#412 - Bill Hands

Card fact: Bill Hands is airbrushed into a Rangers cap. You can see he is still wearing his Minnesota Twins jersey. He seems none too pleased about the entire situation.

What I thought about this card then: I remember my brother having this card. We were struck by the look on Hands' face. He looked so angry.

What I think about this card now: Hands has about the same look on his face on his 1976 Topps card. They are the only cards in which he is featured as a Ranger. On all his other cards, he doesn't appear nearly as cranky. Coincidence? Did a Texas Ranger kill his father? We may never know.

Other stuff: Hands toiled in the minors for almost a decade before getting called up to the majors. In a big break, he was traded from the Giants to the Cubs. He became a key part of the Cubs' pitching staff of the late 1960s and won 20 games for the 1969 Cubs, the team that blew the pennant to the Miracle Mets.

Hands continued as a regular starter until he was traded to the Twins after the 1972 season. He played two years for Minnesota, then was acquired by the Rangers in 1974, where he finished out his career. After baseball, he worked in the oil business. He now lives on Long Island.

(EDIT: Bill Hands died on March 9, 2017).

Back facts: Hands actually wasn't deal to the Rangers. The Twins waived him and the Rangers picked him up.  But you can see that the date on which it happened probably threw Topps into a panic. Therefore, the crazy airbrushing.

Other blog stuff: Only one player in the set is celebrating a birthday today. It is Tito Fuentes, who is 67. His card happens to be arriving fairly soon. Rats, I barely missed out on a birthday posting yet again.

#410 - Mike Cuellar

Card fact: Mike Cuellar's name is misspelled "Cueller" on the front of the card. That is a major gaffe.

What I thought about this card then: I do remember my brother having this card. I probably traded it to him because it was an Oriole. I thought Cuellar looked very old. He was 37 at the time. Also, we never noticed the name misspelling.

What I think about this card now: That might be the tiniest signature in the entire set. I think they shrunk it down to fit it in the limited available space.

Other stuff: Cuellar was one of the best starting pitchers that you never hear about now. The Cuban native won 20 games four times within a six-year period. He won the 1969 Cy Young Award (in a tie with Denny McLain), and he could have won it a couple of other times.

Cuellar pitched in a number of big playoff games for the Orioles in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His performance in the 1969 World Series was stellar, despite Baltimore losing in five games to the New York Mets. He hit a grand slam in the ALCS against the Twins in 1970. In 1971, he was part of the only pitching staff to have four 20-game winners in the last 90 years.

Cuellar is now in the top five of several all-time statistical categories for the Orioles. He also pitched for the Reds, Cardinals, Astros and Angels.

Cuellar died from cancer at age 72 last April.

Back facts: It is nice for the cartoonist to apply a touch of realism to the drawing and give Mike Marshall a big ol' stache.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1975, the No. 1 song in the country was "Angie Baby," by Helen Reddy. What the hell was wrong with people then?

#385 - Dock Ellis

Card fact: Another blue-orange card. This is my favorite color border combination and it's really on a streak now with six of the last 22 cards being blue-orange.

What I thought about this card then: As I mentioned in a tribute post to Ellis after he died, this was a card that I first saw in my friend Jennifer's house. She collected some cards in 1975 and the Ellis card was my favorite of hers. I thought everything about the card was perfect. Finally, that same year, I obtained the mini card and didn't have to lust after someone else's card anymore.

What I think about this card now: Dock Ellis was a Junior? I never knew that.

Other stuff: So much has been written about Ellis in recent years that I'm sure everyone knows his colorful baseball story -- the no-hitter on LSD, the curlers in his hair, the charges of racism. Let's just say that Ellis was a damn good pitcher, but some other things got in the way, some of it his own doing, some of it not.

Back facts: I also mentioned before how cool it is that there is a cartoon about a doctor on the back of a card of someone named Dock. And yes, Dock was Dock's real first name.

Other blog stuff: If you have the regular-sized Dock Ellis card and the mini Dock Ellis card, then you must feature them together:

#383 - Jim York

Card fact: As you can see, this card is definitely miscut. The framed photo appears tilted within the colored borders. It's surprising how many of these I discover for the first time on the blog. For some reason they don't register when I look at them in my collection.

