1976 Hostess #74 - Pete Broberg

• This is a pretty rough run. Pete Broberg's 1975 season was pretty good, especially for a poor ballclub.
• In late May first baseman George Scott was not happy with comments that Pete made about his fielding and said that he would prefer not to play behind Broberg in his next start
• After starting the season 1-5 with a 4.15 ERA Pete was moved to the bullpen for a couple of weeks in June.
• Broberg made two more starts in July and then was a reliever for the rest of the season
• Pete ended up with a 1-7 record and had a 4.97 ERA in 1976
• After the 1976 season Broberg was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the expansion draft
• Pete was traded to the Chicago Cubs early in the 1977 season and spent some time in the minors before coming back up in July.
• Broberg finished his career with the Oakland A's in 1978
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? after peak

1976 Hostess #136 - Don Money

• Don Money's career didn't really get going until he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers after the 1972 season.
• Money was an above-average fielder wherever he played and was usually in double figures in home runs.
• Don was a four-time AL All Star (1974, 1976, 1977, and 1978)
• Money was uncomfortable when the Brewers signed third baseman Sal Bando after the 1976 season, but Don got plenty of playing time at second base and first base in the next couple of years.
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? peak

1976 Hostess #11 - Robin Yount

• Robin Yount was only 20 years old but already was entering his third major league season in 1976
• Robin's numbers weren't all that impressive in his first two years, but he was still very young and would improve greatly
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? before peak

1976 Topps #645 - Darrell Porter

• Darrell Porter caught in the major leagues for 17 season. Porter was the first round draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970. Darrell played in the minors from 1970-1972 and had brief stints with the Brewers in 1971 (.214 in 22 games) and in 1972 (.125 in 18 games).
• Darrell split time with Ellie Rodriguez behind the plate in 1973 and batted .254 with 16 HR in 117 games. Porter finished third (behind runaway winner Al Bumbry and teammate Pedro Garcia) in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 1973. 
• Porter took over the regular catching duties in 1974 and batted .241 with 12 HR. Darrell made the 1974 AL All Star team but didn't play in the game.
• Darrell batted .232 with 18 HR in 1975. Porter had an offensive drop-off in 1976 and batted .208 with 5 HR. After the 1976 season Darrell was traded with Jim Colborn to the Kansas City Royals for Jamie Quirk, Jim Wohlford, and Bob McClure.
• Porter had a comeback year in 1977, batting .275 with 16 HR. Darrell went 5 for 15 (.333) in the 1977 ALCS.
• Darrell had another nice season in 1978 and made the AL All Star team for the second time (he was 0 for 1 in the game). Porter batted .265 with 18 HR and 75 RBI and finished 10th in AL MVP voting. Darrell went 5 for 14 (.357) in the ALCS.
• The Royals didn't win the AL West in 1979, but Porter still had a good year. Darrell batted .291 with 20 HR and 121 RBI. He led the AL with 121 walks and was in double figures in doubles (23) and triples (10). Darrell was the starting catcher in the 1979 All Star Game and doubled in three at bats. Darrell Porter Joins A  Select Group of Catchers - January 1980 Baseball Digest
• Porter struck out in his only at bat in the 1980 All Star Game. Darrell batted .249 with 7 HR and 51 RBI as he missed the first month of the season. Darrell had checked himself in to an drug/alcohol rehabilitation center during spring training. He was one of the first players to admit that he had a problem with substance abuse. Porter went 1 for 10 (.100) in the 1980 ALCS and was 2 for 14 (.143) in the World Series. After his time in the rehabilitation center Porter became a born-again Christian and became a spokesman for Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
• After the 1980 season Darrell became a free agent and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. Porter batted .224 in 61 games in the 1981 strike season.
• Porter played  in 120 games in 1982 and batted .231 with 12 HR. Porter was 5 for 9 (.556) in the NLCS and was 8 for 28 (.286) in the World Series.
• In 1983 Darrell batted .262 with 15 HR. Darrell Porter Has Faith - The Times-News March 12, 1983. In his last season as a regular player (1984) Darrell batted .232 with 11 HR. Porter wrote an autobiography (Snap Me Perfect!) in 1984 that detailed his battles with substance abuse.
• Porter split time with Tom Nieto at catcher in 1985 (Darrell missed time with a broken toe and a broken thumb). Darrell batted .221 with 10 HR in 84 games during the regular season. Porter went 4 for 15 (.267) in the NLCS and was 2 for 15 (.133) in the World Series. Darrell was released after the 1985 season and signed with the Texas Rangers.
• Porter was a part-time catcher and DH in the last two seasons of his career. In 1986 Darrell batted .265 with 12 HR in 68 games and in 1987 he batted .238 with 7 HR in 85 games. Porter was released after the 1987 season and retired.
• After his playing career Porter did some broadcasting and was also in the antique business. Darrell had a relapse and was found dead outside his vehicle on August 5, 2002. He died of "toxic effects of cocaine."
• Liked to face: Mike Krukow (.483 with 5 HR in 29 AB); Ron Schueler/Larry Christenson (.545 in 11 AB)
• Hated to face: Floyd Bannister (.000 in 17  AB); Geoff Zahn/Jerry Koosman (.056 in 18 AB)

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1976 Topps #626 - Bob Sheldon

• Bob Sheldon was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1972. Sheldon played in the minors in 1972 and 1973 and got a chance to play in the majors in the beginning of the 1974 season. 
• Sheldon played in ten games for the Brewers in April and May of 1974 but was sent back to the minors after batting only .118 in those games. Bob batted .332 for AAA Sacramento during the remainder of the 1974 season.
• Bob started the 1975 season with Sacramento and was brought up to Milwaukee in June. Sheldon batted .287 in 53 games for the Brewers in '75.
• Sheldon played for AAA Spokane for the entire 1976 season. There may have been an injury involved since Bob played in only 75 games in 1976.
• Bob batted .353 for Spokane in 1977. Sheldon was with Milwaukee from about mid-May to mid-July and batted .203 in 31 games, mostly as a designated hitter. Sheldon retired after the 1977 season.

