#653 - Lee Richard

Card fact: This is another name spelling error in the set. On par with the Cuellar/Cueller goof, Lee Richard has no "s" on the end of his name. Thanks to the addition by Topps, I thought his name was "Lee Richards" for a long time.

What I thought about this card then: I, as well as my brother, was amused by the back of the card, which you will see later.

What I think about this card now: I have been questing for a much more centered version of this card for a while. But somehow it always slips my mind.

Other stuff: Richard was known for his electric speed. He was used quite often as a pinch-runner and sometimes almost exclusively. The White Sox selected him sixth overall in the 1970 draft.

Richard played in 87 games, mostly at shortstop, for the 1971 White Sox, but hit just .231 with 17 RBIs. He went back to the minors for most of the next two seasons before re-emerging in '74 as a utility infielder -- which explains the "infield" designation on his card here.

Richard lasted one more season with the White Sox in 1975, then was sent to the Cardinals, who used him for 66 games in 1976. He hit .209 for his career in 239 games.

Back facts: Laziness is killing me. I didn't post Sunday, and I missed publishing on Richard's birthday by two minutes. Oh well, it's still Sept. 18 in part of the country.

As for the write-up at the bottom, "'Bee Bee' has great speed," was the single most hysterical thing that I read on the back of a baseball card in 1975. I vividly remember my brother and I with tears in our eyes as we laughed uncontrollably over what we considered such a bizarre statement. I can't fully explain why we thought it was so funny. We just latched onto players with below-average statistics and found whatever we could to ridicule. We were baseball card bullies, I guess.

The "Bee Bee" nickname, by the way, didn't have to do with his speed. Richard acquired it in high school when he was a pitcher, and the name refers to the speed of his fastball at the time.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1976, Indians player-manager Frank Robinson delivers a pinch-hit single in his final major league at-bat.

#645 - Danny Cater

Card fact: This is the final Topps card of Danny Cater issued during his career.

What I thought about this card then: My brother had the mini card. I thought Cater looked old and British.

What I think about this card now: He still looks vaguely British. But not as old.

Other stuff: I know Cater as the guy the Yankees dealt to the Red Sox to land relief pitcher Sparky Lyle. But Cater was a pretty good hitter before that. He was a singles, doubles, batting average guy who started out with the Phillies and White Sox and then hit his prime with the A's. He finished second in the American League in average in 1968 with a .290. (Carl Yastrzemski famously won the title with a .301).

Cater was pretty slow and hit into double plays a lot. After a nice season with the Yankees in 1970, he declined a little and the Yankees picked the right time to pawn him off on the Red Sox. Cater didn't play in a 100 games for any of the three seasons he wore a Red Sox uniform. He finished up with the Cardinals in 1975.

He later worked in the Texas Comptroller's office in his native state.

Back facts: I was fascinated by this cartoon as a kid. Did pitchers really do this? Where did they get such a tiny rubber ball? Why was the player so horrified by squeezing a rubber ball?

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1993, major league baseball voted to divide each league into three divisions.

No comment.

#630 - Greg Luzinski

Card fact: This is the seventh time that there has been back-to-back cards of players wearing powder blue uniforms. Five of those occasions involved Phillies players.

What I thought about this card then: I didn't see it. The first Greg Luzinski card I saw was his glorious 1976 Topps card.

What I think about this card now: If you stare at Luzinski, without knowing him, he looks like a bad guy in one of those '80s movies about teenage kids in the '50s.

Other stuff: Luzinski was your prototypical 1970s slugger, a popular player in Philadelphia and then in Chicago with the White Sox. Luzinski hit more than 30 home runs in a season four times, when hitting 30 home runs a year was a big deal.

Luzinski broke out for the Phillies in 1973, but had injury issues in 1974 as he played in just 85 games. He bounced back big-time in 1975, driving in 120 runs and finishing second in the National League MVP voting. He finished second again in 1977.

He played in the postseason four different years for the Phillies. I remember him being a nemesis for the Dodgers in the NLCS in 1978. He also wore out the Astros in the 1980 NLCS.

