#659 - Bob Apodaca

Card fact: This is Bob Apodaca's first solo card. He appears on a four-player rookie card in the 1974 Topps set (there is both an error version and corrected version of his '74 card. His name is spelled "Apodaco" in the error version).

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

What I think about this card now: It's always interesting seeing the penultimate card in a set. Beyond that, no thoughts.

Other stuff: Apodaca pitched five seasons in the major leagues, all for the Mets. I relate him to those mediocre Mets teams of the mid-to-late '70s.

Apodaca was used as a reliever by New York and he saved 13 games with a 1.49 ERA in 1975. Arm problems struck after the 1977 season and he missed a couple of seasons. He pitched in the minors in 1979 and 1981.

Apodaca was a coach for the Mets organization throughout '80s and '90s, including the Mets' big league pitching coach in the late '90s. He's been the Rockies' pitching coach since 2003.

Back facts: Another Dodger cartoon. One day I'll count them all, but there has to be at least 20 or 25.

Also, the Apodaca's non-existent ERA in 1973 would have mystified me as a boy. Apodaca pitched to two batters, allowed a run and didn't get anyone out for an ERA of infinity in his only game in the majors in '73.

Other blog stuff: Tomorrow is the final card in the set. Gee, I wonder who it is?

#637 - Ted Martinez

Card fact: I've lost track of the number cards in which the signature doesn't match the name listed on the bottom. But here is another example. Ted Martinez refers to himself as "Teddy."

What I thought about this card: I first saw this card in the possession of my friend Jamie, the Mets/Yankees lover.

What I think about this card now: It's a great '70s card. The pinstriped Mets uniform, the Shea Stadium scoreboard, the American flag.

Other stuff: Martinez played nine seasons in the major leagues, mostly at shortstop. But he also played a lot of second base and the outfield. He was mostly a backup, but did appear in over a 100 games in 1972, 74 and 75. He played for the Mets, Cardinals, A's and Dodgers.

Martinez played on pennant-winning teams with the Mets (1973), A's (1975) and Dodgers (1977-78). But he never played in the postseason with L.A. Interestingly, it was with the Dodgers where he revived his career (after not playing in 1976), as a utility infielder.

Martinez managed and coached in the Dodgers organization after his playing career.

Back facts: That cartoon always freaked me out as a kid. "What happened to his legs?"

Other blog stuff: Former Tiger/Ranger/Rockie/Red Sox/Brewer/Ray Gabe Kapler was born on this date in 1975.

#619 - 1975 Rookie Outfielders

Card fact: I'm quite certain that is an airbrushed White Sox cap atop Nyls Nyman's head. Tommy Smith's cap may or may not be airbrushed, too.

What I thought about this card then: No knowledge of it.

What I think about this card now: No future stars there, eh? Also, Topps must have struggled to find a shot of Jerry Turner. You don't see the absolute profile shot too often.

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

Benny Ayala, Mets: Not until 1980 Topps, with the Orioles.
Nyls Nyman, White Sox: 1976 Topps. His only one.
Tommy Smith, Indians: 1977 Topps. As an airbrushed Mariner. Also his only solo Topps card.
Jerry Turner, Padres: 1977 Topps

Most successful player: Turner and Ayala both played 10 seasons, with Turner playing in more than 300 more games than Ayala. Turner also has slightly better stats. Even though Ayala got into a few postseason games with the Orioles as one of Earl Weaver's platoon favorites, I'll give the edge to Turner.

Most awesome middle name: Nyls Nyman already has the best first name. Throw in Rex and Wallace as your middle names and it's no contest. Also, where did John Webber Turner get "Jerry"?

Other blog stuff: The pink-yellow border combination becomes the third border combo with 50 cards. It is just two off the overall lead with a few more rookie cards to go.

#615 - 1975 Rookie Pitchers

Card fact: We've got back-to-back "rookie pitchers" cards here. Unlike the previous one, I believe everyone is wearing a non-airbrushed cap.

