Willie Horton's long and successful career as a Detroit Tiger came to an end in 1977. On April 12 Willie was traded to the Texas Rangers for pitcher Steve Foucault. Horton had a pretty good year as the main Texas DH. Horton hit seven of his 15 home runs against the Kansas City Royals.
Alex Johnson's major league career was over when this card came out. Johnson was released by the Tigers in December 1976. Alex played in the Mexican League in 1977.
The Detroit Tigers were better than they were the last couple of years, but Mark Fidrych's injury problems helped to derail a potentially good season. They brought up Jason Thompson and Steve Kemp to start the 1977 season, and future stars Lou Whitaker, Alan Trammel, Jack Morris, and Lance Parrish all came up late in the season.
Ralph Houk was signed by the New York Yankees in 1939. Ralph was a catcher in the minors for a couple of years and then his career was interrupted by World War II. Houk entered the war as a private, was decorated for his bravery during the Battle of the Bulge, and was discharged as a major (hence his nickname "The Major"). Ralph returned to baseball in 1946 and was brought up to the Yankees in 1947. Ralph wasn't going to get much playing time with Yogi Berra as the starting catcher. He was mostly in the minors in 1948 and 1949 and then spent a lot of time on the bench for the Yankees from 1950-1954. In eight years with the Yankees Houk played in only 91 games, but he did bat .272 during that span.
In 1955 Houk became a player-manager for AAA Denver. He did the same thing in 1956 and then was exclsively the manager in 1957.
Ralph was very successful as a manager and in 1958 he was promoted to the majors to be Casey Stengel's first base coach. He coached for the Yankees from 1958-1960.
By the end of the 1960 season Houk was a very hot commodity as a possible manager. The Yankees didn't want to see him leave, so they discharged Stengel and made Ralph the manager of the club. The Yankees won three pennants and two world championships from 1961-1963 under Houk.
Ralph moved into the General Manager's role in 1964 and hired Yogi Berra to manage the Yankees. Houk was disenchanted with Yogi's work as manager and after the Yankees lost the 1964 World Series he fired the popular Berra. Houk hired Johnny Keane to manage the Yankees in 1965, but he was more suited to managing younger players than the aging veterans that made up the Yankees team. After the team struggled in 1965 and in 1966, Houk came back to the dugout in May 1966.
Houk managed the Yankees from 1966-1973. The Yankees never made it back to the post season during Ralph's second tenure as manager. Ralph resigned as the Yankee manager after the 1973 season and was promptly hired by the rebuilding Detroit Tigers.
The Tigers struggled in Houk's first two seasons, but by the end of the 1977 season the team was on its way to start contending again. Houk retired after the 1977 season.
Ralph stayed retired for three years and then came out of retirement to manage the Boston Red Sox. Houk managed the Red Sox from 1981-1984. Houk was a special assistant for the Minnesota Twins from 1987-1989.
John Hiller had an off year in 1977. Hiller made seven starts in May and June while Mark Fidrych was injured and he made some good starts during that time. John's 3.56 ERA was his highest since 1969.
In late September doctors discovered that Hiller had an enlarged liver. John didn't think it caused his poor season, but he admitted to feeling tired for the last few months.
Aurelio Rodriguez had injury problems in 1977. He missed the entire month of May with an ankle injury. When Rodriguez returned in early June he split time with Phil Mankowski, who was hitting well in Aurelio's absence. Aurelio got the bulk of the starts at third base in August and September.
1977 Stats: .219, 10 HR, 32 RBI in 96 games
1977 Highlights:
June 20 - His RBI single in the 7th inning broke a 1-1 tie and helped the Tigers beat the New York Yankees 2-1.
Bruce Kimm was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1969. Bruce played in the minors in the White Sox organization from 1969-1972.
After the 1972 season Kimm was traded to the California Angels. He never played for the Angels -- during spring training in 1973 Bruce was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Bobby Brooks.
