Dan Larson was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972. From 1972-1974 Dan moved up the St. Louis chain. After the 1974 season Larson was traded to the Houston Astros.
Larson was in the minors for the entire 1975 season. In 1976 Dan started the year in AAA. Larson was called up in July and in his first game allowed one run in a complete game 14-1 win over the Montreal Expos. Larson was 5-8 with a 3.02 ERA in 13 starts for the Astros in 1976.
The 1977 season was the only year in which Dan Larson didn't spend at least some amount of time in the minors. Larson was a middle reliever at the start of the season. In late June Dan moved in to the Houston starting rotation and stayed there until early August.
In 1978 Larson didn't make the Houston staff and was sent to Charleston. Dan was 14-6 with a 3.74 ERA. Larson was named the right-handed starter on the International League All Star team at the end of the season. In early September Larson was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Dan Warthen. Larson got in to one game for the Phillies and allowed one run in one inning.
Larson was in AAA for most of the 1979 season (9-8, 4.81 ERA). Dan was called up in September and started three games (1-1, 4.26 ERA) for the Phillies
Dan split the 1980 season between the minors (7-2, 3.77 ERA for two teams) and the Phillies. Larson went 0-5 and had a 3.15 ERA in 12 games (7 starts) for the Phillies in 1980.
The 1981 season was more of the same for Larson. He was in AAA Oklahoma City (14-7, 3.49 ERA in 25 starts) until September and then was called up by the Phillies. Dan was 3-0 with a 4.18 ERA in 5 games (4 starts) for the Phillies. After the 1981 season Larson was traded (with Dickie Noles) to the Chicago Cubs for Mike Krukow.
Larson started the 1982 season with the Cubs. He was 0-4 and had a 5.67 ERA in 12 games (6 starts). Dan made his last appearance on June 1 and then was sent to AAA Iowa.
Dan pitched for Iowa in 1983 and for Oklahoma City in 1984. That was it for Larson's career.
1977 Stats: 1-7, 1 save, 5.81 ERA in 32 games (10 starts)
Greg Gross was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Julio Gonzalez during the winter meetings in December 1976. Gross was a backup outfielder and pinch hitter for the Cubs in 1977.
Mike Cosgrove didn't pitch in the majors in 1977. Mike was released at the end of spring training. He spent the season with three different minor league teams.
After the 1977 season Cosgrove was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the Rule 5 draft. He was then sent to the Toronto Blue Jays sometime before the 1978 season in an unknown transaction. Cosgrove was then dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals on March 23 for Mickey Scott. Either he was injured or he didn't make the team.
1977 Stats:
Charleston Charlies (AAA) - 1-3, 6.62 ERA in 15 games (3 starts)
Enos Cabell started 144 games at 3B in 1977. He was a below average fielder, but he had his best offensive season. Enos was one of three Astros to steal over 40 bases and led the Astros with 101 runs scored.
1977 Stats: .282, 16 HR, 68 RBI, 42 stolen bases, 101 runs in 150 games
Cliff Johnson started the 1977 season with the Astros. Cliff was traded to the New York Yankees on June 15 for three players. The Yankees needed a right-handed power hitter to do some pinch hitting and to be an occasional DH. Johnson was just what the Yankees needed in 1977. Cliff didn't fare so well in 1978 and after the famous fight with Goose Gossage in 1979 Johnson found himself traded to the Cleveland Indians.
1977 Stats:
Houston Astros: .299, 10 HR, 23 RBI in 51 games
New York Yankees: .296, 12 HR, 31 RBI in 56 games
TOTAL: .297, 22 HR, 54 RBI in 107 games
AL Championship Series: .400 (6 for 15) in 5 games
July 26 - Pinch hit for Bucky Dent in the 9th inning and hit a 2-run home run to tie the game. The Yankees eventually won the game when Reggie Jackson homered in the 10th inning.
