Monday, December 31, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #414 - Tommy Harper




Sunday, December 30, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #413 - World Series


  • The Cincinnati Reds dominated the 1976 World Series. Fred Norman was the only Reds' pitcher who had even a remotely high ERA, while Catfish and Sparky were the only Yankees who didn't get roughed up.
  • Sports Illustrated article from 25 October 1976 about the World Series



Saturday, December 29, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #412 - 1976 World Series Games 3 and 4


  • Mr. Bench is featured a lot on this card and the preceding card.
  • Thurman Munson had a good series, but he was overshadowed by Bench. Cincinnati manager Sparky Anderson sparked a firestorm when he asked a reporter not to compare Munson and Bench. Thurman didn't like the quote.


Friday, December 28, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #411 - 1976 World Series Games 1 and 2




  • When I looked at the back of this card I thought to myself, "The Reds used only nine non-pitchers?" I figured there would at least be one or two at bats by other guys. After checking baseball-reference.com I realized that this card is correct.
  •  The Reds really did a number on the Yankees in their four game sweep. Pete Rose and Ken Griffey were the only guys who didn't do much. Johnny Bench was named the World Series MVP.
  • Here is a little clip from the '76 World Series:



Thursday, December 27, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #410 - Willie Montanez




Wednesday, December 26, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #409 - Pete Broberg




Tuesday, December 25, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #408 - Cesar Tovar




Monday, December 24, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #407 - Dave Freisleben


  • Dave Freisleben had his best season in terms of winning percentage (.438) in 1977. Dave started the season with the Padres but was sent to AAA Hawaii after being 0-4 with a 6.49 ERA in April. Dave came back to the Padres in late June and lost his first start to go to 0-5. He finished the season with a 7-9 record, so he went 7-4 in the last three months.
  • 1977 Stats
    • San Diego Padres: 7-9, 4.69 ERA in 33 games (22 starts)
    • Hawaii Islanders (AAA): 4-4, 3.94 ERA in 9 games
  • 1977 Highlights:
  • Other card blogs: 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, Cardboard Gods


Sunday, December 23, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #406 - Tim Johnson




Saturday, December 22, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #405 - Claudell Washington




Tuesday, December 18, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #404 - Eric Rasmussen


  • This was probably Eric Rasmussen's best year. He had career highs in starts, innings pitched, and strikeouts. He had a decent 3.48 ERA, but was only 11-17 (.393).
  • 1977 Stats: 11-17, 3.48 ERA in 34 starts
  • 1977 Highlights:
  • Other card blogs: 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983


Monday, December 17, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #403 - Tom Grieve


  • This was Tom Grieve's last season with the Texas Rangers. He was a backup outfielder in 1977 and after the season he was involved in that big 4-team trade that saw Bert Blyleven, Al Oliver, Jon Matlack, Willie Montanez, and a lot of other players change teams. Tom ended up with the New York Mets.
  • Tom was out for five weeks in June and July after he was hit in the wrist by a pitch on June 17.
  • 1977 Stats: .225, 7 HR, 30 RBI in 79 games
  • 1977 Highlights:
  • Other card blogs: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979


Sunday, December 16, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #402 - Tommy Helms


  • Tommy Helms was at the end of his career in 1977. During spring training the A's traded Helms to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Helms didn't do much with the Pirates (0 for 12) and was released on June 14. Helms signed with the Boston Red Sox on June 21 and played in 21 games for the club. Tommy was released by the Red Sox during spring training in 1978 and that was it for his career. 
  • 1977 Stats
    • Pittsburgh Pirates: .000 (0 for 12) in 15 games
    • Boston Red Sox: .271 in 21 games
  • 1977 Highlights:
  • Other card blogs: 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1976


Saturday, December 15, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #401 - Mickey Scott




Friday, December 14, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #400 - Steve Garvey


