1976 Hostess #142 - Gary Matthews

* Gary Matthews was one of the really good outfielders that the Giants came up with in the early 1970s. Things could have been different if the Giants would have been able to keep Gary Matthews, Garry Maddox, and George Foster.

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1976 Hostess #41 - John Montefusco

 

Hello! I finally got to a place where I can spend a bit each month on cards. One thing I decided to do was to work on completing sets from my prime card collecting years (1974-1981). I'm a big Giants fan, so a lot of the first cards I get for these sets will be Giants.

John Montefusco didn't spend much time in the minors. He was dominant in A ball in 1973 and really rose through the system in 1974, going from AA to AAA to the majors all in the same year. I may have seen him pitch in Phoenix in 1974, but I was only seven and don't have any specific memories of the games my dad took me to that year.

John had great  years in 1975 and in 1976 before he started to tail off a bit. Injuries hampered him and by 1979 he was struggling to stay in the rotation.

By the way, the card is in better shape than the scan indicates. I'm still learning how to operate this thing.

1976 Topps Traded - The Missing Cards!

This is something I've been wanting to do, but I lack the graphic skills to pull it off. Ben, Mike, and Travis at The Baseball Card Blog made a "second set" of 1976 Topps Traded cards. This set includes deals that were voided (Vida Blue, Rollie Fingers, Joe Rudi, and Sal Bando) and deals that were made late in the season (such as Willie McCovey).

On the 1977 blog, I've been tracking which cards would be good as a "traded set candidate." I may give it a shot after the Topps set is finished.

On to 1977

• As you have probably noticed, I've run out of cards to post for 1976. As I obtain the last few cards needed for the 1976 Kellogg's, Hostess, and SSPC sets, I'll post them here.
• To the best of my knowledge, there aren't any 1977 baseball blogs out there. So I'm starting one. I hope you go and start enjoying the blog

1976 Hostess #124 - Willie McCovey

• Willie McCovey was still a dangerous power hitter when this card was printed
• McCovey wanted to play out his option in 1976 so the Padres cut his salary by 20% to $100,000.
• The San Francisco Giants wanted Willie back before the 1976 season. The Giants had traded McCovey to the Padres in 1973 mainly for economic reasons.
• McCovey had his poorest season in 1976. He played in 71 games for the Padres, starting 51 of those games at first base. Willie batted .203 with 7 HR and 36 RBI for the Padres.
• Willie was sold to the Oakland A's on August 30.
• McCovey wasn't sure if he would report to the A's at first, but he reported on September 1.
• The A's used Willie as a DH and a pinch hitter in September, but Willie struggled and batted .208 (5 for 24) with no home runs or RBI.
• After his poor 1976 season there wasn't very much interest in McCovey in the free agent  market. Willie ended up signing with the Giants for $50,000 and had a great year in 1977, winning Comeback Player of the Year honors and cementing his place as an eventual Hall of Famer.
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? after peak

1976 Hostess #105 - Dave Lopes

• Here's another beat up Hostess card that I got from a lot on eBay.
• Lopes was the first  Dodger to sign a contract for the 1976 season.
• Before the 1976 season there was some talk of moving Lopes to shortstop and playing Ted Sizemore at second base. Dodger shortstop Bill Russell was mentioned in trade talks between the Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals for Reggie Smith, but he eventually stayed with the club.
• Dave was still playing a little bit in center field in 1976. After the 1976 season Lopes would play all of his games but two at 2B until he moved to the Oakland A's in 1982.
• In 1976 Lopes led the NL with 63 stolen bases and batted .241 in 117 games
• Dave missed the first month of the 1976 due to a pulled muscle in his side that he suffered during spring training.
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? early peak

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.