Roger Metzger had injury problems in 1977. He injured his leg and ankle sliding into home plate in April and missed six weeks. Roger struggled at the plate all season, batting a career-low .186.
1977 Stats: .186 in 97 games
1977 Highlights:
July 4 - Had three hits, including a 3-run triple, to help the Astros beat the San Diego Padres 12-7
Gideon started the 1976 season in AAA. He was traded (with Mike Cubbage, Bill Singer, Roy Smalley, and $250,000) to the Minnesota Twins for Bert Blyleven and Danny Thompson on June 1.
Jim spent the 1976 season in AAA. Gideon had control problems as he walked at least twice as many batters as he struck out for most of his career. In 1977 Jim split the season between AAA and class A. Gideon didn't pitch in 1978 and was in 7 games (6 starts) in 1979.
Before the 1980 season Jim was released by the Twins. He took the next two seasons off and then attempted a comeback in 1982. Jim had a 6.35 ERA in 25 games at the AA level and retired after the 1982 season.
Leon Hooten was drafted from the University of Arizona in 1971. Hooten pitched in the minors from 1971-1973. He made the Oakand A's staff in 1974. Hooten pitched in six games in April and May 1974 (0-0, 3.24 ERA) and then was sent back to the minors. That was his only major league experience.
Since Hooten pitched for the UofA Wildcats, he must have been a popular guy from 1973-1976 when he pitched for AAA Tucson.
Dave Johnson
Debut: July 2, 1974
1977 Stats:
San Jose Missions (AAA): 2-0, 1 save, 0.60 ERA in 8 games
Minnesota Twins: 2-5, 4.58 ERA in 30 games (6 starts)
1977 Highlights:
July 31 - Allowed three runs in six innings and earned the win as the Twins beat the Cleveland Indians 9-4.
Other card blogs: none
Dave Johnson was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1967. The Orioles had a lot of good young pitchers in their system. Although Johnson had some good years in the minors he didn't get to the AA level until his sixth season (1972).
Johnson finally got his first opportunity to pitch in the majors in July 1974. Dave appeared in 11 games and was 2-2 with a 2.93 ERA.
In 1975 Johnson split time between AAA Rochester and the Orioles. Dave went 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA for the Orioles in 1975.
Dave spent the 1976 season in Rochester. After the 1976 season he was sold to the expansion Seattle Mariners.
Johnson never appeared in a regular season game for the Mariners. He pitched in eight games for AAA San Jose (Oakland A's organization). The Mariners must not have had a AAA team yet. On May 2, 1977 Dave was sold to the Minnesota Twins. Johnson stayed with the Twins for the rest of the 1977 season, going 2-5 with a 4.58 ERA in 30 games (6 starts).
Dave started the 1978 season with the Twins. He made six appearances (1 start) and went 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA. Johnson was sent to AAA Toledo to make room for newly signed Mike Marshall and then retired after making four appearances for the Mud Hens.
Mark Lemongello
Debut: September 14, 1976
1977 Stats: 9-14, 3.48 ERA in 34 games (30 starts)
Mark Lemongello was signed by the Detroit Tigers in 1973. After the 1975 season Mark was traded with three other players to the Houston Astros for three players. Lemongello pitched in AAA in 1976 and earned a September call-up with the Astros. Mark impressed a lot of people, going 3-1 with a 2.79 ERA in four starts.
Lemongello was with the Astros for the entire 1977 season. Mark started 1-10 but he came on strong in the second half and finished with a 9-14 record.
Mark was known for violent behavior and a bad temper. He slapped himself after bad innings and destroyed locker room equipment after bad games.
In 1978 Lemongello had the same 9-14 record but his ERA climbed to 3.94 (high for someone pitching in the Astrodome). After the 1978 season Mark was traded with two other players to the Toronto Blue Jays for catcher Alan Ashby.
