1977 Topps Baseball #335 - Bill Robinson

• Just from looking at the stats, it looks like a wash on whether or not Bill Robinson had a better year in 1976 or in 1977. Since 1976 was more of a pitcher's year, I would give the nod to 1976. But Robinson's 1977 season was a good one -- he finished 11th in NL MVP voting that year and led the Pirates in home runs and in RBI.
• Bill was disappointed when the Pirates acquired Phil Garner to play third base before the season. Robinson split time between 1B (86 games), LF (43 games), and 3B (17 games). His bat was too good to keep out of the lineup.
• 1977 Stats: .304, 26 HR, 104 RBI in 137 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• July 22 - Drove in the tying run in the 10th inning and the winning run in the 12th inning as the Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-7.
• Aug 5 - Challenged Reds pitcher Joe Hoerner to meet him under the stands during a brawl in Pittsburgh's 12-1 win over the Reds. The Pirates felt that Hoerner intentionally hit Frank Taveras with a pitch in the 9th inning of the blowout. After Taveras flung his bat at Hoerner, Reds catcher Bill Plummer held Taveras and Hoerner punched him in the right cheekbone.
• Aug 19 - Hit a 2-run homer to help the Pirates beat the San Francisco Giants 6-1.
• Other card blogs: 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983