After a down year in 1980, Luzinski was purchased by the White Sox. He settled in as a designated hitter for Chicago, grew a beard, and enjoyed four decent seasons before stepping away after 1984.

Luzinski later became a high school coach. His son, Ryan, played in the Dodgers organization, but never made the majors. Luzinski later opened a barbecue restaurant at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia.

Back facts: Luzinski may have been a natural 1st sacker, but he played only 32 games of his 15-year major league career at first base. Thirty of those games came in 1971 and 1972.

Also, "The Garden" is a term with which I'm unfamiliar.

Other blog stuff: The blog crossed the 60,000 unique views threshold in the past 24 hours. Thanks for reading.

#629 - Joe Hoerner

Card fact: This is Joe Hoerner's penultimate Topps card. His final card is in the 1977 set as a Ranger.

What I thought about this card then: This was a card that I obtained early in the '75 season and I traded it in that deal for some '75 minis.

What I think about this card now: That's some funky hair that Hoerner's got going there.

Other stuff: Hoerner was a full-time, sidearm relief pitcher for 14 seasons and 493 games, not a start among them. He was one of the early left-handed relief specialists, and he especially made his mark pitching for the World Series champion Cardinals in 1967. His best seasons were in the late '60s and early '70s for the Cardinals and the Phillies.

Hoerner came up with the Colt .45s in 1963. His first major league appearance came in a gimmick game for Houston as the team fielded an all-rookie starting lineup against the Mets.

He was traded from the Cardinals to the Phillies in the famed Curt Flood deal. After his time with the Phillies, his performance fell off as he pitched for the Braves, Royals, Rangers and Reds. His final big league pitch, in 1977, hit the Pirates' Frank Taveras, who charged the mound. Hoerner punched Taveras, and after the brawl, was tossed from the game.

After his career, Hoerner did some promotional work with the Cardinals and was involved in charitable causes. He died in a farming accident at age 59 in 1996, reportedly getting pinned between a tractor fender and a tree trunk.

Back facts: I have no idea what the average number is for players making their major league debut in a season. Obviously, the number is much higher now than it was in 1974. But I don't know if 144 was a lot more than in 1973 or 1975, for example.

Other stuff: On this date in 1980, Charlie O. Finley got out of the baseball business, selling his Oakland A's team to the Haas family for $12.7 million.

#608 - Gene Michael

Card fact: This is the final Topps card of Gene Michael during his playing career.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card. Michael looked ancient to me.

What I think about this card now: It is way, way off-center and I need to fix it.

Other stuff: Michael is known for his career with the Yankees as a player, coach, manager and administrator. He had his most success as the general manager with the Yankees in the 1990s, helping build the team that won four World Series titles in five years.

As a player, Michael was signed by the Pirates, then traded to the Dodgers for Maury Wills in 1967. A year later, he was purchased by the Yankees and played for New York through the end of the 1974 season. He played for the Tigers in 1975.

Michael, nicknamed "Stick," was your typical good-field, no-hit middle infielder that thrived in the '70s. He batted .229 for his career, but knew the game, which really served him well in his front office jobs.

I remember Michael being a guest during a Yankees broadcast a few years ago. He was fascinating to listen to -- intelligent, revealing and full of stories. He should have been able to talk for the whole game.

(EDIT: Gene Michael died at age 79 on  Sept. 7, 2017).

Back facts: Robert "Bobby" Mitchell was never an ace pitcher. He was more of a fill-in type guy. The first "full-time" left-handed pitcher was J. Lee Richmond, who also pitched baseball's first perfect game.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1983, Steve Garvey's consecutive games played streak ended at 1,207 after he was unable to play in the second game of the Padres' doubleheader against the Braves. He dislocated his thumb in a collision at home plate in the first game.

#594 - Jim Fuller

Card fact: This is Jim Fuller's only solo Topps card. This is the second straight card of a player who had only one solo Topps card, and there seems to be a large concentration of players of this nature at the end of the set -- as if Topps was trying to fill up the set.