Bruce played in the Detroit system from 1973-1975.
In 1976 Bruce and rookie sensation Mark Fidrych developed a great rapport. Kimm was Mark's personal catcher for much of the season. Bruce batted .263 in 162 at bats in his rookie season.
Kimm didn't fare nearly as well in 1977. He caught Fidrych's six consecutive wins in June, but after Fidrych went down with a rotator cuff injury, the Tigers sent Bruce to AAA. Bruce ended up batting .080 in 14 games for the Tigers. Note: All six of Fidrych's wins were complete game victories -- no wonder he hurt himself.
Kimm spent 1978 and most of 1979 in AAA Evansville. On August 30, 1979 Bruce was purchased by the Chicago Cubs. He played for the Cubs in September and batted .091 (1 for 11) in nine games.
After the 1979 season Bruce was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft. Kimm got more playing time in 1980 than he did in all of his previous major league seasons combined. Bruce played in 100 games and batted .243.
Bruce hurt his shoulder in winter ball after the 1980 season. The White Sox dropped Kimm from the major league roster. Kimm's shoulder wasn't healed yet, so he retired from baseball. Bruce spent 1981 driving a delivery truck and selling life insurance.
The Tigers hired Bruce to manage in the minors in 1982. In 1983 he managed the Cedar Rapids Reds of the Midwest League.
The Reds brought Bruce to the major league club as a coach in 1984. He was the bullpen coach under manager Vern Rapp in 1984. Bruce stayed on after Rapp was fired and Pete Rose was hired as manager. Kimm was the bullpen coach for three years and then was promoted to third base coach in 1987. Bruce coached third base for the Reds in 1987 and in 1988.
Kimm managed in the minors from 1993-1995, then became the bench coach under Leyland in Florida in 1996. Bruce remained as the bench coach of the Marlins through the 1997 season.
Kimm was the bench coach for the Colorado Rockies in 1999 and then was an advance scout for the club in 2000. Bruce went back to the minors to manage in 2001. His Des Moines Cubs finished 83-60 and Kimm was named the Best Minor League Managerial Prospect by the Sporting News.
The Cubs got off to a bad start in 2002. Manager Don Baylor was fired and Bruce was named as the Cubs manager on July 5. The Cubs went 33-46 under Kimm and he wasn't retained after the season.
Mickey Stanley was toward the end of a long career with the Detroit Tigers in 1977. He played just about everywhere in the last few seasons of his career.
1977 Stats: .230, 8 HR, 23 RBI in 75 games
1977 Highlights:
April 24 - Hit a 2-run homer to account for all of the runs the Tigers needed in a 2-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles.
This was Steve Grilli's final full season in the major leagues. Steve wasn't used very much -- he had two appearances in April and two appearances in May. For the rest of the season Grilli averaged about two appearances a week.
1977 Stats: 1-2, 4.83 ERA in 30 games (2 starts)
1977 Highlights:
July 11 - Shut out the Toronto Blue Jays for the final 2 1/3 innings to earn the win in the Tigers' 9-7 victory.
Other card blogs: 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988
Tony Armas was traded to the Oakland A's during spring training in 1977. Tony was the regular center fielder for the A's for most of the season. Armas missed a month in August and September with an injury. Tony ended up batting .240 with 13 HR in 118 games.
For the next two seasons Armas was a backup outfielder. He didn't put up very imposing stats (.213 with 2 HR in 91 games in 1978 and .248 with 11 HR in 1979).
Tony had his breakout season in 1980, batting .279 with 35 HR and 109 RBI. Armas finished 12th in AL MVP voting in 1980.
Armas led the AL with 22 home runs in the strike shortened 1981 season. He finished 4th in AL MVP voting that year. Tony had a great AL Divisional Series (.545, 6 for 11), but he didn't do much in the AL Championship Series (.167, 2 for 12).