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1976 Topps #613 - Tim Johnson

• Tim Johnson played in the majors from 1973-1979. Tim was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1967. Johnson played in the Dodgers' system from 1968-1972. In 1973 Tim started the season in AAA Albuquerque but was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for Rick Auerbach on April 24. Johnson became the Brewers' starting shortstop and batted .213 in 136 games.
• In 1974 an 18-year-old Robin Yount came up to the Brewers and Johnson was relegated to utility duty. Tim batted .245 in 93 games in 1974 and .141 in 38 games in 1975.
• Johnson was used a lot at second base in 1976. He had his best season, batting .275 in 105 games while playing all four infield positions.
• Tim played very sparingly in 1977. Johnson went 2 for 33 (.061) in 30 games during the season. 
• It's interesting to see some of the salary data on Baseball Reference. Johnson went to arbitration after the 1977 season. The Brewers offered $62,000 while Johnson asked for $92,500. The arbitrator ruled in Johnson's favor. How did someone who batted .061 manage to win an arbitration case? Does anyone have any insight on this one?
• Tim started the 1978 season with the Brewers. The Milwaukee infield was crowded during this time. Robin Yount was firmly entrenched at shortstop, Paul Molitor came up and played second base, and they had Don Money and Jim Gantner to back up. Johnson was the odd man out and was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on April 28 for Tim Nordbrook after going 0 for 3 in three games. Johnson batted .241 in 79 at bats for the Blue Jays in 1978.
• Johnson batted .186 in 86 at bats for the Blue Jays in 1979. Tim became a free agent after the 1979 season but didn't sign with anyone.
• After his playing career, Johnson scouted, coached, and managed in the  minors. He managed for various minor league clubs from 1987-1997. 
• Tim managed the Toronto Blue Jays in 1998 and the club had an 88-74 record (3rd in AL East). He didn't get along with pitching coach Mel Queen and several of his players. Johnson admitted after the 1998 season that stories he had told his players about serving in the Vietnam War weren't true. The Blue Jays initially stood by Johnson but questions arose about his credibility and ability to hold the team together and he was fired on March 17, 1999.
• After he left the Blue Jays Johnson managed in the Mexican League from 1999-2002 and then managed in various independent leagues from 2004-2010.

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1976 Topps #606 - Milwaukee Brewers

• That isn't my handwriting on the card -- I took this one off of the Topps site. A couple months ago I decided that it would be easier to pull the cards that hadn't been scanned yet off of this site instead of scanning them myself.
• Alex Grammas was  hired to manage the Brewers before the 1976 season
• Grammas managed the club to 6th place finishes in 1976 (66-95) and in 1977 (67-95)
• Alex was fired as the  Milwaukee manager after the 1977 season.
• Grammas coached with Sparky Anderson in Cincinnati (1970-1975, 1978) and in Detroit (1980-1991)
• Team Record: 66-95 (6th in AL East - 32 games behind New York)
• Team Attendance: 1,012,164 (7th in AL)
• Team Batting: .246 (10th in AL)
• Team Home Runs: 88 (6th in AL)
• Team Stolen Bases: 62 (12th in AL)
• Team ERA: 3.64 (9th in AL)
• Team Fielding: .975 (10th in AL)
• Batting Leader: Sixto Lezcano - .285
• Home Run Leader: George Scott - 18
• RBI Leader: George Scott - 77
• Stolen Base Leader: Robin Yount - 16
• Victories Leader: Bill Travers - 15
• Losses Leader: Bill Travers - 16
• Strikeouts Leader: Jim Slaton - 138
• ERA Leader (starters): Bill Travers - 2.81
• ERA leader (relievers): Danny Frisella - 2.74
• Saves Leader: Danny Frisella - 9
• AL All Stars: Don Money (3B); Bill Travers (P)
• AL Gold Glove Awards: George Scott (1B)

1976 Topps #593 - Rookie Pitchers (Anderson, Crosby, Littell, Metzger)

• Larry Anderson
• This is the Larry Anderson that didn't have a very long career
• Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1971
• Came up to the Brewers at the end of the 1974 season and pitched 2.1 scoreless innings in two games
• Pitched in the minors in 1975 and came back up to Milwaukee in September
• Was 1-0 with a 5.04 ERA in eight games (one start)
• Larry's one start was a shutout pitched against the Detroit Tigers on September 28.
• Spent the entire 1976 season in the minors
• Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the expansion draft after the 1976 season.
• Traded to the Chicago White Sox for Phil Roof before the 1977 season
• Spent most of the 1977 season in the minors
• Pitched in six games for the White Sox in 1977 and was 1-3 with a 9.35 ERA.
• Pitched for several minor league teams from 1978-1980 but never got back to the majors.
• Ken Crosby
• Drafted by the New York Yankees in 1969
• Pitched in the Yankee organization from 1969-1973 without getting a shot at the majors
• Traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in September 1973
• Pitched in the St. Louis organization in 1974 and in the first part of 1975
• Traded to the Chicago Cubs in late July for Eddie Solomon
• Pitched for the Cubs at the end of the 1975 season and went 1-0 with a 3.24 ERA in nine games
• Pitched in seven games (1 start) for the Cubs in April and May 1976. Had an 0-0 record with a 12.00 ERA in 12 innings.
• Finished the 1976 season in AAA and retired after the season.