Now, I know that this was common when Topps issued its yearly set in series. The late series included players who were late call-ups or recently traded. But the 1975 set was issued all at once, as it had been in 1973 and 74, too. It makes me wonder if Topps had some sort of order established for the set early on, in which it would fill in names for each card number and then, when it came to the higher numbers in the set, it would fill in the spots with whatever incidental players were left -- kind of like choosing sides in gym class.

I don't know if there's anything to this or not, but it's always been a question in my mind. I guess I should study the '73 and '74 sets and see if they include a significant number of "incidental" players in the higher numbers.

What I thought about this card then: I associate it with my youngest brother because he had this card. I think it was the mini card. He's an Oriole fan. He was only five at the time, so he wasn't too into cards.

What I think about this card now: The border is way off-kilter.

Other stuff: Fuller was a minor league legend for the Orioles, hitting home runs and setting records along the way. But Fuller also struck out a ton.

His most productive season in three major league seasons was 1974 when he played in 60 games, batted 189 times, hit eight home runs and struck out 68 times. In his major league career, 130 of his 315 at-bats were strikeouts and he was a career .194 batter.

Fuller played a year for the Astros in 1977, then was dealt to the Pirates in 1978. He played in the minors that year and that was the end of his pro career.

Back facts: The cartoon ballplayer looks a little too enthusiastic with that knife. Is that a bat that he is cutting? I can't tell for sure.

Other blog stuff: Linda Ronstadt, whose hit "You're No Good," hit No. 1 in 1975, was born on this date 65 years ago.

#582 - Eduardo Rodriguez

Card fact: One of two players named Rodriguez in the set. The other is Aurelio Rodriguez.

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

What I think about this card now: Rodriguez looks cold. He's all bundled up.

Other stuff: Rodriguez was primarily a middle relief pitcher for the Brewers between 1973-78. He spent his last season in the majors with the Royals in 1979. He played in his native Puerto Rico after that.

Rodriguez died of a heart attack on his 57th birthday two years ago.

Back facts: Rodriguez was born on the same day as my wife. I'm pretty sure she doesn't know who Eduardo Rodriguez is.

Other blog stuff: I like to mention this every June 29th. On this date in 1990, Dave Stewart of the A's and Fernando Valenzuela of the Dodgers each pitched no-hitters. Only the second time that had happened and the first time since 1917. As a Dodger fan, I was particularly proud because both players came up with the Dodgers.

#569 - Frank White

Card fact: This is Frank White's first solo card. That's the third straight card in which that is the case. However, this is not White's rookie card. He appeared on a four-player rookie card in the 1974 Topps set.

What I thought about this card then: I didn't see it. But, like most Royals of the period, I associate him with my friend Jeff from Kansas. White was another favorite of his. Those 1976 Topps Royals were hard to keep because Jeff was always after them. Who knew that in upstate New York I'd have a tough time holding on to Royals cards?

What I think about this card now: White is listed as being 5-foot-11, but he looks as short as teammate Freddie Patek in this photo.

Other stuff: White played all 18 of his major league seasons for the Royals and is still with Kansas City as a color commentator.

White came with Kansas City in 1973 and after some early struggles offensively, became a mainstay in the infield, winning the Gold Glove eight times and playing in the postseason for the Royals seven separate years. White even became a solid offensive player, showing some power in the mid-80s by slugging more than 20 home runs in 1985 and 1986.

White's number 20 was retired by the Royals. He later worked as a coach before moving into the Royals' front office for several years. He now works on Royals broadcasts.

Back facts: White's graduation from the Royals Academy is mentioned on several of his baseball cards. The Royals Academy always fascinated me. I envisioned it as an actual school where players would attend classes and learn nothing but baseball. But actually it was not much more than Kansas City setting up a complex in Florida in which it would teach fundamentals and life skills to up-and-coming ballplayers who maybe weren't top prospects. It lasted only from 1971-75 before closing up shop. White and U.L.Washington are its most famous graduates.

