1976 Topps Traded #27T - Ed Figueroa

• I got my scanner to work, so we'll get going with the 1976 Topps Traded series. 
• These cards were surprise additions to the 1976 set. I don't remember when they first appeared, but it was probably sometime around June or July. We were quite surprised to see these cards in the packs.
• The Yankees were able to get three good years out of Ed Figueroa. He was very successful in 1976 (19-10, 3.02 ERA), 1977 (16-11, 3.57), and 1978 (20-9, 2.99)
• Figueroa developed elbow problems in 1979 and was never able to repeat the success he had from 1975-1978.
• If you have a nomination for 1976 Topps Card of the Year, please leave a comment on the linked entry. After the traded series is profiled we'll do it. :)

1976 Topps #27 - Ed Figueroa

This guy was a heckuva pitcher for four years. His first good year was in 1975 with California (16-13, 2.91). He was traded to the Yankees along with Mickey Rivers for Bobby Bonds before the 1976 season. He had three more good years with the Yanks -- 19, 16, 20 wins, but went 0-4 in postseason play. In 1978 Ed was the first (and only) Puerto Rico-born pitcher to win 20 games.

Ed dropped to 4-6, 4.13 in 1979. He split 1980 between New York and Texas, going 3-10 with a 6.54 ERA. He was released by Texas after 1980 and hooked on with Oakland in 1981, but pitched only two games before calling it a career. He owns two restaurants in Puerto Rico now. Here is a "where are they now" article about Ed.