Mick Kelleher had the distinction of having the most lifetime at bats (1081) without a home run.
Kelleher was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969. Mick worked his way up the Cardinals' system from 1969-1972 and had a September call-up in 1972 (.159 in 23 games).
Mick spent most of the 1973 season as a backup shortstop with the Cardinals. Kelleher batted .184 in 43 games, mostly as a late-inning replacement. Mick also spent some time in AAA in 1973.
After the 1973 season Kelleher was sold to the Houston Astros. Mick spent most of the year in AAA. Kelleher was used by the Astros at shortstop for a couple of weeks in May and was also called up in September.
After the 1974 season Mick was sold back to the Cardinals. Kelleher was in AAA for just about all of the 1975 season. He went 0 for 4 in seven games for the Cardinals in September. After the 1975 season Mick was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Vic Harris.
In 1976 Kelleher split time at shortstop with Dave Rosello. Mick batted .228 in 124 games.
Kelleher was a utilityman for the Cubs for the next four seasons. He batted .230 in 63 games in 1977, .253 in 68 games in 1978, and .254 in 73 games in 1979.
Mick had a tough time at the plate in 1980. He batted .146 in 96 at bats. I remember his APBA card from that year and it was quite futile.
During spring training in 1981 Mick was purchased by the Detroit Tigers. Kelleher didn't get very much playing time for the Tigers in 1981 (.221 in 77 at bats).
Kelleher was 0 for 1 in two games in 1982 when he was sold to the California Angels in late April. Mick batted .163 in 49 at bats for the Angels in 1982.
Kelleher was released during spring training in 1983. He signed with the San Diego Padres and played in AAA. Mick didn't get back to the majors and retired after the 1983 season.
Since his retirement Mick has been coaching and has had coordinator assignments for several teams. Currently (2013) Kelleher is the first base coach for the New York Yankees.
1977 Stats: .230 in 63 games
1977 Highlights:
June 9 - Appeared as a pinch runner and scored the winning run in the 11th inning of Chicago's 1-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants.
Aug 7 - The 5'9" 155 lb Mick Kelleher got in a fight with 6'6" Dave Kingman after Kingman slid hard into Kelleher while breaking up a double play. Both players were ejected.
Ron Pruitt played a lot of positions in his career. Although he didn't hit many home runs, Pruitt swung the bat pretty well.
Pruitt was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 1972. Ron played in the minors from 1972-1975. Pruitt was called up to the Rangers in June 1975, but he didn't have much of a chance to play since the Rangers had Jim Sundberg as their starting catcher. Pruitt batted .176 in 14 games for Texas in 1975.
After the 1975 season Ron was traded (with pitcher Stan Thomas) to the Cleveland Indians for catcher John Ellis. Ellis wasn't getting along with Cleveland manager Frank Robinson.
Pruitt was used at catcher, 1B, 3B, and all three outfield positions in 1976. Ron batted .267 in 47 games.
In 1977 Ron played a lot more games in the outfield (69 games) than he did at catcher (4 games). Pruitt had a short stint in AAA in May and early June. Ron batted .288 in 78 games for the Indians in 1977.
Ron's batting average dropped to .235 in 1978. Pruitt played in 64 games and hit six home runs, which was his career high.
Pruitt batted .283 in 64 games in 1979.
In 1980 Ron started the season with the Indians and was used mostly as a pinch hitter. Pruitt was batting .306 in 36 at bats on June 13 when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Alan Bannister. Ron continued his good hitting and batted .300 in 70 at bats for the White Sox to finish the 1980 season.
After the White Sox acquired Carlton Fisk, Pruitt's days with the White Sox were numbered. Ron didn't make the Chicago club in 1981 and was released at the end of spring training. Pruitt signed a minor league contract with the Indians. Ron was assigned to AAA Charleston but played in only 40 games due to the major league players strike. Pruitt was called up in September and went 0 for 10 in five games.
Pruitt was released after the 1981 season. He signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants and spent most of the year with the AAA Phoenix Giants. Ron was called up in September and went 2 for 4 in five games. Pruitt had a key pinch hit on September 30 that helped keep the Giants in the NL West race. It was a close race -- with three games to go the Atlanta Braves led the Giants and the LA Dodgers by one game.
