1976 Topps #411 - Bill Singer

• Bill Singer was toward the end of his career in 1976. He pitched in the majors from 1964-1977. Singer was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1961. Bill pitched in the minors for five years (1962-1966) and had brief major league stints in 1964 (0-1, 3.21 ERA in 2 starts), 1965 (1 inning in 2 games) and 1966 (4 innings in 3 games).

• Singer was in the majors to stay in 1967. There was no way he could possibly fill Sandy Koufax's shoes, but he had a good season. Bill was 12-8 with an ERA of 2.64 in 29 starts and also gave up the fewest (0.2) home runs per nine innings. The Singer Throwing Machine - June 1967 Baseball Digest. In 1968 Singer was 12-17 with a 2.88 ERA in 36 starts. Bill led the league with 8.0 strikeouts per nine innings.

• Bill made the NL All Star team in 1969 and pitched two perfect innings. Singer went 20-12 with a 2.34 ERA in 40 starts. Singer was ill in 1970 and missed a total of 3 1/2 months of the season. He started three games in April and then didn't come back until late June. He also didn't pitch after mid-August. Bill pitched a no-hitter against the Phillies on July 20. Singer ended up 8-5 with a 3.13 ERA in 16 starts.

• Singer struggled in his last two seasons as a Dodger. In 1971 he went 10-17 with a 4.16 ERA in 31 starts. Bill was 6-16 with a 3.67 ERA in 25 starts in 1972. After the 1972 season he was traded by the Dodgers with Billy Grabarkewitz, Frank Robinson, Mike Strahler and Bobby Valentine to the California Angels for Ken McMullen and Andy Messersmith.

• Bill bounced back in 1973 to make the AL All Star team. He gave up three runs in two innings, including back-to-back home runs to Bobby Bonds and Johnny Bench. Singer went 20-14 with a 3.22 ERA in 40 starts in '73.

• Singer was hurt in 1974 and didn't pitch after June 4. He ended up 7-4 with a 2.98 ERA in 14 starts. In 1975 Bill went 7-15 with a 4.98 ERA in 27 starts. Bill was traded to the Texas Rangers after the 1975 season for Jim Spencer and $100,000.

• Bill had a good start in the 1976 season. He was 4-1 with a 3.48 ERA in 10 starts when he was part of a big trade with the Minnesota Twins that sent Bert Blyleven to the Rangers. Singer started 26 times for the Twins and went 9-9 with a 3.77 ERA. After the 1976 season Bill was picked by the Toronto Blue Jays in the expansion draft.

• Singer started the first game ever for the Blue Jays in 1977. The Blue Jays won the game but Bill didn't go five innings so he didn't get the decision. Singer struggled with the Blue Jays and missed a lot of time due to injury. He started 11 games and then missed six weeks from early June to mid July. Bill pitched in two more games and then shut it down for the season. Singer went 2-8 with a 6.79 ERA in 1977. Singer tried to come back but was unable to do so and Toronto released him after the 1978 season.

• After his playing career Bill was a scout and consultant for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Florida Marlins, and the Dodgers. Singer took a job as a special assistant with the New York Mets in 2003 but was fired after two weeks after making racially inappropriate remarks to Dodgers assistant general manager Kim Ng. Bill apologized and blamed the Atkins diet and being drunk, but it didn't save his job. He later became a scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks (2005) and now coordinates scouting operations in Asia for the Washington Nationals.
• Liked to face: Jerry Terrell (.000 in 16 AB); Jim Holt (.000 in 15 AB); Frank White/Roger Metzger/Dick Dietz (.050 in 20 AB)
• Hated to face: Fred Lynn (.571 in 21 AB); Rod Carew (.500 in 24 AB); Roberto Clemente (.448 in 29 AB)

1976 Topps #410 - Ralph Garr

• Ralph "Roadrunner" Garr played in the majors from 1968-1980. Garr was known for his great speed and ability to hit the ball to all fields. He didn't walk very often, but he didn't strike out much either. Ralph attended Grambling State University and was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1967. He had a hard time cracking the Braves starting outfield despite having some good years in the minors. Ralph batted .386 for AAA Richmond in 1970, which is still the highest batting average in the league since 1938.