• Mark Littell
• Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 1971
• Came up to the Royals in 1973 as a starter
• Pitched in eight games (seven starts) and was 1-3 with a 5.68 ERA
• Spent 1974 and most of 1975 in the  minors
• Came back up in August 1975 and went 1-2 with a 3.70 ERA in seven games (three starts)
• Became a reliever in 1976 and had a good year for the Royals
• Went 8-4 with 16 saves and had a 2.08 ERA in 60 games (one start)
• Littell gave up the game-winning (and series-winning) home run in the bottom of the 9th to Chris Chambliss in game 5 of the 1976 ALCS
• Went 8-4 with 12 saves and had a 3.61 ERA in 48 games (five starts) in 1977.
• Pitched three innings in two games in the 1977 ALCS and had a 3.00 ERA
• Traded to the St. Louis Cardinals after the 1977 season for Al Hrabosky
• Pitched in a career-high 72 games (2 starts) in 1978 and went 4-8 with 11 saves and had a 2.79 ERA.
• Went 9-4 with 13 saves and had a 2.19 ERA in 63 games in 1979.
• Suffered an injury on May 28, 1980 and missed the rest of the season
• Had bone spurs in his elbow
• Went 0-2 with 2 saves and had a 9.28 ERA in 14 games
• Pitched in his first game of 1981 on May 22
• Was 1-3 with 2 saves and had a 4.39 ERA in 28 games
• Pitched in 16 games in 1982 and went 0-1 with a 5.23 ERA
• Mark's last major league game was on June 24, 1982
• Marketed a protective cup called a "Nutty Buddy" in 2006
• Allowed himself to be hit by a 90 MPH fastball to demonstrate the product
• Butch Metzger.
• Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1970
• Came up to the majors in September 1974 and went 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA in ten games
• Traded with Tito Fuentes to the San Diego Padres after the 1974 season for Derrel Thomas
• Was in the minors for most of the 1975 season
• Pitched in four games for the Padres in September 1975 (1-0, 7.71 ERA in four games)
• Was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1976
• Pitched in 77 games and was 11-4 with 16 saves and had a 2.92 ERA
• Started the 1977 season with the Padres (0-0, 5.56 ERA in 17 games)
• Traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on May 16 for John D'Acquisto and Pat Scanlon on May 17
• Went 4-2 with 7 saves and had a 3.11 ERA in 58 games for the Cardinals in 1977.
• Selected off of waivers by the New York Mets on April 5, 1978
• Went 1-3 with a 6.51 ERA in 25 games for the Mets in 1978
• Purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies on July 4, 1978 and spent the rest of the season in AAA.
• Was released by the Phillies during spring training in 1979 and did  not pitch that year.
• Pitched for the Atlanta Braves' AAA Richmond club in 1980 but did not get back to the majors.

I couldn't end this entry without showing Mark Littell's video for his product:

1976 Topps #588 - Kevin Kobel

• Is that a bit of a double entendre in that cartoon?
• Kevin Kobel pitched in the majors for parts of six seasons from 1973-1980. Kobel was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1971 and started pitching in the Milwaukee system at the age of 17. Kobel had a rough time of it in San Antonio in 1972 (3-15 record), but he pitched well for AA Shreveport in 1973 and earned a September call-up. Kevin went 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in two games for the Brewers in 1973.
• Kevin started the 1974 season as a reliever and moved into the Milwaukee starting rotation in May. He spent most of the season as a starter and went 6-14 with a 3.99 ERA in 34 games (24 starts).
• Kobel was injured and pitched in only seven games for AAA Sacramento. Kobel spent most of the 1976 season in AAA Spokane. He went 0-1 with an 11.25 ERA in three September games with the Brewers.
• Kevin pitched for Spokane for the entire 1977 season and was sold to the New York Mets after the season.
• Kobel started the 1978 season in AAA Tidewater. He pitched well for the Tides and was brought up to the Mets in May. Kevin pitched in 32 games (11 starts) for the Mets in 1978 and was 5-6 with a 2.91 ERA. 
• Kevin was mostly a starter for the Mets in 1979. Kobel pitched in 30 games (27 starts) and went 6-8 with one save and had a 3.51 ERA.
• Kobel had a rough time in 1980. He started the season with the Mets and had a 1-4 record with a 7.03 ERA in 14 games (1 start). Kevin was traded to the Kansas City Royals for Randy McGilberry on June 17. Kobel pitched for the Royals' AAA Omaha club for the rest of the season.
• Kevin didn't pitch in 1981. He pitched in seven games for AAA Portland in the Pittsburgh Pirates' organization in 1982 and then retired at the age of 28.
• Kevin  moved to Arizona after his playing career and is active in the Arizona Major League Alumni Association. He now lives in Camp Verde, AZ.
• Liked to face: Chris Chambliss (.000 in 12 AB); Graig Nettles (.059 in 17 AB); Ken Reitz (.077 in 13 AB)
• Hated to face: Johnnie LeMaster (.636 in 11 AB); Tim Foli (.583 in 12 AB); Mike Ivie (.500 in 14 AB)

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1976 Topps #573 - Bill Travers

• Bill Travers pitched in the majors from 1974-1983. Travers was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970. Travers pitched in the minors from 1970-1973, but he missed most of the 1973 season with arm trouble. Bill had two surgeries on his arm -- the second one was in 1973. After the second surgery he developed a forkball that helped him when he got to the majors.
• Bill got his first chance in the majors in the 1974 season. Travers pitched in 23 games (1 start) and was 2-3 with a 4.92 ERA.
• Travers split the 1975 season between AAA Sacramento and the Brewers. Bill had a record of 6-11 with a 4.29 ERA in 28 games (23 starts) for the Brewers in 1975.
• Bill's best year was in 1976. Travers made the AL All Star team (he didn't pitch in the game) and went 15-16 with a 2.81 ERA in 34 starts. Bill Travers: The Brewers' Bionic Pitcher - October 1976 Baseball Digest.
• In 1977 Travers missed two months of the season with an injury. Bill started 19 games but was only 4-12 with a 5.25 ERA. Travers bounced back somewhat in 1978 and went 12-11 with a 4.41 ERA in 28 starts.
• As the Brewers' fortunes improved in the late 1970s Bill's record improved as well. Travers was 14-8 with a 3.89 ERA in 1979 and was 12-6 with a 3.91 ERA in 1980. After the 1980 season Travers became a free agent and signed a 4-year contract ($375,000 per year) with the California Angels.
• Travers had arm trouble and missed most of the 1981 season. He started four games and went 0-1 with an 8.38 ERA. Bill sat out the 1982 season and then tried again in 1983. Travers started a few games in AAA and then pitched in 10 games (7 starts) for the Angels. Travers was 0-3 with a 5.91 ERA when he was released by the Angels on July 19, 1983.
• After his major league career Bill spent some time as a professional candlepin bowler.
• Liked to face: Bobby Bonds (.000 in 19 AB); Rick Cerone (.095 in 21 AB); Bobby Grich (.111 in 27 AB)
• Hated to face: Larry Hisle (.615 in 13 AB); Paul Dade (.526 in 19 AB); Dwight Evans (.481 in 27 AB)

