- Mick Kelleher had the distinction of having the most lifetime at bats (1081) without a home run.
- Kelleher was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969. Mick worked his way up the Cardinals' system from 1969-1972 and had a September call-up in 1972 (.159 in 23 games).
- Mick spent most of the 1973 season as a backup shortstop with the Cardinals. Kelleher batted .184 in 43 games, mostly as a late-inning replacement. Mick also spent some time in AAA in 1973.
- After the 1973 season Kelleher was sold to the Houston Astros. Mick spent most of the year in AAA. Kelleher was used by the Astros at shortstop for a couple of weeks in May and was also called up in September.
- After the 1974 season Mick was sold back to the Cardinals. Kelleher was in AAA for just about all of the 1975 season. He went 0 for 4 in seven games for the Cardinals in September. After the 1975 season Mick was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Vic Harris.
- In 1976 Kelleher split time at shortstop with Dave Rosello. Mick batted .228 in 124 games.
- Kelleher was a utilityman for the Cubs for the next four seasons. He batted .230 in 63 games in 1977, .253 in 68 games in 1978, and .254 in 73 games in 1979.
- Mick had a tough time at the plate in 1980. He batted .146 in 96 at bats. I remember his APBA card from that year and it was quite futile.
- During spring training in 1981 Mick was purchased by the Detroit Tigers. Kelleher didn't get very much playing time for the Tigers in 1981 (.221 in 77 at bats).
- Kelleher was 0 for 1 in two games in 1982 when he was sold to the California Angels in late April. Mick batted .163 in 49 at bats for the Angels in 1982.
- Kelleher was released during spring training in 1983. He signed with the San Diego Padres and played in AAA. Mick didn't get back to the majors and retired after the 1983 season.
- Since his retirement Mick has been coaching and has had coordinator assignments for several teams. Currently (2013) Kelleher is the first base coach for the New York Yankees.
- 1977 Stats: .230 in 63 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1979, 1980, 1983
- Jerry Morales was an NL All Star in 1977. Jerry replaced George Foster in center field in the bottom of the 6th inning. Morales was hit by a Sparky Lyle pitch and came around to score in the 8th inning.
- Morales was the starting center fielder for the Cubs in 1977.
- 1977 Stats: .290, 11 HR, 69 RBI in 136 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983
- This card is mislabeled - Rick is actually on the left
- Rick Reuschel (1972-1991)
- Lifetime stats:
- 214-191 record
- 3.37 ERA
- 557 games (529 starts)
- 2015 strikeouts
- 3-time All Star
- 2 Gold Glove awards
- Paul Reuschel (1975-1979)
- Lifetime stats:
- 16-16 record
- 4.51 ERA
- 13 saves
- 198 games (9 starts)
- Jose Cardenal's days as a full time player were over at this point in his career. Jose had injury problems and was used mainly as a pinch hitter and a backup outfielder in 1977. After the 1977 season Cardenal was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.
- I wonder how many times Topps did the Cal McLish cartoon. It seems like it came up every year.
- 1977 Stats: .239, 3 HR, 18 RBI in 100 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980
- Steve Renko started the 1977 season with the Chicago Cubs. Renko underwent surgery to remove a growth on his thyroid gland and missed almost two months (late April to late June).
- On August 18 Renko was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Larry Andersen. The White Sox were in need of pitching help. Steve did his part by going 5-0 in 8 starts for the White Sox.
- 1977 Stats:
- Chicago Cubs: 2-2, 4.56 ERA in 13 games (8 starts)
- Chicago White Sox: 5-0, 3.54 ERA in 8 starts
- Total: 7-2, 4.04 ERA in 21 games (16 starts)
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983
- .On December 8, 1976 Pete LaCock was traded to the Kansas City Royals as part of a three-way deal between the Royals, the Chicago Cubs, and the New York Mets.
- Pete was a backup first baseman and occasional left and right fielder for the Royals in 1977. He had the best batting average of his career (.303) in 1977.
- 1977 Stats:
- Regular season: .303, 3 HR, 29 RBI in 88 games
- AL Championship Series: .000 (0 for 1) in 1 game
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980
- Rick Reuschel won 20 games for the only time in his career in 1977. He was named to the NL All Star team and pitched a scoreless 8th inning. Rick finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting.
