1976 Hostess #68 - Jim Sundberg

• In 1976 this would not have been the best card to get. That .199 average in 1975 didn't look good. Little did we know that Jim Sundberg would turn out to be one of the better catchers in the AL for many years to come
• Jim was thought of as a weak link in the Texas lineup before the 1976 season
• Sundberg batted .228 in 140 games in 1976, but he won the first of six straight AL Gold Glove awards.
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? before peak

1976 Hostess #111 - Jeff Burroughs

• This five-year set of stats is full of ups and downs.
• Burroughs was the AL MVP in 1974 and also had good power years in 1973 and 1975
• Jeff's batting average fell of badly in 1975 and he also led the AL with 155 strikeouts
• Burroughs had a similar year in 1976, but he hit only 18 home runs
• Jeff was traded  to the Atlanta Braves after the 1976 season. At first he didn't want to go (Burroughs contended that he had a no-trade clause), but he finally relented.
• Burroughs had a couple of good years with the Braves but then he struggled through the 1979 and 1980 seasons. 
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? after peak

1976 Hostess #4 - Gaylord Perry

• It looks like Perry didn't do much in 1975 since it was split between two teams, but he was 18-17 with a 3.24 ERA in 37 starts
• Perry had two (maybe even three) peaks in his career. This five-year period looks like a good one -- he won between 16 and 24 games each year.
• Before peak, peak, or after peak? end of second peak

1976 Kellogg's #51 - Mike Hargrove

• What did he do to deserve a 1976 Kellogg's card?
• Was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1974 --  batted .323 in 131 games
• Made the AL All Star team in 1975 (0 for 1 as a pinch hitter)
• Batted .303 in 145 games in 1975
• 1976 Highlights:
• Batted .287 in 151 games
• Led the AL with 97 walks (.397 on base percentage)

1976 Topps Traded #411T - Bill Singer

• Bill Singer didn't spend very  much time with the Rangers in 1976. He started ten games and went 4-1 with a 3.48 ERA.
• Singer was included in the big Bert Blyleven trade on June 1, 1976.
• Bill went 9-9 with a 3.77 ERA in 26 starts for the Minnesota Twins in 1976.
• Singer was taken by the Toronto Blue Jays in the expansion draft. He was injured in mid-July and missed the rest of the 1977 season.
• Bill was unable to come back from his injury and was released after the 1978 season.

1976 Topps Traded #383T - John Ellis

• John Ellis was acquired by the Texas Rangers after the 1975 season in exchange for two players.
• Ellis wasn't going to get much playing time since the Rangers had Jim Sundberg as their starting catcher.
• John played in 11 games and batted .419 in 31 at bats before he suffered a broken bone in his left leg and a dislocated ankle in a sliding play at second base on May 9.
• Ellis continued to be a backup catcher for the Rangers through the 1980 season and was a 1B/DH in 1981.
• John was released during spring training in 1982.