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

What I think about this card now: Hank Webb looks like he's just spotted the team mascot that has always freaked him out.

Other stuff: Each player's first solo card:

Pat Darcy, Reds: 1976 Topps
Dennis Leonard, Royals: 1976 Topps
Tom Underwood, Phillies: 1976 Topps (with a rookie cup!)
Hank Webb, Mets: 1976 Topps (his only solo Topps card)

Most successful player: Dennis Leonard was a three-time 20-game winner who won three postseason games. Tom Underwood, who died in November 2010, pitched for 11 seasons.

Most awesome middle name: Gaylon Matthew proves that more is better. Also, how cool is it that two players on this card have "Patrick Leonard" in their name?

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1975, the first seven Phillies who come to bat in a game against the Cubs get a hit against starter Bill Bonham to set  a major league record. Mike Schmidt hit a home run to make it 5-0 and send Bonham to the showers. The next batter, Johnny Oates, proceeds to single for the eight straight hit. Pitcher Dick Ruthven's sacrifice bunt is the first out.

#575 - Gene Clines

Card fact: Gene Clines is airbrushed into a Mets cap and uniform after being traded from the Pirates to the Mets on Oct. 22, 1975. The Pirates acquired catcher Duffy Dyer in the deal.

What I thought about this card then: No knowledge of it.

What I think about this card now: Clines had some mean sideburns. They grow even more impressive on his later cards.

Other stuff: Clines came up with Pittsburgh, and his best assets were his speed and defense. He played a part-time role on those perennial pennant-winners. His best season came in 1972 when he hit the crap out of the ball (.334/.369/.421). But he fell quickly after that and was dealt to the Mets.

From there, Clines skipped around from the Mets to the Rangers to the Cubs. His final season was with Chicago in 1979.

Afterward, Clines became a hitting and outfield coach for a number of teams, including the Cubs, Astros, Mariners and Giants. His stay with the Giants coincided with their trip to the World Series in 2002 and Clines was featured prominently, considering that Barry Bonds was one of his "pupils."

Clines is now a senior adviser for Player Development with the Dodgers. His main role is to assist the best Dodgers hitting prospects.

(EDIT: Clines died at age 75 of Jan. 27, 2022).

Back facts: I think Topps is being a little kind giving Clines a card number that ends in "5."

Other blog stuff: Two very key celebrities of the '70s were born on this date. Kris Kristofferson, who I knew at the time as an actor in sappy movies starring Barbra Streisand, is 75. "The Bionic Woman," Lindsay Wagner was born 62 years ago.

Also, I would be remiss if I did not mention that "The Muppet Movie" debuted on this date in 1979.

#565 - Joe Torre

Card fact: I hate to break it to you, but Joe Torre is not really wearing a Mets cap. He is airbrushed into the cap because he was traded from the Cardinals to the Mets on Oct. 13, 1974.

What I thought about this card then: I didn't see it. But I did associate Torre with the Mets for a long, long time, even though he was primarily a Brave and a Cardinal during his playing career.

What I think about this card now: Torre has a great card in the 1971 Topps set. This is the complete opposite of that.

Other stuff: Torre had a very good playing career, but nobody remembers that because he is fifth all-time in wins by a manager. Torre's stint with the Yankees, in which he won four World Series titles and appeared in six World Series overall, erased an overall perception of Torre as a great player, a decent broadcaster, and a mediocre manager. Up until his stay with the Yankees, he enjoyed moderate success managing the Braves and Cardinals, but that was overshadowed by his poor Mets teams of the late 1970s.

Torre came up with the Braves and was a catching all-star throughout the 1960s. He was traded to the Cardinals for Orlando Cepeda before the 1969 season and moved from behind the plate to first base and third. When he set up shop permanently at third base, his batting numbers soared. He enjoyed tremendous seasons in 1970 and 1971 and was named N.L. MVP in 1971.