Other stuff: A happy 85th birthday to former Brooklyn Dodgers great Don Newcombe.

#562 - Gary Nolan

Card fact: Gary Nolan received a card in the set even though he missed the entire 1974 season after shoulder surgery. He also barely pitched in 1973, appearing in just two games.

What I thought about this card then: I didn't see it. But Nolan was one of those inexplicable favorites of mine when I was a kid. Inexplicable because 1) he was a Red, and 2) I had no idea who he was.

What I think about this card now: It's a classic. But I'm wondering how old the photo is considering he hadn't had a full season since 1972.

Other stuff: Nolan was a hard-throwing phenom who appeared in the major leagues as a 19-year-old after being the Reds' number 1 pick in 1966. Nolan struck out 206 batters in 226 innings and went 14-8 in 1967, finishing third in the Rookie of the Year voting.

In what would become a recurring theme, Nolan dealt with arm and shoulder issues the next two years. He recovered to go 18-7 in 1970, starting Game 1 of the World Series against the Orioles. He helped the Reds to the World Series against in '72, but then disappeared from baseball for two seasons with shoulder issues.

By the time he returned in 1975, he was a control pitcher with admirable accuracy. He won 15 games in back-to-back seasons as the Reds won the World Series each year. But arm troubles occurred again, Nolan was traded to the Angels, and he retired in 1978.

Nolan became a casino dealer in Las Vegas after his playing career, and later a casino host at the Mirage. He recently patched up a falling out with the Reds and returns for Cincinnati hall ceremonies.

Back facts: I'm sure the cartoon would have thoroughly confused me if I saw it as a kid. Gene Autry's singing career was a dated reference even in 1975.

Other blog stuff: The 1975 Topps (it's far out, man) blog eclipsed 50,000 unique visitors in the last 24 hours. Thanks all, for viewing.

#560 - Tony Perez

Card fact: Tony Perez's cards between 1972-75 are very similar and rather boring. However, I loved his 1976 Topps card, and the 1977 Topps Perez is phenomenal.

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

What I think about this card now: Already mentioned it. But I like Tony's signature.

Other stuff: Perez and the RBI went hand-in-hand during the 1970s. He finished second behind teammate Johnny Bench in total RBIs for the 1970s. He is 27th all-time in career RBIs with 1,652.

Perez was considered the heart of the Big Red Machine teams of the 1970s by manager Sparky Anderson. While Perez was with the team, Cincinnati went to the World Series four times and won in 1975 and 1976. Although I always knew him as a first baseman, Perez broke through the Reds lineup as a third baseman. He started at third between 1967-71 as Lee May played first. Perez then moved over to first when May was traded to Houston in the Joe Morgan deal.

Perez was traded to Montreal after the Reds' Series title in 1976. The Reds received two pitchers, Woody Fryman and Dale Murray, from the Expos. Perez continued to be productive with Montreal, and then with Boston after signing with the Red Sox as a free agent. But Cincinnati wouldn't return to the World Series after Perez's departure (until 1990). Many believed Perez's departure was too much for the Reds to overcome.

Perez returned to the World Series (along with Morgan and Pete Rose) in Philadelphia in 1983. He then spent his final three seasons back with the Reds. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2000.

Perez managed for a year with the Reds and a year with the Marlins. His son Eduardo Perez played 13 seasons in the majors.

Back facts: Joe Morgan now holds the N.L. career putout record for a second baseman with 5,541. Eddie Collins holds the major league record with 6,256.

Other blog stuff: The best part of having the '75 set in a binder is that it is so colorful with all of the various borders shining back at you. Because of that, I never liked it when back-to-back cards featured the same border color as Tony Perez and Bob Montgomery do.

But I'm enjoying it on the blog. I don't have to change the color settings on the header.

One less thing to do! (Hey, it's the weekend).

#559 - Bob Montgomery

Card fact: It has been 104 cards since the last yellow-light blue bordered card.

