I'm going to make an attempt to collect as many baseball cards as possible from 1976. I was 9 when the 1976 Topps baseball cards came out. I have most of those cards, but I'd like to expand and get the other cards from this great year.
Showing posts with label Philadelphia Phillies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philadelphia Phillies. Show all posts
Larry Christenson pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1973-1983. Larry was drafted in the first round (3rd player taken) in 1972. After pitching in the minors in 1972, Christenson started the 1973 season with the Phillies at the age of 19. Larry was 1-4 with a 6.59 ERA in nine starts and was sent down to the minors in early June.
Larry came back to the Phillies in August of 1974. He had a 1-1 record with two saves and had an ERA of 4.30 in 10 games (1 start).
Christenson was with the Phillies for most of the 1975 season and was 11-6 with a 3.67 ERA in 26 starts.
In 1976 Christenson was with the Phillies to stay. He had a record of 13-8 with a 3.68 ERA in 29 starts. Larry wasn't used in the 1976 NLCS.
Christenson won a career-high 19 games in 1977. Larry was 19-6 with a 4.06 ERA in 34 starts. Christenson started game 3 of the 1977 NLCS and had a no decision as he allowed 3 runs in 3.1 innings (the Phillies lost the game in extra innings).
Larry was 13-14 with a 3.24 ERA in 33 starts in 1978. Christenson started and lost game 1 of the 1978 NLCS (he allowed 7 runs in 4.1 innings).
Christenson started to have injury problems in 1979. He didn't pitch until mid-May duet to elbow problems, missed most of the month of July due to a broken collarbone suffered during a charity bike ride, and then didn't pitch after September 1. Larry was 5-10 with a 4.50 ERA in 17 starts in 1979.
Larry missed almost two months of the 1980 season after having elbow surgery. He was 5-1 with a 4.03 ERA in 14 starts during the 1980 season. Christenson had no decisions in two games in the NLCS. Larry started game 4 of the 1980 World Series and lasted only 1/3 of an inning. He allowed four runs and ended up with a 108.00 ERA for the game.
Christenson was injury-free in 1981. Larry had a 4-7 record with a 3.54 ERA in 15 starts and also made five relief appearances. Christenson started and won game 3 of the 1981 NLDS.
Larry started 33 games in 1982 and was 9-10 with a 3.47 ERA.
Larry's last season was 1983. He started nine games (2-4, 3.91 ERA) before getting injured again and having another elbow surgery in June. Christenson was released after the 1983 season.
Christenson became an institutional investor after his playing career. He is president of Christenson Investment Partners and lives in Philadelphia.
Tony Taylor had a 19-year career in the major leagues. Taylor was signed by the New York Giants in 1954. After playing four seasons in the Giants' minor league system Tony was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the Rule 5 draft despite having batted only .217 in AA Dallas in 1957. Taylor became the Cubs' starting second baseman in 1958 and batted .235 in 140 games. Tony stole 21 bases in his rookie season, which was a high number for that era.
Taylor improved his batting average to .280 and had 23 stolen bases in 150 games in 1959. In 1960 Tony started the season with the Cubs (.263 in 19 games) and was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on May 13. Taylor made the NL All Star team in 1960. He appeared as a pinch runner in the first game and singled in a pinch hitting appearance in the second game. Taylor finished the 1960 season with a .284 batting average and had 26 stolen bases.
Taylor missed five weeks of the 1961 season with an injury. Tony played in 106 games and batted .250. In 1962 Taylor batted .259 in 152 games.
Tony finished 16th in MVP voting in 1963. He batted .281 with 10 triples and 20 stolen bases in 1963. Taylor batted .251 with a league-leading 13 times hit by a pitch in 1964.
Taylor slumped to a .229 batting average in 1965 and lost his starting second base job to Cookie Rojas. Tony was a backup second baseman and third baseman in 1966 and batted .242 in 125 games. In 1967 Tony played all four infield positions and batted .238 in 132 games.
Taylor was the starting third baseman for most of the season in 1968 and batted .250 with 22 stolen bases in 145 games. In 1969 Tony was a utility infielder and batted .262 in 138 games.
Tony had one of his better offensive seasons in 1970. He hit nine home runs (a career high) and batted .301 in 124 games as a utility infielder and outfielder.
Taylor started the 1971 season with the Phillies. He was batting .234 in 36 games when he was traded to the Detroit Tigers for two minor leaguers on June 12. Tony batted .287 in 55 games for the Tigers in 1971.
Tony was a backup infielder for the Tigers for the next two seasons. In 1972 Taylor batted .303 in 78 games but was only 2 for 15 (.133) in the ALCS. Tony slumped to a .229 average in 84 games in 1973.
After the 1973 season Taylor was released by the Tigers. Tony signed with the Phillies and spent the last three seasons of his career with the club.
Taylor was mostly a pinch hitter and occasional fill-in infielder during his second stint with the Phillies. Tony batted .328 in 64 at bats in 1974 and batted .243 in 103 at bats in 1975.
Taylor had only 23 ABs in 1976 and batted .261. There was a controversy at the end of the 1976 season when Dick Allen said he would refuse to play for the Phillies in the NLCS unless Taylor was part of the 25-man playoff roster. The dispute was smoothed over when Taylor was added as a coach, but several teammates and fans were not happy with Allen.
Tony was released after the 1976 season and he retired with 2007 career hits and a career .261 batting average. He holds the Phillies team record for games played at second base with 1,003.
After his playing career Tony had several stints as a first base coach and bullpen coach for several teams and also managed in the Phillies' system from 1982-1987.