Pruitt made the Giants roster in 1983 but his time with the team was short. He was hitless in one at bat and was released on April 14. Two weeks later Ron signed with the Philadelphia Philles. Pruitt spent the year in AAA but was never called up. Pruitt retired after the 1983 season.
Andres Mora was one of the greatest sluggers in Mexican League history. Mora played for a few years in the United States, but he always preferred to play in his native Mexico.
Mora was signed by the Montreal Expos in 1973. He played briefly in Class A West Palm Beach, but was hitless in 21 at bats. Andres was released during spring training in 1974 and played in Mexico for the next two years.
Andres was purchased by the Baltimore Orioles late in the 1975 season. Mora didn't see any action in the U.S. in 1975, but in 1976 the Orioles assigned him to AAA Rochester. Mora batted .328 in 18 games and was called up to the majors in June. Mora was 21 years old in 1976 and was used as the right-handed designated hitter for much of the season. Mora was getting used to major league pitching and batted .218 with 6 HR and 25 RBI in 73 games.
Mora had his best year for the Orioles in 1977. He was still a platoon player and manager Earl Weaver was having a hard time finding him playing time. Andres batted .245 with 13 HR and 44 RBI in 1977.
In 1978 Mora started the season in Rochester and then was brought up in May. Andres was a backup outfielder and DH and batted .214 with 8 HR and 14 RBI.
Andres was optioned to Rochester to start the 1979 season. Rochester then optioned Mora to Saltillo in the Mexican League.
After the 1979 season Mora was taken by the Cleveland Indians in the Rule 5 draft. Unfortunately for Mora, "Super Joe" Charboneau emerged and eventually was the AL Rookie of the Year. Andres played in only nine games for the Indians (2 for 18, .111 ). Mora was going to be sent down to AAA in May but instead he decided to play in Mexico.
Mora had a lot of success in the Mexican League and was second all-time in home runs (419) by the time he retired in 1997. Andres has been managing and coaching in the Mexican League for most of the time since his retirement.
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)
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.
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.
Tommy Sandt had a long baseball career even though he played in only 42 major league games. Sandt was drafted by the Oakland A's in 1969. Tommy played in the minors from 1969-1975. Sandt was brought up to the A's briefly in June 1975. He appeared in one game, but he didn't have a plate appearance.
In 1976 Tommy was with Oakland for the entire season. He didn't get much playing time since the A's had Sal Bando at 3B, Bert Campaneris as SS, and Phil Garner at 2B. Sandt played in 41 games and batted .209 in 67 at bats.
Sandt was sold to the St. Louis Cardinals during spring training in 1977. Tommy later said that he made a big mistake in hiring an agent before the 1977 season. He was sent to the minors in retribution for being difficult to sign, and he never made it back to the majors. Sandt was sent to AAA New Orleans, where he batted .259 with 10 HR in 80 games.
In 1978 Tommy was in the Toronto organization. He batted .245 for AAA Syracuse.
Sandt moved on to the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in 1979. He played for AAA Portland from 1979-1981.
In 1982 Sandt went into managing. He managed (and occasionally played) in the Pirates organization from 1982-1986.
Tommy coached in Pittsburgh (1987-1996), Florida (1997-1998), and Colorado (1999). Sandt then coached for the Pirates from 2000-2002.
1977 Stats:
New Orleans Pelicans (AAA): .259, 10 HR, 44 RBI in 80 games
Jerry Martin was a first round draft pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1970. Jerry played in the minors from 1971-1973. Martin spent the 1974 season in AAA and was called up in September (3 for 14 in 13 games).
Martin started the 1975 season in AAA and was called up in late May. He struggled at the plate and was sent back down in July. Jerry was recalled in September. Martin batted .212 in 57 games for the Phillies in 1975.
In 1976 Martin spent most of the season as a defensive replacement in left field. Although he played in 130 games, Jerry only got to the plate 129 times (.248, 2 HR, 15 RBI). Martin appeared in one game in the 1976 NL Championship Series and was 0 for 1.
