1976 Hostess #92 - John Candelaria

• This card is a victim of some kid's poor cutting skills. Hey kid----the lines are your friends! ;)
• This card was printed right at the beginning of a nice career.
• The Pirates didn't win the NL East in 1976, but John did his part to keep the club competitive. Candelaria was 16-7 with a 3.15 ERA during the season.
• John pitched a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers on national television on August 9. A third inning walk to Steve Yeager and two Pirate errors were the only things that prevented Candelaria from pitching a perfect game.
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? just before peak --- John's best year was 1977.

1976 Hostess #72 - Manny Sanguillen

• Manny Sanguillen was the Pirates' starting catcher during the early and mid 1970s.
• Manny was a consistent hitter who usually batted at or near .300
• Sanguillen's final season as a starting catcher for the Pirates was in 1976
• Manny's best year was in 1975. He batted .328 and made the NL All Star team -- it was his third season as an All Star
• Sanguillen was traded to the Oakland A's before the 1977 season for manager Chuck Tanner
• Manny was traded back to the Pirates before the 1978 season. He was a used as a backup C/1B and as a pinch hitter from 1978-1980
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? end of peak
• 
  

1976 Hostess #49 - Willie Stargell

• Willie's seasons from 1971-1973 constitute a great three-year run
• Willie should have been MVP in either 1971 or 1973 (or both)
• At this point in his career, Stargell was starting to struggle with injuries. He played in only 117 games in 1976 and 67 games in 1977
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? after peak, but he still had a few good years left in him

1976 Kellogg's #15 - Dave Parker

• What did he do to deserve a 1976 Kellogg's card?
• Parker batted .308 with 25 HR and 101 RBI in 1975
• Finished third (behind Joe Morgan and Greg Luzinski) in NL MVP voting in 1975
• Led the NL with a .541 slugging percentage
• 1976 Highlights:
• Batted .313 with 13 HR and 90 RBI
• 
  

1976 Topps Traded #583T - Tommy Helms

• Tommy Helms was mostly a pinch hitter for the Pirates in 1976. He batted .276 in 87 AB during the season.
• Helms went 0 for 12 for the Pirates in 1977 and was released in mid-June.
• Tommy was picked up by the Boston Red Sox and was a backup for the team for the rest of the 1977 season.
• Helms was released during spring training in 1978 and retired.

1976 Topps Traded #146T - George Medich

• The Pirates gave up Willie Randolph (along with Ken Brett and Dock Ellis) to get Doc Medich
• Medich spent only one season with the Pirates - in 1976 he was 8-11 with a 3.52 ERA in 26 starts.
• Doc was traded to the Oakland A's after the 1976 season in a large trade that sent Phil Garner to the Pirates.

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1976 Topps #647 - Ramon Hernandez

• Ramon Hernandez was mostly a relief pitcher from 1967-1977. Hernandez was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1959. After pitching in the C/D minor league levels for two years (1959 and 1960), Ramon didn't pitch in organized baseball in 1961 and was sold to the Los Angeles Angels after the 1961 season.  
• Ramon pitched in the Angels' organization from 1962-1966 and pitched well at the A and AA levels, but he didn't show much when brought up to the AAA level. After the 1966 season Hernandez was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the Rule 5 draft.
• Hernandez had to stay with the Braves for the entire 1967 season. Ramon pitched in 46 games and was 0-2 with five saves and had a 4.18 ERA.
• After the 1967 season Hernandez was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the Rule 5 draft. Ramon was 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA in eight games for the Cubs. Hernandez was sold to the St. Louis Cardinals on June 14 and spent the rest of the 1968 season in AAA Tulsa. 
• Ramon pitched in AA Arkansas in 1969 but didn't pitch very well. Hernandez was released during spring training in 1970 and spent the season pitching in the Mexican League.
• The Pirates purchased Hernandez in 1971 and assigned him to AAA Charleston. Ramon pitched in 10 September games for the Pirates in 1971 and was 0-1 with 4 saves and had a 0.71 ERA. Hernandez was not on the Pirates' post-season roster.
• Ramon pitched well for the Pirates for the next few seasons:
• 1972 - 5-0, 1.67 ERA, 14 saves in 53 games. Had a 2.70 ERA in three games in the NLCS
• 1973 - 4-5, 2.41 ERA, 11 saves in 59 games
• 1974 - 5-2, 2.75 ERA, 2 saves in 58 games. Pitched 4.1 scoreless innings in two games in the NLCS.
• 1975 - 7-2, 2.95 ERA, 5 saves in 46 games. Pitched 2/3 of an inning in game 3 of the NLCS, allowed two runs, and took the loss.
• In 1976 Hernandez started with the Pirates (2-2, 3 saves, 3.56 ERA in 37 games) and was sold to the Chicago Cubs on September 8. Teammate Richie Zisk was upset about the deal because it left the Pirates without a lefthander in the bullpen for the stretch run. Ramon pitched 1.2 scoreless innings for the Cubs in two games at the end of the 1976 season.
• Hernandez was with the Cubs for the first two months of the 1977 season and was 0-0 with an 8.22 ERA in six games. Ramon was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Bobby Darwin on May 28. Hernandez was 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in 12 games for the Red Sox and was released on August 20, 1977.
• After he left major league baseball Ramon continued to pitch in Puerto Rico for several years.
• Ramon passed away in Puerto Rico at the age of 68 on February 4, 2009 (article is in Spanish). Here is a blog article written about Hernandez after his death.