Liked to face: Al Worthington (.500 in 14 AB); Vern Law (.489 in 47 AB); Ray Washburn (.424 in 33 AB)
Hated to face: Sammy Ellis (.045 in 22 AB); Robin Roberts (.053 in 19 AB); Jim Brosnan (.080 in 25 AB)
For a few years in the mid 1970s Greg (The Bull) Luzinski was a very dangerous hitter. Greg was the first round draft pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1968. Luzinski got a brief taste of the majors (2 for 12 in eight games) at the end of the 1970 season.
Luzinski was in the minors for most of the 1971 season. Greg was called up to the Phillies at the end of the season and batted .300 in 28 games.
Greg became the starting LF for the Phillies in 1972 at the age of 21. In his first full season Luzinski batted .281 with 18 HR and 68 RBI. Greg had a better season in 1973, batting .285 with 29 HR and 97 RBI. Greg Luzinski: 'I've Got to Make Good' - February 1973 Baseball Digest
Luzinski was out from June 5 to August 26 with a torn knee ligament in 1974. Greg ended up batting .272 in 85 games in '74. The Phillies were leading the NL East at the time of Greg's injury but ended up in 3rd place in the NL East. The Majors' Next Home Run King? - June 1974 Baseball Digest
Greg made the first of four straight NL All Star teams in 1975 (he struck out in a pinch-hitting appearance). Luzinski batted .300 with 34 HR and a league-leading 120 RBI in 1975. Greg finished second behind Joe Morgan in NL MVP voting that year. Greg Luzinski: The Maturing of a Major League Slugger - November 1975 Baseball Digest
Luzinski started in LF for the National League in the 1976 All Star Game and went 0 for 3. Greg batted .304 with 21 HR and 95 RBI during the regular season and went 3 for 11 (.273) with a home run in the NLCS.
Greg started in LF in the All Star Game again in 1977. He hit a 2-run homer off of Jim Palmer in the first inning of the game. Luzinski batted .309 with 39 HR and 130 RBI in 1977. Luzinski finished second to George Foster in NL MVP voting in '77. Greg went 4 for 14 (.286) with a home run during the 1977 NLCS. APBA Baseball Game Ad - September 1977 Baseball Digest. Greg Luzinski: Who Says Major Leaguers are Greedy? - November 1977
Luzinski's batting average dropped off (.265) in 1978, but he hit 35 homers and had 101 RBI. Greg batted .375 (6 for 16) with two homers during the 1978 NLCS.
Greg's offense dropped again in 1979 as he batted .252 with 18 HR and 81 RBI.
Greg missed about seven weeks in 1980 with a knee injury. Greg had 15 HR before the injury but hit only four homers after he came back in August. Luzinski ended up batting .228 with 19 HR and 56 RBI during the 1980 season. Greg batted .294 (5 for 17) with a home run and 4 RBI during the 1980 NLCS. Luzinski went 0 for 9 with five strikeouts during the 1980 World Series. Greg Luzinski: A Slugger on the Comeback Trail - July 1980 Baseball Digest
Greg was sold to the Chicago White Sox during spring training in 1981. Luzinski spent the last four years of his career as a designate hitter and occasional first baseman.
Luzinski batted .265 with 21 HR and 62 RBI during the 1981 strike season. In 1982 Greg batted .292 with 18 HR and 102 RBI.
Greg's last big HR year was in 1983. Luzinski batted .255 with 32 HR and 95 RBI during the regular season and went 2 for 15 (.133) during the 1983 ALCS.
Luzinski's last year in the majors was 1984. Greg batted .238 with 13 HR and 58 RBI in 1984. He became a free agent after the 1984 season and didn't sign with anyone. Greg announced his retirement in February 1985. There were rumors that Greg's weight was a major concern. Luzinski had peaked at 285 pounds before the 1985 season and his normal playing weight was about 240 pounds.
After his retirement Greg coached freshman baseball at Holy Cross High School in Delran, NJ. Luzinski coached football and baseball there for several years.
Greg opened "Bull's Barbecue" at Citizens Bank Park when the ballpark opened in Philadelphia. Greg now lives in Florida
Liked to face: Doc Medich (.529 in 17 AB); Dan Petry (.428 in 54 AB); Andy Messersmith (.441 with 6 HR in 34 AB)
Hated to face: Rollie Fingers (.000 in 17 AB); Skip Lockwood (.059 in 17 AB); John Montefusco (.070 with 22 strikeouts in 43 AB)
Ron Schueler was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1967. Schueler pitched in the minors from 1967-1971 and pitched a no-hitter for AA Shreveport on September 7, 1970. Ron made the Atlanta ballclub in 1972. Ron was a reliever until about mid-May and then was in the starting rotation until about the middle of August. Ron then went back to the bullpen for the rest of the season. Schuleler went 5-8 with two saves and a 3.67 ERA in 37 games (18 starts) in 1972.
In 1973 Schuleler was a reliever until late June and then was a starter for the rest of the season. Ron went 8-7 with two saves and had a 3.87 ERA in 39 games (20 starts). After the 1973 season Schueler was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Barry Lersch and Craig Robinson.
Ron had his best year as a starter in 1974. Schueler went 11-16 with one save and had an ERA of 3.72 in 44 games (27 starts) in '74.
Schueler was mostly a reliever and a spot starter in 1975. He went 4-4 with a 5.24 ERA in 44 games (six starts) in 1975.
Ron was injured and missed almost a month of the 1976 season. He started off with a high ERA (8.53) in April and early May but Schueler had a good run once he returned to the Phillies in June. Ron ended up with a 1-0 record with one save and had a 2.90 ERA in 35 games.
Schueler was sold to the Minnesota Twins during spring training in 1977. Ron went 8-7 with three saves and had a 4.41 ERA in 52 games (seven starts) for the Twins in 1977. After the season Ron became a free agent and signed with the Chicago White Sox.