Jerry was a backup outfielder and first baseman in 1977. Martin often appeared as a defensive replacement for Greg Luzinski in LF and also started several games in RF. He batted .260 in 116 games. Martin went 0 for 4 in three games in the NL Championship Series.
Martin got several starts in right field in 1978 and batted .271 with 9 HR and 36 RBI in 128 games. Jerry started two games in right field in the 1978 NL Championship Series (.222 with 1 HR in 9 at bats).
In February of 1979 Jerry was traded to the Chicago Cubs as part of an eight-player deal. Martin became the starting center fielder for the Cubs and batted .272 with 19 HR and 73 RBI in 150 games. In 1980 Martin hit a few more home runs (23), but his batting average dipped to .227 in 141 games.
After the 1980 season Jerry was traded (with Jesus Figueroa and a minor leaguer) to the San Francisco Giants for Phil Nastu and Joe Strain. Martin signed a five-year contract before the 1981 season, but he spent only one season with the Giants, batting .241 in 72 games as a backup outfielder.
Martin was traded to the Kansas City Royals before the 1982 season for Bill Laskey and Rich Gale. Jerry became the starting RF for the Royals and batted .266 with 15 HR and 65 RBI in 147 games.
In 1983 Jerry got off to a fast start (.313 in 13 games), but he didn't play after April 22 due to a wrist injury (he had surgery in July) and a drug scandal that swirled around the Royals.
After the 1983 season Martin was sentenced to three months in prison for misdemeanor cocaine possession and was suspended for one year by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn for his admitted drug use. The suspension was lifted by an arbitrator and Jerry was able to resume his playing career with the New York Mets in May of 1984. Martin didn't do much with the Mets in 1984 (.154 in 51 games) and he was released on September 30.
After his playing career Martin coached in the minor leagues for several teams. His most recent coaching job was hitting coach for the AA Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers organization).
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.
Jerry Augustine has spent most of his life in Wisconsin. He was born in Green Bay and grew up in nearby Kewannee. Augustine was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1974. He was in the minors in 1974 and in 1975. Jerry had a September call-up in 1975 and was 2-0 with a 3.04 ERA in 5 games.
Augustine made the Milwaukee ballclub in 1976. Jerry was a reliever for the first two months of the season and he became a starter in mid-June. Augustine had his best year in 1976 (9-12, 3.30 ERA in 39 games/24 starts).
Jerry was a full-time starter in 1977. He went 12-18 with a 4.48 ERA in 33 starts. Augustine was mostly a starter again in 1978 (13-12, 4.54 ERA in 35 games/30 starts).
The Brewers moved Augustine to the bullpen in 1979. Jerry would be a reliever and spot starter for the Brewers through the 1984 season. Augustine was 9-6 with 5 saves and had a 3.47 ERA in 43 games (2 starts) in 1979.
Jerry was often used as a situational lefty out of the bullpen in the last few years of his career.
1980: 4-3, 2 saves, 4.52 ERA in 39 games (1 start)
1981: 2-2, 2 saves, 4.26 ERA in 27 games (1 start)
1982: 1-3, 5.08 ERA in 20 games (2 starts)
1983: 3-3, 2 saves. 5.74 ERA in 34 games (7 starts)
Augustine started the 1984 season with the Brewers (0-0, 0.00 ERA in 4 games) but was sent to AAA in mid-April. Jerry pitched in the minors through the 1986 season for several organizations but he never got back to the majors.
April 9 - Allowed four hits and one run in 8 innings and got the victory as the Brewers beat the New York Yankees 4-2.
April 26 - Had a confrontation with former teammate George Scott in the 7th inning of a game with the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox beat the Brewers 3-1.
Sept 1 - Pitched 8 1/3 innings of shutout ball and earned the win as the Brewers shut out the Detroit Tigers 1-0. Attendance was only 3,985.
Alan Bannister was a star at Arizona State University. Alan was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1973 (he was the first player taken in the draft).
Alan spent most of the next three years in the minors. He received brief trials in 1974 (.120 in 26 games) and in 1975 (.274 in 24 games).
Bannister wasn't able to beat out Larry Bowa, so after the 1975 season he was traded (with Dick Ruthven and Roy Thomas) to the Chicago White Sox for Jim Kaat and Mike Buskey. Interestingly, Ruthven was the first player taken in the special phase of the 1973 draft. That's the only trade I've seen in which two players who were the first players taken in a draft were traded at the same time.
