1977 Topps Baseball #644 - Matt Alexander

• Matt Alexander was one of Charlie Finley's "designated runners" in the mid 1970s. Alexander was more than just a runner and was respected more by his Oakland teammates than the others.
• Manager Jack McKeon and Finley came up with an interesting experiment in late May. Alexander would start the game at shortstop, get one at bat, and then be replaced by regular shortstop Rob Picciolo. The idea was for Matt to get on base any way he could and then use his talents to get the A's an early run. The experiment lasted for about a week and a half. In the eight games Alexander got on base four times and scored three runs.
• Alexander had career highs in stolen bases (26) and runs (24) in 1977. Matt didn't make the Oakland club in 1978 and was released. The Pittsburgh Pirates picked him up in September and Alexander managed to get a World Series ring with the Pirates in 1979.
• Matt Alexander's SABR biography
• 1977 Stats: .238, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 26 stolen bases in 90 games (42 at bats)
• 1977 Highlights:
• May 31 - In one of the "shortstop experiment" games Matt singled, stole second, went to third on a fly ball, and scored on a wild pitch. The A's lost the game 5-2.
• July 15 - Singled in the winning run in the 11th inning of Oakland's 8-7 win over the Minnesota Twins.
• Other card blogs: 1976