#642 - Mike Phillips

Card fact: This is the only Topps card of Mike Phillips in which he is wearing a mustache. He has 11 Topps card and in 10 of them, he is clean-shaven.

In fact, he looks so different on this card that I've often wondered whether Topps took a photo of someone else by accident. But I've looked the card up in a number of price guides and hobby publications and there is no mention of an error or otherwise.

What I thought about this card then: My brother had the card. I thought Phillips looked cranky.

What I think about this card now: Anytime I see a head shot with the player wearing a batting helmet, it looks strange. If you're wearing a helmet, you should be doing something.

Other stuff: Phillips, a No. 1 draft pick of the Giants, spent 11 seasons as a backup infielder for five teams -- the Giants, Mets, Cardinals, Padres and Expos. His only season of regular play was in 1975 when he played in 126 games for the Giants and Mets.

Phillips played most of his games at shortstop, but he was also used often at second and third base. He didn't hit much, batting .240 for his career.

Back facts: Ouch. The mention of high school exploits on the back of a major leaguer's card always makes me cringe. Surely he did something in the minors worth noting. He had three home runs by that time. Write about that.

Other blog stuff: Former SNL comedienne and "ignorant slut" Jane Curtin was born on this date in 1947.

#624 - 1975 Rookie Pitchers

Card fact: This is the last Dodger player card I needed to complete the team set for '75 Topps. Those 4-player rookie cards always eluded me.

What I thought about this card then: I didn't see it. In fact I didn't see it for quite awhile after 1975.

What I think about this card now: What a bad-ass crew, even if they weren't the most successful pitchers. I think Jim Otten is airbrushed, and I don't know why the background is blurred out.

Other stuff: Each player's first solo Topps card:

Doug Konieczny, Astros: 1976 Topps (his only solo Topps card)
Gary Lavelle, Giants: 1976 Topps
Jim Otten, White Sox: none
Eddie Solomon, Dodgers: 1978 Topps (he was alternately known as Eddie and Buddy on his cards. He died in a car accident at age 34).

Most successful career: Lavelle was a relief workhorse and two-time All-Star for the Giants, for whom he pitched for most of his 13-year major league career.

Most awesome middle name: For the second straight card, I have to go with the player without a middle name, Eddie Solomon.

Other blog stuff: The pink-yellow border combination takes the overall lead with its 53rd card. Also, this marks the end of the last subset in the '75 set. Up next, a player who just celebrated a milestone birthday.

#620 - 1975 Rookie Catchers-Outfielders

Card fact: This is the first rookie card -- as rookie cards were known back in the '70s -- that I ever saw.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card, which was quite fortunate of me because it is Gary Carter's rookie card. But what I thought about the most was the fact that there were two Tigers on the bottom. That seemed unusual to me. It still does.

What I think about this card now: It's in semi-rough shape compared with most of the other cards I have from the set. I was probably trying to save cash by getting it on the cheap.

Also, Hill's cap is airbrushed.

Other stuff: Each player's first solo Topps card:

Gary Carter, Expos: 1976 Topps (with the rookie cup!)
Marc Hill, Giants: 1976 Topps
Danny Meyer, Tigers: 1976 Topps
Leon Roberts, Tigers: 1976 Topps

Most successful career: Carter is a Hall of Famer. (EDIT: He died on Feb. 16, 2012 at age 57. Marc Hill died August 2025 at age 73).

Most awesome middle name: Kauffman edges out Edmund.

Other blog stuff: It's been quite awhile since I've featured the mini card next to the regular card. This is as fine a time as any to resume that practice:

C'est bon!

#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.

#577 - John Morris

Card fact: This is the last card issued during John Morris' career. He had only three Topps cards and the one previous to this one is in the 1971 set.

What I thought about this card then: I had/have the mini card. I thought Morris was 48 years old. He was actually around 33.

What I think about this card now: He still looks a lot older than 33.

Other stuff: Morris, not to be confused with the outfielder who played for the Cardinals in the late '80s/early '90s, pitched for five teams between 1966-74. His best success came with the Pilots/Brewers between 1969-71. Morris was selected in the expansion draft of '68 from the Orioles.

Back facts: The "green monster" is one of my favorite cartoons from this set. Also, the back of this card looks unusual without an orange crayon scribble across the monster drawing. My original mini of Morris (I've since upgraded) has the orange scribble, and it's become as much a feature of the card as the green-on-red type.

