#656 - Bill Plummer

Card fact: We're getting down to the wire here. This is the last card featuring a photo of a player posing with a bat.

What I thought about this card then: I never saw it.

What I think about this card now: I upgraded this card a year or so ago after being blissfully unaware that there was a significant crease running through the right side of the card. This card has a little ding at the top, but I'm much happier with it.

Also, on many of Plummer's cards, he's featured with a major chaw in his cheek. I'm disappointed that isn't displaying one on this card.

Other stuff: Plummer spent most of his major league career as a back-up to Johnny Bench. He filled in for Bench between 1972-78. Plummer was your typical good-field, no-hit backup backstop. He finished with a career .188 batting average after 367 games between 1968-78.

Plummer played his final season with the Mariners in 1979. He then went into coaching in the Seattle organization. He later worked as a third base coach for Seattle, then managed them for a year in 1992 before the Mariners hired Lou Piniella.

Plummer went on to manage in independent leagues (he managed a player from my area, and I had planned to talk to him about the player. But the player was notorious for not wanting to talk about himself, so the story never happened and I never talked to Plummer). He is now an instructor in the Diamondbacks organization.

(EDIT: Bill Plummer died at age 76 on March 12, 2024).

Back facts: The write-up reads like an explanation as to why Topps is giving Plummer a card.

Other blog stuff: Dodger blue legend Tommy Lasorda was born on this date. He is 84 years old.

#633 - Paul Casanova

Card fact: This is the final Topps card issued of Paul Casanova during his playing career.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card. I didn't have any thoughts except I would always confuse him with long-ago Cubs all-star Phil Cavarretta. This can be attributed solely to the fact that both of them have the initials of P.C., because they are not alike in any way.

What I think about this card now: Casanova looks pretty happy in most of his cards. But in this one he seems like he has an idea that he's at the end of his career.

Other stuff: Casanova was a strong defensive catcher who spent most of his career with the Washington Senators. He played for them for seven seasons from 1965-71, winning an All-Star selection in 1967, his best season.

Casanova actually was signed by two other major league teams before the Senators -- the Indians twice, and the Cubs, but he didn't stick until playing for Washington. His hitting declined in the '70s and he was dealt to Atlanta, where he worked as a backup catcher through 1974.

Casanova's son, Raul, was a major league catcher from 1996-2008, most recently with the Mets (the transactions file on Raul Casanova is amazingly long).

(EDIT: Casanova died on Aug. 12, 2017).

Back facts: Niekro's no-hitter came against the Padres before a whopping 8,000 fans in Atlanta.

Other blog stuff: I'll show the mini next to the regular sized card:

Dueling Casanovas!

#606 - Bruce Miller

Card fact: This is Bruce Miller's rookie card.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card. For some reason, I thought he was a pitcher, even though "2B-3B" was staring at me the whole time.

What I think about this card now: Miller looks quite friendly for someone with a bad-ass mustache.

Other stuff: Miller played four major league seasons for the Giants from 1973-76. He started with the White Sox, then was dealt to the Angels. The Giants acquired him for infielder Al Gallagher in 1973.

Miller was a part-time player. The only season he stayed out of the minors was 1975 when he .239 in 99 games for the Giants.

Miller became a teacher and school coach in his native Indiana after his playing career.

Back facts: I wonder if the cartoon, specifically the reference to Baltimore and the moving van drawing, gives any old Colts fans bad flashbacks?

Other blog stuff: '70 singer Maureen McGovern was born on this date 62 years ago. "The Morning After" is just a horrible '70s song. Of course, it won an Oscar.

#595 - Joe Niekro

Card fact: This is a card of a player on the precipice of fame. In 1975, Niekro was purchased by the Astros from the Braves. Niekro would then begin a 10-year career with the Astros in which he won in double figures eight times and won 20 games twice.

What I thought about this card then: Never saw it.

What I think about this card now: Seeing Niekro in any uniform other than an Astros uniform seems strange.

Other stuff: Niekro pitched 22 years in the majors, mostly with Houston. But he began with the Cubs. After a couple of decent years, he was dealt to the Padres and things didn't go so well in San Diego. He then played for Detroit and then Atlanta, where he teamed with brother, Phil.

