expos the NL East title in 1980.
Batted .315 with 13 HR in 86 games in 1980.
Was batting only .211 in 22 games in 1981 for the Expos before he was traded to the New York Mets on May 29 for Dan Norman and Jeff Reardon.
Batted .207 in 48 games for the Mets to finish the 1981 season.
Batted .288 with 8 HR in 111 games in 1982.
Became a free agent and signed with the California Angels after the 1982 season.
Batted .240 in 86 games in 1983.
Did not play baseball in 1984 and was released after the 1984 season.
Signed with the Texas Rangers on July 10, 1985.
Spent some time in AAA and then played in 11 games (.211 average) for the Rangers in 1985.
Released after the 1985 season and never played again.
Jorge Orta played in the majors for 16 years (1972-1987), mostly as a second baseman. Orta was signed by the Chicago White Sox in 1972. Jorge started the 1972 season with the White Sox and started off well before tailing off in May. Orta played a total of 51 games for the White Sox in 1972 and batted .202.
Early in his career Orta was a below-average fielder. His defense improved, but he was never in the game for his glove.
Jorge became the starting 2B for the White Sox in 1973. He batted .266 in 128 games in 1973. Orta had his first good offensive season in 1974, batting .316 with 10 HR and 67 RBI in 139 games.
Orta made his first AL All Star team in 1975 (he didn't play in the game) and batted .304 with 11 HR and 83 RBI.
In 1976 Jorge was used in the outfield and at third base. He batted .274 with 14 HR and 72 RBI in 158 games. Orta was moved back to second base in 1977 and batted .282 with 11 HR and 84 RBI.
Jorge had his best fielding year at second base in 1978 (.984 vs. a league average of .980). Orta got hurt on September 1 and missed the rest of the season. He batted .274 with 13 HR and 53 RBI. In 1979 Orta was used as a DH more than at 2B. He batted .262 with 11 HR and 46 RBI in '79. After the 1979 season Jorge became a free agent and signed with the Cleveland Indians for five years at $250,000 per season.
Orta was moved to right field for the 1980 season and responded with his second (and last) All Star season. Jorge didn't get into this All Star Game either, which must have been disappointing. Orta batted .291 with 10 HR and 64 RBI in 1980. In the strike-shortened 1981 season Jorge batted .272 with 5 HR and 34 RBI in 88 games.
After the 1981 season Orta was sent to the LA Dodgers as part of the deal that sent Rick Sutcliffe to Cleveland. Jorge played in only 17 games in the field in 1982, as the Dodgers used him mostly as a pinch hitter. He appeared in a total of 86 games and batted .217 in 115 at bats. Orta was traded to the New York Mets after the 1982 season for Pat Zachry. Before the start of the 1983 season Jorge was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Steve Senteney.
At this point in his career Jorge was mostly a designated hitter (he occasionally played in the outfield and pinch hit as well). He didn't appear in the field in his final three seasons (1985-1987). In 1983 Orta batted .237 with 10 HR and 38 RBI in 103 games. After the 1983 season Orta was traded to the Kansas City Royals for Willie Aikens.
Jorge had a good year with the bat in 1984. He batted .298 with 9 HR and 50 RBI in 122 games during the regular season. Orta finally got a chance to play in the post season and went 1 for 10 in three games in the ALCS.
Orta batted .267 with four HR and 45 RBI in 1985. He went 0 for 5 in two games in the ALCS and was 1 for 3 in three games in the World Series. He was involved in the famous play in the bottom of the 9th inning of game 6 of the World Series in which umpire Don Denkinger mistakenly called him safe at first base on a ground ball. The Royals went on to win Game 6 and also won Game 7 to claim the World Championship.
Jorge batted .277 with 9 HR and 46 RBI in 1986. The Royals released Orta after the 1986 season but signed him again (for less money) before the start of the 1987 season.
Orta didn't do much with the bat in 1987. He was batting .180 in 50 AB when he was released on June 17.