Alan split the 1976 season between AAA Iowa (.241 in 32 games) and the White Sox (.248 in 73 games). He played six different positions - SS, 3B, 2B, and all three OF positions.
In 1977 Bannister was given the starting shortstop job after Bucky Dent was traded to the New York Yankees. Alan batted .275 and scored 87 runs in 139 games. The White Sox traded for shortstop Don Kessinger in late August because of concerns over Bannister's defense (Alan had made 30 errors). Alan still played most of the games at shortstop in September, but he led AL shortstops with 40 errors.
Bannister had shoulder problems in 1978. He said he needed surgery in May, but the White Sox demurred until July. Alan played his last game in 1978 on July 26 and had surgery that ended his season. Bannister batted .224 in 49 games in 1978.
Kessinger had become the starting shortstop in Bannister's absence, but Alan came back in 1979 to have a good season as a utility man. He batted .285 in 136 games while playing five different positions.
Bannister started the 1980 season with the White Sox, but after a slow start (.192 in 45 games) he was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Ron Pruitt on June 13. It was thought that Alan would become the starting 2B for the Indians, but he played six different positions for the club. Bannister hit a lot better once he went to Cleveland, batting .328 in 81 games.
Alan batted .263 in 68 games in the strike-shortened 1981 season.
Bannister was used as a utilityman in his last two seasons with the Indians. He batted .267 in 101 games in 1982 and batted .265 in 117 games in 1983.
During spring training in 1984 Bannister was purchased by the Houston Astros. Alan didn't play much with the Astros (.200 in 9 games) and on May 25 he was traded to the Texas Rangers for Mike Richardt. Bannister batted .295 in 47 games for the Rangers in 1984.
Alan's final season was in 1985. He batted .262 in 57 games. He became a free agent after the 1985 season but he didn't sign with anyone and retired.
After his playing days Bannister had some success as a manager in the low minors. He managed for two years (1988 and 1989) in the Montreal Expos organization and for three more years (1992-1994) in the San Francisco Giants organization.
July 29 - Overcame a throwing error that led to three first inning runs by hitting a 2-run single in the 7th inning, helping the White Sox to an 11-8 victory over the Royals.
Bruce Kimm was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1969. Bruce played in the minors in the White Sox organization from 1969-1972.
After the 1972 season Kimm was traded to the California Angels. He never played for the Angels -- during spring training in 1973 Bruce was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Bobby Brooks.
Bruce played in the Detroit system from 1973-1975.
In 1976 Bruce and rookie sensation Mark Fidrych developed a great rapport. Kimm was Mark's personal catcher for much of the season. Bruce batted .263 in 162 at bats in his rookie season.
Kimm didn't fare nearly as well in 1977. He caught Fidrych's six consecutive wins in June, but after Fidrych went down with a rotator cuff injury, the Tigers sent Bruce to AAA. Bruce ended up batting .080 in 14 games for the Tigers. Note: All six of Fidrych's wins were complete game victories -- no wonder he hurt himself.
Kimm spent 1978 and most of 1979 in AAA Evansville. On August 30, 1979 Bruce was purchased by the Chicago Cubs. He played for the Cubs in September and batted .091 (1 for 11) in nine games.
After the 1979 season Bruce was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft. Kimm got more playing time in 1980 than he did in all of his previous major league seasons combined. Bruce played in 100 games and batted .243.
Bruce hurt his shoulder in winter ball after the 1980 season. The White Sox dropped Kimm from the major league roster. Kimm's shoulder wasn't healed yet, so he retired from baseball. Bruce spent 1981 driving a delivery truck and selling life insurance.
The Tigers hired Bruce to manage in the minors in 1982. In 1983 he managed the Cedar Rapids Reds of the Midwest League.
The Reds brought Bruce to the major league club as a coach in 1984. He was the bullpen coach under manager Vern Rapp in 1984. Bruce stayed on after Rapp was fired and Pete Rose was hired as manager. Kimm was the bullpen coach for three years and then was promoted to third base coach in 1987. Bruce coached third base for the Reds in 1987 and in 1988.