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1976 Topps #620 - Al Oliver

• This guy could hit. He wasn't known for his power, but he was usually in double figures in home runs,  hit .300 often, and could have been a Hall of Famer  if he would have had a better decline part of his career.
• Al Oliver was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1964. Oliver played in the minors from 1964-1968 and got a short look by the Pirates at the end of the 1968 season. Al went 1 for 8 (.125) in four games for the Pirates in '68.
• Oliver finished second to Ted Sizemore in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 1969. Al played first base for most of the 1969 season but also saw some action in the outfield that season. Oliver batted .285 with 17 HR and 70 RBI in 129 games in 1969.
• Al split time between first base and the outfield in 1970 and batted .270 with 12 HR and 83 RBI in 151 games in 1970. Oliver went 2 for 8 (.250) during the 1970 NLCS.
• Oliver was the starting center fielder for the Pirates for most of the 1971 season. Al batted .282 with 14 HR and 68 RBI during the regular season. Oliver went 3 for 12 (.250) in the NLCS and was 4 for 19 (.211) in the World Series. Al Oliver - Another Superstar for the Pirates? - April 1971 Baseball Digest
• Oliver made his first NL All Star team in 1972 (he went 0 for 1 in the game) and finished 7th in MVP voting. Al batted .312 with 12 HR and 89 RBI in the 1972 season.
• In 1973 Oliver batted .292 with 20 HR and 99 RBI.
•  Oliver spent about 2/3 of his time in center field and 1/3 of the time at first base in 1974. Al batted .321 with 11 HR and 85 RBI in 1974. Oliver went 2 for 14 (.143) during the 1974 NLCS.
• Oliver was on the NL All Star team again in 1975 (he doubled and scored a run) and batted .280 with 18 HR and 84 RBI. Oliver was 2 for 11 (.182) in the 1975 NLCS.
• Al batted .323 with 12 HR and 61 RBI in 121 games in 1976. He was in the 1976 All Star Game and went 0 for 1.
• The 1977 season was Al's last one in Pittsburgh. Oliver batted .308 with 19 HR and 82 RBI. After the 1977 season Al was sent to the Texas Rangers as part of the complicated four-team trade that brought Bert Blyleven to Pittsburgh.
• When he got to Texas Oliver switched his number to "0." I think he and Ken Burrough (#00) of the NFL Houston Oilers were the first guys I remember with that type of number. Al batted .324 with 14 HR and 89 RBI in his first year in the American League.
• Oliver batted .323 with 12 HR and 76 RBI in 1979. In 1980 Oliver led the AL with 163 games played. He batted .319 with 19 HR and 117 RBI and was an American League All Star. Oliver went 0 for 1 in the 1980 All Star Game.
• In the strike-shortened 1981 season Oliver batted .309 in 102 games. Al went 0 for 1 in the 1981 All Star Game.
• Before the 1982 season Al was traded to the Montreal Expos for Larry Parrish and Dave Hostetler.
• Oliver had a big year in 1982. He led the NL in batting average (.331), RBI (109), hits (204), and doubles (43). Al was 2 for 2 with a double in the 1982 All Star Game.
• Al had another good year in 1983, batting .300 with an NL-leading 38 doubles. He was an All Star for the last time in 1983 and was 1 for 2 with a walk and a double as the starting first baseman.
• Before the 1984 season Al was traded to the San Francisco Giants for Fred Breining, Max Venable, and Andy McGaffigan.
• Oliver played less than a full season with the Giants. He was batting .298 for the Giants when he was traded with Renie Martin to the Philadelphia Phillies on August 20 for Kelly Downs and George Riley. Oliver demanded the trade so that he would have a better chance at his pursuit of 3000 hits. Al batted .312 for the Phillies in the last six weeks of the 1984 season.
• Before the 1985 season Al was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Pat Zachry. Oliver batted .253 in 35 games for the Dodgers in 1985. On July 9 Oliver was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Len Matuszek. Al batted .251 in 61 games for the Blue Jays in 1985. Oliver went 3 for 8 (.375) in the 1985 NLCS.
• Al became a free agent after the 1985 season. Oliver wasn't signed by anyone (possibly due to collusion) and he retired.
• Al Oliver Deserved More Recognition in His Career - December 1992 Baseball Digest
• Al Oliver's official website. Oliver is now a motivational speaker.
• Liked to face: Don Carrithers (.611 in 18 AB); Frank Pastore (.542 in 24 AB); Randy Jones (.419 in 43 AB)
• Hated to face: Mark Thurmond (.000 in 11 AB); Tom House (.045 in 22 AB); Ross Baumgarten (.045 in 21 AB)

1976 Topps #596 - Rookie Infielders (Reynolds, Johnson, LeMaster, Manuel)

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• Craig Reynolds
• Drafted in the first round by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1971
• Played briefly for the Pirates in 1975 (.224 in 76 at bats) and in 1976 (1 for 4 in seven games)
• Went 0 for 1 in the 1975 NLCS
• Traded with Jimmy Sexton to the Seattle Mariners after the 1976 season for Grant Jackson
• Started at shortstop for the Mariners in 1977 (.248 in 135 games) and in 1978 (.292 in 148 games)
• Made the AL All Star team in 1978 but he didn't play in the game
• Traded to the Houston Astros after the 1978 season for Floyd Bannister
• Was an All Star for the NL in 1979 and went 0 for 2 in the game
• Batted .265 in 146 games in 1979 and led the NL with 34 sacrifice hits
• In 1980 Reynolds batted only .226 in 137 games
• Went 2 for 13 (.154) in four games in the 1980 NLCS
• Batted .260 in 87 games and led the NL with 12 triples in 1981
• Went 1 for 3 in two games in the 1981 NLDS.
• Had a stint on the disabled list in 1982 and lost his starting SS job to Dickie Thon
• Batted .254 in 54 games in 1982
• Backed up Thon at shortstop in 1983 and batted .214 in 98 at bats
• Regained his starting job in 1984 after Thon was beaned early in the season. Batted .260 in 146 games
• Batted .272 in 107 games in 1985
• Played in a utility role in 1986 and batted .249 in 114 games
• Went 4 for 12 (.333) in four games in the 1986 NLCS
• Was a starter for the last time in 1987 and batted .254 in 135 games
• Was a utility player for the last two years of his career and batted .255 in 78 games in 1988 and .201 in 101 games in 1989
• Retired after the 1989 season
• Craig and his wife now serve on the staff of Pro Athletes Outreach. Reynolds is currently the Preaching & Teaching Pastor at Second Baptist Church North Campus in Houston, TX.
• Lamar Johnson
• Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1968
• Played in the minors for eight seasons (1968-1975) and had a lifetime .302 batting average.
• Batted .336 with 20 HR in AAA Denver in 1975.
• First played in the majors in 1974 and batted .345 in ten games.
• Played in eight games in 1975 and batted .200 in 30 AB.
• Was a designated hitter and played some first base and left field during his career.
• 1976 -- batted .320 in 82 games
• 1977 -- Batted .302 with 18 HR in 118 games 
• Sang the national anthem before the game on June 19, 1977 and hit two home runs in the game, which were the only two White Sox hits of the day (Chicago won 2-1)
• 1978 -- Batted .273 with 8 HR and 72 RBI in 148 games.
• 1979 -- Batted .309 with 12 HR and 74 RBI in 133 games
• 1980 -- Batted .277 with 13 HR and 81 RBI
• 1981 -- slowed by injuries and the strike and batted .276 in 41 games
• Became a free agent after the 1981 season and signed with the Texas Rangers
• 1982 -- Batted .259 with 7 HR and 38 RBI in 105 games
• Didn't make the Texas ballclub in 1983 and was released at the end of spring training
• Played in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989 and 1990
• Coached for several teams in the 1990s and 2000s.
• Johnnie LeMaster
• Johnnie LeMaster was always a favorite of mine. It started one day in 1974 or 1975 when LeMaster was playing for the AAA Phoenix Giants. My dad took me to a game and Johnnie made an error. A drunk guy a few rows behind us yelled, "You *@^&#!! Do you have a hole in your glove?" I felt bad for Johnnie and he became my favorite player on the team
• Was the first pick (6th overall) of the San Francisco Giants in 1973
• Played in the minors from 1973-1977
• First came up at the end of the 1975 season after batting .292 in 143 games for Phoenix.
• Hit an inside-the-park home run in his first major league at bat.
• He split time at shortstop with Tim Foli (1977) and Roger Metzger (1978 and 1979) during the first few years of his career
• Became the Giants' starting shortstop in 1980 and held the job through the 1984 season
• Johnnie wasn't in there for his offense -- he batted above .250 only twice in his career and he had a lifetime .222 batting average
• He wasn't a huge glove man either -- Johnnie's fielding percentages were usually a few points below league average.
• LeMaster lost his starting job to Jose Uribe in 1985 and was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Scott Bailes on May 30, 1985
• Johnnie was cut loose by the Pirates at the end of spring training in 1986. He signed with the Montreal Expos in June and played for AAA Indianapolis for a couple of weeks before being released again.
• LeMaster signed with the Oakland A's in 1987 and was up and down between Oakland and AAA. He was released in the middle of the 1987 season, ending a 12-year career.
• LeMaster now lives in Paintsville, KY and is an elder in the Paintsville Church of Christ
• Here is a card tribute with all of Johnnie's Topps Giants cards.
• Jerry Manuel
• Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the first round in 1971
• Was a minor leaguer for most of his playing career (1971-1984)
• Went 1 for 18 (.056) in six games in 1975
• Batted .140 in 43 AB in 1976
• Traded to the Montreal Expos in 1980 for Duffy Dyer
• Went 0 for 6 in seven games for the Expos in 1980
• Batted .200 in 55 games in 1981
• Started at second base in the 1981 NLDS but was replaced for the NLCS by Rodney Scott after going 1 for 14 in the NLDS
• Traded to the San Diego Padres in May 1982 and batted .200 (1 for 5) in two games
• Traded back to Montreal in June 1982 and spent the rest of his playing career in the minors
• Coached and scouted in the minors from 1985-1989
• Started managing at AA in 1990 and managed in AAA in 1991
• Became the Montreal Expos' third base coach in 1991 and continued in that position through 1996
• Was the bench coach for the World Champion Florida Marlins in 1997
• Managed the Chicago White Sox from 1998-2003
• Was a first base coach and bench coach for the New York Mets from 2005-2008
• Managed the New York Mets from 2008-2010