Tony's stats dropped off in 1982 (.233, 28 HR, 89 RBI). After the 1982 season Armas was traded (with Jeff Newman) to the Boston Red Sox for Carney Lansford, Garry Hancock, and a minor leaguer.
In 1983 Tony's batting average dropped again, but he still had good power numbers (.218, 36 HR, 107 RBI).
Armas bounced back in 1984, leading the AL in home runs and RBI. Tony batted .268 with 43 HR and 123 RBI. Tony was an AL All Star (he didn't play in the game) and finished 7th in AL MVP voting.
Tony spent two more seasons with the Red Sox (.265, 23 HR, 64 RBI in 1985 and .264, 11 HR, 58 RBI in 1986). Tony batted .125 (2 for 16) in the AL Championship Series and went 0 for 1 in the World Series.
Tony became a free agent after the 1986 season. Armas went unsigned until July 1987 when the California Angels signed him. Tony spent some time in AAA and then was brought up to the Angels in August. Tony batted only .198 in 28 games in 1987.
Armas spent two more seasons with the Angels. He batted .272 with 13 HR and 49 RBI in 1988. Tony was a part time player in 1989, batting .257 with 11 HR. Armas retired after the 1989 season.
Steve Kemp
Debut: April 7, 1977
1977 Stats: .257, 18 HR, 88 RBI in 151 games
1977 Highlights:
April 12 - Hit a 3-run home run to help the Tigers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-1. It was his first major league home run.
Steve Kemp was the first player drafted in the 1976 draft. He spent only one year in the minors and then made the Detroit ballclub in 1977. Steve became the starting LF for the Tigers in 1977 and batted .257 with 18 HR and 88 RBI.
Kemp batted .277 with 15 HR and 79 RBI in 1978.
Steve had his best season in 1979. He made the AL All Star team (0 for 1 in a pinch hitting appearance) and batted .318 with 26 HR and 105 RBI.
In 1980 Kemp split time between LF and DH. He batted .293 with 21 HR and 101 RBI.
Steve's last season with the Tigers was in 1981 (.277, 9 HR, 49 RBI). After the 1981 season Kemp was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Chet Lemon.
Kemp spent one year with the White Sox, batting .286 with 19 HR and 98 RBI. After the 1982 season Steve became a free agent and signed with the New York Yankees.
Steve was injured by a line drive hit by teammate Omar Moreno during batting practice. The ball hit Kemp below the left eye, shattering his cheekbone. This injury, plus other injuries, helped hasten the end of Steve's career. Kemp batted .241 with 12 HR and 49 RBI in 1983 and batted .291 with 7 HR and 41 RBI in 1984. After the 1984 season Steve was traded (with Tim Foli) to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Dale Berra, Jay Buhner, and Alfonso Pulido.
Kemp didn't do much with the Pirates in 1985 (.250, 2 HR , 21 RBI in 92 games). Steve was batting .188 in 13 games when he was released by the Pirates on May 8, 1986.
Steve signed with the Texas Rangers in 1987 and played for AAA Oklahoma City in 1987 and in 1988. Kemp started the 1988 season with the Rangers, batting .222 in 16 games. He was sent down to AAA in May and didn't return. Steve retired after the 1988 season.
Carlos Lopez was signed by the California Angels from the Mexican League in 1973. Carlos played in the minors from 1974-1976 and earned a September call up (0 for 10 in 9 games) after batting .350 for AAA Salt Lake City.
Lopez was chosen by the Seattle Mariners in the 1976 expansion draft. Carlos batted .283 with 8 HR and 34 RBI in 99 games for the Mariners in 1977.
After the 1977 season Lopez was traded with Tommy Moore to the Baltimore Orioles for Mike Parrott. Carlos was used mainly as a defensive replacement and a pinch hitter in 1978, batting .238 in 129 games (193 at bats).
Lopez spent the 1979 season in AAA Rochester. He then went back to the Mexican League and played there from 1980 through the 1985 season.
