- Jim Spencer won a Gold Glove for his fielding at first base in 1977. This ended up being Jim's last season as a regular player. Spencer played for five more seasons but he never had more than 295 at bats.
- Jim injured his toe and missed about three weeks in June.
- 1977 Stats: .247, 18 HR, 69 RBI in 128 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981
- Willie Crawford never played during the regular season for the San Francisco Giants. On March 26 Willie was traded (with Rob Sperring) to the Houston Astros for Rob Andrews and cash. Crawford played for the Astros until June 15 and then was traded to the Oakland A's for Denny Walling and cash.
- Crawford started in left field for Houston in May and June before his trade to Oakland. He then filled in at LF and RF for the A's. From late August until the end of the season Willie appeared 13 times as a pinch hitter but never played in the field.
- Willie became a free agent after the 1977 season. He signed with the LA Dodgers but didn't make the team in spring training. Crawford didn't make the Dodgers club in 1978 and was released. He played in the Mexican League in 1978 and in 1979.
- 1977 Stats:
- Houston Astros - .254, 2 HR, 18 RBI in 42 games
- Oakland A's - .184, 1 HR, 16 RBI in 59 games
- TOTAL: .216, 3 HR, 34 RBI in 101 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1965, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976
- Bob Myrick was drafted by the New York Mets in 1974. Bob advanced quickly through the Mets' farm system and was called up to the majors in May 1976.
- Myrick was used mostly as a left handed middle reliever. In 1976 Bob was 1-1 with a 3.25 ERA in 21 games (1 start).
- Bob stayed with the Mets for the entire 1977 season. He was a middle reliever and a spot starter. Myrick had a decent season, especially considering how depleted and demoralized the Mets were that year. Bob was 2-2 with 2 saves and had a 3.61 ERA in 44 games (4 starts). Myrick had a stint on the disabled list in July due to a rib cage injury.
- Myrick struggled with his confidence at the beginning of the 1978 season. He had a 3.25 ERA in 17 games, but he was also 0-3. On May 18, manager Joe Torre wanted to get Myrick some more confidence so he sent Bob to AAA Tidewater. No one knew it at the time, but Bob would not make it back to the majors.
- Bob started the 1979 season on the disabled list due to tendonitis in his pitching shoulder. In mid-June Myrick was traded (with a minor leaguer) to the Texas Rangers for Dock Ellis. Bob spent the rest of the 1979 season with the AAA Tucson Toros. Myrick struggled in Tucson and was released after the season.
- The Mets resigned Myrick for the 1980 season and sent him to Tidewater. In mid-June Bob was traded to the Chicago Cubs for a minor leaguer. Myrick spent the rest of the 1980 season in AAA Wichita and pitched well. It looked like he would have a good shot at making the Cubs roster in 1981.
- Bob's shoulder problems flared up again in 1981. He spent some time in Wichita, but he struggled and was released. Myrick retired and went back to Mississipi to work in the family business (Economy Supply).
- Myrick continued with Economy Supply until he retired from the business in 2012. On August 23 , 2012 Myrick died of a heart attack.
- Bob Myrick's SABR biography
- 1977 Stats: 2-2, 2 saves, 3.61 ERA in 44 games (4 starts)
- 1977 Highlights:
- Aug 5 - Earned the win in the Mets' 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Bob shut out the Giants in the final 1 1/3 innings and the Mets rallied in the 8th inning for the win.
- Sept 18 - Combined with Craig Swan on a 4-hitter as the Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0. Bob got the save by pitching 2 1/3 innings of hitless ball.
- Other card blogs: none
- Pat Dobson experienced a change of fortunes in 1977. After leading the team with 16 wins in 1977, Pat won only three games in 1977. He lost his place in the rotation in July and spent the rest of the year as a long reliever.
- Pat was sent to AAA Portland before the 1978 season. Dobson was released in mid April. Except for a brief comeback attempt in 1979, that was it for Pat's career.
