1976 Kellogg's #55 - Pete Rose

* Another one of the "cards to get" for us in the mid 70s. This one definitely wouldn't have been put in the trade or flip piles.

* What did he do to deserve a 1976 Kellogg's card?

    * As the back of the card says, Pete bounced back from an off year (by his standards) to bat over .300 again.

    * World Series MVP in 1975.

    * Moved to third base partway through the 1975 season so that Sparky could put George Foster in the lineup and complete the Big Red Machine.

* 1976 Highlights:

    * Led the NL with 130 runs scored, 42 doubles, and 215 hits.

    * 4th in MVP voting

    * Started at 3B for the NL in the All Star Game and went 2 for 3 with a triple and a run scored.

    * Only batted .188 in the World Series, but got his second ring.

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1976 Hostess #150 - Cesar Geronimo

• Cesar Geronimo was a good fielder and had a great arm. He won four straight Gold Gloves from 1974-1977
• Offensively, this five-year run is decent, but not awe-inspiring. Cesar had a nice year in 1974 -- it was the first year that he started more than 100 games.
• In 1976 Geronimo had his best offensive year. He batted .307, hit 11 triples, and stole 22 bases. Cesar also had a .382 on base percentage.
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? peak

1976 Hostess #128 - Dave Concepcion

• Dave Concepcion established himself as the Reds' starting shortstop in 1973. He didn't play a full season in '73 due to an injury.
• In 1975 Dave started a string of All Star appearances that would last through the 1982 season
• According to a poll of National League players, Dave would not have been the NL starting shortstop in the All Star Game if players had voted. Larry Bowa would have been the starter instead.
• Concepcion had a  typically good season in 1976. He batted .281 with 9 home runs and 21 stolen bases. He won the second of five Gold Glove awards.
• Dave was voted to the Associated Press All Star Team after the 1976 season.
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? peak
• After the 1976 season Dave and teammate  Tony Perez voiced frustration about how Latin ballplayers were forgotten and underrated.

1976 Hostess #106 - George Foster

• In the mid to late 1970s, getting any Cincinnati Reds player would have been great. They had a lot of great players!
• After several years as an extra outfielder, George Foster had his "breakout" season in 1975.
• George added to his success in 1976. 
• He led the NL with 121 RBI, 
• He made his first NL All Star team and hit a two-run homer and an RBI single off of Catfish Hunter (he was named the All Star MVP)
• He finished second to teammate Joe Morgan in MVP voting.
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? just before his peak --- 1977 was a monster year

1976 Hostess #45 - Don Gullett

• This is a nice five-year run for Don Gullett.
• In 1975 Gullett only had three no-decisions in 22 starts. He went 15-4 and had a .789 winning percentage
• Don had another nice year in 1976 -- he had a record of 11-3 and had a 3.00 ERA
• Don missed most of August with shoulder problems.
• Gullett dislocated a tendon in his right ankle in game 1 of the 1976 World Series.
• Gullett went to the New York Yankees as a free agent after the 1976 season. He pitched in 1977 but was injured in 1978 and had to retire prematurely.
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? peak

1976 Hostess #22 - Johnny Bench

• Look at all those RBIs!!!
• This set of stats doesn't show his monster 1970 season (.293, 45 HR, 148 RBI) in which he won the NL MVP award
• Bench was also the MVP in 1972 and finished fourth in MVP voting in 1974 and in 1975
• This shows the end of Johnny's peak. Injuries started to catch up with him in 1976 and he was used more often at other positions
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? after peak
• 
  

1976 Hostess #2 - Joe Morgan

• I'll post about the other twelve cards in the Kellogg's set once I get my hands on them.
• Hostess put cards on the bottoms of boxes of Twinkies, Ding Dongs, and other assorted snack foods from 1975-1979. I remember beating the heck out of those boxes to find the cards I wanted. We didn't eat nearly enough of the things to complete a set.
• I don't really like "partial stats" on cards, but it does have an upside. One can see whether a player is at his peak, past his peak, or if he is in the early part of his career.
• Joe Morgan was at the peak of his career when this card was made. He had his highest batting average and his highest RBI total to date. Joe would have his career  high in RBI (127) during the 1976 season.
• Before peak, peak, or past it? peak

