1976 Topps #499 - Mario Guerrero

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• Mario Guerrero played in the majors from 1973-1980. Mario was signed by the New York Yankees in 1968. He played in their farm system from 1968-1972 before being traded (with Danny Cater) to the Boston Red Sox for Sparky Lyle. Guerrero finished the 1972 season in AAA Louisville.
• Guerrero made the Boston ballcllub in 1973 and batted .233 in 63 games as Luis Aparicio's backup. In 1974 Mario began the season as the regular shortstop but was eventually replaced by Rick Burleson. Guerrero batted .246 in 93 games in 1974. At the end of spring training in 1975 Mario was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for a player to be named later (Jim Willoughby was sent to the Red Sox on July 4 to complete the deal).
• Guerrero started the 1975 season in AAA Tulsa and was brought up to the Cardinals in mid-May. He batted .239 in 64 games for the Cardinals in 1975. Mario started the 1976 season back in Tulsa and was traded to the California Angels on May 29 for two  minor leaguers. Guerrero batted .284 in 83 games for the Angels in 1976. In 1977 Mario split time with Rance Mulliniks at shortstop and batted .283 in 86 games.
• After the 1977 season Guerrero became a free agent and signed with the San Francisco Giants. Before the 1978 season Mario was included in the big trade with the Oakland A's that sent Vida Blue to the Giants. Mario became the A's starting shortstop and batted .275 in 143 games. Mario backed up Rob Picciolo in 1979 and batted .229 in 46 games. Guerrero regained his starting job in 1980 and batted .239 in 116 games.
• After the 1980 season Guerrero was sold to the Seattle Mariners. He didn't make the Mariners ballclub in 1981 and was released at the end of spring training.
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• Guerrero worked as a buscon (guys who hunt for baseball prospects in the Dominican Republic) after  his playing career. Guerrero sued Raul Mondesi for one percent of his baseball earnings in 1998 and eventually won $640,000 (plus $422,000 interest) in 2004. The judgement was thrown out on appeal in 2005. He previously won a similar case against Geronimo Berroa.

1976 Topps #498 - Glenn Borgmann

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• Glenn Borgmann played in parts of nine seasons from 1972 to 1980. Borgmann was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 1971. He had previously been drafted by the San Francisco Giants and the Pittsburgh Pirates but didn't sign. Borgmann played in the minors in 1971 and 1972 and was promoted to the Twins after hitting .336 in 66 games at AAA Tacoma. Glenn batted .234 in 56 games for the Twins in 1971.
• Borgmann was in Tacoma for most of the 1973 season and batted .274 in 136 games. After the Pacific Coast League season ended Glenn came back to the Twins and batted .265 in 12 games.
• Glenn was the starting catcher for the Twins in 1974 and 1975. In 1974 he batted .252 in 128 games and in 1975 he batted .207 in 125 games. He led all AL catchers with a .992 fielding percentage in 1974.
• Butch Wynegar beat out Borgmann for the starting catcher's job during spring training in 1976 and Glenn didn't play much after that. In 1976 he batted .246 in 24 games. Glenn batted .256 in 17 games in 1977. Borgmann got a little more playing time in 1978 and was the AL leader in throwing out opposing base stealers (49%). Glenn batted .211 in 49 games in 1978.
• Borgmann  batted .200 in 31 games in 1979. He became a free agent after the 1979 season and signed with the Chicago White Sox. He was cut loose on April 3 but resigned with the White Sox on April 8. Glenn was in the minors until early August when he was brought up to the White Sox. Borgmann batted .218 in 32 games in 1980. 
• Glenn became a free agent again after the 1980 season and signed with the Cleveland Indians. He played 11 games for AAA Charleston but never made it back to the majors.
• Here is an interview with Borgmann. After his playing career Glenn was in the auto parts business for 20 years. He also has worked nights at the Meadowlands race track in New Jersey.

