1977 Topps Baseball #247 - Chris Knapp

• Chris Knapp was the first round draft pick of the Chicago White Sox in 1975. Chris had a 1.97 ERA in 13 starts for Class A Appleton in 1975 and was called up at the end of the season. Knapp made two appearances for the White Sox in 1975 (0-0, 4.50 ERA).
• Knapp started the 1976 season in the minors. He made ten starts for AA Knoxville and was 7-3 with a 2.39 ERA. Knapp also made 11 starts for AAA Iowa and was 7-2 with a 2.56 ERA. Chris was called up in late  June and pitched in seven games (2 starts) in June and July. Knapp won his first major league game on July 21 by allowing one unearned run in a complete game 4-1 win over the Detroit Tigers. After getting roughed up in a mop-up appearance on July 24 Chris went back to the minors until September. Knapp was recalled when the rosters expanded and made four more appearances (three of them starts) for the White Sox. All together Knapp was 3-1 with a 4.82 ERA in 11 games (6 starts).
• In 1977 Knapp started with the White Sox. He had a good W-L record but a high ERA. White Sox manager Bob Lemon had a hard time watching Knapp's wildness. After getting roughed up on August 6 Chris was sent to AAA for a month. Knapp was recalled in September and went 3-1 for the month. Chris had a 12-7 record and a 4.81 ERA in 26 starts for the White Sox in 1977.
• After the 1977 season Knapp was traded (with Brian Downing and Dave Frost) to the California Angels for Bobby Bonds, Thad Bosley, and Rich Dotson.
• The 1978 season was a tumultuous one for Chris. Statistically he had his best season -- Knapp was 14-8 with a 4.21 ERA in 21 starts. But Knapp wasn't happy with his treatment by the club and retired from the team on July 17. Chris came back on July 25 but was rumored to be in a waiver trade involving Reggie Jackson of the New York Yankees. 
• Chris was plagued by injuries in 1979. He  missed two months of the season due to a bulging disc suffered when he slipped off of a wet mound in Yankee Stadium, but was able to come back in September and win his last two starts. During the regular season Knapp was 5-5 with a 5.51 ERA in 20 games (18 starts). Knapp started game 4 of the American League Championship Series and took the loss. He allowed two runs in 2 1/3 innings, but the Orioles whitewashed the Angels 8-0.
• Knapp had another rough year in 1980. He went 2-11 with a 6.14 ERA in 32 games (20 starts).
• At the end of spring training in 1981 the Angels designated Knapp for assignment.
• Chris tried comebacks with various minor league clubs from 1981-1983, but he never made it back to the majors.
• 1977 Stats: 
• Chicago White Sox - 12-7, 4.80 ERA in 27 games (26 starts)
• Iowa - 0-4, 1.97 ERA in 5 starts
• 1977 Highlights:
• May 7 - Had a no-hitter going into the sixth inning but allowed back to back solo home runs. Knapp ended up with the victory with help from the bullpen. Chris walked six batters in 5 2/3 innings.
• Sept 11 - Pitched 6 2/3 innings of no-hit baseball and ended up with a complete game 4-hitter as the White Sox beat the California Angels 6-2.
• Other card blogs: 1979, 1980