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

What I think about this card now: Jim York is an Astro, and if you've been following along you know that most of the Astros photos for this set appear to have been taken on the sun-baked open prairie. But the grass is in better shape behind York than in some of his teammates' photos. And you can actually see signs of life in the background.

Other stuff: York pitched seven years for the Royals, Astros and Yankees. He appeared in 174 games and started in just four. Most of his major league time was spent with the Astros after Houston acquired him in a trade for John Mayberry. Yes, that John Mayberry.

York went 16-17 for his career and finished up with New York in 1976. He was picked up by the White Sox late in the 1976 season but didn't pitch for them.

Back facts: Nothing like having Topps document one of the worst trades in Houston Astros franchise history on the back of your card. Mayberry had enjoyed three fine seasons for the Royals by this point, so everyone knew this was a dud deal.

Also "Dude" Esterbrook, whose real name was Thomas, played all the way back in the 19th century. He died 73 years before this cartoon hit the streets. Now that's some history learnin' by Topps.

Other blog stuff: This is the sixth blue-orange border combination in the last 20 cards. It's making a run, but it's still way behind overall leader orange-brown.

#379 - Bernie Carbo

Card fact: This is Bernie Carbo's first card in a Red Sox uniform. I don't count that horrid attempt by Topps to airbrush him into a Boston uniform in the '74 set. Just a brutal card.

What I thought about this card then: It was a personal favorite. I loved the batting cage action. I wrote about it once here. It reminds me of playing ball in the backyard.

What I think about this card now: Still a great card. I wonder if that is the press box in the top left corner.

Other stuff: Carbo was kind of a wild-and-crazy guy who started with the Reds, playing in the 1970 World Series and finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting. He then moved on to the Cardinals and then the Red Sox. While with Boston, he hit one of the most famous pinch-hit home runs in World Series history in 1975, delivering a three-run home run in the eighth inning to tie the game at 6-6 against the Reds in Game 6. Boston would later win on Carlton Fisk's home run in the 12th.

Carbo later confessed to taking drugs during the '75 World Series. His behavior (he hung around a lot with Bill Lee) helped get him traded to Milwaukee in the George Scott-Cecil Cooper deal. He later returned to Boston, but didn't stick around for long, bouncing between the Indians, Cardinals and Pirates.

Drug problems plagued him after his career, but he has been sober for more than 15 years. He worked as a hairstylist, but now runs a religious ministry and works in Red Sox alumni relations.

Back facts: I'd love to see someone try a true underhanded pitch.

Other blog stuff: The No. 1 song on this date in 1975 was "That's the Way I Like It" by K.C. and the Sunshine Band. I never liked that song. So that's NOT the way I like it.

#373 - Bill Sharp

Card fact: Bill Sharp received three Topps cards during his major league career. This is the second of the three.

What I thought about this card then: My brother had this card. It was not one of our favorite cards. But it wasn't one of the cards that we poked fun at in 1975. Just missed the cut, I guess.

What I think about this card now: I can see why we didn't like it as kids. The hair sticking up out of his cap is a little annoying.

Other stuff: Sharp was a defensive standout who was picked in the second round of the 1971 amateur draft by the White Sox. He started well during part of a season in 1973, and remained a regular in the outfield for the White Sox in 1974.

Chicago traded Sharp to Milwaukee in May of 1975. He continued to start for the Brewers into the 1976 season, when a knee injury began to affect his playing time. He didn't play in the majors after 1976.

Back facts: Topps likes the term "ballhawk." It was used in one of the cartoons earlier in the set. I also like Topps' long-winded praise of Sharp's defensive abilities.

Other blog stuff: Tom Seaver is 66 years old today. I just posted his card over the weekend. I'll feature a card of someone on his birthday yet!

#367 - Craig Robinson

Card fact: This is the last Topps card of Craig Robinson issued during his career. He only had two -- '74 and '75.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card. I thought he looked strange. I know it was because of those glasses.

What I think about this card now: That's an awfully regal pose for someone wearing those glasses and that uniform get-up.

