1976 Hostess #53 - Jim Hughes

• Jim Hughes got this Hostess card on the strength of his good 1975 rookie season.
• Hughes was bitten by the sophomore  jinx in 1976. He had a 9-14 record with a 4.98 ERA
• Jim was in the minors for most of the 1977 season -- he appeared in two April games for the Twins before being sent to AAA.
• Hughes signed with the Chicago White Sox after the 1977 season but was cut during spring training in 1978. 
• Jim signed with the Texas Rangers and spent a couple of years in the minors but never made it back to the major leagues.
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? after peak

1976 Hostess #96 - Steve Braun

• At this point in his career Steve Braun was a left fielder who mostly started against right-handed pitchers
• Steve's 1972-1976 seasons were a nice run -- each year he batted .280 or higher.
• Braun won his arbitration case in 1974 -- the Twins offered $25,000 and he requested $31,000
• Steve lost his 1975 case -- he asked for $39,500 and the Twins offered $36,500
• Steve wanted the Twins to trade him at the beginning of the 1976 season. He (along with nine teammates) played out his option that year and took a 20% pay cut.
• Braun signed a new contract after the 1976 season instead of testing the free agent market.
• Steve was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the expansion draft. Perhaps that was the Twins' plan all along. Sign Braun and then have someone else pay the salary. Braun made $100,000 in '77.
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? end of peak

1976 Hostess #33 - Rod Carew

• Those are some really nice batting averages -- especially the last three years
• Rod won four straight batting titles (1972-1975)
• Carew barely missed out on a fifth straight batting title in 1976 --- he batted .331 and finished two points behind batting champion George Brett (.333)
• Rod won two more titles in 1977 (.388) and 1978 (.333)
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? peak

1976 Kellogg's #48 - Rod Carew

• What did he do to deserve a 1976 Kellogg's card?
• Another "need we ask" question
• Rod won his fourth straight (and fifth overall) AL Batting Title in 1975
• His batting averages in the previous three seasons were .350, .364, and .359!
• 1976 Highlights:
• Batted .331 with 9 HR and 90 RBI
• Was in the running for the batting title until the last day of the season.
• The batting title race ended in controversy, but Carew said that the accusations of racism were "a bunch of hooey."
• Finished 5th in AL MVP voting
• Started at first base in the 1976 All Star Game and was 0 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base

1976 Topps #636 - Joe Decker

• Joe Decker pitched in the majors from 1969-1976 and again in 1979. Decker was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1965. Joe pitched in the minors from 1965-1969. Decker pitched in four games for the Cubs in 1969 and was 1-0 with a 2.92 ERA.
• Decker was with the Cubs for most of the 1970 season and was 2-7 with a 4.64 ERA in 24 games (17 starts). Joe split time between Chicago and AAA in 1971. Decker had a 3-2 record with a 4.73 ERA in 21 games (4 starts) for the Cubs in 1971.
• Joe was in AAA Wichita for most of the 1972 season. He pitched in five games for the Cubs in 1972 and was 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA.
• After the 1972 season Decker, Bill Hands, and a minor leaguer were traded to the Minnesota Twins for  Dave LaRoche.
• Decker had two successful years with the Twins. In 1973 Joe was 10-10 with a 4.17 ERA in 24 starts. Decker was 16-14 with a 3.29 ERA in 37 starts in 1974.
• In April of 1975 Decker sustained an injury and was never the same pitcher after that. Joe was 1-3 with an 8.54 ERA in 10 games (7 starts) in 1975.
•  Joe was 2-7 with a 5.28 ERA in 12 starts in 1976. Decker was released on June 25, 1976. He was signed by the Detroit Tigers three days later and pitched in AAA Evansville, but the Tigers didn't bring him  back to the majors and released him after the season.
• Decker was signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1977 and pitched in AAA Wichita for a few months before being released on July 4. Joe pitched in the Mexican League for the rest of the 1977 season.
• The Seattle Mariners signed Decker before the 1978 season. Joe pitched in AAA San Jose in 1978 and in AAA Spokane for most of the 1979 season. Decker spent a couple of months with the  Mariners in 1979 and was 0-1 with a 4.28 ERA in 9 games.
• Decker tried to come back in 1982 and in 1983 for Seattle's AAA Salt Lake City club but didn't make it back to the majors. After his career Decker was a pitching coach in the Detroit Tigers' system.
• Joe died of a head injury in an accident at his Michigan home (he fell down a flight of stairs) on March 2, 2003. Here is his grave.

.

1976 Topps #619 - Bill Butler

• Bill Butler played in seven seasons in the majors from 1969-1977. Butler was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1965. Bill pitched in the Detroit organization from 1965-1968 and then was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the expansion draft.
• Butler appeared in 34 games (29 starts) for the Royals in 1969 and was 9-10 with a 3.90 ERA. Bill was up and down between AAA and the Royals in 1970 and in 1971. Butler went 4-12 with a 3.77 ERA in 25 starts for the Royals in 1970 and was 1-2 with a 3.45 ERA in 14 games (6 starts) in 1971.
• Bill started the 1972 season with AAA Omaha. On July 11 Butler was sold to the Cleveland Indians. Bill was in the minors for a while and then came up to the Indians at the end of the 1972 season. Butler pitched in six games (two starts) and had a 1.54 ERA for the Indians in 1972.
• Butler was in the minors in 1973 and after the season was traded to the Minnesota Twins. Butler started the 1974 season in AAA but came up to Minnesota after going 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA in four starts. Bill had a 4-6 record with a 4.10 ERA in 26 games (12 starts) for the Twins in 1974.
• Butler stayed in the majors for the entire 1975 season and was 5-4 with a 5.95 ERA in 23 games (8 starts).
• Bill was in AAA for the entire 1976 season and for the beginning of the 1977 season. Butler came up to the Twins in mid-June and stayed for about a month. Bill was 0-1 with a 6.86 ERA in six games (four starts) during his stint with the Twins. Butler was involved in a controversy in 1976 while playing for the Tacoma Twins. The Hawaii Islanders stadium had a ban against metal cleats. Butler ignored the ban and warmed up with the cleats on. Stadium officials turned off the lights and the game was forfeited to Tacoma since the home team was responsible for field conditions. The PCL president upheld the forfeit but Minor League head Bobby Bragan ordered the game to be replayed.
• After the 1977 season Butler was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Rex Hudson. The Dodgers tried to make Bill a reliever. Bill had a 7.14 ERA in 47 games for AAA Albuquerque in 1978 and retired after the season.

