#506 - Leron Lee

Card fact: I am not convinced that Leron Lee is not airbrushed into an Indians uniform on this card. If there is airbrushing it appears almost imperceptible. The uniform looks like an actual uniform and the cap looks like a real Indians cap. It doesn't seem possible that they were airbrushed. But the stadium background makes me suspicious. It seems to be the same background that is on his 1974 Topps card, when he was with the Padres. If that's the case, then why would a player in the American League be in a National League stadium?

Lee was obtained off waivers by the Indians on March 28, 1974, which seems like plenty of time for Topps to obtain a photo of Lee as an Indian. But that wasn't always the case in the '70s.

What I thought about this card then: This was one of the cards that I obtained early on in my first year of collecting. Probably not in those first packs I purchased, but not long afterward. Wait until you see the condition of the original.

What I think about this card now: It appears, by his signature, that Lee should have been referred to as LeRon Lee. But that's not how his name appears in the record books.

Other stuff: Lee was mostly a part-time player for the Cardinals, Padres, Indians and Dodgers between 1969-76. His biggest claim to fame may have been breaking up a Tom Seaver no-hitter in the ninth inning with a single during a game between the Padres and Mets in 1972. The Mets have still yet to pitch a no-hitter.

But Lee drew the most acclaim in Japan. He played there for 10 years after is major league career and is one of the most successful American-born players in Japanese baseball. He owns the highest career batting average by a Nippon Pro player at .320.

Lee later worked as a hitting coach. He is the uncle of Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee.

Back facts: I had no idea who Herb Score and Mudcat Grant were at the time I pulled this card, but I've known the names for more than 35 years.

Other blog stuff: OK, here is the Lee card that I pulled from that pack in the spring of 1975:

I'm sure that made its way into a back pocket at some point.

#488 - Bill Travers

Card fact: This is Bill Travers' rookie card. Or "Billy Travers," as he apparently preferred.

What I thought about this card then: I did not see it.

What I think about this card now: Please note the Oakland A's in the background. And note the pained expression on Travers' face as he looks to the stands for help in facing the World Champion A's.

Now look at Travers' card from the 1976 Topps set.

The guy needs help facing the A's! He's been looking for a year now! Somebody HELP HIM!

Other stuff: Travers pitched most of his career for the Brewers. He struggled with arm problems in the minors, but emerged with Milwaukee in 1974. A forkball helped him stake a spot in the rotation, and he enjoyed a few solid seasons with the Brewers. He went 14-8 in 1979 and 12-6 in 1980.

After the 1980 season, he signed a free agent deal with the Angels. But arm problems struck again and Travers pitched in only 14 games over three seasons for the Angels, ending his career in 1983.

Travers later played on the candlepin bowlers' circuit in Massachusetts, his home state.

Back facts: A "bottle bat" is a bat that doesn't taper from the end to the handle. The bat's body is all one width and wide, like a bottle. It then ends suddenly at the "bottle neck," where the handle begins. It's almost as if the bat is two separate pieces. It's strange. But then again, so is the name "Heinie."

Other blog stuff: Happy 67th birthday to George "Boomer" Scott, born today in 1944. He didn't use no bottle bat.

#483 - Steve Ontiveros

Card fact: This is Steve Ontiveros' first solo card. His rookie card is one of those four-player cards in the 1974 Topps set.

What I thought about this card then: This is one of the most memorable cards of my first year of collecting. I pulled this card after one of my trips to the drug store, and it was always a favorite.

What I think about this card now: As a kid, I never noticed the person behind Ontiveros in the photo. But I do now. I'm not positive on the ID of the player. It doesn't appear to be a Giant because of the color scheme. But if it is a Giant, a pitcher by the name of Don Rose wore the number 41.

However, because of the color scheme, I'm saying it's either a Padre or a Pirate. There was no one who wore the No. 41 on the Padres (unless it was a coach). But the Pirates did have a player who wore No. 41. It was pitcher Jerry Reuss. And he certainly was goofy enough to wear a sun hat during a game. So I'm hoping that's who it is.

