#646 - Checklist, 529-660

Card fact: This is the final checklist card in the set.

What I thought about this card then: No idea.

What I think about this card now: Nothing that I haven't said already. Checklists don't exactly evoke deep thoughts.

Other stuff: The pink-yellow border combination moves into sole possession of first place with its 55th card in the set.

Back facts: I kind of don't like showing the back of this card. It gives you a look at the final cards in the set that I haven't covered. I wanted it to be a surprise.

Other blog stuff: You're going to have to stare at the checklist for a little while longer. I won't be posting on Sunday in memory of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. I'll be back Monday.

#634 - Cy Acosta

Card fact: This is the final Topps card of Cy Acosta.

What I thought about this card then: I had no idea Acosta existed.

What I think about this card now: I'm fairly certain that this photo is from the same photo shoot as Acosta's 1974 Topps card. In that photo, he is wearing the road White Sox uniform while standing near a dugout.

Other stuff: Acosta is the only player named "Cy" since the mid-20th century (his actual first name is Cecilio). As you might know, "Cy" was a pretty common name for ballplayers during the 19th and early 20th century.

Acosta came to the White Sox from the Mexican League. He was used as a reliever and enjoyed a decent season for Chicago in 1973, pitching in 48 games with a 2.23 ERA, 10 victories and 18 saves. But he didn't fair as well in '74 and was purchased by the Phillies before the 1975 season. He played in six games for Philadelphia.

After '75, Acosta returned to the Mexican League and pitched there until 1986.

Acosta is also known as the first American League pitcher to bat after the designated hitter was installed. In 1973, DH Tony Muser was used as a defensive replacement for Dick Allen in the eighth inning. Allen was not used as the DH, and Acosta struck out in his at-bat.

Back facts: Players with Mexican League stats fascinated me as a kid. All those strange team names.

Other blog stuff: The pink-yellow border combination moves into the overall lead with its 54th card.

#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.

#623 - 1975 Rookie Infielders

Card fact: I'm trying to determine whether Phil Garner is airbrushed into an A's cap and uniform. Something doesn't look quite right, but Garner came up with Oakland. Perhaps he is actually wearing a minor league uniform. He played in Tucson most of the 1974 season.

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

What I think about this card now: Keith Hernandez looks like a whole other human being. Tom Veryzer is definitely a "dude looks like a lady" candidate.

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

Phil Garner, A's: 1976 Topps (great card)
Keith Hernandez, Cardinals: 1976 Topps
Bob Sheldon, Brewers: 1976 Topps (his only one)
Tom Veryzer, Tigers: 1976 Topps (with the rookie cup)

(EDIT: Tom Veryzer died at age 61 on July 7, 2014) 
(EDIT: Phil Garner died at age 76 on April 11, 2026)

Most successful career: If you combine "Scrap Iron" Phil Garner's playing career with his managing career, he has an argument. But Keith Hernandez easily is the best of the four players.

Most awesome middle name: For the first time, we have a player without a middle name on these rookie cards. That was always awesome to me, so I'm going with Keith Hernandez.

Other blog stuff: The pink-yellow border combination has tied the orange-brown and green-purple combinations for the overall lead with 52 cards each.

#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!

#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.

#618 - 1975 Rookie Pitchers

Card fact: Scott McGregor is featured as a Yankee on this card, but he never pitched in the majors for the Yankees. He was dealt to Baltimore before his big-league playing career began.

What I thought about this card then: No knowledge of it. It took me a long time to figure out that there were Dodgers on these 4-player rookie cards.

What I think about this card now: I think it'd be both cool and creepy if Topps arranged it so the players on these cards were staring directly at each other. You see that Easterly is attempting to do so, but Johnson will have none of it.

Also, both Easterly and Johnson were on future cards in which my brothers and I looked at the backs and said promptly, "holy crap, look at that ERA! He's not good!" Easterly, though pitched for 13 seasons.

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

Jamie Easterly, Braves: 1976 Topps
Tom Johnson, Twins: 1976 Topps
Scott McGregor, Yankees: 1978 Topps
Rick Rhoden, Dodgers, 1976 Topps

Most successful player: A slight edge to Rhoden over McGregor as Rhoden has a slim advantage in most career stats and pitched a few more years. Throw in Rhoden's golfing career, and his success skyrockets.

Most awesome middle name: McGregor should have insisted on at least ending his career with the Astros.

Other blog stuff: I apologize for skipping out on you the last few days. Usually I try to give some warning, but vacation departure came a lot quicker than originally planned. I should be back for awhile now.

#616 - 1975 Rookie Outfielders

Card fact: The first pink-yellow rookie card also is one of the more coveted rookie cards in the entire 1975 set, as it's Jim Rice's rookie card.

What I thought about this card then: I vaguely recall seeing it. But not because of Jim Rice. I only recall the two guys on the top, Dave Augustine and Pepe Mangual.

What I think about this card now: This card wasn't terribly difficult to obtain. There is another rookie card coming up that was more of a chore finding.

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

Dave Augustine, Pirates: Never had one.
Pepe Mangual, Expos: 1976 Topps
Jim Rice, Red Sox: 1976 Topps (with a rookie cup)
John Scott, Padres: 1978 Topps (his only one, as a member of the Blue Jays)

Most successful player: Rice is in the Hall of Fame.

Most awesome middle name: Jose "Pepe" Manuel Mangual seems like a mouthful. I'll go with that one.

Other blog stuff: Former Mets pitcher Victor Zambrano was born on this date in 1975. Remember him?

#557 - Larry Gura

Card fact: Larry Gura is likely wearing Cubs garb in this photo. He hadn't played for the Cubs since the 1973 season as he was traded in the offseason from the Cubs to the Rangers. He never played for the Rangers and was traded in May of 1974 to the Yankees. It appears Topps couldn't get a photo of Gura in a Yankee uniform and went with an older picture.

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

What I think about this card now: That seems to me an unusual way to write an L.

Other stuff: Gura, who would go on to be one of the best pitchers the Royals ever had, was another one of my friend Jeff's favorites when I was kid. For Jeff, it was Amos Otis and Larry Gura all the time. But before Gura arrived with the Royals, he struggled to stay in the majors with the Cubs and the Yankees.

After the Yankees dealt Gura to the Royals in May of 1976, he found his stride. In 1978, he was 16-4 and a regular starter during the Royals pennant-winning teams of the late '70s. As luck would have it, Gura ended up facing his former team, the Yankees, in the playoffs in 1976, 77, 78 and '80. Gura famously ripped Yankees manager Billy Martin during the '76 playoffs for treating him harshly during his stay with the Yankees (Martin, it is said, didn't respect Gura's stuff or training habits). Martin would refuse to start him.

Gura eventually became known as a Yankee killer in his career, finishing 11-6 against them, including six straight wins between 1979-80. In 1980 and '82, he won 18 games for Kansas City, and was an All-Star in 1980.

Gura pitched until 1985, finishing his career back with the Cubs, where he started.

Back facts: The write-up reads like a Topps apology for not getting Gura in a Yankees uniform:

"You see, Larry started 1974 in Spokane, and THEN he came to the Yankees in a trade and spent time at SYRACUSE. Then he joined the Yankees LATE in the season.'

Other blog stuff: I recently received a generous package of 1975 Topps upgrades from wobs of the terrifically informative 1974 Topps - Pennant Fever blog.

Great stuff:

Nolan Ryan! FTW!

Thanks, wobs!

#540 - Lou Brock

Card fact: This is the third and final card of Lou Brock in the set.

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

What I think about this card now: It makes me think of how I acquired it. When I was attempting to complete the 1975 set back in 2003/04, the Brock card was one of the first "big cards" from the set that I obtained. I gained it in a trade with a co-worker, and am still amazed by how little he wanted for it, and by how great the card looks. It's in terrific shape.

Other stuff: Well, you all know about Lou Brock, don't you? Saying that he was the bridge between Maury Wills and Rickey Henderson sounds like an insult. So, I'll just say that Lou Brock was THE king of the stolen base when I was a child. He studied the art of stealing more than anyone, and back when I was a kid, they wrote odes to his base-stealing ability. I addressed most of my childhood knowledge of the man in one of the first posts on this blog.

Brock was at the height of his popularity in 1975, after just setting the single-season record of 118 stolen bases in 1974. Of course, he finished with more than 3,000 hits and was a shoo-in to the Hall of Fame. But I think Brock doesn't get a lot of attention these days, compared with some of the past greats.

(EDIT: Lou Brock died at age 81 on Sept. 6, 2020).

Back facts: Topps lobs a softball on the trivia question.

Other blog stuff: The pink-yellow color combination reties the orange-brown color combo for the overall lead with 46 cards each. It's a back-and-forth race now.

#537 - Tommy Harper

Card fact: With this card, the pink-yellow border combination moves into a first-place tie with the orange-brown border combination with 45 cards apiece. Whether this is a pivotal point in the great two-tone color border combination race remains to be seen.

What I thought about this card then: My brother had it. I believe it was a mini card. And it had creases in it.

What I think about this card now: You can't get happier than this card. Sunny disposition, sunny day, sunny border combination.

Other stuff: Tommy Harper played for eight teams during a 15-year career. He made the most impact with the  Reds, Red Sox, and in his one year with the Pilots. Harper broke out with the Reds in 1965, leading the league in runs scored (in 645 at-bats), and was Cincinnati's leadoff hitter for the next three years.

After being selected by Seattle in the expansion draft, he became the Pilots' lead-off hitter. He was the first batter in Seattle history and scored the franchise's first run. He finished the year with a league-high 73 stolen bases, the most stolen bases in the American League in 54 years.

Harper played for the Red Sox from 1972-74, providing a traditionally slow team with speed. He led the league with 54 stolen bases in 1973.

Harper closed out his career with the Angels, A's and Orioles. He later became a coach for the Red Sox and Expos and is still in the Red Sox's organization as a consultant.

Back facts: As you can tell by the notation at the top, a baseball card collector didn't believe that Topps' write-up at the bottom was message enough that Harper was now with the Angels. He or she wrote the team name in pencil, too. (It wasn't me. I purchased this card either at a card show or a collectibles shop).

Harper was traded to the Angels for Bobby Heise, who, interestingly, is airbrushed into an Angels cap on his card. Harper didn't last long with the Angels, being picked up by the A's later in the '75 season.

Other blog stuff: The late George Carlin was born on this date 74 years ago. I tried to type an excerpt of his terrific Baseball vs. Football monologue, but Blogger decided to go on "maintenance" and wiped out the second half of this post. So, I'm not going to go through the effort again. You can blame Blogger.

#518 - Leo Cardenas

Card fact: This is the second-to-last Topps card of Leo Cardenas issued during his career. Topps listed Cardenas by his nickname "Chico" during the first part of his career. He was "Chico Cardenas" on his cards from 1961 through 1969. Then, Topps listed him as "Leo Cardenas" from the 1970 set through 1976.

What I thought about this card then: Never saw it. It was decades before I knew who Cardenas was. I'm still not entirely clear.

What I think about this card now: The batting cage is the star of the show in this photo, isn't it?

Other stuff: Cardenas was a starting shortstop mostly with the Reds and Twins. He still has a connection to the city of Cincinnati, making regular appearances at club functions. He enjoyed his best seasons with the Reds and was a four-time all-star there. He won a Gold Glove in 1965.

Cardenas was traded to the Twins on Nov. 21, 1968. He played there through the 1971 season and was a regular part of the Minnesota A.L. West champion teams of the late '60s/early '70s. He closed out his career with the Angels, Indians and Rangers.

Back facts: Pretzel Pezzulo (not "Pretzels") was a pitcher for the Phillies in 1935 and 1936. All but one of his 42 games pitched came in 1935 when he was 3-5 in 84 innings pitched.

Other blog stuff: The pink-yellow border combo is now just one card away of catching the orange-brown combo for the No. 1 spot. Can you feel the excitement?

Sure you can.

#510 - Vida Blue

Card fact: Possibly the most representative card of the entire 1970s. The most colorful card set of its time, featuring the most colorful team of its time, featuring the most colorful name of its time. You can't get more colorful than this card.

What I thought about this card then: I saw it on my first trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame. One of the exhibits was a display of every baseball card from the 1975 set, since it was the most recent Topps set at the time. I saw the Vida Blue card for the first time and was mesmerized. I eventually ordered it through a catalog because I could not stop thinking about it.

What I think about this card now: The photo is one of the most majestic in the set, right up there with the Nolan Ryan record-breaker card.

Other stuff: I could write for a long time about Blue, but I'll whittle his career accomplishments down to his break-out 1971 season (24-8, 1.82 ERA, Cy Young Award and MVP), the fact that he is the only pitcher to start for both the American and National leagues, that he is a three-time World Series champion, and he was one of the hardest-throwing left-handers to ever play the game.

My first association with Blue is pulling the 1971 MVPs card from the 1975 set out of one of the first packs I purchased. But my first recognition of who Blue was didn't happen until 1976 when commissioner Bowie Kuhn prevented A's owner Charlie Finley from selling Blue to the Yankees. I remember reading about the saga in the newspaper.

Blue later hit the paper for his involvement with drugs, testifying in the Pittsburgh drug trials. After his career ended in 1986, he started to work in the community, and has worked for several charitable causes. At one point in the early 1990s, he came through my area of the country to speak in his wife's hometown. I don't know if Blue is still married to this woman, but I always thought it odd that someone from a hick northern town would be married to Vida Blue.

(EDIT: Vida Blue died at age 73 on May 6, 2023).

Back facts: Nobody wore a glove until 1875??? It's a wonder this game ever caught on. Charles Waite was a first baseman for the Boston Red Stockings. He wore a flesh-colored glove so no one would notice.

Also, regarding Vida Blue's sparking 1-0 shutout: I think it would've been more impressive if he was behind hitters throughout. Otherwise, it's redundant.

Other blog stuff: The pink-yellow border combination is now within two cards of catching overall color combo leader, orange-brown. I never would have figured pink-yellow would have the most cards in the set, but it could happen.

#498 - Al Downing

Card fact: I don't totally remember, but I believe this was the first Dodger that I pulled from a pack of '75 minis.

What I thought about this card then: I really did like the pink & yellow cards in this set. This is the only Dodger player with the pink-yellow border, so I held it in high esteem.

What I think about this card now: I'm not sure where Al Downing is standing in the ballpark, but the photo angle presents a nice outfield view of Dodger Stadium.

Other stuff: Downing is known most for surrendering Hank Aaron's record-setting 715th home run in 1974, but he had a full career with several successful seasons. It took me a long time to learn that Downing was a regular starter during the Yankees' dynasty days of the early 1960s. He led the American League in strikeouts in 1964.

Downing continued to start for New York until the late '60s when injuries forced him to the bullpen. He was traded to Oakland in 1970, then traded to Milwaukee six months later, where he went 2-10 to finish the 1970 season. Milwaukee sent Downing to the Dodgers in a deal for Andy Kosco. Downing followed by going 20-9 for L.A. and winning the Comeback Player of the Year Award.

Downing had a couple more seasons as a starter for L.A. before he became a part-time starter/reliever between 1975-77.

Downing has worked as a broadcaster and is on the speaker circuit with L.A. He signed at a card show I went to a few years ago. I had a chance to talk to him, just me and him, but I was too absorbed in cards to realize the opportunity. Oh, well.

Back facts: Topps means "Who was the youngest player in Major League history?"

Other blog stuff: Two Dodger greats of the 1970s, Don Sutton and Reggie Smith, each were born on this date in 1945.

#495 - Nelson Briles

Card fact: This is Nelson Briles' only card in a Royals uniform. That '74 Topps Traded airbrush atrocity doesn't count.

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

What I think about this card now: I love how the Royals in the background, who may or may not be playing catch, frame Briles. It's a nice photo.

Other stuff: Briles was a control-type pitcher for the Cardinals, Pirates, Royals, Rangers and Orioles. He pitched in some big games and did well in them. With St. Louis as a youngster in 1967, he threw a complete-game victory in Game 3 of the World Series against Boston. With the Pirates in 1971, he threw a two-hit shutout against the Orioles in Game 5 of the World Series.

Briles won 19 games for the Cardinals in 1968 but his performance fell off and he was shipped to the Pirates. After a couple of 14-win seasons, Pittsburgh sent him to Kansas City. After a couple years there, Briles finished out his career with the Rangers and Orioles.

Briles was known for his singing ability. He performed a night club act for a little while and sang the National Anthem during the 1973 World Series.

Briles also worked as a broadcaster and front office man for the Pirates and Mariners. He died in 2005 of a heart attack at age 61.

Back facts: Well, I like that highlight in the write-up!

Other blog stuff: Remember the last card and all the discussion of game-show host Peter Marshall? Well, today is Marshall's 85th birthday.

#494 - Pete LaCock

Card fact: This is Pete LaCock's rookie card. I think it's safe to say the world was never the same after this.

What I thought about this card then: I vaguely remember seeing it. Perhaps a friend of mine had it. I remember it as one of those goofy-faced players that we relentlessly mocked. I also remember being amused by his name, but having no idea why.

What I think about this card now: That sure is a majestic shot for a guy who was hitting .204 on the back of this card.

Other stuff: LaCock is a legend on the sophomoric humor circuit. In fact, LaCock and a future '75 Topps subject, Dick Pole, have starred in front of standing room-only crowds for years. The mere presence of their cards throw collectors into giddy fits of hysteria.

Aside from that, LaCock was a part-time player for the Cubs and Royals between 1972-1980. He actually worked his way into a starting role at the end of his career with the Royals. In fact, LaCock has the honor of hitting a home run in the first major league game I ever saw in person on July 15, 1978 against the Yankees. Yes, the first home run I ever saw in person was hit by LaCock. It was all downhill from there.

LaCock later played in Japan, and has worked as a coach in the minors and in independent leagues, most recently in 2009 for the Tucson Toros.

LaCock is the subject of a famous quote by Bob Gibson. On the occasion of his retirement, Gibson said, "When I gave up a grand slam to Pete LaCock, I knew it was time to quit."

Back facts: LaCock's father was the longtime host of "Hollywood Squares." Peter Marshall's given name was also Ralph Pierre LaCock. I often wondered why LaCock didn't go by Pete Marshall, too.

Then again, I suppose he wouldn't be the legend he is now if his name was Marshall. Dad knew what he was doing.

Other blog stuff: The pink-yellow border combo has crossed the 40 threshold with this card. It's the third combination to do so, and could have a real shot of taking over first place by the time this blog is done.

#485 - Sparky Lyle

Card fact: This was the second-to-last Yankee card I needed for the set. The last was Graig Nettles. Why do I specifically remember the Yankees? Because they're so blasted difficult to land where I live.

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

What I think about this card now: There is an "8" hanging from the fence in the background. I'm wondering if that is an "8" for the retired number of Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey. Or maybe it's just a distance marker.

Other stuff: Sparky Lyle was one of the greatest relief pitchers of his time. He was so good in 1977 that he won the Cy Young Award, which rarely happened at the time. But that didn't stop the Yankees from acquiring Rich Gossage to be the Yankees' new closer, eventually pushing Lyle out the door.

Lyle became famous outside of baseball for writing "The Bronx Zoo" in 1979, a tell-all book about his Yankees teammates during their 1977 and '78 championship seasons. It was the first book of its kind that I ever read -- I read it when I was 13 or 14 -- and a real eye-opener into what happened behind the scenes on baseball teams. Especially that part about sitting on birthday cakes.

Before he came to New York, Lyle was a successful closer for the Red Sox. He was dealt to the Yankees for Danny Cater prior to the 1972 season, which proved to be a terrific deal for New York.

After Lyle's Yankee days ended in '78, he went to the Rangers, Phillies and White Sox but didn't have the kind of success he had with New York.

After his career, he made plenty of appearances around the country and managed for a little bit. He even showed up in our town to pitch in a charity event before a minor league game. A guy I worked with hit a double off of him. I believe it was the only hit Lyle gave up in three innings of work.

Back facts: Lyle's entrance song was indeed Pomp and Circumstance, which I know as the graduation march. It seems like an odd thing to play when a reliever enters the game, but that's what they played.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1931, Hal Linden was born. Barney Miller was my all-time favorite show at one point. I miss sitcoms.

#466 - A's Do It Again

Card fact: The photo here appears to be from the end of one of the games in the 1974 World Series. It's difficult to determine which one since Rollie Fingers successfully closed out three of the four A's wins in the Series. I'm going to say it's from Game 5, which would have been the finale and the most appropriate.

