1976 Kellogg's #54 - Steve Garvey

* I was a Reds fan at this time, so getting a Dodger card wasn't much fun. But Steve Garvey was one of the prime cards to get no matter what team he played for.

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

- MVP award in 1974

- Had another good year in 1975, batting .319 with 210 hits.

- NL All Star both years.

* 1976 Highlights:

- Batted .317 with 200 hits, but it still seemed like an off year due to having only 13 home runs and only 80 RBI

- Made the NL All-Star team for the third straight year

- Third of four straight Gold Glove awards.

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1976 Hostess #105 - Dave Lopes

• Here's another beat up Hostess card that I got from a lot on eBay.
• Lopes was the first  Dodger to sign a contract for the 1976 season.
• Before the 1976 season there was some talk of moving Lopes to shortstop and playing Ted Sizemore at second base. Dodger shortstop Bill Russell was mentioned in trade talks between the Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals for Reggie Smith, but he eventually stayed with the club.
• Dave was still playing a little bit in center field in 1976. After the 1976 season Lopes would play all of his games but two at 2B until he moved to the Oakland A's in 1982.
• In 1976 Lopes led the NL with 63 stolen bases and batted .241 in 117 games
• Dave missed the first month of the 1976 due to a pulled muscle in his side that he suffered during spring training.
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? early peak

1976 Topps Traded #28T - Dusty Baker

• Dusty Baker came to the Dodgers before the 1976 season after four pretty good years with the Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers gave up several players to get him, but the trade worked out quite well for the Dodgers in the long run.
• Baker didn't do much for the Dodgers in 1976 (.242 with 4 HR in 112 games) as he played with torn cartilage in his left knee.
• Dusty was a big part of the Dodgers' offense from 1977-1983 before finishing his career in San Francisco (1984) and Oakland (1985-1986).
• 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. :)

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1976 Topps #660 - Dave Lopes

• Davey Lopes had a 16-year career as a second baseman, mostly with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He's called "Davey" even though a lot of his cards say, "Dave." Lopes was drafted by the Dodgers in 1968 (Turn Back the Clock - The Dodgers Put Together the Greatest Draft in Baseball - September 2008 Baseball Digest) and didn't get into the majors until he was 27 years old in 1972 (.214 in 11 games). According to this card Davey was born in 1946 but his Baseball Reference entry says 1945.
• Lopes became the starting second baseman for the Dodgers in 1973. Davey, along with teammate Ron Cey, finished tied for 6th in NL Rookie of the Year voting. Lopes batted .275 in 142 games in 1973. What Makes Davey Lopes Run? - March 1974 Baseball Digest
• Davey batted .266 in 145 games in 1974 and stole 59 bases. Normally that many stolen bases would lead a league (or at least come close to it), but that was the year Lou Brock stole 118 bases. He stole five bases in one game on August 25. Lopes went 5 for 14 (.267) in the NLCS and was 2 for 18 (.111) in the World Series.
• Lopes led the NL with 77 stolen bases in 1975 while batting .262 in 155 games. He set a record by stealing 38 bases in a row without being caught (the record has since been  broken by Vince Coleman).
• Despite playing in only 117 games and batting .241, Lopes led the NL with 63 stolen bases in 1976. Davey had a pulled muscle in his rib cage that prevented him from playing until May 4.
• Davey batted .283 with 11 home runs and stole 47  bases in 1977. Lopes batted .235 (4 for 17) in the NLCS and batted .167 (4 for 24) in the World Series.
• Lopes made the first of four straight NL All Star teams in 1978 (he singled in a run in his only at bat). Dave also won his only Gold Glove in 1978 and batted .278 with 17 home runs. Lopes stole 45 bases and was caught only four times in 1978. Lopes batted .389 (7 for 18) in the NLCS and batted .308 (8 for 26) in the World Series. In game 1 of the 1978 World Series Lopes homered twice and had 5 RBI. Davey Lopes: Captain of the Dodgers - June 1978 Baseball Digest
• Davey had a power surge in 1979 as he hit a career-high 28 home runs. Lopes batted .265 and also walked 97 times and stole 44 bases in 1979. Lopes was the starting second baseman in the All Star Game and went 1 for 3.
• Lopes started to slow down a bit in 1980. He batted .251 with 10 HR in 1980. Dave was the starting second baseman in the All Star Game and grounded out in his only at bat.
• Davey really struggled with the bat in 1981. He went on the disabled list in mid-May and when the strike started on June 11 Lopes was batting only .169. Lopes finished the season with a .206 average in 58 games. Lopes started at 2B for the NL in the 1981 All Star Game and walked in his only plate appearance. Davey went 5 for 20 (.200) in the NLDS, was 5 for 18 (.278) with five stolen bases in the NLCS, and went 5 for 22 (.227) with four stolen bases in the World Series.
• After the 1981 season Lopes was traded to the Oakland A's for minor leaguer Lance Hudson to make room for rookie Steve Sax. The trade broke up the famous Dodger infield (Garvey/Lopes/Russell/Cey) that played together for  nine seasons. Who Elected The Dodgers' Davey Lopes A Villain? - January 1982 Baseball Digest.
• Lopes batted .242 with 28 stolen bases for the A's in 1982. In 1983 Davey batted .277 with 17 HR and 22 stolen bases.  Davey Lopes: The Game I'll Never Forget - April 1982 Baseball Digest.
• Davey started the 1984 season with the A's as a utilityman. He batted .257 in 57 games for the A's and was traded to the Chicago Cubs on August 31. Lopes batted .235 in 16 games for the Cubs in the last part of the 1984 season. He was 0 for 1 in the 1984 NLCS.
• In 1985, at the age of 40, Lopes had a remarkable accomplishment. He stole 47 bases and was caught only four times. Davey batted .284 with 11 HR in 1985.
• Lopes was with the Cubs for the first part of the 1986 season . He batted .299 in 59 games and was traded to the Houston Astros on July 21 for Frank DiPino. Davey batted .237 in 37 games for the Astros to finish the 1986 season. Lopes was 0 for 2 with a walk in the 1986 NLCS.
• Before the 1987 season Lopes signed a contract (1 year plus an  option year) for $550,000. Not bad for a 42-year-old! Davey was hampered by a strained right elbow in 1987. He was mostly a pinch hitter in 1987 and batted .233 in 43 AB. The Astros didn't renew the option on Davey's contract and Lopes retired after the 1987 season.
• After his playing career Lopes coached in the  majors, mostly for Texas, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia. Davey also had a 2+ year stint as  manager of the Milwaukee Brewers from 2000-2002. Lopes was given a lot of credit for the Philadelphia Phillies' success on the basepaths in the late 2000s as their first base coach.
• Lopes was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008 and has made a successful recovery.
• Davey Lopes Recalls His Big League Career - June 2009 Baseball Digest
• Davey Lopes has recently been hired to coach first base for the Dodgers in 2011.
• Liked to face: Tom Underwood (.529 in 17 AB); Dave Roberts (.471 in 34 AB); Clay Kirby (.462 in 26 AB)
• Hated to face: Bob Welch/Jim Willoughby (.000 in 10 AB); Randy  Moffitt (.042 in 24 AB); Rollie Fingers (.063 in 16 AB)