- 1977 Stats: 20-10, 2.79 ERA, 1 save in 39 games (37 starts)
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1988
- Herman Franks started his career in the St. Louis Cardinals organization at the age of 18 in 1932. Franks played in the minors until 1939. Herman batted .059 in 17 games for the Cardinals in 1939 and then was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers.
- Herman spent two seasons as a backup catcher with the Dodgers (.183 in 65 games in 1940 and .201 in 57 games in 1941) and then served in the military for the next three years.
- Franks played for AAA Montreal in 1946 was a player-manager for the AAA St. Paul Saints in 1947. Herman left the Dodger organization in 1947 to be a backup catcher for the Philadelphia A's for the rest of the 1947 season and for the 1948 season.
- Herman became a coach for the New York Giants under Leo Durocher in 1949. In the famous Bobby Thomson home run game in 1951 Franks was in the center field clubhouse in the Polo Grounds. He apparently was looking at the opposing catchers' signs with a telescope and then relaying them to bullpen catcher Sal Yvars, who would then relay the sign to the batter. Franks always denied being part of such an operation. Herman coached with the Giants until Durocher was fired in 1955.
- Franks was a Giants scout and the General Manager of the AAA Salt Lake City Bees from 1956-1964. Herman also coached under Giants' manager Alvin Dark in 1964.
- In 1965 Franks became the manager of the Giants. The Giants finished second for four straight seasons (1965-1968). Herman stepped down as the Giants' manager after the 1968 season. Franks didn't really need the job -- he was making enough money outside of baseball to have a comfortable living.
- Herman was out of baseball and became a successful businessman between 1969 and 1976.
- Franks was hired to be the manager of the Chicago Cubs after the 1976 season. Herman managed the Cubs from 1977 until he stepped down in late September 1979. Franks served as the interim General Manager of the Cubs in 1981 before the Tribune Company bought the club.
- Franks had a good managerial career even though he never won a pennant. His teams finished at .500 or better in six of his seven years as a major league manager, and the other club (the 1978 Cubs) were just slightly below .500.
- Herman Franks passed away at the age of 95 in 2009.
- Record: 81-81, 4th in NL East, 20 games behind Philadelphia
- Attendance: 1,439,834 (5th in NL)
- Team Batting: .266 (5th in NL)
- Team HR: 111 (10th in NL)
- Team Stolen Bases: 64 (12th in NL)
- Team ERA: 4.01 (8th in NL)
- Team Fielding: .977 (8th in NL)
- All Stars: Jerry Morales (OF), Rick Reuschel (P), Bruce Sutter (P), Manny Trillo (2B)
- Awards: none
- NL Leaders: Bobby Murcer (sacrifice flies - 10)
- Batting Leader: Steve Ontiveros (.299)
- Home Run Leader: Bobby Murcer (27)
- RBI Leader: Bobby Murcer (89)
- Stolen Base Leader: Ivan DeJesus (24)
- Victories Leader: Rick Reuschel (20)
- Losses Leader: Ray Burris (16)
- Strikeout Leader: Rick Reuschel (166)
- Saves Leader: Bruce Sutter (31)
- ERA Leader (starters): Rick Reuschel (2.79)
- ERA Leader (relievers): Bruce Sutter (1.34)
- Players who could have had Cubs cards in 1977 (batters with over 100 AB, pitchers with over 40 innings) :
- Gene Clines (OF) (pictured with Texas Rangers) - .293, 3 HR, 41 RBI in 101 games
- Greg Gross (OF) (pictured with Houston Astros) - .322, 5 HR, 22 RBI in 115 games
- Donnie Moore (P) (first card 1978) - 4-2, 4.07 ERA in 27 games (1 start)
- Dave Roberts (P) (pictured with Detroit Tigers) - 1-1, 1 save, 3.23 ERA in 17 games (6 starts)
.
- This was Randy Hundley's final season as a player. Hundley was the Cubs' bullpen coach and made two playing appearances in September. Randy was released after the season.
- 1977 Stats: .000 (0 for 4) in 2 games.