Other stuff: Robinson was a backup infielder for the Phillies, Braves and Giants between 1972-77. He enjoyed one year of full-time duty, which was the primary reason why he received a card in this set. He played in 145 games and batted 504 times for the '74 Atlanta Braves. But he hit only .230.

The following year, he endured a season in which he hit a combined .065 for two teams. Topps must've thought "enough of that" and stopped issuing cards of him, even though he career lasted through the 1977 season.

Back facts: This cartoon always confused me. Why is Billy Martin receiving a trophy of a giant thumb? Is it because he got thrown out of a lot of games? I'm guessing that's it, but I'm sure it stumped a few people.

UPI, by the way, is United Press International. It used to be as big a deal as the Associated Press. It ain't anymore.

Other blog stuff: This is the third "blue-orange" bordered card in the last five cards. These color combinations tend to come in clumps. I'm not familiar enough with 1970s printing habits to know why that is, but I'd sure like an answer if anyone knows.

#365 - Bob Bailey

Card fact: This is the first player to feature the "3B-OF" designation on his card. It's not a super-rare position combination. Pete Rose was playing both positions at about the same time. And the current third baseman on my most favorite team could be headed in the same direction next season.

But it was rare enough for me to look through all the previous cards to see if it had shown up yet. The things I do for you people.

What I thought about this card then: I thought Bob Bailey was 53 years old. It turns out he was only 32 at the time of this photo.

What I think about this card now: I believe that might be a Coca-Cola billboard off in the distance. The Coke ads like to appear in the Expos cards.

Other stuff: Bailey was a bonus baby, signed for a heap of cash out of high school by the Pirates. He became known as a decent hitter with power but not much of a fielder. After a few quality years for the Pirates, he was traded to the Dodgers in the deal that sent Maury Wills to Pittsburgh. Bailey proceeded to hit .227 in back-to-back seasons with the Dodgers (73 hits in 322 at-bats each year). The expansion Expos then purchased Bailey.

With Montreal, Bailey enjoyed his best seasons, become a regular power hitter for the Expos. By the time his career ended in 1977, he held several franchise records for the Expos. He later went into coaching.

(EDIT: Bailey died on Jan. 9, 2018).

Back facts: Will White was a pitcher between 1877-1886. He had some interesting won-loss records. His nickname was "Whoop-La." I don't know what that has to do with glasses either.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1990, Darryl Strawberry signed with the Dodgers, beginning a very uncomfortable three-year period for this Dodgers fan.

#363 - Carmen Fanzone

Card fact: This is the last Topps card of Carmen Fanzone issued during his career. He had only three.

What I thought about this card then: Never saw it. This was one of those players who was absolutely not in my consciousness until I returned to the hobby and started to collect the entire 1975 set in 2004.

What I think about this card now: Well, you've got to start with the mustache. ... and you've got to end with the mustache.

Also, I'm wondering how you pronounce his name. Is it "Fan-ZONE" like "the ESPN fan zone" or is it a more ethnic pronunciation? Please tell me it has nothing to do with ESPN.

Other stuff: Fanzone was a utility player, mostly for the Cubs, for five seasons. He was rather popular, which strikes me as a strictly Cub-fan thing. They seem to gravitate toward the mediocre players. But Fanzone was very good at playing a variety of positions, and did have one semi-decent year in 1973.

His popularity seemed to come from his ability to play the horn. He played the National Anthem before Cubs games and went into the jazz music profession after his career ended. He is married to a Grammy-winning jazz vocalist.

Back facts: That cartoon is ... uh ... different.

Also, I enjoy write-ups like this in which the writer is desperately trying to avoid mentioning the player's drawbacks. Fanzone is "ready and able to jump into any spot and do the job." That is, as long as you don't ask him to hit more than .224 for his career.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1974, Mike Marshall became the first relief pitcher to receive the Cy Young Award.

#300 - Reggie Jackson

Card fact: This is the first time in Reggie Jackson's career that he received the honor of getting a card number ending in a double zero. With the exception of the 1977 set, when he received card No. 10, Jackson would have a card number ending in double zero in every Topps flagship issue for the rest of his career.