In Atlanta, Joe focused on the knuckleball that his brother threw so well. Combined with his other pitches, he became a powerful member of the Astros' pitching staff and he won 20 games in back-to-back seasons in 1979 and 1980. Niekro led the Astros into the postseason in 1980 by starting and winning the special playoff game against the Dodgers.

In 1985, Niekro was traded to the Yankees in a deal that sent Jim Deshaies to the Astros (of special interest to me since I have interviewed both Joe Niekro and Jim Deshaies). Niekro reunited with Phil again with the Yankees.

Niekro's final team was the Twins. He pitched in Minnesota through 1988. His most famous moment with the Twins was when he was caught with a nail file on the mound. The clip of Niekro waving his hands as the nail file sails from his uniform has been played over and over again.

Niekro later worked as the pitching coach for the Silver Bullets, the all-female baseball team in the mid-1990s.

Niekro, the father of former Giants first baseman Lance Niekro, died from a brain aneurysm at age 61 in 2006.

Back facts: Note that the cartoon specifies that it's asking about the first Ladies NIGHT. The first ladies DAY, according to my limited research, was June 16, 1883, by the New York Giants.

Other blog stuff: Today's my birthday. Unfortunately, there is not a single player in this set that celebrates his birthday on July 16. But that doesn't matter. Because it's my birthday.

#593 - Gene Lamont

Card fact: This is Gene Lamont's only solo card as a player. He appears on a 1971 Topps rookie card, sharing it with Lerrin LaGrow.

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

What I think about this card now: I associate Lamont totally with being a coach and a manager. He has been one or the other in the majors since the mid-1980s. So when I see this photo, he doesn't look like a player to me. It looks like Topps snuck a photo of a coach into the set.

Other stuff: Lamont played five seasons in the majors, all as a backup catcher for the Tigers. Except for the 1974 season, he didn't play in more than 15 games a season. But in '74, he worked as the backup for Jerry Moses (Bill Freehan was moved to first base) and appeared in 60 games, batting .217.

Lamont started his coaching career in the Royals organization. Then he became the third base coach for Jim Leyland with the Pirates. Lamont got his first major league manager job with the White Sox (1992-95) and then worked as the Pirates manager from 1997-2000. Lamont has rejoined Leyland with the Tigers. He is Detroit's third base coach.

Back facts: Please click on the scan to get a better look at the most awesome cartoon in the set.

Also, Lamont was the 44th major leaguer to hit a home run in his first big-league at-bat. A total of 109 players have accomplished that feat.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1975, Braves pitcher Tim Hudson was born.

#592 - Balor Moore

Card fact: This is Balor Moore's last Topps card until the 1978 set. He underwent arm surgery in 1975 and didn't play in the majors in '75 and '76.

What I thought about this card then: I never knew about it.

What I think about this card now: Always enjoy seeing the Coca-Cola sign on Montreal Expos cards.

Other stuff: Moore was a reliable starter for the early Expos, especially during the 1972 and 73 seasons. He went 7-16 in 32 starts in 1973. His strikeout average was second in the National League in '72. But he barely pitched during an injury-plagued '74 season and had elbow surgery the next year.

Moore was acquired by the Angels in 1975 and he pitched a handful of games for them in '77. But the Blue Jays purchased him after that season, and Moore pitched in 37, 34 and 31 games respectively in '78, '79 and '80. Toronto used him as both a starter and reliever.

Moore hung up the spikes after the 1980 season. He went into business after his career. An extensive interview of Moore about his beginnings in baseball can be found here.

Back facts: That's quite a feat mentioned in the write-up for Balor Lilbon Moore.

Other blog stuff: Cheech Marin of "Cheech and Chong" fame was born on this date in 1946. You don't hear much about "Cheech and Chong" these days, which would have been hard to believe back in the late '70s/early '80s because they were everywhere. They were enormously popular with us teenagers. In fact, I remember someone in my junior high class bringing in a Cheech and Chong record and playing it for the class. My teacher must've been pretty hip or clueless to the drug references.

#571 - Dave Lemanczyk

Card fact: This is Dave Lemanczyk's rookie card.

What I thought about this card then: I obtained this card in a trade in 1975. I thought Lemanczyk looked like he was going to cry -- in fact he appears as if he's going to cry on a lot of his cards. I also remember the background of the photo being a lot gloomier than it is. I mean the sun is shining in the photo, but I remember it as being darkness behind him.