Liked to face: Tom Buskey (.600 in 15 AB); Doug Bird (.517 in 29 AB); Dennis Eckersley (.500 in 50 AB)
Hated to face: Mike Norris (.000 in 24 AB); Steve Renko (.053 in 19 AB); Nolan Ryan (.139 with 30 strikeouts in 79 AB)
Lee Richard played in the majors from 1971-1976. Richard was the #1 draft pick (#6 overall) of the Chicago White Sox in 1970. Lee played in the minors in 1970 and then made the Chicago ballclub in 1971.
Richard was the starting shortstop for most of the first two months of the season, but he didn't hit well enough to keep the starting position. Lee batted .231 in 87 games for the White Sox in 1971.
Lee was in the minors for most of the 1972 season. He was called up at the end of the 1972 season and batted .241 in 11 games.
Richard was in the minors for the entire 1973 season. He started the 1974 season in the minors and was called up in late June. Lee was used in a utility role in '74 and batted .164 in 32 games. Richard stayed with the White Sox for the entire season in 1975 and batted .200 in 45 at bats. He was mostly used as a pinch runner in '75.
After the 1975 season Richard was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Buddy Bradford and Greg Terlecky. Lee batted .176 in 91 at bats in 1976 and was released after the season.
Richard played in AAA for the next two seasons but was never called back up to the majors.
Richard had the nickname "Bee Bee" that he got while he was a fastball pitcher in high school. White Sox announcer Harry Caray used to call Lee "The Juggler" due to his defensive struggles. Dick Williams thought Lee may have been the fastest player of his time. Richard was used a lot as a pinch runner because he didn't hit or field well.
Bart Johnson pitched for the Chicago White Sox from 1969-1977. Johnson was drafted by the White Sox in 1968 (he was the second player taken in the draft) and pitched in the minors in 1968 and 1969. After going 16-4 with a 2.17 ERA in 22 starts for class A Appleton Bart was brought up to the majors at the age of 19. He started four games for the White Sox in 1969 and was 1-3 with a 3.22 ERA.
Johnson pitched for Luis Aparicio's winter league team in Venezuela after the 1969 season and all of the work took a toll on his arm. The White Sox decided to start Bart in the minors in 1970 and bring him up when his arm rounded into shape. Johnson came back to the White Sox in mid-May and went 4-7 with a 4.82 ERA in 18 games (15 starts).
Johnson had his best year in 1971. He was a swingman and pitched in 53 games (16 starts). Bart went 12-10 with 14 saves and a 2.93 ERA in 1971.
In the offseason Johnson hurt his knee playing basketball. The White Sox examined him and said that he had some torn cartilage but could rehab it. Johnson tried to rehab the injury but was unsuccessful. He was slated to be the White Sox' closer in 1972 but struggled and was sent to the minors in early June. He finally had surgery to repair the cartilage in September. Bart was 0-3 with one save and a 9.22 ERA in nine games for the White Sox in 1972.
Bart came back in 1973 to pitch in 22 games (9 starts) for the White Sox. He went 3-3 with a 4.13 ERA in '73.
Johnson started the 1974 season in the minors. He threatened to quit the White Sox and try out for the Seattle Supersonics NBA team (Bart was 6'5") but ended up reporting to the minors. Bart was brought up in July and went 10-4 with a 2.74 ERA in 18 starts.
Johnson hurt his back pitching on a muddy mound during spring training in 1975 and missed the entire season. In 1976 Bart started 32 games and was 9-16 with a 4.73 ERA.
The White Sox had a great year in 1977 and won 90 games. Bart was 4-5 with two saves and a 4.01 ERA in 29 games (4 starts).
Bart was cut during spring training in 1978. He signed with Oakland but pitched in only one game for AAA Vancouver (he started a game and allowed four runs in one inning). Johnson pitched for Chicago's AAA Iowa club in 1979 and also pitched in the Mexican League in '79.
Johnson became a scout for the White Sox in 1980. He worked for the club from 1980-1997. Bart then worked for the Tampa Bay Rays for ten years before being let go when the team switched to a computerized scouting system. Johnson now lives in Oak Lawn, IL.