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1976 Topps #550 - Hank Aaron

• This was Mr. Aaron's final card. It would have been cool if Topps would have made special "farewell cards" for great players the year after their careers ended that would have had their final stats.
• The game in which Hank broke the all-time home run record (April 8, 1974) was the first game I remember watching on TV (I was 7 years old). My dad and I went down the street and watched it at my friend Jimmy's house. Aaron was  my first "favorite player" because of this.
• I started collecting baseball cards in 1974. The first card I have any memories of was one of the Hank Aaron Special cards (I think it was card #5).
• How could anyone leave Hank off of a Hall of Fame ballot? Nine writers left Aaron off of their ballots in 1982 -- he was named on 406 of 415 ballots.
• Who was the most consistent player in major league history? My vote would go to Aaron, but a strong case could also be made for Stan Musial.
• HOFers who Aaron had success against: Don Drysdale (17 HR); Sandy Koufax (.362 in 116 AB); Steve Carlton (.342 in 73 AB); Hoyt Wilhelm (.348 in 23 AB)
• HOFers that Hank had a harder time with: Tom Seaver (.205 in 78 AB); Bob Gibson (.215 in 163 AB)
• Baseball Digest articles:
• If Anyone Belongs in the Hall of Fame, It's Hank Aaron - June 1969
• Hank Aaron Headed for Cooperstown - May 1970
• Hank Aaron Tells a Secret - November 1971
• Hank Aaron in Countdown on Ruth Mark - January 1972
• Countdown to 714 - special 32-page issue in 1973
• ... And Who Will Catch Hank Aaron? - December 1973
• The Pursuit Resumes - April 1974
• Nobody Will Catch Aaron - July 1974
• Hank Aaron Talks about Hitting - July 1975
• Hank Aaron: Will His Last Hurrah Be An Embarrassment? - February 1976
• How Hank Aaron Almost Became a Giant or Pirate - December 1998
• Hank Aaron Recalls '74 Game When He Broke Ruth's Record - April 1999
• Hank Aaron - May 2002

1976 Topps #521 - Jim Colborn

• Jim Colburn pitched in the majors from 1969-1978. Jim graduated from Whittier College with a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1967 and did graduate studies at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland in 1968 and 1969. Colborn signed with the Chicago Cubs in 1967 and moved up the Cubs' system from 1967-1969. Jim pitched for the Cubs at the end of the 1969 season and was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in six games.
• Colborn was with the Cubs for the entire 1970 season and went 3-1 with four saves and a 3.59 ERA in 34 games (5 starts). He started the 1971 season with the Cubs but was sent to AAA Tacoma at the end of May. Jim came back in September and pitched in four more games for the Cubs. He ended up 0-1 with a 6.97 ERA in 14 games.After the 1971 season Jim was traded with Brock Davis and Earl Stephenson  to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jose Cardenal.
• Jim was a swingman for the Brewers in 1972 and was 7-7 with a 3.11 ERA in 39 games (12 starts).
• Colborn's best season was 1973. He was an AL All Star (he didn't pitch in the game) and finished 6th in Cy Young Award voting. Jim was 20-12 with a 3.18 ERA in '73.
• Jim was a mainstay in the Milwaukee rotation in the next few seasons. He was 10-13 with a 4.06 ERA in 1974, 11-13 with a 4.27 ERA in 1975, and 9-15 with a 3.71 ERA in 1976. Jim Colborn: The Unknown 20 Game Winner - May 1974 Baseball Digest. After the 1976 season Colborn was traded with Darrel Porter to the Kansas City Royals for Jamie Quirk, Jim Wohlford, and Bob McClure.
• Jim had a good year in Kansas City in 1977 -- he was 18-14 with a 3.62 ERA for the AL West champions. He wasn't used in the 1977 ALCS. On May 14, 1977 Jim pitched a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers.
• In 1978 Colborn started with the Royals (1-2, 4.76 ERA in eight games) and was traded to the Seattle Mariners on June 1 for Steve Braun. Jim went 3-10 with a 5.35 ERA in 19 starts for the Mariners in '78.
• Colborn was released during spring training in 1979 and retired.
• Colborn was the minor league pitching coordinator for the Cubs from 1987-1989. Jim was the pitching coach for the Orix Blue Wave in Japan from 1990-1993.
• Jim managed in the Oakland A's system from 1994-1996. Colborn was the Pacific Rim Director for the Mariners from 1997-2001 and was instrumental in getting Ichiro Suzuki to sign with the club. He was the pitching coach for the LA Dodgers from 2001-2005 and for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2006 and 2007. Colborn is now the Director of Pacific Rim Operations for the Texas Rangers. 
• Jim is currently the commissioner of the Jim Colborn Baseball League, a league for advanced high school and college players and former professional players in Ventura County, CA. Here is a good interview with him on the league website.
• Liked to face: Terry Crowley (.000 in 10 AB); Bill Melton/Ralph Garr (.091 in 22 AB); Butch Hobson (.107 in 28 AB)
• Hated to face: Phil Garner (.600 in 15 AB); Dick Allen (.529 in 17 AB); Tommy Davis (.519 in 27 AB)

