1977 Topps Baseball #654 - Ron Pruitt

• Ron Pruitt played a lot of positions in his career. Although he didn't hit many home runs, Pruitt swung the bat pretty well.
• Pruitt was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 1972. Ron played in the minors from 1972-1975. Pruitt was called up to the Rangers in June 1975, but he didn't have much of a chance to play since the Rangers had Jim Sundberg as their starting catcher. Pruitt batted .176 in 14 games for Texas in 1975.
• After the 1975 season Ron was traded (with pitcher Stan Thomas) to the Cleveland Indians for catcher John Ellis. Ellis wasn't getting along with Cleveland manager Frank Robinson.
• Pruitt was used at catcher, 1B, 3B, and all three outfield positions in 1976. Ron batted .267 in 47 games.
•  In 1977 Ron played a lot more games in the outfield (69 games) than he did at catcher (4 games). Pruitt had a short stint in AAA in May and early June. Ron batted .288 in 78 games for the Indians in 1977.
• Ron's batting average dropped to .235 in 1978. Pruitt played in 64 games and hit six home runs, which was his career high.
• Pruitt batted .283 in 64 games in 1979. 
• In 1980 Ron started the season with the Indians and was used mostly as a pinch hitter. Pruitt was batting .306 in 36 at bats on June 13 when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Alan Bannister. Ron continued his good hitting and batted .300 in 70 at bats for the White Sox to finish the 1980 season.
• After the White Sox acquired Carlton Fisk, Pruitt's days with the White Sox were numbered. Ron didn't make the Chicago club in 1981 and was released at the end of spring training. Pruitt signed a minor league contract with the Indians. Ron was assigned to AAA Charleston but played in only 40 games due to the major league players strike. Pruitt was called up in September and went 0 for 10 in five games.
• Pruitt was released after the 1981 season. He signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants and spent most of the year with the AAA Phoenix Giants. Ron was called up in September and went 2 for 4 in five games. Pruitt had a key pinch hit on September 30 that helped keep the Giants in the NL West race. It was a close race -- with three games to go the Atlanta Braves led the Giants and the LA Dodgers by one game. 
• Pruitt made the Giants roster in 1983 but his time with the team was short. He was hitless in one at bat and was released on April 14. Two weeks later Ron signed with the Philadelphia Philles. Pruitt spent the year in AAA but was never called up. Pruitt retired after the 1983 season.
• Ron has been running a batting facility and coaching in Ohio since his retirement from baseball.
• 1977 Stats: .288, 2 HR, 32 RBI in 78 games
• 1977 Highlights: 
• July 28 - Went 4 for 5 in a losing cause as the Indians lost to the Kansas City Royals 5-4.
• Aug 28 - Hit a 3-run home run in Cleveland's 10-6 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
• Other card blogs: 1978, 1979, 1980, Cardboard Gods