1976 Topps #622 - Rick Auerbach

• Rick Auerbach was an infielder who played in 11 seasons in the majors from 1971-1981. Auerbach was drafted by the Seattle Pilots in 1969. Rick came up to the  majors with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1971 after batting over .300 for two teams in the minors in 1970. Auerbach was with Milwaukee for a few months and then was up and down for the remainder of the season. Rick batted .203 in 79 at bats for the Brewers in 1971.
• Auerbach was the starting shortstop for the Brewers in 1972 and batted .218 in 153 games. Rick started the 1973 season with Milwaukee (2 for 10 in six games) and was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 24 for Tim Johnson. Rick played in AAA Albuquerque for the rest of the 1973 season.
• Rick played sparingly in 1974, batting .342 in 73 at bats. Auerbach doubled in a pinch hitting appearance in the 1974 NLCS and got into game 3 of the World Series as a pinch runner.
• Auerbach was a backup infielder for the Dodgers in 1975 (.224 in 85 games) and in 1976 (.128 in 36 games). After the 1976 season Rick was traded to the New York Mets for Hank Webb and a minor leaguer.
• Rick started the 1977 season with AAA Tidewater. He was traded to the Texas Rangers as part of a deal for Lenny Randle on May 20. Auerbach didn't get into any games for the Rangers and on June 15 was sold to the Cincinnati Reds. Rick didn't get much playing time for the Reds in 1977 -- he batted .156 in 33 games.
• Auerbach batted .327 in 55 at  bats for the Reds in 1978. In 1979 Rick batted .210 in 64 games for the Reds during the regular season. Auerbach went 0 for 2 in two games in the 1979 NLCS.
• Rick went 11 for 33 (.333) in 1980 for the Reds. Auerbach was sold to the Rangers on July 19 but didn't get into any games for the Rangers during the season.
• Before the 1981 season Rick was traded to the Seattle Mariners as part of an ten-player deal. Auerbach batted .155 in 38 games for the  Mariners in 1981 and was released after the season.
• Someone is selling Rick's 1980 Topps card for $2.95!

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1976 Topps #605 - Al Downing

• Al Downing was signed by the New York Yankees in 1961. Al pitched well for Class A Binghamton (9-1, 1.84 ERA) and was brought up to the Yankees in July. Downing pitched in five games for the Yankees and was 0-1 with an 8.00 ERA.
• Downing was in the minors for most of the 1962 season. Al pitched briefly for the Yankees in 1962 (0 runs in one inning pitched).
• Al's first full season was 1963. Downing was 13-5 with a 2.56 ERA in 22 starts during the regular season. Al started and lost game 2 of the 1963 World Series.
• Downing led the AL in walks (120) and in strikeouts (217) in 1964. Al had an 13-8 record with a 3.47 ERA in 35 starts in 1964. Downing started game 4 of the 1964 World Series and also made two relief appearances in that series.
• The Yankees' fortunes took a downward turn after 1964 but Downing had some good years for the club. In 1965 Al was 12-14 with a 3.40 ERA and in 1966 he was 10-11 with a 3.56 ERA.
• Downing went 14-10 with a 2.63 ERA in 1967. Al made the AL All Star team that year and pitched two scoreless innings (9th and 10th) in the game.
• Al had injury problems in 1968 and spent quite a bit of time on the disabled list. Downing was 3-3 with a 3.52 ERA in 13 starts in 1968.
• Downing started the 1969 season in the bullpen and was put back in the starting rotation in July. Al ended up going 7-5 with a 3.38 ERA in 30 games (15 starts) in 1969.
• After the 1969 season Downing was traded to the Oakland A's in a multi-player deal that sent Danny Cater to the Yankees.
• Al started the 1970 season with the A's and was 3-3 with a 3.95 ERA when he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers on June 12. Downing went 2-10 with a 3.34 ERA in 16 starts for the Brewers to finish the 1970 season.
• Before the 1971 season Downing was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Andy Kosco
• Downing won the Comeback Player of the Year in 1971 and also finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting. Al went 20-9 with a 2.68 ERA in  36 starts in 1971.
• Al didn't have as many victories in the next few seasons but was still a solid starter for the Dodgers. In 1972 Downing was 9-9 with a 2.98 ERA. Al was 9-9 again in 1973 with a 3.31 ERA.
• Downing had some injury problems in 1974 and pitched only once between late May and late July. Al went 5-6 with a 3.66 ERA in 21 games (16 starts) in 1974. Downing gained fame by giving up Henry Aaron's 715th home run on April 8. Downing pitched four scoreless innings in a relief appearance during the 1974 NLCS. Al started and lost game 3 of the 1974 World Series.
• Al didn't get as much work during the last 2 1/2 years of his career. Downing was 2-1 with a 2.89 ERA in 22 games (6 starts) in 1975 and was 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA in 17 games (3 starts) in 1976. Al pitched in 12 games in 1977 and was 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA. Downing was released on July 21.
• Liked to face: Ken Reitz (.000 in 18 AB); Joe Torre (.034 in 29 AB); Willie Stargell (.083 in 24 AB)
• Hated to face: Manny Sanguillen (.520 in 25 AB); Vic Power (.500 in 18 AB); Jim Wynn (.452 in 31 AB)
• Al now works in community service for the Dodgers. Here is Downing's TTM information. Here is an article about Al from August 2010.