Lemongello wasn't happy about being traded to Toronto. He had a rough year in 1979, going 1-9 with a 6.29 ERA in 18 games (10 starts) before being sent to AAA after a screaming match with manager Roy Hartsfield. When he was informed about his demotion Mark threw an ashtray at GM Peter Bavasi and barely missed him. Lemongello pitched well for Syracuse (3-0, 1.80 ERA in 4 games).
At the end of spring training in 1980 Mark was purchased by the Chicago Cubs. Lemongello pitched in AAA in 1980 but never got back to the major leagues.
In 1982 Mark and a former minor league teammate kidnapped his cousins (singer Peter Lemongello and pro bowler Mike Lemongello) and robbed them of $50,000. Mark got seven years of probation for the incident.
Other card blogs: 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986
Bob Bailor was signed by the Baltimore Orioles in 1969.
Bob played in the minors from 1970-1976, spending the last four of those seasons in AAA Rochester. He had two brief trials with the Orioles in 1975 (1 for 7 in 5 games) and in 1976 (2 for 6 in 9 games)
In 1977 Bailor didn't have a regular position, but he led the Blue Jays in hits, stolen bases, and runs scored. Bob actually appeared in more games as an outfielder than he did as a shortstop.
For the next two seasons Bailor was the main starter in right field. In 1978 he batted .264 in 154 games and in 1979 Bob batted .229 in 130 games.
Bailor lost his starting right fielder job to Lloyd Moseby in 1980 and was used as a fourth outfielder and a utility man. He batted .236 in 117 games. After the 1980 season Bob was traded to the New York Mets for Roy Lee Jackson.
Bob played five different positions for the Mets in each of the three seasons he spent there. In 1981 Bob batted .284 in 51 games. Bailor batted .277 in 110 games in 1982 and in 1983 he batted .250 in 118 games.
Bailor spent his last two season with the Dodgers. In 1984 Bob batted .275 in 65 games and in 1985 he batted .246 in 74 games. Bailor missed the first month of the 1984 season with a shoulder injury and he had knee surgery in August that shelved him for the rest of the year.
Bailor was released during spring training in 1986. After his retirement Bob coached and managed in the minors for a few years. Bailor coached with the Blue Jays from 1992-1995.
Kiko Garcia was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1971. He played in the minors from 1971-1976. Kiko was called up in September 1976 and batted .219 in 11 games.
In 1977 (.221 in 65 games) and in 1978 (.263 in 79 games) Garcia backed up Mark Belanger at shortstop.
Kiko won the starting shortstop job in 1979 and batted .247 in 126 games. Garcia batted .273 (3 for 11) in the AL Championship Series and batted .400 (8 for 20) in the World Series.
Garcia split time with Belanger at shortstop in 1980. His offensive numbers slipped -- Kiko batted .199 in 111 games.
During spring training in 1981 the Orioles traded Kiko to the Houston Astros for Chris Bourjos and cash. Garcia was a utility infielder for the Astros in 1981 (.272 in 48 games) and in 1982 (.211 in 34 games).
After the 1982 season Kiko became a free agent. He signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies' AAA Portland club during spring training in 1983. After Garcia batted .345 in 35 games, the Phillies bought his contract in mid-May. Kiko played well for the Phillies as a utility man (.288 in 84 games) but he didn't appear in the post season.
Garcia batted .233 in 57 games in 1984.
Kiko was released and then re-signed in early April 1985. He wasn't used much (0 for 3 in four games) and he was released again in mid-May.
After his retirement Garcia went into coaching high school and travel baseball teams in California. He is now the president of KG Hitters.
Reynolds was given a chance to play for the expansion Mariners and was their starting shortstop.
Alex Taveras
Debut: September 9, 1976
1977 Stats:
Columbus Astros (AA) - .216 in 49 games
Charleston Charlies (AAA) - .149 in 47 games
1977 Highlights:
Other card blogs: none
Alex Taveras was signed by the Houston Astros from the Dominican Republic in 1974. Taveras played in the minors from 1974-1976 and then batted .217 in 14 games as a September call-up in 1976.