Ron had two stints on the disabled list in 1978. Schueler went 3-5 with a 4.30 ERA in 30 games (7 starts) in 1978. In 1979 Ron didn't pitch in his first game until May 8. He spent a month on the disabled list from late May to late June and then pitched in three more games. Schueler pitched in his last game on July 4, 1979. Ron went 0-1 with a 7.32 ERA in seven games (one start) in 1979. Ron retired to become the White Sox' pitching coach when pitching coach Fred Martin died in mid-season.
Ron was the White Sox' pitching coach through the 1981 season and then moved to Oakland to be the A's pitching coach from 1982-1984. Schueler was the pitching coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1986 and then went back to the A's as a special assistant to general manager Sandy Alderson (1987-1990).
Ron became the general manager of the White Sox in 1991. He continued in that position through the 2000 season and then was a senior vice president of the ballclub from 2000-2002. Schueler then became a special assistant and general manager of the Chicago Cubs from 2003 to 2004. Ron then worked for the St. Louis Cardinals from 2005-2007 and for the San Francisco Giants in 2008. Schueler is now a special adviser in the Washington Nationals organization.
Liked to face: Tom Paciorek (.000 in 15 AB); Ken Reitz (.050 in 20 AB); Reggie Smith/Doug Rader (.071 in 14 AB)
Hated to face: Dave Concepcion (.615 in 13 AB); Bill Madlock (.563 in 16 AB); Ed Goodson (.500 in 20 AB)
Frank Edwin "Tug" McGraw had a long and storied career in major league baseball. McGraw was signed by the New York Mets in 1964. Tug pitched in the minors in 1964 and then made the Mets ballclub in 1965. Tug was 2-7 with one save and a 3.32 ERA in 37 games (nine starts) in 1965.
Over the next three seasons McGraw bounced between the minors and the Mets. Tug pitched in 15 games (12 starts) in 1966 (2-9, 5.34 ERA). He was in the minors for most of the 1967 season -- Tug started four games for the Mets (0-3, 7.79 ERA). McGraw was in the minors for the entire 1968 season.
During this time period McGraw was also a reserve rifleman and marksman in the US Marine Corps.
In 1969 Tug came back to the majors to stay. The Mets had a good starting rotation, so McGraw was used mostly as a reliever and spot starter. Tug found his niche as a relief pitcher and had a successful season (9-3, 12 saves, 2.24 ERA in 42 games). McGraw pitched three scoreless innings in game two of the 1969 NLCS. Tug wasn't used in the 1969 World Series.
McGraw made only a total of ten starts from 1970 until the end of his career in 1984. Tug had good years in 1970 (4-6, 10 saves, 3.28 ERA), 1971 (11-4, 8 saves, 1.70 ERA), and 1972 (8-6, 27 saves, 1.70 ERA). McGraw was selected to the 1972 NL All Star team. He pitched the last two innings of the game and earned the win.
Tug and the Mets were struggling in 1973. The Mets had fallen to last place in the NL East on August 30. McGraw earned the win in an extra-innings victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on August 31 to pull the club out of the cellar. The Mets went on to go 20-8 in September and win the NL East. Tug was a big part of that resurgence, going 3-0 with ten saves and a 0.57 ERA. "Ya Gotta Believe!," a saying coined by Tug, became the rallying cry for the Mets as they won the NL East and the NL pennant. McGraw pitched in two games in the 1973 NLCS without allowing a run and then was 1-0 with a save in the World Series. Tug McGraw Key to the Mets' Rise - January 1974 Baseball Digest.
McGraw struggled during the 1974 season. He developed shoulder trouble that was later diagnosed as a cyst that was easily removed. Tug went 6-11 with three saves and had a 4.16 ERA in 1974. After the 1974 season the Mets traded McGraw to the Philadelphia Phillies in a multi-player deal that brought John Stearns to the Mets.
Tug came back in 1975 to have an all-star season with the Phillies (he didn't pitch in the game). McGraw went 9-6 with 14 saves and a 2.98 ERA in '75.
In the next three seasons Tug was part of a strong Philadelphia bullpen. In 1976 McGraw was 7-6 with 11 saves and a 2.50 ERA. McGraw pitched in two games in the NLCS but got roughed up (3 runs in 2.1 innings) by the Cincinnati Reds. Tug was 7-3 with nine saves and a 2.62 ERA in 1977. He pitched in two games in the 1977 NLCS without allowing a run and earned the save in game 1. In 1978 Tug was 8-7 with nine saves and had a 3.21 ERA. Tug pitched in three games in the NLCS and had a 1.59 ERA. He took the loss in the bottom of the 10th inning in game 4 on an unearned run.
The Phillies had a tough year in 1979 and so did McGraw. Tug went 4-3 with 16 saves and had a 5.16 ERA in 1979.
The Phillies finally broke through and won it all in 1980. McGraw had a great year in 1980 (5-4, 20 saves, 1.46 ERA) and was fifth in NL Cy Young Award voting. Tug pitched in all five games of the classic 1980 NLCS and was 0-1 with two saves. Tug blew the save in game 5 but the Phillies won the game in extra innings. McGraw pitched in four games in the 1980 World Series and was 1-1 with two saves. Tug was on the mound and struck out Willie Wilson to clinch the series in game 6 (shown in the youtube video below). After the 1980 season the Phillies rewarded McGraw with a four-year $1.5 million contract. Tug also won the Babe Ruth Award in 1980.
Tug went 2-4 with 10 saves and had a 2.66 ERA in 1981. He pitched in two games in the NLDS and earned the win in game 4.