1976 Topps #590 - Rookie Outfielders (Cruz, Lemon, Valentine, Whitfield)

• Henry Cruz
• Signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1971
• Played in the  minors from 1972-1974. 
• Batted .266 in 94 at bats for the Dodgers in the first three months of the 1975 season.
• Sent back to AAA Albuquerque in late June and batted .310 in 71 games.
• Played with Los Angeles for most of the 1976 season but didn't get many at bats. Henry batted .182 in 88 at bats for the Dodgers.
• Sent back to Albuquerque in August and batted .305 in 24 games.
• Batted .353 with 12 triples and 18 HR in 133 games at Albuquerque in 1977.
• Cruz couldn't break into the Los Angeles outfield and was waived in September 1977. Henry was selected by the Chicago White Sox.
• Batted .286 in 21 at bats for the White Sox to finish the 1977 season.
• Started the 1978 season with Chicago and stayed with the  White Sox through the end of July.
• Batted .221 in 77 at bats for the White Sox in 1978.
• Sent down to AAA Iowa in August 1978 and never got back to the majors.
• Continued to play in AAA for Iowa and Evansville through the 1981 season.
• Played in the Mexican League from 1982-1985
• Now coaches baseball in Puerto Rico
• Henry's SABR biography
• Chet Lemon
• Played in the  majors from 1975-1990
• Drafted by the Oakland A's in the first round in 1972
• Traded with Dave Hamilton to the Chicago White Sox for Stan Bahnsen and Skip Pitlock
• Went 9 for 35 (.259) in nine games for the White Sox at the end of the 1975 season.
• 1976: Batted .246 in 132 games as he became the starting CF at the age of 21.
• 1977: Batted .273 with 19 HR.
• 1978: Batted .300 with 13 HR in 105 games. Late-inning defensive replacement in 1978 All Star Game. Missed most of August with injuries
• 1979: Batted .318 with a league-leading 44 doubles and 17 HR. Went 0 for 2 with a run scored, a walk, and a hit by pitch in the All Star Game.
• 1980: Batted .292 with 11 HR
• 1981: Batted .302 with 9 HR in the strike-shortened season. Chet Lemon: The Struggle for 'A Spot in the Sun' - June 1981 Baseball Digest
•  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)
• 1989: Batted .237 with 7 HR. Chet Lemon: The Game I'll Never Forget - April 1989 Baseball Digest
• 1990: Was a fourth OF for most of the year. Batted .258 in 322 AB. Retired after the 1990 season
• Chet Lemon Recalls His Big League Career - January 2005 Baseball Digest
• Organized a youth baseball organization in Florida after his major league playing career.
• 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.
• Ellis is now involved with "Baseball Against Drugs" (BAD)
• Liked to face: Mark Lemongello (.571 in 14 AB); Jon Matlack (.471 in 17 AB); Steve Carlton (.404 in 47 AB)
• Hated to face: Charlie Hough/Rick Sutcliffe (.091 in 11 AB); Ed Halicki (.133 in 30 AB)
• Terry Whitfield
• Drafted by the New York Yankees in the first round in 1971
• Had a few stints with the Yankees from 1974-1976 but was unable to crack the Yankee lineup
• 1974: 2 for 5 in two games
• 1975: .272 in 81 at bats
• 1976: appeared in one game without batting
• Traded to the San Francisco Giants during spring training in 1977 for Marty Perez
• Was a fourth OF for the Giants in 1977 and batted .285 in 114 games
• Started at LF in 1978 and batted .289 with 10 HR in 149 games
• Batted .287 in 133 games in 1979.
• Played in 118 games in 1980 and batted .296
• Sold to the Seibu Lions (Japanese Pacific League) in 1981 and played in Japan from 1981-1983.
• Signed with the LA Dodgers in 1984.
• Batted .244 in 87 games in 1984
• Played in 79 games and batted .260 in 1985.
• Went 1 for 14 (.071) in 17 games in 1986 and was released on May 24.
• Played for various unaffiliated teams in Class A from 1986-1988
• Liked to face: Mike Krukow (.591 in 22 AB); Doug Bair (.500 in 12 AB); Joe Niekro (.414 in 29 AB)
• Hated to face: Bob Shirley (.071 in 14 AB); Dwight Gooden (.077 with 9 strikeouts in 13 AB); Pedro Borbon (.077 in 13 AB)

Ellis Valentine throws out a runner

1976 Topps #584 - Stan Wall

• Stan Wall pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1975-1977. Wall was drafted by the Dodgers in 1969. He spent a lot of time in the minors, including four full seasons and parts of two others with the Albuquerque Dukes of the Pacific Coast League.
• Wall got a shot with the Dodgers in July 1975 after starting the season with a 9-5 record and a 2.38 ERA in 23 games (11 starts) in Albuquerque. Stan pitched in ten games for the Dodgers in 1975 and was 0-1 with a 1.69 ERA.
• Stan stayed with the Dodgers for the entire 1976 season and went 2-2 with one save and had a 3.60 ERA in 31 games.
• Wall started the 1977 season with the Dodgers and went 2-3 with a 5.34 ERA in 25 games. Stan also pitched in Albuquerque for part of the season but wasn't very successful (2-3, 7.63 ERA in 11 games). The Dodgers voted Wall a half-share of their playoff money after the 1977 season.
• There is no record of a transaction for Wall after the 1977 season -- he probably retired.