1976 Topps #501 - Billy Champion

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• This one isn't supposed to be posted for a few more days, but since Night Owl posted the 1975 Billy Champion card today I figured I'd switch cards and post this one on the same day :).
• Billy Champion pitched in the majors from 1969-1976. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1965. Champion pitched in the minors from 1965-1968, posting an impressive 15-5 record with a 2.05 ERA for class A Tidewater in 1968. Bill was 7-1 with a 1.66 ERA in nine starts for AAA Eugene when he was brought up in June 1969. Champion was 5-10 with a 5.01 ERA in 20 starts for the Phillies in 1969. 
• The Phillies sent Bill down for  more seasoning in 1970 and recalled him in late July. Champion was 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in seven games (one start). Bill was 3-5 with a 4.39 ERA in 37 games (9 starts) in 1971 and 4-14 with a 5.09 ERA in 30 games (22 starts) in 1972. After the 1972 season Champions was sent to the Milwaukee Brewers with Don Money and John Vuckovich for Ken Brett, Jim Lonborg, Ken Sanders, and Earl Stephenson.
• In 1973 Champion was 5-8 with one save and an ERA of 3.70 in 37 games (11 starts). Bill's best season was 1974 when he was 11-4 with a 3.62 ERA in 31 games (23 starts). Champion was 6-6 with a 5.89 ERA in 27 games (13 starts) in 1975.
• Bill's last year in the majors was 1976. He had injured his elbow in August 1975 and struggled after that. Bill was 0-1 with a 7.03 ERA in ten games (three starts) when he was released by the Brewers on June 20. Champion tried to catch on in the Atlanta and Pittsburgh systems in 1976 and in 1977 but he never made it back to the majors.
• After his playing career Bill became a scout for the Chicago Cubs and then minor league pitching coach in the Mets, Rockies, Brewers, and Braves systems. He is now available for coaching sessions with Phillips Baseball in South Carolina.

1976 Topps #479 - Bobby Mitchell

• Bobby  Mitchell was signed  by the Boston Red Sox in 1965. Mitchell played in the Red Sox system from 1965-1968 and didn't put up very impressive hitting stats. He did steal 42 bases for AAA Louisville in 1968. After the 1968 season Mitchell was drafted by the New York Yankees in the Rule 5 draft. Bobby played in 67 games for AAA Syracuse in 1969 and batted .328.  Mitchell started the 1970 season in Syracuse and had two short stints with the Yankees in July and September. Bobby batted .227 in 22 at bats for the Yankees in 1970. 
• Mitchell started the 1971 season in Syracuse and was traded with Frank Tepedino to the Milwaukee Brewers for Danny Walton on June 7. Bobby batted .182 in 35 games for the Brewers in 1971.
• Bobby spent the 1972 season with AAA Evansville and batted .381 in 77 games. In 1973 Mitchell started with Evansville and was brought up to the Brewers in July. He was used as a backup outfielder and occasional DH by the Brewers. Bobby batted .223 in 130 at bats for the Brewers in 1973.
• Mitchell batted .243 in 173 at bats in 1974. In 1975 Bobby batted .249 in 229 at bats. He played in his last major league game on September 28, 1975 and went to Japan to play for the Nippon Ham Fighters from 1976-1979.
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1976 Topps #452 - Tom Hausman

• Tom Hausman pitched in seven seasons from 1975-1982. Tom was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1971 and pitched in the minors from 1971-1974. Hausman made the Brewers ballclub in 1975 and went 3-6 with a 4.10 ERA in 29 games (9 starts).
• Hausman appeared in three games for the Brewers (0-0, 5.40 ERA) and pitched for AAA Spokane for most of the 1976 season. Tom was with Spokane for the entire 1977 season. After the 1977 season Hausman became a free agent and signed with the New York Mets.
• Tom started the 1978 season with AAA Tidewater. He was brought up to the Mets in July after going 5-2 with a 1.22 ERA in 10 starts for the Tides. Hausman started 10 games for the Mets and was 3-3 with a 4.70 ERA. Hausman started the 1979 season with Tidewater and was brought up to the Mets in June. He went 2-6 with a 2.75 ERA in 19 games (10 starts) for the Mets in '79.
• Tom stayed with the Mets for the whole 1980 season. He made 55 appearances (4 starts) and was 6-5 with a 3.98 ERA. Hausman was used exclusively in relief in 1981. He was 0-1 with a 2.18 ERA in 20 games in '81. He had an elbow injury that limited his appearances.
• Tom had injury problems (elbow and shoulder) again in 1982. He didn't appear in a game until May 25 and also missed six weeks between July 4 and August 14. Hausman made three appearances for Tidewater, which was probably a rehab assignment. Tom was 1-2 with a 4.42 ERA in 21 games on September 10 when he was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Carlos Diaz. Hausman made three appearances for the Braves (0-0, 4.91 ERA) to finish the 1982 season. Tom was released after the 1982 season.
• Hausman signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1983 and made four appearances for AAA Hawaii. He didn't pitch in 1984 and then tried to come back in 1985 with Las Vegas (Padres) and Albuquerque (Dodgers). Tom's stints with those two AAA teams were unsuccessful and he retired after the season.
• Jeff Reardon listed Tom Hausman as the player he learned the most from. Reardon said that Tom took him under his wing when he first came up in 1979.
• Hausman now lives in Las Vegas.
• Liked to face: Ozzie Smith (.083 in 12 AB); Lenny Randle/Bill North/Mike Schmidt (.091 in 11 AB)
• Hated to face: Enos Cabell (.600 in 10 AB); Andre Dawson (.467 in 15 AB); Steve Ontiveros (.462 in 13 AB)

1976 Topps #427 - Kurt Bevacqua

• Kurt Bevacqua was a utilityman and pinch hitter for six teams from 1971-1985. Bevacqua was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 1967 and played in the Reds’ system from 1967-1971. On May 8, 1971 Kurt was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Buddy Bradford. Bevacqua finished the 1971 season with the Indians and batted .204 in 137 at bats.

• Kurt batted .313 for AAA Portland in 145 games. He was recalled in September of 1972 and batted .114 in 35 at bats. After the 1972 season Bevacqua was traded to the Kansas City Royals for Mike Hedlund.

• Bevacqua batted .257 in 276 at bats in 1973. After the 1973 season he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates with Ed Kirkpatrick and a minor leaguer for Nelson Briles and Fernando Gonzalez. Kurt batted .114 in 35 at bats (sound familiar?) with the Pirates before being traded back to the Royals for a minor leaguer and cash. Bevacqua batted .211 in 90 at bats for the Royals to finish the 1974 season.

• During spring training in 1975 Bevacqua was purchased by the Milwaukee Brewers. Kurt got some playing time with the Brewers and batted .229 in 258 at bats. He had one big highlight during the 1975 season, but that will be addressed when his other 1976 Topps card comes up. Bevacqua played for AAA Spokane for most of the 1976 season and batted .337. He went 1 for 7 with the Brewers at the end of the ’76 season.

• After the 1976 season Kurt was sold to the Seattle Mariners. He was cut during spring training in 1977 and he signed with the Texas Rangers. Kurt played in 94 games for AAA Tucson and batted .352. He came back to the majors in late July and batted .333 in 96 at bats. Kurt batted .222 in 248 at bats for the Rangers in 1978. After the 1978 season he was traded with Bill Fahey and Mike Hargrove to the San Diego Padres for Oscar Gamble, Dave Roberts and $300,000.

• In 1979 Bevacqua got the most playing time of his career. He started 53 games at third base and played in a total of 114 games, batting .253 in 297 at bats. Kurt was batting .268 in 71 at bats for the Padres in 1980 when he was traded to the Pirates on August 8. Bevacqua batted .163 in 43 at bats for the Pirates at the end of the 1980 season.

• Kurt split time between the minors and the Pirates in 1981. He batted .259 in 27 at bats for the Pirates and was released after the 1981 season. Bevacqua was resigned by the Padres before the 1982 season.

• In 1983 Kurt batted .244 in 156 at bats. He batted .200 in 80 at bats in 1984. Bevacqua was 0 for 2 as a pinch hitter in the 1984 NLCS. He homered in game 2 of the World Series to help the Padres to their only win in the series. Kurt batted .412 in 17 at bats in the Series.

• Bevacqua batted .239 in 138 at bats in 1985. He retired after the 1985 season. Life and Times of A Big League Utility Player – February 1985 Baseball Digest. He Has Hung Around the Major Leagues Since 1971, Exceling as a Kind of Zany Pinch-Hitter's Pinch-Hitter – March 27, 1985 Los Angeles Times.

• Bevacqua is now the president of the Celebrity Players Tour (celebrity golf) and also owns Major League Protection Systems, which sells various aftermarket car parts to dealers. He met his current wife during a golf tournament in 1998 and they now have four children. Here is a “where are they now” article from 2002.
• Kurt had a feud with Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda in the early 1980s. This site has the story plus a wav file of Tommy saying what he thought of the whole thing (some naughty language here).

• Liked to face: Pete Falcone/Doyle Alexander (.500 in 10 AB); Bob Knepper (.375 in 24 AB)

• Hated to face: Dave McNally (.000 in 15 AB); Ken Holtzman (.063 in 16 AB); Atlee Hammaker (.125 in 24 AB)

1976 Topps #402 - Don Money

• Don Money was an infielder (mostly third base) for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Milwaukee Brewers from 1968-1983. Mone was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1965. He played in the Pirates system for three years and then was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies with several others for Jim Bunning. Don batted .303 in AAA San Diego in 1968 and got a September call-up. He batted .231 in 13 at bats for the Phillies at the end of the 1968 season.

• Money was the starting shortstop for the Phillies in 1969. He batted .229 in 127 games. In 1970 Don was moved to third base. He had a much better offensive season, batting .295 with 14 HR and 66 RBI. Money split time between third base, left field, and second base in 1971. He batted .223 with 7 HR in 121 games in '71.

• Money returned to third base in 1972. He played in 152 games and batted .222 with 15 HR and 52 RBI. The Phillies had some guy named Mike Schmidt coming up in their system so they traded Money, Bill Champion, and John Vuckovich to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jim Lonborg, Ken Brett, Ken Sanders, and Earl Stephenson.

• Don had several nice seasons for the Brewers. In 1973 he batted .284 with 11 HR and 61 RBI. As the card back says, Money led the AL with a .989 fielding percentage and had a streak of 86 errorless games at third base. He also batted .283 with 15 HR and 63 RBI and made his first AL All Star team (he didn't get into the game). How to Cope As Wife of a Major Leaguer by Sharon Money (Don's wife) - August 1974 Baseball Digest.

• Money played in 109 games in 1975 (he was out from late May to late June with an injury) and batted .277 with 15 HR and 43 RBI. Don returned to the All Star Game in 1976 (he was 0 for 1) and batted .267 with 12 HR and 62 RBI.

• Don moved to second base for the 1977 season and made the AL All Star team again but didn't play in the game. Money had one of his better power years, batting .279 with a career-high 25 HR and 83 RBI. Money's last season as a full-time player was 1978. In 137 games Don batted .293 with 14 HR and 54 RBI. He split time between 1B, 2B, and 3B. Don was the starting second baseman for the AL in the 1979 All Star Game and was 0 for 2.

• Money missed seven weeks (early May to late June) with an injury in 1979. He batted .237 with 6 HR and 38 RBI. At this point in his career Don was a part-time player since the Brewers had younger players like Paul Molitor and Jim Gantner. In 1980 Money played in 86 games and batted .256 with 17 HR and 46 RBI.

• Don had a rough year in 1981 as he batted .216 with 2 HR and 14 RBI in 60 games. He was 0 for 3 in the ALDS. Money bounced back for one more good season in 1982. As part of "Harvey's Wallbangers" Don batted .284 with 16 HR and 55 RBI in 96 games and had a .531 slugging percentage. He batted .182 in the 1982 ALCS and .231 in five games in the World Series. In 1983 Money had his toughest season as he batted .149 in 114 at bats. He was released by the Brewers after the season. Don played for the Kintetsu Buffaloes in Japan in 1984 but he tore up his contract after a month and came back to the United States.