Other blog stuff: This is the third straight green-purple bordered card. Except for subsets, this is the first time the same color combination has been featured on three straight cards. The streak has pushed the green-purple combination within one of the overall lead.

#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.

#529 - Gary Thomasson

Card fact: This border color combination looks pretty good with the Giants, but this is the first time that it has been used with a Giants player.

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

What I think about this card now: Gary Thomasson's bat looks like it came from Kay-Bee toys.

Other stuff: Thomasson came up with the Giants and was a fourth outfielder for San Francisco during the days when the team featured a starting outfield of Bobby Bonds, Garry Maddox and Gary Matthews. Thomasson also played some first base, as you see by the position designation on the card.

Thomasson was shipped to Oakland in the massive trade that brought Vida Blue to the Giants. But Thomasson was traded again to the Yankees three months later. He played in the postseason in 1978 (going 1-for-5) and then was traded to the Dodgers, where he was a backup outfielder for two seasons.

Afterward, Thomasson signed to play in Japan, inking the highest-paying contract in Nippon Pro Baseball at the time. He led the league in strikeouts, receiving the nickname "The Human Giant Fan" by Japanese writers. His playing career ended with a knee injury his final year in Japan in '82.

Back facts: The cartoon features another fact that will probably be correct forever. Ain't nobody catching that record.

Also: "Leah?"

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1975, Bob Watson scores what is believed to be the millionth run in major league baseball history. That is later proven incorrect, but unfortunately the million Tootsie Rolls that Watson won for his feat were probably all gone by then.

#505 - Chris Speier

Card fact: One of the best cards in the entire set. Definitely in the top 10. And that is 100 percent fact. No opinion there. I'm a Dodger fan for crying out loud!

What I thought about this card then: Absolutely loved this card. Would not trade it for anything.

What I think about this card now: Well, he's a Giant, so I hope he's just hit a pop fly out.

Other stuff: Chris Speier had a remarkably long career, lasting from 1971-89. He started his career with the Giants and ended it with the Giants. In between, there was an eight-year period with the Expos, and bit parts with the Cubs, Twins and Cardinals.

Speier started out as a hot-shot youngster with San Francisco and made his only All-Star teams in the second, third and fourth years of his career. But he settled into a pattern as kind of a mediocre hitter. His main attributes were a strong glove and decent walk totals. He hit .246 for his career.

After he was done playing, he coached and managed for several minor league teams in the Cubs, Giants, Diamondbacks, A's and Brewers systems. Most recently, he has been the bench coach for the Reds.

Speier is the father of major league relief pitcher Justin Speier, who last pitched for the Angels in 2009.

Back facts: I suppose if it's a Giant card, you've got to put a Dodger pitcher in a grass skirt. Whatever amuses you.

Also, I don't understand the write-up. What is the 4-6-3 single putout? And why is base hits one word?

Other blog stuff: Presenting the original Chris Speier card I pulled in 1975, which I've also mentioned on the other blog:

Thing of beauty.

#483 - Steve Ontiveros

Card fact: This is Steve Ontiveros' first solo card. His rookie card is one of those four-player cards in the 1974 Topps set.

What I thought about this card then: This is one of the most memorable cards of my first year of collecting. I pulled this card after one of my trips to the drug store, and it was always a favorite.

What I think about this card now: As a kid, I never noticed the person behind Ontiveros in the photo. But I do now. I'm not positive on the ID of the player. It doesn't appear to be a Giant because of the color scheme. But if it is a Giant, a pitcher by the name of Don Rose wore the number 41.

However, because of the color scheme, I'm saying it's either a Padre or a Pirate. There was no one who wore the No. 41 on the Padres (unless it was a coach). But the Pirates did have a player who wore No. 41. It was pitcher Jerry Reuss. And he certainly was goofy enough to wear a sun hat during a game. So I'm hoping that's who it is.

Ontiveros has another classic card in the 1976 set. He's charging around third base with Mike Schmidt in the background.

Other stuff: Younger fans remember Steve Ontiveros as a pitcher for the Oakland A's. But that's not the same guy. They're not even related.

Ontiveros was an infielder who played for the Giants and Cubs between 1973-80. He didn't get to start regularly until he was dealt to the Cubs, along with Bobby Murcer, in a deal that sent Bill Madlock to the Giants. Ontiveros became the Cubs' regular third baseman, and he had a strong first season with Chicago in 1977.

After playing three more years with Chicago, his career ended in 1980. He went to Japan and played there until 1985.

