#313 - Leading Firemen

Card fact: This is the final league leader card in the set. I think the term "leading firemen" is just as dated as the color scheme in this set.

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

What I think about this card now: I still need it for my Dodger collection. Those are some far-out sideburns by Doc Marshall.

Other stuff: Calling relievers "firemen" was pretty common when I was collecting cards as a kid. Topps would use the term to sum up the league-leading relievers just about every year through the '70s and into the early '80s. In 1982, Topps stopped calling them "firemen" and merely listed Bruce Sutter and Rollie Fingers as 1981's "Leading Relievers." But then in 1983 and 1984, it was back to "Leading Firemen"!

Back facts: This was the formula that was used to determine the "leading firemen" at the time. They would add a pitcher's saves and his relief wins and come up with a total. I think now it's rather common knowledge that a relievers' wins doesn't say a lot about his success. Any card that shows league leaders for relief pitchers sticks to the pitchers with the most saves.

When I was young, I thought the people who came up with the "fireman formula" were the folks at Rolaids. They advertised the "Rolaids Relief Award" for the top relievers of the year and that formula was displayed in their advertisements. I thought that if it wasn't for Rolaids no one would even care about relievers. Rolaids had lifted the relief pitcher from an afterthought into someone worth recognizing!

Little did I know that it was just a gimmicky sponsorship thing.

Other stuff: Today is Gaylord Perry's 72nd birthday. You thought he was older, didn't you? Me, too.

#137 - Terry Forster

Card fact: The card facts are getting harder and harder to come by -- did you know Terry Forster is tied with Dave Collins for the most years spent in the big leagues for anyone born in South Dakota with 16? You do now.

What I thought about this card then: Not in my collection.

What I think about this card now: Forster has quite the hopeful expression on his face, especially considering the world is going downhill behind him.

Other stuff: Forster earned a quick reputation as a top-notch relief pitcher, spending just 10 games in the minor leagues, and leading the league in saves with 24 in 1974. Later, he was sent to the Pirates with Rich Gossage in a deal that brought Richie Zisk to the White Sox. Then he became one of the Dodgers' first signings of the free agent era.

Forster had a good first season for L.A., but then struggled with injuries. He's the guy that gave up the home run to the Giants' Joe Morgan in the final game of the 1982 season that knocked L.A. out the playoffs. Morgan famously pumped his arm while rounding the bases as if he had just won something -- when actually all he had won was a game and third place in the NL West standings. Nice work, Joe. The Dodgers still finished ahead of you. Oh, and your broadcasting sucks, too.

Later Forster became known for his weight and was called out by David Letterman on national television. Letterman dubbed Forster a "fat tub of goo." I remember watching Letterman at the time and marveling at what a random thing for Letterman to say, to just pick out this relief pitcher that few people knew and riff on his weight. But, as usual, it was funny.

Back facts: The cartoon doesn't say so, but I'm pretty sure those five 1-0 games by Carl Hubbell didn't involve any relief pitching.

Other blog stuff: A moment to acknowledge the passing of Willie Davis, one of the greatest outfielders the Dodgers ever had. An incredible natural talent. Goodbye 3-Dog.