Ontiveros has another classic card in the 1976 set. He's charging around third base with Mike Schmidt in the background.

Other stuff: Younger fans remember Steve Ontiveros as a pitcher for the Oakland A's. But that's not the same guy. They're not even related.

Ontiveros was an infielder who played for the Giants and Cubs between 1973-80. He didn't get to start regularly until he was dealt to the Cubs, along with Bobby Murcer, in a deal that sent Bill Madlock to the Giants. Ontiveros became the Cubs' regular third baseman, and he had a strong first season with Chicago in 1977.

After playing three more years with Chicago, his career ended in 1980. He went to Japan and played there until 1985.

Back facts: I distinctly remember reading the 1974 stats on the back of Ontiveros' card and thinking he deserved a rookie cup on the front of the card.

Other blog stuff: Here is the card that pulled out of that pack in 1975:

Still no rookie cup.

#471 - Bob Stinson

Card fact: It's been 76 cards since the last red-blue bordered card. And previous to that card, it was 101 cards since the previous red-blue bordered card. It's a color combo that doesn't like to show up much.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card, and it was one of my favorite minis. The photos with a player's face in the shadows were instant favorites of mine.

I had a mental block -- if little kids can have mental blocks -- with Bob Stinson. I remember seeing his 1976 Topps card, when he's with the Royals, and thinking that it was the first time I had ever seen a card of Stinson, but not realizing that I had his 1975 card all along. I was ditzy even as a kid.

What I think about this card now: I like how Topps tucked his signature onto his uniform.

Other stuff: Stinson was a journeyman backup catcher for most of his career. He started out with the Dodgers, then was traded to the Cardinals in the deal that helped L.A. land Dick Allen. Stinson later went to the Astros and then the Expos. But Stinson didn't hit much until he arrived in Kansas City.

After the 1976 season, Stinson was selected in the expansion draft by Seattle. With the Mariners, he began to see some starting time and hit fairly well. He played four seasons with Seattle. His last year in the majors was in 1980.

Back facts: Gorrell. Now there's a first name you don't see much.

Other blog stuff: Let's see the mini next to the regulation-size Stinson:

Still a very cool card.

#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.

#294 - Geoff Zahn

Card fact: This is Geoff Zahn's rookie card.

What I thought about this card then: This was the second Dodger card that I acquired in 1975, after Steve Yeager. For a long time, it was just those two Dodgers cards in my collection (it was probably just a matter of weeks, but everything seems longer when you're 9).

So, it was a cherished card, and I can't believe I forgot to scan the original version of it.

But after I saw his 1976 card, a new thought began to develop: I thought he looked like a circus clown. Something about the hair and the look on his face, it was all I could see when I looked at his cards from those two years.

What I think about this card now: It's very unusual seeing Dodger Stadium with no people in the stands. Also, these particular border colors go very well with the Dodgers uniforms.

Other stuff: Zahn didn't last long with the Dodgers. After toiling in the minor leagues for six years, he pitched 29 games for L.A., even taking Tommy John's spot in the rotation after he suffered a season-ending arm injury in 1974. But early in 1975, he was traded to the Cubs in the Burt Hooton deal.

Zahn didn't last long with the Cubs either, getting released. He signed with the Twins and became a steady starting pitcher for four seasons. He then signed as a free agent with the Angels and helped the team to the American League Championship Series with an 18-8 record in 1982 at age 36. He pitched in the majors until 1985. He is now a motiviational and Christian speaker with his own website.

Back facts: When I was 9, a lot of the cartoons were so confusing. What was a Capital? Why was it being punished? Why was a baseball flying over that weird building?

But I loved Zahn's career 1.94 ERA so much that it didn't matter anymore.

Other blog stuff: Jim Thome is the big 4-0 today.

#293 - Dick Sharon

Card fact: This is the final card of Dick Sharon issued during his playing career. He had only two Topps cards.