- Pat Dobson's SABR biography
- 1977 Stats: 3-12, 6.14 ERA in 33 games (17 starts)
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1976
- Willie Davis didn't play major league baseball in 1977. Davis was released by the San Diego Padres in January 1977. Davis played in Japan for two seasons and then played for the California Angels in 1979. Willie finished his career as a player in 1980 in the Mexican League. He also managed in the Mexican League in 1980 and in 1981.
- Davis passed away on 9 March 2010
- Other card blogs: 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976
- In February 1977 Paul Lindblad was sold to the Texas Rangers for $400,000. It was a controversial deal at the time since Commissioner Bowie Kuhn wanted to be consulted before any cash deals were made (especially if the A's were involved). The sale was eventually approved a few weeks later.
- The Rangers used Lindblad mostly as a setup man
- Paul passed away on January 1, 2006 after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
- 1977 Stats: 4-5, 4 saves, 4.20 ERA in 42 games (1 start)
- 1977 Highlights:
- June 7 - Pitched 4 1/3 innings of scoreless ball and got the win as the Rangers beat the New York Yankees 7-3.
- Aug 14 - Allowed one run in six innings pitched in relief of Nelson Briles as the Rangers came back from being down 6-0 to beat the Chicago White Sox 12-9.
- Other card blogs: 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1976 Kellogg's, 1979
- This was Ed Kirkpatrick's final major league season. Ed moved around a lot in 1977. On June 15 Kirkpatrick was traded to the Texas Rangers for Jim Fregosi. Then on August 20 Ed was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for a player to be named later (who turned out to be Gorman Thomas). Luckily for the Brewers they were able to get Thomas back later.
- Kirkpatrick was released during spring training in 1978. Ed spent half of the season in the Mexican league and then batted .325 for AAA Salt Lake City in the last half of the season.
- Ed Kirkpatrick passed away on November 15, 2010 after battling throat cancer.
- 1977 Stats:
- Pittsburgh Pirates - .143 (4 for 28) in 21 games
- Texas Rangers - .188 (9 for 48) in 20 games
- Milwaukee Brewers - .273 (21 for 77) in 29 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, Cardboard Gods
- Pedro Borbon had a solid year as a Reds' reliever, which was a rare thing for the struggling pitching staff. Pedro was a middle reliever at the beginning of the season and was used as the Reds' closer in June and again from early August through the end of the season.
- Borbon died of cancer on June 4, 2012.
- 1977 Stats: 10-5, 18 saves, 3.19 ERA in 73 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980
- 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:
- Other card blogs: 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983
- Bobby Bonds had a big year for the California Angels in 1977. His batting average was down a bit, but he had good power numbers and was a productive bat in the Angels' attack.
- After the 1977 season Bonds was traded to the Chicago White Sox. Bonds would play for a different team in each of his final four seasons from 1978 to 1981.
- 1977 Stats: .264, 37 HR, 114 RBI, 41 stolen bases in 158 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1976, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980
- Paul Splittorff was an important part of the Kansas City pitching staffs in the 1970s and early 1980s. Paul won 16 games for the Royals in 1977 and won another game in the AL Championship Series.
- 1977 Stats:
- Regular season: 16-6, 3.69 ERA in 37 starts
- AL Championship Series: 1-0, 2.40 ERA in 2 starts
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983
- 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.
- Bostock left the Twins as a free agent after the season and signed with the California Angels.
- Lyman Bostock's SABR biography
- 1977 Stats: .336, 14 HR, 90 RBI, 104 runs
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1976
- Enzo spent most of the 1977 season on the disabled list with a bad back. He had surgery (against the advice of the Padres) in 1977. The back problems shortened his career.
- Enzo was released during spring training in 1978. He played in AAA and with the LA Dodgers briefly in 1978 before retiring.
- Enzo Hernandez was found dead of an apparent suicide in January 2013. He was being treated for depression at the time.