.

1976 Topps #597 - Rookie Pitchers (Aase, Kucek, LaCorte, Pazik)

• Don Aase
• Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1972
• Pitched in Rookie League as a 17-year-old in 1972 and went 0-10 with a 5.81 ERA
• Continued to pitch in the minors until the middle of the 1977 season
• Came up to Boston in late July of 1977 and was 6-2 with a 3.12 ERA in 13 starts
• Traded to the California Angels after the 1977 season for Jerry Remy
• 1978: 11-8, 4.03 ERA in 29 starts
• 1979: 9-10, 4.81 ERA in 37 games (28 starts)
• Pitched in two games and allowed one run in five innings in the 1979 ALCS. 
• Earned the win in game 3 of the ALCS
• 1980: 8-13, 4.06 ERA in 40 games (21 starts)
• 1981: Converted to a reliever. Was 4-4 with 11 saves and had a 2.34 ERA in 39 games
• 1982: 3-3 with four saves and a 3.46 ERA in 24 games
• Injured on July 17 and  missed the rest of the season
• 1983: Missed the entire season due to injury (elbow surgery)
• 1984: 4-1, 1.62 ERA, 8 saves in 23 games
• Became a free agent after the 1984 season and signed with the Baltimore Orioles
• 1985: 10-6, 3.78 ERA, 14 saves in 54 games
• 1986: 6-7, 2.98 ERA, 34 saves in 66 games
• 1987: 1-0, 2 saves, 2.25 ERA in 7 games
• Did  not pitch after May 23 due to injury
• 1988: 0-0, 4.35 ERA in 35 games
• Released after the 1988 season and signed with the New York Mets
• 1989: 1-5, 3.94 ERA, two saves in 49 games
• Became a free agent after the 1989 season and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers
• 1990: 3-1, 3 saves, 4.97 ERA in 32 games
• Retired after the 1990 season
• 
  
• Jack Kucek
• We used to call Jack Kucek "cartoon character" because of the picture on this card
• Graduated from the University of Miami in 1974 and was drafted by the Chicago White Sox
• The White Sox called Kucek up after he went 5-2 with a 1.76 ERA for Class A Appleton
• Went 1-4 with a 5.26 ERA in nine games (seven starts) for the  White Sox in 1974
• Spent most of the next several seasons in the minors with some short stints in the majors:
• 1975 - 0-0, 4.91 ERA in two games
• 1976 - 0-0, 9.64 ERA in two games
• 1977 - 0-1, 3.63 ERA in eight games (three starts)
• 1978 - 2-3, 3.29 ERA in ten games (five starts)
• Jack pitched three complete games in a row in September 1978 (he was 1-2 in those three games)
• Started the 1979 season with the White Sox (0-0, 0.00 ERA in one game) and was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in April for Jim Morrison
• Was 1-0 with a 8.31 ERA in four games for the Phillies in 1979
• Released after the 1979 season and signed with the Toronto Blue Jays
• The 1980 season was the only year in which Jack was in the majors for the entire season
• Kucek was 3-8 with a 6.75 ERA in 23 games (12 starts)
• Pitched in the minors in 1981 and retired after the season
• His career was ended by a rotator cuff injury
• Invented "Strikeout Strippz" (a pitching training tool)
• Frank LaCorte
• Signed by the Atlanta Braves in 1972
• First came up with the Braves in September 1975 and went 0-3 with a 5.27 ERA in three games (two starts)
• Was up and down between the Braves and AAA Richmond from 1976-1978
• 1976: 3-12, 4.70 ERA in 19 games (17 starts)
• 1977: 1-8, 11.68 ERA in 14 games (7 starts)
• 1978: 0-1, 3.68 ERA in two games
• Started the 1979 season with Atlanta (7.56 ERA in six games) and traded to the Houston Astros for Bo McLaughlin on May 25
• Played in the minors for Houston for a while and came back to Houston in late July.
• Went 1-2 with a 5.00 ERA in 12 games (three starts) for Houston in 1979
• Had his best year in 1980 as a reliever
• Went 8-5 with 11 saves and had a 2.82 ERA in 55 games in 1980
• Was 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in two appearances in the 1980 NLCS.
• Went 4-2 with five saves and had a 3.64 ERA in 1981
• Pitched 3.2 scoreless innings in two games in the 1981 NLDS.
• Appeared in 55 games in 1982 and went 1-5 with seven saves and had a 4.48 ERA
• In 1983 LaCorte was 4-4 with a 5.06 ERA
• His shoulder was hurt during a brawl with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1983. The injury affected his pitching for the rest of his career.
• Became a free agent after the 1983 season and signed with the California Angels
• Went 1-2 with a 7.06 ERA in 13 games (1 start) in 1984
• Was injured in 1984 and didn't pitch at all in 1985
• Frank tried to come back in 1986 but didn't make it back to the majors
• LaCorte moved back to his hometown of Gilroy, CA after his playing career ended and bought Marx Towing. He and his wife still run the business today.

• Mike Pazik
• When I googled Mike Pazik I got a bunch of pictures of a model. I had no idea why until I saw that his daughter Kristen is a model who is married to Ukranian soccer player Andriy Shevchenko.
• Drafted by the New York Yankees in 1971
• Traded to the Minnesota Twins in May 1974 for Dick Woodson
• Had short stints with the Twins in 1975, 1976, and 1977
• 1975: 0-4 in five games (three starts) and had an 8.24 ERA
• 1976: 0-0 with a 7.00 ERA in five games
• 1977: 1-0 with a 2.50 ERA in three starts
• Became a free agent and signed with the Chicago White Sox in 1978
• Played in the minors in 1978 and 1979 before he retired after the 1979 season
• Managed and coached in the minors after his playing career
• Was the pitching coach for the Chicago White Sox from 1995-1998.
• Edit: Someone e-mailed me and asked me to add this information about Mr. Pazik:
• Please add:  The Minnesota Twin is team that has generally avoided tragic stories.  I can not think of a Twin who died while playing for them.  However Mike Pazik's story is about as close as it gets.  In 76 Mike was one of top PCL pitchers.  He seemed primed for greater things with a great start in the 1977 season, being the starter in 3 wins in April.  However he and fellow pitcher Don Carrithers were involved in a serious car accident.  Neither were killed but the injuries substained effectively ended there careers.  Given the Twins needed pitching badly that year, people who remember that season are left with a what if Pazik had not had the car accident.

