Early in the 1977 season it looked like Mike Pazik was finally going to stick in the majors after years of work. Mike started the season in the Twins rotation, but on April 25 he was a passenger in a volkswagen driven by teammate Don Carrithers. A woman driving the wrong way on a freeway offramp collided with the volkswagen. Pazik suffered two broken legs and was out for the remainder of the season. Mike pitched in the minors for the next two seasons but never got back to the majors.
Bob Randall was drafted by the LA Dodgers in 1969. Randall played in the Dodgers system from 1969-1975 without being called up to the majors. He batted .338 for AAA Albuquerque in 1974, but he wasn't going to beat out Davey Lopes at second base.
After the 1975 season Bob was traded to the Minnesota Twins for Danny Walton.
Randall won the starting second base job in the 1976 season when the Twins moved Rod Carew to first base. Bob batted .267 in 153 games, but he had very little power (.328 slugging percentage).
In 1977 Bob split time at second base with Rob Wilfong and a few other players. Randall batted .239 in 103 games.
Randall was the starting second baseman for about 2/3 of the time in 1978 and had his best offensive season, batting .270 in 119 games.
Bob was a utility man in 1979. Randall batted .246 in 80 games.
Randall was cut at the end of spring training in 1980. He was a player-coach for AAA Toledo for most of the season (.219 in 52 games). The Twins needed some help in the infield and called up Randall for a couple of weeks in May. Bob batted .200 (3 for 15) in five games for the Twins in 1980.
Bob was the coach at Iowa State University from 1985 to 1995 and at the University of Kansas from 1996 to 2002. Randall is now the assistant baseball coach and professor of economics at Manhattan Christian College.
1977 Stats: .239, 0 HR, 22 RBI in 103 games
1977 Highlights:
May 10 - Hit a 2-run double in the 6th inning to break a 4-4 tie, helping the Twins beat the Detroit Tigers 7-5.
Dan Ford was the starting right fielder for the Minnesota Twins in 1977. His numbers weren't all that impressive, especially in a hitter's year like 1977, but Dan would rebound to have better seasons in 1978 and 1979.
1977 Stats: .267, 11 HR, 60 RBI in 144 games
1977 Highlights:
June 3 - Hit a 2-run homer to help the Twins beat the Boston Red Sox 6-2.
July 24 - Dan's 2-run home run in the 7th inning put the Twins ahead to stay as they beat the Oakland A's 5-3.
Vic Albury had already pitched in his last major league game when this card was printed. Albury spent the 1977 season in AAA. His Baseball Reference page shows him with Syracuse of the New York Yankees organization, but he was still a member of the Minnesota Twins organization.
The Twins let Albury leave as a free agent after the 1977 season. Vic wasn't signed by a major league team and spent the 1978 season pitching in the Mexican League. Albury pitched in AAA in 1979 and retired after the season.
1977 Stats:
Syracuse Chiefs (AAA) - 9-9, 2 saves, 5.13 ERA in 29 games (15 starts)
Lyman Bostock had the best season of his tragically short career in 1977. Most of his totals would have led the team (or even the league) in most years, but this was Rod Carew's huge season. Bostock got a few MVP votes, but he was overshadowed by Carew.
April 21 - Went 3 for 5 with 4 RBI and 2 runs scored as the Twins beat the Texas Rangers 11-4.
July 24 - Hit a home run in the 12th inning to lead the Angels to a 10-9 win (and a doubleheader sweep) over the Oakland A's. Bostock had three hits in game 1 and two hits in game 2.
Aug 1 - Went 3 for 4 with a home run and knocked in 4 runs as the Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 9-5.
Jerry Terrell played everywhere but pitcher and catcher during the 1977 season. Jerry mostly spelled Roy Smalley at shortstop and Mike Cubbage at third base. After the season Terrell became a free agent and signed with the Kansas City Royals.
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.
Steve Luebber was drafted by the Minnesota Twins at the age of 17 in 1967. Steve slowly climbed up the Twins organization and made it to the majors in June 1971. Luebber was 2-5 with a 5.03 ERA in 18 games (12 starts) for the Twins in 1971.
Luebber got a high number card in the 1972 Topps set. That was his only other card appearance.
In 1972 Steve was back in the minors. He pitched in two games for the Twins late in September (0-0, 0.00 ERA in 2.1 innings).
From 1973-1975 Luebber pitched in AA and AAA. He put up some good numbers in AAA in 1975 (14-7, 2.39 ERA).
Steve made the Minnesota staff in 1976 and stayed in the majors for the entire season. Luebber was 4-5 with 2 saves and had a 4.01 ERA in 38 games (12 starts).
