1977 Topps Baseball #467 - Philadelphia Phillies / Danny Ozark

• Danny Ozark had a long playing career in the minor leagues. He started in 1942 and then was in military service for the next three years. Ozark fought in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II.
• Danny came back after the war and resumed his playing career. Ozark spent his entire playing career (1942, 1946-1961, 1963) in the Brooklyn/LA Dodgers' organization, but he never made it to the majors. 
• In 1956 Ozark started managing in the Dodger organization. He was a player-manager in Class B and A ball for four  years and then managed the Dodgers' AAA affiliate from 1960-1964.
• In 1965 Ozark moved up to the LA Dodgers as a coach. He coached with the Dodgers from 1965-1972.
• After the 1972 season Danny was hired to manage the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies were building a contender and they moved up the standings as their young players developed.
• The Phillies finished 6th in 1973, 3rd in 1974, and 2nd in 1975. They then won the NL East in three straight seasons (1976-1978). The team won 101 games in both 1976 and in 1977. Philadelphia lost in the NL Championship Series by the Cincinnati Reds in 1976 and by the LA Dodgers in 1977 and 1978.
• The Phillies signed Pete Rose as a free agent after the 1978 season. It was thought that Rose was the missing piece. Rose had a good year, but injuries and some off years by other players doomed the Phillies. Ozark was fired on August 31, 1979 after the Phillies were 65-67 and in fourth place. Danny was thought to be too soft on the players. Dallas Green took over the team and led it to the World Championship the following season.
• Danny coached with the Dodgers again from 1980-1982. He was not asked back to coach with the Dodgers after the 1982 season..
• Ozark joined the San Francisco Giants coaching staff in 1983. He coached with the Giants in 1983 and in 1984.
• Ozark managed the San Francisco Giants at the end of the 1984 season. Danny replaced Frank Robinson, who was fired on August 5. The Giants were 24-32 under Ozark. Danny said that he didn't want to manage in 1985. Ozark became a special assignment scout and consultant for the Giants.
• Danny retired to his home in Vero Beach. He passed away in 2009 at the age of 85.
• Record: 101-61, 1st in NL East, 5 games ahead of Pittsburgh Pirates
• Attendance:  2,700,070 (2nd in NL)
• Team Batting: .279 (1st in NL)
• Team HR: 186 (2nd in NL)
• Team Stolen Bases: 135 (4th in NL)
• Team ERA: 3.71 (4th in NL)
• Team Fielding: .981 (2nd in NL)
• All Stars: Greg Luzinski (starting LF); Mike Schmidt (3B); Steve Carlton (P)
• Awards: Steve Carlton (NL Cy Young Award, The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year); Jim Kaat (Gold Glove, P); Mike Schmidt (Gold Glove, 3B); Garry Maddox (Gold Glove, OF) 
• NL Leaders: Steve Carlton (victories, 23)
• Batting Leader: Greg Luzinski (.309)
• Home Run Leader: Greg Luzinski (39)
• RBI Leader: Greg Luzinski (130)
• Stolen Base Leader: Larry Bowa (32)
• Victories Leader: Steve Carlton (23)
• Losses Leader: Jim Kaat (11)
• Strikeout Leader: Steve Carlton (198)
• Saves Leader: Gene Garber (19)
• ERA Leader (starters): Steve Carlton (2.64)
• ERA Leader (relievers): Gene Garber (2.35)
• Players who could have had Phillies cards in 1977 (batters with over 100 AB, pitchers with over 40 innings) :
• Bake McBride (OF) (pictured with Cardinals): .339, 11 HR, 41 RBI in 85 games
• Richie Hebner (1B) (pictured with Pirates): .285, 18 HR, 62 RBI in 118 games
• Ted Sizemore (2B) (pictured with Dodgers) : .281, 4 HR, 47 RBI in 152 games
• Davey Johnson (2B) (no 1977 card): .321, 8 HR, 36 RBI in 78 games
• Warren Brusstar (P) (no 1977 card - rookie card in 1978): 7-2, 3 saves, 2.65 ERA in 46 games