What I thought about this card then: I recall having a Jackson card that had been ripped into pieces and then taped back together. Without remembering the whole story (probably because I blocked it out), I know the destruction of the card had something to do with a friend of mine who was a big A's fan, but not a very pleasant kid. I don't know whatever happened to him, but I'm quite sure he ended up having a prison record. Anyway, he probably ripped it up in some sort of jealous fit.

This card is probably in the top five cards I think of when I think of the first set I ever collected. It was a super cool card. It helped that the blue-orange border was my favorite color border in the set.

What I think about this card now: This seems to be the first card in which Jackson was presented as a larger-than-life hero. Topps took a tight action picture, shot from under Jackson, making him seem big, bad and awesome to all the little collecting kiddies.

Other stuff: I don't think I need to recite Jackson's bio. The guy was the biggest deal in sports when I became familiar with baseball and stayed that way for more than a decade. He was the guy all Yankee haters loved to hate, but there was always part of me that liked him, because he spoke intelligently, even if half of what he said was outrageous. Even as a youngster, I admired people who spoke their mind, and Jackson certainly did that.

Today, when I see him, I forget about all the Yankeeness and laughing at him as he spun down on one knee after whiffing at a pitch. I see a former great, who I like -- even if he did do an awful lot of whining back in the day.

Back facts: I cannot read "Reginald Martinez Jackson" without hearing it in Howard Cosell's voice.

Other blog stuff: We've gone through another 100 cards, so it's time for another inventory session. And we're off:

1. COLOR COMBINATIONS

"Orange-brown," which was tied for the lead after 200 cards, has moved into sole possession of first after 300 cards:

Orange-brown: 25
Green-light green: 24
Pink-yellow: 24
Purple-pink: 24
Green-purple: 23
Yellow-red: 20
Red-blue: 17
Yellow-light blue: 15
Blue-orange: 13
Brown-tan: 13
Red-orange: 13
Red-yellow: 13
Tan-light blue: 13
Orange-yellow: 12
Yellow-green: 12
Brown-orange: 11
Green-yellow: 11
Light blue-green: 11

2. POWDER BLUE UNIFORMS

Added 14 more for a total of 38 so far.

3. LOOKING UP

Not a single player looking up in the last 100 cards. That's hard to believe -- perhaps I missed one or two. But for now, I'll say that we're still at 9 guys looking to the heavens.

4. DUDE LOOKS LIKE A LADY

I added two more dudes who looked like dudettes to me, for a grand total of 8.

5. DECEASED

Twenty-eight players in this set have passed on, including 11 in the last 100 cards.

6. CHAW

Hurray! Joe Coleman has company! Ed Herrmann has been added to the list for 2 players not afraid to display that tobacco bulge.

7. MLB SONS

Seven more players in this set had sons who also played in the majors. So there are 15 total at this point.

8. ROOKIE CUP/ALL-STARS

6/7

9. MOST POPULAR FIRST NAME

Dave/David remains the leader with 15, but Bill and Jim are catching up.

10. MINIS

34 cards of the first 300 I have in mini form for 11 percent. I may have missed one or two of these, too. When I get the time, I'll double-check. But seeing as I barely have the time for this, that probably won't happen.

OK, on to the rest of the set. Next up is a guy whose name has reappeared a few other times in major league history.

#292 - Ron Schueler

Card fact: This is Ron Schueler's first card in an actual Phillies uniform as he was traded from the Braves to the Phillies in December 1973. Topps featured Schueler in its TRADED set in 1974 -- capless and airbrushed into a Phillies jersey.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card. I thought he was a weird looking dude.

What I think of this card now: It's evident by his pitching pose that Schueler is a tall man. He's 6-foot-4, although he looks taller to me in the photo.

Other stuff: Schueler started out as a starting pitcher for the Braves and then the Phillies. But after some difficulty as a starter during the 1974 season, he was converted to a reliever (he'd still start ocassionally). He remained chiefly a reliever until the end of his career, which was in 1979.

Schueler then became a pitching coach for the White Sox, A's and Pirates before moving into the front office with the A's and then with the White Sox. He was the White Sox general manager for 10 years before being replaced by current White Sox GM Kenny Williams. Since then he's worked in scouting and assistant administrative roles with the Cubs, Cardinals and now the Nationals.