Luebber didn't make the Twins ballclub in 1977 and spent the entire season in AAA. He was 10-10 with a 4.63 ERA for the Tacoma Twins. Steve was released by the Twins after the 1977 season.
Steve pitched in several other organizations from 1978-1983. Luebber pitched in one game for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1979. He had an ERA of infinity due to allowing one run and not retiring any of the three batters he faced. In 1981 Luebber pitched in seven games for the Baltimore Orioles (0-0, 7.56 ERA in 16.2 innings).
Steve was part of the longest game in baseball history (Rochester Red Wings vs. Pawtucket Red Sox) in 1981. Luebber entered the game in the 15th inning and allowed one run in eight innings before giving way to Jim Umbarger in the 23rd inning.
After his playing career Steve became a minor league pitching coach. He is now the pitching coach for the class A Wilmington Blue Rocks, a position he has held for seven years.
Luebber did some pitching in the minors in the late 1980s. He pitched in the minors for three seasons (1986-1988) but never made it back to the majors. Steve also pitched in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989 and in 1990.
1977 Stats:
Tacoma Twins (AAA): 10-10, 4.63 ERA in 27 games (25 starts)
Tom Burgmeier was a middle reliever and a set-up man for the Minnesota Twins in 1977. He had a good ERA of 3.27 at the end of June, but he had a few rough outings in September and his ERA ballooned to 5.09. Tom left the Twins after the 1977 season and signed with the Boston Red Sox.
April 10 - Saved the game for rookie Paul Thormodsgard, who was making his first major league start, by pitching 2 2/3 shutout innings. The Twins beat the Oakland A's 7-1.
Jim Hughes was in the minors for most of the 1977 season. He started the season in Minnesota but was sent down after appearing in two April games. Hughes pitched in the minors for a few teams in 1978 and 1979 but never made it back to the majors.
Pete Redfern was the first player taken in the secondary phase of the 1976 draft. He had a meteoric rise to the majors. After pitching in four games in AAA Tacoma, Pete was brought up to the majors in mid May and made his first major league start on May 15. Redfern had a pretty good rookie year in 1976 -- he was 8-8 with a 3.51 ERA in 23 starts.
Redfern didn't do as well in 1977, going 6-9 with a 5.18 ERA in 30 games (28 starts).
Pete spent most of the 1978 season pitching for the AAA Toledo Mud Hens. Redfern started the year with the Twins, but after a couple of rough starts and one relief appearance he was sent to Toledo on April 18. Pete had an 0-2 record and a 6.52 ERA for the Twins in '78.
In 1979 Pete was used as a reliever and a spot starter. In 40 games (6 starts) Redfern was 7-3 with one save and had a 3.49 ERA.
Pete missed almost 2 1/2 months of the 1980 season with elbow trouble. He was 7-7 with two saves and had a 4.56 ERA in 23 games (16 starts).
Redfern had a decent 1981 season. In 24 games (23 starts) he was 9-8 with a 4.07 ERA.
Pete's final major league season was in 1982. He had a rough time, going 5-11 with a 6.58 ERA in 27 games (13 starts). Pete started and lost the first game played in the new Metrodome.
In 1983 Redfern didn't pitch at all during spring training. He was released by the Twins on March 25. Pete got into a dispute with the Twins over how much money he should receive. The team said that Pete should get his 30 days of severance pay while Pete contended that he had an injury and should get his entire 1983 salary.
Pete signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and pitched for their AAA Albuquerque team in 1983.
Pete underwent rehabilitation and in 1985 was able to walk 10 feet with help from therapists. Pete still uses a wheelchair.
Here is a video made by Pete's son Chad. Chad filmed a special "first pitch" with Pete in Anaheim that was broadcast over the jumbotron during the final season of the Metrodome in Minnesota.
The 1977 Minnesota Twins were a team struggling with the new realities of free agency. The club got off to a good start in 1977 and led the AL West as late as August 16. A 7-18 record in September doomed the Twins to a 4th place finish. Rod Carew had a huge year as he flirted with hitting .400 for much of the season. Larry Hisle also had a good season. Unfortunately for the Twins Hisle would be gone after the 1977 season and Carew would depart after the 1978 season.
Gene Mauch started his baseball career as an infielder. He had a lifetime .291 batting average in twelve years in the minors and played parts of nine seasons from 1944-1957 in the majors (lifetime .239 average).
Gene was a player-manager in 1953 for AA Atlanta. After Mauch was released by the Boston Red Sox in 1957 he was a player-manager for Boston's AAA Minneapolis club in 1958 and in 1959.
Mauch didn't stay unemployed long. He was hired by the Minnesota Twins in late November of 1975 and managed the Twins from 1976-1980. Gene resigned from the Twins on August 24, 1980. He wasn't satisifed with the Twins' progress. The Twins played at or near .500 from 1976-1979, but they never finished higher than third in the AL West and they were struggling in 1980 before Mauch left.