Claude Osteen had already pitched his last major league game when this card came out. He was cut at the end of spring training in 1976. Osteen was signed by the Cincinnati Reds in 1957. He pitched in three games as a 17 year old for the Reds in 1957 (2.25 ERA in four innings) and was in the minors for the remainder of the season.
Osteen spent all of 1958 and most of 1959 in the minors. Claude pitched in two games for the Reds at the end of the 1959 season (7.04 ERA in 7.2 innings). The Reds used Osteen as a reliever and spot starter in 1960. He pitched in 20 games (3 starts) and was 0-1 with a 5.03 ERA. In 1961 Osteen was in the minors for most of the season and pitched in one game for the Reds before being traded to the Washington Senators on September 16 for cash and Dave Sisler. Osteen started three games for the Senators in 1961 and was 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA.
Claude missed three weeks (late April to late May) of the 1962 season. He pitched in 28 games (22 starts) and was 8-13 with a 3.65 ERA. In 1963 Osteen was 9-14 with a 3.35 ERA. Claude had his first big year in 1964, going 15-13 with a 3.33 ERA. After the 1964 season Osteen was traded with John Kennedy and $100,000 to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Frank Howard, Ken McMullen, Phil Ortega, and Dick Nen.
Osteen was 15-15 with a 2.79 ERA in 1965. He started two games in the 1965 World Series and was 1-1 with a 0.64 ERA. Claude pitched a 5-hit shutout in game 3 and took the loss in game 6. The Night Osteen Grew Up - June 1965 Baseball Digest
In 1966 Osteen was 17-14 with a 2.85 ERA. He lost game 3 of the World Series 1-0. The Dodgers were shut out in three of the four games of that World Series. A Later Look at the Osteen Deal - August 1966 Baseball Digest.
Claude became the #2 starter for the Dodgers in 1967 after the retirement of Sandy Koufax and was 17-17 with a 3.32 ERA. Osteen made his first All Star team in 1967 but didn't get into the game.
Osteen led the NL with 18 losses in 1968. He was 12-18 with a 3.08 ERA in '68. Claude had his first 20-win season in 1969, going 20-15 with a 2.66 ERA.
Claude was 16-14 with a 3.83 ERA in 1970. He pitched three scoreless innings (10th, 11th, and 12th) and was the winning pitcher in the 1970 All Star Game. Success Hasn't Spoiled Dodgers' Claude Osteen - July 1970 Baseball Digest.
Osteen was 14-11 with a 3.51 ERA in 1971 and 20-11 with a 2.64 ERA in 1972. Seven of his last nine starts in 1972 were complete game wins. He made the All Star team for the third and last time in 1973 (he pitched two scoreless innings) and was 16-11 with a 3.31 ERA. By this time the Dodgers had plenty of pitching but needed some offensive help, so after the 1973 season Osteen and a minor leaguer were traded to the Houston Astros for Jimmy Wynn. Wynn helped the Dodgers to the 1974 World Series, so it was a good move for them.
Claude spent less than one season with the Astros. Osteen was 9-9 with a 3.71 ERA when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on August 15 for the 1974 stretch drive. Claude pitched in eight games (two starts) for the Cardinals and was 0-2 with a 4.37 ERA.
The Cardinals cut Osteen at the end of spring training in 1975. Claude signed with the Chicago White Sox and went 7-16 with a 4.36 ERA in 1975. Osteen was cut at the end of spring training in 1976 and retired.
After his playing career Osteen became a pitching coach for various minor league teams and for the Cardinals, Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers.
Liked to face: Ted Savage (.000 in 13 AB); John Milner (.056 in 18 AB); Roy McMillan (.063 in 16 AB)
Hated to face: Henry Aaron (.262 but with 14 HR in 126 AB); Orlando Cepeda (.471 with 6 HR in 68 AB); Mickey Mantle (.533 in 15 AB)
Ken Henderson played in 16 seasons from 1965-1980. Ken was signed by the San Francisco Giants in 1964. Despite batting .191 for three minor league teams in 1964 Ken was on the Giants major league roster for the entire 1965 season. He played in 65 games for the Giants but had only 83 plate appearances. Ken batted .192 in 73 at bats.