  • Even though none of the boys in my little collecting group were Dodger fans, Steve Garvey cards were still considered to be of high value. Steve hit a career-high 33 home runs and hit well in the NL Championship Series and in the World Series. Garvey was an NL All Star for the fourth of eight straight seasons and was the fourth player to receive over 3 million fan votes.
  • 1977 Stats:
    • Regular season: .297, 33 HR, 115 RBI
    • NL Championship Series: .308 (4 for 13) in 4 games
    • World Series: .375 (9 for 24) in 6 games
  • 1977 Highlights:
  • Other card blogs:.1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 19781979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1985, 1986
  • Here is the one in my collection -- Looks like I need to do an upgrade:




Tuesday, December 11, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #399 - Bruce Boisclair


  • Bruce Boisclair was drafted by the New York Mets in 1970 at the age of 17. 
  • Boisclair played in the minors for five seasons (1970-1974) before getting a September call-up in 1974 (3 for 12 in 7 games).
  • Bruce played for AAA Tidewater again in 1975 and batted .278 in 127 games.
  • Boisclair was with the Mets for the entire 1976 season and batted .287 in 110 games.
  • The 1977 season was Bruce Boisclair's best year. He was the fourth outfielder for the Mets and batted .293 in 127 games.
  • In 1978 Boisclair tailed off considerably -- he batted .224 in 107 games. Bruce fared even worse in 1979, batting .184 in 59 games.
  • Boisclair was released by the Mets at the end of spring training in 1980. Bruce played in Japan in 1980 and retired after the season.
  • 1977 Stats: .293, 4 HR, 44 RBI in 127 games
  • 1977 Highlights:
  • Other card blogs: 1979, 1980, Cardboard Gods


Monday, December 10, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #398 - Tom Burgmeier




Sunday, December 9, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #397 - Larry Herndon


  • Larry Herndon was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1971. Larry played in the minors from 1971-1974. Herndon was called up in September 1974 and was used a lot as a pinch runner. He was 1 for 1 with 3 runs scored in 12 games.
  • Herndon was in the minors again in 1975. On May 9 Larry was traded (with a minor leaguer) to the San Francisco Giants for pitcher Ron Bryant. Herndon finished the 1975 season in AAA Phoenix.
  • In 1976 Larry started in Phoenix. He was called up in late April and had a good rookie season for the Giants, batting .288 in 115 games. It was a good enough season for Larry to get a Topps trophy on this card.
  • Larry hgd a tough year in 1977. He struggled at the plate and lost his starting center fielder job. Herndon didn't play after June 18. The only thing I could find was a reference to him coming off of the disqualified list after the 1977 season. Herndon ended up batting .239 in 49 games in 1977.
  • Herndon reclaimed his starting center field job in 1978. He batted .259 in 151 games. During his time with the Giants Larry had some speed, but his power and on base percentage numbers were low.
  • In 1979 Herndon spent most of his time in center field but made some appearances in left and right field. Larry batted .257 in 132 games.
  • Larry's 1980 season was very similar to his 1979 stats. He batted .258 in 139 games.
  • Herndon's last season with the Giants was in 1981. Larry moved to left field and improved his batting average to .288. After the 1981 season Herndon was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Dan Schatzaeder and Mike Chris.
  • Larry showed a lot more power during his years with the Tigers. In 1982 Herndon batted .292 with 23 home runs, 88 RBI, and 92 runs scored. Larry batted .302 with 20 HR and 92 RBI in 1983.
  • Herndon was the starting left fielder for that great Detroit club of 1984 and batted .280 in 125 games. His power dropped off -- Larry hit only seven home runs. In the ALCS Herndon went 1 for 5 in two games, but his one hit was a home run. In the World Series Larry batted .333 (5 for 15) with a 3-run home run.
  • Larry started to slow down in 1985. It was his final season as the starting left fielder. Herndon batted .244 with 12 HR and 37 RBI in 137 games.
  • In 1986 Herndon batted .247 in 106 games. He started 71 games in LF.
  • Herndon split time between the outfield and DH in 1987. He batted .324 with 9 HR and 47 RBI in part-time duty. Herndon hit a solo home run in the last game of the season that was the only run scored in Detroit's AL East clinching victory. Larry batted .333 (3 for 9) in three games in the ALCS.
  • The 1988 season was Herndon's final season. He batted .224 in 76 games and was released after the season.
  • After his playing career Larry was a hitting  coach and he now coaches for Detroit's Class A Lakeland club.
  • 1977 Stats: .239 in 49 games
  • 1977 Highlights:
  • Other card blogs: 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988