What I think about this card now: I'm having a heck of a time spelling his name.

Other stuff: Lemanczyk came up as a reliever and part-time starter with the Tigers. But after he was taken by the Blue Jays in the 1976 expansion draft, he became a regular in the rotation for newbie Toronto.

Lemanczyk won 13 games in 1977. After a brutal 1978, he made the All-Star Game with the Jays in 1979, but didn't pitch. He was traded to the Angels in 1980 and ended his career that year.

Lemanczyk now has a baseball school on Long Island.

Back facts: Lemanczyk was born in Syracuse, which automatically made me look up where he went to school. He attended high school at Westhill, which I know well, and went to college at Hartwick, which I also know well. There aren't a ton of major leaguers from Upstate New York, so every one is special.

Also, I like how Deron Johnson didn't get a card in the '75 set, but he did get a cartoon.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1978, the Reds' Tom Seaver pitched the only no-hitter of his career. This, no doubt, frustrated Mets fans, who are still waiting for the franchise's first no-hitter.

#566 - Ray Burris

Card fact: Ray Burris' full name of "Bertram Ray Burris" appears in his signature on all of his cards in which a facsimile autograph is featured. Because it is so long, it makes for some interesting cards. His 1982 Topps card shows the signature sideways from the bottom of the card to the top.

What I thought about this card then: I didn't see a Burris card until the 1977 Topps set.

What I think about this card now: It is probably the most miscut card in the entire set, and I need to upgrade.

Other stuff: Burris was a starting pitcher for 15 seasons in the majors from 1973-87. He pitched for some poor teams, specifically the 1970s Cubs and the late-to-early 1980s Mets. But when he landed with Montreal  in 1980, he was part of solid team that came very close to the World Series in 1981.

Burris was the starting pitcher in that fateful Game 5 of the NLCS against the Dodgers. He allowed just one run in eight innings and left the game with it tied 1-1. Of course, the Dodgers would go on to win the game and the series on Rick Monday's home run off of Steve Rogers.

Burris later pitched for Oakland, St. Louis and Milwaukee. After taking a job as a pitching coach in Milwaukee, he actually returned to the mound for the Brewers in 1987. When his playing career was officially done, he became a coach and worked in the front office. Most recently, he's been a pitching coach in the Tigers organization for Double A Erie.

Back facts: Burris spent most of his career as a starter, but one of the seasons when he was mostly a reliever was in 1974. He started just five of 40 games (Burris also relieved quite a bit in 1982-83 for the Expos).

Other blog stuff: 1970s bad-ass second baseman Dave Cash was born on this date in 1948.

#558 - Dave Roberts

Card fact: The second Dave Roberts to be featured in this set. The first was the first of three Dave Roberts to play for the Padres.

What I thought about this card then: Well, first of all, dude looks like a lady. Secondly, I had the mini card, and it might have been my least favorite card in the set. It didn't fall into the camp of cards that we made fun of without mercy. I just kind of silently loathed it.

What I think about this card now: Dude looks more like a dooood, than a dudette.

Other stuff: Roberts was a utility infielder for the Padres, and later the Rangers, Astros and Phillies. Roberts actually enjoyed a productive 1973 season when he was San Diego's third baseman, and the Padres thought they had something special. But he fell off drastically in 1974, was sent down to Hawaii (oh, the misery, sent down to Hawaii), and never came close to performing like he did in '73.

Roberts later played all over the infield, even taking some turns at catcher, while staying in the majors until 1982.

Back facts: I did not like the pinky cartoon. The womanly fingers just added to the whole dude-lady perception in my 9-year-old mind. And hitting an inside-the-park home run against the Dodgers? Dude, that is so uncool.

Other blog stuff: Suzi Quatro was born on this date 61 years ago. Folks who know the '70s know who she is. I'll let everyone else stumble across it.

#553 - John Boccabella

Card fact: This is the final card issued of John Boccabella during his career. He didn't play in the majors past 1974.

What I thought about this card then: I didn't see it. My knowledge of Boccabella, and his terrific name, came from the 1969 Topps card, which I obtained with a bunch of other '69s from the older brother of a friend.