- 1977 Stats: .000 (0 for 3) in 7 games
- Other card blogs: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976
- Jim Bibby was the third starter for the Cleveland Indians in 1977. Jim made some occasional relief appearances between starts.
- During spring training in 1978 Bibby was declared a free agent due to breach of contract. The Indians failed to pay him an incentive bonus. Jim eventually signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
- Jim Bibby's SABR biography
- 1977 Stats: 12-13, 2 saves, 3.57 ERA in 37 games (30 starts)
- 1977 Highlights:
- March 28 - Not exactly a highlight -- Jim gave up 11 earned runs and 12 hits in less than two innings pitched in a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The game was played in a stiff breeze and the final score was Milwaukee 16, Cleveland 9. Good thing spring training games don't count!
- May 22 - Gave up one run on seven hits in a complete game 7-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
- June 24 - Went the distance and allowed two runs on eight hits as the Indians beat the Detroit Tigers 4-2.
- Other card blogs: 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983
- Jack Clark
- Debut: September 12, 1975
- 1977 Stats: .252, 13 HR, 51 RBI in 136 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1988
- Jack Clark (nickname: "Jack the Ripper") was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1973. Jack spent four years in the minors, working his way from Rookie ball in 1973 to AAA in 1976. He had a great year for the AAA Phoenix Giants in 1976 (.323, 17 HR, 16 triples, 86 RBI). Clark had brief September call-ups in 1975 (.235 in 17 AB) and in 1976 (.225 in 26 games).
- Clark became the regular right fielder for the Giants in 1977. He would hold that position from 1977-1983. His rookie season in 1977 wasn't particularly special (.252, 13 HR, 51 RBI in 136 games), but he came into his own in 1978 (.306, 25 HR, 98 RBI). Jack made his first All Star team in 1978 (he struck out in his only at bat) and finished 5th in NL MVP voting.
- Jack was an All Star again in 1979 (0 for 1) and he batted .273 with 26 HR and 86 RBI. Clark had a similar year in 1980 (.284, 22 HR, 82 RBI).
- Clark had a bit of a drop-off in 1981 (.268, 17 HR, 53 RBI), but he bounced back in 1982 to bat .274 with 27 HR and 103 RBI as the Giants were contenders for the NL West until the final week of the season. Jack finished 7th in NL MVP voting in 1982.
- Jack had a decent season in 1983 (.268, 20 HR, 66 RBI), but it was an off year by his standards. In 1984 Clark was having a fine season (.320, 11 HR, 44 RBI), but it was cut short by an injury in late June. Jack feuded with manager Frank Robinson and with some members of the Giants' front office. After the 1984 season the Giants traded Clark to the St. Louis Cardinals for David Green, Dave LaPoint, Gary Rajisch, and Jose Uribe.
- Clark was moved to first base to reduce the risk of injury. Jack bounced back in 1985 to have an All Star season (0 for 1 with a walk). He batted .281 with 22 HR and 87 RBI and helped the Cardinals to the NL East title. His home run in game 6 of the NL Championship Series clinched the pennant for the Cardinals. Jack didn't do as well in the World Series as the Kansas City Royals beat the Cards in seven games.
- Jack was injured again in late June of 1986 and missed the remainder of the season. He had his poorest season to date, batting .237 with 9 HR in 65 games.
- Clark had his best season in 1987. He batted .286 with 35 HR and 106 RBI. He also led the NL with 136 walks. Jack was an All Star for the fourth and final time of his career (0 for 3 with two strikeouts) and finished third in NL MVP voting. Unfortunately for the Cardinals Clark was injured during the postseason and batted only once in the NL Championship Series. He didn't play in the World Series as the Cardinals lost to the Minnesota Twins in seven games.
- After the 1987 season Clark became a free agent and signed with the New York Yankees. The Yankees already had Don Mattingly at first base so Clark became the designated hitter. He led the Yankees with 27 home runs and batted .242 with 93 RBI. Jack got along well with manager Billy Martin, but he clashed with Lou Piniella, who replaced Martin in the middle of the season. After the 1988 season Jack was traded (with Pat Clements) to the San Diego Padres for Lance McCullers, Jimmy Jones, and Stan Jefferson.