In 1981 Mauch became director of player personnel for the California Angels. On May 28 Gene came back to the dugout to manage the Angels after they fired manager Jim Fregosi. The Angels weren't very good in 1981, but they rebounded to win the AL West in 1982 and almost made it to the World Series. Gene was stung by criticism of his managing in the 1982 playoffs and resigned after the season. The Angels tried to get him to stay, but Mauch didn't change his mind.
Gene served as the Angels director of player personnel from August 1983 through the 1984 season. Mauch was hired to manage the Angels after they fired Rene Lachemann after the 1984 season. In 1985 the Angels won 90 games but finished second in the AL West. California won the AL West in 1986 but lost to the Boston Red Sox in a very exciting AL Championship Series. In 1987 the Angels went from first to worst as they finished in the AL West cellar. During spring training in 1988 Mauch took a leave of absence due to health problems. Gene's leave turned out to be a permanent one and the Angels hired Cookie Rojas to replace him on March 27.
Gene managed all or parts of 26 seasons and had a lifetime record of 1902-2037 (.483). Gene usually preferred "small ball" strategies and had a reputation of taunting opposing ballclubs and baiting umpires.
April 25 - Pitchers Mike Pazik and Don Carrithers were seriously injured in a car accident. Carrithers was driving the Volkswagen van at 1:00 am when a woman tried to enter the freeway on an exit ramp. The cars collided and Pazik suffered compound fractures of both legs. Carrithers had a broken leg and a broken wrist. Carrithers pitched in five games at the end of the 1977 season but that was it for his major league career. Pazik tried to come back with several minor league teams in 1978 and in 1979, but he never pitched in the majors again.
Tom Johnson had a great "one year wonder" season in 1977. He won 16 games and saved another 15 as the replacement for the departed Bill Campbell. The 1977 season may have worn Johnson out -- he pitched a bit in 1978 and was in the minors in 1979 and 1980, but that was it for his career.
Butch Wynegar was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 1974. He played in the minors in 1974 and in 1975.
Wynegar made the jump all the way from single-A ball to the majors in 1976. Butch enjoyed an excellent season. He finished second to Mark Fidrych in Rookie of the Year voting, made the AL All Star team (he walked in his only at bat), and batted .260 with 10 HR and 69 RBI. Wynegar did all of this at the age of 20.
Wynegar had a drop-off in offense in 1978. He batted .229 with four HR in 135 games.
Butch bounced back in 1979 by batting .270 with 7 HR and 57 RBI.
In 1980 Wynegar batted .255 with 5 HR and 57 RBI.
In January 1981 Wynegar signed a big contract with the Twins. The Twins were known more for losing players to free-agency, so this was a pretty big deal.
Butch got off to a tough start in 1981. He was batting .209 in 24 games when he was traded to the New York Yankees on May 13. The Yankees needed a replacement for the injured Rick Cerone and the Twins were in the process of trading their high-priced veterans. Butch batted .293 in 63 games for the Yankees in '82.
Wynegar and Cerone split time behind the plate for the Yankees in 1983. Butch batted .296 in 94 games.
The 1984 season was Wynegar's last one as the main starting catcher. He played in 129 games and batted .267 with 6 HR and 45 RBI.
Butch played in 102 games in 1985 but his offensive numbers were down (.223, 5 HR, 32 RBI). Wynegar was used more as a defensive replacement for Ron Hassey.
In 1986 the Yankees used three catchers -- Wynegar, Hassey, and Joel Skinner. Hassey had the better bat while Wynegar and Skinner were better defensively. Butch batted .206 in 61 games for the Yankees in '86.
After the 1986 season Butch was traded to the California Angels for Ron Romanick and Alan Mills. Butch spent the next two seasons as a backup catcher, batting .207 in 31 games in 1987 and .255 in 27 games in 1988.
Wynegar struggled with injuries in 1988 and didn't play after May 24. Butch was released after the season and he retired.
After his playing career Butch coached and managed in the minors for several years.
When looking at the back of this card, it's hard to believe Rod Carew's best season was yet to come. He had a monster year in 1977. Rod led the AL in eight offensive categories -- batting average, runs, hits, triples, on base percentage, OPS, and intentional walks. Rod won the AL MVP award in 1977.
This was another highly sought-after card for us.
Trivia: Rod Carew was an AL All Star every year of his career except his final year (1985). He was selected or voted on to the AL All Star team for 18 years (1967-1984).
Glenn Borgmann got very little playing time in 1976 or in 1977. Butch Wynegar came up and took over the Twins catching position. Wynegar was very durable and Borgmann got in a total of 41 games in the two seasons.