When I was completing the '75 set years later, I came across the '75 Boccabella card and couldn't believe he was still playing. The distance between 1969 and 1975 seems like decades to me, because of the age I was in the '70s, even though it's only six years' time.

What I think about this card now: The angle of this photo makes it seem as if Boccabella is floating over the field, like Bjork in the It's Oh So Quiet video.

Other stuff: Boccabella was a career-long backup catcher for the Cubs, Expos and Giants between 1962-74.  He was selected by Montreal in the expansion draft in 1968. His claim to fame with the Expos was basically how the public address announcer pronounced his name when he came to the plate. It was very, shall we say, theatrical.

Back facts: That has to be the slowest route to 320 career hits in history.

Boccabella's two home runs in one inning came against the Astros. It was the sixth inning. He hit the first off of Jim Ray and the second off of Jim Crawford. The Expos scored eight runs in the inning and won 12-8.

Other blog stuff: Sean Spencer was born on this date in 1975. Another Yankee that went nowhere that I had to hear too much about from the New York hype machine.

#552 - Jack Brohamer

Card fact: It's been 77 cards since the last light blue-green bordered card. The day baseball color combo just climbed out of last place.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card. It was one of my first minis. It's pretty beat up now.

I thought Jack Brohamer seemed like a very happy fellow.

What I think about this card now: It still looks like a happy picture. I like the diagonal nature of the signature, too.

Other stuff: Brohamer was mostly a second baseman for the Indians, White Sox and Red Sox between 1972-80. He was a starter for the Indians, working with shortstop Frank Duffy. But when Duane Kuiper came along, Brohamer was dealt to the White Sox.

Brohamer battled for playing time with Chicago as the White Sox had Jorge Orta at second. When the Red Sox acquired Brohamer via free agency, he didn't get to start because the Red Sox also picked up Jerry Remy in the offseason. Remy became Boston's starter at second.

Brohamer returned to Cleveland in 1980 and finished as a bench player. After his career, he worked in his family's sheet-metal business.

Back facts: The triple play mentioned in the writeup happened in the first inning of a game between the Brewers and the Indians. Cleveland pitcher Milt Wilcox gave up a home run to the first batter of the game. Joe Lahoud, then walked Bob Coluccio and Dave May. George Scott singled, scoring Coluccio and sending May to second. Then Don Money came to the plate and lined out to Brohamer at second. Brohamer stepped on second base to force out May who had left second on Money's hit, and threw to first to catch Scott for the third out of the triple play.

The Indians won the game 10-5.

Other blog stuff: May 28 is a big day for night game history. On this date in 1941, the Senators played the first night game at Griffith Stadium, against the Yankees. Five years later, the Yankees played the first night game in Yankee Stadium, against the Senators.

#475 - Darrell Evans

Card fact: This is the fifth Braves card to feature the light blue-green border color. There have been only 22 cards with this color combination and five have been Braves.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card. I thought Darrell Evans looked like a tough guy. He reminded me of a kid I knew whose first name also started with "D." He was kind of a tough guy, too. For being 9 years old, anyway.

What I think about this card now: I know Evans is posing as if he's in mid-swing, and in mid-swing one leg is positioned in front of the other leg. But with the way this card is cropped, it looks as if the bat is pulling Evans somewhere he doesn't want to go.

Other stuff: Evans has been called one of the most underrated players in major league history. He was a powerful hitter, a good fielder, and could draw walks. His career lasted 21 years and he accumulated 414 home runs and 1,354 runs batted in. Yet, he's one of the few players with more than 400 career home runs not in the Hall of Fame.

Evans was the first player to hit 40 home runs in both leagues -- hitting 41 for the Braves in 1973 and 40 for the Tigers in 1985. He was a consistent force for three MLB teams, the Braves, Giants and Tigers. But his career batting average was just .248, which likely is the biggest reason -- valid or not -- why he isn't considered for the Hall of Fame.

I've periodically mixed up Evans with Dwight Evans. Not only do they have the same last names and same initials, but their careers spanned almost the same years and almost the same time, and their statistics are remarkably similar. Dwight didn't hit with quite as much power as Darrell (he has a lot more doubles and triples), and he got on base more than Darrell, too.

After his career, Darrell Evans managed and coached in several leagues, most recently in independent leagues in California.