- Clark spent the next two seasons with the Padres as their starting first baseman. He led the NL in walks in both 1989 and in 1990. Jack had a pretty good year in 1989 (.242, 26 HR, 94 RBI), but his season in 1990 was shortened by injuries (.266, 25 HR, 62 RBI in 115 games). Jack clashed with Padres superstar Tony Gwynn during his time in San Diego.
- After the 1990 season Clark became a free agent and signed a big contract with the Boston Red Sox. Jack had a good year in 1991, batting .249 with 28 HR and 87 RBI.
- This Is The Life That Jack Built - July 22, 1991 Sports Illustrated
- Clark's stats had a big drop-off in 1992. He was only a part-time player, batting .210 with 5 HR in 81 games.
- Clark filed for bankruptcy in 1992. He had acquired 18 automobiles and as his lawyer put it "had some expensive hobbies."
- The Red Sox waived Clark in February 1993. He signed with the Montreal Expos during spring training in 1993. Jack had gained some weight and made an effort to lose the excess pounds. A lot of personal matters weighed on Clark and he asked for his release in June.
- After his playing career Clark was bilked out of a lot of his money by a lawyer and a financial advisor. He also had a near-fatal motorcycle accident in 2003. As of 2009 Clark was doing some color commentary for the St. Louis Cardinals and was also managing a team in the amateur Prospect League.
- Here is a "where are they now" article from 2009.
- In 2010 Clark called the Cardinals quitters on a radio show. He was also critical of the club for hiring Mark McGwire as hitting coach.
- Ruppert Jones
- Debut: August 1, 1976
- 1977 Stats: .263, 24 HR, 76 RBI in 160 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- June 3: Spoiled Dennis Eckersley's bid for a second consecutive no-hitter by homering with two out in the 6th inning. It was the only hit the Mariners had in the game. In Eckersley's previous start he no-hit the Kansas City Royals and in the start before that he didn't allow a hit to the Mariners for the final 7 2/3 innings.
- June 12: Hit two 2-out singles to help the Mariners to a 5-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
- Other card blogs: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986
- Ruppert Jones was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 1973. He played in the minors from 1973-1975 and for most of the 1976 season. The Royals brought Ruppert up in August 1976 and he batted .216 in 28 games. Jones was considered to be a good outfield prospect for the Royals but they didn't have room for him on the big club.
- Ruppert was the first player chosen by the Seattle Mariners in the 1976 expansion draft. Jones was an All Star for the Mariners in 1977 and batted .263 with 24 HR and 76 RBI.
- Jones had an appendectomy in June 1978 and missed five weeks. He batted .235 with 6 HR and 46 RBI.
- Ruppert bounced back in 1979. Jones batted .267 with 21 HR and 78 RBI while playing in all 162 games. After the 1979 season Ruppert was traded (with Jim Lewis) to the New York Yankees for Rick Anderson, Jim Beattie, Juan Beniquez, and Jerry Narron.
- Jones was a backup center fielder for the Yankees in 1980. He played in 83 games and batted .223 with 9 HR and 42 RBI.
- At the end of spring training in 1981 Jones was traded with three other players to the San Diego Padres for Jerry Mumphrey and John Pacella. Ruppert spent the next three seasons (1981-1983) with the Padres. Jones batted .246 in 105 games in the strike-shortened 1981 season. In 1982 Ruppert made the NL All Star team (he batted for Steve Rogers in the 3rd inning, tripled, and scored the NL's first run). Ruppert spent some time on the disabled list in August 1982 but ended up batting .283 with 12 HR and 61 RBI.
- Jones slipped to .233 in 1983. He became a free agent at the end of the season.
