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 #619 - Bill Butler

• Bill Butler played in seven seasons in the majors from 1969-1977. Butler was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1965. Bill pitched in the Detroit organization from 1965-1968 and then was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the expansion draft.
• Butler appeared in 34 games (29 starts) for the Royals in 1969 and was 9-10 with a 3.90 ERA. Bill was up and down between AAA and the Royals in 1970 and in 1971. Butler went 4-12 with a 3.77 ERA in 25 starts for the Royals in 1970 and was 1-2 with a 3.45 ERA in 14 games (6 starts) in 1971.
• Bill started the 1972 season with AAA Omaha. On July 11 Butler was sold to the Cleveland Indians. Bill was in the minors for a while and then came up to the Indians at the end of the 1972 season. Butler pitched in six games (two starts) and had a 1.54 ERA for the Indians in 1972.
• Butler was in the minors in 1973 and after the season was traded to the Minnesota Twins. Butler started the 1974 season in AAA but came up to Minnesota after going 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA in four starts. Bill had a 4-6 record with a 4.10 ERA in 26 games (12 starts) for the Twins in 1974.
• Butler stayed in the majors for the entire 1975 season and was 5-4 with a 5.95 ERA in 23 games (8 starts).
• Bill was in AAA for the entire 1976 season and for the beginning of the 1977 season. Butler came up to the Twins in mid-June and stayed for about a month. Bill was 0-1 with a 6.86 ERA in six games (four starts) during his stint with the Twins. Butler was involved in a controversy in 1976 while playing for the Tacoma Twins. The Hawaii Islanders stadium had a ban against metal cleats. Butler ignored the ban and warmed up with the cleats on. Stadium officials turned off the lights and the game was forfeited to Tacoma since the home team was responsible for field conditions. The PCL president upheld the forfeit but Minor League head Bobby Bragan ordered the game to be replayed.
• After the 1977 season Butler was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Rex Hudson. The Dodgers tried to make Bill a reliever. Bill had a 7.14 ERA in 47 games for AAA Albuquerque in 1978 and retired after the season.

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1976 Topps #618 - Jack Brohamer

• Jack Brohamer played second base (and some third base) for three teams from 1972-1980. Brohamer was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1967. Jack was in the minors for five seasons before coming up to Cleveland in 1972. Brohamer had his career high in games (136) in 1972 and batted .233.
• Brohamer started most of the time at second base in 1973 (.220 in 102 games) and in 1974 (.270 in 101 games).
• In 1975 Duane Kuiper became the regular second baseman for the Indians and Brohamer was expendable. After batting .244 in 69 games in 1975 Jack was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Larvell Blanks.
• Jack batted .251 in 119 games for the White Sox in 1976. Brohamer didn't play as much in 1977 since the White Sox moved Jorge Orta to second base and acquired Eric Soderholm to play third base. Brohamer backed up at both positions in 1977 and batted .257 in 59 games. On September 24, 1977 Brohamer hit for the cycle.
• After the 1977 season Jack became a free agent and signed for a multi-year six-figure bonus with the Boston Red Sox. Jack was promised that he would be an everyday player when he signed, but the Red Sox acquired Jerry Remy ten days after Jack signed. Brohamer backed up at second base and third base and batted .234 in 81 games in 1978 and .266 in 64 games in 1979.
• Brohamer started the 1980 season with the Red Sox and batted .316 in 21 games. Jack was sold to the Indians in late June and batted .225 in 53 games. Brohamer retired after the 1980 season. 
• After his retirement Jack worked with his father and brothers in a sheet metal shop in California.

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Tom Seaver - happy 66th birthday!

Mr. Seaver was one of my favorite players back in the 70s. Here are a few videos of Tom Terrific