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1976 Topps #566 - Ken McMullen

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  Ken McMullen had a 16-year career (1962-1977), mostly with the LA Dodgers and the Washington Senators. McMullen was signed by the Dodgers in 1960 for $60,000. Ken played in the minors in 1961 and in 1962. He got his first taste of big league action at the end of the 1962 season and went 3 for 11 (.273) in six games.
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  Ken started the 1963 season with the Dodgers but was sent down in early May after starting the season with a .203 average. McMullen came back up in late June and ended up batting .238 with five HR and 28 RBI in 79 games.
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  In 1964 McMullen started with the Dodgers but was sent down after batting .209 in 24 games. McMullen didn't come back to the Dodgers and he was traded to the Washington Senators as part of the big deal that sent Frank Howard to Washington and brought the Dodgers Claude Osteen and $100,000.
• 
  
  
  McMullen got a chance to play in Washington and spent the next five seasons as the Senators' starting third baseman. Ken batted .263 with 18 HR and 54 RBI for Washington in 1965. In 1966 McMullen batted .233 with 13 HR and 54 RBI. Ken started at 3B for three more seasons and had seasons of .245, 16 HR, 67 RBI (1967), .248, 20 HR, 62 RBI (1968), and .272, 19 HR, 87 RBI (1969).
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  Ken started the 1970 season with the Senators (.203 in 15 games) but was traded to the California Angels for Rick Reichardt and Aurelio Rodriguez on April 27. McMullen batted .232 with 14 HR and 61 RBI for the Angels in 1970.
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  McMullen started at third base for the Angels for the next two seasons. Ken batted .250 with 21 HR and 68 RBI in 1971 and batted .269 with nine HR and 34 RBI in 1972. After the 1972 season McMullen was traded with Andy Messersmith to the Dodgers for Billy Grabarkewitz, Frank Robinson, Bill Singer, Mike Strahler and Bobby Valentine.
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  Ken was used as a pinch hitter and a backup for the rest of his career. He batted .247 in 85 AB in 1973 and .250 in 16 AB in 1974. McMullen struck out in his only at bat in the 1974 NLCS. Ken's wife died just before the 1974 season and the Dodgers wore black armbands for the first few games of the season (including April 8 when Henry Aaron set the all-time home run record) in her honor.
• 
  
  
  In 1975 Ken batted .239 in 46 at bats. He didn't make the Dodgers club in 1976 and was released during spring training.
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  Just before the 1976 season McMullen signed with the Oakland A's. Ken batted .220 with five HR and 23 RBI in 186 AB for the A's in 1976 and was sold to the Milwaukee Brewers before the 1977 season. Ken batted .228 with five HR and 19 RBI in 136 AB in 1977 and was released after the season. In his last major league at bat on September 14 Ken made a pinch hitting appearance and homered.
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  Ken now serves on the Los Angeles Dodgers' Legend Bureau
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  Liked to face: Paul Lindblad (.520 in 25 AB); Lee Stange (.471 in 34 AB); Bill Monbouquette (.458 in 24 AB)
• 
  
  
  Hated to face: Moe Drabowsky/Hoyt Wilhelm (.056 in 18 AB); Bruce Howard (.071 in 28 AB)

1976 Topps #548 - Manny Mota

• Manny Mota played in the majors from1962-1980 and again in 1982, mostly for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Late in his career Mota became one of the greatest pinch hitters of all time.
• Mota was signed by the New York Giants in 1957. Manny played in the Giants' system from 1957-1962 but he was stuck behind several other good outfield prospects. 
• Manny came up to the Giants in 1962. He was used as a utility player and pinch hitter and batted .176 in 74 at bats. At the end of July Mota was sent down to the minors for the rest of the season. After the 1962 season Mota and Dick LeMay were traded to the Houston Colt .45s for Joey Amalfitano.
• Manny didn't stay in Houston for very long. On April  5, 1963 he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Howie Goss and cash. Mota started the 1963 season in AAA and was brought up by the Pirates in mid-July. Manny batted .270 in 126 at bats for the Pirates in 1963.
• During his tenure with the Pirates (1963-1968) Mota was used as a fourth outfielder. Manny was mostly a singles/doubles type of hitter. In 1964 Manny batted .277 in 271 AB and in 1965 he batted .279 in 294 AB.
• Mota's best season for the Pirates was probably the 1966 season. He played in 116 games and batted .332 in 322 AB. In 1967 Manny had a similar season, batting .321 in 349 AB. Manny's last season with the Pirates was 1968. He batted .281 in 331 at bats. After the 1968 season Mota was selected by the Montreal Expos in the expansion draft.
• Manny batted .315 in 31 games for the Expos in 1969. On June 11 he was traded (with Maury Wills) to the Dodgers for Ron Fairly and Paul Popovich. Mota started in left field for much of the rest of the season and batted .323 in 85 games. Manny Mota Was More Than A 'Throw-In' - November 1969 Baseball Digest
• Mota was the starting LF for the Dodgers for much of the 1970 season and batted .305 in 124 games. In May of 1970 a foul ball hit by Mota killed a 14-year-old fan in Los Angeles. In 1971 Manny played in LF and in RF and batted .312 in 91 games. Mota had another nice offensive season in 1972, batting .323 in 118 games. 
• Manny made his only NL All Star team in 1973 (he went 0 for 1 as a PH/LF). He batted .314 in 89 games during the season.
• In 1974 Mota became a pinch hitter. He played in the field only 16 times from 1974 to the end of his career. His hitting stats are as follows:
• 1974: .281 in 57 AB (1 for 3 in NLCS, not used in World Series)
• 1975: .265 in 49 AB
• 1976: .288 in 52 AB
• 1977: .395 in 38 AB (1 for 1 in NLCS, 0 for 3 in World Series)
• 1978: .303 in 33 AB (1 for 1 in NLCS, walked in his only World Series appearance)
• 1979: .357 in 42 AB
• In 1979 Mota set the all-time record for most pinch hits (since broken by Mark Sweeney and Lenny Harris). Manny Mota: Baseball's Premier Pinch Hitter - September 1979 Baseball Digest.
• Manny retired after the 1979 season and became a coach for the Dodgers. He was activated late in the 1980 season and went 3 for 7 as a pinch hitter. Mota was activated again at the end of the 1982 season and went 0 for 1. Manny retired with a .304 lifetime batting average.
• Mota has been a Dodger coach for 31 seasons. He was their hitting coach for much of the 1980s. Manny is the longest-tenured coach in Dodger history and is second only to Nick Altrock (42 years) all-time in coaching tenure with one team.
• Manny Mota: The Game I'll Never Forget - April 1991 Baseball Digest.
• Manny Mota: The Game I'll Never Forget - May 2006 Baseball Digest.
• Liked to face: Milt Pappas (.500 in 16 AB); Ron Reed (.481 in 27 AB); Jim Merritt (.448 in 29 AB)
• Hated to face: Ray Washburn (.083 in 12 AB); Bob Moose (.091 in 11 AB)