1976 Kellogg's #44 - Ken Griffey

• What did he do to deserve a 1976 Kellogg's card?
• Batted .305 with 95 runs in 132 games in 1975
• Batted .333 (4 for 12) with 3 stolen bases in the 1975 NL Championship Series
• Batted .269 (7 for 26) in the 1975 World Series
• 1976 Highlights:
• Batted .336 with 111 runs scored
• Lost the NL Batting Title on the last day of the season to Bill Madlock
• Was 1 for 1 with a run and a RBI in the All Star Game
• Finished 8th in NL MVP voting
• Batted .385 (5 for 13) in the NL Championship Series
• Didn't do as well in the World Series (1 for 17, .059)

1976 Kellogg's #14 - Joe Morgan

• What did he do to deserve a 1976 Kellogg's card?
• Was the NL MVP in 1975
• Batted .327 with 17 HR and 94 RBI
• Led the NL with 132 walks and a .466 on base percentage. Also stole 67 bases
• Was the starting second baseman in the All Star Game and was 1 for 4
• Won the third of five straight Gold Glove awards
• 1976 Highlights:
• Repeated as NL MVP
• Batted .320 with 27 HR and 111 RBI
• Led the NL with a .444 on base percentage and a .576 slugging percentage
• Was 1 for 3 with a run scored as the NL starting 2B in the All Star Game
• Was hitless in 7 AB in the NL Championship series, but batted .333 in the World Series

1976 Kellogg's #36 - Johnny Bench

• What did he do to deserve a 1976 Kellogg's card?
• Need we ask?
• Bench batted .283 with 28 HR and 110 RBI in 1975
• Made his 8th straight NL All Star team in 1975 (1 for 4 with one RBI)
• Finished fourth in NL MVP voting in 1975
• Won his 8th straight Gold Glove award in 1975
• 1976 Highlights:
• Had his first off year, batting .234 with 16 HR and 74 RBI
• Was still the NL All Star catcher (went 1 for 2 in the game)
• Won his 9th straight Gold Glove
• Batted .333 (4 for 12) in the National League Championship Series
• Batted .533 (8 for 15) with 2 HR in the World Series and was named the World Series MVP

1976 Topps Traded #338T - Bob Bailey

• Bob Bailey was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Clay Kirby after the 1975 season.
• Bailey had a good year as a pinch hitter and occasional OF/3B in 1976 -- he batted .298 with 6 HR in 124 AB
• Bob wasn't used much in 1977 and was traded to Boston in September for a minor leaguer and cash.
• Bailey retired after the 1978 season and became a minor league manager.

1976 Topps Traded #208T - Mike Lum

• The Reds wanted a left-handed pinch hitter so they traded utilityman Darrel Chaney for Mike Lum.
• Lum batted .228 in 136 at bats for the Reds in 1976.
• Mike was 0 for 1 in the 1976 NLCS.
• Lum spent three seasons (1976-1978) with the Reds before becoming a free agent and going back to the Braves.

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1976 Topps #652 - Ed Armbrister

• Ed Armbrister was a backup outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds from 1973-1977. Armbrister was drafted by the Houston Astros in 1967. After playing in the Houston system from 1967-1971, Ed was included in the trade that sent Joe Morgan, Cesar Geronimo, and Jack Billingham to the Reds.
• Armbrister played in AAA Indianapolis in 1972 and for most of the season in 1973. Ed came up to Cincinnati late in the 1973 season and batted .216 in 18 games. Armbrister was 1 for 6 (.167) in the 1973 NLCS.
• Ed was in Indianapolis again for most of the 1974 season. Armbrister played for the Reds late in the 1974 season and went 2 for 7 (.286) in nine games.
• Armbrister stayed with the Reds for the next three seasons. In 1975 Ed didn't get much playing time since the Reds had such a solid outfield (George Foster, Geronimo, and Ken Griffey). Ed batted .185 in 65 at bats during the regular season in 1975. Armbrister appeared in two games in the 1975 NLCS and had a sacrifice fly in his only plate appearance.
• Ed is remembered most for a controversial play in the 10th inning of game 3 of the 1975 World Series. Armbrister was put in the game as a pinch hitter and ordered to lay down a bunt. After Ed bunted the ball Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk collided with him. The Red Sox argued that Ed should have been called out for interference, but the umpires didn't agree. Armbrister appeared in four games in the 1975 World Series and was 0 for 1 with two walks, a run scored, and a sacrifice.
• Armbrister batted .295 in 78 AB in 1976. He  made one appearance in the NLCS (a sacrifice bunt) but did not play in the World Series.
• Ed batted .256 in 78 AB in 1977. Armrbrister had an operation for bone spurs in his elbow before the 1978 season. Dave Collins replaced Armbrister as the extra outfielder in 1978 and Ed was back in Indianapolis.
• Armrbrister played in the Mexican League in 1979 and 1980 and then retired from baseball.
• Ed returned to his native Bahamas and worked at a casino. He was also involved in promoting baseball in the Bahamas.
• Here is Ed's SABR biography.