1976 Topps #592 - Rookie Infielders (Randolph, McKay, Royster, Staiger)

• Willie Randolph
• Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1972
• Played in 30 games for the Pirates in 1975 (.164 in 61 AB)
• Was traded with Dock Ellis and Ken Brett to the New York Yankees after the 1975 season for Doc Medich
• Started at 2B for the Yankees from 1976-1988
• 1976: Batted .267 in 125 games
• 1977: Batted .274 in 147 games
• 1978: Batted .279 in 134 games
• Willie Randolph: A Most Unlikely Sort of Hero - January 1978 Baseball Digest
• 1979: batted .270 in 153 games
• 1980: batted .294 in 138 games
• Led the AL with 119 walks and won the Silver Slugger Award at 2B.
• Willie Randolph: On the Way to Greatness - September 1980 Baseball Digest
• 1981: Batted .232 in 93 games 
• 1982: Batted .280 in 144 games
• 1983: Batted .279 in 104 games
• Played only once between June 26 and August 5
• 1984: Batted .287 in 142 games
• 1985: Batted .276 in 143 games
• Was the Yankee team captain from 1986-1988
• 1986: Batted .276 in 141 games
• 1987: Batted .305 in 120 games
• 1988: batted .230 in 110 games
• Became a free agent after the 1988 season and signed with the LA Dodgers
• Had an all-star season in 1989 (.282 in 145 games) 
• The Game I'll Never Forget - October 1989 Baseball Digest
• Started the 1990 season with the Dodgers (.271 in 26 games) but was traded to the Oakland A's in May 1990 for Stan Javier
• Played for the A's in 1990 (.257 in 93 games), the Milwaukee Brewers in 1991 (.327 in 124 games), and the New York Mets (.252 in 90 games) in 1992.
• All Star appearances:
• 1976: did not get into game
• 1977: starting 2B, 1 for 5 with one RBI
• 1980: starting 2B, 2 for 4
• 1981: starting 2B, 1 for 3
• 1987: starting 2B, 0 for 1
• 1989: Played for the NL, 2B, 0 for 1
• Coached with the New York Yankees from 1993-2004
• Managed the New York Mets from 2005 until the middle of the 2008 season.
• Won the NL East in 2006
• Mets had one of the worst collapses in history in 2007. They had a 7-game lead in the NL East with 17 games to play but were overtaken by the Philadelphia Phillies.
• Liked to face: Greg Harris/Bill Krueger (.524 in 21 AB); Steve Trout (.406 in 32 AB)
• Hated to face: Mike Scott (.053 in 19 AB); Bill Swift (.095 in 21 AB); Nolan Ryan (.115 in 26 AB)
• Dave McKay
• Signed by the  Minnesota Twins in 1971
• Played in the minors from 1971-1975 
• Came up to Minnesota in August 1975 and batted .256 in 125 at bats
• Started the 1976 season with the Twins and batted .203 in 45 games
• Sent down to AAA in June and stayed there for the rest of the year
• Selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the expansion draft
• Batted .197 in 95 games as a utility infielder in 1977
• Started at 2B in 1978 and batted .238 in 145 games
• Started the 1979 season in Toronto and sent to AAA in mid-May
• Came back to the Blue Jays in September and ended up batting .218 in 47 games
• Released after the 1979 season
• Tried out for the A's in spring training in 1980 and  made the club
• Batted .244 in 123 games as a utility infielder in 1980
• Batted .263 in 79 games in 1981
• Batted .198 in 78 games in 1982
• Played in the minors in 1983 and retired after the season
• Coached for the Oakland A's (1984-1995) and for the St. Louis Cardinals (1996-present). 
• Was the first base coach for most of those seasons
• Co-wrote a book (Strength Training for Baseball) with Jose Canseco about proper weight training techniques.
• Jerry Royster
• Jerry was a versatile player who saw action at every position except P, C, and 1B during his major league career.
• Signed by the LA Dodgers in 1970
• Despite having seasons of .303, .275, and .333 in AAA Albuquerque from 1973-1975, Royster was unable to break into the Dodgers' lineup.
• Jerry batted .211 in ten games in 1973.
• Royster appeared in six games in 1974 but didn't bat. He scored two runs in pinch running appearances.
• In 1975 Jerry went 9 for 36 (.250) in 13 games for the Dodgers.
• Traded to the Atlanta Braves (with Jimmy Wynn, Lee Lacy, and Tom Paciorek) for Dusty Baker and Ed Goodson after the 1975 season.
• Became the Braves' starting third baseman in 1976. For the next several seasons played several different positions but managed to stay in the lineup most of the time.
• 1976: Batted .248 with 24 stolen bases in 149 games
• 1977:  Batted .216 with 28 stolen bases in 140 games
• 1978: Batted .259 with 27 stolen bases in 140 games
• 1979: Probably his best season -- batted .273 with 35 stolen bases and 103 runs scored in 154 games
• 1980: Batted .242 with 22 stolen bases in 123 games
• 1981: Batted .204 in 64 games but had only 93 at bats
• 1982: Batted .295 in 108 games (261 AB).
• Went 2 for 11 (.182) in NLCS
• 1983: Batted .235 in 91 games.
• 1984: Batted .207 in 81 games
• Became a free agent after the 1984 season and signed with the San Diego Padres
• 1985: Played five different positions and batted .281 in 90 games
• 1986: Batted .257 in 118 games
• Became a free agent and signed with the Chicago White Sox after the 1986 season.
• Batted .240 in 55 games for the White Sox in 1987
• Traded with a minor leaguer to the New York Yankees for Ken Patterson and a minor leaguer on August 29, 1987
• Batted .357 in 18 games for the Yankees to finish the 1987 season
• Released at the end of spring training in 1988. Signed with the Braves on May 17
• Batted .176 in 68 games in 1988 and retired after the season
• Coached and managed for various clubs in the minors after his retirement
• Coached under Davey Lopes in Milwaukee in 2002 and was named interim manager when Lopes was fired after 15 games. Jerry finished the season but was not brought back
• Has managed the Lotte Giants in South Korea since 2008.
• Liked to face: Pedro Borbon (.421 in 19 AB); Doug Rau (.400 in 20 AB)
• Hated to face: Nolan Ryan (.000 in 14 AB); Bill Gullickson/Bill Lee (.059 in 17 AB); 
• Roy Staiger
• First round pick of the New York Mets in 1970
• Played in the minors from 1970-1975.
• Went 3 for 19 (.158) in a brief September trial in 1975.
• Batted .220 in 304 at bats for the Mets in 1976.
• Started the 1977 season with the Mets but was sent to AAA Tidewater in mid-June. Came back in September and ended up batting .252 in 123 at bats for the Mets.
• Traded to the New York Yankees after the 1977 season for Sergio Ferrer.
• Spent the entire 1978 season in AAA Tacoma
• Played in AAA Columbus in 1979.
• Played in four games and went 4 for 13 (.273) for the Yankees at the end of the 1979 season.
• Played in Columbus in 1980 and retired after the season.