What I thought about this card then: I never saw it. But there were later Bob Montgomery cards -- most notably his 1977 Topps card -- that made me think that he was about 62 years old when he was playing. I don't think I ever uttered this thought, but I know it was always there in my subconscious. I would see him on TV during a game and think that the Red Sox's backup for Carlton Fisk was a 62-year-old  man.

What I think about this card now: Check out the dome in the background. I never know what those things are. There was one across the street from a school where I would play tennis when I was in college. It could have been a UFO for all I knew.

Other stuff: Montgomery played his entire 10-year career with the Red Sox and it spanned the entire decade of the '70s. Montgomery was known as Fisk's backup. He didn't hit a lot, but that was not his primary job. Montgomery's biggest claim to fame as a player was that he was the last major leaguer to play in a game without a helmet. Players were required to wear helmets in 1971, but major league baseball let those who were already playing to continue to wear soft caps as long as they were in the majors.

After his playing career, Montgomery broadcast Red Sox game on WSKB-TV in Boston throughout the 1980s and into the '90s. Growing up, I always wanted my local television provider to carry WSKB.

Back facts: Wow, that's a crooked card back.

I never know how to comment on something like "now ranks among the best backup catchers in baseball." Maybe it's a compliment, maybe it isn't. Depends on the player, I guess.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1964, Sandy Koufax pitched his third no-hitter, a 3-0 victory against the Phillies.

#455 - Don Wilson

Card fact: One of the more unfortunate cards in Topps' history. Don Wilson died in January of 1975, after Topps' cards went to print. If there was an attempt to pull the card from the set, it didn't succeed.

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

What I think about this card now: It's just sad. I look at it, and all I can think of is *sadness*

Other stuff: Wilson was probably the Astros' first great pitcher. He had tremendous stuff, but it took him awhile to harness it. He enjoyed some terrific games, striking out 18 in a game once and throwing two no-hitters. Wilson struck out 235 batters in 1969, the same season in which he led the league with 16 wild pitches.

Wilson pitched all nine of his major league seasons for Houston and won in double figures in all but one of them. He was an All-Star in 1971, possibly his best season.

Wilson died at age 29 on Jan. 5, 1975. He was found in the passenger seat of his vehicle in the closed garage of his home with the car's engine running. The garage was attached to the house and Wilson's son also died in the incident. His wife and daughter were hospitalized. The cause of death was listed as accidental.

During the 1975 season, the Astros wore Wilson's number, 40, on a patch on their jersey. Here is an example in the 1976 Topps set:

Wilson's number was also retired in April of 1975.

Back facts: It's a little rare to see a player's complete stats from the start of a career to the end of a career on a baseball card, but that's what we have here.

Other blog stuff: I missed posting on Wilson's birthdate by four days. But the dream isn't over yet.

#454 - Doug Griffin

Card fact: One of two players in the set with the last name Griffin. The first one was featured back in May.

What I thought about this card then: I pulled this card in a pack I bought after a walk to the drug store with my brother. I remember this as quite a long walk, although it probably wasn't that long at all. But the extent of the trip was entirely along a busy street, which probably drove my mother crazy. Here was her 9-year-old and 7-year-old sons walking along a hectic street, flanked by businesses, a movie theater and a strip mall, all to get a few baseball cards.

Today, few parents would ever let kids that young head for the store without adult supervision. It sure was a different time.

What I think about this card now: It's nice to see a tilted field again. It's been awhile. Also, Doug Griffin looks rather nonchalant with his swing.

Other stuff: Griffin was a smooth-fielding infielder who spent most of his seven years in the majors with the Red Sox. He was acquired by Boston in 1970 in a deal that sent former Red Sox hero Tony Conigliaro to the Angels.

Griffin emerged as a surprisingly strong player for Boston and finished fourth in the A.L. Rookie of the Year voting in 1971. He had his best season in 1972 when he won the Gold Glove at second base. But Griffin was hounded by injuries throughout his career. He had back problems, but also couldn't avoid getting hit by pitches. His hand was broken twice (once by Gaylord Perry and once by Billy Champion). He was hit in the head by Nolan Ryan in 1974, which may have shortened his career. He also got beaned by Dick Bosman in 1975.