1976 Topps #594 - Rookie Catchers and Outfielders (Merchant, Ott, Stillman, White)

• Andy Merchant
• Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1972
• Debuted in the majors at the end of the 1975 season
• Played in one game (September 28) after the Red Sox clinched the AL East and went 2 for 4.
• Appeared as a pinch hitter for the Red Sox twice in June 1976 and struck out both times. That was it for his major league career
• Played in AAA in the Red Sox organization from 1974-1979
• After his retirement from baseball he worked at Alabama Power as a line-clearing specialist from 1980-2000
• Andy's SABR biography
• Ed Ott
• Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1970
• Played in the minors from 1970-1975
• Had short stints with the Pirates in 1974 (0 for 5 in seven games) and in 1975 (1 for 5 in five games)
• Played in 27 games in 1976 and batted .308 in 39 at bats
• Split the catching duties with Duffy Dyer in 1977 --- batted .264 with 7 HR in 104 games
• Slammed Mets 2B Felix Milan to the ground during an altercation on August 18, 1977. Milan was hurt and the injury basically ended his career.
• Batted .269 with 9 HR in 112 games in 1978
• Was the regular catcher for the Pirates in 1979 and  batted .273 with 7 HR and 51 RBI in 117 games
• Played in three games in the 1979 NLCS and went 3 for 13 (.231)
• Batted .333 (4 for 12) in three games in the 1979 World Series
• Batted .260 with 8 HR and 41 RBI in 1980
• Traded with Mickey Mahler to the California Angels for Jason Thompson after the 1980 season
• Played in 75 games for the Angels in 1981 and batted .217
• Did not play in 1982
• Played in AAA in 1983 and retired after the season.
• Coached with the Houston Astros from 1989-1993
• Currently  manages the Sussex Skyhawks in the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball
• Ed Ott reminisces
• Royle Stillman
• Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1969
• Played in the Dodgers' organization from 1969-1971 and then was traded to the Baltimore Orioles as part of the Frank Robinson deal
• Played in AA in 1972 and then played all or parts of four seasons (1973-1976) for AAA Rochester
• Played in 13 games for the Orioles in 1975 and went 6 for 14 (.429)
• Played in 20 games in 1976 and went 2 for 22 (.091)
• Became a free agent after the 1976 season and signed with the Chicago White Sox
• Stayed with the White Sox for the entire 1977 season and batted .210 in 119 at bats
• Cut by the White Sox at the end of spring training in 1978
• Played for AAA Ogden and AAA Salt Lake City in the A's and Mariners organizations from 1978-1980
• Held out in 1974. Stillman was one of Rochester's better players but was thought of as enigmatic by some teammates and people around the club
• Jerry White
• Drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1970 at the age of 17
• Played in the minors from 1970-1974
• Was called up in September 1974 and went 4 for 10 in nine games
• Started the 1975 season in Montreal but was sent down to AAA in  late May
• Came back to the Expos in September and ended up batting .299 in 39 games
• Stayed in Montreal for the entire 1976 season and batted .245 in 114 games
• Batted .190 in 16 games for Montreal in 1977 (was in AAA for most of the season)
• Started the 1978 season in Montreal and was mostly used as a pinch runner (2 for 10 in 18 games)
• Traded to the Chicago Cubs on June 23 for Woodie Fryman
• Batted .272 in 59 games for the Cubs in 1978
• Traded back to Montreal after the 1978 season with Rodney Scott for Sam Mejias
• Batted .297 in 88 games for the Expos in 1979
• Played in 110 games and batted .262 with 7 HR in 1980
• Slumped to .218 in 59 games in 1981
• Went 3 for 18 (.167) in the 1981 NLDS
• Batted .313 (5 for 16) in the 1981 NLCS
• Batted .243 in 69 games in 1982
• Played in 40 games in 1983 and went 5 for 34 (.147). Also spent some time in AAA in 1983
• Became a free agent after the 1983 season but was unsigned.
• Played in Japan in 1984 and 1985
• Signed by the St. Louis Cardinals before the 1986 season
• Batted .125 (3 for 24) in 25 games in 1986 and was released on June 12
• Has worked for the Minnesota Twins in various capacities since 1987 (except for two years in the mid-1990s when he worked for the Detroit Tigers)
• Jerry has been the first base coach for the Twins since 1999.