Light n Lively yogurt commercial



Tom Seaver strikes out the first batter he faces in the 1972 season



Tom Seaver throws the last picth in Shea Stadium 2008

1976 Topps #617 - Darold Knowles

• Darold Knowles had a 16-year career as a left-handed reliever. Knowles was signed by the Baltimore Orioles in 1961. Darold was a starting pitcher in the minors and won 16 games in AA in 1963. After pitching in the minors from 1961-1964 Knowles started the 1965 season with Baltimore. Darold got hammered in a couple of relief outings and was sent back to AAA. Knowles came back up in September and in all had an 0-1 record with a 9.20 ERA in five games in 1965.
• After the 1965 season Knowles was traded with Jackie Brandt to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jack Baldschun. Darold had a good year with the Phillies in 1966 (6-5, 13 saves, 3.05 ERA in 69 games) but was traded to the Washington Senators after the season for Don Lock.
• Knowles pitched for the Senators from 1967 until May 1971. He had several effective seasons and was an AL All Star in 1969. Knowles faced two batters in the third inning after Blue Moon Odom allowed five runs and retired  both of them. 
• Darold's records while with Washington:
• 1967 - 6-8, 14 saves, 2.70 ERA
• 1968 - 1-1, 2 saves, 2.18 ERA (did not pitch after July 12)
• 1969 - 9-2, 13 saves, 2.24 ERA
• 1970 - 2-14, 27 saves, 2.04 ERA
• 1971 - 2-2, 2 saves, 3.52 ERA
• On May 8, 1971 Knowles was traded to the Oakland A's in a multi-player deal. Darold became an important part of the Oakland bullpen during the dynasty years. Knowles went 5-2 with 7 saves and had a 3.59 ERA for Oakland in 1971. Darold appeared in one game in the 1971 ALCS and pitched 1/3 of an inning.
• In 1972 Knowles pitched in 54 games and was 5-1 with 11 saves and had a 1.37 ERA. He was not used during the 1972 post season due to a finger injury.
• Darold was 6-8 with 9 saves and had an ERA of 3.09 in 1973. Knowles was not used in the 1973 ALCS but as the back of this card says, he was used in all seven games in the 1973 World Series. Darold had two saves and didn't allow a run in 6.1 innings.
• Knowles and his teammates weren't very pleased with the quality of their 1973 World Series rings. Darold took the A's to arbitration after the '73 season and won his case.
• Knowles wasn't quite as effective in 1974. He had a 3-3 record with 3 saves and had a 4.22 ERA. Darold was not used during the 1974 post season. After the 1974 season Knowles was traded with Bob Locker and  Manny Trillo to the Chicago Cubs for Billy Williams.
• Darold was with the Cubs for two seasons. He didn't have a real good year in 1975 (6-9, 15 saves, 5.81 ERA), but he bounced back in 1976 (5-7, 9 saves, 2.89 ERA). After the 1976 season Knowles was traded to the Texas Rangers for Gene Clines and cash.
• Knowles spent one season (1977) with Texas and was 5-2 with four saves and had a 3.22 ERA. After the 1977 season Knowles was purchased by the Montreal Expos.
• Darold was with the Expos for one season. Knowles went 3-3 with six saves and had a 3.30 ERA for the Expos in 1978. After the 1978 season Darold became a free agent and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals.
• Knowles had a 2-5 record with six saves and had a 4.07 ERA in 1979. Darold pitched in only two games in 1980 (0-1, 10.80 ERA) and was released on May 9. Knowles retired after his release from the Cardinals.
• After his playing career Darold was a pitching coach in the minors and in the majors (Philadelphia Phillies from 1988-1989 and St. Louis Cardinals in 1983). He is now the pitching coach for the Dunedin Blue Jays.
• Liked to face: Ted Simmons (.000 in 11 AB); Danny Cater (.074 in 27 AB); Carl Yastrzemski (.077 in 26 AB)
• Hated to face: Pete Rose (.588 in 17 AB); Thurman Munson (.444 in 18 AB); Brooks Robinson (.417 in 24 AB)

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1976 Topps #616 - Buck Martinez