Schueler's daughter, Karey, was the first woman to be selected in the major league draft. A pitcher, she was drafted by the White Sox in the 43rd round in 1993 but never signed.

By the way, wikipedia says her name is "Carey," but there are numerous other references to "Karey." Meanwhile, Ron Schueler's wikipedia page mentions he has two kids, Jennifer and Christina. But no mention of Karey. Or Carey. Got to love wikipedia.

Back facts: Now that's a baseball expression I've heard of before.

Other blog stuff: Let's see the regular card next to the mini card. That's always fun:

#242 - Jay Johnstone

Card fact: Jay Johnstone returns to Topps' set after being featured from 1967-72 but not in 1973 and 1974.

What I thought about this card then: Never saw it. The first Johnstone card I saw was the following year, 1976.

What I think about this card now: It's appropriate that Candlestick Park is tilted on the card of a known "flake."

Other stuff: Johnstone is another one of those flakey baseball characters from the 1970s and 1980s. Johnstone played nearly 20 years and bounced around between eight teams, but he received much of his publicity during the three-plus years he spent with the Dodgers. As part of a goofball foursome that included Rick Monday, Jerry Reuss and Steve Yeager, Johnstone was the head prankster on L.A.'s teams of the early 1980s.

Johnstone was known for harrassing manager Tommy Lasorda -- he once replaced all of the photos of celebrities in Lasorda's office with pictures of himself, Reuss and reliever Don Stanhouse. He seemed to enjoy dressing up in goofy costumes, and the first time I remember hearing about a teammate nailing another teammate's cleats to the floor, Johnstone was the perpetrator.

Johnstone also made an impact on the field. He was a solid-hitting role player who enjoyed several above .300 seasons. He delivered a pinch-hit homer in Game 4 of the 1981 World Series against the Yankees that helped the Dodgers rally to win that game. Johnstone later worked as a baseball announcer.

Johnstone also appeared in a couple of movies, including a short appearance in "The Naked Gun." Personally, I think he would have been a dead-ringer for Murdock in "The A-Team" movie.

(EDIT: Johnstone died Sept. 26, 2020 at age 74).

Back facts: I'm not sure what happened with Johnstone in the 1973 and 1974 seasons. He played very sparingly in 1973 with Oakland after being released by the White Sox. The Cardinals purchased him in the winter of 1974, then released him, and Johnstone was signed by the Phillies in April. But the write-up on the card says he joined the Phillies in July. Perhaps he was in the minors? I'm too sleepy to research it.

Other blog stuff: A good day for the Orioles on this date in 1975. Catcher Dave Duncan hit four consecutive doubles to tie a major league record in an 8-2 victory over the first-place Red Sox. In the same game, a liner off the bat of Tony Muser broke the cheek bone of Red Sox pitcher Dick Pole. Meanwhile, the Brewers rallied with two runs in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Yankees 5-4.

#229 - Barry Foote

Card fact: This is Barry Foote's most excellent first solo card.

What I thought about this card then: Remember last post when I said that I recall ordering another card along with the George Brett card? Well, this is the card. By a total coincidence, the two cards are numbered back-to-back.

The reason I specifically ordered a card of a back-up catcher comes out of my first visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame in either 1975 or 1976. There was a display of the entire 1975 set in a downstairs floor of the Hall. I soaked up all the cards and I specifically noted the Foote card. I thought the game "action" in the photo was totally cool. I admired the memory of that card for a long time. And when I got old enough to earn money and order cards through the mail, this is one of the cards I ordered. Youth wasted on the young, I guess you could say.

What I think about this card now: I wish I could determine who that player was behind Foote. Also, this is another one of many Topps cards taken in San Francisco's Candlestick Park.

Other stuff: Barry Foote started out as a starting catcher for the still fledgling Expos, but after a few years he settled into a backup role. Except for 1979, when he caught for the Cubs, most of Foote's post-1976 years were spent as a backup catcher for various teams through 1982. He later became a coach and a manager.

Back facts: Apparently, Sal Durante wore his Sunday best to catch Roger Maris' 61st home run.

