- After having a decent year as a reliever and occasional starter, Nelson Briles was sold to the Baltimore Orioles in mid-September. Briles saved one game for the Orioles and got roughed up in his other appearance.
- 1977 Stats:
- Rangers: 6-4, 2 saves, 4.24 ERA in 28 games (15 starts)
- Orioles: 0-0, 1 save, 6.75 ERA in 2 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- July 15 - Gave up one hit in four innings of relief to earn the save in the Rangers' 8-1 win over the Cleveland Indians.
- Aug 5 - Pitched a six-hit shutout in the second game of a doubleheader, helping a bullpen that was used a lot in the 11-inning first game. The Rangers beat the Detroit Tigers 6-0.
- Other card blogs: 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979
- Chuck Scrivener was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1968. Chuck spent quite a while in the minors, including four years (1972-1975) in AAA.
- Chuck didn't make it to Detroit until a September call-up in 1975. Schrivener batted .250 (4 for 16) in four games for the Tigers in '75.
- Scrivener stayed with the Tigers for the entire 1976 season. He started at shortstop for a three week stretch in May/June and at second base for much of August and September. Chuck batted .221 in 80 games.
- Chuck didn't get much playing time in 1977. He was usually used late in games when Detroit sent up pinch hitters for starting shortstop Tom Veryzer. Scrivener played in 61 games but batted only 80 times during the season.
- The Tigers had Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell coming up to man the middle infield positions in 1978, so Scrivener and Veryzer both found themselves out of a job. Veryzer was traded and Scrivener went back to AAA Evansville. Chuck batted .262 in 93 games for Evansville in 1978.
- Chuck was released after the 1978 season and signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. Apparently he decided to retire instead of playing for the Blue Jays organization.
- 1977 Stats: .083 (6 for 72), 10 runs in 61 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: none
- John Milner started half of the Mets' games at first base in 1977. He also saw some action in left field. The majority of his starts came after Joe Torre took over the club in late May.
- John was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates after the 1977 season as part of a huge 4-team deal.
- 1977 Stats: .255, 12 HR, 57 RBI in 131 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1982
- The 1977 season was the last one in which Thurman Munson would be in double figures in home runs. Munson had good batting averages in the last two seasons of his shortened career, but he didn't hit for as much power. Munson played in 140 or more games in seven straight seasons (1972-1978).
- Thurman struck out as a pinch hitter in the 1977 All Star Game
- Munson was 7th in AL MVP voting in 1977.
- After the 1977 season Thurman asked to be traded to the Cleveland Indians in order to be close to his home. The Yankees and the Indians were unable to work out a deal and Munson stayed with the Yankees.
- Thurman's SABR biography
- 1977 Stats:
- Regular season: .308, 18 HR, 100 RBI in 149 games
- AL Championship Series: .286 (6 for 21) with 1 HR and 5 RBI in five games.
- World Series: .320 (8 for 25), 4 runs, 1 HR in six games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1976, 1976 Hostess, 1979
- Before the 1977 season Darold Knowles was sent to the Texas Rangers for Gene Clines and cash. The New York Yankees tried to trade for Knowles in March, but the Rangers passed on the deal.
- Knowles had a nice year as a lefty relief specialist and occasional closer for the Rangers.
- It looks like Darold may have had some minor injury issues during the season -- he had three stints in which he had more than ten days of rest between appearances.
- 1977 Stats: 5-2, 4 saves, 3.22 ERA in 42 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1973, 1974, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980
- Charlie Spikes split time between Cleveland and the AAA Toledo Mud Hens. Charlie was batting .385 in five games in late April when he was sent down. Spikes came back up in early July and stayed with the Indians for the rest of the season.
- After the 1977 season Spikes was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Tom Veryzer.
- 1977 Stats:
- Toledo (AAA) - .293, 7 HR, 31 RBI in 49 games
- Cleveland - .232, 3 HR, 11 RBI in 32 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- July 12 - Hit a 2-run homer to help the Indians beat the Boston Red Sox 7-1. It was his first home run since July 22, 1976.
- Other card blogs: 1980, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1974
- Richie Hebner became a free agent before the 1977 season and signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.
- Hebner was the starting firstbaseman and also played a few games at third base during the 1977 season.
- 1977 Stats:
- Regular season: .285, 18 HR, 62 RBI in 118 games (also had a .381 on base percentage)
- NL Championship Series: .357 (5 for 14) in four games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1986, 1985, 1983, 1982, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, Cardboard Gods
- Bill Campbell was one of baseball's first big free agent signings. Campbell paid dividends in his first season and led the AL with 31 saves.
- Bill was an AL All Star and pitched a scoreless 7th inning in the All Star Game. Campbell finished fifth in AL Cy Young Award voting and tenth in MVP voting.