McGraw became more of a set up man in the last three years of his career. In 1982 Tug was 3-3 with five saves and had a 4.31 ERA. McGraw was 2-1 with a 3.56 ERA in 1983 and wasn't used by the Phillies in the NLDS or the World Series. Tug pitched in 25 games in 1984 and went 2-0 with a 3.79 ERA. McGraw retired after the 1984 season. Tug McGraw: He Was Special as a Reliever and a Showman - June 1985 Baseball Digest
While working as a spring training instructor in 2003 Tug was hospitalized and diagnosed with a brain tumor. Surgery was performed and the tumor was found to be malignant. Tug was given three weeks to live but survived for nine months. McGraw passed away on January 5, 2004.
Tug is the father of country music star Tim McGraw. Tug said that the mother had left town after the short relationship in 1966 and he didn't acknowledge Tim as his son until Tim was 17 years old. The two went on to have a close relationship.
Wayne Twitchell pitched in the majors from 1970-1979. Wayne was the first round pick (third overall) of the Houston Astros in 1966. Twitchell worked his way up the Houston organization but didn't rise above AAA in four seasons. After the 1969 season Wayne was purchased by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Twitchell pitched in AAA in 1970 and was brought up by the Brewers at the end of the season. He pitched in two games and allowed two runs (10.80 ERA) in 1.2 innings.
At the end of spring training in 1971 Wayne was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for a minor leaguer. Twitchell pitched in AAA until September. Wayne pitched in six games (one start) for the Phillies in September 1971 and went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 16 innings.
In 1972 Twitchell was used as a reliever until he was moved into the starting rotation in late July. Wayne pitched in 49 games (15 starts) for the Phillies in 1972 and was 5-9 with one save and a 4.06 ERA.
The 1973 season was Twitchell's big year. He went 13-9 with a 2.50 ERA in 34 games (28 starts) and made the NL All Star team. Wayne pitched a scoreless sixth inning for the National League in the All Star Game.
Twitchell had a late start to the 1974 season. He didn't pitch in his first game until May 26. Wayne went 5-9 with a 5.21 ERA in 25 games (18 starts) in 1974.
In 1975 Wayne started the season as a starter and moved to the bullpen in early July. Twitchell went 5-10 with a 4.42 ERA in 36 games (20 starts).
Twitchell's 1976 season was a good but spotty one. He pitched in a total of five games from April-June. Wayne pitched in 26 games (2 starts) and was 3-1 with one save and a 1.75 ERA. Wayne wasn't used by the Phillies in the 1976 NLCS.
Wayne had a rough start in 1977. Twitchell was 0-5 with a 4.53 ERA in 12 games (8 starts) when he and Tim Blackwell were traded to the Montreal Expos for Barry Foote and Dan Warthen. The Expos moved Twitchell into the starting rotation and he went 6-5 with a 4.21 ERA in 22 starts.
Twitchell had a rough go of it in 1978. He went 4-12 with a 5.38 ERA in 33 games (15 starts). Wayne was 3-8 when he was moved into the bullpen in mid-July.
After the 1978 season Twitchell was released by the Expos. Wayne caught on with the New York Mets during spring training in 1979. Twitchell went 5-3 with a 5.23 ERA in 33 games (2 starts) for the Mets. On August 19 Wayne was sold to the Seattle Mariners. Twitchell went 0-2 with a 5.24 ERA in four games (two starts) for the Mariners to finish off the 1979 season. Wayne retired after the 1979 season. His career was shortened due to knee injuries
After his playing career Wayne helped coach the pitchers at his old high school (Wilson HS in Portland, OR) for several years and became a commercial real estate broker.
Wayne moved to Walla Walla, WA to be closer to his wife's ailing father in 2005. He later went back to Portland.
Edit: Wayne passed away from cancer at the age of 62 on September 18, 2010.
Liked to face: Derrel Thomas (.040 in 25 AB); George Foster (.091 in 22 AB)
Hated to face: Joe Morgan (.455, 4 HR in 30 AB); Gene Richards/Ken Griffey (.500 in 18 AB); Bake McBride (.480 in 25 AB)
Mike Anderson played outfield in the major leagues from 1971-1979. Anderson was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the first round in 1969. Mike played in the minors from 1969-1972 and had a great season in AAA Eugene in 1970 (.334 with 36 HR). Anderson was brought up to Philadelphia at the end of the 1971 season and batted .247 in 26 games.
Mike played with the Phillies in April and May of 1972 but batted only .194 in 36 games. He was sent back down to Eugene at the end of May and spend the rest of the season there.
Anderson had his best slugging year in 1973. He batted .254 with nine HR in 193 AB and had a .454 slugging percentage. Mike started 102 games in right field for the Phillies in 1974. In a total of 145 games Mike batted .251 with five HR.
In 1975 Anderson was a backup outfielder and first baseman. He batted .259 in 247 AB in 1975 and after the season he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Ron Reed.
Mike backed up in the outfield and first base for the Cardinals in 1976. He had a career high in batting average (.291) in 199 AB. In 1977 Mike's offense fell off as he batted .221 in 154 AB.
Anderson was released during spring training in 1978. He signed with the Phillies and batted .313 for Philadelphia's AAA Oklahoma City club. The Phillies didn't have room for Anderson so he was released on June 23. Mike signed with the Baltimore Orioles on the same day but he didn't fare well, batting .094 in 32 AB.
The Orioles cut Anderson loose after the 1978 season and he signed with the Phillies again. Mike started the 1979 season in Oklahoma City and was recalled at the end of April. Anderson was used a lot as a late-inning defensive replacement and batted .231 in 78 AB for the Phillies. Mike pitched an inning in a blowout game on June 27.
Mike spent the 1980 season in Oklahoma City and was released after the season. Anderson signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1981 and played for their AAA Portland club but he batted .193 in 39 games and retired after the season.
Former major league infielder Kent Anderson is Mike's brother.
Mike later coached high school baseball and basketball in South Carolina. His 1980 Topps Baseball blog entry is here.
Tim McCarver was one of those rare "four decade" players. He played in the majors from 1959-1980. Tim was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959 at the age of 17 and played in the minors from 1959-1962. McCarver had brief stints with the Cardinals in 1959 (.167 in 24 at bats), 1960 (.200 in 10 at bats), and 1961 (.239 in 67 at bats).
In 1963 Tim became the regular catcher for the Cardinals and held the position through the 1969 season. McCarver batted .289 in 127 games in 1963 and .288 in 143 games in 1964. Tim had a great World Series in 1964, batting .478 in 23 at bats. McCarver had a great relationship with pitcher Bob Gibson while he was with the Cardinals.
Tim played in 113 games in 1965 and batted .276 with 11 HR. Laughing Boy McCarver - December 1965 Baseball Digest. McCarver played in 150 games in 1966 and led the NL with 13 triples while batting .274 and hitting 12 HR. Tim was on the NL All Star team in 1966. In the bottom of the 10th Tim singled, went to second on a sacrifice by Ron Hunt, and scored the winning run on a single by Maury Wills.
McCarver had what was probably his best year in 1967. He finished second to teammate Orlando Cepeda in NL MVP voting and made the NL All Star team (he went 2 for 2 with a double). Tim batted .295 with 14 HR and 69 RBI during the regular season. McCarver batted only .125 in the World Series but the Cardinals still won the series in seven games. Backbone of the Cards - September 1967 Baseball Digest.
In 1968 McCarver batted .253 in 128 games. The Cardinals went to the World Series again (they lost in seven games) and Tim batted .333. The Pip Who Won't Be Pipped - May 1968 Baseball Digest. McCarver batted .260 in 138 games in 1969. After the 1969 season Tim was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies as part of the famous Curt Flood deal.
McCarver was injured on May 2 and missed four months of the 1970 season. He batted .287 in 44 games in 1970. Tim came back in 1971 and batted .278 in 134 games. It was his last season as a regular catcher.
In 1972 Tim started with the Phillies and was batting .237 in 45 games when he was traded to the Montreal Expos for John Bateman on June 14. McCarver finished the 1972 season with the Expos and batted .251 in 77 games. After the 1972 season Tim was traded back to the Cardinals for Jorge Roque.
McCarver split time between catcher and first base in 1973. He batted .266 in 130 games in 1973. Tim wasn't getting much playing time with the Cardinals in 1974. He batted .217 in 106 at bats and was sold to the Boston Red Sox on September 1. He batted .250 in 28 at bats for the Red Sox to finish the 1974 season.
Tim started the 1975 season with the Red Sox as the third-string catcher. He wasn't getting much playing time (.381 in 12 games) and was released on June 23. McCarver was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies on July 1 and batted .254 in 47 games. For the remainder of his career Tim became the "personal catcher" for Steve Carlton.
In 1976 Tim batted .277 in 90 games as a backup catcher and pinch hitter. He had an infamous moment on July 4 when he hit a game-winning "Grand Slam single" -- he passed Garry Maddox on the basepaths while running out the homer and it became a single. Tim was 0 for 4 in two games in the 1976 NLCS.
McCarver batted .320 in 169 at bats in 1977 and was 1 for 6 in the NLCS. In 1978 Tim batted .247 in 146 AB and was 0 for 4 with two walks and two runs scored in the NLCS.
Tim batted .241 in 137 at bats in 1979 and was released after the season. Tim McCarver: Twenty Years Behind the Mask - December 1979 Baseball Digest. On September 1, 1980 McCarver was signed by the Phillies and went 1 for 5 in six games as a pinch hitter and first baseman.
After his playing career McCarver went on to become a broadcaster. He has broadcast for four major television networks and is now a broadcaster for FOX sports. Tim also has a nationally syndicated interview show (The Tim McCarver Show). He also recently released an album of jazz standards (">Tim McCarver Sings Songs from the Great American Songbook).
Liked to face: Reggie Cleveland (.519 in 27 AB); Bob Friend (.462 in 26 AB); Sammy Ellis (.452 in 31 AB)
Hated to face: Dan McGinn (.000 in 9 AB); Al Jackson (.091 in 22 AB); Jim Brewer (.095 in 21 AB)
Mike Schmidt is widely considered to be the greatest third baseman in baseball history. This is his 4th-year card and he was coming into his own during this time. Schmidt was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1971. Mike was in the minors in 1971 and 1972 and was ready for the majors after batting .291 with 26 HR and 91 RBI for AAA Eugene. Schmidt batted .206 in 34 at bats as a late-season call-up in 1972.
Schmidt became the Phillies' starting third baseman in 1973. His batting average was low (.196) and he struck out a lot (136), but he hit 18 home runs in 367 at bats.
Mike had his first big year in 1974. He made his first of 12 NL All Star teams and he led the NL with 36 HR and a .546 slugging percentage. Mike also led the NL in strikeouts with 138 and batted .282 with 116 RBI. Schmidt finished sixth in NL MVP voting (he would finish in the top-10 nine times in his career). Schmidt set the record (which still stands) for assists by a third baseman with 404. A Power Hitter Blossoms in Philly - September 1974 Baseball Digest
Mike's stats dropped a little in 1975. He led the NL with 38 home runs and batted .249 with 95 RBI. Schmidt again led the NL with 180 strikeouts.