- Jones signed with the Detroit Tigers in April 1984. Jones started the season in AAA Evansville and was brought up in June after batting .313 for Evansville. He was able to be a part of that special 1984 Tiger ballclub that won it all. Ruppert was a backup outfielder and batted .284 with 12 HR and 37 RBI in 79 games. After the 1984 season Jones became a free agent again and signed with the California Angels.
- Jones spent the last three seasons with the Angels. He batted .231 with 21 HR in 1985, .229 with 17 HR in 1986, and .245 with 8 HR in 1987.
- Ruppert tried out with the Milwaukee Brewers but was dropped at the end of March. Jones spent some time in Japan and in AAA in 1988. Ruppert tried to come back in 1989 but retired after 27 games in AAA due to a rotator cuff injury.
- Ruppert now lives in the San Diego area and works with the Boon Group, which sells employee benefits to government contractors. He and former pitcher Dave Stewart coach a travel baseball team for 13 and 14 year olds.
- Here is a chat Ruppert did with the Seattle Times in 2012 on the occasion of the Mariners' 35th anniversary.
- Lee Mazzilli
- Debut: September 7, 1976
- 1977 Stats: .250, 6 HR, 46 RBI in 159 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- June 2: Hit a 2-run home run (his first of the season) and had another RBI to help the Mets beat the Montreal Expos 7-4.
- Other card blogs: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986
- Lee Mazzilli's SABR biography
- Lee Mazzilli was an athletic ballplayer from Brooklyn, NY. Lee was drafted by the New York Mets in the first round in 1973. Mazzilli worked his way up the Mets' system and by 1976 was judged to be ready for a September call-up. Lee batted only .195 in 24 games, but there was still a lot of enthusiasm for Mazzilli to be a full-timer with the Mets in 1977.
- Lee played CF for the Mets for several seasons (1977-1981). The Mets tried him at 1B for a while in an effort to hide his below average arm.
- Mazilli was on the NL All Star team in 1979. He hit a game-tying home run in the 8th inning and then walked and scored what would prove to be the winning run in the 9th inning.
- Joe Torre was Lee's mentor during his first tour of duty as a Met. When Torre was let go as manager at the end of the 1981 season Lee probably knew his days were numbered in New York. Before the 1982 season Mazzilli was traded to the Texas Rangers for Ron Darling and Walt Terrell.
- Mazzilli did some bouncing around at this stage of his career, playing for Texas (1982), the New York Yankees (1982) and for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1983-1986).
- On July 23, 1986 Lee was released by the Pirates. The Mets picked Mazzilli up on August 3 and he became a valuable pinch hitter during the Mets' stretch drive.
- Mazzilli was used as a reserve outfielder and first baseman by the Mets. He had a good year in 1987 but in 1988 injuries started to take their toll on Lee. He was sent to the Toronto Blue Jays in a waiver deal in 1989. Mazzilli didn't fare very well with the Blue Jays and retired after the 1989 season.
- Lee had a few announcing and acting jobs after his playing career. He managed the Baltimore Orioles for 1 1/2 seasons and also did some coaching in the Yankees' system. Lee was the first base coach for Torre's Yankees for a few years in the early 2000s and was Torre's bench coach in 2006.
- A good summary of Lee's career is found on his SABR biography linked above.
- Dan Thomas
- Debut: September 2, 1976
- 1977 Stats:
- Milwaukee Brewers: .271, 2 HR, 11 RBI in 22 games
- Spokane Indians (AAA): .237, 1 HR, 19 RBI in 38 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- April 5 - Hit a home run to help the Brewers beat the Minnesota Twins 18-6 in an exhibition game.
- Other card blogs: none
- Dan Thomas was a tragic figure in baseball. He was known as "the Sundown Kid" because of his refusal to play from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. He did this for religious reasons starting in the 1977 season.
- Thomas was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the first round in 1972. He played in the minors from 1972-1976. Dan had a good year for the AA Berkshire Brewers (.325, 29 HR, 83 RBI) in 1976 and was named the Eastern League MVP. Thomas batted .276 with 4 HR and 15 RBI in 32 games for the Brewers in September 1976.