Kimm managed in the minors from 1993-1995, then became the bench coach under Leyland in Florida in 1996. Bruce remained as the bench coach of the Marlins through the 1997 season.
Kimm was the bench coach for the Colorado Rockies in 1999 and then was an advance scout for the club in 2000. Bruce went back to the minors to manage in 2001. His Des Moines Cubs finished 83-60 and Kimm was named the Best Minor League Managerial Prospect by the Sporting News.
The Cubs got off to a bad start in 2002. Manager Don Baylor was fired and Bruce was named as the Cubs manager on July 5. The Cubs went 33-46 under Kimm and he wasn't retained after the season.
Joel Youngblood was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 1970. Youngblood spent six seasons (1970-1975) in the minors before finally getting into the majors in 1976. Joel played several positions (OF, 3B, SS, and 2B) during his time in the minors.
Youngblood finally made it to the majors in 1976. He didn't play much for the powerhouse Reds that year. Joel played six different positions and got into 55 games, but he had only 57 at bats. Youngblood batted .193 during the 1976 season and was not included on the postseason roster.
On March 30, 1977 Youngblood was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for reliever Bill Caudill. Joel didn't get much playing time in St. Louis (.185 in 27 at bats) and on June 15 he was traded to the New York Mets for Mike Phillips. Youngblood got more playing time for the Mets and batted .253 in 70 games.
Joel played six different positions in 1978 and batted .252 in 113 games.
In 1979 Youngblood became the Mets' starting right fielder. He had his best season to date, batting .275 with 16 HR and 60 RBI in 158 games.
Joel had a similar year in 1980, except the home run total was lower. He batted .276 with 8 HR and 69 RBI in 146 games.
Youngblood made the NL All Star team in 1981. He was leading the league with a .359 average at the time of the strike in June. On June 8 (three days before the strike) Youngblood sprained his knee and was placed on the disabled list. When play resumed in August, Joel was on the All Star team (he appeared as a pinch hitter and fouled out in the 2nd inning), but he would play in only five more games after that. He reinjured his knee ligaments on August 14 and was out for the rest of the year.
In 1982 Joel started the season with the Mets. His offense was down from previous years (.257 in 80 games). On August 4, Youngblood made history by playing for two different clubs on the same day. After he got the game-winning hit (a home run in the third inning) for the Mets, Joel found out he was traded to the Montreal Expos. He got on a plane and played for the Expos on the same day. Joel batted .200 in 40 games for the Expos to finish the 1982 season.
Youngblood became a free agent after the 1982 season and signed with the San Francisco Giants. Joel became a valuable role player for the Giants during their wilderness years (1983-1985) and during their resurgence later in the 1980s. He had his best year with the Giants in 1983, batting .292 with 17 home runs and 53 RBI.
Joel's playing time decreased later in the 1980s. In 1986 Youngblood filed a grievance against the Giants after they tried to insert a drug-testing clause into his contract offer at the last minute. The Giants withdrew the offer. The Giants were later forced to honor the offer, but the clause remained in the contract (the players union contested this clause in a grievance).
Youngblood was mostly a pinch hitter and an occasional outfielder in 1987 and 1988.
After the 1988 season Youngblood was not offered a contract by the Giants. He signed with the Reds and played one season with them in 1989. The Reds let Joel become a free agent after the 1989 season. He went to spring training with the Houston Astros in 1990, but the Astros cut him at the end of spring training.
Youngblood coached in several organizations from 1992-1999. He then left baseball to work for a computer company. Joel returned to baseball in 2007 in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. He now serves as the minor league outfield and baserunning coordinator.
1977 Stats:
St. Louis Cardinals - .185 in 27 at bats
New York Mets - .253 in 70 games
1977 Highlights:
Aug 1 - Appeared as a pinch hitter in the 12th inning and singled in the winning run to lead the Mets to an 8-7 win over the LA Dodgers.
Oct 2 - Went 3 for 4, including a 2-run triple that was the eventual game winner, as the Mets beat the Cardinals 6-4 in the final game of the season.
Jim Essian was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1969. Essian was mostly a minor leaguer from 1969-1974. Jim had a couple of short September stints with the Phillies in 1973 (0 for 3 in 2 games) and in 1974 (.100 in 17 games).