1976 Topps #592 - Rookie Infielders (Randolph, McKay, Royster, Staiger)

• Willie Randolph
• Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1972
• Played in 30 games for the Pirates in 1975 (.164 in 61 AB)
• Was traded with Dock Ellis and Ken Brett to the New York Yankees after the 1975 season for Doc Medich
• Started at 2B for the Yankees from 1976-1988
• 1976: Batted .267 in 125 games
• 1977: Batted .274 in 147 games
• 1978: Batted .279 in 134 games
• Willie Randolph: A Most Unlikely Sort of Hero - January 1978 Baseball Digest
• 1979: batted .270 in 153 games
• 1980: batted .294 in 138 games
• Led the AL with 119 walks and won the Silver Slugger Award at 2B.
• Willie Randolph: On the Way to Greatness - September 1980 Baseball Digest
• 1981: Batted .232 in 93 games 
• 1982: Batted .280 in 144 games
• 1983: Batted .279 in 104 games
• Played only once between June 26 and August 5
• 1984: Batted .287 in 142 games
• 1985: Batted .276 in 143 games
• Was the Yankee team captain from 1986-1988
• 1986: Batted .276 in 141 games
• 1987: Batted .305 in 120 games
• 1988: batted .230 in 110 games
• Became a free agent after the 1988 season and signed with the LA Dodgers
• Had an all-star season in 1989 (.282 in 145 games) 
• The Game I'll Never Forget - October 1989 Baseball Digest
• Started the 1990 season with the Dodgers (.271 in 26 games) but was traded to the Oakland A's in May 1990 for Stan Javier
• Played for the A's in 1990 (.257 in 93 games), the Milwaukee Brewers in 1991 (.327 in 124 games), and the New York Mets (.252 in 90 games) in 1992.
• All Star appearances:
• 1976: did not get into game
• 1977: starting 2B, 1 for 5 with one RBI
• 1980: starting 2B, 2 for 4
• 1981: starting 2B, 1 for 3
• 1987: starting 2B, 0 for 1
• 1989: Played for the NL, 2B, 0 for 1
• Coached with the New York Yankees from 1993-2004
• Managed the New York Mets from 2005 until the middle of the 2008 season.
• Won the NL East in 2006
• Mets had one of the worst collapses in history in 2007. They had a 7-game lead in the NL East with 17 games to play but were overtaken by the Philadelphia Phillies.
• Liked to face: Greg Harris/Bill Krueger (.524 in 21 AB); Steve Trout (.406 in 32 AB)
• Hated to face: Mike Scott (.053 in 19 AB); Bill Swift (.095 in 21 AB); Nolan Ryan (.115 in 26 AB)
• Dave McKay
• Signed by the  Minnesota Twins in 1971
• Played in the minors from 1971-1975 
• Came up to Minnesota in August 1975 and batted .256 in 125 at bats
• Started the 1976 season with the Twins and batted .203 in 45 games
• Sent down to AAA in June and stayed there for the rest of the year
• Selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the expansion draft
• Batted .197 in 95 games as a utility infielder in 1977
• Started at 2B in 1978 and batted .238 in 145 games
• Started the 1979 season in Toronto and sent to AAA in mid-May
• Came back to the Blue Jays in September and ended up batting .218 in 47 games
• Released after the 1979 season
• Tried out for the A's in spring training in 1980 and  made the club
• Batted .244 in 123 games as a utility infielder in 1980
• Batted .263 in 79 games in 1981
• Batted .198 in 78 games in 1982
• Played in the minors in 1983 and retired after the season
• Coached for the Oakland A's (1984-1995) and for the St. Louis Cardinals (1996-present). 
• Was the first base coach for most of those seasons
• Co-wrote a book (Strength Training for Baseball) with Jose Canseco about proper weight training techniques.
• Jerry Royster
• Jerry was a versatile player who saw action at every position except P, C, and 1B during his major league career.
• Signed by the LA Dodgers in 1970
• Despite having seasons of .303, .275, and .333 in AAA Albuquerque from 1973-1975, Royster was unable to break into the Dodgers' lineup.
• Jerry batted .211 in ten games in 1973.
• Royster appeared in six games in 1974 but didn't bat. He scored two runs in pinch running appearances.
• In 1975 Jerry went 9 for 36 (.250) in 13 games for the Dodgers.
• Traded to the Atlanta Braves (with Jimmy Wynn, Lee Lacy, and Tom Paciorek) for Dusty Baker and Ed Goodson after the 1975 season.
• Became the Braves' starting third baseman in 1976. For the next several seasons played several different positions but managed to stay in the lineup most of the time.
• 1976: Batted .248 with 24 stolen bases in 149 games
• 1977:  Batted .216 with 28 stolen bases in 140 games
• 1978: Batted .259 with 27 stolen bases in 140 games
• 1979: Probably his best season -- batted .273 with 35 stolen bases and 103 runs scored in 154 games
• 1980: Batted .242 with 22 stolen bases in 123 games
• 1981: Batted .204 in 64 games but had only 93 at bats
• 1982: Batted .295 in 108 games (261 AB).
• Went 2 for 11 (.182) in NLCS
• 1983: Batted .235 in 91 games.
• 1984: Batted .207 in 81 games
• Became a free agent after the 1984 season and signed with the San Diego Padres
• 1985: Played five different positions and batted .281 in 90 games
• 1986: Batted .257 in 118 games
• Became a free agent and signed with the Chicago White Sox after the 1986 season.
• Batted .240 in 55 games for the White Sox in 1987
• Traded with a minor leaguer to the New York Yankees for Ken Patterson and a minor leaguer on August 29, 1987
• Batted .357 in 18 games for the Yankees to finish the 1987 season
• Released at the end of spring training in 1988. Signed with the Braves on May 17
• Batted .176 in 68 games in 1988 and retired after the season
• Coached and managed for various clubs in the minors after his retirement
• Coached under Davey Lopes in Milwaukee in 2002 and was named interim manager when Lopes was fired after 15 games. Jerry finished the season but was not brought back
• Has managed the Lotte Giants in South Korea since 2008.
• Liked to face: Pedro Borbon (.421 in 19 AB); Doug Rau (.400 in 20 AB)
• Hated to face: Nolan Ryan (.000 in 14 AB); Bill Gullickson/Bill Lee (.059 in 17 AB); 
• Roy Staiger
• First round pick of the New York Mets in 1970
• Played in the minors from 1970-1975.
• Went 3 for 19 (.158) in a brief September trial in 1975.
• Batted .220 in 304 at bats for the Mets in 1976.
• Started the 1977 season with the Mets but was sent to AAA Tidewater in mid-June. Came back in September and ended up batting .252 in 123 at bats for the Mets.
• Traded to the New York Yankees after the 1977 season for Sergio Ferrer.
• Spent the entire 1978 season in AAA Tacoma
• Played in AAA Columbus in 1979.
• Played in four games and went 4 for 13 (.273) for the Yankees at the end of the 1979 season.
• Played in Columbus in 1980 and retired after the season.

