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

1977 Topps Baseball #618 - Pat Dobson

• Pat Dobson experienced a change of fortunes in 1977. After leading the team with 16 wins in 1977, Pat won only three games in 1977. He lost his place in the rotation in July and spent the rest of the year as a long reliever.
• Pat was sent to AAA Portland before the 1978 season. Dobson was released in mid April. Except for a brief comeback attempt in 1979, that was it for Pat's career.
• Pat Dobson's SABR biography
• 1977 Stats: 3-12, 6.14 ERA in 33 games (17 starts)
• 1977 Highlights:
• Sept 19 - Took the loss in relief in what would be his final major league appearance. The Minnesota Twins beat the Indians 6-4.
• Other card blogs: 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1976

1977 Topps Baseball #590 - Buddy Bell

• Buddy Bell had his 1977 season ended on September 4 due to stretched ligaments in his knee. During this time in his career Bell was an average fielder at 3B but he improved his defense enough to win six straight Gold Gloves from 1979-1984.
• 1977 Stats: .292, 11 HR, 64 RBI in 129 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• May 4 - Had the game-winning hit in Cleveland's 6-5 win over the  Minnesota Twins. The attendance was a whopping 3,353.
• May 22 - Went 4 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBI to help the Indians to a 7-1 win over the Kansas City Royals
• Other card blogs: 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1976, 1976 Hostess, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1985, 1986, 1988

1977 Topps Baseball #542 - Frank Duffy

• This was Frank Duffy's final season as a regular player. After the 1977 season Duffy became a free agent and resigned with the Indians. Frank lost his starting shortstop to Larvell Blanks, so he was  traded to the Boston Red Sox during spring training the following season.
• Topps really stretched to do some of these writeups. I had no idea 500 hits was a milestone, especially after a player has been playing for seven seasons.
• 1977 Stats: .201, 4 HR, 31 RBI in 122 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• April 19 - Tripled in a run, breaking a 2-2 tie, and also scored in the top of the 10th inning. The Indians scored three runs in the top of the 10th but lost the game when the Baltimore Orioles scored four times in the bottom of the 10th. The winning blow for the Orioles was a 3-run homer by pinch hitter Brooks Robinson.
• June 30 - Hit two home runs to help the Indians beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-2.
• Other card blogs: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979

1977 Topps Baseball #525 - Dennis Eckersley

• This was the last of Dennis Eckersley's three seasons in Cleveland. Dennis made the AL All Star team as a replacement for Nolan Ryan (he pitched two no-hit innings), but he pitched no complete games and the Indians were concerned about how his delivery would affect his arm. There was also an awkward situation caused by teammate Rick Manning having an affair with Eckersley's wife. After the 1977 season Eckersley was traded to the Boston Red Sox.
• Dennis Eckersley's SABR biography.
• 1977 Stats: 14-13, 3.53 ERA in 33 starts
• 1977 Highlights:
• May 30 - Pitched a 1-0 no-hitter against the California Angels. A first inning walk to Tony Solaita was the only thing that kept Dennis from a perfect game.
• June 3 - Gave up a home run to Ruppert  Jones in the sixth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners. Dennis fell 2/3 of an inning short of equalling Cy Young's record of 23 consecutive hitless innings.
• Aug 27 - Pitched a 4-hit shutout against the Mariners for his 13th win of the year.
• Other card blogs: 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1993

1977 Topps Baseball #501 - Jim Bibby

• Jim Bibby was the third starter for the Cleveland Indians in 1977. Jim made some occasional relief appearances between starts.
• During spring training in 1978 Bibby was declared a free agent due to breach of contract. The Indians failed to pay him an incentive bonus. Jim eventually signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Jim Bibby's SABR biography
• 1977 Stats: 12-13, 2 saves, 3.57 ERA in 37 games (30 starts)
• 1977 Highlights:
• March 28 - Not exactly a highlight -- Jim gave up 11 earned runs and 12 hits in less than two innings pitched in a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The game was played in a stiff breeze and the final score was Milwaukee 16, Cleveland 9. Good thing spring training games don't count!
• May 22 - Gave up one run on seven hits in a complete game 7-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
• June 24 - Went the distance and allowed two runs on eight hits as the Indians beat the Detroit Tigers 4-2.
• Other card blogs: 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983

