1977 Topps Baseball #550 - Randy Jones

• Randy Jones had a big drop-off from his wonderful 1975 and 1976 seasons. Randy had an operation on his arm at the end of the 1976 season. Jones had a sore biceps muscle and missed six weeks from mid-June to late July. There was doubt in early July about whether or not he would pitch again in 1977. Randy's career might have been better served by listening to the Padres team doctor and resting his arm.
• 1977 Stats: 6-12, 4.58 ERA in 27 games (25 starts)
• 1977 Highlights:
• April 12 - Allowed three runs in eight innings and earned the win in San Diego's home opener. The Padres beat the San Francisco Giants 4-3.
• May 4 - Pitched a 4-hitter and beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1.
• Other card blogs: 1974, 1975, 1976, 1976, 1976, 1976 Kellogg's, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983

1977 Topps #5 - 1976 Victory Leaders

• There were only three 20-game winners in the American League in 1976. 
• This was the fewest since 1967, when three pitchers won 20 or more.
• Jim Palmer led the AL in wins three straight years (1974-1976). He won 20 or more games eight times in his career.
• Randy Jones' 22 wins were remarkable considering that he pitched for a team that went 73-89 and finished 5th in the NL West. The Padres finished 11th in runs scored that season
• Unfortunately after two great seasons (1975 and 1976), Jones hurt his arm in 1977 and was never as dominant again.