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1976 Topps #530 - Don Sutton

• Don Sutton had a very long Hall of Fame career. Sutton was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1964. Don moved up the ladder quickly, pitching for three clubs in the minors in 1965. He made the ballclub during spring training in 1966 and except for a brief stint in 1968 and a rehab assignment in 1988 he never looked back.
• Sutton was a good fourth starter for the Dodgers in 1966. He went 12-12 with a 2.99 ERA in 35 starts. Don wasn't used in the World Series. By and for the Little Leagues - July 1966 Baseball Digest. Sutton moved up to #3 starter in 1967 after the retirement of Sandy Koufax and was 11-15 with a 3.95 ERA.
• The Dodgers were mediocre in the first few years after Koufax retired and Sutton's record showed it. In 1968 Don was 11-15 with a 2.95 ERA. Sutton was 17-18 with a 3.47 ERA in 1969 and 15-13 with a 4.08 ERA in 1970.
• In 1971 Don went 17-12 with a 2.54 ERA. Sutton made his first NL All Star team in 1972 (he pitched the 4th and 5th innings without allowing a run) and went 19-9 with a 2.08 ERA. Don also led the NL with nine shutouts in '72. Sutton had a similar year in 1973 (18-10, 2.43 ERA) and pitched a scoreless fifth inning in the All Star Game.
• Sutton didn't make the All Star team in 1974 but he helped the Dodgers win the NL West title by going 19-9 with a 3.23 ERA. Don led the NL with 40 games started. Don started and won games 1 and 4 of the NLCS. Sutton started and won game 2 of the World Series, which was the only game the Dodgers would win in that series.
• Don went 16-13 with a 2.87 ERA in 1975. He pitched two scoreless innings in the 1975 All Star Game. In 1976 Sutton won over 20 games for the only time in his career. He had a 21-10 record with a 3.06 ERA.
• Before the 1977 season Don signed a four-year, $1 million contract. Sutton made his last NL All Star team in 1977. He started the game, pitched three scoreless innings, and got the win. During the regular season Don had a 14-8 record and a 3.18 ERA. Sutton started game 2 of the NLCS and had a complete-game victory. He started game 1 of the World Series and pitched into the 8th inning but didn't get the decision (the Dodgers lost the game in 12 innings). Don started game 5 and pitched a complete game for the victory.
• Don was 15-11 with a 3.55 ERA in 1978. He started and lost game 3 of the NLCS. Sutton started and lost games 2 and 5 of the World Series. Don and Dodger star Steve Garvey got into a scuffle in the locker room before a game on August 20. Garvey was upset about some things Sutton said in an article. Neither player was seriously hurt, and Sutton issued an apology several days later.
• The Dodgers had a rough year in 1979 and Sutton struggled along with the rest of the team (12-15, 3.82 ERA). In 1980 Don bounced back and led the NL in ERA. Sutton was 13-5 with a 2.20 ERA for the season. After the 1980 season Sutton became a free agent and signed with the Houston Astros.
• In 1981 Don was 11-9 with a 2.61 ERA. Sutton suffered a fractured kneecap on October 2 when he was hit by a pitch from Jerry Reuss. The injury caused Don to miss the Division Series against the Dodgers, which the Astros lost three games to two.
• Don started off well for the Astros in 1982, but the Astros weren't contending that year. Don was 13-8  with a 3.00 ERA when he was traded on August 30 to the Milwaukee Brewers for Kevin Bass, Frank DiPino, and Mike Madden. Sutton was 4-1 with a 3.29 ERA in seven starts for the Brewers and helped them win the AL East title. Don started and won game 3 of the ALCS. Don started game 2 of the World Series and left the game with the score tied 4-4 after pitching six innings. He started game 6 but took the loss as he allowed seven runs (five earned) in 4.1 innings.
• Sutton pitched two more seasons for the Brewers. He was 8-13 with a 4.08 ERA in 1983 and 14-12 with a 3.77 ERA in 1984. After the 1984 season Don was traded to the Oakland A's for Ray Burris and two minor leaguers. Sutton wasn't happy with the trade.
• Don pitched for the A's for less than a season. Sutton was 13-8 with a 3.89 ERA when he was traded to the California Angels on September 10 for two minor leaguers. Don went 2-2 for the Angels to finish the 1985 season. Don Sutton: An Unsung Achiever among Mound Elite - September 1985 Baseball Digest.
• Sutton was 15-11 with a 3.74 ERA for the Angels in 1986. He won his 300th game on June 18 by pitching a complete game 3-hitter against the Texas Rangers. Don started game 4 of the ALCS against Roger Clemens but didn't get the decision (he allowed one run in 6.1 innings and the Angels won the game in the 11th inning). Sutton pitched 3.1 innings in game 7 of the series and allowed one run. He entered the game after starter John Candelaria allowed seven unearned runs in 3.2 innings.
• Don pitched one more season (1987) for the Angels, going 11-11 with a 4.70 ERA in 34 starts. Jim Palmer once said that Sutton had showed him how to doctor a baseball (Palmer fingers Sutton as a baseball 'doctor' - August 26, 1987 Gainsville Sun). After the 1987 season the Angels declined to pick up Sutton's option and released him.
• In 1988 former teammate John Candelaria accused Sutton of setting up one of his drunken driving arrests in 1987 by calling the police.
• Don signed with the Dodgers for the 1988 season. Don missed time in June and July with a sprained right elbow and pitched in a rehab assignment for Class A Bakersfield. Sutton made one more start on August 9 but took the loss. He was 3-6 with a 3.92 ERA in 16 starts when the Dodgers released him on August 10. Two days later Don's mother was killed in an automobile accident.
• After his playing career Sutton became an announcer for the Atlanta Braves. He announced with them from 1989-2006. The Braves cut the number of broadcast games after the 2006 season and Sutton moved on to announce for the Washington Nationals for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Don now announces for the Braves on their radio network.
• Sutton was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1998. He ended up with 324 career wins, 3,574 strikeouts, and an ERA of 3.26.
• Liked to face: Eddie Mathews (.053 in 19 AB); Earl Williams (.071 in 28 AB); Manny Trillo (.089 in 45 AB)
• Hated to face: Rudy Law (.483 in 29 AB); Rance Mulliniks (.441 in 34 AB); Ralph Garr (.426 in 61 AB)