1977 Topps Baseball #477 - Rookie Infielders - Doug Ault / Rich Dauer / Orlando Gonzalez / Phil Mankowski

• Doug Ault
• Debut: September 9, 1976
• 1977 Stats: .245, 11 HR, 64 RBI in 129 games
• 1977  Highlights:
• April 7 - Homered twice and had 4 RBI in Toronto's 9-5 win over the Chicago White Sox.
• Aug 6 - Had three hits, including a home run, as the Blue Jays beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-3.
• Other card blogs: 1979, Cardboard Gods
• Doug Ault was signed by the Texas Rangers in 1973. He was 6'3" tall and weighed 200 pounds. Doug started his playing career at the age of 23. He played in the minors from 1973-1976 and had a good year with AAA Sacramento (.313, 25 HR) in 1976. Ault had a brief stint in Texas at the end of the 1976 season and batted .300 in 9 games.
• Ault was chosen by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1976 expansion draft. Doug started at first base for  most of the 1977 season and batted .245 with 11 HR in 129 games. Ault hit the first home run in Toronto Blue Jays history in the first game of the 1977 season.
• In 1978 Doug backed up at 1B and OF and was a pinch hitter. He batted .240 in 45 games.
• Ault was back in the minors in 1979. He started the 1980 season in AAA and was recalled in June. Doug batted .194 in 64 games. That was it for his major league career.
• Ault played in Japan in 1981. He played for AAA Syracuse and also in the Mexican League in 1982. Doug retired after the 1982 season.
• After his playing career Ault was a coach and a manager in the minor leagues in the 1980s and 1990s. His coaching/managing career was derailed by an addiction to pain killers that he took for a chronically sore shoulder.
•  In the 2000s Doug was a car salesman.
• Doug died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on December 22, 2004. He and his second wife had been having financial and other problems -- she was a obstetrician-gynecologist but she had lost her medical license in Florida in 2002 due mainly to a drug and alcohol addiction.
• Rich Dauer
• Debut: September 11, 1976
• 1977 Stats: .243, 5 HR, 25 RBI in 96 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• June 9 - Hit his first major league home run.
• Sept 20 - Hit a home run to help Jim Palmer and the Orioles beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-2. The win helped keep the Orioles' pennant hopes alive.
• Other card blogs: 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986
• Rich Dauer first appeared on the baseball scene with the USC Trojans. He helped them to two College World Series victories in 1973 and in 1974. Dauer was the #1 draft pick of the Baltimore Orioles in 1974. He spent some time in the minors from 1974-1976 and had a great year for AAA Rochester in 1976 (.336 in 132 games). Rich earned a September call-up in 1976 (.103 in 11 games).
• In 1977 Dauer split time with Billy Smith at second base. Rich had a bit more offense (.243 to Smith's .215). The two players were used similarly in the next two seasons, but Dauer started to get larger and larger shares of the playing time. Rich batted .264 in 133 games in 1978 and .257 in 142 games in 1979. Dauer batted .182 (2 for 11) in the 1979 AL Championship Series and .294 (5 for 17) in the World Series. Rich holds the record for consecutive errorless games at second base (82 in 1978).
• Rich became the full-time second baseman for the Orioles in 1980.  Dauer batted .284 in 152 games in 1980 and .263 in 96 games in the strike-shortened 1981 season.
• Dauer had his best season in 1982, batting .280 with a career-high 8 home runs. 
• Rich slumped to .235 in 1983. He went 0 for 14 in the AL Championship Series and batted .211 (4 for 19) in the World Series.
• Dauer's last year as a full-time player was in 1984. He batted .257 in 127 games.