Other blog stuff: Time to add the catcher to the Topps All-Rookie team for 1974:

1B - Mike Hargrove

2B - ?
3B - Bill Madlock
SS - ?
OF - Bake McBride
OF - ?
OF - ?
C - Barry Foote
P - Frank Tanana

I do believe we've come to our first weak link on the team.

#224 - Ramon Hernandez

Card fact: Difficult to find a card fact here. I'll just go with a player fact and say that this is the first of two people named Ramon Hernandez to play major league baseball. The second is the former catcher for the A's, Orioles, Reds, etc.

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

What I think about this card now: First, I'm really hoping that is a motel in the background. Second, that is one funky "Z" at the end of Hernandez's name.

Other stuff: We've come to one of those players that I don't know very well. Fortunately, I came across this post, in which the author goes through a lot of detail on Hernandez. He was a successful reliever for the Pirates' pennant-winning teams of the early 1970s. I particularly enjoy the part that says that Don Zimmer was scared of Hernandez because he didn't smile, didn't say much and carried a gun.

Hernandez lasted with the Pirates until 1976, then finished up his career with the Cubs and Red Sox, exiting in 1978.

Back fact: You have to love those switch-hitting pitchers.

Also, there is a typo in the write-up. It should say "Signed 1st in 1959."

Other blog stuff: Dave Parker -- otherwise known as 1975 Topps card No. 29 -- is celebrating his 59th birthday today.

#219 - Ed Herrmann

Card fact: This is the first card in the set that shows a player without a cap (excluding the MVP subset). Will it be the only one? I don't know. I'm too lazy to look. I'll just say I want to be surprised.

What I thought about this card then: Didn't see it. No doubt, I would have thought it was cool as it was a rare candid shot.

What I think about this card now: Nice flowing mane there.

Other stuff: My main knowledge of Herrmann as a young collector was repeatedly pulling his 1978 Topps card (then with the Astros). Herrmann was one of those double-printed cards from that year.

Herrmann spent the first seven years of his career with the White Sox. In fact, this is the last card of him with the White Sox. He'd be traded to the Yankees just before the start of the 1975 and then become a journeyman catcher after that.

(EDIT: Hermann died on Dec. 22, 2013).

Back facts: The black mark in the top corner is from a marker. I didn't mark it, so I can't tell you more.

I looked up Herrmann's "three double play game" from 1972. It was against the Orioles. The White Sox actually lost the game 2-1. Pat Dobson threw a three-hitter. Dick Allen had the White Sox's only run on a homer in the first inning. Throw in Herrmann's three double plays and the fact that the game was done in 1:54, and that was one awesome 4th of July.

Other blog stuff: The No. 1 song on this date in 1975 was "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" by Freddy Fender. As a kid I always wondered why he suddenly started singing in Spanish in the middle of the song.

#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.

#166 - Woodie Fryman

Card fact: This color combination is the least common one so far. This is just the sixth "blue-orange" card.

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

What I think about this card now: You know when you look at a word over and over again and soon it doesn't make sense to you anymore? That's how I feel when I stare at these fake pitching poses that appeared over and over on cards in the '70s. After awhile, Fryman just looks like some strange robot marching stiffly toward his victim. Yes, I know that doesn't make sense. That's what I'm trying to tell you.

Other stuff: Fryman pitched for a long period for the Phillies and then for the Tigers. He was a big part of the Tigers' drive toward the American League East pennant in 1972. He also pitched for the Pirates and Reds and Cubs.

But I don't remember any of that. I remember Fryman as an Expo. During the 1981 postseason, Fryman was over 40 years old and an effective and beloved reliever for Montreal. The city loved him. ABC loved him. I remember Howard Cosell babbling on and on about Fryman, the farmer's son from Kentucky, during the Expos' division series with the Dodgers. After awhile, I had had enough. I was sick of hearing about it. I didn't like Fryman anymore and I was delighted when he got lit up by the Dodgers in Game 4 of the series. Of course, Rick Monday sent Montreal home for the season with his home run in the next game.

Take that, Cosell.

Fryman operated a farm in Kentucky until his death in Feb. 2011 at age 70.

No offense, Woodie, but I'm glad the Dodgers got that ring.

Back facts: You can see from the stats that Fryman was exclusively a starter at this stage. He didn't become a full-time reliever until his days with the Expos.