Henderson was in the minors for most of the next three seasons. He batted .310 in 29 late season at bats for the Giants in 1966. In 1967 Ken was up and down between AAA Phoenix and the Giants. In 65 games Henderson batted .274 in 179 at bats. Henderson was in Phoenix for most of 1968 and went 1 for 3 in three games for the Giants at the end of the season.
Henderson started to get some playing time for the Giants in 1969. He played in 113 games but batted only .225 in 374 at bats.
Ken developed some power in 1970 and batted .294, scored 104 runs, hit 17 home runs and had 88 RBI as the Giants' starting left fielder. In 1971 Henderson batted .264 with 15 HR and 65 RBI and batted .313 in the NLCS. Ken had a similar year in 1972, batting .257 with 18 HR and 51 RBI. The Giants' Invisible Man - June 1972 Baseball Digest. After the 1972 season Henderson was traded to the Chicago White Sox with Steve Stone for Tom Bradley.
Henderson had an injury-riddled 1973 season (he had major knee surgery). He missed the entire month of June and didn't play after August 7. Ken batted .260 with 6 HR in 73 games for the White Sox in '73.
Ken had his best season in 1974. As the back of the card says, he was the White Sox Player of the Year and also got a few top-ten votes for MVP (he was 19th in the balloting). Henderson batted .292 with 20 HR and 95 RBI while playing in all 162 games.
Henderson batted .251 with 9 HR and 53 RBI in 1975. By the time this card came out, Ken had already been traded with Ozzie Osborn and Dick Ruthven to the Atlanta Braves for Larvell Blanks and Ralph Garr.
Ken's last season as a full-time player was 1976. He batted .262 with 13 HR and 61 RBI for the Braves. After the 1976 season Ken was traded with four other players and $250,000 to the Texas Rangers for Jeff Burroughs.
Henderson was a fourth outfielder and a DH for the Rangers in 1977. He played in 75 games and batted .258 with 5 HR and 23 RBI. During spring training in 1978 Ken was sent to the New York Mets in a complex 4-way deal between the Rangers, Mets, Braves, and Pittsburgh Pirates. He started the 1978 season with the Mets but played in only seven games before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Dale Murray on May 19. Ken played in 64 games but batted only .167 in 144 at bats.
The Reds didn't really have a place for Henderson to play. He started the 1979 season with the Reds and was sold to the Chicago Cubs on June 28 (Ken had batted only 13 times for the Reds in the first part of the season). Henderson finished the 1979 season with the Cubs and batted .234 in 94 at bats for the season. Ken's 1979 gamelog on Baseball Reference looks strange. It shows that he played in one game for the Cubs on May 10 and then went to the Reds and played in 11 games before going back to the Cubs on June 28. Baseball Reference shows the June 28 transaction but it doesn't show a transaction sending him to the Cubs before the 1979 season. It also doesn't show the transaction in May.
Ken started the 1980 season with the Cubs and was a pinch hitter and substitute outfielder. He played in 44 games and batted .195 in 82 at bats. The Cubs released Ken on July 20.
Where Did They Go When The Lights Went Out? - Baseball Digest June 1991. Ken is profiled in this article. He went into business after his playing career and was successful. Henderson lives in Los Gatos, CA.
Liked to face: Grant Jackson (.500 in 16 AB); John Curtis (.474 in 19 AB); Bill Lee (.424 in 33 AB)
Hated to face: Roger Moret (.000 in 15 AB); Jim Bunning/Gaylord Perry (.083 in 24 AB); Steve Carlton (.091 in 33 AB)
Edit: Ken recently took a position with the Giants organization selling luxury boxes. An update is here on the seamheads website.
Terry Forster was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1970. He went 6-1 with a 1.33 ERA in the minors in 1970 and made the White Sox club in 1971 when he was 19 years old. White Sox manager and pitching coach Johnny Sain were enthusiastic about the young pitcher. Terry pitched in 45 games (3 starts) for the White Sox in 1971 and was 2-3 with a 3.99 ERA.
