1977 Topps Baseball #628 - Mario Guerrero

• Mario Guerrero split time with Rance Mulliniks at shortstop in 1977. He had a pretty good batting average (.283), but he walked only four times and had a .292 on base percentage. Guerrero didn't play his first game with the Angels until May 22. I was unable to find anything about that -- does anyone know why he didn't play until May?
• When the Angels acquired Rick Burleson, Mario became expendable. He was allowed to leave as a free agent and signed with the San Francisco Giants. Mario was traded to the Oakland A's as part of the big Vida Blue deal before the 1978 season and had more chances to play on that rebuilding ballclub.
• 1977 Stats: .283, 1 HR, 28 RBI in 86 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• June 23 - Singled twice, had a sacrifice fly, and knocked in three runs as the Angels beat the Chicago White Sox 10-6.
• Sept 9 - Doubled in Bobby Bonds in the 8th inning to help the Angels beat the White Sox 5-4.
• Other card blogs: 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980