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1976 Topps #627 - Bill Plummer

• Bill Plummer played in ten seasons from 1968-1978. He is best known as the backup for Johnny Bench for most of the early to mid 1970s.
• Plummer was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965. He played in the minors from 1965-1967 and then was taken by the Chicago Cubs in the Rule 5 draft. Bill had to stay on the Cubs' roster for the entire 1968 season but played in only two games and went 0 for 2.
• Plummer was in the minors for the entire 1969 season. After the 1969 season Bill was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. Plummer was in the minors for most of the 1970 season. He played in four September games for the Reds and went 1 for 8 (.125). 
• Bill was with AAA Indianapolis for most of the 1971 season and batted .266 with 17 home runs. Plummer played in ten games for the Reds at the end of the 1971 season but was 0 for 19.
• Plummer backed up Bench for the next six seasons (1972-1977). Bill batted above .200 in only two of those seasons (.225 in 1974 and .248 in 1976).
• Plummer didn't appear in any NLCS or World Series games during that time, although the Reds were in the playoffs in four of those six years.
• After the 1978 season Bill became a free agent and signed with the Seattle Mariners. Plummer spent some time in AAA during the 1978 season and  batted .215 in 41 games for the Mariners.
• Bill spent the 1979 season in the minors and was released after the season.
• Plummer coached and managed in the minors during the 1980s. He was the third base coach for the Mariners in 1991 and was named the Seattle manager in 1992. The Mariners finished in last place in 1992 and Bill was replaced as manager after the season.
• Plummer has been working for the Arizona Diamondbacks since 2000. He managed in the Arizona system from 2000-2008 and is now the team's catching instructor.

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1976 Topps #609 - Fred Norman