1976 Topps #657 - Roy Smalley

• At the time this card was produced Roy Smalley was a promising young shortstop. Roy was the first player taken in the 1974 draft. Roy spent the 1974 season in the minors. Smalley started the 1975 season in AAA Spokane and was promoted to the Rangers in late April. Roy batted .228 in 78 games for the Rangers in 1975.
• Smalley started the 1976 season with the Rangers and batted .225 in 41 games. On June 1 Roy went to the Minnesota Twins in a huge trade that brought Bert Blyleven to Texas. Smalley batted .271 in 103 games for the Twins in 1976.
• Smalley was the starting shortstop for the Twins for the next few years. In 1977 Roy batted .231 in 150 games. Smalley developed some power in 1978 -- he batted .273 with 19 HR and 77 RBI.
• Roy was an AL All Star in 1979 (he started the game and was 0 for 3 with a walk) and led the AL with 162 games played and 729 plate appearances. Roy batted .278 with 24 HR, 95 RBI, 94 runs scored, and 80 walks. Roy Smalley: Good Field, Good Hit Shortstop - November 1979 Baseball Digest
• Smalley played in 133 games in 1980 and batted .278 with 12 HR and 63 RBI. After the 1980 season Smalley signed a 4-year, $2.4 million contract.
•  In 1981 Roy had two stints on the disabled list. Along with the strike, Smalley's playing time was limited to 56 games. Roy batted .263 during the season. Roy started to suffer from spondylolysis (a lower back condition) that hampered his play.
• Roy played in only four games for the Twins in 1982 before being traded to the New York Yankees on April 10  for Greg Gagne, Ron Davis, and Paul Boris. Smalley batted .257 with 20 HR in 142 games for the Yankees in 1982.
• Smalley batted .275 with 18 HR in 1983. Roy started the 1984 season with the Yankees (.239 in 67 games) before being traded to the Chicago White Sox for Doug Drabek and Kevin Hickey on July 18. Smalley batted .170 in 47 games for the White Sox to finish the 1984 season.
• Before the 1985 season Smalley was traded to the Twins for Randy Johnson (no not that Randy) and a minor leaguer. By this time Roy was playing more as a DH than as an infielder. 
• In 1985 Roy batted .258 with 12 HR in 129 games. Smalley batted .246 with 20 HR in 1986.
• Smalley's last season was 1987. It was a good year for him to go out, as the Twins won the World Championship that year. Roy contributed with a .275 batting average and 8 homers in 110 games. Smalley wasn't used in the ALCS, but he played in four games in the World Series and went 1 for 2.
• After the 1987 season Roy was sent back to the White Sox. A clause in the transaction that brought Smalley to the Twins in 1985 stipulated that the  Twins had the right to send him back at any time. Smalley retired in early April without playing for the White Sox.
• Smalley now works for FSN North analyzing Minnesota Twins games. He also owns a restaurant near Target Field.
• Liked to face: Paul Mitchell (.483 in 29 AB); Mike Parrott (.467 in 15 AB); Milt Wilcox (.444 in 27 AB)
• Hated to face: Joe Cowley (.000 in 13 AB); Marty Pattin (.040 in 25 AB); Ed Figueroa (.069 in 29 AB); Nolan Ryan (.114 with 20 strikeouts in 35 AB)

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1976 Topps #635 - Jim Fregosi