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

What I think about this card now: I love the shadow behind Sharon. Is that a shadow of the photographer crouching, preparing to take a photo of Sharon? I hope so. That would be classic.

Other stuff: Sharon had a brief career in the major leagues, lasting three seasons. He played for the Tigers in 1973 and 1974 and the Padres in 1975. He was a solid fielder, which made up for his career .218 batting average.

Sharon did have the honor of being traded for Nate Colbert, Willie Davis and Dick Drago. Of course, those were three separate trades, and the Davis deal was the only straight-up deal. Davis went to San Diego at the tail-end of his career and Sharon went to St. Louis (he never played for the Cardinals).

Back facts: I really need to start keeping track of how many cartoons in this set mention the Dodgers. It has to be around 20 now.

Also, the write-up must be addressed:

1. "Flyhawk"? Did they go back to the 1940s for that term? Only with the help of the rest of the sentence can I surmise that "flyhawk" means that Sharon was a good fielder.

2. And what a condescending sentence it is. I suppose it's better than, "his hitting sucks, but he can catch the ball."

3. Looking at the stats, Sharon actually improved his batting average in each of FIVE minor league seasons. And unlike the kindly write-up, I'm going to mention the sixth minor league season. He did not improve his batting average that year.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1975, former Houston Astros player Morgan Ensberg was born. If you haven't checked out his blog, you should. It's very interesting and insanely informative. Surely one of the best ever produced by a player.

#288 - Bruce Ellingsen

Card fact: This the first and last card of Bruce Ellingsen during his major league baseball career.

What I thought about this card then: Ladies and gentlemen, you are looking at the one card that neither me, nor my brother, nor my friends wanted. We would play games that would resemble Russian Roulette in almost every way except that instead of a firearm, we used a 1975 Topps Bruce Ellingsen card. If you were the person who ended up with the Ellingsen card, "bang," you were dead. Or you were at least doomed to a fate of owning this card and everyone in your childhood sphere KNOWING that you owned that card.

So you would play another game of Ellingsen Roulette until you didn't have it anymore (I have no idea why the other people who did not own the Ellingsen card would agree to another game, but they did).

There were several cards in the 1975 set that we did this for:

Gene Locklear
Joe Lis
Ken Sanders
Mario Mendoza

And a couple others I can't recall. But Ellingsen, far and away, was the least wanted.

What I think about this card now: I have already publicly apologized to Bruce for my childish behavior.

Other stuff: Ellingsen pitched in 16 games for the Indians and that was his entire big league career. He is known mostly for being traded from the Dodgers to the Indians for a 17-year-old named Pedro Guerrero. The trade happened on April 3, 1974, which probably explains why Ellingsen is hatless in this photo. In fact, he may be wearing a Dodger uniform here and his uniform collar was airbrushed in Indians colors. Oh, if I had only known as a kid that Ellingsen was a Dodger!

Back facts: Larry Lintz will appear on card No. 416 in the set. As far as I know, he doesn't look like Sammy Davis Jr., so either he did a mean impersonation or he had a sweet tooth.

Ellingsen's real first name was Harold, not "H."

Other blog stuff: Kenny Rogers -- the singer, not the pitcher -- was born on this date in 1938. I have never forgiven him for singing that "Lady" song.

#283 - Steve Foucault

Card fact: There aren't too many cards in the set where the border colors match the team colors as well as this one. ... Yeah, I know, that's an opinion. I don't care.

What I thought about this card then: I've mentioned before that my brother and I liked the Rangers cards as kids. I had this card in mini form and it was probably my most favorite Rangers card. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's the fact that the colors match or maybe because Steve Foucault resembled a much younger version of my grandfather.

What I think about this card now: I have never known how to pronounce Foucault's name. As kids, we went around calling him "Fo-cat." I'm sure that's not right, but it has stuck in my brain all these years and that's what I call him. Not that his name comes up a lot.

Also, Foucault is clean shaven in his 1974 card -- his first card. Then, suddenly, he appears with plenty of facial hair on his 1975 card.