• Rich lost his 2B job to Alan Wiggins toward the end of the 1985 season. Dauer batted .202 in 85 games and became a free agent at the end of the season.
• After his playing career Rich was a coach and a manager in the minor leagues. He was a coach for four major league teams as well. Dauer is now the manager of the AA San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres affiliate).
• Orlando Gonzalez
• Debut: June 7, 1976
• 1977 Stats: 
• Toledo Mud Hens (AAA): .306, 1 HR, 43 RBI
• Other card blogs: none
• Orlando Gonzalez was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1974. He spent most of his career in the minors. Gonzalez put up good numbers in the minors -- his lowest average was .279 in 1974. He didn't have power, but he had good batting averages and was a pretty good base stealer.
• Orlando had a brief look at the end of the 1976 season and batted .250 in 28 games.
• Gonzalez was not satisfied with his contract offer for the 1977 season and was a holdout. Indians owner Phil Seghi renewed Orlando's (and several other player's) contract at a 20% pay cut in early March. He spent the 1977 season in AAA Toledo and batted .306 with 28 stolen bases.
• After the 1977 season Gonzalez became a free agent and signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. He played in AAA Oklahoma City until mid-July and then was called up to the Phillies. Orlando was mostly used as an outfield defensive replacement and a pinch hitter. Gonzalez batted .192 in 26 games and struck out in his only at bat in the NL Championship Series.
• Orlando was in Oklahoma City for the entire 1979 season. In 1980 Gonzalez was in Oklahoma City until July 25, when the Phillies sold him to the Oakland A's. The A's brought Orlando up to the majors and he batted .243 in 25 games.
• Gonzalez was released by the A's at the end of spring training in 1981. 
• Phil Mankowski
• Debut: August 30, 1976
• 1977 Stats: .276, 3 HR, 27 RBI in 94 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• May 6 - Knocked in two runs and scored another as the Tigers beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-2.
• July 25 - Knocked in two runs to help the Tigers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-3.
• Other card blogs: 1979, 1980, Cardboard Gods
• Phil Mankowski was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1970. Phil spent six seasons (1971-1976) in the minors before coming up at the end of the 1976 season. In 1976 Mankowski started at third base for the Tigers for about a month and batted .271 in 24 games.
• Mankowski backed up at 3B and 2B for the Tigers in 1977, batting .276 in 94 games.
• Phil had a similar role in 1978 (.275 in 88 games) and in 1979 (.222 in 42 games). After the 1979 season Mankowski was traded (with Jerry Morales) to the New York Mets for Richie Hebner.
• Mankowski was hurt for much of the 1980 season. He had tendonitis in his right shoulder and missed May, June, and much of July. The Mets sent Phil to their AAA Tidewater club in July on a rehab assignment. Phil was reactivated in late September. He batted .167 in eight games in 1980.
• Phil didn't make the Mets in 1981 and was assigned to Tidewater. He played in only 55 games in 1981. I'm not sure, but I think that may have been due to the major league strike. 
• Mankowski started the 1982 season in Tidewater. He had a brief stint with the Mets in June/July and batted .229 in 13 games. Phil retired after the 1982 season.
• In 1984 The Natural was filmed in Phil's hometown of Buffalo, NY. Phil was in the movie -- his major scene was when he gazing in the stands at an attractive female and a ball hit him below the belt.
• Mankowski was named to the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