- Other card blogs: 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976
- Mike Krukow
- Debut: September 6, 1976
- 1977 Stats: 8-14, 4.40 ERA in 34 games (33 starts)
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1979. 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988
- Mike Krukow was an 8th round draft pick of the Chicago Cubs in 1973. He pitched in the minors from 1973-1976. Mike pitched in two games (0-0, 8.31 ERA) for the Cubs late in the 1976 season.
- Krukow entered the Cubs rotation as a rookie in 1977. He went 8-14 with a 4.40 ERA in 33 starts.
- Mike split the 1978 season between the Cubs and AAA Wichita. Krukow went 9-3 with a 3.90 ERA in 27 games (20 starts) for the Cubs in '78.
- Krukow was a member of Chicago's starting rotation for the next three seasons. Mike went 9-9 with a 4.21 ERA in 1979 and was 10-15 with a 4.39 ERA in 1980. Krukow led the NL in games started (25) in 1981 and was 9-9 with a 3.68 ERA.
- After the 1981 season Krukow was traded (with cash) to the Philadelphia Phillies for Dan Larson, Keith Moreland, and Dickie Noles. Mike spent one season with the Phillies - he was 13-11 with a 3.12 ERA in 33 starts.
- Krukow was on the move again after the 1982 season. Mike was traded (with Mark Davis and a minor leaguer) to the San Francisco Giants for Joe Morgan and Al Holland. Mike would spend the rest of his career (both as a player and as a broadcaster) in San Francisco.
- Mike had three pretty typical seasons for the Giants (11-11 in 1983, 11-12 in 1984, 8-11 in 1985). He had one really good year in 1986, going 20-9 with a 3.05 ERA in 34 starts. Krukow finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting in 1986 and made his only All Star team (he pitched a scoreless 9th inning).
- Krukow started to have injury problems in 1987. He slumped to a 5-6 record with a 4.80 ERA in 1987. Mike won his only start in the NL Championship Series -- he allowed two runs in a 4-2 complete game victory in game 4.
- Mike had a stint on the disabled list in 1988 and briefly pitched in the minors while rehabbing an injury. Krukow started 20 games for the Giants in 1988 and was 7-4 with a 3.54 ERA.
- Krukow's last year was 1989. He was 4-3 with a 3.98 ERA in 8 starts. He didn't pitch after June 4 due to a torn rotator cuff (he had surgery on June 30). Mike tried to come back in spring training in 1990 but he struggled and decided to retire.
- Mike did some occasional radio broadcasting for the Giants from 1990-1993. He became a full-time broadcaster in 1994. Krukow has won seven Emmy awards as a broadcaster and is teamed with former infielder Duane Kuiper.
- Jim Otten
- Debut: July 31, 1974
- 1977 Stats:
- Iowa Oaks (AAA): 5-9, 2 saves, 4.68 ERA in 34 games (13 starts)
- Other card blogs: none
- Jim Otten was originally drafted in the 5th round in 1970. Jim didn't sign in 1970 and was drafted twice in the first round in 1971 but he didn't sign then either. Otten finally signed with the Chicago White Sox after he was drafted in the second round in 1973. Jim usually had good stats with his minor league teams but he didn't get much of a chance to pitch in the majors. Otten spent most of the 1973-1977 seasons pitching in the minors.
- Otten had brief stints with the White Sox in 1974 (0-1, 5.51 ERA in 5 games), 1975 (6.75 ERA in 2 games) and 1976 (4.50 ERA in 2 games).
- After the 1977 season Otten was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for a minor leauger.
- Jim spent all of the 1978 and 1979 seasons in the minors.
- In 1980 Otten started in the minors and was called up in late May. Jim stayed with the Cardinals for the remainder of the 1980 season, going 0-5 with a 5.53 ERA in 31 games (4 starts)
- Otten was 1-0 with a 5.30 ERA in 24 games in 1981. Jim was released after the 1981 season.