Other stuff: Foucault was a pure reliever in the majors. He pitched in 277 games in his six-year career and did not start a single one. He enjoyed probably his best season in 1974 with a 2.24 ERA, but was still effective for the next three or four years. He was traded to the Tigers for Willie Horton, had one good year for the Tigers, then was waived by Detroit in mid-season the following year. The Royals picked him up for a few games, and Foucault's major league career ended in 1978.

He is now a pitching coach for an independent league team in Evansville, Indiana.

Back facts: I'm hoping that ball hit the ump in the stomach.

Other blog stuff: Here is big Foucault and little Foucault:

#281 - Jim Slaton

Card fact: Contrary to what this card would have you believe, Jim Slaton really does have hands. And forearms.

What I thought about this card then: It was one of my favorite cards in the whole set.

What I think about this card now: Slaton was in the midst of a typical 1970s metamorphosis. You'll know what I mean if you compare this card to this card.

Also, I used this card on the other blog to illustrate how long I have been collecting cards.

Other stuff: Slaton is the Milwaukee Brewers' all-time career victory leader with 117. He pitched for the Brewers from 1971-77. The Brewers then traded him to the Tigers for Ben Ogilvie. Slaton went on to win 17 games for the Tigers in 1978, but apparently didn't harbor any grudge against the Brewers for trading him, because after the season, he rejoined the Brewers as a free agent.

Slaton pitched five more years for Milwaukee, then was traded by the Brewers again, this time to the Angels. Slaton finished out his career with the Tigers. Since then, he has worked in the minors as a pitching coach and is currently the pitching coach for the Dodgers' Triple A team in Albuquerque. I am kind of hoping he makes the leap to the Dodgers' big club soon. He can't possibly do any worse with the pitching staff then what's going on up there now.

Back facts: Tim McCarver led the National League in triples in 1966. Since then, the only catcher to lead the league in triples was Carlton Fisk, who tied with Joe Rudi for the American League lead in triples with nine in 1972.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1968, the Montreal Expos were officially born. I miss going to Olympic Stadium.

#266 - Sandy Alomar

Card fact: This is the second card in the last nine to feature a player who fathered not one, but two major league players. First it was Dave LaRoche. Now, it's Sandy Alomar, father to Sandy Alomar Jr. and Roberto Alomar.

What I thought about this card then: Didn't see it. But Alomar's 1968 Topps card was the first '68 card I ever saw.

What I think about this card now: They really had to squash down that signature to fit it into that tight head shot, didn't they?

Also, Alomar's cap is obviously airbrushed. He was purchased from the Angels by the Yankees in July of 1974, not enough time for Topps to get a photo of Alomar in a Yankee uniform during those days.

Other stuff: Alomar played for 15 seasons with the Braves, Mets, White Sox, Angels, Yankees and Rangers. His most successful seasons were with the Angels in the early 1970s. He wasn't much of a hitter, but he could steal a base and the Angels put him at the top of the lineup A LOT in 1970 and 1971. He led the league in plate appearances each year with 735 and 739, respectively.

Alomar was a solid defensive player, although he struggled with throwing. Both of his sons were known as very strong defensive players with hardly a weakness. And, of course, Roberto hit a lot better than dad.

Alomar was the Mets' bench coach under Jerry Manuel before being dismissed after last season.

Back facts: Herb Washington's card will show up on this blog in a few months.

Other blog stuff: Mick Jagger was born on this date in 1943. He is really getting up there.

#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.

#245 - Mickey Lolich

Card fact: I know what you're thinking: with the number of players we have seen so far wearing their warm-up jackets underneath their uniform, is this the first player in the set to be featured actually wearing their jacket outside their uniform?

The answer is "no." Don Gullett was the first guy wearing a jacket the way we know a jacket to be worn. Bert Campaneris also is wearing a jacket over his uniform. So Lolich is No. 3 in that department.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card, and I thought it looked like Lolich was standing on his tip-toes. I don't know why I thought that, his feet are cut off at the bottom. But that's the perception I had.