1977 Topps Baseball #476 - Rookie Catchers - Gary Alexander / Rick Cerone / Dale Murphy / Kevin Pasley

• Gary Alexander
• Debut: September 12, 1975
• 1977 Stats: 
• San Francisco Giants - .303, 5 HR, 20 RBI in 51 games
• Phoenix Giants (AAA) - .341, 7 HR, 55 RBI in 59 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• July 9 - Hit a pinch double in the 11th inning to knock in the winning run in San Francisco's 5-4 win over the Atlanta Braves.
• Other card blogs: 1979, 1980
• Gary Alexander was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1972. Gary worked his way up the  Giants' chain from 1972-1977. Alexander hit a lot of home runs, drew a lot of walks, and struck out a lot. Gary had brief stints in San Francisco in 1975 (0 for 3 in 3 games) and in 1976 (.178 in 23 games).
• In 1977 Alexander started in AAA Phoenix. He batted .341 with 7 home runs in 59 games and earned a call to San Francisco. Gary also hit well in San Francisco (.303 with 5 HR in 51 games).
• Gary was supposed to be the Giants' starting catcher in 1978, but the Giants had the opportunity to acquire Vida Blue. Gary was traded (with Mario Guerrero, Dave Heaverlo, Phil Huffman, John Henry Johnson, Gary Thomasson, Alan Wirth, and $300,000) to the Oakland A's for Blue on March 15.
• Alexander was with the A's for only half a season. He batted .207 with 10 HR and 22 RBI for the A's and was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Joe Wallis on June 15. Gary batted .235 with 17 HR and 62 RBI for the Indians. All told, Gary hit 27 home runs but led the AL with 166 strikeouts. On September 26 Alexander broke up a no-hit bid by Baltimore's Mike Flanagan by hitting a home run with two out in the 9th inning.
• In 1979 Alexander shared catching duties with Ron Hassey. Gary had some power but he struck out a lot and also had trouble defensively. Alexander batted .225 with 15 HR and 54 RBI in 110 games.
• Alexander was used more as a DH and pinch hitter in 1980. In 79 games Gary batted .225 with 5 HR and 31 RBI
• After the 1980 season Gary (along with Victor Cruz, Bob Owchinko and Rafael Vasquez) was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Bert  Blyleven and Manny Sanguillen. In 1981 Alexander was used mostly as a pinch hitter. He batted .213 in 21 games.
• The Pirates released Gary at the end of spring training in 1982. Alexander played in the Mexican League in 1982 and in 1983.
• Rick Cerone:
• Debut: August 17, 1975
• 1977 Stats: 
• Toronto Blue Jays - .200, 1 HR, 10 RBI in 31 games
• Charleston Charlies (AAA) - .234, 6 HR, 40 RBI in 70 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• Sept 19 - Went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI in Toronto's 3-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. 
• Other card blogs: 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988
• Rick Cerone was the first round draft pick of the Cleveland Indians in 1975. He had two brief stints with the Indians in 1975 (3 for 12 in 7 games) and in 1976 (2 for 16 in 7 games).
• After the 1976 season Cleveland traded Rick (with John Lowenstein) to the Toronto Blue Jays for Rico Carty.
• Rick started the 1977 season with the Blue Jays but he was injured on April 12 when a foul tip broke his right thumb. He spent time recovering from the injury and then played in AAA until mid August. Rick was recalled when starting catcher Ernie Whitt was injured. Cerone batted .200 in 31 games for the Blue Jays.
• In 1978 Cerone split time with Alan Ashby behind the plate and batted .223 in 88 games.
• Rick became the full time starting catcher in 1979. He batted .239 with 7 HR in 136 games. After the 1979 season Cerone was traded (with Tom Underwood and Ted Wilborn) to the New York Yankees for Chris Chambliss, Damaso Garcia, and Paul Mirabella. Since Cerone grew up in New Jersey, he was happy about the trade.
• Cerone had his "career year" for the Yankees in 1980. He batted .277 with 14 HR and 85 RBI and finished 7th in AL MVP voting. Rick batted .333 (4 for 12) in the AL Championship Series.
• Rick's production dropped in 1981 (.244 in 71 games). He batted .333 (6 for 18) in the AL Divisional Series, .100 in the AL Championship Series, and .190 in the World Series.
• In the next few seasons Rick's playing time dropped as he split time behind the plate with Butch Wynegar. He batted .227 in 89 games in 1982 and batted .220 in 80 games in 1983. Wynegar became the full time catcher in 1984 and Rick batted .208 in 38 games. He spent two months on the disabled list with a tender elbow. After the 1984 season the Yankees traded Cerone to the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Brian Fisher.
• In the next eight years Rick played for six teams. In 1985 (.216 in 96 games) Cerone shared catching duties with Bruce Benedict. Rick moved to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1986 (.259 in 68 games) and split time with Charlie Moore behind the plate. In 1987 Cerone was back with the Yankees and was a starting catcher for the last time in his career (.243 in 113 games). Rick was released by the Yankees during spring training in 1988. He signed with the Boston Red Sox and he spent the next two seasons there (.269 in 84 games in 1988 and .243 in 102 games in 1989). Cerone went back to the Yankees (signed as a free agent) in 1990 (.302 in 49 games) and then played for the New York Mets (.273 in 90 games) in 1991. Rick finished his career with the  Montreal Expos in 1992 (.270 in 33 games).