Torre ended his playing career with three years with the Mets, and was a player-manager in his last season in 1977. His managing career ended 32 years later with the Dodgers. He's now executive president for baseball operations for MLB.

Back facts: Wow, that cartoon is full of information, isn't it? Johnny Blanchard was a part-time player for the Yankees who went 4-for-10 with two home runs in the 1961 World Series against the Reds.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1944, Joe Nuxhall became the youngest person to ever appear in a major league game, throwing 2/3s of an inning for the Reds at age 15 in an 18-0 loss to the Cardinals.

#445 - Felix Millan

Card fact: I've mentioned before that I suspect Topps tried to match the border colors with as many A's as possible. I have also mentioned the same suspicion with the Mets. This is the 13th out of 18 Mets cards that has at least one of the Mets colors featured in the border.

What I thought about this card then: Oh, boy, this was one of my early favorites as a kid. The Mets held a special place in the collecting world then, and I gravitated toward Felix Millan for some reason. I saw this card, but I didn't have it.

My friend, the Mets/Yankees fan, had the card, and because of him talking about Millan incessantly, we became very familiar with Millan's habit of choking up on the bat. He brought his hands up very far up on the bat handle (he had 121 sacrifice hits in his career). It would be very comical to see that practice from a player today.

What I think about this card now: Millan looks like he just spotted his mother-in-law.

Other stuff: Millan was just what you wanted from your second baseman in the 1960s and '70s. He played in a ton of games, piled up a ton of at-bats and a ton of singles, and was a Gold Glove fielder.

Millan started out with the Braves and was their second baseman until after the 1972 season when he was traded to the Mets. Millan finished out his career as the Mets' starter at second, but it came to an abrupt end. During a game in August of 1977, he was involved in a brawl with Pirates catcher Ed Ott. Ott slammed Millan to the ground, injuring his shoulder and Millan would never play another major league game.

During the late '70s, Millan played in Japan.

Back facts: Bob Heffner was the second pitcher to record three putouts in an inning when he did so in 1963. Jim Bagby of Boston was the first in 1940. Since those two, the feat has been matched by Rick Reuschel (1975), Jim Beattie (1978), Ed Lynch (1986), Mike Harkey (1990), Mike Hartley (1991), Jeff Innis (1991), Roger Clemens (1992), Bill Swift (1992), Jack Armstrong (1993) and Brian Meadows (1998).

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1994, Michael Jordan signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.

#421 - Mets/Yogi Berra

Card fact: This is not the most expensive checklist in the set, which surprised me when I was collecting it. I figured Yogi's face would boost the cost a tad.

What I thought about this card then: Not much. You know those team cards.

What I think about this card now: Lordy. How many players did the Mets have on their team? It looks like there's 70 people there. Also, the guy in the bottom right corner looks like he's wearing a Red Sox jacket.

Other stuff: Yogi Berra was in the third of his four years as Mets manager. It would not be a good one. The Mets had just come off a World Series appearance in 1973. But they went 71-91 in 1974, good for 5th in the N.L. East. Ace Tom Seaver dealt with hip issues and had an off-year. It would mark the beginning of the decline of the Mets, which would last until the mid-1980s. Berra would be replaced in 1975 and the Mets would finish dead last between 1977-79.

Back facts: There are three players on this checklist who did not play for the Mets in 1974. Gene Clines would come over in a trade for catcher Duffy Dyer. Bob Gallagher came to the Mets from the Astros in a deal for Ken Boswell. Joe Torre was dealt from the Cardinals to the Mets in the offseason for Ray Sadecki and Tommy Moore.

(EDIT: Yogi Berra died on Sept. 22, 2015).

Other blog stuff: How well did Topps represent the Mets of 1974 in its '75 set? Let's take a look.

New York put 37 players on the field in 1974. Topps featured 23 of them, including three players airbrushed into new non-Mets unforms -- Dyer, Sadecki and Boswell. Twenty-three players is not a lot. It's one of the smallest numbers for a team set so far.