What I think about this card now: I always thought Lolich was a big guy and that Topps somehow made him look small on this card. But he was only 6-foot-1, 170 pounds.

Other stuff: Mickey Lolich stamped his name in history when he won three games in the 1968 World Series, leading the Tigers over the Cardinals. In 1971, Lolich won 25 games, struck out 308 batters, pitched 376 innings, threw 29 complete games and finished SECOND behind Vida Blue in the A.L. Cy Young voting. But Blue was pretty awesome himself.

Lolich was a lefty, but according to bio information, he was born a righty. At the age of 2, he rode his tricycle into a parked motorcycle. The motorcycle fell on him, breaking his left collar bone. The repeated rehabilitation of his arm at that age, caused his brain to think he was left-handed and he became a lefty, which worked quite well for him in the major leagues.

Lolich also retired twice. He left the game after a disappointing season with the Mets in 1976 (the Tigers got the best of the deal -- acquiring Rusty Staub) and opened a doughnut shop. But a year later, he became a free agent, signed with San Diego and pitched two years before retiring again.

Back facts: No player ever hit a fair ball out of old Yankee Stadium. Josh Gibson supposedly did so during a Negro League game in 1934, but no one was able to verify that.

Other blog stuff: I'm rather tired tonight. So here is the regular-sized card next to my beat-up mini card of Lolich. Nighty-night.

#227 - Bob Watson

Card fact: This is the first card of Bob Watson to feature his familiar glasses. Apparently he got a prescription filled sometime before the 1975 set came out. They aren't the tinted ones that he wore most of the time, which makes them difficult to see on this card.

What I thought about this card then: This card is burned into my brain, because it is one of the first cards that I ever saw. Unfortunately, I don't have that original card anymore, but I remain very familiar with it.

What I think about this card now: More barren land behind an Astros player. Also, I like that Watson is rocking the black bat.

Other stuff: Watson was a solid offensive player for the Astros for several years before getting traded to the Red Sox and then signing with the Yankees as a free agent. He had a pretty good World Series against my Dodgers in 1981. But we all know who won that one.

The fact cited most often about Watson as a player is that he was credited with scoring the one millionth run in major league baseball history. I've known that since I was young, but I didn't know until recently that Watson also received $10,000 and one million Tootsie Rolls for scoring the run. Later, through updated record-keeping techniques, it was determined he didn't score the one millionth run. Unfortunately, nobody knows who did and who REALLY deserved all those Tootsie Rolls.

Watson was also general manager for the Yankees for awhile, overseeing the team when they won the World Series in 1996. More recently, he's been baseball's vice-president of discipline and VP of rules and on-field operations. So his name pops up every once in awhile during various controversies.

(EDIT: Bob Watson died at age 74 on May 14, 2020).

Back facts: Billy Sunday played WAY back -- from 1883 to 1890. So long ago that priesthood probably paid more than being a ballplayer.

Other blog stuff: The first interleague game was played on this date 13 years ago. I'm still not used to it.

#183 - Mel Stottlemyre

Card fact: This is the final card of Mel Stottlemyre during his playing career. That makes it three straight cards that I have said that.

What I thought about this card then: This was the first Yankee that I ever saw from this set. I know I had the card, but I lost it rather early on in 1975. I probably traded it to some greedy, grubby Yankee fan. I always liked the card. It seemed to have a classic look to it, and its the first Yankee card I think of when I think of this set.

What I think about this card now: It occurs to me that I have never known what Stottlemyre looked like as a young man. By the time I knew who he was, he was at the end of his career. After that, I only knew him as someone who walked out to the mound to talk to pitchers or sat in the dugout.

Other stuff: Stottlemyre made an immediate impact with the Yankees in 1964, pitching in three games in the World Series against the Cardinals that year, his rookie season. He won 20 games the following year, and won 20 games two other times. He was one of the most consistent players on a Yankee team that was not very good between 1965-75.

Stottlemyre pitched his entire career for the Yankees, then made his name as a pitching coach, particularly with the Mets and the Yankees. He was Davey Johnson's pitching coach during the 1986 World Series, and Joe Torre's pitching coach during the Yankees' run from 1996-2005.

Stottlemyre also is the father of former major leaguers Todd and Mel Jr. Todd always seemed very hyper to me.

(EDIT: Mel Stottlemyre died at age 77 on Jan. 13, 2019).

Back facts: I just noticed that a lot of the cartoons appear to be about Pirates. I should go back through and see which team is mentioned the most.

Also, there's a typo in Stottlemyre's ERA for 1967. It looks like he had a 296 ERA that year.

Other blog stuff: The No. 1 song in the country on this date in 1975 was "Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" by B.J. Thomas. Now that's just being wordy for the sake of being wordy.

#163 - Jim Brewer

Card fact: This is the last Dodger card that I needed to complete the '75 team set. In fact, I went a long time thinking I had completed the set before realizing I needed this card.

What I thought about this card then: I never came across it, which explains why it took me so long to know it existed.

What I think about this card now: The red-blue combo (the "primary colors" combo) goes the best with the Dodgers. But there are only two Dodgers in the set that feature this combination -- Brewer and Geoff Zahn.

Other stuff: Brewer is best known for being the Dodgers' top relief pitcher during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He is among Los Angeles' all-time leaders in games pitched. Brewer's "out pitch" was the screwball, which you don't hear about much anymore.

Brewer came to the Dodgers in a trade with the Cubs in 1963. His most famous moment with the Cubs likely came during his rookie season in 1960 when he threw a pitch that brushed back Billy Martin, then with the Reds. Martin threw his bat at Brewer. Brewer picked up the bat and handed it to Martin, who punched him the face and broke his cheekbone. The Cubs ended up suing Martin but dropped the case. Brewer, however, received $10,000 in damages.

Strangely, both Brewer and Martin died from injuries suffered in car accidents that occurred two years apart.

Back facts: You can see that the Dodgers got a lot of mileage out of Brewer after obtaining him from the Cubs. The Cubs received Dick Scott in return in that trade. Scott pitched four innings for the Cubs in 1964 and that was the end of his career.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1977, the Toronto Blue Jays played their first game in franchise history, beating the Chicago White Sox, 9-5 at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto. Doug Ault hit two home runs and it snowed during the game. I watched the game on a Canadian television broadcast at my grandmother's apartment in Buffalo.

#125 - Ken Singleton

Card fact: It's not really a card fact, or even a player fact. It's more of a personal family anecdote. Ken Singleton is the favorite player of my youngest brother.

What I thought about this card then: I didn't see. It was a long time before I knew that Ken Singleton played for any team other than the Orioles.

What I think about this card now: What is Singleton looking at? Is someone threatening to jump from the top deck?

Other than that, the border goes very well with the Expos uniform.

Other stuff: Ken Singleton was a very consistent, durable player his entire career. He had a heck of a season in 1979, finishing second in the American League MVP voting to his former teammate, Don Baylor. I have a feeling Singleton's '79 season played a part in my brother picking him as his favorite player as my brother would have been 9 that year.

Singleton went into broadcasting after his career was over and I vividly remember he and Duke Snider calling games for the Montreal Expos (we could get the Montreal channel in Buffalo). He has been a Yankees broadcaster for a long time. He is pretty much the voice of reason in the insane asylum called YES, which broadcasts most Yankees games. Personally, I don't know how he stands it.

Back facts: I need to start counting the cartoon references to the Dodgers. There's been several of them. ... Also, I like the random capitalization of "assists" in the write-up.

Other blog stuff: I'll go with a birthday since I just alluded to annoying YES broadcasters. Paul O'Neill was born on this date in 1963.

#109 - George Hendrick

Card fact: it's been awhile since we've had a color combo match a team's colors. The red/blue combo goes nicely with the Indians' ensemble.

What I thought about this card then: Wasn't aware of it. The first Hendrick I saw was the '76 Topps card in which he's wearing that awesome Indians visor. It was so awesome that he brought it back out for his '77 Topps card.