Back facts: I distinctly remember reading the 1974 stats on the back of Ontiveros' card and thinking he deserved a rookie cup on the front of the card.

Other blog stuff: Here is the card that pulled out of that pack in 1975:

Still no rookie cup.

#467 - Ed Halicki

Card fact: This is Ed Halicki's rookie card.

What I thought about this card then: I didn't see it. The first card of his I saw was in the 1976 Topps set. I would get him confused with John Montefusco, which is appropriate as they both threw for the Giants and both pitched no-hitters within one year of each other.

What I think about this card now: I sure would like to know who the photographer was that took all the photos for Topps in Candlestick Park during the 1970s. He was a busy guy.

Other stuff: Halicki was a big dude -- 6-foot-7 -- and quickly made an impact for the Giants by no-hitting the Mets at Candlestick Park in 1975, his second season. Two years later, he won 16 games and the Giants seemed primed, from a pitching standpoint anyway, to make an impact in the N.L. West. They also had Montefusco, Vida Blue and Bob Knepper on the staff. But the late '70s were a disaster for the Giants. Halicki didn't pitch well and had issues with how he was used. He eventually found himself on waivers.

The Angels picked him up, but he lasted just one season there and after a tryout with the Phillies, his major league career was over.

Halicki's name recently came up when Jonathan Sanchez pitched a no-hitter for the Giants in 2009. Sanchez was the first Giant to throw a no-hitter at home since Halicki.

Back facts: The 1974 World Series references continue even though we're done with the postseason subset. Green indeed was the defensive star of the Series, making several rally-killing plays.

Other blog stuff: I was recently contacted by a relative of pitcher Tom Buskey, who was featured on Card No. 403. The information that I received on Buskey's death was incorrect. I have changed it so that it is accurate, and I thank the Buskey family for contacting me about it.

#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.

#425 - Tito Fuentes

Card fact: I don't know how Topps did it, but this is the only one of Tito Fuentes' Topps cards between 1974 and 1978 in which he is not wearing a head band. On his '74 card, he wears an orange head band around his cap. On his '77 card, he wears a yellow head band underneath his cap. On his '76 and '78 cards, he wears a head band around his cap with his first name written on it.

What I thought about this card then: This was one of my favorite cards in 1975. I remember pulling it from a pack on a hot July day while on vacation. I was drawn to the pink-yellow border and Fuentes' pose. I had no idea at the time that the Giants were so evil.

What I think about this card now: One of the few major leaguers that you'll find who dotted the "I" in their name with a star.

Other stuff: Fuentes is a much-beloved former Giants player, who also played for the Padres, Tigers and A's. He was one of the last Cuban players signed before the U.S. embargo on Cuba. He came up with San Francisco in 1965.

After a trip to the minor leagues in 1968, he returned to the Giants and settled in as their regular second baseman by 1971. He was a good fielding player who accumulated a lot of base hits. His on-base percentage wasn't the greatest, but folks in the '70s weren't too big on OBP.

After the 1974 season, Fuentes was traded to the Padres for Derrel Thomas. He played regularly for San Diego for two years then signed with the Tigers in which he hit .309 with 190 hits in 1977. But with Lou Whitaker on the horizon, Fuentes was let go. He ended his career in Oakland. Afterward, he went into broadcasting and still does broadcasting work for the Giants.

Back facts: Fuentes' fielding percentage in 1973 was .993, which would remain a National League record for second basemen until Ryne Sandberg recorded a .994 mark in 1986.

Other blog stuff: On this date 69 years ago, Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Clay.

#372 - John D'Acquisto

Card fact: This is John D'Acquisto's first solo card.

What I thought about this card then: This is one of the first cards I ever pulled from a pack, so it's got a special place in my collecting heart. Even if it is a Giant.

What I think about this card now: A pretty lame pose there by John.

Other stuff: D'Acquisto started off quickly for the Giants in 1974. He went 12-14 and led the team in strikeouts with 167 in 215 innings. He was named to the Topps All-rookie team (but did not receive a trophy on his card). But D'Acquisto had a disastrous sophomore year and eventually was dealt to the Cardinals in the offseason of '76. St. Louis had him for a couple of months before trading him to San Diego. With the Padres, he remade himself into a reliable relief pitcher. He stayed with the Padres through the rest of the '70s. Then he ended his career with the Expos, Angels and A's.

After his career he became an investment banker but was involved in a fraud case and sentenced to prison for 63 months in 1996. Later it was determined that he was set-up by others in a much bigger scam. Those people were then sent to prison and D'Acquisto was released in 2002. Virtually all of the counts against him were dropped.

