1977 Topps Baseball #268 - Rick Sawyer

• Rick Sawyer was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1968. Sawyer pitched in the Cleveland system from 1968-1973. He made it up to the AAA level in 1972 but he faltered there. Rick pitched well for AA San Antonio in 1973 (18-5, 2.82 ERA). 
• During spring training in 1974 Sawyer was part of a three team trade which sent him to the New York Yankees. Sawyer was assigned to AAA Syracuse but was brought up in late April. Rick made one relief appearance for the Yankees (0-0, 13.50 ERA in 2 innings). The Yankees sent Rick back to Syracuse on May 6.. Saywer was 8-7 with a 2.80 ERA in 24 starts for Syracuse. 
• Sawyer was back in Syracuse in 1975. Rick had another good year for the Chiefs, going 13-9 with a 2.47 ERA in 24 starts and making the International League All Star Team. Rick was brought up to the Yankees and made four appearances in August and September (0-0, 3.00 ERA in 6 innings).

• In 1976 Rick was given a shot to make the Yankees ballclub. Rick was one of the last cuts at the end of spring training and started the season in Syracuse. Sawyer pitched well in Syracuse (9-4, 2.75 ERA in 18 starts), but the Yankees didn't have a place for him on their team. On July 31 Rick was sent to the San Diego Padres as the player to be named later in an earlier deal in which the Yanks picked up Gene Locklear. Sawyer spent the rest of the 1976 season with the Padres and showed some promise. Rick went 5-3 with a 2.53 ERA in 13 games (11 starts).
• Sawyer started the 1977 season in the San Diego starting rotation. He made seven starts and was 1-3 with a 6.87 ERA. Rick was in the bullpen (except for two spot starts) for the remainder of the season. He ended up with a 7-6 record and a 5.84 ERA.
• Sawyer was in a list of ten players who were said to be unhappy with manager Alvin Dark and who wished to play elsewhere. The Padres placed Sawyer on waivers on September 29, 1977. He was picked up by the Montreal Expos.
• Rick didn't make the Montreal ballclub and was released during spring training in 1978. He pitched in eight games (four starts) for Cleveland's AAA Portland ballclub, but he retired after going 1-3 with a 6.43 ERA.
• 1977 Stats: 7-6, 5.84 ERA in 56 games (9 starts)
• 1977 Highlights:
• April 18 - Singled twice in one inning and earned the victory in San Diego's 12-6 win over the Atlanta Braves.
• May 24 - Pitched four innings, allowed one unearned run, and picked up the win as the Padres beat the Braves 4-3.
• Other card blogs: none