1976 Topps #556 - Minnesota Twins

• It seemed like Gene Mauch managed forever.
• Philadelphia Phillies (1960-1968) 646-684, .486, best finish 2nd in NL in 1964. Mauch Boss as Sawyer Quits - The Milwaukee Sentinel April 15, 1968. Gene Mauch Isn't Angry - Gettysburg Times June 19, 1968.
• Montreal Expos (1969-1975) 499-627, .443, best finish 4th in NL East in 1973 and 1974. Gene Mauch is Manager at Montreal - Lodi News-Sentinel September 6, 1968. Gene Mauch Fired - The Bryan Times, October 5, 1975
• Minnesota Twins (1976-1980) 378-394, .490, best finish 3rd in AL West in 1976. Twins go 'outside', sign Gene Mauch for 3 Years - The Spokesman Review November 25, 1975. Royals Fuming over Last Hit - The Spokesman Review October 5, 1976. Gene Mauch Leaves Twins - Spartanburg Herald-Journal August 25, 1980. 
• California Angels (1981-1982) 122-103, .542, Best finish 1st in AL West in 1982, lost in ALCS. Mauch Succeeds Fregosi as Angels Skipper - The Pittsburgh Press May 29, 1981. Gene  Mauch resigns as manager of Angels - Reading Eagle October 23, 1982.
• California Angels (1985-1987) 257-229, .529, Best finish 1st in AL West in 1986, lost in ALCS. Mauch returns after quitting for good - The Milwaukee Journal October 17, 1984. California's Gene Mauch decides to hang up cleats - The Deseret News March 27, 1988.
• Lifetime record 1902-2037. 12th all-time in career wins as a manager.
• This was Mauch's first season managing the Twins. Owner Calvin Griffith was having trouble staying afloat in the beginning of the free agent era and his ballclubs paid the price.
• Team record: 85-77, 3rd place, 5 games behind Kansas City
• Team attendance: 715,394 (12th in AL)
• Team batting: .274 (1st in AL)
• Team home runs: 81 (8th in AL)
• Team stolen bases: 146 (5th in AL)
• Team ERA: 3.69 (10th in AL)
• Team fielding: .973 (12th in AL)
• Batting leader: Rod Carew (.331)
• HR leader: Dan Ford (20)
• RBI leader: Larry Hisle (96)
• Stolen Base leader: Rod Carew (49)
• Runs leader: Rod Carew (97)
• Victories leader: Bill Campbell (17)
• Losses leader: Jim Hughes and Dave Goltz (14)
• ERA leader (starters): Dave Goltz (3.36)
• ERA leader (relievers): Tom Burgmeier (2.50)
• Saves leader: Bill Campbell (20)
• AL All Stars: Rod Carew (starting 1B); Butch Wynegar (C)
• Award winners: Bill Campbell (Rolaids Reliever of the Year)
• League leaders: Bill Campbell (winning percentage - .773; appearances - 78)

.

1976 Topps #519 - Steve Brye

.

• Steve Brye was the #1 draft pick of the Minnesota Twins in 1967. He played in the minors from 1967-1971 and led the Southern Association with a .307 batting average in 1970. Steve was brought up to the Twins for the last part of the 1970 season and was 2 for 11 (.182) in nine games.
• Brye played for AAA Portland in 1971 and batted .340 in 128 games. He was brought up to the Twins at the end of the 1971 season and started in left field for most of the remainder of the season. Steve batted .224 with 3 HR in 28 games for the Twins in '71.
• For the next two years Brye was mostly used as a fourth outfielder and pinch hitter. In 1972 Steve batted .241 in 253 AB and in 1973 he batted .263 with 6 HR in 278 AB.
• In 1974 Brye was the starting center fielder for the Twins. He batted .283 with 32 doubles in 135 games. In 1975 Steve returned to his role as a backup outfielder (he would be a backup for the rest of his career). Brye batted .252 with a career-high 9 home runs in 246 AB in 1975. Steve batted .264 in 258 AB in 1976. On the last day of the 1976 season Brye was in left field in the bottom of the 9th inning when George Brett hit a ball that he  misplayed into an inside-the-park home run. Brett was neck and neck with teammate Hal McRae for the batting title and he won the title due to that hit. McRae flipped off the Twins bench after the game. McRae later said that he felt that Brye misplayed the ball on purpose and that Twins  manager Gene Mauch had him playing too deep. Rod Carew (who was a teammate of Brye and finished two points behind Brett) said that the racism thing was "a bunch of crap."
• During spring training in 1977 Steve was purchased by the Milwaukee Brewers. Brye batted .249 with 7 HR in 241 AB for the Brewers in '77. 
• Brye was released by the Brewers during spring training in 1978. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 4 and batted .235 in 115 AB. Steve became a free agent after the 1978 season and signed with the San Diego Padres. He played with AAA Hawaii in 1979 but didn't make it back to the major leagues. Steve retired after the 1979 season.
• Brye played senior baseball for several years in California.
• Liked to face: Mickey Lolich (.500 in 18 AB); Woodie Fryman (.444 in 18 AB); Wilbur Wood (.372 in 43 AB)
• Hated to face: Jim Slaton (.067 in 15 AB); Tom Murphy (.077 in 13 AB); Skip Lockwood (.111 in 18 AB)

1976 Topps #498 - Glenn Borgmann

.