• Fred Norman pitched in the majors for 16 years. His biggest years were for the Cincinnati Reds in the mid-late 1970s. Norman was signed by the Kansas City A's in 1961. Fred pitched in the minors for the A's from 1961-1963. Norman had brief stints with Kansas City in 1962 (0-0, 2.25 ERA in two games) and in 1963 (0-1, 11.37 ERA in two starts).
• Norman was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Nelson Mathews before the 1964 season. Fred started the 1964 season with the Cubs but was sent down after going 0-4 with a 6.54 ERA in 8 games (5 starts). Fred was in the minors for the rest of the 1964 season and for the entire 1965 season.
• Norman was also in the minors for most of the 1966 season. He pitched in two games for the Cubs late in 1966 and allowed two runs in four innings.
• Fred pitched in one game for the Cubs (0 runs in 1 inning) in 1967 before he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Dick Calmus on April 26. Norman was in the minors for the rest of the 1967 season and stayed in the minors in 1968 and in 1969. 
• Norman pitched in 30 games (2-0, 5.14 ERA) for the Dodgers in 1970. Fred was waived in late September and picked up by the St. Louis Cardinals. Norman pitched in one game for the Cardinals before the end of the 1970 season.
• Fred started the 1971 season with the Cardinals and pitched in four games (0-0, 12.57 ERA) before being sent to the minors. On June 11 Norman was traded to the San Diego Padres. Fred became a starting pitcher with the Padres and was 3-12 with a 3.32 ERA in 20 games (18 starts) to finish the 1971 season.
• Norman pitched in 42 games (28 starts) in 1972 and was 9-11 with a 3.44 ERA. In 1973 Fred started the season 1-7 with a 4.26 ERA in 11 starts for the Padres. Norman was traded to the Cincinnati Reds on June 12 for two players and cash. Fred turned it around with the Reds and was 12-6 with a 3.30 ERA in 24 starts. Norman started game 4 of the 1973 NLCS and allowed one run in five innings (he didn't get a decision in the 12-inning game).
• Norman turned in several solid seasons as a starter and reliever for the Reds. In 1974 Fred was 13-12 with a 3.14 ERA. Fred was 12-4 with a 3.73 ERA in 1975. Norman started and won game 2 of the 1975 NLCS. Fred went 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in two games in the 1975 World Series. He started and lost game 4 when he allowed five runs in the 4th inning).
• Fred had a 12-7 record with a 3.09 ERA in 1976. Norman started game 2 of the World Series but wasn't involved in the decision.
• Norman was 14-13 with a 3.38 ERA in 1977 and went 11-9 with a 3.70 ERA in 1978. 
• In 1979 Fred was 11-13 with a 3.64 ERA. Norman pitched two innings in the 1979 NLCS and allowed four runs. After the 1979 season Fred became a free agent and signed with the Montreal Expos.
• Norman was mostly a reliever for the Expos in 1980. Fred appeared in 48 games (8 starts) and 4-4 with four saves and had a 4.13 ERA. Fred didn't make the Montreal team in 1981 and was released at the end of spring training.
• Liked to face: Rod Gilbreath (.045 in 22 AB); Bobby Murcer (.065 in 31 AB); Joe Ferguson (.093 in 43 AB)
• Hated to face: Manny Trillo (.500 in 22 AB); Roberto Clemente/Jerry Martin (.455 in 22 AB); Bob Bailey (.450 in 40 AB)

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1976 Topps #599 - Rookie Pitchers (Dressler, Guidry, McClure, Zachry)

