1977 Topps Baseball #344 - Brian Downing

• Brian Downing served as the backup catcher to starter Jim Essian in 1977. Interestingly, Downing and Essian had very similar stats. Both had an OPS+  of 121, both threw out 39% of opposing base runners, and they were within three points of each other in fielding percentage.
• Downing was traded to the Calfornia Angels after the season as part of a deal that sent Bobby Bonds to the White Sox.
• 1977 Stats: .284, 4 HR, 25 RBI in 69 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• July 22 - Hit a home run to help the White Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-3.
• July 25 - Hit the game-winning home run in the 9th inning as the White Sox came back from a 6-1 deficit to beat the Boston Red Sox 8-7.
• Aug 21 - Hit a home run and had four RBI as the White Sox beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-3.
• Other card blogs: 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988