• Jim Fregosi was an important player in the history of the California Angels. Fregosi was signed by the Boston Red Sox. After playing in the Rex Sox' system in 1960 Jim was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the expansion draft. Fregosi played in the minors in 1961 and then was brought up at the age of 19 in September. Jim batted .222 in 11 games for the Angels in '61.
• Fregosi spent the first three months of the 1962 season in the minors. Jim was brought up in July and batted .291 in 58 games. Fregosi became the starting shortstop for the Angels and held the job for almost ten years.
• Jim batted .287 with 12 triples in 1963. In 1964 Fregosi was the starting shortstop for the AL in the All Star Game and went 1 for 4. He batted .277 with 18 HR in 1964
• Jim batted .277 with 15 HR and 64 RBI in 1965. It was his only season from 1964-1970 that he wasn't an AL All Star.
• In 1966 Jim batted .252 with 13 HR and 67 RBI. Fregosi's power dropped a bit in the next two seasons. In 1967 Jim batted .290 with 9 HR and 56 RBI, finished 7th in MVP voting, and won a Gold Glove at shortstop. Fregosi batted .244 with 9 HR and 49 RBI in 1968. Jim led the AL in 1968 with 13 triples.
• In 1969 Jim batted .260 with 12 HR and 47 RBI. Why Losers Find It A Long Season - August 1969 Baseball Digest. Fregosi had one of his best years in 1970 when he batted .278 with career highs in HR (22), RBI (82), and doubles (33).
• Fregosi missed quite a bit of time, including a month-long stretch in July and August, with injuries (a shoulder image and a tumor on his right foot) in 1971. Jim played in 107 games and batted .233 with only five HR.
• After the 1971 season Fregosi was traded to the New York Mets for four players, one of whom was Nolan Ryan. The Mets planned to move Jim to third base to solve their perennial problems at the position.
• Fregosi didn't do a whole lot for the Mets in his year and a half with the club. He broke his thumb in spring training in 1972 and was never able to get things going. In 1972 Jim batted .232 with 5 HR in 101 games. Fregosi batted .234 in 45 games with the Mets in 1973. On July 15 Jim was sold to the Texas Rangers. Jim played in 45 games for the Rangers and batted .268 with 6 HR.
• For the rest of his career Jim was a part-time player who mostly played first base (with some occasional time at third base). In 1974 Fregosi batted .261 with 12 HR in 78 games. Jim batted .262 with 7 HR in 1975 and .233 in 58 games in 1976.
• In 1977 Jim started the season with Texas (.250 in 13 games) and was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Ed Kirkpatrick on June 15. Fregosi batted .286 in 36 games for the Pirates in 1977.
• Fregosi played in 20 games in 1978 and went 4 for 20 (.200). Jim was released on June 1 and became the manager of the Angels.
• Fregosi managed the Angels from 1978 through the first half of the 1981 season (he was replaced by Gene Mauch on May 29). The Angels won the AL West title in 1979 but were defeated by the Baltimore Orioles in the ALCS.
• Jim managed the AAA Louisville Redbirds from 1983-1985. He managed the Chicago White Sox (replacing Tony LaRussa) from 1986-1988 but the club never finished above 5th place in the AL West. Jim was let go after the 1988 season.
• Fregosi managed the Philadelphia Phillies from 1991-1996. The Phillies won the NL East in 1993 and advanced to the World Series, but they were defeated by the Toronto Blue Jays.
• Jim managed the Blue Jays in 1999 and 2000.
• Fregosi is now an advance scout for the Atlanta Braves
• Liked to face: Billy Wynne (.600 in 15 AB); Clyde Wright (.500 with 3 HR in 14 AB); Bert Blyleven (.393 in 28 AB)
• Hated to face: Bob Priddy (.000 in 10 AB); Jim Bouton (.079 in 38 AB); Joe Coleman (.109 in 46 AB)

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1976 Topps #615 - Mike Cubbage

• Mike Cubbage was drafted by the Washington Senators in 1971. Mike played in the minors from 1971-1974 and got a chance to play in the majors with the Texas Rangers at the end of the 1974 season. Cubbage played in nine games and went 0 for 15 (.000).
• Mike started the 1975 season in AAA Spokane and batted .313 with 10 HR in 56 games. Cubbage was brought up to the Rangers in mid-June. Mike batted .224 in 58 games for the Rangers in 1975.
• Cubbage started the 1976 season with the Rangers and batted .219 in 14 games. On June 1 Mike was sent to the Minnesota Twins as part of the big trade that brought Bert Blyleven to Texas. Cubbage played in 104 games for the Twins in 1976 and batted .260.
• Mike was the starting third baseman for the Twins for the next two years. He had decent batting averages and on base percentages, but he didn't supply as much power as the Twins would have liked. In 1977 Cubbage batted .264 with 9 HR in 129 games and in 1978 he batted .282 with 7 HR in 125 games.
• The Twins decided to start John Castillo at third base in 1979. Castillo had about the same kind of year that Cubbage had the previous year. Mike became a utility player and batted .276 with a .371 on base percentage in 94 games.
• Cubbage was a utility guy again in 1980 and batted .246 in 103 games. After the 1980 season Mike became a free agent and signed with the New York Mets
• Mike was with the Mets for only one season. Cubbage batted .213 in 80 at bats in 1981. Mike was cut at the end of spring training in 1982. Cubbage played for AAA Tidewater in 1982 but didn't get back to the majors. He had signed a 3-year, $1  million contract before the 1981 season.
• After his playing career Mike managed in the Mets' system from 1983-1989. Mike was the third base coach for  the Mets in 1990 and managed the club for the last seven games of the 1991 season. Cubbage was the third base coach for the Mets for several more seasons before being hired as third base coach by the Houston Astros in 1996.
• Mike later moved on to become the third base coach for the Boston Red Sox. Cubbage served as the interim manager for the Red Sox for six days during spring training in 2002 after Joe Kerrigan was fired. Cubbage suffered a diabetic seizure during a game on April 11, 2003 and had to be taken from the field on a stretcher. Cubbage now scouts for the Tampa Bay Rays.
• Here is Mike's TTM information.
• Liked to face: Bob Stanley (.500 in 14 AB); Lary Sorensen (.429 in 28 AB); Dennis Leonard (.400 in 30 AB)
• Hated to face: Mike Norris (.000 in 16 AB); Gaylord Perry (.059 in 17 AB); Don Aase (.105 in 19 AB)