Gary Woods
Debut: September 14, 1976
1977 Stats:
Toledo Mud Hens (AAA): .272, 4 HR, 33 RBI in 89 games
Gary Woods was signed by the Oakland A's in 1973. He played in the A's system from 1973-1976. Woods batted .308 for AAA Tucson in 1976 and was called up in September (1 for 8 in 6 games).
Woods was picked by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1976 expansion draft. Gary started the 1977 season with Toronto but was sent down to AAA in late May. Woods came back up in September and ended up batting .216 in 60 games.
Gary spent most of the 1978 season in AAA. He had a brief stint with Toronto in September and batted .158 in 8 games. After the 1978 season Woods was traded to the Houston Astros for a minor leaguer.
Woods spent the entire 1979 season in AAA. Gary had a good year for AAA Tucson in 1980, batting .313 with 42 doubles and 36 stolen bases. Woods was called up in September and was a valuable part of Houston's drive to the NL West title. He batted .377 in 19 games and then batted .250 (2 for 8) in four games in the NL Championship Series.
Gary was with the Astros for the entire 1981 season, but he didn't do much with the bat (.209 in 54 games). Woods was 0 for 2 in 2 games in the NL Divisional Series. After the 1981 season Woods was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Jim Tracy.
Woods was used mostly as a backup outfielder and pinch hitter for the next four seasons. He had his best year for the Cubs in 1982, batting .269 in 117 games. Gary's playing time gradually went down (.242 in 190 AB in 1983, .235 in 98 AB in 1984, and .244 in 82 AB in 1985).
During spring training in 1986 Woods was released. Larry Bowa got Woods to play for AAA Las Vegas in 1986. Gary batted .316 but he never got the call back to the majors. Woods is now the Southern California area scout for the Chicago White Sox.
Wikipedia hack alert: Here is a line in Gary's Wikipedia entry -- "On May 12, 2013, the Oakland A's signed Woods as a nondrafted free agent. He spent 2013 killing zombies for the A's Lewiston minor league ballclub"
Hawaii Islanders: 3-5, 5 saves, 4.27 ERA in 36 games (3 starts); .352 average in 70 games (108 at bats)
1977 Highlights:
Aug 29- As a DH he went 2 for 3 with a run scored and a run batted in to help Hawaii beat Spokane 5-3.
Other card blogs: none
Mike Dupree was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 1973. He was an outfielder and a first baseman in the minors from 1973-1975. Mike tried out pitching in AA in 1975 and was 5-0 with a 2.18 ERA in 14 games.
Dupree made the San Diego club in 1976, but he didn't have much success in the majors. Mike spent one month with the Padres and had a 9.19 ERA in 12 games. Dupree was sent back to AAA in mid-May.
Dupree pitched for the AAA Hawaii Islanders from 1976 through the 1979 season. He spent more time in the outfield and at DH than he did on the mound.
In 1980 Dupree played in Japan. That was it for his professional baseball career.
Denny Martinez
Debut: September 14, 1976
1977 Stats: 14-7, 4 saves, 4.10 ERA in 42 games (13 starts)
1977 Highlights:
May 25 - Allowed two runs (one unearned) in a complete game 4-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
June 14 - Pitched the 10th and 11th innings and allowed one unearned run to earn the win as Baltimore beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-5.
Dennis Martinez enjoyed a 23-year career as a major league pitcher. Martinez was signed by the Baltimore Orioles from his native Nicaraugua in 1973. Dennis rose quickly through the crowded Baltimore farm system. He had a brief trial in 1976 (1-2, 2.60 ERA in 4 games/2 starts) and then joined the Oriole staff full time in 1977.
Martinez had several good seasons with the Orioles, especially in 1979 (AL leader in complete games) and in 1981 (AL leader in wins)
In 1987 Martinez had a huge revival as a pitcher. Dennis had six good years with the Expos from 1987-1992, including three All Star selections and an ERA title in 1991. On July 28, 1991 Martinez pitched a perfect game against the LA Dodgers.