• In 1998 Cerone founded the Newark Bears, an independent team. He sold the club in 2003.
• Rick is now a motivational speaker. Here is a Q&A piece done by the New York Times in 2010.
• Dale Murphy
• Debut: September 13, 1976
• 1977 Stats:
• Atlanta Braves - .316, 2 HR, 14 RBI in 18 games
• Richmond Braves (AAA) - .305, 22 HR, 90 RBI in 127 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• Sept 15 - Hit two home runs, including the game-winner in the 10th inning off of Rollie Fingers, as the Braves beat the San Diego Padres 8-7.
• Other card blogs: 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1993
• Dale Murphy was the first round pick of the Atlanta Braves in 1974. He started out as a catcher and steadily moved up the Atlanta system during the next four years. Dale had brief stints with the Braves in 1976 (.262 in 19 games) and in 1977 (.316 in 18 games).
• Murphy's fielding behind the plate was below average so the Braves sought to find him another position. In 1978 Dale spent most of the season at first base. He hit 23 home runs but batted only .223 and struck out a league-leading 145 times in 151 games.
• In 1979 Murphy hit 21 home runs in 104 games and batted .276. This was the last year that the Braves tried to use Dale behind the plate. He threw out only six of the 38 runners who attempted to steal against him and his fielding percentage was below league average.
• The Braves moved Murphy to center field in 1980. Dale had his breakout season, batting .281 with 33 HR and 89 RBI. Murphy was selected to his first all star team and finished 12th in NL MVP voting.
• Murphy slipped in 1981 and batted .247 with 13 HR. 
• Dale had a great six-year run from 1982-1987:
• 1982 - .281, 36 HR, 109 RBI, NL MVP
• 1983 - .302, 36 HR, 120 RBI, NL MVP
• 1984 - .290, 36 HR, 100 RBI
• 1985 - .300, 37 HR, 111 RBI
• 1986 - .265, 29 HR, 83 RBI (the only off year during this run)
• 1987 - .295, 44 HR, 105 RBI
• Murphy was an NL All Star in each of these seasons and won a Gold Glove every year from 1982-1986
• In 1988 at the age of 32 Murphy started to have a dramatic drop-off in his production. He dropped to .226 with 24 HR and 77 RBI in 1988 and then batted .228 with 20 HR and 84 RBI in 1989.
• Murphy started the 1990 season with similar stats. Dale was batting .232 with 17 HR on August 2 when he was surprisingly traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for four players. Dale hit seven more home runs with the Phillies and finished the 1990 season with 24 HR.
• In 1991 Dale improved his batting average a bit, but the rest of his stats were similar to the previous three seasons. He batted .252 with 18 HR and 81 RBI.
• Murphy struggled with a degenerative condition in his knee in 1992. He played in only 18 games and batted .161.
• Dale was released by the Phillies on April 3, 1993. On the same day Murphy signed with the expansion Colorado Rockies. He played in 26 games but batted only .143. Murphy retired on June 1.
• Murphy finished his career with 398 lifetime home runs. If he would have had a couple more good years or if the decline of his career wouldn't have been so steep Dale would probably be in the Hall of Fame today.
• Dale was known for his clean living and high personal standards. After his playing career Murphy was a mission president in the LDS church in Boston for three years and has a lot of charity work.
• Kevin Pasley
• Debut: October 2, 1974
• 1977 Stats: 
• Los Angeles Dodgers - .333 (1 for 3) in 2 games
• Albuquerque Dukes (AAA) - .304, 1 HR, 60 RBI in 96 games
• Seattle Mariners - .385 (5 for 13) in 4 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• Sept 11 - Singled home the decisive run in Seattle's 6-4 win over the Texas Rangers
• Other card blogs: none
• Kevin Pasley was drafted out of high school  by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1972. Kevin worked his way up the Dodgers' system in the next few years. He played in on October game for the Dodgers in 1974 but didn't bat.
• Pasley spent four years (1974-1977) playing for AAA Albuquerque. The Dodgers called Kevin up in September 1976 and he got a month-long look. Pasley batted .231 in 23 games.
• In 1977 Kevin spent most of the season in Albuquerque. He played in two games for the Dodgers in August, going 1 for 3. On September 8 Kevin was sold to the Seattle Mariners. He played in five games for the Mariners, batting .385.
• Pasley started the 1978 season with the Mariners but was sent to AAA San Jose in May after batting .115 in 10 games. Kevin came back up to Seattle in late August and improved his hitting. Pasley ended up batting .241 in 55 games. This was his last season as a major leaguer.
• Kevin was released during spring training in 1979. He hooked on with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for the 1979 season and then spent 1980 and 1981 playing in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.
• Pasley signed with the Detroit Tigers in 1982. He played in 25 games in AA and AAA before retiring.