Back facts: This cartoon has been stuck in my brain since I was 9. But I'm quite certain that I didn't even know what a walk was when I was 9.

Other blog stuff: Here is the card that I pulled out one of those first three packs that I bought in 1975:

#350 - Bobby Murcer

Card fact: If there was a book on "The History of Airbrushing," this card would be Exhibit A in the lengths that Topps would go to to depict a player in the correct uniform.

I already posted about this card once, so I won't go into much detail, but to sum it up, Topps is telling you that Bobby Murcer made the American League All-Star Game as a Giant. Ohhhhhh-Kaaaaaaay.

What I thought about this card then: Never saw it. If I did, I think I might have wondered how a Giants player ended up at Yankee Stadium.

What I think about this card now: I've basically already mentioned it. It's possibly the most untrustworthy airbrushing job ever.

Other stuff: Bobby Murcer, a.k.a. "the next Mickey Mantle" when he came up in the 1960s, was thought to be the guy who would pull the Yankees out of their doldrums of the late '60s/early '70s. But he wasn't. Murcer was a talented player, Gold Glove fielder, and one of the highest salaried players in the game, but unlike Mantle, he wasn't surrounded by All-Star performers.

Murcer was eventually traded to the Giants for Bobby Bonds in October of 1974. He struggled with his power in Candlestick Park and was shipped to the Cubs two years later. Murcer then returned to the Yankees for the early part of the 1980s as a part-timer player.

After his playing career, he became an announcer for the Yankees and worked in that capacity for two decades. In late 2006, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After a two-year battle, he died from brain cancer complications in 2008.

Back facts: Cyril Roy "Stormy" Weatherley was an outfielder for the Cleveland Indians in the late 1930s and early '40s. I doubt if anyone remembered him even in 1975.

Other blog stuff: Time to add another player to the 1974 All-Star lineup. I will place Murcer under the American League column, despite Topps' attempts to confuse me:

AL

1B -
2B -
3B - Brooks Robinson
SS - Bert Campaneris
OF - Bobby Murcer
OF -
OF -
C - Carlton Fisk
P -

NL

1B - Steve Garvey
2B - Joe Morgan
3B -
SS -
OF - Hank Aaron
OF - Pete Rose
OF -
C - Johnny Bench
P -

By the way, I realize I'm posting a Giants card immediately after the team clinched a spot in the World Series. Yes, it's coincidence, and no, I don't like it one bit.

#347 - Mike Caldwell

Card fact: This is the first time that Mike Caldwell makes an appearance on a card with his familiar mustache and  longish '70s hair. On his 1974 card, he is wearing an airbrushed Giants cap and is clean-shaven.

What I thought about this card then: Didn't see it. The first card of his I saw was his 1977 Topps card in which he is airbrushed into a Cardinals cap. That's notable because Caldwell was traded from the Cardinals to the Reds in March of 1977, probably before many collectors obtained their card of Caldwell as an airbrushed Cardinal.

What I think about this card now: If pitchers really looked in that intently for the catcher's signal, I think batters would be hesitant to get in the batter's box.

Other stuff: Caldwell began his career with the Padres, then was traded to the Giants in the deal that sent Willie McCovey to San Diego. A couple of years later he was on the move again, to the Cardinals, and then to the Reds. Cincinnati held on to Caldwell for just a couple of months before trading him to the Brewers for a couple of minor leaguers.

That trade was a steal for Milwaukee. The next year, 1978, Caldwell went 22-9 with a 2.36 ERA for the Brewers. He threw an astounding 23 complete games and was second to Ron Guidry in the A.L. Cy Young Award voting. From that point, he became a steady starter for the Brewers for seven years.

As a starter for the 1982 World Series team, Caldwell started Game 1 and Game 5 against the Cardinals and won both games. But St. Louis won the series. Caldwell pitched for the Brewers through 1985 before getting released. He's now a pitching coach in the Giants' organization.

Back facts: The "Shoe Polish" incident, also known as the "Shoeshine Incident," was during Game 4 of the 1957 World Series between the Milwaukee Braves and New York Yankees. Jones, who played for Milwaukee, led off the 10th inning as a pinch-hitter. He jumped away from a low pitch that was called a ball. Jones argued that the ball hit him in the foot, pointed out shoe polish on the ball, and was awarded first base. The Braves went on to score three runs in the inning, win the game, tie the Series at 2 games apiece, and eventually win the Series.