• Buck Martinez is probably more famous as a broadcaster, but he also had a 17 year career (1969-1986) as a backup catcher for three teams. Buck was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1967. He was taken by the  Houston Astros in the Rule 5 draft in 1968, and then was traded to the Kansas City Royals in a four-player deal.
• Buck shared time with Ellie Rodriguez at catcher in 1969 and batted .228 in 72 games. Martinez played in six games in August and September in 1970 and went 1 for 9. 
• Buck was in the minors for most of the 1971 season and batted .152 in 22 games for the Royals. Martinez was in the minors for the entire 1972 season and for most of the 1973 season. Buck batted .250 in 14 games for the Royals in 1973.
• Buck was a backup catcher in 1974 (.215 in 43 games) and in 1975 (.226 in 80 games). In 1976 Martinez shared time behind the plate with Bob Stinson and batted .228 in 95 games. Buck went 5 for 15 (.333) during the 1976 ALCS.
• Buck's last season with the Royals was in 1977. He batted .225 in 29 games and on December 8 was traded with Mark Littell to the St. Louis Cardinals for Al Hrabosky. Later that same day Buck was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for George Frazier.
• Martinez and Charlie Moore split the catching duties from 1978-1980. Buck batted .219 in 89 games in 1978, .270 in 69 games in 1979, and  .224 in 76 games in 1980. 
• Martinez didn't play for the first five weeks of the 1981 season. Buck was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on May 10, 1981 for Gil Kubski. From 1981-1986 Martinez backed up Ernie Whitt at catcher. Buck had his best power years in 1982 and 1983--he hit ten homers in each of those seasons. 
• Buck fractured his leg while participating in a strange double play in July 1985. Martinez tagged out a runner trying to score on a throw from right field and fractured his leg on the play. Buck made an errant throw to third base. The left fielder backed up the play and  threw back to the plate. Buck was sprawled out in front of the plate but managed to tag out the runner trying to score.
• Buck retired after the 1986 season and became a broadcaster for the Blue Jays. Martinez later did some broadcasting for ESPN until November 2000. Buck was hired to be the Toronto manager for the 2001 season. He managed the club until May 2002. Toronto was 80-82 in 2001 (.494) but was playing at a .377 clip when Buck was let go as manager.
• Martinez returned to the broadcasting booth after being fired as manager. He has broadcast for TBS and for the Blue Jays. Buck also managed Team USA in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

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1976 Topps #615 - Mike Cubbage

• Mike Cubbage was drafted by the Washington Senators in 1971. Mike played in the minors from 1971-1974 and got a chance to play in the majors with the Texas Rangers at the end of the 1974 season. Cubbage played in nine games and went 0 for 15 (.000).
• Mike started the 1975 season in AAA Spokane and batted .313 with 10 HR in 56 games. Cubbage was brought up to the Rangers in mid-June. Mike batted .224 in 58 games for the Rangers in 1975.
• Cubbage started the 1976 season with the Rangers and batted .219 in 14 games. On June 1 Mike was sent to the Minnesota Twins as part of the big trade that brought Bert Blyleven to Texas. Cubbage played in 104 games for the Twins in 1976 and batted .260.
• Mike was the starting third baseman for the Twins for the next two years. He had decent batting averages and on base percentages, but he didn't supply as much power as the Twins would have liked. In 1977 Cubbage batted .264 with 9 HR in 129 games and in 1978 he batted .282 with 7 HR in 125 games.
• The Twins decided to start John Castillo at third base in 1979. Castillo had about the same kind of year that Cubbage had the previous year. Mike became a utility player and batted .276 with a .371 on base percentage in 94 games.
• Cubbage was a utility guy again in 1980 and batted .246 in 103 games. After the 1980 season Mike became a free agent and signed with the New York Mets
• Mike was with the Mets for only one season. Cubbage batted .213 in 80 at bats in 1981. Mike was cut at the end of spring training in 1982. Cubbage played for AAA Tidewater in 1982 but didn't get back to the majors. He had signed a 3-year, $1  million contract before the 1981 season.
• After his playing career Mike managed in the Mets' system from 1983-1989. Mike was the third base coach for  the Mets in 1990 and managed the club for the last seven games of the 1991 season. Cubbage was the third base coach for the Mets for several more seasons before being hired as third base coach by the Houston Astros in 1996.
• Mike later moved on to become the third base coach for the Boston Red Sox. Cubbage served as the interim manager for the Red Sox for six days during spring training in 2002 after Joe Kerrigan was fired. Cubbage suffered a diabetic seizure during a game on April 11, 2003 and had to be taken from the field on a stretcher. Cubbage now scouts for the Tampa Bay Rays.
• Here is Mike's TTM information.
• Liked to face: Bob Stanley (.500 in 14 AB); Lary Sorensen (.429 in 28 AB); Dennis Leonard (.400 in 30 AB)
• Hated to face: Mike Norris (.000 in 16 AB); Gaylord Perry (.059 in 17 AB); Don Aase (.105 in 19 AB)

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