Forster had a good year as the White Sox closer in 1972. He went 6-5 with a 2.25 ERA and 29 saves. Terry Forster: The Lolipop Kid - December 1972 Baseball Digest.
In 1973 Terry was used both as a starter and a reliever. He pitched in 51 games (12 starts) and was 6-11 with 16 saves and a 3.23 ERA. Forster returned to his relief role (except for one spot start) in 1974 and led the AL with 24 saves. Terry was 7-8 with a 3.62 ERA in 59 games for the White Sox in '74.
Forster had injury problems in 1975. He made 17 appearances, only two after May 23, and was 3-3 with four saves and a 2.19 ERA. In 1976 Terry had a tough year, going 2-12 with a 4.37 ERA in 29 games (16 starts). He had recurring arm problems and his weight had also gotten too high.
After the 1976 season he and Goose Gossage were traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Richie Zisk and Silvio Martinez. Terry was reunited with former manager Tanner in Pittsburgh and Tanner was glad to have Terry back. Forster went 6-4 with a 4.43 ERA in his only year with the Pirates. After the 1977 season Forster became a free agent and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Terry was a valuable part of the Los Angeles bullpen in 1978. He made 47 appearances and was 5-2 with 22 saves and a 1.93 ERA. Terry pitched the 10th inning of game 4 of the NLCS and was the winning pitcher. He pitched in three games in the World Series without a decision.
In 1979 Terry had injury problems again. He didn't pitch until May 25 and didn't pitch after August 4. Forster appeared in 17 games and was 1-2 with two saves and a 5.51 ERA. Terry also didn't pitch very much in 1980 -- he made four July appearances and five September appearances. He was 0-0 with a 3.09 ERA in 11.2 innings.
Terry came back in 1981 to contribute to the Dodgers' world championship. He didn't do a whole lot in the regular season (0-1, 4.11 ERA in 21 games). He made one appearance in the NLDS, one in the NLCS, and two in the World Series and allowed no runs in a total of 2.2 innings.
Forster made 56 appearances in 1982 and went 5-6 with three saves and a 3.04 ERA. After the 1982 season Terry became a free agent and signed with the Atlanta Braves.
Terry pitched well for the Braves in 1983, going 3-2 with 13 saves and a 2.16 ERA in 56 games. Forster had injury problems again in 1984 -- he missed five weeks from late June to early August and didn't pitch after August 10. He pitched in 25 games and was 2-0 with 5 saves and a 2.70 ERA. Terry came back in 1985 with a 2-3 record and 2.28 ERA in 46 games.
Forster didn't make the Braves club in 1986 and was released at the end of spring training. Terry was signed by the California Angels. He pitched in four games for AAA Edmonton and then pitched in 41 games for the Angels. Terry went 4-1 with five saves and a 3.51 ERA. Forster wasn't used in the 1986 ALCS.
Forster became a free agent after the 1986 season. He was signed by the Minnesota Twins on June 15. He pitched in 13 games for Minnesota's AAA Portland club but retired after posting a 7.27 ERA.
During his time with the Braves Forster gained noteriety for his weight. He weighed about 270 lbs during this time. David Letterman referred to Terry as a "fat tub of goo" on one of his shows. Terry later appeared on the show and recorded a novelty song, "Fat is In."
Forster had a lifetime .397 batting average, which was the highest for any pitcher who pitched for over 15 years in the majors.
Liked to face: Tommy Davis/Bill Freehan (.059 in 17 AB); Tom Grieve (.063 in 16 AB)
Hated to face: Carlton Fisk (.636 in 11 AB); Sal Bando (.480 in 25 AB); Frank Robinson (.455 in 22 AB)
Pete Varney was drafted seven times by major league clubs between 1967 and 1971. He graduated from Harvard in 1971. Pete caught the 2-point conversion pass that tied the big game with Yale 28-28 in 1968. Pete was the first round draft pick of the Chicago White Sox in 1971.