1976 Topps #497 - Joe McIntosh

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• Joe McIntosh pitched for the San Diego Padres in 1974 and 1975. He was drafted by the Padres in 1973 and pitched well (8-6, 2.44 ERA in 14 starts) for class A- Walla Walla. 
• McIntosh made the jump all the way to the majors in 1974 and pitched in five games before being assigned to AAA Hawaii. Joe went 9-11 with a 5.74 ERA for Hawaii and came back to the Padres in September. Joe ended up 0-4 with a 3.62 ERA in ten games (five starts) for the Padres.
• Joe was a regular starter for the Padres in 1975. He went 8-15 with a 3.69 ERA in 37 games (28 starts). After the 1975 season McIntosh was trade with Larry Hardy to the Houston Astros for Doug Rader.
• Joe tore his rotator cuff in 1976 and never pitched in the majors again. He tried a comeback in 1979 but was forced to stop after a couple of minor league games. 
• McIntosh is now a tax lawyer dealing in contract law. Here is an 2005 article written by Linda Kittel, a Washington State University English professor, about a day when Joe came to class as a guest speaker. Joe and his daughter Molly are pictured below. 

1976 Topps #501 - Billy Champion

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• This one isn't supposed to be posted for a few more days, but since Night Owl posted the 1975 Billy Champion card today I figured I'd switch cards and post this one on the same day :).
• Billy Champion pitched in the majors from 1969-1976. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1965. Champion pitched in the minors from 1965-1968, posting an impressive 15-5 record with a 2.05 ERA for class A Tidewater in 1968. Bill was 7-1 with a 1.66 ERA in nine starts for AAA Eugene when he was brought up in June 1969. Champion was 5-10 with a 5.01 ERA in 20 starts for the Phillies in 1969. 
• The Phillies sent Bill down for  more seasoning in 1970 and recalled him in late July. Champion was 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in seven games (one start). Bill was 3-5 with a 4.39 ERA in 37 games (9 starts) in 1971 and 4-14 with a 5.09 ERA in 30 games (22 starts) in 1972. After the 1972 season Champions was sent to the Milwaukee Brewers with Don Money and John Vuckovich for Ken Brett, Jim Lonborg, Ken Sanders, and Earl Stephenson.
• In 1973 Champion was 5-8 with one save and an ERA of 3.70 in 37 games (11 starts). Bill's best season was 1974 when he was 11-4 with a 3.62 ERA in 31 games (23 starts). Champion was 6-6 with a 5.89 ERA in 27 games (13 starts) in 1975.
• Bill's last year in the majors was 1976. He had injured his elbow in August 1975 and struggled after that. Bill was 0-1 with a 7.03 ERA in ten games (three starts) when he was released by the Brewers on June 20. Champion tried to catch on in the Atlanta and Pittsburgh systems in 1976 and in 1977 but he never made it back to the majors.
• After his playing career Bill became a scout for the Chicago Cubs and then minor league pitching coach in the Mets, Rockies, Brewers, and Braves systems. He is now available for coaching sessions with Phillips Baseball in South Carolina.

