1977 Topps Baseball #179 - Paul Hartzell

• Paul Hartzell was a big guy (6'5", 200 lbs). He was drafted by the California Angels in 1975. He spent one season (1975) in the minors. As the back of the card says, Paul surprisingly made the Angels club in 1976 and pitched well. He went 7-4 with a 2.77  ERA and had two saves in 37 appearances (15 starts).
• In 1977 Paul made 23 starts out of his 41 appearances. He went back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen until mid July. Hartzell was exclusively a starter for the rest of the year. Paul had a record of 8-12 with four saves and had a 3.57 ERA.
• Hartzell was more of a reliever and spot starter in 1978. In 28 appearances (5 starts) Paul was 6-10 with six saves and had a 3.44 ERA.
• In February 1979 Paul was traded to the Minnesota Twins (with Ken Landreaux, Brad Havens, and Dave Engle) for Rod Carew. Hartzell spent only one season with the Twins. In 1979 he was 6-10 with a 5.36 ERA in 26 starts.
• Hartzell was released at the end of spring training in 1980. Paul was signed by the Baltimore Orioles and started the season in AAA Rochester. Hartzell was called up in early May and made six appearances for the Orioles. He went 0-2 with a 6.62 ERA and was sent back to the minors in mid-June. It was alleged that Hartzell was sent down in part because manager Earl Weaver thought Paul threw at opposing batters too much. Paul pitched well for Rochester, but he was waived after the 1980 season.
• Paul was signed to a minor league contract by the Milwaukee Brewers, but he had arm problems and  struggled in 1981. Hartzell was released on July 8. 
• In 1984 Hartzell tried a comeback with the Brewers. Paul pitched in the minors for most of the season and was called up at the end of the season. Hartzell made four appearances (one start) and went 0-1 with a 7.84 ERA. Paul was released after the 1984 season and that was it for his career.
• Here is a recent interview with Paul Hartzell.
• 1977 Stats: 8-12, 4 saves, 3.57 ERA in 41 games (23 starts)
• 1977 Highlights:
• Aug 11 - Allowed three runs in a complete game 7-3 win over the Boston Red Sox. It snapped an 11-game Boston winning streak.
• Sept 7 - Allowed one run on five hits and pitched a complete game as the Angels beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-1.
• Sept 16 - Beat the Chicago White Sox 4-1. Paul allowed one run in the complete game victory.
• Other card blogs: 1979, 1980