Back facts: Baseball really loves its pie humor, doesn't it?

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1904, New York Giants players left Alabama while being pursued by law enforcement for their arrest after they beat an umpire unconscious during an exhibition game. The players apparently were egged on by manager John McGraw. Those Giants are just no good, I'm telling you.

#450 - Willie McCovey

Card fact: This is the first Topps card of Willie McCovey in an actual Padres uniform. He is airbrushed into a Padres cap in the 1974 Topps set.

What I thought about this card then: I don't remember which brother had this card, but I do know it was around. The thing is that I knew McCovey only as a Padre for a couple of years. The first time I saw him was on this card, and I identified him as a Padre. Little did I know that McCovey's Padre years were the worst part of his career.

What I think about this card now: Don't just stand there, do something!

Other stuff: Willie McCovey was one of the greatest power hitters of all-time, spending most of his career with the Giants. He was a four-decade player, starting in 1959 and ending in 1980. He went 4-for-4 in his major league debut (against Robin Roberts) and won the N.L. Rookie of the Year Award in '59 despite playing in just 52 games.

McCovey's most famous moment came in Game 7 of the 1962 World Series. McCovey came to bat with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, runners on second and third and the Giants trailing the Yankees 1-0. McCovey scalded a line drive that Bobby Richardson leapt to snare for the third out. I admit I am conflicted by this moment -- both bummed that the Yankees won another World Series and thrilled that the Giants lost in the most painful way possible.

McCovey continued to hammer N.L. pitching through the '60s and won the NL MVP award in 1969. But his performance trailed off in the early '70s, and he was traded to San Diego for Mike Caldwell after the '73 season. McCovey started OK with San Diego, but ended up hitting abysmally for both the Padres and during his brief stay with the A's.

He was reacquired by the Giants, and I remember his triumphant 1977 season when he re-emerged for one last solid season and won Comeback Player of the Year honors.

"Stretch," who has had his share of health issues the last few years, is an advisor to the Giants.

(EDIT: McCovey died at age 80 on Oct. 31, 2018).

Back facts: This might be the most confusing cartoon in the whole set. I do not know what it means and it's too late to go on a fact-finding mission. The question asks "Who was The Hat?" which I would assume to be a nickname. But then the answer comes back with "Jerry Lynch with 18." With 18? With 18 what? 18 hats?

I know Jerry Lynch was one of the best pinch-hitters of all-time. I have a card of his from the '56 set. I should check it and see if he's referred to as The Hat and how that connects with the No. 18. Anyone with more free time than I, please take a crack at enlightening me.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1999, the Padres signed country singer Garth Brooks and invited him to spring training as a non-roster invitee. How'd that work out, San Diego?

#449 - Charlie Williams

Card fact: This is Charlie Williams' first appearance on a Topps card since his Topps debut in the 1972 set.

What I thought about this card then: I didn't see it. The first card of his I saw was in the 1976 set. I would confuse him with another Giant, Randy Moffitt, only because they were both Giants relievers and photographed in the same spot down the right-field line in Candlestick Park.

What I think about this card now: I like the folding chairs in the background. It's a very sunny spring training photo.

Other stuff: Williams was almost exclusively a relief pitcher during his major league career from 1971-78. A New York boy -- he was born in Flushing -- Williams started out with the Mets. But he will forever be known as the player traded to the Giants straight-up for Willie Mays on May 11, 1972. (The Mets did throw in $50,000).

(EDIT: Williams died at age 67 on Jan. 27, 2015).

Back facts: I believe there's a typo in the cartoon. The answer should read 60 feet, 6 inches, not 60 feet, 60 inches. Also, "Prosek" is quite the middle name.

Other blog stuff: Burt Reynolds -- kind of a big deal in the 1970s -- was born on this date 75 years ago.

#418 - Leo Foster

Card fact: This is Leo Foster's first solo card.

What I thought about this card then: I thought Foster was a scrub. His batting average on the back was not good. He belonged with the scrubs.

What I think about this card now: For the last six cards, every other card has been a "light blue-green" border combination. Someday, someone with knowledge is going to give me insight into the card printing process of the '70s and tell me why these things happen.

Other stuff: Foster was a utility infielder for the Braves and Mets during the mid-1970s. The most at-bats he had in a season was 112 in 1974 when he hit a whopping .196, two points below his career batting average.