1976 Topps #563 - Larry Demery

• Larry Demery pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1974-1977. Demery was drafted by the Pirates in 1972 and pitched in their minor league system from 1972-1974.
• Larry was called up by the Pirates in June of 1974. Demery went 6-6 with a 4.25 ERA in 19 games (15 starts) for the Pirates in '74. Larry appeared in two games in the 1974 NLCS and allowed three runs (36.00 ERA) in one inning pitched.
• Demery was mostly a bullpen guy in 1975. Larry made 45 appearances (eight of them spot starts) and had a 7-5 record with four saves and a 2.90 ERA. Demery made one appearance in the 1975 NLCS and allowed four runs in two innings (18.00 ERA).
• Larry had another solid season in 1976. He was mostly a reliever (he made an occasional spot start) through July and then was put in the starting rotation for the last two months of the season. Demery appeared in 36 games, 15 of them starts, and was 10-7 with two saves and a 3.17 ERA.
• Demery had a tough year in 1977. Larry injured his arm and his career wasn't the same after the injury.  He went 6-5 with a 5.08 ERA in 39 appearances (8 starts). 
• Larry was waived by the Pirates during spring training in 1978. He was picked up by the Toronto Blue Jays but went back to Pittsburgh four days later because the Blue Jays had made a previous waiver selection. Demery pitched in the minors from 1978-1980 but was ineffective and never made it back to the majors. He hung up his spikes at the age of 27 in 1980.

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1976 Topps #528 - Dock Ellis

• Dock Ellis was a controversial and colorful pitcher who pitched from 1968-1979, mostly for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ellis was signed in 1964 and pitched in the minors from 1964-1968. Dock debuted for the Pirates on June 18, 1968 and was 6-5 with a 2.50 ERA in 26 games (10 starts).
• In 1969 Dock was 11-17 with a 3.58 ERA in 33 starts. He improved to 13-10, 3.21 in 1970 and pitched a no-hitter on June 12. Ellis later claimed that he was on LSD when he pitched the gem. He said that he mistakenly thought the Pirates had the day off and was "relaxing" at home when his girlfriend told him that he was supposed to pitch that day. Ellis made it to the park just in time to start the game. He walked eight batters and hit another one but he  managed to complete the game without allowing a hit. Dock took the loss in game 1 of the 1970 NLCS. The game was tied 0-0 after nine innings but Ellis allowed three runs in the top of the 10th inning. Ellis Credits His Tutors for Mound Improvement - April 1970 Baseball Digest.
• Ellis had an excellent year for the World Champion Pirates in 1971. He went 19-9 with a 3.06 ERA in 31 starts and finished fourth in NL Cy Young Award voting. Ellis started the 1971 All Star game and took the loss as he allowed a 2-run  homer to Frank Robinson and a towering 2-run home run to Reggie Jackson. Dock was the winning pitcher in game 2 of the NLCS but lasted only 2.1 innings in game 1 of the World Series. He allowed four runs and took the loss.
• Dock started only 25 games in 1972 and was 15-7 with a 2.70 ERA. Ellis started game 4 of the NLCS, allowed three unearned runs in five innings, and took the loss. On May 5, 1972 Ellis was maced by a Cincinnati Reds security guard who didn't believe that Ellis was a player for the Pirates.
• The Pirates struggled in 1973 after the death of Roberto Clemente and Dock's record reflected those struggles. Ellis started 28 games and had a 3.05 ERA, but his record dropped to 12-14. Dock Ellis: The Popoff Pitcher - December 1973 Baseball Digest.
• Ellis had another famous game on May 1, 1974. He wanted to prove a point because he felt that his teammates weren't playing hard enough. Dock decided to hit every Cincinnati batter that came to the plate. He hit Pete Rose, Joe  Morgan, and Dan Driessen with pitches to load the bases. Ellis tried to hit Tony Perez, but Perez managed to avoid the pitches and draw a walk. After throwing two pitches at Johnny Bench's head Ellis was removed from the game. Ellis finished the 1974 season with a record of 12-9 and had a 3.16 ERA. Dock was injured and didn't pitch again in 1974 after September 11.
• Dock had a couple of stints on the disabled list in 1975. He ended up 8-9 with a 3.79 ERA in 27 starts. Ellis pitched in two innings in game 1 of the 1975 NLCS and didn't allow a run. After the 1975 season Ellis was traded with Ken Brett and Willie Randolph for Doc Medich.
• Ellis had a good year for the Yankees in 1976. He went 17-8 with a 3.19 ERA in 32 starts. Ellis won the AL Comeback Player of the Year award in '76. Dock started and won game 3 of the ALCS. He started game 3 of the World Series but allowed four runs in 3.1 innings and took the loss.
• Dock pitched for three teams in 1977. He started with the Yankees (1-1, 1.83 ERA in three starts) and was traded with two other players to the Oakland A's for Mike Torrez on April 27. Ellis was 1-5 with a 9.69 ERA in seven starts for the A's before being sold to the Texas Rangers on June 15. Dock finished the year with the Rangers and pitched more like his normal self (10-6, 2.90 ERA in 22 starts).
• Ellis was with the Rangers for the entire 1978 season but pitched only four times after July 18. He went 4-12 with a 5.84 ERA in 30 games (24 starts).
• Dock traveled a lot again in 1979. He started with the Rangers (1-5, 5.98 ERA in nine starts) and was traded to the New York Mets on June 15 for two players. Ellis was 3-7 with a 6.04 ERA in 14 starts for the Mets and was sold to the Pirates on September 21. Dock pitched in three games for the Pirates at the end of the 1979 season and had a 2.57 ERA in seven innings. Ellis retired after the 1979 season.
• After his playing career Dock became a drug counselor in Victorville, California.
• Ellis co-wrote Dock Ellis in the Country of Baseball in 1976.
• In 2007 Dock was diagnosed with cirrhosis of  the liver and was on the waiting list for a liver transplant. Ellis died of liver disease on December 19, 2008. Dock Ellis in the Country of Baseball - December 24, 2008 Sports Illustrated.
• Liked to face: Mike Jorgensen (.000 in 32 AB); Bob Bailey (.000 in 20 AB); Tom Hutton (.050 in 20 AB)
• Hated to face: Graig Nettles (.727 with 3 HR in 11 AB); Dusty Baker (.600 in 15 AB); Larry Parrish (.476 in 21 AB)