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1976 Topps #515 - Steve Yeager

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• Here's a quick ad for a new set blog -- The 1974 Topps Set. The 1974 set was the first one I ever collected and I'm looking forward to following this blog. It is an underrated set that has a lot of sentimental value for me.
• Steve Yeager was a catcher in the major leagues from 1972-1986, mostly with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yeager was drafted by the Dodgers in 1967. In his first three years in the minors (1967-1969) Yeager didn't come close to the Mendoza Line. Steve kept plugging away and eventually batted   over .270 in each of his last three minor league seasons (1970-1972).
• Yeager was brought up to the Dodgers in August 1972. In 35 games Steve batted .274. Yeager backed up Joe Ferguson in 1973 and batted .254 in 134 AB. Steve got more playing time in 1974 and had his best offensive year, batting .266 with 12 HR in 94 games. Yeager went 0 for 9 in the NLCS but he was 4 for 11 (.364) in the 1974 World Series.
• Steve took over the regular catching duties for the Dodgers in 1975. He batted .228 with 12 HR and 54 RBI in 135 games in 1975. The Catcher Who Says He's Better Than Bench - May 1975 Baseball Digest.
• Yeager had a life-threatening accident in 1976. He was standing in the on-deck circle when Bill Russell was at bat. Russell's bat shattered and a piece of the bat hit Steve in the neck. Steve suffered a punctured esophagus and had nine pieces of wood removed from his neck in 98 minutes of surgery. Dodger trainer Bill Buhler invented and patented a throat protector after this incident and soon most major league catchers were wearing it. Steve batted .214 with 11 HR and 35 RBI for the Dodgers in 1976.
• Yeager improved his offensive numbers in 1977 and batted .256 with 16 HR and 55 RBI. He batted .231 in the NLCS and .316 in the World Series.
• Steve missed some time with injuries in July and August of 1978 and his offense never really got in gear. He batted .193 in 94 games during the regular season. Yeager batted .231 in four games in the NLCS and .231 in five games in the World Series. The Indespensable Dodger: Catcher Steve Yeager - July 1978 Baseball Digest.
• Yeager played in 105 games and batted .216 in 1979 as he split time with Ferguson behind the plate. Steve and his family appeared on Family Feud in September 1979 and were on for six days. Steve batted .211 in 96 games in 1980.
• By 1981 Mike Scioscia had taken over as the Dodgers' regular catcher. Steve played in 42 games in 1981 and batted .209 in 86 at bats. Steve batted a total of seven times and got three hits in the NLDS and NLCS. He played in all six games of the 1981 World Series and batted .286. He hit a game-winning HR off of Ron Guidry in game 5 of the series. The Game I'll Never Forget - May 1986 Baseball Digest. Yeager was named World Series MVP along with Pedro Guerrero and Ron Cey.
• Steve batted .245 in 82 games in 1982. He appeared in Playgirl magazine in October 1982.
• Mike Scioscia missed most of the 1983 season with an injury and Yeager was pressed back into service as the regular catcher. Steve batted .203 in 113 games during the regular season and .167 in six at bats in the NLCS.
• Yeager returned to his backup catcher duties in 1984 and batted .228 in 74 games. He batted .207 in 53 games in 1985. After the 1985 season Steve was traded to the Seattle Mariners for Ed Vande Berg.
• Steve spent one year (1986) in Seattle and batted .208 in 50 games. Yeager retired after the season.
• Yeager was a technical advisor and played Coach Duke Temple in the three Major League movies. Steve is a nephew of Chuck Yeager. Tom Bradley, who was the mayor of Los Angeles at the time, served as Steve's best man at his wedding.
• Yeager was a manager and a coach in the minor leagues after his retirement as a player. He was a hitting coach (of all things) in the Dodgers' system for a few seasons.
• Steve was involved in an automobile accident in 2007. A car on the other side of a freeway hit the center divider, became airborne, and landed on Steve's car. Steve swerved just enough to keep the car from landing right on top of him. His left arm was pretty torn up.
• Liked to face: Ron Schueler (.500 in 14 AB); John Denny (.444 in 18 AB); Larry Christenson (.429 in 21 AB)
• Hated to face: John Stuper (.000 in 13 AB); Eric Rasmussen (.050 in 20 AB); J.R. Richard (.083 in 48 AB)

