Card fact: This is Dave Tomlin's first solo card.
What I thought about this card: I didn't see it.
What I think about this card now: Tomlin is definitely airbrushed into a Padres cap and jersey (and doesn't look pleased). But with him not having a previous card (I want to say he was on one of those multi-player rookie cards, but I can't find an example right now), I'm wondering if he's actually wearing a minor league uniform or a Reds uniform, which is the team he was with before the Padres. I'm assuming it's a Reds uniform.
Other stuff: Tomlin was a career-long relief pitcher for mostly the Reds and the Padres from 1972-86. Even though he played 13 seasons in the majors, he had relatively few cards. They spanned from 1975-80.
This is mostly because after 1980, he appeared in only 14 more games with the Expos and Pirates. Before that, Tomlin appeared in 67 games in '75 and 76 games in '77 for San Diego. He was then traded to Texas straight up for Gaylord Perry. Perry went on to win the Cy Young Award for San Diego, while Tomlin was released in spring training and picked up by the Reds.
With Cincinnati in 1978, he went 9-1 but had a 5.78 ERA. Such was life with the Big Red Machine. Tomlin performed better in '79 and appeared in three postseason games for the Reds.
After his playing career, he became a pitching coach in the Expos and Braves organizations. Since 1996, he's been a coach and manager in the minors for the Red Sox.
Back facts: "Dave had 2 saves for Padres in 1974." The Padres were a bad team in '74.
Other blog stuff: Two more key celebrities of the '70s were born on this date. Singer Carly Simon is 66. Comedian Jimmie "Dy-no-mite" Walker is 62.