Saturday, December 8, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #396 - Tom Murphy




Friday, December 7, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #395 - Manny Trillo




Thursday, December 6, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #394 - Bill Laxton


  • Bill Laxton was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1966 after he graduated from high school. Bill pitched in the Pittsburgh organization for two seasons and then was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies (with Woodie Fryman, Don Money, and minor leaguer Harold Clem) for Jim Bunning.
  • Laxton spent the next three seasons in the Phillies organization. Bill was called up in September 1970 and made two appearances (0-0, 13.50 ERA in 2 innings). After the 1970 season Bill was taken by the San Diego Padres in the Rule 5 Draft.
  • Laxton spent the entire 1971 season with the Padres and went 0-2 with a 6.83 ERA in 18 appearances.
  • Bill spent the next three seasons (1972-1974) pitching for the AA Alexandria Aces. 
  • In 1975 Laxton was released at the end of spring training. Bill signed with the New York Mets and spent the 1975 season pitching for AAA Tidewater. Laxton had a nice season in Tidewater (11-4, 2.49 ERA).
  • After the 1975 season Laxton was traded (with Rusty Staub) to the Detroit Tigers for Mickey Lolich and Billy Baldwin. During spring training Bill combined with Ray Bare to no-hit the Chicago White Sox
  • Bill stayed in the majors for the entire 1976 season. He had an 0-5 record with two saves and had a 4.09 ERA in 26 games (3 starts). After the 1976 season Laxton was taken by the Seattle Mariners in the expansion draft.
  • In 1977 Laxton was used exclusively as a reliever. He went 3-2 with 3 saves and had a 4.95 ERA in 43 games for the Mariners. 
  • On September 8 Bill was traded with cash to the Cleveland Indians for Ray Fosse. Laxton made two appearances for the Indians in September and that was it for his major league career.
  • Laxton started the 1978 season in the Indians' organization (AAA Portland). On June 22 he was traded to the San Diego Padres for Dave Freisleben. Bill finished the '78 season pitching for AAA Hawaii. He was a combined 4-6 with a 7.50 ERA in 1978. Bill retired after the 1978 season.
  • 1977 Stats:
    • Seattle Mariners: 3-2, 3 saves, 4.95 ERA in 43 games
    • Cleveland Indians: 0-0, 5.40 ERA in 2 games
  • 1977 Highlights:


Wednesday, December 5, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #393 - John Lowenstein




Tuesday, December 4, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #392 - Phil Roof


  • This was Phil Roof's last season. Phil played in only three games and was 0 for 5. 
  • Phil played in his final game on May 30. He was activated in September but didn't play.
  • After the 1977 season Roof went into coaching. He was signed to coach first base and be the catching coach for the San Diego Padres in 1978.
  • 1977 Stats: .000 (0 for 5) in 3 games
  • Other card blogs: 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976


Monday, December 3, 2012

1977 Topps Baseball #391 - Dan Warthen


  • Dan Warthen started the 1977 season with the Montreal Expos. On June 15 Dan was traded (with Barry Foote) to the Philadelphia Phillies for Tim Blackwell and Wayne Twitchell. 
  • Warthen pitched in one game for the Phillies in June and then was sent to AAA Oklahoma City until September. Dan pitched in two more September games for the Phillies.
  • 1977 Stats:
    • Montreal Expos: 2-3, 7.97 ERA in 12 games (6 starts)
    • Philadelphia Phillies: 0-1, 0.00 ERA in 3 games
    • Oklahoma City 89ers (AAA): 1-1, 9.00 ERA in 7 games (4 starts)
  • 1977  Highlights:
  • Other card blogs: 1976