• Garr had short stints with the Braves in 1968 (2 for 7), 1969 (6 for 27), and 1970 (.281 in 96 at bats). Ralph got his chance in 1971 when left fielder Rico Carty broke his leg. Garr was batting .400 as late as May 20 and batted .343 for the season. He scored 101 runs and stole 30 bases. Two Beeps, A Cloud of Dust -- Sports Illustrated May 10, 1971. Sport: Beep Beep! - Time Magazine July 5, 1971. Ralph Garr Didn't Know When He Was Well Off - Florence Times - Tri City Daily June 8, 1971.

• Ralph didn't do quite as well in 1972 but still batted .325 and hit a career-high 12 home runs. Ralph Garr: The Braves' Budding Superstar - February 1973 Baseball Digest. In 1973 Garr got 200 hits and stole a career-high 35 bases, but his average dipped to .299.

• Garr had his best season in 1974. He led the NL in batting (.353), hits (214), and triples (17). Ralph made the 1974 NL All Star team and was 0 for 3 in the game. Ralph Garr: The Batter Without A Strike Zone - November 1974 Baseball Digest.

• In 1975 Ralph's average dropped to .278. He led the NL in triples (11) and intentional walks (17). The lack of protection behind him was probably part of the problem with his production in 1975. After the season Garr was traded with Larvell Blanks to the Chicago White Sox for Dick Ruthven, Ken Henderson, and Ozzie Osborn.

• Garr batted .300 in 1976 and again in 1977. He dropped to .275 in 118 games in 1978. Ralph spent most of the 1979 season with the White Sox (.280 in 102 games) and was sold to the California Angels for the stretch drive on September 20. Garr batted .125 in six games with the Angels and wasn't eligible to play in the post season. Ralph didn't get to play much for the Angels in 1980. Garr was batting .190 in 21 games when he was released on June 6. That was it for Ralph's playing career.

• Here is a short biography of Ralph. Here is another one. After his playing career Ralph was a first base coach for Atlanta's AAA Richmond ballclub and helped his grandfather run a pastry shop in the offseason. The Roadrunner Ralph Garr Is Back In Baseball As A Coach And Scout - Sun Sentinel May 29, 1985. He is now an area scout for the Atlanta Braves.

• Liked to face: Milt Pappas (.500 in 30 AB); Jerry Reuss (.465 in 43 AB); Don Sutton (.426 in 61 AB)
• Hated to face: Jim Colborn (.091 in 22 AB); Alan Foster (.136 in 22 AB); Nelson Briles (.139 in 36 AB)

1976 Topps #409 - Dave Lemanczyk

• Dave Lemanczyk pitched in the majors from 1973-1980. Lemanczyk was a star baseball and basketball player at Syracuse University and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1972. The highlight of his minor league career was an 88 pitch no-hitter on August 8, 1973 against Asheville. Dave had a quick look in 1973 and allowed three runs in 2.1 innings in his only appearance.

• Dave started the 1974 season with AAA Evansville and was called up by the Tigers in late May. He appeared in 22 games (3 starts) and was 2-1 with a 4.00 ERA. In 1975 Lemanczyk had a similar role and was 2-7 with a 4.46 ERA in 26 games (6 starts). Dave went 4-6 with a 5.09 ERA in 20 games (10 starts) in 1976. After the 1976 season Lemanczyk was picked by the Toronto Blue Jays in the expansion draft.

• Lemanczyk became the #1 starter for the expansion Blue Jays in 1977 and went 13-16 with a 4.25 ERA in 34 starts. Dave had a big fall-off in 1978 and went 4-14 with a 6.26 ERA. He bounced back in 1979 and made the AL All Star team (he didn't get into the game). On April 24, 1979 Dave threw the Blue Jays' first one-hitter. Dave was 8-10 with a 3.71 ERA in 20 starts, but he only pitched once after August 5.

• Dave's last season was 1980. He appeared in 10 games (8 starts) for the Blue Jays and was 2-5 with a 5.40 ERA. On June 3 Lemanzcyk was traded to the California Angels for Ken Schrom. He went 2-4 with a 4.32 ERA in 21 games (2 starts) for the Angels to finish the season. Dave was released after the 1980 season and retired.

• After his playing career Lemanczyk became an agent. He now operates a baseball school for young players in Lynbrook, New York. He was inducted to the Syracuse Chiefs Wall of Fame in 2005.