1977 Topps Baseball #449 - Al Fitzmorris

• Al Fitzmorris was a member of the original Toronto Blue Jays for a few hours. Al was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 1976 expansion draft. Later the same day, Fitzmorris was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Alan Ashby and Doug Howard.
• 1977 Stats: 6-10, 5.41 ERA in 29 games (21 starts)
• 1977 Highlights:
• May 21 - Took himself out of the game after facing one batter. Manager Frank Robinson wanted to fine Fitzmorris for malingering, but he was overruled by GM Phil Seghi. Fitzmorris said the problem was stiffness that came from time to time.
• July 31 - Allowed two runs (one unearned) on five hits in a complete game 9-2 win over the Minnesota Twins.
• Aug 19 - Earned the victory by allowing five hits and one run in eight innings as the Indians beat the Oakland A's 2-1.
• Other card blogs: 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1976 Hostess, 1979

1977 Topps Baseball #441 - Larvell Blanks

• Larvell "Sugar Bear" Blanks was a utilty infielder for the Indians in 1977. Blanks wasn't known for his defense, but he had a pretty good bat. Larvell clashed with manager Frank Robinson about playing time before Robinson was let go in mid-June.
• Larvell Blanks' SABR biography
• 1977 Stats: .286, 6 HR, 38 RBI in 105 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• May 10 - Hit a home run with one out in the bottom of the 9th to lead the Indians to a 1-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers
• May 29 - Scored the winning run in the 9th inning as the Indians rallied to beat the Oakland A's 5-4.
• July 8 - Homered twice and had 5 RBI in Cleveland's 11-5 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
• Other card blogs: 1975, 1976, 1976, 1979, 1980

1977 Topps Baseball #393 - John Lowenstein

• Interestingly, John Lowenstein was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays for a few months before the 1977 season. On December 6, 1976 John was traded with Rick Cerone to the Blue Jays for Rico Carty. On March 29, 1977 Lowenstein was traded back to Cleveland for Hector Torres.
• Lowenstein was a backup outfielder and pinch hitter in 1977. 
• 1977 Stats: .242, 4 HR, 12 RBI in 82 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• May 10 - Hit a bases-loaded triple in Cleveland's 7-4 win over the  Milwaukee Brewers.
• July 21 - Homered to help the Indians beat the Boston Red Sox 8-2.
• Other card blogs: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, Cardboard Gods