• Rob Dressler
• First round of the San Francisco Giants in 1972
• Spent a lot of time with the AAA Phoenix Giants, which is where I remember him
• Pitched in three games (two starts) in September 1975 and was 1-0 with a 1.10 ERA
• Was up and down between San Francisco and Phoenix in 1976
• Went 3-10 with a 4.43 ERA in 25 games (19 starts) for the Giants in 1977
• Spent the entire 1977 season in Phoenix
• Started 20 games for Phoenix in 1977 before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on July 24 for John Tamargo
• Spent some time in AAA Springfield before coming up to the Cardinals in September
• Pitched in three games (two starts) for the Cardinals in 1978 and was 0-1 with a 2.08 ERA
• Was loaned to Seattle and pitched for the Mariners' AAA Spokane club for two months.
• Sold to Seattle in early June
• Went 3-2 with a 4.93 ERA in 21 games (11 starts) for the Mariners in 1979
• Appeared in 30 games (14 starts) for the Mariners in 1980 and was 4-10 with a 3.98 ERA
• Released during spring training in 1981 and retired
• Ron Guidry
• "Louisiana Lightning" was one of the Yankees that I liked.
• Drafted by the New York Yankees in 1971 and pitched in the minors until 1976
• Had brief trials in 1975 (0-1, 3.45 ERA in 10 games) and in 1976 (0-0, 5.63 ERA in 7 games)
• 1977: 16-7 with a 2.82 ERA
• 1978: A dominant season in which he had a 25-3 record with a 1.74 ERA (led the AL in wins and in ERA)
• Won the 1978 AL Cy Young Award and finished second in MVP voting
• 1979: 18-8, 2.78 ERA (led the AL in ERA)
• 1980: 17-10, 3.56 ERA
• 1981: 11-5, 2.76 ERA
• 1982: 14-8, 3.81 ERA
• 1983: 21-9, 3.42 ERA, led the AL with 21 complete games
• 1984: 10-11, 4.59 ERA
• Struck out three batters on nine pitches (Carlton Fisk, Tom Paciorek, Greg Luzinski) on August 7, 1984
• 1985: Ron's last big year -- 22-6 with a 3.27 ERA (led the AL in wins)
• 1986: 9-12, 3.98 ERA
• 1987: 5-8, 3.67 ERA
• 1988: 2-3, 4.18 ERA in 10 starts
• Retired with a record of 170-91 (.651 winning percentage)
• All Star Game record:
• 1978 - 0.1 IP, 0 runs
• 1979 - 0.1 IP, 1 BB, 0 runs
• 1982 - did not pitch
• 1983 - did not pitch
• Gold Glove winner five times (1982-1986)
• Post season record:
• 1977 ALCS - 1-0, 3.97 ERA in 2 starts
• 1977 World Series - 1-0, 2.00 ERA in 1 start
• 1978 ALCS - 1-0, 1.13 ERA in 1 start
• 1978 World Series - 1-0, 1.00 ERA in 1 start
• 1980 ALCS - 0-1, 12.00 ERA in 1 start
• 1981 ALDS - 0-0, 5.40 ERA in 2 starts
• 1981 World Series - 1-1, 1.93 ERA in 2 starts
• Was the Yankees' pitching coach in 2006 and 2007
• Baseball Digest articles
• Ron Guidry: The Yankees' Super Southpaw - September 1978
• How Ron Guidry Perfected the Fine Art of Pitching - January 1980
• Ron Guidry: Louisiana Lightning Strikes Again - October 1985
• Remembering Ron Guidry: He Was Master of His Craft - November 1989
• Bob McClure
• Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1973 but did not sign
• Drafted by the Kansas City Royals later in 1973 and signed
• Had brief stints with the Royals in 1975 (1-0, 0.00 ERA in 12 games) and in 1976 (0-0, 9.00 ERA in nine games)
• Traded to the Milwaukee Brewers with Jamie Quirk and Jim Wohlford for Darrell Porter and Jim Colborn
• Was a reliever for the Brewers from 1977-1981
• 1977: 2-1, 6 saves, 2.52 ERA in 68 games
• 1978: 2-6, 9 saves, 3.74 ERA in 44 games
• 1979: 5-2, 5 saves, 3.88 ERA in 36 games
• 1980: 5-8, 10 saves, 3.08 ERA in 52 games (5 starts)
• 1981: 0-0, 3.52 ERA in four games (missed most of the season with arm problems)
• Pitched in three games in the 1981 ALDS and allowed no runs in 3.1 innings
• Became a starting pitcher in 1982 and started most of the time through the 1984 season
• Went 12-7 with a 4.22 ERA in 34 games (26 starts) in 1982
• Won game 5 in a 1.2 inning relief stint in the 1982 NLCS
• Earned saves in games 4 and 5 and took the loss in games 2 and 7 in the 1982 World Series
• Went 9-9 with an ERA of 4.50 in 24 games (23 starts) in 1983
• Appeared in 39 games (18 starts) in 1984 and was 4-8 with a 4.38 ERA
• Became a full-time reliever again in 1985 and started only one game for the remainder of his career
• In 1985 he appeared in 38 games (1 start) and was 4-1 with a 4.32 ERA
• Started the 1986 season with the Brewers (2-1, 3.86 ERA in 13 games) and was traded to the  Montreal Expos on June 8 for a minor leaguer
• Was 2-5 with six saves and had a 3.02 ERA in 52 games for the Expos in 1986
• Appeared in 52 games and was 6-1 with five saves and had a 3.44 ERA in 1987
• Started the 1988 season with the Expos (1-3, 6.16 ERA in 19 games) and was released on July 2
• Signed with the New York Mets on July 13, 1988 and was 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA in 14 games.
• Released after the 1988 season and later signed with the California Angels
• 1989: 6-1, 3 saves, 1.55 ERA in 48 games
• 1990: 2-0, 6.43 ERA in 11 games
• Did not pitch  until August 18 of 1990 due to injury
• Started 1991 with the Angels (0-0, 9.31 ERA in 13 games) and was released on June 16
• Signed with the St. Louis Cardinals a week later and was 1-1 with a 3.13 ERA in 32 games
• Went 2-2 with a 3.17 ERA in 71 games in 1992
• Became a free agent after the 1992 season and signed with the Florida Marlins
• Went 1-1 with a 7.11 ERA in 14 games in 1993 and was released in mid-May
• Coached in the Colorado Rockies organization from 1999-2005
• Has been the pitching coach for the Royals since 2006
• Pat Zachry
• Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 1970.
• Came up to the Reds in 1976 and was the NL Rookie of the Year
• Went 14-7 with a 2.74 ERA in 38 games (28 starts) in 1976
• Started and won game 2 of the 1976 NLCS
• Started and won game 3 of the 1976 World Series
• Began the 1977 season with the Reds and went 3-7 with a 5.04 ERA in 12 starts
• Went to the New York Mets as part of the big Tom Seaver trade on June 15, 1977
• Started 19 games for the Mets in 1977 and had a 7-6 record with a 3.76 ERA
• Made the NL All Star team in 1978 but didn't pitch in the game
• Was injured in 1978 and didn't pitch after July 24.
• Went 10-6 with a 3.33 ERA in 21 starts in 1978
• Broke  his foot when he tried to kick a helmet in the dugout after giving up a hit (game #38) during Pete Rose's 44-game hitting streak and was out for the rest of the year
• Started seven games in 1979 (5-1, 3.59 ERA) but didn't pitch after June 8
• Was 6-10 with a 3.01 ERA in 28 games (26 starts) in 1980
• Led the NL with 14 losses in 1981 (7-14, 4.14 ERA in 24 starts)
• Was a swingman in 1982 and went 6-9 with a 4.05 ERA in 36 games (16 starts)
• Traded to the LA Dodgers after the 1982 season for Jorge Orta
• Became a reliever with the Dodgers in 1983 and was 6-1 with a 2.49 ERA in 40 games (1 start)
• Pitched in two games in the 1983 NLCS and allowed one run in four innings
• Appeared in 58 games in 1984 and was 5-6 with a 3.81 ERA
• Traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Al Oliver before the 1985 season
• Had a 4.26 ERA in ten games before his release on June 8, 1985
• Pitched in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989
• Taught high school in California after his playing career
• Now lives in Texas. Here is his TTM information