Jim made the Phillies ballclub in 1975, although he went to the minors later. He played in only two games and was 1 for 1. On May 7 Jim was traded (with Barry Bonnell and $150,000) to the Atlanta Braves for Dick Allen and Johnny Oates. Then on May 15 Essian was sent to the Chicago White Sox as the player to be named later in a December 1974 deal that had brought Allen to the Braves in the first place. In all, Jim played in 52 games in the minors and batted .206.
Essian was the backup catcher for the White Sox in 1976, batting .246 in 78 games. Jim became the regular catcher for the White Sox in 1977 and had his best year. Essian batted .277 with 10 HR and 44 RBI in 114 games.
During spring training in 1978 Essian was traded (with Steve Renko) to the Oakland A's for Pablo Torrealba. Jim was the main catcher for the A's in 1978 and batted .223 in 126 games. Essian was a part-time catcher in 1979 (.243 in 98 games) and in 1980 (.232 in 87 games).
After the 1980 season Essian became a free agent and signed with the White Sox. He thought he would be the #1 catcher for the White Sox, but Carlton Fisk became a free agent in March 1981. Essian wanted the White Sox to get Fisk, even though it would mean less playing time for him. The White Sox signed Fisk and Essian was relegated to the bench. Jim played in only 27 games in 1981 and batted .308 in 52 at bats.
Essian was on the road again after the 1981 season. Jim was traded (with Rod Allen and Todd Cruz) to the Seattle Mariners for Tom Paciorek. Jim split time between AAA Salt Lake City (.226 in 10 games) and the Mariners (.275 in 48 games) in 1982. Jim had broken his leg in May and needed the time in AAA to do some rehabilitation.
On January 21, 1983 Essian was traded to the Cleveland Indians for a minor leaguer. Jim backed up Ron Hassey behind the plate and batted .204 in 48 games.
After the 1983 season Essian was traded back to Oakland for Luis Quinones. Jim batted .235 in 63 games for the A's in 1984.
Essian was cut by the A's during spring training in 1985. Jim managed the Class A Miami Marlins in 1985. Essian then went to the Chicago Cubs organization and managed various minor league teams from 1985-1991.
On May 22, 1991 Essian was promoted from AAA Iowa to manage the Cubs. The Cubs had been expected by many to win the NL East in 1991. The Cubs went 59-63 under Essian and finished with a disappointing 77-83 record. Jim was dismissed after the season.
After his time with the Cubs Essian managed in the minors in 1995 and 1996. Jim also managed the Greek national team in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Sept 13 - Continued his hot hitting against the Twins by hitting a home run as the White Sox beat the Twins 6-1. Jim hit safely in all 12 of his games against the Twins, hit five HR, and batted .462 (18 for 39).
Pete Vuckovich was a big dude -- 6'4" tall and 215 lbs. This picture was taken before Pete grew his hair and his intimidating Fu-Manchu mustache. Vuckovich was known for his ultracompetitiveness on the monund and for his mannerisms between pitched.
Pete was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1974. Vuckovich pitched in the minors in 1974 and in 1975. Pete was called up at the end of the 1975 season and was 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA in four games.
Vuckovich was a middle reliever and a spot starter for the White Sox in 1976. He went 7-4 and had a 4.65 ERA in 33 games (7 starts).
After the 1976 season Pete was chosen by the Toronto Blue Jays in the expansion draft. Vuckovich started the season in the bullpen. He started one game in May and then joined the Toronto rotation for five weeks in June and July. Vuckovich recorded the first save in Blue Jays history on April 7 and pitched the first Toronto shutout on June 26. Pete ended up with one of the better records for the expansion club (7-7, 8 saves, 3.47 ERA). After the 1977 season Vuckovich was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Vuckovich talks about some of his 1977 Blue Jays memories here.
Pete had three pretty strong seasons for the Cardinals. In 1978 he went 12-12 and had a 2.54 ERA in 34 games (32 starts). Pete was 15-10 with a 3.59 ERA in 1979. Vuckovich had a 12-9 record with a 3.40 ERA in 1980. After the 1980 season Pete was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers as part of a seven-player deal.