But the only notable player left out of the set -- and I use "notable" very loosely -- is somebody named Dave Schneck, who had 254 at-bats as an outfielder for the '74 Mets. They would be the most at-bats in a three-year career for Schneck, and his final game would be on Oct. 1, 1974. A .205 batting average that year just didn't cut it with the Mets or with Topps.

Here is where the Mets rate with the other teams so far:

1. Tigers 78.37% of players featured
2. Orioles 78.13%
3. Dodgers 74.29%
4. Giants 71.43%
5. Indians 71.11%
6. Royals 70.59%
7. Red Sox 70.27%
8. Angels 68.89%
9. Expos 68.29%
10. Brewers 66.67%
11. Cardinals 65.12%
12. White Sox 65.0%
13. Phillies 62.5%
14. Mets 62.16%
15. Pirates 61.5%
16. Padres 55.8%

#406 - Bob Gallagher

Card fact: This is the final Topps card of Bob Gallagher's career. He had just two Topps cards. The '74 card was the other one.

What I thought about this card then: I vaguely recall seeing this card somewhere and being somewhat unsettled by Gallagher's unruly hair and his stare off into the distance.

What I think about this card now: I was not going to categorize this card as "airbrushed," since the photo angle hides any Astros logo. But I think there is some funny business going on with Gallagher's jersey, so I'm saying it's airbrushed.

Other stuff: Gallagher, whose grandfather played in the majors and managed the Red Sox, played just four years with only 255 at-bats. He came up with the Red Sox, spent most of his time with the Astros, and was traded to the Mets in the Ken Boswell deal  in October 1974. He played just 33 games for the Mets.

I always got Gallagher confused with "Dirty Al" Gallagher, who played around the same time. The non-dirty Gallagher became a high school teacher after his playing career.

(EDIT: Bob Gallagher died Aug. 14, 2024 at age 77)

Back facts: Any card that has a cartoon of a hippopotamus on the back rocks.

Other blog stuff: I could say that Carlton Fisk or Ozzie Smith were born on this date. But instead I'm going to say Mario Mendoza was born on this date 60 years ago! The namesake of the Mendoza line has yet to appear on this blog. It's always nice to look forward to something.

#395 - Bud Harrelson

Card fact: It has been 101 cards since the last red-blue bordered card. That might be a record. So far.

What I thought about this card then: I don't recall seeing it.

What I think about this card now: Bud Harrelson was known for being able to put down a sacrifice. But this is the only time that Topps showed him bunting or in a bunting pose during his career. That's too bad.

Also, what the heck is that structure in the background?

Other stuff: Harrelson was part of the Mets' first three pennant-winning teams, playing shortstop for the 1969 and 1973 World Series teams and working as a coach for the 1986 World Series team. As a shortstop, he was your typical good-field, sort-of-hit player that you found at the position in the 1970s.

As a kid, I knew Harrelson more as a Phillie, which is where he spent the end of his playing career (along with the Rangers). I also knew all about his fight with Pete Rose during the National League Championship Series in 1973. But I didn't know that the fight was started when Harrelson made a self-deprecating remark about his hitting, comparing how the Reds hit against Jon Matlack in the previous game to Harrelson's spartan batting skills. Apparently, Rose didn't like that. Harrelson wouldn't have known it though if Joe Morgan hadn't tattled the information to Harrelson that Rose wasn't happy. That may have touched off the fight when Rose went into second base on a double-play ball hit by Morgan.

Once again, Morgan doesn't know when to shut up.

After Harrelson's playing career, he went on to coach and manage the Mets into the early 1990s. He now owns an independent baseball team on Long Island.

(EDIT: Bud Harrelson died on Jan. 10, 2024 at age 79).

Back facts: I wonder how they got "Bud" out of Derrel McKinley Harrelson.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1926, a member of the Boys of Summer, Carl Erskine, was born. He is 84 years young today.