Dennis' stats fell off a bit in 1993. After the 1993 season Martinez became a free agent and signed with the Cleveland Indians. Dennis pitched for the Indians from 1993-1996. He had some injury problems in 1996 and after the season he became a free agent and signed with the Seattle Mariners. After struggling with the Mariners in 1997, Dennis retired after being released in June. The next season Martinez signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves. Dennis won a job with the Braves, broke the record for the all-time winningest Latin-American pitcher, then retired at the age of 44 with 245 career victories.
Dennis is now the bullpen coach for the Houston Astros.
Craig Mitchell
Debut: September 25, 1975
1977 Stats:
San Jose Missions (AAA): 10-11, 1 save, 4.48 ERA in 32 games (30 starts)
Craig Mitchell was drafted by the Oakland A's in 1973. He spent most of his career in the minors. Mitchell had brief stints with the A's in 1975 (0-1, 12.27 ERA in 1 start), 1976 (2.70 ERA in 1 game) and in 1977 (0-1, 7.94 ERA in 3 games).
Bob Sykes was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1974. Bob was 11-0 in Rookie League ball in 1974. He pitched in the minors in 1975 and in 1976.
Sykes made the Detroit roster in 1977 because Mark Fidrych was to start the season on the disabled list. Bob managed to stay with the Tigers for the entire season. Bob split time between the bullpen and the starting rotation, going 5-7 with a 4.41 ERA in 32 games (20 starts).
Bob spent the first month of the 1978 season in AAA Evansville. He was brought up to the Tigers after winning all four of his starts in Evansville (4-0, 1.41 ERA). Sykes was a spot starter and a long man for Detroit in 1978 (6-6, 2 saves, 3.94 ERA in 22 games /10 starts).
After the 1978 season Sykes was traded with a minor leaguer to the St. Louis Cardinals for Jerry Morales and Aurelio Lopez.
Sykes had a tough time for the Cardinals in 1979. Bob was in the starting rotation until mid-June, but he went down with a blood clot in his shoulder. Bob rehabbed in the minors and then came back to the Cardinals to pitch in two games in September. Overall Bob was 4-3 with a 6.18 ERA in 13 games (11 starts).
Bob stayed with the Cardinals for all of 1980 (6-10, 4.64 ERA in 27 games/19 starts) and 1981 (2-0, 4.58 ERA in 22 games/1 start). Sykes was the Cardinals' player rep in 1981 during the strike.
After the 1981 season Sykes was traded to the New York Yankees for Willie McGee. It was thought to be a minor deal at the time, but McGee paid big dividends for the Cardinals in their World Championship season in 1982. Bob spent the 1982 season on the disabled list and in the minors. Sykes retired after the 1982 season.
Other card blogs: 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988
Bill Almon was the first player taken in the 1974 draft. Almon was in the minors from 1974-1976 and had brief call-ups in 1974 (.316 in 16 games), 1975 (.400 in 6 games), and 1976 (.246 in 14 games).
Almon became the starting shortstop for the Padres in 1977. He played in 155 games and batted .261 with 11 triples. Bill also led the NL with 20 sacrifice hits.
Ozzie Smith came up to the Padres in 1978, so Almon switched to third base. Bill batted .252 in 138 games but he wasn't a power hitter (.309 slugging percentage).
Bill was a utility player in 1979. He batted .227 in 100 games. After the 1979 season Almon was traded with Dan Briggs to the Montreal Expos for Dave Cash.
Almon didn't get a whole lot of playing time with the Expos (.263 in 18 games) and was granted free agency on July 7. The Expos had wanted to send him to AAA but Bill had the right to refuse the assignment and become a free agent. Bill signed with the New York Mets on July 11. Almon batted .170 in 48 games and was released after the 1980 season.