Vuckovich was an integral part of the Milwaukee staff in 1981 and 1982. In 1981 Pete led the NL with 14 wins and a .778 winning percentage. Vuckovich went 14-4 with a 3.55 ERA and finished 4th in AL Cy Young Award voting. In 1982 Pete won the AL Cy Young Award with a record of 18-6 and a league-leading .750 winning percentage.
Vuckovich started and won game 3 of the 1981 AL Divisional Series. Pete was 0-1 in 2 starts in the 1982 AL Championship Series and 0-1 in 2 starts in the 1982 World Series.
During spring training in 1983 it was discovered that Vuckovich had a torn rotator cuff. He tried an exercise program and made three starts during the 1983 season (0-2, 4.91 ERA).
Pete missed the entire 1984 season and then attempted comebacks in 1985 (6-10, 5.51 ERA in 22 starts) and in 1986 (2-4, 3.06 ERA in 6 starts).
Vuckovich was released after the 1986 season and retired.
After his retirement Pete worked as an announcer (1989-1991) for the Brewers. He also had a role in the movie Major League (Yankee slugger Clu Haywood).
Larry Herndon was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1971. Larry played in the minors from 1971-1974. Herndon was called up in September 1974 and was used a lot as a pinch runner. He was 1 for 1 with 3 runs scored in 12 games.
Herndon was in the minors again in 1975. On May 9 Larry was traded (with a minor leaguer) to the San Francisco Giants for pitcher Ron Bryant. Herndon finished the 1975 season in AAA Phoenix.
In 1976 Larry started in Phoenix. He was called up in late April and had a good rookie season for the Giants, batting .288 in 115 games. It was a good enough season for Larry to get a Topps trophy on this card.
Larry hgd a tough year in 1977. He struggled at the plate and lost his starting center fielder job. Herndon didn't play after June 18. The only thing I could find was a reference to him coming off of the disqualified list after the 1977 season. Herndon ended up batting .239 in 49 games in 1977.
Herndon reclaimed his starting center field job in 1978. He batted .259 in 151 games. During his time with the Giants Larry had some speed, but his power and on base percentage numbers were low.
In 1979 Herndon spent most of his time in center field but made some appearances in left and right field. Larry batted .257 in 132 games.
Larry's 1980 season was very similar to his 1979 stats. He batted .258 in 139 games.
Herndon's last season with the Giants was in 1981. Larry moved to left field and improved his batting average to .288. After the 1981 season Herndon was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Dan Schatzaeder and Mike Chris.
Larry showed a lot more power during his years with the Tigers. In 1982 Herndon batted .292 with 23 home runs, 88 RBI, and 92 runs scored. Larry batted .302 with 20 HR and 92 RBI in 1983.
Herndon was the starting left fielder for that great Detroit club of 1984 and batted .280 in 125 games. His power dropped off -- Larry hit only seven home runs. In the ALCS Herndon went 1 for 5 in two games, but his one hit was a home run. In the World Series Larry batted .333 (5 for 15) with a 3-run home run.
Larry started to slow down in 1985. It was his final season as the starting left fielder. Herndon batted .244 with 12 HR and 37 RBI in 137 games.
In 1986 Herndon batted .247 in 106 games. He started 71 games in LF.
Herndon split time between the outfield and DH in 1987. He batted .324 with 9 HR and 47 RBI in part-time duty. Herndon hit a solo home run in the last game of the season that was the only run scored in Detroit's AL East clinching victory. Larry batted .333 (3 for 9) in three games in the ALCS.
The 1988 season was Herndon's final season. He batted .224 in 76 games and was released after the season.
Bill Laxton was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1966 after he graduated from high school. Bill pitched in the Pittsburgh organization for two seasons and then was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies (with Woodie Fryman, Don Money, and minor leaguer Harold Clem) for Jim Bunning.
Laxton spent the next three seasons in the Phillies organization. Bill was called up in September 1970 and made two appearances (0-0, 13.50 ERA in 2 innings). After the 1970 season Bill was taken by the San Diego Padres in the Rule 5 Draft.
Laxton spent the entire 1971 season with the Padres and went 0-2 with a 6.83 ERA in 18 appearances.