Schmidt led the Phillies to their first NL East title in 1976. Mike led the NL in homers (38) again, batted .262 with 107 RBI, made the All Star team, and finished third in NL MVP voting. Mike batted .308 in the NLCS. Schmidt hit four home runs in one game on April 17, 1976. Schmidt also won a Gold Glove award. He was the NL Gold Glove winner at third base every season from 1976-1984.
Before the 1977 season Schmidt signed a five-year contract for $560,000 per year. In 1977 Mike batted .274 with 38 HR and 101 RBI. He was an All Star and finished 10th in MVP voting. Schmidt went only 1 for 16 in the 1977 NLCS. Mike Schmidt: The Complete Ballplayer - September 1977 Baseball Digest
The 1978 season was probably Mike's worst year until 1988. He batted .251 with 21 HR and 78 RBI. Mike batted .200 in the 1978 NLCS. Schmidt bounced back in 1979 with 45 HR, 114 RBI, and a .253 average. Mike was also the starting 3B for the NL in the All Star game. Mike Schmidt: The Struggle for Hitting Consistency - October 1979 Baseball Digest.
Schmidt's best year was probably 1980. He was the NL MVP in a unanimous vote and the World Series MVP as he led the Phillies to their first world championship. Schmidt also won the first Silver Slugger Award at 3B (he would win every year from 1980-1984 and again in 1986). During the regular season Mike batted .286, hit 48 HR to lead the NL, and also led the NL with 121 RBI and a .624 slugging percentage. Mike batted .208 in the NLCS but he batted .381 with 2 HR in the World Series.
Mike was the NL MVP again in 1981. He batted a career-high .316 and led the NL with 31 HR and 91 RBI. Schmidt batted .250 during the 1981 NLDS. After the 1981 season Schmidt signed a six-year contract for $11.4 million.
In 1982 Mike "slipped" to sixth in MVP voting as he batted .280 with 35 HR and 87 RBI. Mike Schmidt of the Phils: Player of the 80s! - May 1982 Baseball Digest. Schmidt was third in MVP voting in 1983 and helped the Phillies to the NL pennant. He batted .255 with a league-leading 40 HR and 109 RBI. Mike batted .467 (7 for 15) in the NLCS but went 1 for 20 in the World Series.
Schmidt led the NL in home runs (36) and RBI (106) while batting .277 in 1984. In 1985 Mike spent most of the season at first base (the Phillies were trying out Rick Schu at 3B) and batted .277 with 33 HR and 93 RBI.
Mike was the NL MVP for the third time in 1986. He batted .290 and led the NL in home runs (37) and RBI (119). Schmidt's last big season was in 1987. He batted .293 with 35 HR and 113 RBI. Mike Schmidt Climbs to No. 2 on Home Run Title Chart - March 1987 Baseball Digest
Schmidt had rotator cuff problems in 1988 and missed the last seven weeks of the season. He batted .249 with 12 HR and 62 RBI. Mike started off poorly in 1989 (.203 with 6 HR in 42 games) and suddenly announced his retirement on May 28. Farewell to Mike Schmidt, One of Game's All-Time Great Third Basemen - September 1989 Baseball Digest
Schmidt was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1995 with 96.5% of the vote. Mike Schmidt Joins Elite Hall of Fame Vote Leaders - April 1995 Baseball Digest. He was selected to the All-Century team in 2000. Mike comes to spring training to coach for a few weeks each season. He managed the single-A Clearwater Thrashers in 2004. Schmidt was the third base coach for the USA team in the World Baseball Classic in 2009. Mike sponsors the Mike Schmidt Bahamas Winner's Circle Invitational golf tournament that raises money for charity.
Liked to face: Rick Reuschel (.403 in 129 AB); Bob Knepper (.402 with 9 HR in 82 AB); Jerry Reuss (.393 with 10 HR in 89 AB)
Hated to face: Dennis Martinez (.000 with 5 strikeouts in 11 AB); Scott Garrelts (.050 with 10 strikeouts in 20 AB); Charlie Hough (.100 in 20 AB)
Mike's All Star appearances:
1974 - reserve 3B - 0 for 0 with 2 BB
1976 - reserve 3B - 0 for 1
1977 - reserve - appeared as a pinch runner
1979 - starting 3B - 2 for 3 with a double and a triple
1980 - selected but did not play
1981 - starting 3B - 2 for 4 with a double and a home run
1982 - starting 3B - 0 for 1
1983 - starting 3B - 0 for 3 with 1 strikeout
1984 - starting 3B - 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts
1986 - starting 3B - 0 for 1 with 1 BB
1987 - starting 3B - 1 for 2
1989 - voted starting 3B by fans but didn't play (he had retired earlier in the season)
Dick Allen spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies, but I always thought of him as a White Sox player because of his three great early 70s seasons with them. This 1975 Topps card also influenced my thinking a lot.
Dick Allen was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1960. He played mostly second base and outfield during his three minor league seasons. Dick earned a late season promotion to the Phillies in 1963 and batted .292 in ten games.
Allen was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1964 and finished seventh in MVP voting. Even though he didn't play third base in the minors, Dick was the starting third baseman for the Phillies. Allen made 41 errors at third base in 1964, but he wasn't out there for his glove. He batted .318 with 29 HR and 91 RBI. Dick led the NL in runs (125), triples (13) and strikeouts (138) as the Phillies almost won the pennant.
Dick hit fewer home runs in 1965 (20) but most of his other numbers were very similar to 1964. He batted .302 and knocked in 85 runs. Allen was the starting third baseman in the All Star game and went 1 for 3. People kept calling him Richie although he preferred Dick Dick Allen? - December 1965 Baseball Digest. Dick got into a clubhouse fight with teammate Frank Thomas. According to two teammates Thomas swung a bat at Allen and hit him on the shoulder. Thomas was released the next day and the other players were prevented from giving their side of the story.