After the 1977 season, he was traded to the Red Sox but never played for them.

Back facts: The Yankees were actually called the "Highlanders" in 1911. But I suppose that would confuse the collecting kiddies.

Other blog stuff: I haven't done this for awhile. Here is the original Leo Foster card I pulled in 1975, much worse for wear after 35 years (although most of the damage was done in that first year):

It's more well-centered than the one I have now.

#416 - Larry Lintz

Card fact: This is one of only four Topps cards of Larry Lintz during his major league career.

What I thought about this card then: My brother had it. There's a lot to like about this photo and we did like it. I thought he was a slugger with this pose, which is why the back of the card was so disappointing.

What I think about this card now: If I had been a little more perceptive as a youngster, I would have noticed that Lintz had a small build and looked more like a speedster than a slugger.

Other stuff: Lintz came up with the Expos in 1973. After an OK first year, he played most of the games at second base for the Expos in 1974, but didn't hit very well. The name of his game was stolen bases and he had 50 that season, good for fifth in the league.

In mid-1975, Lintz was traded to the Cardinals. Then, that off-season, he was traded to Oakland (he is wearing a Cardinals uniform in his 1976 Topps card despite being listed with the A's). While with Oakland, he became what Herb Washington was to the team in 1974. Lintz was a full-time pinch-runner, playing in 68 games but getting only four plate-appearances. He stole 31 bases and scored 21 runs (he was caught stealing 11 times).

Lintz was used more conventionally in 1977, but batted just .133. After a brief visit with the Indians in '78, his career was over.

Back facts: George Selkirk was an outfielder for the Yankees in the 1930s. He succeeded Babe Ruth in right field. He received his nickname for the way that he ran on the balls of his feet. After his playing career, he became general manager of the Washington Senators in the 1960s.

Other blog stuff: I was forced to "borrow" a scan of the back of this card as I discovered at the last minute that I had not scanned the Lintz back during the great scanning binge in the early stages of this blog. So this is not the back of my Lintz card. I'm sorry. I assure you it looks basically the same.

#414 - Manny Mota

Card fact: We're reviving some old, forgotten border color combos lately. It's been 46 cards since the last light blue-green bordered card.

What I thought about this card then: It was one of the last Dodger cards I picked up from the set. Then, when I went about collecting the team set for the '75s, it was the last card I needed. I don't know why Manny Mota was so elusive.

What I think about this card now: "Pinch-hitting for Pedro Borbon, Manny Mota ... Mota ... Mota."

Other stuff: Manny Mota is one of the great reasons to be a Dodger fan. Ever since coming over to the Dodgers from the Expos in the deal that returned Maury Wills to the Dodgers and sent Ron Fairly to the Expos, he has become synonymous with the Dodgers. For a long time, he was the greatest pinch-hitter in major league history, holding the record for the most career pinch-hits. I was quite proud of that.

That record has since been broken, but Mota remains a point of pride for Dodger fans as he's been a coach for L.A. for more than 30 years, which is one of the longest coaching tenures with one team in major league history.

Mota also has the second best batting average in Los Angeles Dodger career history (Mike Piazza is first).

Mota had two sons who played in the major leagues, Andy and Jose.

Back facts: If you look at the stats, you can tell that Mota's at-bats dropped off significantly in 1974. That's because this was the first year that Mota was used almost exclusively as a pinch-hitter. He would be used in that role for the next eight years with L.A.

Other blog stuff: This was almost a daytime post. Blogger has been quite bitchy the last hour or so.

#368 - Vic Albury

Card fact: This is Vic Albury's rookie card. He only had three Topps cards. He didn't even have a traded card.

What I thought about this card then: This is another one of these guys that I had no clue existed until I went about completing the set six years ago. We are really in the midst of a run of 1970s nobodies the last few cards.

What I think about this card now: Albury looks like he's up to something.

Other stuff: Vic Albury pitched for four seasons with the Twins between 1973 and 1976. His best season was 1974 when he went 8-9 for the Twins, starting 22 games and pitching 164 innings. After his playing time decreased in 1976, he bounced around in the minors in the Yankees and Indians organizations through 1979.

(EDIT: Albury died on April 18, 2017).