Also, Fryman shares my dad's birthday.

Other blog stuff: Ken Griffey Jr.'s dad, a fair player himself, is 60 years old today.

#148 - Jim Rooker

Card fact: In contrast to the green-light green color combo, the blue-orange combo has been one of the least-used combos so far. I believe only the tan-light blue combination has appeared fewer times.

What I thought about this card then: Nothing.

What I think about this card now: There are a few photos in this set that are taken in this location. I am puzzled as to where they are in the ballpark. Is that strip of green the back fence? Is that strip of brown the warning track? Is that Candlestick Park? I suppose if everything wasn't tilted I wouldn't be so disoriented.

Other stuff: Jim Rooker was a steady contributor to the starting staff for the Pirates teams of the 1970s. His best season might have been his 1974 season, finishing with career highs in ERA, strikeouts and wins. Rooker also started Game 5 of the 1979 World Series, even though he was a limited contributor for the team that year. The Pirates were down 3 games to 1 to the Orioles at that point, but they went on to win that game and the next two to claim the Series.

Rooker is probably best known to recent fans as the broadcaster who, after watching the Pirates put up a 10-spot in the first inning against the Phillies in Philadelphia, said on the air that if the Pirates didn't win the game, he would walk home. Well, the Pirates blew the game. After the season, Rooker walked for charity, from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh.

Rooker also writes children's books, had a political career and cares for dogs. I'm exhausted just listing all the stuff he does.

Back facts: I wonder how 131 players compares to how many players make their major league debuts per year these days. I'm sure it's more. A lot more.

Other blog stuff: Happy birthday to former Dodger pitcher Ramon Martinez (Pedro's big brother). He's 42 years old today. But the only birthday I'll be celebrating today will be my daughter's.

#114 - Dick Lange

Card fact: This is the middle card in Dick Lange's card trilogy. He debuted in the 1974 Topps set and closed in the 1976 Topps set. His entire career encapsulated in three tidy cards.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card -- I had a lot of Angels mini cards for some reason -- and I wondered why Lange's photo was taken from so far away.

What I think about this card now: The same thing I thought about then. Why so far away? He wasn't a tall guy -- just 5-foot-10. The thing that make it even more puzzling to me, is he is posed in a similar fashion on his 1976 card and positioned just as far away -- except on the '76 card he's wearing longer hair and a mustache.

The mountains in the background are a nice touch. I like those Catcus League shots. I've never been anywhere near Arizona so it seems rather exotic to me.

Other stuff: There is precious little to be found about Lange. He stood out in the minor leagues, but couldn't stick in the big leagues. His 1974 season was his best, but the Angels were lousy then and his record wasn't great. He was done with the majors at 28 years old.

Back facts: Hey! A cartoon about a Dodger! That always fills me with pride. ... Also, there are a lot of enjoyable middle names in the 1975 set. Otto is one of them.

Other blog stuff: Damaso Marte, the former White Sox reliever, was born on this date in 1975. It is also my brother's birthday.

#96 - Mike Cosgrove

Card fact: This is Mike Cosgrove's rookie card.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card, but I didn't give it much thought other than that it was so cute (the card, not the guy). But this card horrified me. What a change!

What I think about this card now: I'm not sure where Cosgrove is in relation to the distant basepath and backstop in the background. He may be way out in the outfield somewhere. A perfectly logical place to throw a pitch. Oh, and the grass needs watering.

Other stuff: Cosgrove had a brief four-year career for the Astros. He has just three Topps cards. He was drafted away from the Astros by the Indians in the Rule 5 draft and then was acquired by the Blue Jays through the ominous-sounding "unknown transaction." But he never did play for anyone other than the Astros.

Also, Cardboard Gods did a nice examination of the contrast between Cosgrove's '75 and '76 cards.

Back facts: Topps kind of faked out collectors with the cartoon trivia question. A little cheap, if you ask me. Wearing numbers on baseball uniforms was sporadic until the 1920s and didn't catch on with every single team until the 1930s.

Other blog stuff: Nothing bloggy today. The No. 1 song in the country on this date in 1975 was "Please Mr. Postman" by the Carpenters. Yeah, really.