• Glenn Borgmann played in parts of nine seasons from 1972 to 1980. Borgmann was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 1971. He had previously been drafted by the San Francisco Giants and the Pittsburgh Pirates but didn't sign. Borgmann played in the minors in 1971 and 1972 and was promoted to the Twins after hitting .336 in 66 games at AAA Tacoma. Glenn batted .234 in 56 games for the Twins in 1971.
• Borgmann was in Tacoma for most of the 1973 season and batted .274 in 136 games. After the Pacific Coast League season ended Glenn came back to the Twins and batted .265 in 12 games.
• Glenn was the starting catcher for the Twins in 1974 and 1975. In 1974 he batted .252 in 128 games and in 1975 he batted .207 in 125 games. He led all AL catchers with a .992 fielding percentage in 1974.
• Butch Wynegar beat out Borgmann for the starting catcher's job during spring training in 1976 and Glenn didn't play much after that. In 1976 he batted .246 in 24 games. Glenn batted .256 in 17 games in 1977. Borgmann got a little more playing time in 1978 and was the AL leader in throwing out opposing base stealers (49%). Glenn batted .211 in 49 games in 1978.
• Borgmann  batted .200 in 31 games in 1979. He became a free agent after the 1979 season and signed with the Chicago White Sox. He was cut loose on April 3 but resigned with the White Sox on April 8. Glenn was in the minors until early August when he was brought up to the White Sox. Borgmann batted .218 in 32 games in 1980. 
• Glenn became a free agent again after the 1980 season and signed with the Cleveland Indians. He played 11 games for AAA Charleston but never made it back to the majors.
• Here is an interview with Borgmann. After his playing career Glenn was in the auto parts business for 20 years. He also has worked nights at the Meadowlands race track in New Jersey.

1976 Topps #474 - Ray Corbin

• Ray Corbin pitched for the Minnesota Twins from 1971 to 1975. He pitched in his last major league game on July 28, 1975. Corbin was signed by the Twins in 1967. Ray pitched in the minors from 1967-1970 and was deemed ready after going 11-14 with a 2.86 ERA for AA Charlotte in 1970.
• Ray was a long reliever and spot starter for the Twins in 1971. He pitched in 52 games, 11 of them starts, and finished with an 8-11 record with three saves and a 4.12 ERA.
• Corbin had a similar role for the remainder of his career. He started a career-high 19 games in 1972 and relieved 12 times. Ray was 8-9 with a 2.62 ERA in '72. In 1973 Corbin appeared in 51 games (7 starts) and was 8-5 with 14 saves and had a 3.03 ERA.
• Corbin's ERA jumped into the 5's in his last two seasons. Ray was 7-6 with a 5.29 ERA in 29 games (15 starts) in 1974 and was 5-7 with a 5.12 ERA in 18 games (11 starts) in 1975. Corbin was injured and didn't pitch after July 28. In 1976 Ray started two games for AA Orlando and was 1-0 with a 6.30 ERA. The Twins released Corbin on May 3 and he retired at the age of 27.

1976 Topps #448 - Tom Johnson

• Tom Johnson pitched parts of five seasons for the Minnesota Twins from 1974-1978. Johnson was signed by the Twins in 1969. He pitched in the minors from 1970-1974 and was called up late in the 1974 season. Tom went 2-0 with one save and had a 0.00 ERA in four games in 1974.
• In 1975 Johnson pitched for AAA Tacoma until early July. He pitched in 18 games for the Twins in 1975 and was 1-2 with a 4.19 ERA. Tom split time between Tacoma and Minnesota again in 1976. Johnson was 3-1 with a 2.61 ERA in 18 games for the Twins in 1976.
• Johnson had his big year in 1977. He went 16-7 with 15 saves and had a 3.13 ERA in 71 games. The 16 victories is a large number for a relief pitcher. Roy Face has the all-time record for relief wins with 18.
• Tom fell off badly in 1978, probably due to an injury. He went 1-4 with a 5.51 ERA in 18 games. Johnson was released by the Twins before the 1979 season. He signed with the Chicago White Sox in October of 1979 and pitched in the minors in 1980 but he didn't make it back to the majors.

1976 Topps #424 - Phil Roof

• Phil Roof spent 15 years in the majors between 1961 and 1977. Phil was signed by the Milwaukee Braves in 1959. He spent a lot of time in the minors from 1959-1964. Roof played in one game with the Braves in 1961 but didn't have a plate appearance. He was 0 for 2 in one game in 1964 with the Braves. After the 1964 season Roof was traded to the California Angels.
• Roof didn't play  much for the Angels in 1965. Phil batted .136 in nine games and on June 15 he was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Bubba Morton. Phil batted .173 in 61 at bats for the Indians to finish the 1965 season. After the 1965 season he was traded with Joe Rudi to the Kansas City A's for Jim Landis and Jim Rittwage. (whoops)
• Phil was a regular catcher for the only two years of his career in 1966 and 1967. Roof batted .209 in 127 games in 1966 and .205 in 114 games in 1967. Even though he didn't hit much, Phil was credited with helping the young A's pitching staff develop. Manager Alvin Dark said that Roof was the glue that held them together.
• Roof became the third catcher in 1968 as the A's decided to go with Dave Duncan and Jim Pagliaroni for most of the time. Phil batted .188 in 34 games in 1968. He played more in 1969 and batted .235 in 106 games. After the 1969 season Roof was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers.
• Phil split time with Jerry McNertney behind the plate in 1970. Roof batted .227 in 110 games and hit a career-high 13 home runs.
• Phil suffered a beaning by Bert Blyleven early in the 1971 season. He spent several days in the hospital and didn't play much when he came back (.193 in 41 games). Roof was traded to the Minnesota Twins for Paul Ratliff on July 8 (see page 12 of the newspaper page for the first part of the article). Roof batted .241 in 31 games for the Twins in 1971.
• Phil spent the next 4 1/2 seasons as a backup catcher for the Twins. He batted .205 in 146 at bats in 1972, .197 in 117 at bats in 1973, and .196 in 97 at bats in 1974. Roof had an unusually good offensive year in 1975 when he batted .302 with 7 home runs in 126 at bats and had a .484 slugging percentage.
• In 1976 Roof batted .217 in 18 games for the Twins before being waived in early August. The Chicago White Sox picked Phil up and he played ten games in the minors before going 1 for 9 (.111) in four games with the White Sox. After the 1976 season Roof was traded to the expansion Toronto Blue Jays for a player to be named later (which turned out to be Larry Anderson). Phil went 0 for 5 in three games with the Blue Jays and was released after the 1977 season.