Bill, his wife, his parents, and all of the Almon siblings met after Christmas to discuss whether or not he should retire or give baseball another shot. They sent Bill back to baseball with their blessing. Almon signed with the Chicago White Sox and had a great season, batting .301 and finishing 18th in AL MVP voting.
Almon batted .256 in 111 games for the White Sox in 1982. After the 1982 season Bill became a free agent and signed with the Oakland A's.
Bill spent the next two seasons with Oakland, batting .266 in 143 games in 1983 and .223 in 106 games in 1984. Almon became a free agent after the 1984 season.
Almon was invited to the Pittsburgh Pirates' camp in 1985. Bill won a job with the Pirates and was a utility guy for the next two seasons. Almon batted .270 in 88 games in 1985 and .219 in 102 games in 1986.
Bill wasn't playing much for the Pirates in 1987. In the first two months of the season he played in only 19 games (.200 in 20 at bats). On May 29 Almon was traded to the Mets for two players. He batted .241 in 49 games for the Mets to finish the 1987 season.
During spring training in 1988 Bill was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Shawn Barton and a minor leaguer. Almon was batting .115 in 20 games on June 16 when he was released by the Phillies.
Mickey Klutts
Debut: July 7, 1976
1977 Stats:
Syracuse Chiefs (AAA): .288, 14 HR, 66 RBI in 85 games
New York Yankees: .267 (4 for 15) in 5 games
1977 Highlights:
Oct 2: Hit a home run in the final game of the season as the Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers 8-7.
Mickey Klutts was drafted by the New York Yankees at the age of 17 in 1972. He worked his way through the Yankee chain from 1972-1976. Mickey was the co-AAA-MVP (with Rich Dauer and Joe Lis) in 1976 when he batted .319 with 24 HR in Syracuse. Klutts was briefly called up in 1976 and was 0 for 3 in 2 games.
Mickey started the 1977 season in Syracuse. Klutts was batting .288 with 14 HR when he was called up to the Yankees in August 1977 after starting 3B Graig Nettles was injured. Klutts played in only five games, batting .267 with one home run.
Klutts made the Yankees club in 1978 but he played in only one game (2 for 2 on April 15). He was sent to AAA Tacoma in late May but didn't play for the club. On June 15 Mickey was traded (with Dell Alston and $50,000) to the Oakland A's for Gary Thomasson. The A's sent Klutts to AAA Vancouver. Mickey had either a broken thumb or a broken hand (or perhaps both) during the season. He played in only 11 games, batting .293.
Mickey made the Oakland ballclub in 1979. He started 24 games in the infield and batted .192. Mickey came out of the game in the second inning on May 24 and didn't play again for the rest of the season. He also had to be carried off of the field on April 14 after being hit in the chin by a batted ball.
Klutts had his best year in 1980. Mickey batted .269 in 75 games, but he was out for the entire months of July and August.
Mickey had knee problems in 1981 and started the season on the disabled list. The knee injury and the strike combined to pretty much wipe out his 1981 season. Klutts played in nine games in AAA after the strike and then came up to the A's in late August. Mickey batted .370 in 15 games for the A's as they qualified for the split season playoffs. Klutts was 1 for 7 in the AL Divisional Series and then was 3 for 7 in the AL Championship Series.
Klutts was invited to the Toronto Blue Jays camp and won a job. He was a backup third baseman and a pinch hitter for the Blue Jays in 1983. Mickey batted .256 in 22 games for the Blue Jays. He also had a brief stint in AAA Syracuse. That was it for Mickey's playing career.
Tommy McMillan
Debut September 17, 1977
1977 Stats:
Rochester Red Wings (AAA): .274 in 39 games
New Orleans Pelicans (AAA): .260 in 24 games
Seattle Mariners: .000 (0 for 5) in two games
Other card blogs: none
Tommy McMillan was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1973. He played in AA and AAA in the Cleveland organization from 1973-1976. McMillan also played in 23 games for the AAA Iowa Oaks (Chicago White Sox organization) in 1976. Perhaps Tommy was loaned to the Oaks since I don't see a transaction.