Taveras split the 1977 season between AA and AAA. He didn't hit well at either level and was traded (with Bob Detherage) to the LA Dodgers for Danny Walton
Alex spent the next seven seasons (1978-1984) shuttling between AA San Antonio and AAA Albuquerque. Taveras had brief stints with the Dodgers in 1982 (1 for 3 in 11 games) and in 1983 (0 for 4 in 10 games).
In 1985 Alex played for AAA Buffalo (Chicago White Sox organization). Taveras batted .218 in 109 games and retired after the season.
Alex currently coaches for Aguilas Cibaenas of the Dominican Winter League.
Leon Roberts started the season with the Astros. Roberts wasn't playing very much and was batting .095, so he was sent to AAA in early June. Leon came back to Houston for a few games in September.
This was Ken Boswell's last season in the majors. Boswell was mostly a left-handed pinch hitter (14 for 53, .264) and an occasional replacement for Art Howe at second base during the 1977 season. Ken played out his option in 1977 but wasn't selected in the free agent draft.
Bill Virdon had a long career in baseball as a player and as a manager.
Virdon came up with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1955 and was the NL Rookie of the Year.
Bill was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1956 and played center field for them through the 1965 season. Virdon was a member of the 1960 World Champion Pirates and won a Gold Glove award in 1962.
Bill retired after the 1965 season and managed the AA Williamsport Mets in 1966
Bill coached for the Pirates for a few more seasons and then became the Pirates' manager after the resignation of Danny Murtaugh after the 1971 season.
Virdon managed the Pirates in 1972 and for most of the 1973 season until he was replaced by Murtaugh on September 6. The Pirates didn't play well in 1973, but a lot of that was due to the tragic loss of Roberto Clemente before the season.
Bill managed the Astros until the middle of the 1982 season. Virdon was the NL Manager of the Year in 1980. He took the Astros to the playoffs in 1980 and in 1981, but when the Astros struggled in 1982 Virdon was replaced. Bill is still the winningest manager in Houston history. He had a 544-522 record during his Houston tenure.
Gene Pentz was used only three times in April of 1977. Although he had a 1.80 ERA at the time, Gene was sent to the minors in late April and started three games in AAA. He came back on May 17 and spent the rest of the year with Houston.
Pentz started four games in July and early August and was in the bullpen during the other parts of the season.
1977 Stats: 5-2, 2 saves, 3.83 ERA in 41 games (4 starts)
After the 1976 season Jerry DaVanon was traded (with Larry Dierker) to the St. Louis Cardinals for Joe Ferguson and Bob Detherage.
Jerry didn't stay with the Cardinals very long. DaVanon was released on May 11 and that was it for his playing career.
1977 Stats:
.000 (0 for 8), 2 runs scored
1977 Highlights:
April 17 - Appeared as a pinch runner in the fifth inning and scored from third base when Bake McBride laid down a bunt with two out. McBride beat the throw as pitcher Grant Jackson fielded the ball and was momentarily confused on whether to throw home or to first base. It ended up being the winning run in the Cardinals' 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates
This was the second of five fantastic years for J.R. Richard (including his shortened 1980 season). This is the only year of the five in which Richard didn't get Cy Young Award or All Star consideration.
1977 Stats: 18-12, 2.97 ERA in 36 starts
1977 Highlights:
July 11 - Pitched a five-hit shutout against the Cincinnati Reds. On his next start on July 16 J.R. would shut the Reds out again. Richard was 4-1 against the Reds in 1977.
Aug 27 - Pitched a three hit shutout as the Astros beat the Montreal Expos 4-0. Richard gave up no walks and struck out seven batters.
Wilbur Howard got in only three games in early April before being sent to AAA Charleston. Howard came back on May 1 and stayed with the Astros for the rest of the season as a backup outfielder.