• After his playing career Phil was a bullpen coach for three teams and managed in the Twins' minor league system for 16 years before he retired in 2005. Phil's wife battled brain and lung cancer during Phil's last year with the Rochester Red Wings in 2005. He and his wife also cared for her younger brother, who has Down syndrome, after her parents passed away.
• Liked to face: Paul Splitorff (.400 in 20 AB); Fritz Peterson (.362 in 47 AB); Jim Perry (.353 in 54 AB)
• Hated to face: Catfish Hunter/Jim Perry (.000 in 12 AB); Clyde Wright (.071 in 28 AB); Dick Drago (.087 with 11 strikeouts in 23 AB)

1976 Topps #400 - Rod Carew

• 
  
  Rod Carew was one of my favorite players when I was growing up. I had three big posters of baseball players in my room: Pete Rose, Tom Seaver, and Rod Carew. Rod was born on a train in the Panama Canal Zone. When his mother went in to labor a doctor who was on board delievered the baby. The doctor's name was Rodney Cline, so Rod was named after the doctor in appreciation. Rod's family emigrated to New York City when Rod was 14, but he never played high school baseball. Rod was discovered by a Minnesota Twins scout while playing semi-pro baseball. Carew was signed by the Minnesota Twins in 1964. He spent three seasons in the minors and then was brought up to the Twins in 1967.

• 
  
  Rod was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1967. He batted .292 in 137 games, which was his lowest average except for the pitching-dominated 1968 season and his final season in 1985. Rod was the starting second baseman for the American League in the All Star Game. He went 0 for 3 in the game. This was the first of 18 straight seasons in which he would make the AL All Star team, which was every season except for 1985.

• 
  
  Carew batted .273 in 1968, which was his version of a sophomore jinx. From 1969-1983 Rod batted over .300 every year. In 1969 Carew batted .332 and won his first AL batting title. He batted .071 (1 for 14) in the 1969 ALCS. Rod missed three months of the 1970 season with a knee injury. He played in 51 games and batted .366. Carew was limited to two pinch hitting appearances in the 1970 ALCS and was 0 for 2.

• 
  
  Rod wasn't quite 100% in 1971 and batted "only" .307. He batted .318 in 1972, .350 in 1973, .364 in 1974, and .359 in 1975. Rod won the AL batting title all four of those seasons. The 1972 season was the only one in which a player would win a batting title without hitting a home run. Carew batted .331 in 1976 and barely missed winning the batting title. He was in a four-player battle with teammate Lyman Bostock and Kansas City Royals George Brett and Hal McRae. Brett won the title with a .333 average. During the 1976 season Rod moved from second base to first base.

• 
  
  Rod had his best season in 1977 and won the AL MVP award. He batted .388 and also led the AL in runs (128), hits (239), triples (16), on base percentage (.449), and intentional walks (15). Carew won the AL batting title in 1978 with a .333 average. It was his seventh (and last) batting title. After the 1978 season Rod announced his intention to leave the Twins because of frustration with the Twins being unable to keep young talent and because of conficts with Twins owner Calvin Griffith. Rather than lose Rod to free agency the Twins traded him to the California Angels for Ken Landreaux, Dave Engle, Paul Hartzell, and Brad Havens.

• 
  
  Carew missed about seven weeks (early June-late July) of the 1979 season with an injury. He batted .318 in 110 games and batted .412 in the 1979 ALCS. Rod played in 144 games in 1980 and batted .331. He batted .305 in 1981 and .319 in 1982. He batted .176 in the 1982 ALCS.

• 
  
  Rod's last big season was 1983. He batted .339 and was spending more time at DH. Carew missed three weeks of the 1984 season and batted .295. It was the first time he failed to hit .300 or better since 1968. Rod was batting .300 in the last week of the season but went hitless in his last two games that season to drop below .300.

• 
  
  Carew batted .280 in 1985. Rod got his 3000th hit off of Frank Viola on August 4, 1985. It was the same day that Tom Seaver got his 300th win. He became a free agent after the 1985 season but didn't receive any offers. He felt that he was one of the players frozen out by owners during the collusion era. Rod later was awarded damages equal to what he probably would have made ($782,036). Carew was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1991.

Baseball Digest articles about Rod Carew:

• 
  
  How Martin Helped Reform Rod Carew - June 1969
• 
  
  Rod Carew: 'Homers Don't Interest Me' - August 1973
• 
  
  Rod Carew: The Majors' Complete Ballplayer - December 1973
• 
  
  A Fourth Batting Title for Rod Carew? - August 1974
• 
  
  Rod Carew: He's in a Class by Himself - December 1975
• 
  
  Rod Carew: The Best Hitter in the Majors - July 1977
• 
  
  How the Twins First Signed Rod Carew - December 1977
• 
  
  When Billy Martin 'Went to Bat' for Rod Carew - March 1978
• 
  
  Rod Carew-The Game I'll Never Forget - October 1986
• 
  
  Rod Carew Fell Short of .400 But Not the Hall of Fame - November 1991
• 
  
  Young Angel Hitters Thrive Under Rod Carew's Guidance- November 1995

• 
  
  After his playing career Rod opened up the Rod Carew Baseball School in Placentia, California. He later became a hitting coach and coached for the Angels (1992-1999) and the Milwaukee Brewers (2000-2001). Carew is now on the executive staff of the Minnesota Twins and is a Special Advisor for International Player Development for major league baseball. He does a lot of charitable work.

• 
  
  Here is an article about Rod Carew from about a month ago (2/23/2010) when he was raising money for pediatric cancer research.

• 
  
  Rod's official web site.

A 1977 profile of Rod Carew

1976 Topps #373 - Johnny Briggs

• Those are some serious chops on Mr. Briggs.

• By the time this card came out Johnny Briggs was playing in Japan for the Lotte Orions. Briggs was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1962. He played only one season (1963) in the minors and batted .297 with 21 HR for the single-A Bakersfield team.