1976 Topps #487 - Leron Lee

• The 1976 season was Leron Lee's last season in the major leagues. Lee was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1966 (sixth player taken overall). Leron had received football scholarship offers from 36 major colleges but opted to sign with the Cardinals. Leron played in the minors from 1967-1967 and put up some good offensive stats. In 1969 he batted .303 with 17 HR and 96 RBI for AAA Tulsa. He was brought up at the end of the 1969 season and batted .217 in 23 at bats.
• Lee was a pinch hitter and backup outfielder for the Cardinals in 1970. He batted .227 with six HR and 23 RBI in 264 AB in 1971. Leron started the 1971 season with the Cardinals (.179 in 28 AB) and was traded with Fred Norman to the San Diego Padres for Al Santorini on June 11. Lee batted .273 in  256 at bats for the Padres in '71.
• Leron had his best year in 1972. He batted .300 with 12 HR and 47 RBI in 370 at bats. Lee dropped to .237 in 369 AB in 1973 and was waived by the Padres during spring training in 1974. The Cleveland Indians claimed Lee and he batted .233 in 232 AB as a backup outfielder, pinch hitter, and DH. 
• Lee started poorly in 1975 (.130 in 25 AB) and was released on May 15. Leron signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 11 and he batted .256 in 43 AB (mostly as a pinch hitter).
• Lee didn't get a whole lot of playing time with the Dodgers in 1976 -- he didn't make his first appearance until August 6. He batted .133 in 45 AB and was released after the season.
• Lee signed with the Lotte Orions in Japan and played there from 1977-1987. Leron led the league in home runs and RBI in  his first season in Japan and won the batting title in 1980. He still holds the Japanese career batting average record. Leron got his younger brother Leon (father of Cubs 1B Derrek Lee) to come to Japan to play in 1978 and they were a strong duo in the middle of the lineup.
• Lee talks about his experiences playing in Japan in the book Remembering Japanese Baseball: An Oral History of the Game by Robert K. Fitts.
• After he retired from Japanese baseball Lee was the batting coach for the Oakland A's in 1989. He is currently a coach in the Cincinnati Reds organization. 
• Liked to face: Doyle Alexander (.600 in 10 AB); Paul Splittorff (.500 in 10 AB); Carl Morton (.400 in 20 AB)
• Hated to face: Don Carrithers/Ed Sprague (.000 in 10 AB); Dock Ellis (.071 in 14 AB); Clay Carroll (.083 in 12 AB)

1976 Topps #465 - Mike Marshall

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  Mike Marshall was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1961. There is no record of Marshall pitching in the minors until 1965. He pitched for two Phillies minor league clubs in 1965 and then was sold to the Detroit Tigers in April 1966. Mike pitched in the minors in 1966 and then came up to the Tigers in May 1967. Marshall was 1-3 with ten saves and had a 1.98 ERA in 37 games.
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  Marshall was back in the minors in 1968. After the 1968 season Mike was chosen by the Seattle Pilots in the expansion draft. Marshall was 3-10 with a 5.13 ERA in 20 games (14 starts) for the Pilots in '69. Mike was sold to the Houston Astros after the 1969 season.
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  Marshall was in the minors for part of the 1970 season. He pitched for the Astros for a short time (0-1, 8.44 ERA in four games) and was traded to the Montreal Expos for Don Bosch on June 23. Mike pitched in 24 games (5 starts) and went 3-7 with three saves and a 3.48 ERA.
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  In 1971 the Expos made Mike a full-time reliever. Marshall went 5-8 with 23 saves and a 4.28 ERA in 66 games. Mike led the NL with 65 appearances in 1972 and was 14-8 with 18 saves an a 1.78 ERA. Marshall was fourth in NL Cy Young Award voting and 10th in MVP voting.
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  Mike continued to improve in 1973. He finished second to Tom Seaver in Cy Young Award voting and fifth in MVP voting. Marshall was 14-11 with a 2.66 ERA and led the NL in appearances (92) and saves (31). Mike Marshall: The Pitcher Nobody Wanted - December 1973 Baseball Digest. After the season Mike was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Willie Davis.
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  In 1974 Marshall set a record for appearances with 106. He pitched 208 innings and helped the Dodgers to the NL pennant. Marshall was an NL All Star and pitched two scoreless innings in the All Star Game. Mike won the NL Cy Young Award and finished third behind teammate Steve Garvey and Lou Brock in MVP voting. Marshall was 15-12 with a league leading 21 saves and a 2.42 ERA. Mike appeared in two games in the NLCS and in all five games of the World Series (he saved game 2 and took the loss in game 5). Mike Marshall: The Dodgers' Ironman Reliever - November 1974 Baseball Digest
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  Marshall pitched in 57 games in 1975 and was 9-14 with 13 saves and a 3.29 ERA. Mike started the 1976 season with the Dodgers (4-3, 8 saves, 4.43 ERA) and was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Elias Sosa and Lee Lacy on June 23. Mike was 2-1 with six saves and an ERA of 3.19 in 24 games for the Braves in '76.
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  Mike pitched in four games for the Braves in 1977 before being sold to the Texas Rangers on April 30. Marshall had back surgery to repair a damaged disk and didn't pitch after June 27. He pitched in 12 games (4 starts) for the Rangers and was 2-2 with a 4.04 ERA. After the 1977 season Mike became a free agent and signed with the Minnesota Twins.
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  Marshall had a return to form and had two good seasons for the Twins. In 1978 Mike was 10-12 with 21 saves and a 2.45 ERA in 54 games. Marshall led the AL with 90 appearances and 34 saves in 1979 and was 10-15 with a 2.65 ERA. Mike finished fifth in AL Cy Young Award voting and 11th in AL MVP voting. Can Computer Data Make A Pitcher More Effective? - Baseball Digest May 1979.
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  Mike went 1-3 with one save and a 6.18 ERA in 18 games and was released on June 6 (Twins owner Calvin Griffith didn't agree with Marshall's union activities). Marshall didn't pitch again in 1980. In 1981 he signed with the New York Mets after the strike and was with them at the end of August and in September. Mike went 3-2 with a 2.60 ERA in 20 games in 1981 and was released after the season.
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  Marshall tried a comeback at the age of 40 in 1983 but it lasted only one game as he allowed nine runs in one inning for AAA Edmonton.
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  Toward the end of his playing career Marshall earned a PhD in exercise physiology. He runs a pitching facility in Florida.
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  Here is a "where are they now" article from 2000.
• Remembering The Days of Former Pitcher Mike Marshall - Baseball Digest December 2003
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  Here is an article about Marshall and his unorthodox training methods from 2007.
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  Dr. Marshall's official web site
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  Liked to face: Merv Rettenmund/Duffy Dyer (.000 in 10 AB); Darrell Evans (.038 in 26 AB); Don Money (.059 in 17 AB)
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  Hated to face: Mario Mendoza (3 for 4); Larry Milbourne (.571 in 14 AB); Carl Yastrzemski (.533 in 15 AB)