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1976 Topps #604 - Joe Lovitto

• Joe Lovitto played for the Texas Rangers from 1972-1975. Joe was the first round pick (second overall) of the Washington Senators in 1969. Lovitto played in the minors from 1969-1971 and played well enough to earn a shot at the major league club in spring training in 1972.
• Lovitto was the starting center fielder for much of the 1972 season and batted .224 in 117 games. He had a run-in with Texas manager Ted Williams during the season.
• Joe started the 1973 season with the Rangers but suffered a leg injury in June. After some time off Lovitto played in AAA for the rest of the 1973 season. Joe ended up batting .136 in 44 at bats for the Rangers in '73.
• Joe started 73 games in center field in 1974. Lovitto played in a total of 113 games and batted .223 in 283 at bats.
• In 1975 Lovitto played sparingly. He batted .208 in 50 games. 
• After the 1975 season the Rangers traded Joe to the New York Mets for Gene Clines. Lovitto didn't make the Mets ballclub in 1976 and was cut during spring training
• Joe Lovitto died of cancer after battling it for eight years at the age of 50 on May 19, 2001.

A video tribute to Joe Lovitto:

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1976 Topps #595 - Rookie Pitchers (DeFilippis, Lerch, Monge, Barr)

• Art DeFilippis
• Art never made it to the major leagues
• Drafted by the Washington Senators in 1970
• You Can't Beat the Draft - July 27, 1970 Sports Illustrated (Art is discussed on page 6)
• Led the Class A- New York-Pennsylvania league in winning percentage in 1970. He went 9-2 (.818) with a 1.81 ERA in 12 starts.
• Pitched well at Class A Burlington (7-5, 3.05 ERA) in 1971 but struggled when promoted to AAA Denver (1-2, 10.29 ERA)
• Pitched for AA Pittsfield from 1972-1974
• Pitched for AAA Spokane in 1975 and for AAA Sacramento in 1976.
• Moved to the Minnesota Twins organization in 1977 and pitched for AAA Tacoma
• Finished his career in 1978 with AA Jacksonville in the KC Royals' organization.
• Pitched in the Connecticut Senior Men's Baseball League in 1991.
• Art's TTM information is here.
• Randy Lerch
• Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1973
• Had short September call-ups in 1975 (6.43 ERA in three games) and in 1976 (3.00 ERA in one game)
• Made the Philadelphia rotation in 1977 and was 10-6 with a 5.07 ERA in 28 starts
• Was not used in the 1977 NLCS
• Went 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA in 28 starts in 1978
• Hit two home runs in the division-clinching game on September 30
• Started game 4 of the NLCS and allowed three runs in 5.1 innings. Did not figure in the decision.
• Had a 10-13 record with an ERA of 3.74 in 35 starts in 1979
• Struggled in 1980 -- went 4-14 with a 5.16 ERA in 30 games (22 starts)
• Lost his spot in the starting rotation in  mid-August and was not used in the 1980 playoffs
• Traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for Dick Davis before the 1981 season
• Went 7-9 with a 4.31 ERA in 1981
• Started game 3 of the 1981 ALDS and allowed one run in six innings. Did not figure in the decision
• Started the 1982 season with the Brewers and went 8-7 with a 4.97 ERA in 20 starts
• Sold to the Montreal Expos on August 14, 1982
• Was 2-0 with a 3.42 ERA in six games (four starts) for Montreal
• Started the 1983 season with Montreal (1-3, 6.75 ERA in 15 games)
• Released on July 28 and signed by the San Francisco Giants on August 9