• Johnny came up to the Phillies in 1964 at the age of 20. He was used mostly as a pinch runner and pinch hitter. Briggs played in 61 games and came to the plate 76 times, batting .258. In 1965 Johnny was a backup outfielder and batted .236 in 229 at bats. He, Tony Taylor, and Johnny Callison were involved in an outfield collision that knocked them senseless in late July 1965. Briggs showed some power in 1966. He homered 10 times and batted .282 (with a career-high .490 slugging percentage) in 255 at bats.

• Briggs started to get more playing time in 1967. He batted .232 with 9 HR in 332 AB in '67. In 1968 Johnny batted .254 with 7 HR in 338 AB.  He continued to be used at all three OF positions and at 1B.

• Johnny played in 124 games in 1969, which was his highest total while with the Phillies. He batted .238 with 12 HR. In 1970 Briggs batted .270 with 9 HR in 341 at bats. Johnny started the 1971 season with the Phillies but he started slowly (.182 in 22 AB). On April 22 he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for Pete Koegel and Ray Peters. Johnny split time between the outfield and first base but was usually in the lineup somewhere. He batted .264 with 21 HR and 59 RBI for the Brewers in '71.

• Briggs had a similar season in 1972, batting .266 with 21 HR and 65 RBI. In 1973 Johnny batted .246 with 18 HR and 47 RBI and got a 10th place vote for AL MVP. He went 6 for 6 in a game against Cleveland on August 4. Briggs had a career high in RBI (73) and batted .253 with 17 HR in 1974.

• Johnny's last major league season was 1975. He started the year with the Brewers and was batting .297 with 3 HR in 28 games when he was traded to the Minnesota Twins for Bobby Darwin on June 14. Briggs finished the season with the Twins and ended up batting .246 with 10 HR and 44 RBI for the two teams. In February 1976 Briggs was released and went to Japan. He played one season (1976) in Japan and then called it quits.

• Briggs has a Pony League named after him in his hometown of Paterson, NJ. He is among several Paterson athletes who are to be honored by the Rotary club for community contributions on May 6.

• Liked to face: Dave Goltz (.500 in 14 AB); Stan Bahnsen (.400 in 35 AB); Sammy Ellis (.385 in 26 AB)
• Hated to face: Dick Hughes (.000 in 13 AB); Steve Kline (.059 in 17 AB); Ken Johnson (.071 in 28 AB)

1976 Topps #336 - Vic Albury

• Vic Albury pitched for the Minnesota Twins from 1973-1976. He was originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1965. Albury didn't pitch in the minors until 1969 because he got called into the military soon after he was drafted.
  

• Vic pitched for his hometown Key West club (Class A, Chicago Cubs) in 1969. He moved on to the San Diego Padres organization in 1970 then was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the minor league draft in December 1970.

• Albury was a reliever in 1971, appearing in 66 games. In 1972 he had surgery to remove bone spurs from his pitching elbow and appeared in only 12 games. Vic was mostly a starter for AAA Tacoma in 1973 and was brought up to the Twins in August of 1973. Vic was 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 14 games for the Twins in '73.

• In 1974 Albury was mostly a starter (29 games - 19 starts) and was 8-9 with a 4.12 ERA. Vic split time between the rotation and the bullpen in 1975. In 32 games (15 starts) he was 6-7 with one save and a 4.53 ERA. He walked 97 batters in 135 innings.

• The 1976 season was Albury's last season in the majors. He appeared in 23 games (all in relief) and was 3-1 with a 3.58 ERA. Vic pitched for AAA Syracuse (Yankees organization) in 1977 and for AAA Tacoma (Indians organization) in 1979 but didn't get back to the majors.

• After his playing career Albury did some minor league coaching.
  

• Liked to face: Sandy Alomar (.000 in 10 AB); Boog Powell (.000 in 11 AB); Reggie Jackson (.083 in 12 AB)
• Hated to face: Bert Campaneris (.545 in 11 AB); George Brett (.467 in 15 AB); Cookie Rojas (.462 in 13 AB)
  

1976 Topps #313 - Dan Ford

• "Disco Dan" Ford was an outfielder for three teams from 1975-1985. He grew up in Watts during the time of the riots. Ford was a first round draft pick of the Oakland A's in 1970. He played in the A's minor league system from 1971-1974 but couldn't break into the A's outfield (Jackson/North/Rudi) and was traded to the Minnesota Twins (with a minor leaguer) for Pat Bourque after the '74 season.

• Ford became the starting CF for the Twins in 1975 and batted .280 with 15 HR and 59 RBI in 130 games. In 1976 Ford batted .267 with 20 HR and 86 RBI in 145 games as the Twins' starting RF. Dan also struck out 118 times while walking only 36 times for a .323 on base percentage. He wasn't the type of guy you wanted at the top of the lineup.

• In 1977 Dan batted .267 with 11 HR and 60 RBI in 144 games. Ford had a similar year in 1978, batting .267 with 11 HR and 82 RBI in 151 games. After the 1978 season Ford was traded to the California Angels for Danny Goodwin and Ron Jackson.

• Ford had his best season in 1979. He batted .290 with 100 runs scored, 21 HR, and 101 RBI. Dan homered twice in four games and batted .294 in the ALCS. Dan was hurt for much of the 1980 season. He didn't play between May 28 and August 8. On May 28 Ford was batting only .220 but by the end of the year he raised his average to .279.

• In 1981 Ford reclaimed his starting RF spot and in 97 games batted .277 with 15 HR and 48 RBI. After the 1981 season Dan was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Doug DeCinces and Jeff Schneider. Ford batted .235 with 10 HR and 43 RBI in 123 games for the Orioles in 1982.

• Ford missed a month (late June-late July) of the 1983 season. In 103 games Dan batted .280 with 9 HR and 55 RBI. He was 1 for 5 in the ALCS and batted .167 in 14 at bats in the World Series. Ford was released by the Orioles after the '83 season but resigned with the team in January 1984.

• Dan became a part-time player in 1984 and 1985. He played in only 25 games in 1984, batting .231 in 91 AB. In 1985 he batted .187 in 75 AB. Ford was released after the 1985 season.

• After his career Ford did some scouting for the Oakland A's but didn't like that very much. He later formed an intervention program with Darryl Jackson to "work with tough kids and help them adjust to things."