- Gary Wheelock
- Debut: September 17, 1976
- 1977 Stats: 6-9, 4.89 ERA in 17 starts
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: none
- Gary Wheelock was drafted by the California Angels in 1974. Gary pitched in the minors from 1974-1976. He allowed six runs in two innings (27.00 ERA) in two games for the Angels late in the 1976 season. After the 1976 season Wheelock was chosen by the Seattle Mariners in the expansion draft
- Gary made the Seattle ballclub in 1977 and was placed in the starting rotation. Wheelock had injury problems off and on in the 1977 season. On August 22 Gary was placed on the disabled list. He didn't pitch for the rest of the season. Wheelock ended up with a 6-9 record and had a 4.89 ERA in 17 starts.
- Wheelock was in AAA in 1978 as he tried to come back from his injury. He had a rough year in 1978 (1-12, 6.98 ERA). Gary improved his stats in AAA in 1979.
- Gary had one last shot with the Mariners in 1980. He started one game and allowed two runs in three innings pitched. Wheelock went back to AAA Spokane for the rest of the 1980 season.
- Wheelock pitched in nine games for the LA Dodgers' AA San Antonio club in 1981. Gary retired after the 1981 season.
- Mike Willis
- Debut: April 13, 1977
- 1977 Stats: 2-6, 5 saves, 3.94 ERA in 43 games (3 starts)
- 1977 Highlights:
- April 13: Earned the save in his first major league appearance. Mike pitched the final 2 2/3 innings in Toronto's 7-6 win over the Detroit Tigers.
- May 4: Earned the save by allowing one run in three innings as the Blue Jays beat the Milwaukee Brewers 10-3.
- Other card blogs: 1979, Cardboard Gods
- Mike Willis was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1972. Mike pitched in the Baltimore system from 1972-1976. Willis put up good stats (especially 1974 and 1975 in AAA Rochester), but he never got the chance to pitch in Baltimore.
- Willis was chosen by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1976 expansion draft. Mike was mostly a reliever for the Blue Jays during his five-year stay with the club.
- In 1977 Mike was 2-6 with 5 saves and had a 3.94 ERA in 43 games (3 starts)
- Willis had a 3-7 record with 7 saves and had an ERA of 4.56 in 42 games (2 starts) in 1978. Willis was one of only three pitchers to defeat Ron Guidry during his 25-3 season. Mike was pressed into service as an emergency starter on September 20 and pitched a complete game 8-1 victory. Mike later called it the game of his life.
- Mike started the 1979 season with Toronto. He got hit pretty hard and was sent to AAA Syracuse in late June. Willis ended up with an 0-3 record and had an 8.44 ERA in 17 games (1 start).
- Willis was in Syracuse until early August in 1980. Mike came up to Toronto for the last two months of the season and was 2-1 with 3 saves and had an ERA of 1.71 in 20 appearances.
- Mike's last year in the majors was 1981. He went 0-4 and had a 5.91 ERA in 20 games. Mike's final game in the majors was on June 11. After the strike Willis was sent to Syracuse. He only made five appearances for Syracuse.
- Willis moved to the Philadelphia Phillies organization in 1982. Mike pitched for AAA Oklahoma City but he wasn't very effective (7-6, 6 saves, 7.00 ERA in 56 games/2 starts). Willis retired after the 1982 season.
- Mike now lives and works in Houston. Here is an article about him looking back at his baseball career.
- Ramon Hernandez was at the end of the line. The 1977 season was his last one in the major leagues. Hernandez started the year with the Chicago Cubs. Ramon was traded to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Bobby Darwin on May 28. Hernandez pitched for the Red Sox for almost three months before being released on August 20.
- 1977 Stats:
- Chicago Cubs: 0-0, 1 save, 8.22 ERA in 6 games
- Boston Red Sox: 0-1, 1 save, 5.68 ERA in 12 games
- TOTAL: 0-1, 2 saves, 6.64 ERA in 18 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- July 13 - Retired the last four batters to earn his final major league save. The Red Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 7-4.
- Other card blogs: 1967, 1968, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976
- Bill Bonham was the Cubs' #3 starter in 1977. Bonham had ten wins in 1977, but he had only one win in July, one win in August, and no victories in September. Bill was 2-7 from July until the end of the season.
- After the 1977 season Bill was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Bill Caudill, Woodie Fryman, and cash.