• Liked to face: Rico Carty (.100 in 20 AB); Bob Stinson (.111 in 18 AB); Graig Nettles (.118 in 24 AB)
• Hated to face: Robin Yount (.526 in 38 AB); Butch Hobson (.458 in 24 AB); Rick Manning (.424 in 33 AB)

1976 Topps #408 - Charlie Spikes

• Charlie Spikes is a great name for a ballplayer. Charlie Spikes was drafted in the first round by the New York Yankees in 1969. Spikes played in the minors from 1969-1972. He had a great year in AA in 1972 -- Charlie batted .309 with 26 HR and 23 stolen bases. Charlie was brought up to the Yankees at the end of the 1972 season and went 2 for 4 in his first major league game. Spikes batted .147 in 34 at bats for the  Yankees in '72. After the 1972 season Charlie was traded to the Cleveland Indians as part of the big trade that brought Graig Nettles to the Yanks.

• Spikes was the starting LF for the Indians in 1973 and batted .237 with 23 HR in 140 games. Charlie Spikes New Hope for the Indians? -- June 1973 Baseball Digest. Charlie had his best year in 1974. As the starting RF he batted .271 with 22 HR and 80 RBI in 155 games.

• Charile really struggled in 1975 as new manager Frank Robinson made him a special project. He had a tough time with Robinson's criticism and was batting .151 at the end of April. Spikes didn't get his average above the Mendoza line until June 9. Spikes played in 111 games and batted .229 with 11 homers. In 1976 Spikes batted .237 with 3 HR in 101 games.

• Spikes didn't get much playing time in 1977. He spent about nine weeks in the minors. Charlie batted .232 in 95 at bats for the Indians in '77. After the 1977 season Spikes was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Tom Veryzer. In 1978 Charlie started the season with the Tigers and batted .250 in 28 April at bats. He played in 16 games for AAA Evansville and that was it for his 1978 season. Spikes was released on September 25.

• Charlie signed with the Atlanta Braves and spent two seasons as a pinch hitter and occasional outfielder. He batted .280 in 93 at bats in 1979 and .278 in 36 at bats in 1980. Spikes became a free agent after the 1980 season and signed with the Chunichi Dragons in Japan. Charlie played in 26 games in 1981 and then retired.

• Spikes doesn't blame Robinson for his career downturn. Charile said that he put too much pressure on himself. He was working at a textile factory until a few years ago when he suffered a back injury and had to go on disabilty. Here is a link to a bit about Charlie in More Tales from the Tribe Dugout.

• Liked to face: Pat Dobson (.417 in 24 AB); Jim Colborn (.361 in 36 AB); Mike Cuellar (.333 in 57 AB)
• Hated to face: Mike Torrez (.000 in 14 AB); Bill Champion (.080 in 25 AB); Wilbur Wood (.111 in 36 AB)

1976 Topps #407 - Tom Underwood

• 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.

• Underwood joined the Phillies' rotation in 1975 at the age of 21. He was 14-13 with a 4.14 ERA in 35 starts. Tom Underwood: A New Super Pitcher in the  Making? - September 1975 Baseball Digest. 

• 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)

1976 Topps #406 - Ed Herrmann

• Ed Herrmann was signed by the Milwaukee Braves in 1964. He says on his website that he signed with the Braves because his grandfather Marty Herrmann) had played for them in the early 1900s. Marty actually pitched for the Brooklyn Robins, so I'm not sure what's going on there. Ed was drafted from the Braves' organization by the Chicago White Sox in the "First Year Player Draft" after the 1964 season. Hermann played in the minors from 1964-1968. He had a short major league look in September 1967 and was 2 for 3 in two games.

• Herrmann made the White Sox club in 1969 and split time behind the plate with Don Pavletich and Duane Josephson. Ed batted .231 in 290 at bats in '69. Ed's best year was 1970 when he batted .283 with 19 HR in 297 at bats. In 1971 Herrmann batted .214 with 11 HR in 294 at bats.

• Ed  led the AL with 19 intentional walks in 1972 and batted .249 with 10 HR in 354 at bats. He batted .224 with 10 HR in 379 at bats in 1973.

• Herrmann made the All Star team in 1974 but didn't get into the game. In his last season as a regular player Ed batted .259 with 10 HR in 367 at bats. During spring training in 1975 Ed was traded to the New York Yankees for four minor leaguers and cash. Herrmann was used more often as a DH than as a catcher since the Yankees already had Thurman Munson. Ed batted .255 in 200 at bats in 1975.

• Herrmann was sold to the California Angels before the 1976 season. He played in 29 games for the Angels and was batting .174 when he was traded to the Houston Astros for Mike Barlow and Terry Humphrey on June 6. Ed caught 75 games for the Astros in 1976 and batted .204 in 265 at bats. He caught a Larry Dierker no-hitter in '76. Herrmann backed up Joe Ferguson in 1977 and batted .291 in 158 at bats.

