#310 - Victory Leaders

Card fact: This is the only four-photo card in the set that is not one of the rookie cards.

What I thought about this card then: I didn't see it.

What I think about this card now: When I was collecting the entire set a few years ago, I was surprised to see that this leaders card was vertical and that it featured four players instead of two. Having never seen it previously, I thought all of the leaders cards were horizontal, two-player cards. Since the rookie cards in this set also have pink-and-yellow borders, this card almost looks like a rookie card.

Other stuff: There are four players on the card because Jim "Catfish" Hunter and Fergie Jenkins tied for the win lead in the American League with 25 wins each, and Andy Messersmith and Phil Niekro tied for the lead in the National League with 20 wins each.

Messersmith is the only player of the four who would lead the league in victories just once. The other three each led the league in wins twice in their career.

Back facts: My goodness, look at those American League win totals! That is impressive. Nine 20-game winners and four others who came one win from 20. Wow. It really was a different era.

As for surprises, there aren't a lot. I'd have to go to the National League and point out Buzz Capra and Lynn McGlothen. But this isn't even the most surprising stat for Capra as you'll see soon.

Other blog stuff: Mets second baseman Luis Castillo was born on this date in 1975.

#130 - Phil Niekro

Card fact: After three straight years of Niekro receiving a card number that ended in a zero, Topps pulled the honor for his 1973 and 1974 cards. Niekro earned the zero back for 1975 after winning 20 games for the second time in his career in 1974.

What I thought about this card then: Well, I had the mini card, but I can't recall thinking anything about it.

What I think about this card now: Niekro looks very odd looking in for the catcher's signal while wearing a warm-up jacket under his uniform with the sleeves rolled up.

Other stuff: When Niekro was playing, he seemed like he would last forever. I was sure he was going to be pitching when he was 50. But he came up two years short.

Thanks to his knuckle ball, Niekro was able to achieve wondrous things, like winning 20 games and losing 20 games in the same season. He seemed like the only good thing the Braves had during their miserable run in the late 1970s. By the way, is every knuckle ball pitcher nicknamed "Knucksie"?

For you blog newbies, I interviewed Niekro once. He was a pleasant guy to talk to, just as I imagined he would. The story that I wrote from the interview is one of my favorites. No writer's block on that story, that's for sure.

(EDIT: Phil Niekro died at age 81 on Dec. 27, 2020).

Card fact: I know nothing about Chuck Hiller other than that he's the answer to this trivia question.

Other blog stuff: Here's a bit of a rarity. The previous blog entrant, Rick Monday, had a famous comment about the latest blog entrant, Phil Niekro. Talking about Niekro's knuckle ball, Monday said: "It giggles as it goes by."

Oh, and here's the Big Phil-Little Phil comparision. Gotta love the minis: