#438 - Don Carrithers

Card fact: This is the second of six straight cards that I also have in mini form. That is a record so far.

What I thought about this card then: I remember it being one of my favorite mini cards. I don't know why.

What I think about this card now: The chaw makes a reappearance! I've been a little disappointed by how few players have displayed their filthy, disgusting habit on cardboard. Maybe Don Carrithers will inspire a few more now.

Other stuff: Carrithers was mostly a relief pitcher for the Giants and Expos between 1970-77. He played briefly for the Twins at the end of his career, which ended by the age of 28, mostly because he suffered from injuries throughout.

Carrithers was dealt from the Giants to the Expos in April of 1974. Carrithers is pictured here in Candlestick Park, which makes me suspicious. But he's definitely in a non-airbrushed Expos uniform.

Back facts: I often wonder when card backs read "Don's greatest baseball thrill was ..." whether it actually was the player's "greatest thrill" or whether Topps is feeding you a line.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1958, the fans' right to vote for starters in the All-Star Game was taken away by commissioner Ford Frick after Reds fans stuffed the ballots prior to the '57 All-Star Game. Bowie Kuhn returned the right to the fans in 1970.

#316 - Jackie Brown

Card fact: Surprisingly, even though there have been 82 players with the last name of "Brown" in the major leagues, this is one of just two players named Brown in the set. Two other players with that last name retired the year before this set came out.

What I thought about this card then: I've mentioned before how my brother and I liked the Rangers a lot in 1975. This was probably the most favorite of those Texas cards. I'm not sure why, but if I was pressed for a reason, I'd have to say it's the chaw in Jackie Brown's mouth. Yes, as kids, we were impressed by dirty, disgusting habits.

What I think about this card now: Well, other than being pleased that I can add a third person to the chaw list, the photo is rather disturbing if you stare at it a while. Brown has a glazed-over look on his face with the chaw jutting from his cheek. He looks like he's been zombified.

Other stuff: Brown was mostly a relief pitcher for seven seasons with the Senators, Rangers, Indians and Expos. The only seasons he did a lot of starting were in 1974 with the Rangers, '76 with the Indians and '77 with the Expos. His 1974 season was his best as he set several personal highs in stats, starting 26 games and winning 13 with 134 strikeouts.

After his playing career, Brown worked as a pitching coach for a number of major and minor league organizations.

Brown's brother, Paul, pitched in the majors in the early 1960s for the Phillies, the same team that signed Jackie.

(EDIT: Jackie Brown died on Jan. 8, 2017).

Back facts: Whether Topps did this by accident or on purpose, I like that the cartoon is about a "cowboy" on the back of a Rangers card. James Winford was a pitcher with a modest career in the 1930s with the Cardinals. He also played two games for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Other blog stuff: Here is the mini card that I pulled when I was a kid, featured next to the regular-sized card. I have no idea what I got on the card to create that blotch to the left of Brown's head. If we were pretending to chew tobacco and then spitting stuff on the card in imitation of Brown, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised.

#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.

#42 - Joe Coleman

Card fact: This is the first Tigers player presented in the 1975 Topps set. The first Tiger card was the team card/checklist.

What I thought about this card then: Another card that missed me as a kid. Because of that, I am woefully lacking in knowledge about a pitcher who won 20 games twice shortly before I started becoming interested in baseball. To this day, I confuse Coleman with Jerry Coleman, the former Yankees infielder and longtime baseball announcer.

What I think about this card then: I am officially keeping count of the number of players pictured with a chaw in their mouth. Here is #1.

Other stuff: Wikipedia says Coleman helped the Pirates win the 1979 World Series. Coleman pitched in 10 games for the Pirates in 1979, compiling a 6.02 ERA and did not pitch in the postseason.

(EDIT: Joe Coleman died at age 78 on July 9, 2025).

Back facts: I am quite sure that if I had this card as a kid, I would wonder who the "Nats" were.

Other blog stuff: This is the first tan-light blue color combo card. I have covered almost all of the color combinations. When I do, I will list each of them. And that's because I know you have all waited years to figure out how many combinations there are.