• Ed's last season was 1978. He batted .111 in 16 games for the Astros and was sold to the Montreal Expos on June 9. Herrmann backed up Gary Carter in Montreal and didn't play a whole lot. Ed batted .175 in 19 games and was released after the 1978 season.

• Ed was a baseball scout, tutor, and coach for many youth baseball teams after his major league career. Herrmann is now a coach for Del Mar Powerhouse (a baseball travel team) and is involved in recruiting for Seminara Sports. He is involved in several other baseball camp and charity activities as well. Here is a 2001 interview with Ed on an Astros site.  This is a recent interview with Ed Herrmann on seamheads.com

• Liked to face: Rollie Fingers (.500 in 26 AB); Jim Perry (.455 with 4 HR in 33 AB); Marty Pattin (.407 with 4 HR in 27 AB)
• Hated to face: Joe Decker (.000 in 16 AB); Andy Messersmith (.083 in 36 AB); Steve Busby (.133 in 30 AB)

1976 Topps #404 - Enos Cabell

• Enos Cabell played in the majors from 1972-1986. Cabell was signed by the Baltimore Orioles in 1968. He played in the minors from 1968-1972 and got a September call-up in 1972. Cabell was 0 for 5 in '72.

• Cabell spent 1973 going back and forth between Baltimore and AAA Rochester. Enos batted .354 at Rochester but was having a hard time getting playing time in Baltimore. The Orioles had Brooks Robinson at 3B and Boog Powell at 1B. Enos batted .213 in 47 at bats in 1973. In 1974 Cabell was a utility guy who played five positions and occasionally DH'd. He batted .241 in 80 games and was 1 for 4 in the 1974 ALCS. After the 1974 season Cabell and Rob Andrews were traded to the Houston Astros for Lee May and Jay Schlueter.

• The Astros had Bob Watson at 1B and Doug Rader at 3B, so Enos was again a utility player in 1975. He batted .264 in 378 at bats. Cabell became the starting third baseman for the Astros in 1976 after Rader was traded to San Diego and batted .273 with 35 stolen bases. Enos had a nice year in 1977, batting .282 with 16 HR, 42 stolen bases, and 101 runs scored.

• In 1978 Cabell played in all 162 games and led the NL with 660 at bats. He batted .295 with 33 stolen bases and 92 runs scored. Enos batted .272 with 37 stolen bases in 1979 and .276 with 21 stolen bases in 1980. He batted .238 in the 1980 NLCS. After the 1980 season Cabell was traded to the San Francisco Giants for Bob Knepper and Chris Bourjos.

• Enos spent one season in San Francisco and batted .255 as the starting first baseman. After the 1981 season he was sent to the Detroit Tigers for Champ Summers and cash.

• Cabell was a utility player for the Tigers in 1982 (.261 in 125 games) and 1983 (.311 in 120 games). Enos became a free agent after the 1983 season and signed with the Astros.

• Enos batted .310 as the starting 1B for the Astros in 1984. He started the 1985 season with the Astros (.245 in 60 games) and was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Rafael Montalvo and German Rivera on July 10. Enos batted .292 in 57 games for the Dodgers in 1985 and batted .077 (1 for 13) in the 1985 NLCS.

• Cabell was one of seven players suspended for the 1986 season for admitting cocaine use during the 1985 Pittsburgh drug trials. He and the others avoided the suspension by making anti-drug donations and doing community service. Enos batted .256 in 107 games for the Dodgers in 1986. After the season he became a free agent but wasn't signed.
• Enos is now a special assistant to Astros GM Ed Wade. He was also the President and Chief Executive Officer of Cabell Motors, Inc. (a large Houston car dealership) from 1992-1995. The dealership went into Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 1999 after being investigated by the Harris County District Attorney's office. Cabell and two other people were sued by Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young for using Young's initials and 'Invinceable' nickname to sell products without permission in 2006. Cabell denies wrongdoing and the suit is still in litigation.

• Liked to face: Bert Blyleven (.550 in 20 AB); John D'Acquisto (.522 in 23 AB); Tom Underwood (.480 in 25 AB)
• Hated to face: David Palmer (.056 in 18 AB); Charlie Hough (.103 in 39 AB); Gary Lavelle (.133 in 30 AB)