1976 Topps #495 - Nate Colbert

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• The 1976 season was Nate Colbert's last one in the majors. back problems forced him to retire at the age of 30. Colbert was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals and he played in their system in 1964 and 1965. Nate was drafted by the Houston Astros in the rule 5 draft after the 1965 season. He didn't play much for the Astros in 1966--he went 0 for 7 with four strikeouts and three runs scored in 19 games. Nate had to be kept on the major league roster because of the "bonus baby" rule.
• In 1967 Colbert was in AA and AAA and hit 28 homers. He was in AAA for most of the 1968 season before being brought up. Nate played in 20 games for the Astros in 1968 and batted .151 in 53 at bats. After the 1968 season Colbert was selected by the San Diego Padres in the expansion draft.
• Nate blossomed when he came to San Diego and was their main power and RBI guy from 1969-1973. In 1969 he batted .255 with 24 HR and 66 RBI. Colbert batted .259 with 38 HR and 86 RBI in 1970.
• Colbert made his first NL All Star team in 1971 (he struck out as a pinch hitter) and batted .264 with 27 HR and 84 RBI. The Padres Find A Leader in Nate Colbert - December 1971 Baseball Digest.
• Nate's  biggest year was 1972. Colbert had a record day in a doubleheader on August 1 -- he hit five home runs and knocked in 13 runs in the two games. Nate had actually attended the game(s) when Stan Musial had set the RBI record for a doubleheader with 11. The Game I'll Never Forget - October 1987 Baseball Digest. Colbert batted .250 with 38 HR and 111 RBI and finished 8th in MVP voting. Nate made his second straight NL All Star team in 1972. He appeared as a pinch hitter in the 10th inning, walked, and eventually scored on a single by Joe Morgan. Nate Colbert - The Padres' One-Man Gang - November 1972 Baseball Digest.
• Colbert's last big year was 1973. He was an NL All Star and was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter. Nate batted .270 with 22 HR and 80 RBI.
• Nate's production slipped badly in 1974. He batted .207 with 14 HR and 54 RBI. After the 1974 season the Padres acquired Willie McCovey and Colbert asked to be traded .Nate was involved in a three-way trade that sent him to the Detroit Tigers.
• Colbert really struggled in his last two seasons in the majors. Nate was batting .147 in 156 at bats when the Tigers sold him to the Montreal Expos on June 15. Colbert didn't do much better in Montreal, batting .173 in 81 at bats. In 1976 Colbert started with the Expos and was batting .200 in 40 at bats when the Expos released him on June 2. The Oakland A's signed Nate on June 9 and sent him to AAA Tucson. Colbert was recalled by the A's in September and he went 0 for 5 in two games. Nate retired after the 1976 season.
• Here is a link to the book Tales from the Padres' Dugout by Bob Chandler that has some Nate Colbert stories.
• Liked to face: Dick Selma (.625 in 16 AB); Tommy John (.444 in 27 AB); Ken Forsch (.400 in 30 AB); Don Sutton (batted only .219 but hit 7 HR in 73 AB)
• Hated to face: Jim Lonborg (.053 in 19 AB); Ernie McInally (.059 in 17 AB); Ken Brett (.118 in 17 AB)

1976 Topps #494 - Craig Swan

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• Craig Swan pitched in the majors from 1973-1985, mostly for the New York Mets. Craig was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 17th round in 1968 but he elected to attend Arizona State University. Swan set the all-time collegiate win record with 48 victories. Craig allowed only one run in 18 innings in the 1972 College World Series (the Sun Devils lost in the championship game to USC). Swan was drafted by the Mets in 1972 and spent parts of the 1972-1975 seasons in the minors. Craig first came up to the Mets at the end of the 1973 season and was 0-1 with a 8.64 ERA in three games.
• Swan suffered a broken elbow in 1974 and was unable to pitch very much. He spent some time with AAA Tidewater and was 1-3 with a 4.45 ERA in seven games (5 starts) for the Mets. In 1975 Craig split the season between Tidewater and New York. He was 1-3 with a 6.39 ERA in six late season starts for the Mets in '75.
• Craig was with the Mets to stay in 1976 and was 6-9 with a 3.54 ERA in 22 starts. Swan went 9-10 with a 4.23 ERA in 24 starts in 1977. 
• Swan had his best season in 1978. The Mets were a last place club but he was 9-6 and led the NL with a 2.43 ERA. Craig went 14-13 with a 3.29 ERA in 35 starts in 1979.
• Craig was having another good year in 1980 when he tore his rotator cuff in July. He made two appearances in August but that was it for his season. He ended up 5-9 with a 3.58 ERA. Swan wasn't able to pitch much in 1981 due to the rotator cuff injury and a broken rib suffered when he got in the way of a throw by Mets catcher Ron Hodges as he was trying to throw out a runner stealing second base. Swan went 0-2 with a 3.29 ERA in 1981.
• Craig went through a treatment that included rolfing, which is a method of manipulating tissue in order for muscles to function together. He finished second behind Joe  Morgan for NL Comeback Player of the Year in 1982. Swan was 11-7 with a 3.35 ERA in 37 games (21 starts) in 1982.
• Swan was injured again during spring training in 1983 when he felt something pop in his arm during a game. He tried to pitch through the injury but it affected his endurance. Craig was 2-8 with a 5.51 ERA in 1983. Swan started the 1984 season with the Mets but was released on May 9 after going 1-0 with an 8.20 ERA in ten games. Craig signed with the California Angels on May 23 but was released after going 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA in two games.
• After his playing career Swan became a certified rolfer and opened up a successful practice in Connecticut. Here is a "where are they now" article from 2009.
• Liked to face: Tony Pena (.000 in 10 AB); Richie Hebner (.048 in 21 AB); Jim Dwyer (.071 in 14 AB)
• Hated to face: Dave Winfield (.457 in 35 AB); Keith Hernandez (.436 in 39 AB); George Hendrick (.429 in 42 AB)