• Had a 1-0 record with a 3.38 ERA in seven games for the Giants
• Appeared in 37 games (5 starts) with the Giants in 1984 and was 5-3 with two saves and had a 4.23 ERA
• Became a free agent after the 1984 season but was not signed
• Signed with the Phillies on May 21, 1985
• Pitched in the minors for the remainder of the 1985 season
• Started the 1986 season in AAA and had a short stint with the Phillies in June (1-1, 7.88 ERA in four games)
• Released by the Phillies on June 26, 1986
• Pitched  for AAA Louisville (St. Louis Cardinals organization) in 1986 and retired after the season
• Here is Randy's TTM information.
• Sid  Monge
• Signed by the California Angels in 1970
• Had a September call-up in 1975 and went 0-2 with a 4.18 ERA in four games (two starts)
• Appeared in 32 games (13 starts) in 1976 and had a 6-7 record with a 3.37 ERA.
• This was the only season in which Sid would start in the majors
• Started the 1977 season with the Angels (0-1, 2.92 ERA in four games)
• Traded to the Cleveland Indians with Bruce Bochte and $250,000 for Dave LaRoche and Dave Schuler on May 11, 1977
• Appeared in 33 games for the Indians in 1977 and was 1-2 with 3 saves and had a 6.23 ERA
• Went 4-3 with three saves and had a 2.76 ERA in 48 games in 1978
• Had his best season in 1979 -- went 12-10 with 19 saves and had an ERA of 2.40 in 76 games
• Made the AL All Star team in 1979 but didn't appear in the game
• Appeared in 67 games in 1980 and was 3-5 with 13 saves and had a 3.53 ERA
• Went 3-5 with four saves and had a 4.34 ERA in 31 games in 1981
• Traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Bake McBride before the 1982 season
• Pitched in 47 games for the Phillies in 1982 and was 7-1 with a 3.75 ERA
• Started the 1983 season with the Phillies (3-0, 6.94 ERA in 14 games)
• Traded to the San Diego Padres for Jim Lefebvre on May 22, 1983
• Went 7-3 with 7 saves and had a 3.15 ERA for the Padres to finish the 1983 season
• Started the 1984 season with the Padres (2-1, 4.80 ERA in 13 games)
• Sold to the Detroit Tigers on June 10, 1984
• Pitched in 19 games for the Tigers and was 1-0 with a 4.25 ERA
• Missed a month of the 1984 season (late August to late September) with an injury and was not used by the Tigers in the postseason
• Pitched in 45 games in AAA in 1985 but didn't get back to the majors
• Has been a pitching coach for various teams in the minor leagues and in the  Mexican League since his retirement as a player
• Steve Barr 
• Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1969
• Pitched in the minors from 1969-1974
• Started 24 games for AA Bristol in 1974 and was 16-8 with a 2.45 ERA
• Started one game on October 1, 1974 and got a complete game victory.
• Pitched for AAA Pawtucket for most of the 1975 season
• Had a short July stint with Boston in 1975 and was 0-1 with a 2.57 ERA in three games (two starts)
• Traded with Juan Beniquez and Craig Skok to the Texas Rangers for Fergie Jenkins after the 1975 season
• Appeared in 20 games (10 starts) for the Rangers in 1976 and was 2-6 with a 5.59 ERA
• Taken by the Seattle Mariners in the expansion draft after the 1976 season
• Steve never pitched in the Seattle organization, but no further transactions are shown in his baseball reference page
• Pitched in the minors for the KC  Royals and Cleveland Indians organizations in 1977 and 1978 and retired after the 1978 season.
• Steve is the uncle of pitcher Ryan Madson

