- Larry Herndon was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1971. Larry played in the minors from 1971-1974. Herndon was called up in September 1974 and was used a lot as a pinch runner. He was 1 for 1 with 3 runs scored in 12 games.
- Herndon was in the minors again in 1975. On May 9 Larry was traded (with a minor leaguer) to the San Francisco Giants for pitcher Ron Bryant. Herndon finished the 1975 season in AAA Phoenix.
- In 1976 Larry started in Phoenix. He was called up in late April and had a good rookie season for the Giants, batting .288 in 115 games. It was a good enough season for Larry to get a Topps trophy on this card.
- Larry hgd a tough year in 1977. He struggled at the plate and lost his starting center fielder job. Herndon didn't play after June 18. The only thing I could find was a reference to him coming off of the disqualified list after the 1977 season. Herndon ended up batting .239 in 49 games in 1977.
- Herndon reclaimed his starting center field job in 1978. He batted .259 in 151 games. During his time with the Giants Larry had some speed, but his power and on base percentage numbers were low.
- In 1979 Herndon spent most of his time in center field but made some appearances in left and right field. Larry batted .257 in 132 games.
- Larry's 1980 season was very similar to his 1979 stats. He batted .258 in 139 games.
- Herndon's last season with the Giants was in 1981. Larry moved to left field and improved his batting average to .288. After the 1981 season Herndon was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Dan Schatzaeder and Mike Chris.
- Larry showed a lot more power during his years with the Tigers. In 1982 Herndon batted .292 with 23 home runs, 88 RBI, and 92 runs scored. Larry batted .302 with 20 HR and 92 RBI in 1983.
- Herndon was the starting left fielder for that great Detroit club of 1984 and batted .280 in 125 games. His power dropped off -- Larry hit only seven home runs. In the ALCS Herndon went 1 for 5 in two games, but his one hit was a home run. In the World Series Larry batted .333 (5 for 15) with a 3-run home run.
- Larry started to slow down in 1985. It was his final season as the starting left fielder. Herndon batted .244 with 12 HR and 37 RBI in 137 games.
- In 1986 Herndon batted .247 in 106 games. He started 71 games in LF.
- Herndon split time between the outfield and DH in 1987. He batted .324 with 9 HR and 47 RBI in part-time duty. Herndon hit a solo home run in the last game of the season that was the only run scored in Detroit's AL East clinching victory. Larry batted .333 (3 for 9) in three games in the ALCS.
- The 1988 season was Herndon's final season. He batted .224 in 76 games and was released after the season.
- After his playing career Larry was a hitting coach and he now coaches for Detroit's Class A Lakeland club.
- 1977 Stats: .239 in 49 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988
- Tom Murphy struggled with the Boston Red Sox in 1977. On July 27 he was sold to the Toronto Blue Jays (or released, depending on who you ask), where he pitched better.
- 1977 Stats:
- Boston Red Sox: 0-1, 6.75 ERA in 16 games
- Toronto Blue Jays: 2-1, 2 saves, 3.63 ERA in 19 games (1 start)
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979
- This was the first of four All-Star seasons for Manny Trillo (he struck out in his only at bat). At the time of his All Star selection Trillo was hitting .315.
- 1977 Stats: .280, 5 HR, 44 RBI in 152 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988
- 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:
- Interestingly, John Lowenstein was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays for a few months before the 1977 season. On December 6, 1976 John was traded with Rick Cerone to the Blue Jays for Rico Carty. On March 29, 1977 Lowenstein was traded back to Cleveland for Hector Torres.
- Lowenstein was a backup outfielder and pinch hitter in 1977.
- 1977 Stats: .242, 4 HR, 12 RBI in 82 games
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, Cardboard Gods
- This was Phil Roof's last season. Phil played in only three games and was 0 for 5.
- Phil played in his final game on May 30. He was activated in September but didn't play.
- After the 1977 season Roof went into coaching. He was signed to coach first base and be the catching coach for the San Diego Padres in 1978.
- 1977 Stats: .000 (0 for 5) in 3 games
- Other card blogs: 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976
- Dan Warthen started the 1977 season with the Montreal Expos. On June 15 Dan was traded (with Barry Foote) to the Philadelphia Phillies for Tim Blackwell and Wayne Twitchell.
- Warthen pitched in one game for the Phillies in June and then was sent to AAA Oklahoma City until September. Dan pitched in two more September games for the Phillies.
- 1977 Stats:
- Montreal Expos: 2-3, 7.97 ERA in 12 games (6 starts)
- Philadelphia Phillies: 0-1, 0.00 ERA in 3 games
- Oklahoma City 89ers (AAA): 1-1, 9.00 ERA in 7 games (4 starts)
- 1977 Highlights:
- Other card blogs: 1976