- Dan made the Brewers ballclub in 1977. He announced that he wouldn't play on his church's (The Worldwide Church of God) Sabbath Day. Thomas played in 22 games and batted .271, but the Brewers tired of having a player who wouldn't be available two days out of the week. In mid-May Dan was sent to AAA Spokane. Thomas and the Brewers continued to be at odds over his availability and he had his pay docked for each day he was unavailable.
- In early August the Brewers assigned Thomas to the AA Holyoke Millers. Dan refused to report and retired from the game.
- Dan tried to return to baseball in 1978 and in 1979 but wasn't very successful. He had a history of mental problems. Thomas lived in the Spokane area and tried to hold down various odd jobs, but he had a hard time staying employed for very long.
- In 1980 Thomas moved with his wife and two children to Alabama. He was arrested and charged with the rape of a twelve year old girl. While he was awaiting trial Dan hung himself in his jail cell. His wife was unable to afford to move Dan's body back to her family's home in Illinois or to the Northwest. He was buried in a potter's field in Alabama.
- Tony Solaita played in over 100 games for the only time in his career in 1977. He started 82 games at first base and also did some DH-ing and pinch hitting.
- SABR biography
- 1977 Stats: .241, 14 HR, 53 RBI in 116 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1975, 1976, 1979
- Doug Ault
- Debut: September 9, 1976
- 1977 Stats: .245, 11 HR, 64 RBI in 129 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1979, Cardboard Gods
- 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.
- In the 2000s Doug was a car salesman.
- Doug died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on December 22, 2004. He and his second wife had been having financial and other problems -- she was a obstetrician-gynecologist but she had lost her medical license in Florida in 2002 due mainly to a drug and alcohol addiction.
- Rich Dauer
- Debut: September 11, 1976
- 1977 Stats: .243, 5 HR, 25 RBI in 96 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986
- 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.
- Rich lost his 2B job to Alan Wiggins toward the end of the 1985 season. Dauer batted .202 in 85 games and became a free agent at the end of the season.
- 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.
- Gonzalez was released by the A's at the end of spring training in 1981.
- Phil Mankowski
- Debut: August 30, 1976
- 1977 Stats: .276, 3 HR, 27 RBI in 94 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1979, 1980, Cardboard Gods
- 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.
- Mankowski was named to the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
- Pat Kelly was acquired by the Baltimore Orioles in November 1976. They gave up catcher Dave Duncan to get him.
- This was Pat's last season as a starting player. Kelly started 94 games in the outfield in 1977. After this season Pat became a valuable role player for the Orioles.
- 1977 Stats: .256, 10 HR, 49 RBI in 120 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- May 1 - Homered twice, including a 10th inning game-winner, to lift the Orioles to a 3-2 win over the California Angels.
- May 8 - Hit a grand slam to lead the Orioles to a 6-4 win over the Seattle Mariners. After starting the season batting .087 in April, Kelly got on a hot streak in May and was 10 for 20 at one point. Five of those hits were home runs.
- June 14 - Hit a 3-run homer in the top of the 11th inning as the Orioles beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-5.
- Other card blogs: 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980
- Ramon Hernandez was at the end of the line. The 1977 season was his last one in the major leagues. Hernandez started the year with the Chicago Cubs. Ramon was traded to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Bobby Darwin on May 28. Hernandez pitched for the Red Sox for almost three months before being released on August 20.
- 1977 Stats:
- Chicago Cubs: 0-0, 1 save, 8.22 ERA in 6 games
- Boston Red Sox: 0-1, 1 save, 5.68 ERA in 12 games
- TOTAL: 0-1, 2 saves, 6.64 ERA in 18 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- July 13 - Retired the last four batters to earn his final major league save. The Red Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 7-4.
- Other card blogs: 1967, 1968, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976