1977 Topps Baseball #385 - Dave LaRoche

• Dave LaRoche split the 1977 season between Cleveland and California. On May 11 Dave was traded with Dave Schuler to the Angels for Bruce Bochte, Sid Monge, and $250,000. LaRoche struggled with the Indians, but he was a much better fit in the Angels' bullpen and he had a good year. 
• 1977 Stats:
• Cleveland Indians: 2-2, 4 saves, 5.30 ERA in 13 games
• California Angels: 6-5, 13 saves, 3.10 ERA in 46 games
• Total - 8-7, 17 saves, 3.51 ERA in 59 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• July 19 - Pitched the 6th inning of the All Star Game. Dave allowed one hit and walked one batter, but he was able to get out of the inning without allowing the NL to score.
• Aug 26 - Pitched the last 2 1/3 innings of a 6-5 11-inning Californa victory over the Detroit Tigers. Dave upped his record to 8-5 with the win.
• Sept 8 - Combined with Nolan Ryan on a 4-hit shutout as the Angels beat the Chicago White Sox 2-0. Ryan pitched the first 6 1/3 innings and LaRoche finished the game.
• Other card blogs: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1982, 1983

1977 Topps Baseball #330 - George Hendrick

• I don't remember George Hendrick as a San Diego Padre. But he played for them for a season and a half in 1977 and 1978. After the 1976 season the Indians traded George to the Padres for Johnny Grubb, Fred Kendall, and Hector Torres. Hendrick had been expected to play out his option and become a free agent after the 1977 season.
• Hendrick played pretty well for the Padres in 1977, but he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for pitcher Eric Rasmussen after expressing  unhappiness about being alternated with Oscar Gamble in the outfield..
• 1977 Stats: .311, 23 HR, 81 RBI
• 1977 Highlights:
• May 30 / 30 - Homered in each game to help the Padres sweep the San Francisco Giants in a doubleheader.
• July 10 / 10 - Scored the winning run in the first game of a doubleheader and singled home the game-winning run in the nightcap as the Padres swept the Los Angeles Dodgers.
• July 27 - Homered twice and drove in four runs in the Padres' 7-5 win over the Montreal Expos.
• Other card blogs: 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988

1977 Topps Baseball #306 - Rick Waits

• Rick Waits started the 1977 season as a reliever. Rick got his first start of the season on June 17, one day before manager Frank Robinson was fired. Waits stayed in the starting rotation for most of the rest of the 1977 season.
• 1977 Stats: 9-7, 2 saves, 3.99 ERA in 37 games (16 starts)
• 1977 Highlights:
• June 21 - Pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings in his second start of the season and earned the win as the Indians beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-0.
• Aug 29 - Went the distance and earned the win in Cleveland's 9-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
• Other card blogs: 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986

1977 Topps Baseball #296 - Don Hood

• Don Hood had one of his better seasons in 1977. Used as a middle reliever and occasional starter, Don had a 3.00 ERA in 105 innings.
• 1977 Stats: 2-1, 3.00 ERA in 41 games (7 starts)
• 1977 Highlights:
• Jan 16 - Suffered a broken arm while playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic.
• May 4 - Got his first win of the season by pitching 1 1/3 innings of scoreless ball as the Indians beat the Minnesota Twins 6-5.
• Sept 5 - In his second start of the season, Don allowed two runs in seven innings and the Indians beat the New York Yankees 4-3.
• Other card blogs: 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983, 