The Seattle Mariners drafted McMillan in the 1976 expansion draft. Tommy split time between two AAA clubs in 1977. The Mariners didn't have a AAA team yet, so they had their players play for other AAA teams. McMillan was called up in September 1977. He got into two games, going 0 for 5. That was it for Tommy's major league experience.
In 1978 McMillan played for AAA San Jose, batting .256 in 103 games.
After the 1978 season Tommy was traded (with Enrique Romo and Rick Jones) to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Odell Jones, Mario Mendoza, and Rafael Vasquez. McMillan played for the AA Buffalo Bisons in 1979. Tommy retired after the 1979 season.
Mark Wagner was a 19th round draft choice of the Detroit Tigers in 1972. He worked his way up the Detroit system and was called up in August 1976. Mark started at shortstop for most of the last six weeks of the season and batted .261 in 39 games.
In 1977 Wagner started the season as the Tiger shortstop. Mark struggled at the plate, batting .146 in 22 games. In late May Wagner was sent to AAA Evansville, where he spent the rest of the season.
Mark was a utility infielder for the Tigers from 1978-1980. With Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker starting in the middle infield playing time was hard to come by for Wagner. Mark batted .239 in 39 games in 1978, .274 in 75 games in 1975, and .236 in 45 games in 1980.
After the 1980 season Mark was traded to the Texas Rangers for Kevin Saucier. Wagner played a utility role with the Rangers in 1981 (.259 in 50 games) and in 1982 (.240 in 60 games).
Mark went down with an injury in July 9, 1982 and didn't play again until June 18, 1983. Mickey Rivers said, "He was lost out there. He was the Lost Mohican." Wagner played in only two games for the Tigers in 1983 and went 0 for 2. Mark played in 36 games in AAA (I don't know if it was before or after his two games in June). After the 1983 season Wagner became a free agent.
In 1984 Mark won a job in spring training with the Oakland A's. He played in 82 games but batted only 100 times (20 for 87 with 13 walks - .230). Mark played in AAA in 1985 and then retired.
Wagner went into coaching and managing in the minors. He managed various teams for five years from 1992-1996.
Larry Anderson never pitched for the Blue Jays. He was sent to the Chicago White Sox as the player to be named later in an earlier deal for Phil Roof. Larry pitched for AAA Wichita for most of the 1977 season. He spent most of June with the White Sox but went back to Wichita after having some rough outings (9.35 ERA in 6 games). In August Larry was sent (with cash) to the Chicago Cubs for Steve Renko. He finished the season pitching for AAA Iowa.
Debut: September 5, 1974
1977 Stats:
Iowa Oaks (AAA) / Wichita Aeros (AAA): 5-2, 3.36 ERA, 3 saves in 42 games (6 starts)
The Detroit Tigers signed Ed Glynn as a free agent in 1971. Ed pitched in the minors from 1972-1975 and earned a September call-up in 1975 after going 11-7 with a 2.96 ERA for two minor league teams. Glynn pitched in three games (1 start) for the Tigers in 1975 and was 0-2 with a 4.30 ERA.
Glynn spent most of the 1976 and 1977 seasons in AAA Evansville. He had September call-ups in 1976 (1-3, 6.08 ERA in 5 games/4 starts) and in 1977 (2-1, 5.27 ERA in 8 games/3 starts).
Ed started the 1978 season in Evansville but was called up in July. Glynn had a 3.07 ERA in 10 games for the Tigers.
During spring training in 1979 Glynn was traded to the New York Mets for Mardie Cornejo. Ed spent the first two months of the 1979 season in AAA Tidewater. He was brought up in June. Ed was 1-4 with 7 saves and had a 3.00 ERA in 46 games.
Glynn stayed in the majors for the entire 1980 season. He had a 3-3 record and a 4.13 ERA in 38 games.