Bill spent the next three seasons (1972-1974) pitching for the AA Alexandria Aces.
In 1975 Laxton was released at the end of spring training. Bill signed with the New York Mets and spent the 1975 season pitching for AAA Tidewater. Laxton had a nice season in Tidewater (11-4, 2.49 ERA).
After the 1975 season Laxton was traded (with Rusty Staub) to the Detroit Tigers for Mickey Lolich and Billy Baldwin. During spring training Bill combined with Ray Bare to no-hit the Chicago White Sox.
Bill stayed in the majors for the entire 1976 season. He had an 0-5 record with two saves and had a 4.09 ERA in 26 games (3 starts). After the 1976 season Laxton was taken by the Seattle Mariners in the expansion draft.
In 1977 Laxton was used exclusively as a reliever. He went 3-2 with 3 saves and had a 4.95 ERA in 43 games for the Mariners.
On September 8 Bill was traded with cash to the Cleveland Indians for Ray Fosse. Laxton made two appearances for the Indians in September and that was it for his major league career.
Laxton started the 1978 season in the Indians' organization (AAA Portland). On June 22 he was traded to the San Diego Padres for Dave Freisleben. Bill finished the '78 season pitching for AAA Hawaii. He was a combined 4-6 with a 7.50 ERA in 1978. Bill retired after the 1978 season.
1977 Stats:
Seattle Mariners: 3-2, 3 saves, 4.95 ERA in 43 games
Ken Kravec was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1973. Ken pitched for AA Knoxville from 1973-1975. After a good season in 1975 (14-7, 2.41 ERA), Ken was brought up in September and made one start and one relief appearance (0-1, 6.23 ERA)
In 1976 Kravec was in the minors (8-5, 4.33 ERA in 24 games for the AAA Iowa Oaks) until mid-August. He was with the White Sox for the rest of the season and was 1-5 with a 4.89 ERA in 8 starts.
At 0:40 there is some footage of Ken warming up in the bullpen during one of the "shorts" games the White Sox played in 1976
Kravec was in Iowa to begin the 1977 season. After pitching well for the Oaks, Ken was brought up in late May. At the time of his recall Ken was leading the American Association in strikeouts
Ken pitched well for the White Sox and won 11 games in 1977.
Kravec struggled a bit in 1978 and was sent to the minors for a couple of weeks in May after starting the season 1-3 with a 6.23 ERA. Ken was recalled on May 16 and spent the rest of the season with the White Sox. Kravec pitched better after his minor league stint and was 11-16 with a 4.08 ERA in 30 starts.
Ken had his best year in 1979, leading the White Sox in victories. He was 15-13 with a 3.74 ERA in 35 starts and had a save in his only relief appearance. It looks like wildness was a problem for Kravec -- he led the AL in hit batsmen both in 1978 (10) and in 1979 (14).
In 1980 Kravec struggled with muscle spasms behind his shoulder in spring training and started the season coming back from a pinched nerve in his back. Ken was a starter until early July, but after posting a 6.19 ERA he was put in the bullpen. He made two appearances before going on the disabled list in late July. Kravec missed about a month and then made a few more appearances in August and September. Ken ended up with a 3-6 record and a 6.94 ERA.
During spring training in 1981 Kravec was traded to the Chicago Cubs for reliever Dennis Lamp. The White Sox had a surplus of young left-handed starters. Ken started the year as a starter and had a good first start. But Kravec was roughed up in his next two starts and went to the bullpen. After the strike Ken was put back in the starting rotation. For the season Kravec was 1-6 with a 5.06 ERA in 24 games (12 starts).
In 1982 Kravec split the season between AAA (2-6, 6.98 ERA in 14 starts) and the Cubs (1-1, 6.12 ERA in 13 games). After the 1982 season Ken became a free agent.
Kravec pitched in AA for the Oakland A's organization but he hung 'em up after the season.
Ken made two appearances for the Class A Fort Myers Royals in 1987.
Kravec was a scout for the Kansas City Royals in 1989 when he signed to play in the Senior League.
1977 Stats:
Chicago White Sox: 11-8, 4.10 ERA in 26 games (25 starts)