- 1977 Stats: 13-9, 31 saves, 2.96 ERA in 69 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1974, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986
- Jim Wynn was at the end of the line when this card was made. Wynn was sold to the New York Yankees before the 1977 season. The Yankees released him on July 14. Jim signed with the Milwaukee Brewers on July 26. Wynn was released after the 1977 season and that was it for his playing career.
- Here is Wynn's SABR biography
- 1977 Stats:
- New York Yankees - .175, 1 HR, 13 RBI in 30 games
- Milwaukee Brewers - .197, 0 HR, 10 RBI in 36 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1976, 1975, 1974, 1974, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965
- Tug McGraw turned in a good season as part of the Philadelphia "closer by committee" bullpen in 1977. The Phillies had some strong bullpens during this era. Tug missed two months due to an injury.
- Tug's SABR biography
- 1977 Stats:
- Regular season: 7-3, 9 saves, 2.62 ERA in 45 games
- League Championship Series: 0-0, 1 save, 0.00 ERA in 2 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1985, 1983, 1983, 1982, 1980, 1979, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966
- How did he get a card? Dave Hilton batted only eight times in 1975 (0 for 8) and didn't play in the majors at all in 1976.
- Those eight at bats in 1975 were the last ones Dave would have in the majors. He spent time in Japan from 1978-1980 and then played in the minors in 1981, but he was never called up again.
- 1977 Stats:
- .237, 13 HR, 66 RBI for AAA Toledo
- 1977 Highlights:
- March 15 - Had four hits in an exhibition game against the Cincinnati Reds.
- March 28 - Hit a 2-run homer off of Detroit's John Hiller in an exhibition game.
- Other card blogs: 1975, 1973
- Mike Cuellar was released by the Baltimore Orioles after the 1976 season. Mike caught on with the California Angels but he was released on May 5.
- 1977 Stats: 0-1, 18.90 ERA in 2 games (1 start)
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1976 Hostess, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965, 1959
- Garry Templeton was the St. Louis Cardinals' first round draft choice in 1974. Templeton moved through the Cardinals' system quickly and was brought up in August 1976. Garry became the starting shortstop for the Cardinals and batted .291 in 53 games.
- In 1977 Templeton was selected to the All Star Game (he doubled and scored a run), finished 12th in NL MVP voting, and batted .322 in 153 games. Garry led the NL in triples (18) and in caught stealing (24).
- Garry Templeton: His Horizons Are Unlimited! - September 1977 Baseball Digest
- In 1978 Garry had a bit of a drop-off. His batting averaged dipped to .280, although he still led the NL with 13 triples.
- Garry Templeton: The Cards' Talented Young Shortstop - June 1978 Baseball Digest
- Templeton had his best year in 1979. Before the season he said that he was displeased with Cardinals management. Garry set a record by getting over 100 hits from both the left and right sides of the plate. Garry got his last six hits as a right-hander batting against right-handed pitching. Templeton led the NL in hits (211) and triples (19). He did all of this in spite of suffering a wrist injury on May 12 that kept him from batting for several games.
- Garry made news by refusing to go to the All Star Game after he was named to the team as a reserve. Templeton was quoted as saying, "If I ain't startin', I ain't departin'." This quote may be apocryphal (a Cardinals announcer may have actually said it), but it is a famous part of Garry's story.
- Before the 1980 season Templeton signed a six-year contract worth more than $4 million.
- Templeton got the first Silver Slugger award for shortstops in 1980. He played in only 113 games due to a broken thumb suffered in July, but Garry batted .319 for the season. Templeton again refused an invitation to the All Star Game and said he preferred to have the three days off.
- Garry had a tempestuous 1981 season. Before the strike, Garry voiced his desire to be traded to a west coast team. The fans in St. Louis were on him and Garry responded with an infamous obscene gesture during a game on August 26. Templeton was suspended for three weeks and underwent tests for depression.
- Templeton came back after his suspension to be named Player of the Week by Sports Illustrated. Garry had 14 hits in 31 at bats for a .452 average. For the season Templeton batted .288 in 80 games.
- After the 1981 season Garry was traded (with Al Olmsted and Sixto Lezcano) to the San Diego Padres for Ozzie Smith, Steve Mura, and Luis DeLeon.
- Templeton was upbeat after the trade and looked forward to playing for manager Dick Williams. He was still only 26 years old in 1982. Unfortunately for Garry, his best seasons were already behind him. In 1982 Templeton batted .247 in 141 games. Garry batted .263 in 126 games in 1983.
- Garry had a similar year in 1984 and got his second Silver Slugger Award. Templeton batted .258 and led the NL with 23 intentional walks. Most of the time Garry batted eighth in the order. Templeton batted .333 (5 for 15) in the NLCS and .316 (6 for 19) in the World Series.
