1977 Topps Baseball #38 - Craig Kusick

• Craig Kusick was a backup first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter for most of his career
• He was originally slated to replace Harmon Killebrew at first base in Minnesota, but the Twins decided to move Rod Carew to 1B instead.
• Kusick was signed by the Twins in 1970. He was in the minors from 1970-1973 and put up some good power numbers. Craig got a September call-up in 1973 and batted .250 in 15 games.
• Craig started the 1974 season in AAA Tacoma and was batting .328 when he was called up in early June. Kusick batted .229 with 8 HR and 26 RBI in 57 games for the Twins in 1974.
• Kusick made the Twins club in 1975 but struggled. He was batting .213 when he was sent back to Tacoma in June. Craig batted .260 in 56 games at Tacome before being recalled in mid-August. Kusick ended up batting .237 with 6 HR and 27 RBI for Minnesota in '75
• Craig stayed with the Twins for the whole season in 1976. He batted .259 with 11 HR and 36 RBI in 109 games, splitting time between 1B and DH.
• In 1977 Kusick had his best season. His stats and highlights for the season are detailed later in this entry.
• Kusick had a rough time in 1978. He batted only .173 and he had 4 HR and 20 RBI in 77 games.
• In 1979 Kusick continued to struggle. Craig was batting .241 in 54 at  bats when he was sold to the Toronto Blue Jays on July 25. Kusick didn't do a whole lot in Toronto (.204 in 54 at bats) and he was released at the end of the season.
• Craig played in AAA in 1980 and in 1981, but he never got back to the majors.
• After his retirement from baseball, Kusick became a high school baseball coach and health/PE teacher at Rosemount High School from 1982-2004.
• Craig Kusick passed away on 27 September 2006. He had myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a condition that can lead to leukemia.
• 1977 Stats
• .254, 12 HR, 45 RBI in 115 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• May 22 - Hit a 3-run homer as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning to put the Twins ahead 6-4. Minnesota ended up winning the game.
• Aug 3 - Drove in three runs to help Minnesota beat the Detroit Tigers 11-1.
• Aug 15 - Homered twice and drove in five runs as the Twins beat the Baltimore Orioles 13-9. The win temporarily put the Twins into first place in the AL West.
• Other card blogs: 1975, 1978, Cardboard Gods