1977 Topps Baseball #394 - Bill Laxton

• Bill Laxton was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1966 after he graduated from high school. Bill pitched in the Pittsburgh organization for two seasons and then was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies (with Woodie Fryman, Don Money, and minor leaguer Harold Clem) for Jim Bunning.
• Laxton spent the next three seasons in the Phillies organization. Bill was called up in September 1970 and made two appearances (0-0, 13.50 ERA in 2 innings). After the 1970 season Bill was taken by the San Diego Padres in the Rule 5 Draft.
• Laxton spent the entire 1971 season with the Padres and went 0-2 with a 6.83 ERA in 18 appearances.
• Bill spent the next three seasons (1972-1974) pitching for the AA Alexandria Aces. 
• In 1975 Laxton was released at the end of spring training. Bill signed with the New York Mets and spent the 1975 season pitching for AAA Tidewater. Laxton had a nice season in Tidewater (11-4, 2.49 ERA).
• After the 1975 season Laxton was traded (with Rusty Staub) to the Detroit Tigers for Mickey Lolich and Billy Baldwin. During spring training Bill combined with Ray Bare to no-hit the Chicago White Sox. 
• Bill stayed in the majors for the entire 1976 season. He had an 0-5 record with two saves and had a 4.09 ERA in 26 games (3 starts). After the 1976 season Laxton was taken by the Seattle Mariners in the expansion draft.
• In 1977 Laxton was used exclusively as a reliever. He went 3-2 with 3 saves and had a 4.95 ERA in 43 games for the Mariners. 
• On September 8 Bill was traded with cash to the Cleveland Indians for Ray Fosse. Laxton made two appearances for the Indians in September and that was it for his major league career.
• Laxton started the 1978 season in the Indians' organization (AAA Portland). On June 22 he was traded to the San Diego Padres for Dave Freisleben. Bill finished the '78 season pitching for AAA Hawaii. He was a combined 4-6 with a 7.50 ERA in 1978. Bill retired after the 1978 season.
• 1977 Stats:
• Seattle Mariners: 3-2, 3 saves, 4.95 ERA in 43 games
• Cleveland Indians: 0-0, 5.40 ERA in 2 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• April 18 - Pitched three shutout innings to preserve the win for starter Stan Thomas as the Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 8-6.
• May 28 - Combined with Dick Pole to beat the Tigers 3-1. Pole pitched the first seven innings and Laxton shut out the Tigers in the last two innings to earn the save.