Just before the 1981 season Glynn was traded to the Cleveland Indians for a minor leaguer. Ed spent the season in AAA Charleston. The Indians called him up in September and he had a 1.17 ERA in 4 games.
Ed was in Charleston for the first six weeks of the 1982 season and then was with Cleveland for the rest of the year (5-2, 4 saves, 4.17 ERA in 47 games).
Glynn started the 1983 season in Cleveland but was sent back to Charleston in May after having a 5.84 ERA in 11 games.
In 1984 Ed split the season between Charleston and Tidewater. The Mets purchased Glynn in June.
Glynn was sold to the Boston Red Sox before the 1985 season. He pitched for AAA Pawtucket until May 1, when he was sent to the Montreal Expos as part of a conditional deal. Ed made three appearances for the Expos and had a 19.29 ERA. He pitched for AAA Indianapolis for the rest of the season.
Ed became a free agent at the end of the 1985 season. He pitched for Tidewater in 1986 and in 1987 but never made it back to the majors. Glynn tried a brief comeback for Tidewater in 1990 but it lasted only one game.
Indianapolis Indians (AAA): 5-5, 5.23 ERA in 29 games
Other card blogs: none
Joe Henderson was drafted by the California Angels in 1965. Henderson pitched in the minors for the Angels from 1965-1970, except in 1967 (possibly due to military service). Joe was released by the Angels at the end of spring training in 1971. He went to the Mexican League and then was acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox for a minor leaguer.
Henderson was in AAA from 1972-1974. He had two good seasons (1973 and 1974) and finally got the call to the majors in June 1974. Joe had a 1-0 record with an 8.40 ERA in 5 games (3 starts) for the White Sox in '74 and went back to the minors at the end of June.
The Cincinnati Reds purchased Henderson from the White Sox after the 1974 season.
Joe pitched for AAA Indianapolis for most of the next three seasons. Henderson was converted to a reliever and had good years in 1975 and in 1976. He was the ERA champion of the American Association in 1976. Joe had two brief stints in Cincinnati in 1976 (2-0, 0.00 ERA in 4 games) and in 1977 (0-2, 12.00 ERA in 7 games).
After the 1977 season Henderson was sold to the Toronto Blue Jays. He didn't make the club in 1978 and was released. Joe pitched in the Mexican League from 1978-1981.
Greg Terlecky
Debut: June 12, 1975
1977 Stats:
Iowa Oaks (AAA): 0-1, 3.75 ERA in 5 games (1 start)
Columbus Clippers (AAA): 8-5, 4.88 ERA in 19 games (16 starts)
Other card blogs: none
Greg Terlecky was a 6'3" 200 lb pitcher who was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970. Greg put up good numbers in AA in 1971 (3-2, 2.71 ERA in 15 games/12 starts). That would be the best season of his career. Terlecky spent 3 1/2 seasons in AAA (1972-1975) before being called up in the middle of the 1975 season. Terlecky appeared in 20 games for the Cardinals and had an 0-1 record with a 4.45 ERA.
Terlecky was traded (with Buddy Bradford) to the Chicago White Sox for Lee Richard after the 1975 season. Greg spent the 1976 season with AAA Iowa. He started the 1977 season with Iowa but then moved to the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and pitched for AAA Columbus.
Greg was back in the Cardinals' organization in 1978 and spent the next two seasons in AAA Springfield. Terlecky didn't get the call back to the majors. He finished his career with two seasons (1980 and 1981) in the Mexican League.
After his playing career Greg became a financial planner. He is now the managing director for The Principle Financial Group in San Diego.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This was Pedro Garcia's last season in the majors. The Tigers released Pedro in December 1976 and he signed with the expansion Toronto Blue Jays in January 1977. The Blue Jays sent Garcia to the minors (Jersey City) on June 17, but he never played for the club. Pedro was released by Toronto on June 27. Garcia signed with the San Diego Padres on July 5 and played for the AAA Hawaii Islanders for the rest of the year.