• Here is a June 2003 interview with Ford. He lists his toughest pitchers as Ron Guidry and Jack Morris. He also says that Jim Hunter was the best pitcher he ever saw. Dan didn't fare too badly against Guidry (.244 in 41 AB) and actually did quite well against Morris (.313 in 16 AB)

• Liked to face: Bob Lacey (8 for 9 with 3 doubles, 1 triple, and 3 HR); Bob Stanley (.450 in 20 AB); Rick Waits (.435 in 23 AB)
• Hated to face: Jim Hunter (.000 in 16 AB); Milt Wilcox (.045 in 22 AB); Dave Steib (.129 in 31 AB)
  

1976 Topps #288 - Bill Campbell

• Bill Campbell pitched for seven teams from 1973-1987. He was one of the first players to sign a big contract during the free agent era. Bill was singed by the Minnesota Twins in 1970. He began his career as a starting pitcher, making only one relief appearance in his three years in the minors. Campbell was called up to the Twins in mid July 1973. He pitched in 28 games (2 starts) and was 3-3 with 7 saves and an ERA of 3.14.

• Campbell became an important part of the Minnesota bullpen in 1974. He appeared in 62 games and had 19 saves, an 8-7 record, and an ERA of 2.62. In 1975 the Twins had Bill start a few games. Campbell appeared in 47 games and started seven times. He had a record of 4-6 with 5 saves and an ERA of 3.79.

• Bill had a great year in 1976. He led the AL in appearances with 78 and was 17-5 with 20 saves and a 3.01 ERA. Campbell led the AL in winning percentage (.778). Bill pitched 167 2/3 innings in relief during the '76 season. He got some Cy Young consideration (7th) and MVP consideration (8th) and was the AL Fireman of the Year. After the '76 season Campbell became a free agent and signed a big contract ($1 million for four years) with the Boston Red Sox. He was the first player from the first free agent class to sign a contract.

• The Red Sox received some immediate dividends from Campbell in 1977. Bill was AL Fireman of the Year for the second year in a row and made the AL All Star team (he pitched a scoreless 7th inning). He was 5th in Cy Young Award voting and 10th in MVP voting and was again the AL Fireman of the Year. Campbell had a record of 13-9 with an ERA of 2.96 and led the AL with 31 saves.

• In 1978 Campbell experienced arm trouble. He didn't pitch for four weeks in late April and May. He was used about 1-2 times a week and pitched only 50 2/3 innings. He had a 7-5 record with 4 saves and a 3.91 ERA. Bill appeared in more games in 1979 (41 compared to 29 in '78) but pitched only 54 2/3 innings. He was 3-4 with 9 saves and a 4.28 ERA.

• During the 1980 season Bill didn't pitch until June 20. He made only 23 appearances, the lowest number until his last season. Bill was 4-0 with a 4.79 ERA. Campbell was 1-1 with 9 saves and a 3.17 ERA in 30 appearances in 1981. After the season he became a free agent and signed with the Chicago Cubs.

• Campbell was able to come back in 1982 and pitch 100 innings, the most since 1977. In his 62 appearances he was 3-6 with 8 saves and a 3.69 ERA. Bill led the NL with 82 appearances in 1983 and was 6-8 with 8 saves and a 4.49 ERA. After the 1983 season he and Mike Diaz were traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Gary Matthews, Bob Dernier, and Porti Altamirano.

• Bill was a middle reliever for the Phillies in 1984. He had a 6-5 record with one save and a 3.53 ERA in 57 games. At the end of spring training in 1985 he and Ivan DeJesus were traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Dave Rucker.

• Campbell finally made it to the postseason in 1985. He made 50 appearances and was 5-3 with 4 saves and a 3.50 ERA during the season. Bill made three appearances in the NLCS and three appearances in the World Series and allowed one run in 6.1 innings. Campbell was released after the season and hooked up with the Detroit Tigers.

• Bill spent one season with the Tigers (3-6, 3 saves, 3.88 ERA) and was released after the '86 season. He signed with the Montreal Expos but was released in May 1987 after making seven appearances and having an ERA of 8.10.

• Liked to face: Buddy Bell (.120 in 25 AB); Bert Campaneris (.130 in 23 AB); Reggie Jackson (.167 in 36 AB)
• Hated to face: Claudell Washington (.389 in 36 AB); Johnny Ray (.563 in 16 AB); Gene Tenace (.563 in 16 AB)
  

1976 Topps #263 - Lyman Bostock

• Lyman Bostock's promising career was cut short on September 23, 1978 when he was shot and killed in Gary, Indiana. Bostock was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 1972. He played in the minors from 1972-1975, hitting well at every stop. He was promoted to the Twins in early 1975 after batting .391 in 22 games at AAA Tacoma.

• Bostock actually started the 1975 season with the Twins but was sent back down to Tacoma in late Apri after starting the season batting .219 in 36 AB. After his recall he continued to struggle until the All Star break. Bostock was batting .195 at the break but came on strong to finish the season with a .282 average in 99 games.

• Lyman became the Twins' starting center fielder in 1976 and had a nice season. He batted .323 in 128 games and finished fourth in the AL in batting average. Bostock's best season was 1977. He batted .336 with 36 doubles, 12 triples, 14 homers, and 90 RBI in 153 games. Lyman finished second in the AL in batting, two points behind teammate Rod Carew. He became a free agent after the season and signed with the California Angels.

• Bostock started slowly in 1978 and offered to forfeit his salary in April when he wasn't hitting well (he batted .147 for the month). The Angels refused the offer, but Lyman donated a month's salary to charity because he didn't think he deserved it. Bostock's bat heated up in June and on September 23 he was batting .296.

• The Angels were in Chicago and Lyman went to visit relatives in his hometown of Gary. He was being driven by an uncle and a woman he had only known for 20 minutes was in the back seat with him. The woman's estranged boyfriend pulled up alongside the car at a traffic light. The man got out and fired a shot into the back seat. The blast was meant for the woman but it struck Bostock in the right temple and he was pronounced dead two hours later.
• Here is an ESPN story called Fifth and Jackson about Bostock's death.

Lyman Bostock Tribute Page

The Lyman Bostock Story (2 parts)

• Liked to face: Jim Slaton (.500 in 28 AB); Fergie Jenkins (.387 in 31 AB); Doug Bird (.423 in 26 AB); Doc Medich (.481 in 27 AB)

• Hated to face: Nolan Ryan (.172 with 12 strikeouts in 29 AB); Rick Wise (.143 in 28 AB); Pat Dobson (.182 in 22 AB)