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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1976 Topps #579 - Clay Kirby

• Clay Kirby was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1966. Kirby pitched in the Cardinals' system from 1966-1968 and then was chosen by the San Diego Padres in the expansion draft. 
• Pitching for the expansion Padres didn't exactly do wonders for Kirby's winning percentage. Clay led the NL with 20 losses in his rookie season of 1969. He had a 7-20 record with a 3.80 ERA in 35 starts. In 1970 Kirby went 10-16 with a 4.53 ERA for the Padres. On July 21, 1970 Clay had a no-hitter going against the the Mets after eight innings but was losing 1-0 and was removed for a pinch hitter by manager Preston Gomez.
• Kirby had his only winning season with the Padres in 1971 -- he went 15-13 with a 2.83 ERA. Clay had a good ERA in 1972 (3.13) and was 12-14 in 34 starts.
• Clay dropped to 8-18 with a 4.79 ERA in 1973. After the 1973 season Kirby was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Bobby Tolan and Dave Tomlin.
• Clay went 12-9 with a 3.28 ERA in 35 starts for the Reds in 1974. Kirby's ERA rose to 4.76 in 1975 but he still went 10-6 for the Big Red Machine. Clay wasn't used by the Reds in the 1975 postseason. After the 1975 season the Reds traded Kirby to the Montreal Expos for Bob Bailey.
• Kirby went 1-8 with a 5.72 ERA in 22 games (15 starts) in 1976. Clay was released by the Expos after the 1976 season. Kirby pitched for San Diego's AAA Hawaii Islanders in 1977 but didn't get back to the majors.
• Kirby died of a heart attack in his hometown of Arlington, VA at the age of 43 on October 11, 1991.
• Liked to face: Gene Alley (.000 in 11 AB); Billy Grabarkewitz (.056 in 18 AB); Garry Maddox (.077 in 26 AB)
• Hated to face: Dave Parker (.636 in 11 AB); Dave Lopes (.462 in 26 AB); Willie Stargell (.415 with 5 HR in 41 AB)

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1976 Topps #561 - Tom Carroll