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1976 Topps #504 - Pittsburgh Pirates

• Danny Murtaugh managed the Pittsburgh Pirates four different times. He managed the club from 1957-1964 before stepping down for health reasons. Danny took a  job in the Pittsburgh front office and then  came back to manage the Pirates at the end of the 1967 season after they fired Harry Walker. Murtaugh went back to the front office and then came back to  manage the team from 1970-1971. He then returned to manage the club in September 1973 after the firing of Bill Virdon. Murtaugh managed the Pirates through the 1976 season before retiring. Danny died of a stroke two months after his retirement. The Pirates won World Championships in 1960 and 1971 and NL East titles in 1970, 1974, and 1975.
• The Pirates had good ballclubs throughout the 1970s. The "Lumber Company" was a fun team to watch.
• Record: 92-70 (2nd in NL East, 9 games behind Philadelphia)
• Attendance: 1,025,975 (8th of 12 in NL)
• Team Batting - .267, 3rd in NL
• Team HR - 110, 2nd in NL
• Team ERA - 3.36, 4th in NL
• Team Fielding - .975, 9th in NL
• Batting Leader: Al Oliver (.323)
• HR Leader: Richie Zisk/Bill Robinson (21)
• RBI Leader: Dave Parker (90)
• Stolen Base Leader: Frank Taveras (58)
• Wins Leader: John Candelaria (16)
• Losses Leader: Doc Medich (11)
• ERA Leader (starters): Bruce Kison (3.08)
• ERA Leader (relievers): Kent Tekulve (2.45)
• Saves Leader: Bob Moose (10)
• League Leaders: none
• NL All Stars: Al Oliver (OF)

1976 Topps #476 - Bob Moose

• Bob Moose was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1965. He pitched in the minors from 1965-1967. Bob started two games late in 1967 and was 1-0 with a 3.68 ERA.
• Moose started the 1968 season as a reliever and joined the Pittsburgh starting rotation in early June. Bob pitched in 38 games (22 starts) and was 8-12 with three saves and a 2.74 ERA. In 1969 Bob led the NL with a .824 winning percentage. He was 14-3 with four saves and a 2.91 ERA in 44 games (19 starts). Moose pitched a no-hitter against the New York Mets on September 20, 1969.
• Moose was a full-time starter in 1970 and was 11-10 with a 3.99 ERA in 27 starts. Bob started and lost game 3 of the 1970 NLCS (he allowed three runs in 7.2 innings).
• Bob returned to a swingman role in 1971. He pitched in 44 games (19 starts) and was 11-7 with one save and a 4.11 ERA. Moose pitched two scoreless innings in the 1971 NLCS and had a 6.52 ERA in 3 games (1 start) in the 1971 World Series.
• Moose was back in the rotation in 1972 and was 13-10 with a 2.91 ERA in 30 starts. He started game 2 of the NLCS but didn't get out of the first inning as the Reds scored four runs. In the deciding game 5 Moose entered the game in the ninth inning with the score tied. George Foster made his way to third base and with two out scored on Moose's wild pitch.
• In 1973 Bob was 12-13 with a 3.53 ERA in 29 starts. Moose missed most of the 1974 season with an injury. Moose had surgery for a blood clot problem and had to have a rib removed in order to free the vein causing the problem. He started six games (1-5, 7.57 ERA) and then didn't pitch after May 23.
• Bob came back in 1975 but had a rough start, a thumb injury, and spent some time in the minors in August. Moose ended up 2-2 with a 3.78 ERA in 23 games (5 starts) for the Pirates. His ERA was 5.88 before he went to the minors.
• Moose was mostly a reliever in 1976. He was 3-9 with 10 saves and a 3.68 ERA in 53 games (2 starts).
• Bob's career (and life) was cut short by an automobile accident. He was killed on October 9, 1976 (his 29th birthday) while on his way to Bill Mazeroski's golf course near Martin's Ferry, Ohio. 
• Memories of Moose - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - April 27, 2007
• Liked to face: Mike Jorgensen (.043 in 23 AB); Bill Robinson/Julian Javier (.056 in 18 AB)
• Hated to face: Willie McCovey (.545 with 7 HR in 33 AB); Bob Boone (.526 in 19 AB); Garry Maddox (.472 in 36 AB)

1976 Topps #449 - Bob Robertson

• Bob Robertson played in the majors from 1967-1979, mostly for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Robertson was signed by the Pirates in 1964. When he was coming up in the Pirates’ system Bob was called “the next Ralph Kiner” due to his power – he led the minor leagues in home runs three times.

• Bob got his first chance in the majors in September 1967. He batted .171 with 2 HR in 35 at bats. Robertson missed the entire 1968 season because of a kidney obstruction.

• Bob started the 1969 season with the Pirates but was sent down in mid-May after batting .179. Robertson came back to the Pirates in September and ended up batting .208 in 96 at bats.

• Robertson was given more regular playing time (mostly at first base) in 1970. He batted .287 with 27 HR and 82 RBI. Bob went 1 for 5 in two games in the 1970 NLCS.

• Bob’s biggest year was 1971. During the regular season he batted .271 with 26 HR and 72 RBI. Robertson batted .438 and hit four home runs in the 1971 NLCS against the San Francisco Giants. Three of the home runs were in game 2 of the series. The Pirates were down 2 games to 0 in the World Series when Bob hit a 3-run homer to lead the Pirates to a 5-1 victory. Robertson had been ordered to bunt, but he missed the sign. Bob batted .240 with 2 home runs in the World Series. Bob Robertson - The Pirates' Grumpy Hero - December 1971 Baseball Digest. The Bunt That Never Happened - Baseball Digest January 1972

• Robertson fell off badly after the 1971 season. In 1972 he batted .193 with 12 HR and 41 RBI in 115 games. He walked in his only plate appearance in the 1972 NLCS. Bob batted .239 with 14 HR and 40 RBI in 119 games in 1973. Roberson batted .229 with 16 HR and 48 RBI in 91 games in 1974. He went 0 for 5 in one game in the 1974 NLCS. Bob had surgery on both knees after the 1974 season and he became a part-time player after that.

• Bob batted .274 with 6 HR in 124 at bats in 1975. He went 1 for 2 with a walk in three pinch-hitting appearances in the 1975 NLCS. Robertson batted .217 with 2 HR in 129 at bats in 1976. The Pirates released Robertson during spring training in 1977.