What I think about this card now: Hendrick was one my favorites growing up, so any of his cards are automatically cool.

Other stuff: Hendrick was always there when I was growing up. His career began a couple years before I started following baseball and he was still there until I graduated from college. I remember his straight-up batting style, and he was one of the reasons I rooted for the Cardinals to win the World Series in 1982.

St. Louis swindled San Diego by trading Eric Rasmussen for Hendrick in 1978. Then the Cardinals obtained John Tudor for Hendrick before the 1985 season. St. Louis sure was smart back then.

Also, Hendrick supposedly is the player who started the trend of wearing uniform pants down to his ankles. OK, maybe I don't like him so much anymore.

Back facts: The cartoon is fascinating isn't it? Daily has a very interesting wikipedia page. He has all the ingredients of a bigger-than-life figure. A surly personality, a few standout years followed by a sharp decline, and a mysterious postcareer.

As for Hendrick's write-up: "Perhaps George's finest major league game occurred ... when he belted three homers in the contest." Perhaps? Hendrick had been around for only four years. Was he in the habit of hitting three or more homers a game regularly?

Other blog stuff: The No. 1 song on this date in 1975 was "Fire," by the Ohio Players. One of the first songs to employ fire engine sound effects. Perhaps the only one.

#99 - Mike Hegan

Card fact: The photo on this card is also used in the Father & Son subset in the 1976 Topps set, pairing up Hegan with his father, Jim, who caught for the Indians.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card. But I can't recall thinking much about it.

What I think about this card now: Hegan has a few cool cards, although this isn't one of them. I like his 1972 Topps card a lot, when he's in the batting cage. The first card of his I saw was the '76 card, where he's holding out his first baseman's mitt with the ball in it.

Other stuff: Hegan was a member of the Seattle Pilots and hit the first home run in Pilot franchise history. His claim to fame in the "Ball Four" book is his response to a public relations questionnaire that asked "what's the most difficult part of being a major leaguer." Hegan said, "explaining to your wife why she needs a pencillin shot for your 'kidney infection.'"

Hegan has been an announcer ever since his playing career ended in 1977. He's been the announcer for the Indians on the radio for quite awhile.

(EDIT: Hegan died on Christmas morning, 2013, at age 71).

Back facts: You can see by the stats that Hegan was a lifetime backup, yet he lasted 13 years in the majors and was a member of three World Series teams.

Other blog stuff: Card No. 100 is coming up tomorrow. Every 100 cards I will update where I stand with the various categories I'm tracking. You know, just in case you have no life.

#97 - Earl Williams

Card fact: Earl Williams is one of three players in the set with the last name of Williams. The others are Billy Williams and Charlie Williams.

What I thought about this card then: The first Earl Williams card I saw was his 1976 Topps card. I remember liking that card quite a bit.

What I think about this card now: One of those damn photos taken in Yankee Stadium. The only consolation I can take is that at the particular moment that the photo was taken, the Yankees had gone nine years without being in a World Series.

Other stuff: Earl Williams was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1971 on the strength of hitting 33 home runs for the Braves. He was so valued that the Orioles traded Pat Dobson, Roric Henderson, Davey Johnson and Johnny Oates to get him in 1972.

But after two years of declining numbers, he was traded back to the Braves for a guy I've never heard of, Jimmy Freeman. After a continuing decline, his career ended in 1978 with the A's.

Also, for a period in the early 1970s, Williams was the only African-American catcher in the major leagues.

EDIT: Williams died on Jan. 28, 2013.

Back facts: The cartoon drew my attention immediately. I figured that the Red Sox and Yankees alone had broken the time record for a 9-inning game on about 30 occasions. They do hold the current record for a nine-inning game (4 hours, 45 minutes). The Dodgers and Giants still hold the record for the National League, but it's for a game that took place in 2001.

Other blog stuff: I am going to go with the "primary colors" name for this color combination. I can always change the name if something better comes along.