#370 - Tom Seaver

Card fact: The first sideways signature in the set. But it's not a terribly uncommon occurrence.

What I thought about this card then: I don't think I actually saw this card in person. I probably saw it in a magazine or other publication. I know it was a desirable-yet-unattainable card for me.

I've mentioned this before, but the first baseball glove I ever owned was a Tom Seaver model in 1976. I changed my favorite team to the Mets and my favorite player to Tom Seaver for one day, the day I received the glove. I quickly realized that was foolhardy and changed my favorite team back to the Dodgers. But for a long time after that, I hoped that Seaver would get traded to the Dodgers. It wasn't an unrealistic expectation, as there were rumors all the time in the '70s that Seaver would be traded to L.A. (he was originally drafted by the Dodgers).

What I think about this card now: The Mets have a lot of cool "hanging out by the batting cages" cards in this set. Unfortunately, the shadows detract a bit from the photo, although at the time I thought it added to the mystery and coolness of Seaver.

Other stuff: I often wonder what it was like to be a baseball fan during Seaver's breakout seasons in the late 1960s. By the time I knew who he was, in the mid-70s, he was an established star and the Mets were slowly sinking to the basement of the NL East. Still, it was major news when he was traded to the Reds in 1977. Dubbed the "Midnight Massacre" in New York, I still remember reading about it in the newspaper while seated on the floor of our living room.

As the years go on, Seaver's later years grow hazy. I barely remember his time with the White Sox, although I do recall being very happy that his 300th win came against the Yankees. I just had to look up the reason why Seaver didn't pitch in the postseason for the Red Sox in 1986, his final year. I forgot about the knee injury.

Seaver has worked off-and-on as a broadcaster, both for the Mets, Yankees and network television. Although he seemed capable, I wasn't a fan of his most recent stints with the Mets. He seemed to make every excuse to bash current players. He and Keith Hernandez would have a field day.

(EDIT: Tom Seaver died at age 75 on Aug. 31, 2020)

Back facts: I believe Tom Niedenfuer "blew up" in the 1985 NLCS against the Cardinals.

Seaver leads the National League in most seasons of 200-plus strikeouts with 10. Roger Clemens leads the American League with 11. Nolan Ryan is the overall leader with 15.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1974, Steve Garvey won the National League MVP award. Say what you want about Garvey, but there are a lot more Dodger fans out there because of him. (Yes, yes, he probably fathered some of them). And, yup, that is a good thing.

#324 - Ed Kranepool

Card fact: With this card, 12 of the 13 Mets cards shown so far feature colors that match with the Mets' colors. Either a border color, or the team lettering color, or both, is blue or orange. You can't say that about the other teams.

I think it's a plot. Topps always seemed to show favortism toward the New York teams. Usually, it's the Yankees. But in 1975, the Mets ruled New York.

What I thought about this card then: Ed Kranepool was my grandfather's favorite player. He would watch the Mets games, and on Sundays my family would come to visit and I'd plop down on the floor and watch Ralph Kiner, Lindsey Nelson and Bob Murphy broadcast the games. My grandfather didn't say much, so it was hard to tell who he liked and who he didn't. But I know he liked Kranepool.

I didn't have this card, but one of my Mets-loving friends had it. As with all Mets cards then, it was cool.

What I think about this card now: You have to be doing something right to wear the No. 7.

Other stuff: Growing up, it was just understood that Kranepool was "the man" among the Mets. He was the first notable player to come out of the Mets' organization. Even though he rarely held a starting role, he played with the Mets longer than anyone (18 seasons). He never played with another team. He still holds the team record for career games played.

Later in his career, his role was reduced to mostly that of a pinch-hitter. But he was still considered the heart of the Mets and always popular with Mets fans. It helped that he was born in the Bronx.

(EDIT: Kranepool died at age 79 on Sept. 8, 2024).

Back facts: "Emil," huh? I didn't know that.