- 1977 Stats: 10-13, 4.36 ERA in 34 starts
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980
- Steve Swisher backed up starting catcher George Mitterwald in 1977. The Cubs didn't get much offense out of the position, as Mitterwald batted .238 and Swisher hit .190.
- After the 1977 season Steve was traded (with Jerry Morales and cash) to the St. Louis Cardinals for Dave Rader and Hector Cruz.
- 1977 Stats: .190, 5 HR, 15 RBI in 74 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983
- This was the first of four All-Star seasons for Manny Trillo (he struck out in his only at bat). At the time of his All Star selection Trillo was hitting .315.
- 1977 Stats: .280, 5 HR, 44 RBI in 152 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988
- On 11 January 1977 Rick Monday was traded (with Mike Garman) to the LA Dodgers for Bill Buckner, Ivan DeJesus, and minor leaguer Jeff Albert. Rick had had his best year in 1976, but he had an off year in 1977. He appears to have been injured during the season -- he played in only 118 games and there is a 3-week break in July and August that looks like a disabled list stint. His production slipped as the season went on.
- 1977 Stats:
- Regular season: .230, 15 HR, 48 RBI
- NL Championship Series: .286 (2 for 7) in 3 games
- World Series: .167 (2 for 12) in 4 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1976 Hostess, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983
- Paul Reuschel, brother of Rick Reuschel, was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1968.
- It would take Reuschel seven years to make it to the majors. He spent four straight seasons in AAA Wichita (1972-1975).
- Paul finally made it to the majors in July 1975 at the age of 28. He pitched in 28 games and was 1-3 with 5 saves and had a 3.50 ERA. On August 21 he and Rick were the first brothers to combine on a shutout.
- In 1976 Reuschel appeared in 50 games (2 starts ) and was 4-2 with 3 saves and had an ERA of 4.55
- Paul was mostly a middle reliever for the Chicago Cubs in 1977. It would be his last full season as a member of the Cubs.
- Reuschel started the 1978 season with the Cubs (2-0, 5.14 ERA in 20 games). On June 26 Paul was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Dennis DeBarr. Reuschel finished the 1978 season with the Indians and was 2-4 with a 3.11 ERA in 18 games (6 starts).
- In 1979 Paul went 2-1 with 1 save and had a 7.94 ERA in 17 games. Reuschel was released by the Indians after the 1979 season and he retired.
- 1977 Stats: 5-6, 4.37 ERA, 4 saves in 69 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1977, 1979
- Mike Garman had his last good year in 1977. He actually played for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1977. Mike was traded to the Dodgers (with Rick Monday) for Ivan DeJesus, Bill Buckner, and a minor leaguer in January 1977.
- He was used to close some games and was also a set-up man for Charlie Hough.
- 1977 Stats:
- Regular season: 4-4, 2.73 ERA, 12 saves in 49 games
- NL Championship Series: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 save in 2 games
- World Series: 0-0, 0.00 ERA in 2 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1971, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1979
- Joe Wallis was used mostly as a pinch hitter and a backup center fielder in 1977. Joe played in 56 games but had only 80 at bats.
- 1977 Stats: .250 (20 for 80), 2 HR, 8 RBI in 56 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1976, 1979, 1980, Cardboard Gods
- .Bill Madlock was traded to the San Francisco Giants (with Rob Sperring) for Bobby Murcer, Steve Ontiveros, and a minor leaguer. Both Murcer and Madlock were dissatisfied with offers made by their teams and were unsigned at the time. Bill would spend 2 1/2 seasons with the Giants and help them contend for the NL West flag in 1978 before being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979.
- Madlock batted over .300 but he dropped off in just about every offensive category in 1977.
- 1977 Stats: .302, 12 HR, 46 RBI
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1974, 1975, 1976, 1976, 1976 Hostess, 1976 Kellogg's, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988
- Joe Coleman was traded to the Oakland A's for Jim Todd during spring training in 1977. Joe started the sesaon in the bullpen and went into the starting rotation in July. Coleman was a starter for most of the remainder of the 1977 season.
- 1977 Stats: 4-4, 2 saves, 2.96 ERA in 43 games (12 starts)
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1976, 1979, 1980