- How Garry Templeton Emerged as a Leader for the Padres - July 1985 Baseball Digest
- Templeton had his best year as a Padre in 1985. He made the NL All Star team (he singled as a pinch hitter) and batted .282 in 148 games. Garry missed the last five games of the season after he suffered a bone fracture in his leg.
- Garry turned 30 during the 1986 season, but the leg fracture and knee problems sapped his offense. Templeton batted .247 in 147 games in 1986, .222 in 148 games in 1987, and .249 in 110 games in 1988.
- Templeton spent two more seasons as a starting shortstop. In 1989 he batted .255 in 142 games and in 1990 Garry batted .248 in 144 games.
- Garry spent the first two months of the 1991 season with the Padres and batted .193 in 32 games. On May 31 he was traded to the New York Mets for Tim Teufel. Templeton batted .228 in 80 games for the Mets in 1991. Garry retired after the 1991 season.
- After his playing career Templeton coached and managed for various teams in the minor leagues.
- Here is a 2009 interview with Garry Templeton. At the time he was managing the Long Beach Armada of the Golden League.
- Herzog and Templeton: No Grudges, No Regrets - 22 July 2010, stltoday.com.
- Garry now manages the Yuma Panthers of the independent North American League.
- 1977 Stats:.322, 94 runs, 200 hits in 153 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1979, 1980, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, Cardboard Gods
- Will McEnaney didn't pitch for the Reds in 1977. He and Tony Perez were traded to the Montreal Expos after the 1976 season for Dale Murray and Woodie Fryman. Cincinnati reliever Rawly Eastwick labeled the trade as "stupidity."
- I still haven't forgiven the Reds for that trade. That trade and the departure of Pete Rose after the 1978 season were what caused me to permanently switch my allegiance to the San Francisco Giants.
- 1977 Stats: 3-5, 3 saves, 3.95 ERA in 69 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980
- After the 1976 season the Boston Red Sox reacquired Bernie Carbo and George Scott in exchange for Cecil Cooper. Carbo had success as a pinch hitter, DH, and backup outfielder for the Red Sox in 1977.
- Bernie Carbo's SABR biography
- 1977 Stats: .289, 15 HR, 34 RBI in 86 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- July 4 - Appeared as a pinch hitter in the 7th inning and hit a home run to help the Red Sox overcome a 6-3 deficit and beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-6. The win broke a nine-game losing streak for the Red Sox.
- Aug 10 - Had a pinch hit 2-run homer in the 8th inning to tie the score. The Red Sox eventually won the game 11-10.
- Other card blogs: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1980
- Ted Kubiak was done as a player when this card came out. Kubiak and the Padres couldn't come to terms on a contract, so the club cut him the maximum 20%. Ted walked out of spring training camp and never played again.
- Ted's SABR biography
- 1977 Stats: none
- 1977 Highlights: none
- Other card blogs: 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968
- 1977 was the second of three seasons in which Ken Brett would pitch for two different teams. Brett started with the White Sox and was traded to the California Angels on June 15 for John Verhoeven, Don Kirkwood, and John Flannery. It was Ken's last season as a full-time starting pitcher.
- Ken Brett's SABR biography
- 1977 Stats:
- White Sox: 6-4, 5.01 ERA in 13 starts
- Angels: 7-10, 4.25 ERA in 21 starts
- TOTAL: 13-14, 4.53 ERA in 34 starts
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1976, 1979, 1980
- After starting most of the time at second base for two years, Pete Mackanin found himself in a utility role in 1977. Pete had some good years in the minors, but he didn't hit enough to get a lot of playing time in the majors.
- 1977 Stats: .224 in 55 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1976, 1982
- Joe Rudi was finally able to leave the Oakland A's after the 1976 season. His first season in California wasn't what he hoped for as a broken thumb suffered on June 26 finished his season. Joe was off to a great start -- his .496 slugging percentage was the best of his career.
- 1977 Stats: .264, 13 HR, 53 RBI in 64 games.
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1983, 1982, 1980, 1979, 1976 Kellogg's, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969
- Dave Giusti pitched for two teams in 1977. Topps could have done a traded set in '77 and the Dave Giusti card probably would still have been out of date.
- On March 15, 1977 Dave was involved in a big trade between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Oakland A's. Giusti, Mitchell Page, Tony Armas, Doug Bair, Rick Langford, and Doc Medich went to Oakland and in return the Pirates got Chris Batton, Tommy Helms, and most importantly Phil Garner.
- Dave pitched in 40 games for the A's and on August 5 he was sold to the Chicago Cubs. Giusti made 20 appearances for the Cubs to finish off the '77 season. Giusti was released after the 1977 season. He asked the Pirates for a tryout and a contract during spring training in 1978. The Pirates offered just the tryout. Giusti declined the offer and retired.