Other blog stuff: Olivia Newton-John, who sang the No. 1 song "Have You Never Been Mellow" in 1975, was born on this date. She is 62. That's right. Miss "Let Me Hear Your Body Talk" is 62.

#290 - Jon Matlack

Card fact: This is one of several Mets cards in the set in which the player is posed near the batting cage. It's what makes many of the 1975 Mets cards so cool. Photos like that certainly take you out to the ol' ball game.

What I thought about this card then: Duh. It was cool.

What I think about this card now: It's still cool. Except now I notice that he's wearing his warm-up jacket under his uniform.

Other stuff: Jon Matlack was one of the Big 3 for the Mets in the early 1970s, along with Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman, that gave New York one of the best rotations in the game. He won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 1972, then proceeded to put up several good years for the Mets, finishing third in the N.L. in strikeouts in 1973 and in ERA in 1974. He was the co-MVP of the 1975 All-Star Game, along with Bill Madlock.

After a disappointing 1977, Matlack was traded to the Rangers in a massive four-team offseason deal. Matlack went on to finish second in the A.L. ERA race in 1978. His effectiveness began to decline after that and he ended his career in 1983. Later he coached in the majors and minors and is now the minor league pitching coordinator for the Tigers.

Back facts: I have never heard the "pull a rock" expression in all my years of watching baseball.

Also, Matlack's middle name is one of the all-time greats in the '75 set.

Other blog stuff: With this card, the "orange-brown" combination ties "green-light green," "purple-pink" and "pink-yellow" in a four-way tie for first place as the color combination used most often. All four have been featured 24 times.

#264 - John Milner

Card fact: OK, we have a doozy of a card fact for you today -- at least by my standards. Here it is:

This is the third of four straight cards in which John Milner is in the exact same pose. Topps had Milner pose the same way during the first four cards of his career. Here they are:

I think by 1975, Milner was saying, "can't you just re-use the one from last year?"

What I thought about this card then: I remember my friend -- the kid who had to have every Met AND Yankee card -- owned this card. Like most of the Mets cards of that year, it was cool because the Mets were still a cool team back in '75.

What I think about this card now: It looks a lot like the card of Milner from the previous year.

Other stuff: Milner was the Mets' regular first baseman in 1974, and he produced some decent power years for the Mets in the mid 1970s. His nickname was "the Hammer," just like another guy who played at that time. You might have heard of him. In fact, according to Milner's wiki page, Hank Aaron was Milner's hero.

Milner went to the Pirates in the huge four-team deal in December of 1977 that involved names like Willie Montanez, Al Oliver, Bert Blyleven and Jon Matlack. Milner became more of a role player and was a valuable member of the 1979 World Series champion Pirates, hitting .333 in the Series. Milner also played for the Expos.

He testified in the Pittsburgh drug trials in the mid-1980s, admitting to drug use. He died at age 50 from lung cancer.

Back facts: Not only did Tom Greenwade sign Mickey Mantle, he also signed Hank Bauer, Elston Howard, Bobby Murcer and Bill Virdon for the Yankees. And he helped persuade the Brooklyn Dodgers to bring Jackie Robinson into the major leagues.

Other blog stuff: Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter, was born on this date. She is 59.

#239 - George Stone

Card fact: This is the second-to-last card issued of George Stone during his playing career. He would appear on cards in the 1976 Topps and SSPC sets, but Stone didn't play in the majors after 1975.

What I thought about this card then: I distinctly remember pulling this card out of a pack as I walked along a city street in Binghamton, N.Y., returning home from the drug store. I liked the Mets a little bit when I was a kid, so I appreciated this card. I'm not sure what happened to the one that I pulled from the pack. When I went about completing the set a few years ago, finding this card brought back a flood of memories.

What I think about this card now: The card is not as I remember seeing it as a kid. It's obviously a sunny day in the photo, but my memory of the Stone card has him posing with a dark background.