1976 Topps #493 - Derrel Thomas

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• Derrel Thomas played just about every position and it seemed like he played for just about every team. Thomas was the first player drafted (by the Houston Astros) in the 1969 draft. Derrel played in the minors from 1969-1971 and was called up by the Astros at the end of the 1971 season (he was 0 for 5 in five games). 
• After the 1971 season the Astros traded Thomas (along with Bill Greif and Mark Schaeffer) to the San Diego Padres for Dave Roberts. Derrel played second base and also saw quite a  bit of time at shortstop in 1972 and batted .230 in 130 games. Thomas played in 113 games (.238 average) in 1973 at second base (his natural position) and shortstop. In 1974 Derrel batted .247 in 141 games and hit a career-high 24 doubles. After the 1974 season Thomas was traded to the San Francisco Giants for Butch Metzger and Tito Fuentes.
• Derrel was the starting second baseman for the Giants in 1975 and batted .276 with 28 stolen bases (both career highs) in 144 games. Thomas missed 2 1/2 months of the 1976 season (early July-mid September) and batted .232 in 81 games. In 1977 Thomas played 70 games in center field and about 20 games each at 2B and SS. He batted .267 in 148 games and hit 10 triples (a career high). After the 1977  Thomas was traded back to the Padres for Mike Ivie.
• In 1978 Thomas was used as a "super sub," playing just about everywhere. Derrel would be used in this manner for the rest of his career (except 1979). He batted .227 in 128 games in 1978. After the season Thomas became a free agent and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers (his hometown team).
• Derrel was the starting center fielder for most of the 1979 season. He batted .256 in 141 games in '79. In 1980 he returned to a utility role and batted .266 in 117 games.
• Thomas batted .248 in 80 games in 1981. He saw action off the bench in each of the playoff rounds in 1981 for the World Champion Dodgers.
• Derrel batted .265 in 66 games in 1982 and .250 in 118 games in 1983. After the 1983 season Derrel became a free agent and signed with the Montreal Expos.
• Thomas batted .255 in 108 games for the Expos in 1984. He was sold to the California Angels on September 6, 1984 and he batted .138 in 14 games for the Angels to finish the 1984 season. Thomas became a free agent after the 1984 season but wasn't signed by any major league team. 
• He started the 1985 season playing for the class A Florida Marlins. On May 15 he was sold to the Philadelphia Phillies and Thomas batted .207 in 63 games. Derrel was mentioned during the Curtis Strong cocaine trial in 1985 but wasn't called to testify. He was summoned to a January 1986 meeting with Commissioner Peter Ueberroth and was required to take random urinalysis tests in order to keep his playing status. Thomas tried to hook up with the minor league San Jose Bees in 1986 but was cut before the season for disciplinary reasons.
• Thomas managed the Boise Hawks (an independent minor league team) in 1987 but was fired after 37 games when the team was 9-28. After that Thomas coached high school baseball and managed a bar at night. Thomas resigned as the coach of Leuzinger High School in 1989 after a walkout by nine players. Thomas had drug and financial problems that got him in trouble. He served 47 days in prison after pleading no contest to cocaine charges.
• Derrel is now a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization serving as a representative of the Dodgers Legends Bureau.
• Liked to face: Vern Ruhle (.636 in 11 AB); Gary Gentry (.526 in 19 AB); Bill Bonham (.464 in 28 AB)
• Hated to face: Larry McWilliams (.000 in 15 AB); Wayne Twitchell (.040 in 25 AB); Mark Lemongello (.043 in 23 AB)