Griffin's playing time decreased in '75 when the Red Sox acquired Denny Doyle. By the postseason, Doyle had crowded Griffin out at second and was the primary starter in the '75 World Series against the Reds. Griffin retired after the 1977 season. He spent his post-baseball career in the construction business.

(EDIT: Griffin died on July 27, 2016).

Back facts: There are always hijinks at old-timers games (not "old-timer" games). I wonder what made the Phil Rizzuto incident worth noting?

Other stuff: For the second straight post, let's take a look at the card that I pulled in 1975:

Not only did I survive that trip to the drug store, but this card survived the trip and everything else that's happened in the last 36 years.

#432 - Ken Berry

Card fact: This is the final card issued of Ken Berry during his career. In fact, he wasn't a Brewer by the time the set came out. And if you pulled this card after June of '75, he wasn't in the majors anymore.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card, but I can't recall a thing. Since Berry disappeared right as I was becoming interested in baseball, I knew very little about him. I still don't know all that much. For the longest time, I got him confused with Rick Barry, the basketball player. That's very strange, because basketball was not a popular sport in my house growing up.

What I think about this card now: Berry looks like an actor from the '70s, but I'm blanking on the name.

Other stuff: Ken Berry was a starting center fielder, mostly for the White Sox, during the 1960s. He then played with the Angels in the '70s before ending with the Brewers and Indians. Berry was a fair hitter, but he was known mostly for his fielding and ability to make leaping catches.

Berry won two gold gloves. He also made one All-Star Game, in 1967, despite finishing the year hitting .241. He played from 1962-75. After his career, he coached in the minor leagues with the White Sox and founded a youth league in Kansas. He also was an advisor for the movie "Eight Men Out," and received a small speaking role at the end of the movie (he plays a heckler).

An in-depth interview of Berry can be found here.

Back facts: "Ken" must have come from Berry's middle name.

Other blog stuff: How about if I show the mini card next to the regular card?

That's starting off your Monday right.

#355 - Chris Cannizzaro

Card fact: This is the final card of Chris Cannizzaro issued during his playing career. In fact, he didn't play in the majors at all in 1975. His last major league game was Sept. 28, 1974.

What I thought about this card then: I did not see it, yet somehow I have the mini card. Almost all of my mini cards were acquired in 1975. But I must have obtained this one somewhere else.

What I think about this card now: That is an atrocious airbrushing job. Did San Diego ever wear caps that looked like that? They certainly didn't in 1974. My guess is he was wearing a Dodger uniform in this photo, as he played for Los Angeles in 1972 and 1973. His 1972 Topps card was one of the first Dodgers I obtained from that set.

Other stuff: Cannizzaro was the definition of a journeyman player. He caught for six different teams during a major league career that stretched from 1960 to 1974. His first Topps card is in the 1961 set, yet there are four years in the '60s in which he didn't have a card.

Cannizzaro played during the first season of the New York Mets in 1962 and is possibly most known for Casey Stengel mispronouncing his name as "Canzaroni." Cannizzaro also was an original San Diego Padre. It was there where he received the most playing time, since San Diego was in dire need of talent. He was also the Padres' first All-Star, playing in the game in 1969.

After his career, Cannizzaro became a coach with the Braves and Angels. He now works as the University of San Diego's director of baseball operations.

(EDIT: Cannizzaro died in December 2016)

Back facts: I'm dumbfounded that Cannizzaro received a card number ending in a "5." That was usually reserved for minor stars. Cannizzaro hit .183 in 1974 and .190 in 1973. He hadn't even had more than 300 bats since 1970.

Other blog stuff: I've got to get up early in the morning. No other stuff today.

#351 - Bob Boone

Card fact: This is the 19th player featured in the set so far that had at least one son play major league baseball (Bob Boone had two). I never realized how common this was until I started keeping track of it on this blog.

What I thought about this card then: The Boone card is one of the first cards that I saw that was not part of mine or my brother's card collections. It was part of a group of cards that I acquired in a trade with a friend. It instantly became one of my favorites. I'm not sure why. It probably had something to do with the helmet Boone is wearing.