Allen was fourth in NL MVP voting in 1966. He made the All Star team again, striking out as a pinch hitter. Dick led the NL with a .632 slugging percentage, batted .317, hit 40 home runs, and had 110 RBI.
Dick had an "all or nothing" game in the 1967 All Star game. He started at third base and batted four times. Allen struck out in three of those at bats and hit a solo homer in the other at bat. Allen batted .307 but his home run (23) and RBI (77) totals decreased. Dick split time between third base and left field in '67. He seriously injured his throwing hand when he pushed it through a car headlight in '67.
In 1968 Dick was moved to left field. His batting average dipped to .268 but he hit 33 homers and had 90 RBI. Allen batted .288 with 32 HR and 89 RBI in 1969. Allen was fined and suspended when he didn't appear for a game after attending a morning horse race in New Jersey and getting caught in traffic on his way back to Shea Stadium.
Dick wasn't very popular in Philadelphia and asked to be traded. The Phillies traded Allen to the St. Louis Cardinals as part of the famous Curt Flood trade. Before the 1970 season Cardinals manager Red Schoendienst was asked if the Cards should acquire Allen. Schoendienst said "no" because of the controversy surrounding Allen. After the 1970 season Schoendienst was asked if the Cardinals should trade Allen and he said "no" because of Allen's contributions to the club. In 1970 Allen batted .279 with 34 HR and 101 RBI. Dick was the NL's starting 1B in the 1970 All Star game and went 0 for 3 with a walk. After the 1970 season Dick was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Ted Sizemore and Bob Stinson.
Allen split time between 3B, LF, and 1B for the Dodgers in 1971. In 155 games he batted .295 with 23 HR and 90 RBI. After the 1971 season Allen was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Tommy John and Steve Huntz.
Dick had a great season in 1972 and almost led the White Sox to the AL West title. He led the AL in home runs (37), RBI (113), and slugging (.603) and batted .308. Dick made the cover of the June 12, 1972 issue of Sports Illustrated (it's an interesting picture). Allen was the 1972 AL MVP. He went 0 for 3 as the starting AL 1B in the All Star game. Dick Allen: Baseball Digest Player of the Year - December 1972 Baseball Digest.
Allen was having another good year in 1973 when he broke his fibula in June. Allen made the AL All Star team but couldn't play due to his injury. Dick batted .316 with 16 HR and 41 RBI in 72 games in '73.
Dick made the All Star team for the last time in 1974. He started at 1B and went 1 for 2. Allen led the AL with 32 HR. He also led in slugging percentage (.563), batted .301, and knocked in 88 runs. Dick left the White Sox with two weeks left in the season. The White Sox weren't sure if he wanted to continue to play so they sold his contract to the Atlanta Braves for $5000. Allen refused to report to the Braves and retired. The Batter Pitchers Hate to Face - October 1974 Baseball Digest.
The Phillies were able to talk Allen out of retirement in May of 1975. The Phils sent Barry Bonnell, Jim Essian, and $150,000 to the Braves for Allen and Johnny Oates. Dick had shoulder problems and wasn't the same offensive player. He batted .233 with 12 HR and 62 RBI in 119 games. Allen batted .268 with 15 HR and 49 RBI in 85 games in 1976. Dick went 2 for 9 in the 1976 NLCS.
Allen became a free agent after the 1976 season and signed with the Oakland A's. He batted .240 with 5 HR and 31 RBI in 54 games. Dick was released by the A's during spring training in 1978. Allen ended up with a career .292 batting average with 351 home runs.
Allen's uninsured home and horse stables burned down in October 1979. He left his wife for a younger woman and lost everything (including his baseball pension) in the divorce.
Dick "Rufus" Ruthven pitched in the majors from 1973-1986. He had two stints with the Philadelphia Phillies -- the first one wasn't real successful (mostly due to an elbow injury) but he did much better during the second one. Ruthven was drafted by the Phillies in 1973 (first player taken in the draft). Dick had been drafted by other teams before (Baltimore in 1969 and Minnesota in 1972) but he decided to stay with California State-Fresno. He was an All-American pitcher in 1972 and pitched a no-hitter against Long Beach State.
Ruthven went right into the majors and was 6-9 with a 4.21 ERA in 25 games (23 starts). He started 35 games in 1974 wnd was 9-13 with a 4.02 ERA.
Dick started the 1975 season at AAA Toledo and pitched there through July. He went 2-2 with a 4.20 ERA in 11 games (7 starts) for the Phillies in August and September.
After the 1975 season Dick was traded twice. On December 10 he was traded with Alan Bannister and Roy Thomas to the Chicago White Sox for Mike Buskey and Jim Kaat. He never pitched for the White Sox -- on December 12 he was traded with Ken Henderson and Ozzie Osborn to the Atlanta Braves for Larvell Blanks and Ralph Garr.
In 1978 Ruthven started with the Braves (2-6, 4.11 in 13 starts) but he had a dispute with Braves owner Ted Turner. On June 15 Dick was traded back to the Phillies for Gene Garber. He went 12-5 with a 2.99 ERA in 20 starts and helped the Phillies to the NL East title. Ruthven started and lost game 3 of the 1978 NLCS.
Ruthven struggled with injuries in 1979. He missed three weeks in July and didn't pitch after August 8. In 20 starts Dick was 7-5 with a 4.27 ERA.