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

What I think about this card now: Out of all the cards in the set, it seems the most hastily put together. Unlike the other cards in the postseason subset, there's no banner telling you it's the World Series, etc. Fortunately, the blurb at the bottom saves the day and mentions the Series.

Other stuff: Rollie Fingers was named the Series MVP after appearing in four of the five games. The A's, of course, were the last team to win three straight World Series until the Yankees won three straight from 1998-2000.

Back facts: Wow, that's a lot of stats crammed into a little space. I find it interesting that the pitching stats were not included, considering it was a pitchers' World Series. The Dodgers hit just .228 as a team and the A's were even worse, hitting .211.

Other blog stuff: That's the end of the postseason subset. Tomorrow we return to player cards, beginning with a stinkin' Giant.

#463 - '74 World Series, Game 3

Card fact: This is the first of two appearances by Rollie Fingers in the World Series subset. He and Joe Rudi both appear twice.

What I thought about this card then: I didn't see it. I do have an older version of this card that I must have obtained when I was a teenager, but I have no idea where or how I got it.

What I think about this card now: Fingers is an excellent choice for this card. Not only was he important to this game, but he was the Series MVP, appearing in four games in the Series.

Other stuff: For the third straight game, the score was 3-2. This game was the turning point of the series. The Dodgers rocketed the ball off of starter Catfish Hunter and Fingers but only had home runs by Bill Buckner and Willie Crawford to show for it.

Meanwhile, Reggie Jackson hit a nubber off the end of his bat that catcher Joe Ferguson lunged for but watched glance off his glove for an error. Jackson who had thrown his bat away in disgust on the play, made it to first. Bill North scored on the play, the first of two runs scored in the third inning by the A's. Starter Al Downing gave up a run-scoring single to Joe Rudi in the next at-bat. The A's scored their third run the next inning when Bert Campaneris knocked in Dick Green who had walked.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, were busy unloading line drives directly at infielders, who turned them into double plays. Crawford hit one in the fourth and Steve Garvey in the eighth. Buckner's homer came in the eighth and after Hunter escaped the inning on Garvey's DP, Fingers came in for the ninth. Crawford hit a home run to start the inning and Joe Ferguson reached on an error. But Ron Cey struck out and Bill Russell hit into the Dodgers' third double play of the game to end it.

Back facts: The series moved to Oakland for Game 3 and stayed there since it lasted only five games.

Other blog stuff: Here is the older version of this card. But it isn't one I pulled in 1975. It's a mystery to me:

#462 - '74 World Series, Game 2

Card fact: Topps used only purple-pink and pink-yellow borders for the World Series cards.

What I thought about this card then: Well, as the only World Series card that depicts the Dodgers doing something successful, I considered it my "shred of decency" card. If anyone would bring up the A's Series win in '74, I'd pick up this card and say, "Yeah, but who won Game 2?" Hey, it was all I had.

What I think about this card now: The card shows Joe Ferguson returning to the dugout after hitting what proved to be the game-winning home run in the sixth inning. It was a two-run shot that gave the Dodgers a 3-0 lead. I can pinpoint Walter Alston, Jimmy Wynn, Doug Rau and Davey Lopes (behind Rau) in the dugout, but I'm not 100 percent sure on the others. If anyone knows the other players, feel free to shout them out.

Other stuff: Ferguson delivered the big blow, but the other Dodger heroes were Don Sutton and Mike Marshall. Sutton held the A's scoreless for eight-plus innings, surrendering just two hits until the eighth. Then, when Sutton hit Sal Bando and gave up a double to Reggie Jackson to start the ninth, Marshall came in to do his thing.

First, Marshall allowed a two-run single to Joe Rudi that cut the Dodgers' lead to 3-2. Then he struck out Gene Tenace. That brought up pitcher John "Blue Moon" Odom. The A's put Angel Mangual in as a pinch-hitter and pinch-running "specialist" Herb Washington in at first, replacing Rudi. Marshall, who had an excellent pick-off move, snared Washington at first for the second out. He then struck out Mangual to end the game.

Back facts: Catcher Steve Yeager, who was a very light hitter, went 2-for-3 and drove in the Dodgers' first run.

Other blog stuff: I neglected to mention that the '74 World Series was the first all-California World Series. So, I'll do that here. Since that time, there have been three more (1988, 1989 and 2002).