What I think about this card now: The olive-green warm-up jacket that Boone is wearing stands out. In fact, it blends in quite well with the photo background.

Other stuff: Boone is part of a three-generation major league baseball family. There have been just two others in MLB history (the Bells and the Colemans are the other two). His father Ray played the infield for the Indians and Tigers in the '50s, and his sons, Bret and Aaron, played the infield for a whole mess of teams over the last two decades.

Boone enjoyed a lengthy playing career himself, catching mostly for the Phillies and Angels (and the Royals at the tail end of his career). He was undoubtedly my favorite non-Dodger catcher. He hit fairly well for Philadelphia and was a three-time All-Star. After his hitting tailed off in the early '80s, he was acquired by the Angels and was part of the team's rise as a legitimate playoff contender. Boone won seven Gold Gloves, five with the Angels.

Boone hit .311 in the postseason, playing in a whopping 36 playoff games, and was part of the 1980 Phillies championship.

After his playing career, he became a manager for both the Royals and Reds, but didn't have much success with either team.

Back facts: The best part of seeing complete stats on the back of baseball cards is getting to know the minor league affiliates of major league teams. I was totally aware that Reading, Pa., and Eugene, Ore., were affiliates of the Phillies in the '70s based on my reading of card backs.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1908, the song "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" is introduced to the public for the first time.

#341 - Hal Breeden

Card fact: This is the last Topps card issued during Hal Breeden's major league career.

What I thought about this card then: I never saw it. In fact, this was another player that I never knew existed until I set out to complete the entire set five years ago. It's hard for me to believe that I went three decades without knowing about this guy. In fact, even after obtaining the card, I kept thinking Breeden was a pitcher. I don't know why.

What I think about this card now: He's a first baseman. Got it?

Other stuff: Breeden played for five seasons with the Cubs and the Expos. He never played in more than 105 games in any one season. He started with the Braves organization and was traded straight-up for Hoyt Wilhelm in a deal with the Cubs.

With the Cubs, Breeden played with his brother, Danny, who had a brief major league career. But Breeden's best success came in 1973 with the Expos. He hit 15 home runs in 290 at-bats. The Expos played him in half their games in 1974, but his power production was not what it was the prior year. He played one more year and then went to Japan to play for three years.

(EDIT: Breeden died on May 3, 2021).

Back facts: If you look at Breeden's vitals, you'll note that he threw left-handed, but batted right-handed. That is very rare. I noticed this before checking his wiki page, and wiki notes it in the second sentence of the write-up. You see a lot of right-handers batting lefty, but not the other way around.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1975, Luis Tiant won his second game of the World Series to help the Red Sox tie the Reds at two games apiece. Tiant threw 163 pitches. 163!!! Looouie says you can take your lefty-righty matchups and STICK IT!

#327 - Jerry Hairston

Card fact: This is a card of the father of not one, but two current major leaguers.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card, and I didn't think much of it because the whole time I had it, it was in terrible shape. Creases everywhere. I think I salvaged it from another kid who had mutilated it. I couldn't stand to see it suffer anymore and took it for my own.

What I think about this card now: Jerry's got that "I just spotted a flying saucer" look on his face.

Other stuff: Jerry Hairston is one of three three-generation families in major league baseball. The others are the Bells and the Boones. Hairston's father, Sam, was a Negro League player who played in the majors for the White Sox in 1951. Hairston's brother, Johnny, played very briefly for the Cubs in 1969.

Meanwhile, his sons Jerry Jr. and Scott play for the Padres.

All of this has been very confusing for me. Hairston threw me for quite a loop when I was a young collector. He played for the White Sox in the mid-1970s, then he disappeared. He wasn't much of a player, so I totally forgot about him. Then, around 1983, I started seeing him on baseball cards again. "Who is this guy?" I wondered. I figured it couldn't be the same player from the mid-70s. It must be a different Jerry Hairston.