As for the stats, 1974 was Caldwell's first decent year. You can see for his won-loss total from 1973 and 1974, he swapped the wins and losses. Now that's a turnaround season.

Other blog stuff: Former Dodgers shortstop and manager Bill Russell was born on this date. He is 62.

#322 - Ed Goodson

Card fact: This is the last card of Goodson pictured in a Giants uniform. The following year, the photo on his card shows him weirdly airbrushed from a Braves uniform into a Dodgers cap and uniform.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card. Because of the way Goodson's arm is positioned, I thought he was on a bus or a subway, holding onto the handles with other commuters.

What I think about this card now: Goodson appears to be hanging out in the dugout with his buddies. I can't believe I missed that when I was a kid.

Other stuff: Goodson played for eight seasons. He started out as a part-time infielder for the Giants before ending up as a glorified pinch-hitter for the Dodgers in the late 1970s. He played in 100 games in a season only once, enjoying his best seasons with the Giants in 1973 and 1974. He was traded for the Braves, but only played their briefly.

Goodson was traded to the Dodgers as part of the Dusty Baker deal that sent Jimmy Wynn, Jerry Royster, Tom Paciorek and Lee Lacy to the Braves. Goodson had one at-bat each in the 1977 NLCS and World Series. He was released by L.A. before the 1978 season and signed by Cleveland, but didn't play for them.

Back facts: Bill "Bugs" Moran pitched in 15 games for the White Sox in 1974. He didn't get a card in the '75 set, or any Topps set, to my knowledge. He got a cartoon, but not a card!

Other blog stuff: The No. 1 song on this date in 1975 was "Fame" by David Bowie. Bully for you, chilly for me.

#265 - Ron Bryant

Card fact: This is the final card of Ron Bryant's all-too-quick career.

What I thought about this card then: Never saw it. Didn't know who Bryant was until decades later.

What I think about this card now: Well, I just noticed that he signed his name "Ron Bear Bryant." That's terrific.

Other stuff: Just like Jim Perry two cards ago, Bryant is one of those guys whose career ended just as I began to follow baseball and I never knew who he was until years later, when I acquired his card.

Bryant is known for putting together a terrific 1973 season for the Giants. He won 24 games and finished third in the Cy Young Award voting. But the following year, he was 3-15 with a 5.61 earned-run average. He was out of baseball by the end of 1975.

In between that very high high and the very low low, was a "swimming pool accident" during spring training of 1974. There are numerous references to the "swimming pool accident" in accounts of Bryant's career, but no other details -- just that it messed up his career.

It turns out that Bryant suffered a major gash in his side, and it was said to have happened on a swimming pool slide. Apparently, Bryant was known to like his drinks and his parties, and maybe the two combined to create a career-ending incident.

But Bryant was an easy-going sort, and even though his career ended after 8 seasons, he ended up taking a job as a casino card dealer in Reno, Nev.

Back facts: Tony Solaita was a 1970s player for the Angels and Royals. We'll see him later in the set.

Also, notice that Topps wants no part of Bryant's 1974 season in the write-up.

And, just like Jim Perry, Ron Bryant was a switch-hitting pitcher.

Other blog stuff: In honor of today's Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, on this date in 1999, Nolan Ryan, Robin Yount, George Brett and Orlando Cepeda were inducted into the Hall.

#240 - Garry Maddox

Card fact: This is the first Maddox card with a "hero" card number (one ending in a zero). It's also the last card to feature him as a Giant. Yay!

What I thought about this card then: This, honestly, was one of my favorite cards in the set. I remember pulling it in July of 1975. Maddox seemed so regal, and the card, with its blue-and-green border, added to the effect. I'm not sure what happened to the original Maddox card I pulled. It seems like I would've held on to a card that I liked that much.

What I think about this card now: Thank goodness he's not known for being a Giant.

Other stuff: Maddox was a slick-fielding ballplayer mostly known for his success with the Phillies teams of the late 1970s. He won eight Gold Glove awards, including seven straight. Ironically, Dodgers fans know him most for his botching of Bill Russell's base hit in the 10th inning of the final game of the 1978 NLCS, sending home the winning run and clinching the series for the Dodgers.

Maddox was my favorite player who wasn't on my favorite team and it wasn't just because he helped L.A. reach the World Series in 1978. He continued to be a favorite until the end of his career and I was always happy when I pulled his card.