Varney spent most of his playing career in the minors. He showed some power in 1973 (18 HR) and 1974 (16 HR). Pete had late season call-ups in 1973 (.000 in 4 at bats) and 1974 (.250 in 28 at bats). Varney spent the entire 1975 season with the White Sox and batted .271 in 36 games as the backup catcher for Brian Downing.
Pete played in 14 games and batted .244 in 41 at bats before being traded to the Atlanta Braves for Blue Moon Odom on June 15. Varney spent most of the remanider of the season at AAA Richmond. He batted .100 in 10 at bats for the Braves in '76. Pete was at Richmond again in 1977 and retired after the season.
Jerry Hairston's family has had several major league players. As the card says, Jerry's father was a catcher for the Chicago White Sox in 1951 and his brother Johnny was a catcher for the Cubs in 1969. Two of Jerry's sons (Jerry Jr. and Scott) have also played in the majors.
Jerry had two stints in the major leagues. His first stint was from 1973-1977 and the second was from 1981-1989. Hairston was a 3rd round draft pick of the Chicago White Sox in 1970. He progressed through the minor leagues and was first promoted to the majors in July 1973 after batting .347 in AAA Iowa during the first half of the season. Jerry batted .271 in 210 at bats for the White Sox in 1973.
Jerry also played in Mexico during the winter and met his wife there. They were married on January 6, 1974. Hairston started the 1974 season with the White Sox but after starting the season with a .157 batting average he was sent back to Iowa in late June. Jerry batted .373 in 42 games at Iowa and he was brought back to the White Sox in late August. Hairston ended up batting .229 in 45 games for the White Sox in 1974.
Jerry didn't get much playing time for the White Sox at the beginning of the 1975 season (5 games in the first month) and was sent to AAA Denver. Hairston batted .367 in 40 games in Denver and came back to Chicago in late June. Hairston batted .283 in 69 games for the White Sox in 1975.
In 1976 Jerry again split time between AAA and the majors. He managed to post good on base percentages in the minors. In fact, his lowest OBP in the minors was .374 and he had a few seasons of .400 and even .500 OBPs. His biggest knocks where that he didn't hit many homers or steal many bases. Hairston ended up batting .227 in 119 at bats for the White Sox in 1976.
Hariston started the 1977 season with the White Sox and batted .308 in 13 games. On June 13 he was sold to the Pittsburgh Pirates and batted .192 in 52 at bats, mostly as a pinch hitter. Before the 1978 season Jerry was purchased by the Durango club (Mexican League). Hairston played in the Mexican league from 1978 to the end of the 1981 season. On September 10, 1981 Hairston was purchased by the White Sox. Jerry batted .280 in 25 at bats to finish the 1981 season.
Hairston was mostly a pinch hitter and designated hitter for the second phase of his career. In 1982 he batted .233 in 90 at bats. His best year in the 1980s was 1983 when he batted .294 with 5 home runs in 126 at bats. On April 15 Hairston broke up a perfect game by Milt Wilcox of the Detroit Tigers by singling with 2 out in the 9th inning. Jerry was 0 for 3 in the 1983 ALCS.
Jerry batted .260 with 5 HR in 227 at bats in 1984 and .243 in 140 at bats in 1985. Hairston batted .271 in 225 at bats in 1986 and .230 in 126 at bats in 1987. Jerry was released during spring training in 1988 but signed with the White Sox on August 31 and was 0 for 2 as a pinch hitter. He was released at the end of the season and signed again with the White Sox on September 1, 1989. Jerry was 0 for 3 in 1989 and then retired.
Jerry is currently the hitting coach of the rookie league Bristol White Sox. He managed the club from 2003-2005, then was the hitting coach for Great Falls in the Pioneer League in 2006. Hairston has been the hitting coach for Bristol since 2006.
Liked to face: Dave Goltz (.571 in 14 AB); Dan Petry (.467 in 15 AB); Bert Blyleven (.364 in 22 AB)
Hated to face: Mike Witt (.000 in 14 AB); Fergie Jenkins (.067 in 15 AB); Ray Burris (.143 in 14 AB)