1977 Topps Baseball #267 - Ray Fosse

• Ray Fosse started the 1977 season with the Cleveland Indians. He was a part-time catcher with the team. On September 9 Ray was traded to the Seattle Mariners for Bill Laxton and cash. Fosse finished the season with the Mariners and then signed with the Milwaukee Brewers as a free agent.
• Ray Fosse's SABR biography
• 1977 Stats: .276, 6 HR, 32 RBI in 89 games
• Cleveland Indians: .265, 6 HR, 27 RBI in 78 games
• Seattle Mariners: .353, 0 HR, 5 RBI in 11 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• May 30 - Caught Dennis Eckersley's no-hitter against the California Angels
• June 20 - Tripled with the bases loaded in the top of the 11th inning to help the Indians beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-5.
• Sept 21 - Went 4 for 5 and had 4 RBI as the Mariners beat the Milwaukee Brewers 11-4.
• Other card blogs: 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1976, 1979, 1980

1977 Topps Baseball #236 - Tom Buskey

• Tom Buskey had a rough year in 1977. He pitched in 20 games before being sent down to AAA Toledo in late July. Buskey was recalled when the rosters expanded in September, but he made only one appearance after his call up.
• 1977 Stats:
• Cleveland Indians: 0-0, 5.29 ERA in 21 games
• Toledo Mud Hens (AAA): 1-3, 4.50 ERA in 10 games (3 starts)
• 1977 Highlights:
• March 19 - Retired all six batters he faced in an exhibition game against the San Diego Padres.
• Other card blogs: 1975, 1976, 1980

1977 Topps Baseball #206 - Boog Powell

• There wasn't much left in the tank for Boog Powell when this card was made. Powell was released by the Cleveland Indians during spring training in 1977. Boog signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the Dodgers didn't really have a place for him to play (1B Steve Garvey wasn't going to be sitting down much). Powell was released on August 31 to make room for Jerry Grote and that was it for his career.
• 1977 Stats: .244 (10 for 41), 0 HR, 10 RBI in 50 games 
• 1977 Highlights:
• April 22 - Singled in two runs in the 6th inning to give the Dodgers a 5-4 lead. The Dodgers eventually lost the game to the Atlanta Braves 6-5.
• Nov 14 - Was voted a 5/6 World Series share by the Dodgers players.
• Other card blogs: 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1976 Kellogg's

Boog Powell Miller Lite commercial

1977 Topps Baseball #168 - Charlie Spikes

• Charlie Spikes split time between Cleveland and the AAA Toledo Mud Hens. Charlie was batting .385 in five games in late April when he was sent down. Spikes came back up in early July and stayed with the Indians for the rest of the season. 
• After the 1977 season Spikes was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Tom Veryzer.
• 1977 Stats:
• Toledo (AAA) - .293, 7 HR, 31 RBI in 49 games
• Cleveland - .232, 3 HR, 11 RBI in 32 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• July 12 - Hit a 2-run homer to help the Indians beat the Boston Red Sox 7-1. It was his first home run since July 22, 1976.
• Other card blogs: 1980, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1974

1977 Topps Baseball #147 - Jackie Brown

• Jackie Brown was traded to the Montreal Expos after the 1976 season for Andre Thornton. The Expos had plenty of outfielders coming up, but they probably could have gotten more for Thornton. 
• Brown pitched his final season in 1977. Jackie was released by the Expos after the 1977 season after he was unable to come to terms on a contract. Jackie signed with the Texas Rangers during spring training in 1978. He spent the entire year with AAA Tucson (12-10, 5.45 ERA) and retired after the 1978 season.
• 1977 Stats: 9-12, 4.51 ERA in 42 games (25 starts)
• 1977 Highlights:
• June 6 - Pitched a complete game 4-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves. As a bonus, Jackie got his first hit since the 1971 season. He also had a no-hitter going for 5 2/3 innings.
• June 29 - Allowed seven hits and shut out the Chicago Cubs 5-0.
• July 22 - Pitched a four-hitter and beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1.
• Other card blogs: 1971, 1974, 1975, 1976