1977 Topps Baseball #657 - Mick Kelleher

• Mick Kelleher had the distinction of having the most lifetime at bats (1081) without a home run.
• Kelleher was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969. Mick worked his way up the Cardinals' system from 1969-1972 and had a September call-up in 1972 (.159 in 23 games).
• Mick spent most of the 1973 season as a backup shortstop with the Cardinals. Kelleher batted .184 in 43 games, mostly as a late-inning replacement. Mick also spent some time in AAA in 1973.
• After the 1973 season Kelleher was sold to the Houston Astros. Mick spent most of the year in AAA. Kelleher was used by the Astros at shortstop for a couple of weeks in May and was also called up in September.
• After the 1974 season Mick was sold back to the Cardinals. Kelleher was in AAA for just about all of the 1975 season. He went 0 for 4 in seven games for the Cardinals in September. After the 1975 season Mick was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Vic Harris.
• In 1976 Kelleher split time at shortstop with Dave Rosello. Mick batted .228 in 124 games.
• Kelleher was a utilityman for the Cubs for the next four seasons. He batted .230 in 63 games in 1977, .253 in 68 games in 1978, and .254 in 73 games in 1979.
• Mick had a tough time at the plate in 1980. He batted .146 in 96 at bats. I remember his APBA card from that year and it was quite futile.
• During spring training in 1981 Mick was purchased by the Detroit Tigers. Kelleher didn't get very much playing time for the Tigers in 1981 (.221 in 77 at bats).
• Kelleher was 0 for 1 in two games in 1982 when he was sold to the California Angels in late April.  Mick batted .163 in 49 at bats for the Angels in 1982.
• Kelleher was released during spring training in 1983. He signed with the San Diego Padres and played in AAA. Mick didn't get back to the majors and retired after the 1983 season.
• Since his retirement Mick has been coaching and has had coordinator assignments for several teams. Currently (2013) Kelleher is the first base coach for the New York Yankees.
• 1977 Stats: .230 in 63 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• June 9 - Appeared as a pinch runner and scored the winning run in the 11th inning of Chicago's 1-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants.
• June 20 - Tripled in the winning run in the 12th inning as the Cubs beat the Giants 10-9.
• Aug 7 - The 5'9" 155 lb Mick Kelleher got in a fight with 6'6" Dave Kingman after Kingman slid hard into Kelleher while breaking up a double play. Both players were ejected.
• Other card blogs: 1979, 1980, 1983