Back facts: I don't know where Topps received its information, but according to the baseball rule book, under Objectives of the Game, 1.12, "The catcher may wear a leather mitt not more than 38 inches in circumference, nor more than 15 1/2 inches from top to bottom." There are also limits for the space between the thumb and the rest of the fingers, and the webbing. That seems to contradict what the cartoon is saying.

Also, I started to go through the 1973 Twins season to see how many of those 10 shutout appearances were relief outings (I'm sure all of them were). But I got distracted by the attendance figures for Twins games. Mercy. They were awful. Nobody went to games in the early '70s, did they?

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1981, rookie Fernando Valenzuela beat out Tom Seaver to win the N.L. Cy Young Award.

#354 - Dick Bosman

Card fact: This is the final card of Dick Bosman as a Triber. He would be traded to the A's in 1975 and end his career in Oakland in 1976.

What I thought about this card then: I pulled this card early in the collecting year, and it was a mini card. To me, Bosman looked very pissed off, and about 49 years old. He was actually 30 at the time of this photo and probably not pissed off at all.

What I think about this card now: For the longest time, I thought Bosman was the pitcher who got in a fight with his manager, Billy Martin, in a bar during the late 1960s. But it was actually Dave Boswell who got in the fight with Martin, who was then the Twins manager. Bosman never even played for the Twins!

Other stuff: Bosman pitched 11 seasons in the American League, mostly for the Senators and Rangers. He is known as the last pitcher to start a game for the Senators and the first pitcher to start a game for the Rangers.

After being traded to the Indians, he threw a no-hitter against Oakland in 1974 (Bosman lost a perfect game when he made a throwing error in the fourth inning). The A's would go on to win the World Series that year and then acquire Bosman the next year. I wonder how often that happens, a team gets no-hit by a pitcher and ends up acquiring him?

After his career, he became a pitching coach for the White Sox, Orioles and Rangers. He's worked with Tampa Bay for the last seven years.

Back facts: I recall hearing that Johnny Bench sang, but I do not remember watching him sing on TV. Although he could have been on an episode of Hee-Haw and I totally blocked it out.

Other blog stuff: I wanted to show the back of my mini card, just so my youngest brother can get some credit on this blog:

That scribble in orange crayon is his handiwork. He was about 4 at the time.

#344 - Ben Oglivie

Card fact: Ben Oglivie returned to the Topps set in 1975 after being left out of the 1974 set. Something about a .218 batting average in 1973.

What I thought about this card then: I didn't see it. I didn't know about Oglivie until his days with the Brewers, even though he had been in the majors for seven years before even coming to Milwaukee.

What I think about this card now: I'm stuck on wondering how Oglivie's name was supposed to be pronounced. We pronounced it "Ogilvie," but there is no "i" between the "g" and the "l" in his name, so now I'm confused. I suppose its "O-gli-vee."

Other stuff: Oglivie was a powerful outfielder who came up first with the Red Sox. He wasn't able to get established with Boston and was traded to Detroit in 1973. After some pretty good seasons with the Tigers, he was traded to Milwaukee for Rich Folkers and Jim Slaton (Slaton ended up signing back with the Brewers a year later).

Oglivie blossomed with the hard-hitting Brewers. He became a member of "Harvey's Wallbangers" and his 1980 season, in which he slugged 41 homers and 118 RBIs and hit .304, was so far above anything that he had done before that it probably would have been credited to steroid use in today's cynical times. As it was, Oglivie tied Reggie Jackson for the league lead in homers and became the first non-American player to lead the league in home runs.

Oglivie finished his career with Milwaukee in 1986, then went to Japan to play. He is now a coach in the Tampa Bay Rays' organization.

Back facts: I never get tired of cartoons that mention the Dodgers.

The write-up seems a tad odd to me. If Oglivie was such a good defensive outfielder, than how come he ended up a valuable pinch-hitter and designated hitter -- two job titles that don't require any defense?

Other blog stuff: This is an extraordinarily bad date in baseball history for the Dodgers -- Reggie Jackson's 3 home runs in Game 6 of the '77 World Series; Oakland's only win against the Dodgers in the 1988 World Series -- a bottom of the ninth blast by Mark McGwire; and an 11-0 pasting by the Phillies in Game 3 of the NLCS last year.