• After missing the entire 1977 season Bob signed with the Seattle Mariners. He batted .230 with 8 HR in 64 games for the Mariners in 1978. The Mariners released Robertson before the 1979 season. Bob was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays in late April. He batted .103 in 29 at bats and was released in late June.
• Robertson now lives in LaVale, MD and is employed by Bayliner (a boat company)

• Liked to face: Denny LeMaster (.429 with 3 HR in 7 AB); Mike Marshall (.391 in 23 AB); Milt Pappas (.385 with 4 HR in 26 AB)

• Hated to face: Steve Stone (.000 in 14 AB); Rick Reuschel (.056 in 18 AB); Burt Hooton/Al Downing (.095 in 21 AB)

1976 Topps #425 - Rennie Stennett

• Rennie Stennett played in the majors from 1971-1981. I remember when the Giants signed him before the 1980 season how he was supposed to be a great second baseman, but injuries slowed him down and he only played two years for the Giants.
• Stennett was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1969. He played in the minors from 1969-1971 and was brought up in July of 1971 after batting .344 at AAA Charleston. Rennie batted .353 in 50 games but wasn't on the postseason roster.  
• Rennie played 2B, SS, and all three OF positions in 1972 and batted .286 in 109 games. He batted .286 in five games in the Pirates' loss to the Cincinnati Reds in the NLCS. Stennett, like several other Pirates, struggled in 1973 after the death of Roberto Clemente. He batted .242 in 128 games as a utiltyman.
• Stennett was given the starting second base job in 1974 (he beat out Dave Cash and Willie Randolph). Rennie batted .291 during the regular season and .063 against the LA Dodgers in the 1974 NLCS.
• Rennie batted .286 in 148 games in 1975. He had one great game on September 16 when he went 7 for 7 in a nine-inning game. He is the only 20th (or 21st) century player to accomplish the feat. Stennett batted .214 in the 1975 NLCS. Stennett batted .257 in 157 games in 1976.
• Rennie had his best season in 1977. He batted .336 and would have been eligible for the batting title if he would have had 12 more plate appearances. Teammate Dave Parker won the title with a .338 batting average. Rennie broke his right ankle on August 21 and missed the rest of the season. The injury hampered Stennett for the rest of his career.
• Stennett came back in 1978 but wasn't the same player. He batted .243 in 106 games. Down & out - Pennant race is passing Rennie Stennett by - Beaver County Times September 3, 1978. He was the starting second baseman for the Pirates in 1979 but he didn't start many games after July. Rennie batted .238 in 108 games. In the postseason he made one defensive appearance in the NLCS and singled in his only at bat in the World Series.
• After the 1979 season Stennett left the Pirates and signed with the Giants (5 years, $3 million). He batted .244 in 120 games in 1980. In 1981 Rennie played in only 38 games (only five after the strike) and batted .230 in 87 at bats. The Giants acquired Joe Morgan before the 1982 season and Stennett was released during spring training. He played for a while with Montrealss AAA Wichita club and batted .309 in 55 games but he didn't make it back to the majors.
• After his playing career Rennie went back to his home in Florida and worked for a sports management firm. Stennett wonders why, not what if - The Pittsburgh Press June 23, 1986. On the Pirates: Stennett Reflects on Sweet Seven - Pittsburgh Post Gazette May 31, 2009.
• Liked to face: Dan Spillner (.579 in 19 AB); Bob Shirley (.556 in 18 AB); Elias Sosa (.455 in 22 AB)
• Hated to face: Max Leon (.000 in 14 AB); Bob Gibson (.069 in 29 AB); Ron Reed (.091 in 44 AB)

1976 Topps #401 - Ken Brett

• Ken Brett pitched for ten teams from 1967-1981. He is one of four brothers to play pro baseball -- the most famous one is obviously his younger brother George. Ken was drafted in the first round (4th overall pick) by the Boston Red Sox in 1966. He was brought up in September 1967 and allowed one run in two innings in his only outing. An injury to Sparky Lyle allowed Ken to be part of the World Series roster for the Red Sox. Brett pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings in two games and is still the youngest pitcher ever to appear in a World Series.

• Brett missed spring training and the first part of the 1968 season while serving in the Army Reserve. Ken was left in his first game back for nine innings and developed arm trouble which limited his effectiveness. He pitched in nine games in AAA in '68.

• Ken started the 1969 season with the Red Sox but was sent to AAA after getting hammered (12.91 ERA) in three starts. He came back in September and pitched in five games, including 9.1 innings of shutout ball against the Yankees on September 24. In 1970 Brett was a swingman. He appeared in 41 games (14 of those were starts) and was 8-9 with two saves and a 4.07 ERA.

• Ken had a few 2-3 week periods in which he didn't pitch in 1971. He ended up 0-3 with 1 save and a 5.34 ERA in 29 games (2 starts) in '71. After the 1971 season Brett was included in a big trade in which he was traded by the Red Sox with Billy Conigliaro, Joe Lahoud, Jim Lonborg, Don Pavletich and George Scott to the Milwaukee Brewers for Pat Skrable (minors), Tommy Harper, Lew Krausse and Marty Pattin.

• In 1972 Brett was mostly a starter for the Brewers. He went 7-12 with a 4.53 ERA. After the 1972 season Ken was traded by the Brewers with Jim Lonborg, Ken Sanders and Earl Stephenson to the Philadelphia Phillies for Bill Champion, Don Money and John Vukovich.

• Ken had a good year for the Phillies in 1973. He was 13-9 with a 3.44 ERA in 25 starts. He had a couple of highlights during the 1973 season. As it says on the back of his card, Ken homered in four straight starts. He also gave up Hank Aaron's 700th home run on July 21.  "I won the game, so it didn't matter that much to me," Brett said. "Aaron gave me an autographed picture the next day, and I stood there and tore it up in mock anger. I always took the game seriously, but I also had a good time playing it." But Ken was traded yet again after the '73 season. He went to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Dave Cash.

• Brett's best season was probably the 1974 season. He was the only representative for the Pirates to the 1974 All Star Game, which is hard to believe considering they won their division that year and had a lot of great players on their club. Ken pitched the 4th and 5th innings without giving up any runs and ended up earning the win. Brett was 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA for the Pirates in '74. Ken also batted .310 during the season, which was higher than six of the eight starting Pirate position players. He pitched 2.1 innings in the NLCS and allowed two runs for a 7.71 ERA.

• Ken missed a month (late May - late June) of the 1975 season and ended up pitching in only 23 games (16 starts). He went 9-5 with a 3.36 ERA. After the 1975 season Brett was traded to the New York Yankees with Willie Randolph and Dock Ellis for Doc Medich. Ken pitched in only two games for the Yankees before being traded with Rich Coggins to the Chicago White Sox for Carlos May. Ken started 26 games for the White Sox and went 10-12 with a 3.32 ERA.

