1976 Topps #4 - Dave Lopes Record Breaker

This one is out of order since I just now acquired the card thanks to Johngy. :)

Dave Lopes had a nice stolen base streak for about 2 1/2 months in 1975. If this picture was taken during the streak, it would have been on August 8, 9 or 10, 1975.

Vince Coleman has the record now -- he stole 50 bases in a row from 9/18/1988 to 7/26/1989. Ichiro almost broke the record in 2007, but he fell short when he was caught stealing on May 17. He had 45 in a row at that point.

1976 Topps #72 - Hal McRae

He looks like he's having a good time!

Hal McRae was a s0-s0 outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds, but his career took off after he was traded to the Kansas City Royals before the 1973 season. He became one of the best designated hitters of all time. Here is a 1982 Sports Illustrated article about Hal's prowess as a DH.

Hal made three All Star teams (1975, 1976, 1982) and got a World Series ring with the Royals in 1985. He had a lifetime .290 average in a 19-year career with the Reds and Royals.

George Brett beat out Hal for the 1976 batting title by going 2 for 4 in the last game of the season. Brett's average was less than .001 higher than McRae's average. Here is a Sports Illustrated article about that race (written before the season was over).

After his playing days, Hal managed the Royals from 1991 to 1994 and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2001 and 2002. McRae is now the hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Here is a memorable tirade Hal had with some reporters in 1993. (one of these days I'll learn how to insert videos into blog entries)

Thanks Johngy!!!

Johngy looked at my 1976 want list and filled a HUGE portion of it. He sent me 34 cards, which means I'm down to eight cards to complete the set! I still lack:

• Thurman Munson
• Billy Williams
• Reggie Jackson
• Lefty Grove
• Mickey Cochrane
• Babe Ruth
• AL ERA Leaders
• Dave Concepcion

Thanks again and I'll be on the lookout to help someone else with a wantlist as soon as I get my hobby room back. We're doing a remodel and I'm out of the hobby room for a couple of weeks. :)

1976 Topps #71 - Steve Rogers

Steve Rogers spent his entire career (1973-1985) with the Montreal Expos. He never won 20 games, but usually had victory totals in the upper teens. Lifetime he was 158-152 with an ERA of 3.17. Steve was a five-time All Star (1974, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983). Steve was used in relief in game 5 of the divisional series after starting a game two days earlier. He gave up the winning home run to Rick Monday in the 9th inning.

Dick Williams, who managed the Expos for 4 1/2 years (1977-1981) didn't have many kind words to say about Rogers. Steve pitched a lot of innings before bone chips were found in his elbow which required surgery in 1978. He had some good years after the surgery. His best year was in 1982 when he won 19 games and led the league with a 2.40 ERA.

Steve didn't get a single vote when his name came up for Hall of Fame consideration in 1991. Here is an article about that. Steve now works as a special assistant to Donald Fehr in the MLBPA. Here is a recent article about his take on the steroids thing.

1976 Topps #70 - Roy and Roy Smalley (Father & Son)

In this day and age, I think it would very improbable to have a college baseball team be as dominant as USC was in the early '70s. There are teams that are right up there every year, but winning three straight national championships would be extremely difficult.

If Topps were to do a "Father & Son" series today, how many players would be included?

1976 Topps #69 - Jim & Mike Hegan (Father & Son)

Imagine being a kid and having those guys come over to the house for the afternoon!

If there were a Hall of Fame for defensive players, Jim Hegan would be one of the first players enshrined.

1976 Topps #68 - Joe & Joe Coleman (Father & Son)

Great advice from Joe Coleman Sr. -- don't worry about curves until later.