- 1977 Stats:
- Oakland: 3-3, 2.98 ERA, 6 saves in 40 games
- Chicago Cubs: 0-2, 6.04 ERA, 1 save in 20 games
- TOTAL: 3-5, 3.89 ERA in 60 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965
- Ron Jackson was drafted by the California Angels in 1971. he played in the minors from 1971-1975. Ron was called up late in the 1975 season and batted .231 in 13 games for the Angels.
- In 1976 Ron played in only three games in early April before being sent down to AAA Salt Lake City. After batting .364 in 18 games, Jackson came back to the Angels and started at third base for most of the rest of the season. He batted .227 with 8 HR and 40 RBI in 127 games for the Angels in '76. He spent two weeks in AAA Salt Lake City in April and May and batted. 364 in 18 games.
- Jackson and Dave Chalk fought for the starting third base job in spring training in 1977. Chalk won the job and Ron became a utilityman for the California Angels in 1977. He mostly played 1B and 3B and he also played a couple of games in the outfield and a couple of innings at shortstop.
- In 1978 Jackson started at first base for about half of the season and also played some third base. He batted .297 with six HR and 57 RBI in 105 games in 1978. After the season Jackson was traded (with Danny Goodwin) to the Minnesota Twins for "Disco" Dan Ford.
- Jackson replaced the departed Rod Carew at first base for the Twins in 1979. Ron had career highs in several categories as he batted .271 with 14 HR, 85 runs scored, and 68 RBI in 159 games.
- Ron wasn't as productive in 1980. He batted .265 with 5 HR and 42 RBI in 131 games.
- Before the 1981 season Ron won his arbitration case with the Twins. Jackson spent the first part of the 1981 season with the Twins and batted .263 with 4 HR and 28 RBI. On August 23 Ron was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Tim Corcoran. Jackson batted .284 in 31 games for the Tigers.
- After the 1981 season Jackson was a free agent. He didn't accept the Tigers' offer and after the Tigers traded for Enos Cabell they informed Jackson that they were no longer interested in signing him. Ron tried out with the Angels, made the club, and batted .331 in 53 games as a backup corner infielder and pinch hitter. Jackson singled in his only at bat in the 1982 ALCS.
- Jackson was a utilityman in 1983 and batted .230 in 102 games.
- Ron started the 1984 season with the Angels. After batting .165 in 33 games Jackson was released on August 2. Ron signed with the Baltimore Orioles and batted .286 in 12 games. The Orioles released Jackson after the 1984 season. That was it for Ron's major league career.
- Jackson tried a couple of comebacks. In 1985 he played for AAA Louisville (St. Louis Cardinals organization) and in 1988 Ron played for AAA Vancouver (Chicago White Sox organization).
- After his playing career Jackson coached for several organizations. Ron was the hitting coach for the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox (he was their hitting coach from 2003-2006).
- 1977 Stats: .243, 8 HR, 28 RBI in 106 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983
- Gaylord Perry had a good year, going 15-12 for the Texas Rangers. The Rangers were in contention for the AL West title for much of the season. After the 1977 season the club wanted to save some money and get younger, so they traded Perry to the San Diego Padres for $125,000 and pitcher Dave Tomlin.
- 1977 Stats: 15-12, 3.37 ERA in 34 starts
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1973, 1974, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1976, 1976 Hostess, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1982, 1983, A Giant Blog
- SABR Biography
- Johnnie LeMaster wasn't quite ready for the majors in 1977. Johnnie started the season with the Giants, but he was sent down to AAA Phoenix after batting .100 in the first seven weeks of the season. LeMaster came back up in late June to fill in for the injured Tim Foli, but he didn't get much playing time after Foli came back in late July.
- 1977 Stats:
- SF Giants: .149 in 68 games
- Phoenix (AAA): .314 with a .414 on base percentage in 22 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1976, A Giant Blog, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986
- Tom Seaver had an interesting year in 1977. He started the season with the Mets, but was traded to the Cincinnati Reds on June 15 after a feud with Mets ownership. Unfortunately for the Reds, even Tom Terrific wouldn't be enough to overcome the LA Dodgers in 1977.
- 1977 Stats:
- New York Mets: 7-3, 3.00 ERA
- Cincinnati Reds: 14-3, 2.34 ERA
- TOTAL: 21-6, 2.58 ERA, led NL with 7 shutouts
- Allowed 3 runs (2 earned) in two innings pitched in the All Star Game. Seaver got a long standing ovation from the fans in Yankee Stadium in pre-game introductions.
- Finished third in Cy Young Award voting
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1974, 1974, 1975, 1976 Kellogg's, 1976, 1976, 1976, 1976, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986