 

• In 1977 Brett started with the White Sox and went 6-4 with a 5.01 ERA in 13 starts. On June 15 he was traded to the California Angels for John Flannery, Don Kirkwood, and John Verhoeven. Ken went 7-10 with a 4.25 ERA in 21 starts for the Angels to finish the 1977 season.

 

• Brett was a swingman for the Angels in 1978. He pitched in 31 games (10 starts) and went 3-5 with 1 save and a 4.95 ERA. Ken was released at the end of spring training in 1979. On April 30 the Minnesota Twins signed Brett. Ken had a 4.97 ERA in nine games when he was released on June 4. The injury-riddled Los Angeles Dodgers signed Brett on June 11. He pitched in 30 games for the Dodgers and went 4-3 with two saves and a 3.45 ERA.

 

• The Dodgers cut Brett during spring training in 1980. The Kansas City Royals signed him on August 11. After pitching a few games for AAA Omaha, Ken came up to the Royals and joined his brother George. "I'll never forget the first time he came on in relief for the Royals," George recalled. "The bullpen was out in right field and they opened up the gate, and he came running in like an airplane -- arms spread out like wings, banking left, banking right, banking left and banking right. I'm on the mound with Jim Frey, our manager, and Jamie Quirk, who I'd played with for years and was Ken's dear friend. And I looked at Jamie and he looked at me, and I said, 'Now I know why he's been traded 10 times.' " Ken pitched in eight games, earned one save, and didn't give up a run in 13.1 innings. In 1981 Brett pitched in 22 games and was 2-2 with one save and a 4.18 ERA. The Royals released Ken after the season and he retired.

 

• Ken found humor in all of the moves he made while playing. He did a Miller Lite commercial in which he couldn't remember which town he was in. He finally said at the end, "Utica?" The ad led to a managerial job at Utica in 1985. He then did some broadcasting for the Seattle Mariners (1986) and the Angels (1987-1994). After his time as a broadcaster Ken did some college coaching and was the co-owner of minor league hockey and baseball teams. He also owned a sporting goods company with his brothers in Spokane, WA. Ken Brett died of complications from brain cancer in 2003.

 

• Liked to face: Jim Wynn (.000 in 12 AB); Bake McBride (.053 in 19 AB); Darrell Evans (.091 in 22 AB)
• Hated to face: Hal McRae (.611 with 4 HR in 18 AB); Carmen Fazone (.500 in 18 AB); Al Cowens (.438 in 16 AB)

1976 Topps #376 - Rich Hebner

• 
  
  Richie Hebner had a solid career from 1968-1985. Hebner was the Pittsburgh Pirates' first round pick in 1966. He played in the minors from 1966-1968 and was brought up at the end of the 1968 season (he was 0 for 1 in 2 games).

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  Hebner became the starting 3B for the Pirates in 1969 and batted .301 with 8 HR and 47 RBI. Richie Hebner: New Favorite at Forbes Field - July 1969 Baseball Digest. In 1970 Richie batted .290 with 11 HR and 46 RBI. He batted .667 (4 for 6) in the 1970 NLCS. Hebner Doesn't Want to Think about the Sophomore Jinx - July 1970 Baseball Digest

• 
  
  Richie batted .271 with 17 HR and 67 RBI in 117 games in 1971. He batted .294 with 2 HR in the 1971 NLCS and .188 in the World Series. Hebner's bese season was probably 1972. He batted .300 with 19 HR and 72 RBI and had a career-high .508 slugging percentage. Richie batted .188 in the 1972 NLCS.

• 
  
  Hebner had another solid season in 1973. He had career-highs in HR (25) and doubles (28) and batted .271 with 74 RBI. In 1974 he batted .291 with 18 HR and 68 RBI. In the 1974 NLCS Richie batted .231 with a home run.

• 
  
  Richie's production started to fall off in 1975. He batted .246 with 15 HR and 57 RBI. He batted .333 in the 1975 NLCS. Hebner's last year with the Pirates was 1976. He batted .249 with 8 HR and 51 RBI in '76. Hebner became a free agent after the 1976 season and signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.

• 
  
  The Phillies already had Mike Schmidt at third base so Richie played most of his games at first base. He batted .285 with 18 HR and 62 RBI in 1977 and batted .357 in the NLCS. In 1978 Hebner batted .283 with 17 HR and 71 RBI.

• 
  
  The Phillies signed Pete Rose before the 1979 season, so they traded Hebner to the New York Mets with Jose Moreno for Nino Espinosa. He moved back to third base and batted .268 with 10 HR and 79 RBI. It was the first time Richie played for a losing team. He had a nice playoff run in the 1970s -- his teams were in the playoffs 7 times in the decade and two other times (1973 and 1976) his teams finished second in the division.

• 
  
  After the 1979 season Richie was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Phil Mankowski and Jerry Morales. He played 3B and 1B in 1980. He batted .290 with 12 HR and a career-high 82 RBI. In 1981 Hebner dropped to .226 with 5 HR and 28 RBI in 78 games.

• 
  
  Hebner played in 68 games for the Tigers in 1982 and batted .274 with 8 HR and 18 RBI. On August 16 he was purchased by the Pirates. Richie played in 25 games for the Pirates and batted .300 with 2 HR and 12 RBI.

• 
  
  At this point in his career Richie was a part-time player and pinch hitter. He batted .265 with 5 HR in 162 AB for the Pirates in 1983. Hebner became a free agent after the 1983 season and signed with the Chicago Cubs. He was a valuable pinch hitter for the Cubs in 1984, batting .333 in 81 at bats. Hebner was 0 for 1 in the 1984 NLCS.

• 
  
  Richie's last season was 1985. He batted .217 in 120 at bats. Hebner was released during spring training in 1986.

• 
  
  After his playing career Richie was a hitting coach and occasional manager in the minors. He was the hitting coach for a few years in the majors (Boston 1989-1991, Philadelphia 2001). Hebner is now the hitting coach for the Norfolk Tides (Baltimore organization).

• 
  
  Richie dug graves in the offseason for his family's grave-digging business. Now he drives a hearse (thanks James at Sports Locker).

• 
  
  Players Who Left the Game on Their Own Terms: Richie Hebner - October 2004 Baseball Digest

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  Richie Hebner quote: "Hitting Phil Niekro's knuckleball is like eating soup with a fork."

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  Liked to face:  Rick Reuschel (.422 in 83 AB); Dave Freisleben (.480 in 25 AB); Bob Gibson (.387 in 62 AB)
• 
  
  Hated to face: Mario Soto (.000 in 14 AB); Craig Swan (.048 in 21 AB); Randy Jones (.107 in 28 AB)