• After his playing career Money managed the Class A Oneonta Tigers in 1987 and 1988. Don has been managing in the Brewers' system since 1998. He is currently the manager of Milwaukee's AAA Nashville club. Here is a February 17, 2010 Q&A article with Don Money on mlb.com.

• Liked to face: Dick Pole/Ray Bare (.556 in 18 AB); Vern Ruhle (.440 in 25 AB)
• Hated to face: Denny Lemaster (.000 in 12 AB); Mike Marshall/Doug Bird (.059 in 17 AB); Dennis Eckersley (.077 in 39 AB)

1976 Topps #377 - Mike Hegan

• Mike Hegan is the son former Cleveland Indian catcher Jim Hegan. He was signed by the New York Yankees in 1961. Jim had several good seasons in the minors but couldn't stick with the Yankees since Joe Pepitone and Mickey Mantle (at the end of his career) were ahead of him at first base. Mike also spent a lot of time doing stints in the military during the mid-1960s which caused disruptions in his playing career.

• Hegan played in five games for the Yankees in 1964 and was 0 for 5, but he was on the Yankees' World Series roster. Jim scored a run in game 1 after being inserted as a pinch runner. In 1966 Mike played in 13 games and batted .205. Hegan played in 68 games for the Yankees in 1967 and batted only .136. In 1968 Hegan played for AAA Syracuse. Mike was sold to the Seattle Pilots (who woudn't begin play until 1969) in June under the condition that he finish the '68 season in Syracuse.

• Mike got a chance to play in Seattle and made the AL All Star team, but couldn't play due to a hamstring injury. Mike missed 67 games in 1969, mostly because of injuries. He played in 95 games and batted .292 with 8 HR and 37 RBI. The Pilots became the  Milwaukee Brewers in 1970. Mike batted .244 with 11 HR and 52 RBI in 148 games for the Brewers in 1970.

• Hegan started the 1971 season with the Brewers (.221, 4 HR, 11 RBI) and was purchased by the Oakland A's on June 14. Mike batted .236 in 55 at bats for the A's and was 0 for 1 in the 1971 ALCS. Hegan was a backup 1B and occasionally played in the outfield. He had a good glove at first base and played in 178 consecutive games at first base without an error (the streak would extend until 1973). In 1972 Mike batted .329 in 79 at bats for the A's. He was 0 for 1 with a BB in the 1972 ALCS and was 1 for 5 in the 1972 World Series.

• Mike didn't get much playing time while with the A's. He was batting .183 in 71 at bats in 1973 when he was traded to the Yankees as part of a "conditional deal" on August 18. He finished the 1973 season with the Yankees and batted .275 with 6 HR in 35 starts at first base.

• During the 1974 season the Yankees acquired Chris Chambliss, which made Mike expendable. He played in 18 games at 1B for the Yankees and was batting .226 when he requested a trade to either Milwaukee, Detroit, or Boston. Jim was sold to the Brewers on May 13. The Brewers had George Scott as their starting 1B, so Mike backed up at 1B and played some OF and DH. Hegan batted .237 with 7 HR and 32 RBI for the Brewers in '74.

• In 1975 Hegan batted .251 with 5 HR and 22 RBI in  203 AB. Mike hit for the cycle on September 3, 1976. During that season he batted .248 with 5 HR and 31 RBI in 218 AB. In 1977 Hegan wasn't happy about his role on the team and also wasn't happy with manager Alex Grammas. He batted .170 in 53 AB and was released on July 15.

• Hegan jumped into the broadcasting booth when he finished his playing career. He already had a little bit of experience in the booth -- in 1973 A's manager Dick Williams sent Mike up to the booth to call three innings because the regular Oakland broadcaster had taken ill. Mike broadcasted for the Brewers for 11 seasons (1977-1987).  Mike also owned Grand Slam USA (a chain of indoor batting cages) in Milwaukee for 15 years. In 1989 Hegan moved on to the Cleveland Indians and has been broadcasting for them ever since.

• SABR biography of Mike Hegan.

• Liked to face: Pat Dobson (.526 in 19 AB); Wally Bunker (.412 in 17 AB); Dick Drago (.341 in 41 AB)
• Hated to face: Tom Burgmeier (.000 in 12 AB); Sonny Siebert (.080 in 25 AB); Bert Blyleven (.098 in 41 AB)

1976 Topps #353 - Sixto Lezcano

• Sixto Lezcano was a major leaguer from 1974-1985. Lezcano was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970 and started playing in their minor league system in 1971 when he was 17. Sixto made steady progress in the minors and was deemed ready for the big leagues in 1974 after batting .325 with 34 HR and 99 RBI for AAA Sacramento. Lezcano played in 15 games for the Brewers in September 1974 and batted .241 in 54 at bats.

• Lezcano became the starting right fielder for Milwaukee in 1975. He batted .247 with 11 HR and 43 RBI in 134 games. In 1976 Sixto batted .285 with 7 HR and 56 RBI in 145 games.

• Sixto was injured in 1977 and played in only one game between late July and early September. He batted .273 with 21 HR and 49 RBI in 109 games. Lezcano batted .292 with 15 HR and 61 RBI in 138 games in 1978.

• Lezcano's best season was 1979. He won a Gold Glove Award in the outfield (he was especially known for a strong arm) and was 14th in MVP voting. Sixto batted .321 with 28 HR and 101 RBI in 138 games in '79. He was still only 25 years old and it looked like he would keep getting better.

• Sixto had a hard fall in 1980. His batting average dipped to .229 and he hit 18 HR and had 55 RBI. He didn't play after August 31 due to an injury. After the 1980 season Lezcano was involved in a multi-player trade that sent him (and others) to the St. Louis Cardinals and sent Rollie Fingers and Ted Simmons (and others) to the Brewers.