Dick's best overall year was probably 1980. He went 17-10 with a 3.55 ERA in 33 starts as the Phillies won the NL East for the fourth time in five years. Ruthven started game 2 of the NLCS and allowed 2 runs in 7 innings. He didn't get the decision as the Phillies lost that game in 10 innings. Dick pitched the last two innings of game 5 and earned the win. He started game 3 of the World Series and left with the score tied 3-3 after nine innings (the Phillies lost that game in 10 innings).
Ruthven started the 1981 season 8-3 and made the NL All Star team. Dick retired the only batter he faced (Al Oliver) in the sixth inning. Ruthven tailed off and ended up 12-7 with a 5.15 ERA. Dick Ruthven Says the Starters Need Time - Reading Eagle August 6, 1981. He started and lost game 2 of the Divisional Series.
Dick went 11-11 with a 3.79 ERA in 33 games (31 starts) in 1982. He started the 1983 season with the Phillies (1-3, 5.61 in 7 games) and was traded with Bill Johnson to the Chicago Cubs for Willie Hernandez on May 22. Ruthven started 25 games for the Cubs in '83 and went 12-9 with a 4.25 ERA.
Ruthven had injury problems again in 1984 and missed two months from mid-May to mid-July. He went 6-10 with a 5.04 ERA in 22 starts and wasn't used in the postseason. During the 1984 season Dick got into a fight with Cubs outfielder Mel Hall during spring training. Ruthven had taken exception to Hall walking by without picking up balls on the field. After both players were "sent to neutral corners" manager Jim Frey gathered the rest of the team in center field and told the players that individualistic attitudes weren't needed on his team. Hall was traded to Cleveland for Rick Sutcliffe in June and the rest is history.
In 1985 Dick went 4-7 with an ERA of 4.53 in 20 games (15 starts). He pitched in six games in 1986 (0-0, 5.06) and was released on May 6.
When Dick's former minor league manager Jim Bunning decided to go into politics Dick thought it was a bad idea. Ruthven and Bunning had similar personalities and weren't considered to be suited for politics.
Former Phillies first baseman Tommy Hutton married Dick's twin sister.
Liked to face: Andre Thornton (.000 in 14 AB); Gary Thomasson (.083 in 24 AB); Dave Rader (.100 in 30 AB)
Hated to face: Bake McBride (.536 in 28 AB); Garry Maddox (.444 in 27 AB); Cesar Geronimo (.417 in 36 AB)
Tom Underwood pitched in the majors from 1974-1984. Tom was a High School Baseball All American in 1972. Underwood was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1972. Tom pitched in the minors from 1972 to 1974. He was brought up to the majors in August of 1974 and was 1-0 with a 4.85 ERA in 7 games.
In 1976 Tom didn't make a start until April 21 (he made two relief appearances before that game). He had a good start (0 runs in 5 innings) and won the game, but he got roughed up for 5 earned runs in 1/3 of an inning in his next start on April 27. Underwood became a reliever for the next month of the season. Tom rejoined the rotation on May 23 and was a starter (except for one relief appearance) for the rest of the season. Underwood ended up 10-5 with 2 saves and a 3.53 ERA in 33 games (25 starts). Tom appeared in the 9th inning of game 3 of the NLCS. He entered with the score tied and Dave Concepcion on first base. Cesar Geronimo walked and Ed Armbrister sacrificed the runners to 2nd and 3rd. Tom intentionally walked Pete Rose and then Ken Griffey singled to score Concepcion and send the Reds to the World Series.
Underwood started the 1977 season as a reliever for the Phillies. In 14 games Tom was 3-2 with a 5.13 ERA. On June 15 Tom was traded with Rick Bosetti and Dane Iorg to the St. Louis Cardinals for Bake McBride and Steve Waterbury. The Cardinals used Underwood as a starter and he was 6-9 with a 4.95 ERA in 16 starts. Underwood was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays after the 1977 season.
In 1978 Underwood was 6-14 with a 4.10 ERA in 30 starts. Tom was 9-16 with a 3.69 ERA for the Blue Jays in 1979. On May 31 he pitched against his brother Pat, who was making his debut for the Detroit Tigers. After the 1979 season Tom was traded with Rick Cerone and Ted Wilborn to the New York Yankees for Chris Chambliss, Damaso Garcia, and Paul Mirabella.
Underwood went 13-9 with an ERA of 3.66 in 1980. He made two relief appearances in the 1980 ALCS without giving up an earned run. Underwood split time between the rotation and the bullpen for the Yankees in 1981. Tom was 1-4 with a 4.41 ERA when he was traded to the Oakland A's on May 20. Underwood pitched in 16 games (5 starts) for the A's and was 3-2 with 1 save and a 3.18 ERA. Tom pitched 1/3 of an inning in the 1981 ALDS and didn't give up any runs, but in the ALCS he gave up two runs in 1 1/3 innings in two appearances.
Tom was a swingman in 1982. He pitched in 56 games (10 starts) and was 10-6 with 7 saves and a 3.29 ERA. In 1983 he was 9-7 with 4 saves and a 4.04 ERA in 51 games (15 starts). Underwood became a free agent after the 1983 season and signed with the Baltimore Orioles. In 1984 he pitched in 37 games (1 start) and was 1-0 with 1 save and a 3.52 ERA. The Orioles released Underwood after the 1984 season.
Tom was named to Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1997. His brother Pat was named to the same HOF in 2005. Here is a note Tom wrote to a fan who requested his autograph. He now lives in West Palm Beach, FL.
Liked to face: Dusty Baker (.000 in 9 AB); Mike Anderson (.056 in 18 AB); Julio Cruz (.071 in 28 AB)
Hated to face: Dave Kingman (.583 with 3 HR in 12 AB); Gary Carter (.538 in 13 AB); Davey Lopes (.529 in 17 AB)