1977 Stats:
Houston Astros - .257, 2 HR, 13 RBI in 87 games
Charleston Charlies (AAA) - .200 (9 for 45) in 11 games
1977 Highlights:
June 24 - Scored the winning run on Ken Boswell's single in the 10th inning of a 6-5 Astros win over the San Francisco Giants.
July 14 - Singled, stole second base, and then scored the tying run in the 8th inning of a 4-3 Houston win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
You may have noticed the little mark above Joe Sambito's name on the back. There is a story behind that. The 1977 set was the first set that I completed as a kid. I was really proud of that and was dumb enough to bring the set to school for show and tell. Sure enough, the cards got stolen and I was unable to get them back. I was heartbroken. My father felt sorry for me and sent away for the complete set (probably from Larry Fritsch or Den's Collector's Den). When the cards came in, he marked each card with a diagonal pencil mark. So when you see cards with the little diagonal mark, they are the cards from the set my dad bought me 35 years ago.
Joe Sambito was drafted by the Houston Astros in 1973. He pitched in the minors from 1973-1975.
Sambito started the 1976 season in the minors. He had a high ERA with AAA Memphis (3-0, 6.33 ERA), and pitched well for AA Columbus (8-2, 1.80 ERA). Joe was called up to Houston in mid-July and had a 3-2 record with a 3.54 ERA in 20 games (4 starts).
Joe started a good run as a reliever for the Astros in 1977. He had a record of 5-5 with seven saves and had an ERA of 2.33 in 54 games for the Astros in '77.
In 1978 Sambito was 4-9 with 11 saves and had a 3.07 ERA in 62 appearances.
Sambito made the NL All Star team in 1979 (he pitched 2/3 of an inning, walked one batter, and allowed no runs). He had a record of 8-7, saved 22 games, and had a 1.77 ERA.
Joe finished 5th in NL Cy Young Award voting in 1980. During the regular season he was 8-4 with 17 saves and had a 2.19 ERA in 64 games. Joe was 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in three appearances during the 1980 NLCS.
Sambito's last really good full season was in 1981. He was 5-5 with 10 saves and had a 1.84 ERA in 49 games. During the NLDS Sambito was 1-0 but had a 16.20 ERA in two appearances.
Joe was off to a great start (0-0, 4 saves, 0.71 ERA in 9 games) in 1982 when he suffered an elbow injury . He saved the game on April 27, but that was his last appearance. Joe had surgery in July to remove a bone chip, but a ruptured ligament was discovered and that was repaired as well.
Joe underwent a rehabilitation program and did a rehab stint in the minors in 1984. Sambito was activated by the Astros on May 23 and had a 3.02 ERA in 32 games for the Astros.
Sambito didn't make the Houston club in 1985 -- he allowed 25 hits and 12 earned runs in 14 2/3 innings. He was given the choice of accepting a minor league assignment or being released. Joe chose to be released. Sambito worked out with a few clubs and ended up signing with the New York Mets on April 26. Joe appeared in eight games for the Mets and had a 12.66 ERA before being assigned to AAA Tidewater in July. In late August the Mets "recalled" Sambito and then released him.
In 1986 Joe signed with the Boston Red Sox and was able to stay with the club for the entire season. Sambito went 2-0, saved 12 games, and had a 4.84 ERA in 53 games. Joe made three appearances in the ALCS without allowing a run. In the World Series he got roughed up in two games -- he had a 27.00 ERA in 1/3 of an inning. The Red Sox used Sambito as a situational lefty during his time with the team.
Sambito's last major league season was 1987. He wasn't as successful, going 2-6 with a 6.93 ERA in 47 games.
Joe wasn't resigned after the 1987 season. Sambito attempted another comeback with the Astros in 1988 and was successful at AAA Tucson, but the Astros didn't call him up and he left the ballclub in late June. The Astros wouldn't release Sambito because they wanted to keep the Los Angeles Dodgers from picking him up. Joe retired after the 1988 season.