• Tom Carroll had a short two-year career with the Cincinnati Reds in 1974 and 1975. Carroll was drafted by the Reds in 1970. He pitched in the minors from 1970 to July of 1974 before being called up by the Reds. As the card says, Tom pitched a  no-hitter while with AAA Indianapolis in 1974. Carroll appeared in 16 games (13 starts) in 1974 and went 4-3 with a 3.69 ERA for the Reds.
• Tom started the 1975 season with Indianapolis and was called up to the Reds in June. Carroll went 4-1 with a 4.98 ERA in 12 games (7 starts) for the Reds in 1975. Carroll wasn't on the Reds' postseason roster.
• Carroll was back in Indianapolis for the 1976 season. He was 9-12 with a 5.38 ERA for Indianapolis and was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates after the season for  Jim Sadowski.
• Tom didn't make the Pirates' club in 1977. He pitched for a while in the Montral Expos' system in 1977 and then retired.
• In 1980 Tom attempted a comeback with the independent Class A Alexandria Dukes. The comeback was  unsuccessful and Carroll retired again.
• After his playing career Carroll earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in International Affairs. He now works for MITRE (a non-profit engineering and technology firm) as an analyst. Here is a story about Tom's work.

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1976 Topps #538 - Pat Darcy

• I thought Pat Darcy was cool because he lived in Arizona. Now days there are a lot more players who live in Arizona so it isn't that big of a deal anymore.
• Pat Darcy was signed by the Houston Astros in 1969. Pat slowly climbed up the ladder in Houston's system from 1969-1973. Darcy pitched a no-hitter for the Columbus Astros on August 29, 1971. 
• During spring training in 1974 Darcy was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Dennis Menke. Pat remembers:  “Bob Howsam, the Reds General Manager, called and told me about the rules, especially about the haircuts. I knew about that because at Denver, I had pitched against Indianapolis a lot. So when I reported to the Reds, I went up to Sparky and said I knew the rules and got a haircut. He said, ‘Fine kid, but get another haircut.’ It wasn’t short enough for Sparky.” (John Ring interview with Pat Darcy)
• Darcy pitched well for AAA Indianapolis in 1974 and was called up at the end of the season. Pat was 1-0 with a 3.71 ERA in six games (two starts) for the Reds at the end of the 1974 season.
• Pat  made the Reds ballclub in 1975 and became their fifth starter. Darcy was 11-5 with a 3.58 ERA in 27 games (22 starts) during the regular season. Pat wasn't used in the NLCS -- he was slated to start game 4 but the Reds swept the series in three games and Pat wasn't needed.
• Darcy pitched in game 3 of the World Series (1 run in 2 innings) and then was the eighth pitcher used by the Reds in that classic 12-inning game 6. Pat set the Red Sox down in order in the 10th and 11th innings and then gave up the famous home run to Carlton Fisk in the 12th inning.
• Darcy started the 1976 season in the Reds' rotation but got hammered in his first three starts and was demoted to the bullpen. He started one more game in 1976 but wasn't successful. Pat was 2-3 with two saves and a 6.23 ERA in 11 games (4 starts) when he was sent to Indianapolis on June 12. Darcy spent the rest of the season in Indianapolis and never pitched in the majors again.
• During spring training in 1977 Pat was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Mike Caldwell. Darcy pitched in the Cardinals' system in 1977 and in 1978 and then missed the entire 1979 season. He tried to come back with the Chicago White Sox in 1980 and pitched for their AAA Iowa club, but the comeback was unsuccessful. Pat retired after the 1980 season.

• Pat battled arm and shoulder problems during his career. A shoulder injury he suffered in 1973 eventually caught up with him and shortened his career.
• After he retired Pat went back to college and earned his bachelor's degree. He now works in commercial real estate and banking in Tucson. Here is a good article about Pat that talks about his memories of 1975 and other career memories.
• Darcy ran for mayor of Tucson in 1999 but lost in the Democratic primary.
• Here is a Cincinnati Magazine article from July 1976 that discusses life on the road for the Cincinnati Reds. Pat has several quotes in the article. At the end of the article Pat gives a Chicago cabbie a large tip and gets the cabbie's number. Pat tells the cabbie that he will hire him for the night the next time the Reds are in Chicago. Pat was sent down a few weeks later and was unable to make good on the deal.

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