• Lezcano played only the 1981 season with the Cardinals. In 72 games he batted .266 with 5 HR and 28 RBI. After the 1981 season Sixto was involved in another multi-player trade. He and others went to the San Diego Padres and the Cardinals got Ozzie Smith (and others). This was the second time in two seasons that Sixto would be involved in trades for future Hall of Famers.

• Sixto bounced back to have a good year with the Padres in 1982. He batted .289 with 16 HR and 84 RBI and had a .388 on base percentage. In 1983 Lezcano started with the Padres (.233 with 8 HR and 49 RBI in 97 games), lost his job to Tony Gwynn, and was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for the stretch run on August 31. Lezcano batted .282 in 18 games for the Phillies. He batted .308 in the 1983 NLCS and .125 in 8 at bats in the World Series. The Game I'll Never Forget - Baseball Digest January 1986.

• Lezcano was a pinch hitter and fourth outfielder for the Phillies in 1984. He played in 106 games and batted .277 with 14 HR and 40 RBI in 256 at bats. After the 1984 season Sixto became a free agent and signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

• Sixto played in 72 games in 1985 and batted .207 in 116 at bats. He was released at the end of spring training in 1986 and that was it for his career. He played in Japan in 1987 but wasn't successful there.

• Lezcano has been a hitting coach in the minors for several years. He is now the batting coach for the Rookie League Danville Braves.

• Liked to face: Vida Blue (.429 in 21 AB); Mike Flanagan (.412 in 34 AB); Joe Coleman (.381 in 21 AB)
• Hated to face: Dave Stieb (.000 in 18 AB); Dennis Martinez (.133 in 30 AB); Nolan Ryan (.143 in 35 AB)

1976 Topps #316 - Robin Yount

• Robin Yount was a first round (3rd overall) draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in 1973. The two players taken before Yount were David Clyde and John Stearns. Dave Winfield was drafted immediately after Robin. Yount spent the last part of the 1973 season playing A ball for Newark and batted .285 in 64 games as a 17-year-old.

• Robin was brought up to the Brewers in 1974. He played in 107 games (102 of them starts) and batted .250 in 344 at bats. Robin's defensive stats weren't very impressive in his first few seasons. From 1974-1980 his fielding percentage was at or below league average every year except one. Over time he became an average to above-average fielding shortstop and in 1982 won a Gold Glove at the position.

• In 1975 Yount batted .267 in 147 games. He became the Brewers' regular shortstop that year and would remain so until he was moved to center field in 1985. Robin led the AL in games played (161) in 1976 and batted .252. Yount had his first good offensive season in 1977. He batted .288 with 34 doubles in 605 at bats. He batted .293 with 9 homers and 71 RBI in 1978 and was starting to develop some power. Yount stirred up some controversy in the spring of '78 when he said that he would retire and play professional golf rather than be underpaid by the Brewers. The Brewers met his salary demands and he remained with them for his entire 20-year career. In 1979 Robin took a step back, batting .267 with 26 doubles in 149 games.

• The 1980s were Robin Yount's decade. He was MVP twice (1982 and 1988) and was an All Star three times (1980, 1982, 1983). The weight training Robin was doing finally paid off as he became a power hitter.

• In 1980 Robin led the AL with 49 doubles and batted .293 with 23 HR and 87 RBI. Yount had his weakest season of the 80s in 1981 when he batted .273 with 15 doubles and 10 homers in 96 games. He batted .316 in five games in the ALDS.

• Yount's best year was 1982. He led the AL with 210 hits, 46 doubles, and a .578 slugging percentage. Robin batted .331 and had 12 triples, 29 homers, 114 RBI, and 129 runs scored. He batted .250 in the ALCS and batted .414 in the World Series.

• Robin led the AL with 10 triples in 1983 and batted .308 with 17 HR and 80 RBI. He was selected to his third and final All Star Game. Oddly, he wasn't an All Star in 1989, his second MVP season.

• Yount continued to have consistenly good seasons throughout the rest of the 1980s. Except for a .277 season in 1985, he batted .298 or better every year from 1984-1989. He was generally in the teens in home runs (except for 1986 when he hit nine). In 1988 Robin led the AL with 11 triples and 162 games played. Yount narrowly beat out Ruben Sierra to win his second MVP award in 1989. He batted .318 with 21 HR and 103 RBI that year. Due to a shoulder injury Robin was moved from shortstop to center field in 1985.

• Robin continued to play as the regular center fielder through the 1993 season. He got his 3000th hit on September 9, 1992. Robin retired after the 1993 season holding many Milwaukee team records. He was the last Brewer to have been a teammate of Hank Aaron, who played for the Brewers in 1975 and 1976.

• Yount was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1999. He did some coaching after his playing career, serving as first base coach and bench coach for Bob Brenly of the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2002-2004. Yount was Ned Yost's bench coach in Milwaukee in 2006 and helped Dale Sveum in 2008 by being his bench coach at the end of the season.

• Baseball Digest articles:

Robin Yount: In Milwaukee They Call Him 'Super Kid' - November 1974

Robin Yount Joined Elite Group of Fielders in '86! - April 1987

Robin Yount: Next Player to Reach 3000 Hits? - September 1989

Memories of 1982 Season Enrich Robin Yount - August 1991

Robin Yount Sets his Sights on 3000 Hits in '92 - September 1991

Robin Yount: He Has A Hall of Fame Approach to Baseball - September 1992

Robin Yount: A Future Hall of Famer Bows Out Quietly - May 1994

Robin Yount Looks Back on His Hall of Fame Career - May 2007

• Liked to face: Dave Lemanczyk (.526 in 38 AB); Mike Flanagan (.443 in 79 AB); Danny Darwin (.439 in 41 AB)
• Hated to face: Don Hood (.111 in 27 AB); Roger Erickson (.121 in 33 AB); Greg Swindell (.138 in 29 AB)