- Gene Tenace was one of the last of the dynasty era Oakland A's to get away from Charlie Finley. After the 1976 season Gene signed a big free agent deal (six years, over $1.8 million) with the San Diego Padres. Topps airbrushed Tenace into a Padres uniform for his 1977 card.
- By the end of the 1977 season Tenace already wanted to be traded from the Padres. He was unhappy about being platooned at catcher and being moved around to other positions. Gene wasn't the only Padre who was unhappy with manager Alvin Dark.
- 1977 Stats: .233, 15 HR, 61 RBI in 147 games. Led the NL with 125 walks and 13 hit by pitches.
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976 Hostess, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983