Other stuff: George Stone pitched mostly as a starter for nine seasons in the major leagues, appearing in the 1969 NL playoffs for the Braves and the 1973 NL playoffs and World Series for the Mets. He was traded from the Braves to the Mets, along with Felix Millan, for Gary Gentry and Danny Frisella. That deal worked out pretty well for the Mets.

Stone spent much of the 1975 season on the disabled list. During February of 1976, he was traded to the Rangers for Bill Hands. But Stone didn't pitch for the Rangers.

Stone is the cousin of former major league pitcher Cecil Upshaw, which is mentioned on Upshaw's card. They played on the Braves together from 1967 to 1972.

Back facts: "Save" is not capitalized.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1981, the movie "Stripes" debuted. That's a fact, Jack.

#214 - Harry Parker

Card fact: This is the final card issued during Harry Parker's playing career. In fact, he had only two cards.

What I thought about this card then: Never saw it. And it took me a long time to nab this card when I was completing the set a few years ago. I'll never figure that out.

What I think about this card now: Oh, it's good to see tilted backgrounds back again. ... Other than that, I'm really trying not to make a Harry Potter/Harry Parker reference.

Other stuff: There is not a lot of information to be found on Mr. Parker, which is surprising since he was a regular reliever on the staff of the 1973 National League champion Mets. Parker didn't fair quite as well in 1974 and was traded to the Cardinals after a worse season in 1975. He ended his career with the Indians in 1976.

EDIT: Parker died on May 28, 2012.

Back facts: Lots of family talk on the back of this card between the Parkers and the Delahentys. Ed Delahenty is the most famous the Delahenty brothers and was one of the game's first great sluggers. He is probably most known for his death. He was mysteriously swept over Niagara Falls in 1903 after apparently being kicked off a train for being drunk and disruptive. The story has always intrigued me partly because I used to work in Niagara Falls and a lot of the places brought up in the story are familiar to me.

Other blog stuff: The No. 1 song in the country in this date was "Shining Star" by Earth, Wind and Fire. Shining star for you to see what your life can truly be. Yowwwwwwwww!

#182 - Don Hahn

Card fact: This is the final card in Don Hahn's major league career.

What I thought about this card then: When I was trying to complete this set back in 2004, I came across this card and the memories of me and my brother being horrified by Hahn's appearance came rushing back. I had completely forgotten about the card. I believe I may have let out a laugh when I saw It again.

What I think about this card now: Hahn's red hair matches very well with the border colors and the border colors match very well with the Mets colors. So, naturally, it follows that Hahn's hair matches well with the Mets colors. Is that what is known as harmonic convergence on a baseball card?

Other stuff: Hahn's career consisted of six years of part-time duty. The only season in which he came close to being a starter was 1974 when he had 323 at-bats in 110 games. He came up with the Montreal Expos and was in center field for the Expos' very first game.

Wikipedia mentions the game and, in one of its less kind moments, says: Hahn's first major league at-bat came in the second inning of the game; he struck out, which pretty much set the tone for his career.

Come on, give the guy a break.

Hahn didn't play for the Mets in 1975, but did play for three teams in his final year -- the Cardinals, Phillies and Padres.

Back facts: Hahn still holds the record for the most at-bats in a World Series game. His seven at-bats came in Game 2 of the 1973 World Series. The Mets beat the A's 10-7. Hahn went 1-for-7 and drove in a run.

Other blog stuff: Astros third baseman Pedro Feliz was born on this date in the very year we are celebrating. Happy 35th to Mr. Feliz.

#158 - Jerry Grote

Card fact: The 15th player in the set to be wearing a batting helmet. In case you're interested, Thurman Munson (card #20) was the first.

What I thought about this card then: I never saw it. Since Grote was a Met, I was vaguely aware of him, but not really until the Dodgers acquired him. At the time I was obsessed with whether you pronounced his name "Groat" or "Groatie."

What I think about this card now: Forget about that. Do you pronounce it "Groat" or "Groatie"?