Well, not only was he the same Jerry Hairston, but he would go on to play all the way until 1989. He spent his entire career -- except for half a season with the Pirates in 1977 -- with the White Sox. He never reached 300 at-bats in any season as he was used mostly as a pinch-hitter.

And the reason why he disappeared from the majors is he played in the Mexican League from 1978-80.

Believe me, when I found out that there was a Jerry Hairston playing in the majors in the late 1990s, I thought that the Jerry Hairston on this 1975 Topps card was STILL playing. Much to my relief, it was his son.

That's the kind of confusion you can create when you give your kid the same name as you AND disappear to play in the Mexican League.

Back facts: The cartoon asks: "Who the 'Iron Horse'?" I just love it when cartoons speak gangsta.

Other blog stuff: Here is the regular-sized card next to that wrinkly mini card that I saved:

#280 - Carl Yastrzemski

Card fact: This is the first time, outside of the various series within the set, that there has been the same color combination on three consecutive cards. Yellow-light blue is making a run for the title!! (Actually, it's got a long way to go).

What I thought about this card then: Didn't see it. But the '76 Topps Carl Yastrzemski is an all-time favorite, and was voted the best Yaz card of the 1970s over on the other blog (the 1975 Yaz was selected third).

What I think about this card now: Very Yaz-like. Not a lot of variation in his cards at that time. But that is as impressive of an autograph as you will see.

Other stuff: I don't feel like repeating myself, so if you want to read what I wrote about Yastrzemski, you can do it on your own time.

Yastrzemski had a long and prosperous Hall of Fame career with the Red Sox, replacing Ted Williams in left field, winning the Triple Crown, getting 3,000 hits, and enduring lots of Red Sox pain along the way. He was humble, dignified and much respected by Boston fans and people like me, who wasn't a Red Sox rooter, but respected the team and players like him.

Back facts: I'm not sure if Reds fans appreciated the cartoon's insinuation. It almost reads like, "What fool organization got rid of Frank Robinson?"

Also, Yastrzemski's card number was 280 in back-to-back sets -- 1974 and 1975.

Finally, I came within 9 days of posting on Yaz's birthday. Drat.

Other blog stuff: I was recently told that this site was used as reference for someone to make their own custom cards as prizes. That pleases me no end. I want "1975 Topps (it's far out, man)" to be a multi-facted tool for all to enjoy. Good deal!

#279 - Milt May

Card fact: The second of five players with the last name of "May" in this set.

What I thought about this card then: For decades I only knew this card in mini size. While looking to complete the regular set, the May card in regular form seemed monstrous. I almost didn't want to buy it because it was so big compared to my cute little mini card. But I got over it.

What I think about this card now: It's not often that you see a player wearing a helmet without an emblem. There are a couple of examples of that in the 1979 set with Reds -- including George Foster. I'm sure there are a number of others, but it's not that common.

Also, as with most of the Astros cards, May looks like he's taking swings on the back 40. What's that building in the background? Are those horse stables?

Other stuff: Milt May was a fairly good hitting catching who played for the Pirates, Astros, Tigers, White Sox and Giants. His best-hitting season was 1974 in his first year with the Astros (he was traded for Jerry Reuss) when he had 117 hits and hit .289. May was traded to the Tigers two years later for a handful of players who didn't do much for Houston. He bounced around for a couple of years before settling in with the Giants. He likely would have had his best year ever in 1981 before the season was interrupted by a strike.

May's moment in history came in 1975 when he drove in Bob Watson for the reported millionth run ever scored in major league history, landing a whole bunch of Tootsie Rolls for Watson. But as mentioned before, it was later discovered that Watson didn't score the millionth run, and somebody got gyped out of Tootsie Rolls.

May later coached for several teams, including the 1997 World Series champion Marlins.

Back facts: Thanks to this cartoon, I knew about Bob Turley long before I knew he was a Yankee and that I wasn't suppose to like him.

May's stats for the 1972 World Series were: 1-for-2 with an RBI.

Other blog stuff: Here is the mini May next to the maxi May. I still like the mini May better:

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