1976 Topps #439 - Rick Rhoden

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  Rick Rhoden pitched in the majors from 1974-1989. Rick overcame the childhood bone disease osteomyelitis and wore a brace until he was 12 years old. Rhoden was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1971. He spent four seasons (1971-1974) in the minors and had a 4-game stint (1-0, 2.00 ERA in 9 innings) with the Dodgers in July of '74.
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  Rhoden appeared in 26 games (11 starts) in 1975. He was 3-3 with a 3.09 ERA. Rick was an NL All Star in 1976 (he pitched a scoreless 8th inning in the NL win) and was 12-3 with a 2.98 ERA in 26 starts.
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  Rick helped the Dodgers to the 1977 NL pennant with a 16-10 record in 31 starts. Rhoden pitched 4.1 innings in game 3 of the NLCS after starter Burt Hooton got knocked out early. Rhoden held the Phillies scoreless and the Dodgers eventually won the game in the 9th inning. Rick took the loss in the bottom of the 12th in game 1 of the World Series after Willie Randolph doubled, Thurman Munson was intentionally walked, and Paul Blair singled to score Randolph.
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  Rhoden was 10-8 with a 3.66 ERA in 30 games (23 starts) in 1978. He allowed one run in four innings in game 4 of the NLCS. Rick wasn't used in the World Series. On April 7, 1979 Rhoden was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Jerry Reuss.
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  Rick was injured in 1979 (bone spur in his right shoulder) and missed virtually the whole season. He made one start on May 8, allowed four runs in five innings, and took the loss. He didn't pitch for the remainder of the season. Rhoden made ten starts in the minors before coming back to the Pirates in mid-June of 1980. Rick went 10-9 with a 3.84 ERA in 19 starts for the Pirates in 1980.
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  Rhoden made 21 starts in the strike-shortened 1981 season and went 9-4 with a 3.89 ERA. In 1982 Rick was 11-14 with a 4.14 ERA in 35 starts.
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  Rick pitched for the Pirates for four more seasons. He had seasons of 13-13 (1983), 14-9 (1984), and 10-15 (1985). Rhoden won the NL Silver Slugger Award in 1984 and 1985. These Pitchers Know How to Swing the Bat, Too! - July 1985 Baseball Digest
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  In 1986 Rick had his best season. He went 14-9 with a 2.72 ERA, made the NL All Star team (he wasn't used), and won the NL Silver Slugger Award for the third straight year. After the 1986 season Rhoden was traded with Pat Clements and Cecilio Guante to the New York Yankees for Doug Drabek, Logan Easley and Brian Fisher.
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  Rhoden was 16-10 with a 3.86 ERA for the Yankees in 1987. In 1988 Rick  was 12-12 with a 4.29 ERA in 30 starts. Yankee manager Billy Martin used Rick as a designated hitter on June 11. Rhoden was 0 for 1 with a sacrifice fly before giving way to a pinch hitter (Jose Cruz). After the 1983 season Rick was traded to the Houston Astros for two minor leaguers and John Fishel.
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  Rick missed almost three months of the 1989 season with an injury (early May - late July). He made five starts in Class A ball and then returned to the Astros. Rhoden ended up 2-6 with a 4.28 ERA in 17 starts for the Astros and retired after the season.
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  After his playing career Rhoden made a name for himself as a golfer. He often played and won celebrity golf tournaments and played on the Senior PGA Tour from 2004-2008. Rick regularly plays in the American Century Celebrity Golf Classic and has won the event eight times between 1991 and 2008. He now lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
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  Liked to face: Phil Bradley/Cory Snyder (.000 in 10 AB); Doug Flynn (.077 in 39 AB); Mike LaValliere (.095 in 21 AB)
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  Hated to face: Dave Cash (.619 in 21 AB); Eric Davis (.471 with 5 HR in 17 AB); Bob Boone (.429 in 28 AB)