Other stuff: Grote sealed his place in history as the primary catcher for the 1969 Mets pitching staff of Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, etc. He was always known as an excellent defensive catcher and Johnny Bench famously said, "If Grote and I were on the same team, I would be playing third base."

Grote wound up with the Dodgers during their World Series teams of 1977 and 1978. He retired after the '78 season, but returned in 1981 to play for the Royals. The Dodgers picked Grote up again in September of 1981. He played in two games, but didn't compete in the postseason for L.A., which won the World Series that year.

(EDIT: Jerry Grote died on April 7, 2024 at age 81).

Back facts: It is always cool to see "Colt .45s" listed on the back of a card. Even when it's Joe Morgan's card.

Other blog stuff: Players in this set celebrating birthdays on April Fool's Day are: Phil Niekro (age 71), Rusty Staub (age 66) and Willie Montanez (age 62).

#134 - Ron Hodges

Card fact: It's been exactly 50 cards since we last saw a yellow-light blue combo card. But that's not the record for the biggest gap between color combos. Several color combos have endured a longer drought already.

What I thought about this card then: I vaguely recall one of my friends having it, as they were both Mets fans. But I don't recall any specific thoughts.

What I think about this card now: Since I've never been a catcher, I've always wondered why catchers do that thing where they put their glove out in front of them and flat on the ground like Hodges is doing. Is that to encourage the pitcher to keep the ball low? You don't want them to throw it that low do you?

Other stuff: Ron Hodges and Fran Healy of the Yankees were my first acquaintance with the concept of the back-up catcher, since I watched mostly Mets and Yankees games as a kid. The back-up catcher fascinated me, probably because the catcher is such a focal point of a game, especially when you watch it on TV. Unlike other positions when another player would fill in for the starter, it was very apparent when another catcher was there besides John Stearns or Thurman Munson. I would really focus on the differences between how the back-up catcher operated as compared with the starting catcher.

Hodges played his entire 12-year career with the Mets. He reached 300 at-bats only once and many seasons didn't even come close to that total. A true back-up.

(EDIT: Ron Hodges died on Nov. 24, 2023 at age 74).

Back facts: Some context for the cartoon:

Bill Slayback was a pitcher for the Tigers in the early 1970s. His career didn't last that long. But he is also a singer and musician, who recorded a record called "Move Over Babe (Here Come's Henry)." The song was written by longtime Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell and received airplay back in 1974 when Hank Aaron surpassed Babe Ruth's home run mark.

If you weren't around in 1974, or were just a kid like I was, you probably had no clue what that cartoon meant.

Other blog stuff: Not much to report. The No. 1 song on this date in 1975 was "Best of My Love" by the Eagles.

#111 - Wayne Garrett

Card fact: The first card, I believe, in which a second player is featured prominently in the photo. I think that is John Milner. If I am correct, then Milner is stalking Garrett, because he also shows up in Garrett's 1976 Topps card.

What I thought about this card then: Finally, a card I saw back in 1975. My friend had this card because he hoarded Mets and Yankees. I thought any card in which the player was not posed was cool. So this card was dy-no-mite.

What I think about this card now: Did Topps pick this particular combination to match Garrett's red hair?

Other stuff: Young Mets and Yankees fans have this incredible ability to make their favorite players sound better than they are. I don't know why that is, but Garrett is an example of one of those guys who I thought was great because the many New York fans who surrounded me said so. It turns out he couldn't even hit .240 for his career. He also was The Blob of the 1973 World Series.

Also, Garrett's brother, Adrian, played in the majors. Adrian appears on Topps cards in 1974 and 1976, but misses out on the glorious 1975 set.

Back facts: Another "perhaps" in the write-up. The Topps guys didn't like to do research did they?

Other blog stuff: Pop history lesson: on this date in 1975, the Warren Beatty/Goldie Hawn movie "Shampoo" was released. It was the fourth biggest movie of that year.