Maddox is now a chef in barbeque land at the Philadelphia ballpark.

Back facts: I thought it was cool that there were cartoon bottles of poison on the back of the card. It reminded me of Saturday morning cartoons. Someone was always drinking poison on the Looney Toons.

Also, I didn't know what "In Military Service" meant when I was a kid. But it didn't sound pleasant. Maddox served in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970 and exposure to chemicals made his skin sensitive. He grew a full beard to protect his face.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1975, former Astros player Richard Hidalgo was born. Whatever happened to that guy?

#216 - Giants/Wes Westrum

Card fact: Topps probably had to scramble to get a photo of Wes Westrum. He was named manager in mid-July of 1974, replacing Charlie Fox. Back then, Topps traditionally obtained photos of its subjects during spring training of the year before the cards were issued.

This was Westrum's second and last major league managerial job. He was the second Mets manager in the franchise's history, helping the team to its first non-last place finish ever in 1966.

What I thought about this card then: As I've mentioned many times before, thoughts about team cards were few and far between.

What I think about this card now: Giants. Ick. Why did they get a color combo that matches their team colors? Stupid Topps.

Other stuff: The third person from the left in row two is Bobby Bonds. But Bonds is airbrushed into a Yankees uniform in his 1975 card as he was traded to the Yankees during the 1974-75 offseason.

Back facts: This is the first opportunity to show both the back of a regular team card that you would pull out of a pack in 1975 and the team card that you received when you ordered the whole team card set through the mail. I still have that mail-order Giants card from '75.

First the regular '75 pack team card back:

And now the back of a team card received through the mail order:

Aside from my 9-year-old checklist system, note the white card stock, which was much thinner, more like a note card.

Other blog stuff: Time to see how well Topps represented the 1974 Giants squad.

The Giants used 35 players during the 1974 season, which was one of several lousy '70s seasons for San Francisco. Topps featured 25 players from that 1974 season, including Bonds, airbrushed as a Yankee, and Ken Rudolph and Elias Sosa, both airbrushed as Cardinals. So there are just 22 Giants from the '74 team wearing Giants colors in Topps set (Topps did add Bobby Murcer and Marc Hill as Giants in the '75 set. Murcer, airbrushed awkwardly, was traded for Bonds after the '74 season and Hill was a rookie who didn't play for the Giants until 1975).

There are no notable '74 players missing from the set. John Montefusco, who pitched in just seven games, doesn't have a card. His rookie season would be '75. Steve Barber pitched in 13 games but his last card is from '74 Topps. Reliever Jim Willoughby pitched in 18 games, which is more than a couple of Giants pitchers who did have cards in the '75 set, but he doesn't have a card. Willoughby is shown as a Giant in the '74 set and then returns as a Red Sox in the '76 set.

So with 25 players featured from the '74 Giants in the set, that comes to 71.4 percent of the players. Here is where the Giants rank with the other teams shown so far:

1. Tigers 78.37% of players featured

2. Orioles 78.13%

3. Giants 71.43%
4. Royals 70.59%
5. Red Sox 70.27%
6. Expos 68.29%
7. Phillies 62.5%
8. Padres 55.8%

#179 - Tom Bradley

Card fact: This is one of six cards of Tom Bradley during his major league career. Fortunately, he is wearing great glasses in every single one.

What I thought about this card then: The glasses, no doubt, were my main focus. Also, Bradley's last name is the same as my brother's first name, so we thought that was a little cool.

What I think about this card now: I miss this traditional pose on baseball cards. It's almost like a three-point stance in football. This pose appeared constantly in 1970s baseball cards.

Other stuff: Bradley enjoyed three straight seasons of double-figure wins with the White Sox and the Giants, and then his career quickly dissipated. In 1971 and 1972, he struck out more than 200 batters for the White Sox, and that helped Chicago land Steve Stone in a trade with the Giants.

Bradley later became a coach and has coached on both the collegiate and professional level for a number of teams. He was the University of Maryland's baseball coach during the 1990s.

According to his wikipedia page, Bradley was the person who nicknamed Rich Gossage "Goose," which he thought described how Gossage appeared when the Goose looked in for a sign.

Back facts: Look at that ERA in 1974. That looks lousy now, but it was even more lousy in the 1970s when pitchers had ERAs of 2 and in the low 3's on a regular basis.

Oldie but goodie: Here is the Bradley card that I pulled from a pack when I was 9:

Other blog stuff: Chipper Jones celebrated his third birthday on this date in 1975.