1976 Topps #587 - Leo Cardenas

• Leo Cardenas was signed by the Cincinnati Reds (or was it Redlegs?) out of Cuba in 1956. "Chico" Cardenas played in the minors until he was called up to the Reds in July 1960. Leo batted .232 in 48 games for the Reds in 1960.
• Cardenas backed up All Star shortstop Eddie Kasko in 1961. Leo batted .308 in 198 at bats and had a .485 slugging percentage, which was pretty high for a shortstop. Cardenas went 1 for 3 in three games in the 1961 World Series.
• Leo took over the starting shortstop job for the Reds in 1962 and would remain the regular shortstop through the 1968 season. Cardenas won a Gold Glove award in 1965 and made the NL All Star team four times during this period.
• Cardenas batted .235 in 158 games in 1963 and .251 in 163 games in 1964.
• Leo's two best years as a Red were in 1965 (.287 with 11 triples and 11 HR) and in 1966 (.255 with 20 HR).
• Leo missed two months (mid-June to mid-August) with an injury in 1967. Cardenas played in 107 games and batted .256.
• Cardenas had a rough season in 1968. His batting average slipped to .235 and his fielding numbers were below league average. In spite of the low numbers Leo was selected to the 1968 NL All Star team. After the 1968 season Leo was traded to the Minnesota Twins for Jim Merritt.
• Leo came back in 1969 to bat .280 in 160 games and get minor AL MVP consideration (12th place). Cardenas went 2 for 13 (.154) in three games in the 1969 ALCS.
• Cardenas batted .247 with 32 doubles in 1970. He was 2 for 11 (.182) in three games in the 1970 ALCS.
• Leo was an AL All Star at shortstop in 1971. He batted .264 with 18 HR in 153 games. After the 1971 season Cardenas was traded to the California Angels for Dave LaRoche. Why the Twins Dealt Off Their Prize Shortstop - Baseball Digest March 1972
• Cardenas spent only one season with the Angels. His average plummeted to .223 and it would be Leo's final year as a regular player. At the end of spring training in 1973 Cardenas was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Tom McCraw and a minor leaguer.
• Leo was a part-time shortstop and third baseman in 1973. He batted .215 in 72 games and was traded to the Texas Rangers after the season for Ken Suarez.
• Cardenas batted .272 in 34 games for the Rangers in 1974. In 1975 Leo batted .235 in 55 games. Cardenas was released by the Rangers during spring training in 1976.
• Leo lives in Cincinnati and makes regular appearances at the Reds Hall of Fame and at All American Ball Park.
• Leo's All Star Game record:
• 1964 - PR/SS - 0 for 1 (strikeout)
• 1965 - late-inning defensive replacement at SS - 0 for 0
• 1966 - starting SS - 0 for 2
• 1968 - late-inning defensive replacement at SS - 0 for 0
• 1971 - did not enter game
• Liked to face: Nolan Ryan (.455 in 11 AB); Johnny Podres (.442 in 43 AB); Joe Gibbon (.404 in 47 AB)
• Hated to face: Ron Willis / Jim Slaton (.000 in 10 AB); Glen Hobbie (.088 in 34 AB); Gaylord Perry (.117 in 60 AB) 

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1976 Topps #582 - Mike Kekich

• Mike Kekich pitched in parts of nine seasons in the majors from 1965-1977. He was famed for his infamous wife swap with Fritz Peterson (will be discussed later). 
• Kekich was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1964. Mike was in the minors for the 1964 season and then pitched for the Dodgers in 1965. Kekich pitched twice in June, twice in August, and once in October and was 0-1 with a 9.58 ERA in five games (one start). 
• Mike found himself back in the minors in 1966 and 1967. He pitched in a total of 11 games in 1966 for two teams. His lack of games may be due to an injury or to a military commitment. Kekich went 17-4 for AA Spokane in 1967.
• Kekich was back with the Dodgers in 1968. In a pitcher's year Mike struggled, going 2-10 with a 3.91 ERA in 25 games (20 starts). After the 1968 season Kekich was traded to the New York Yankees for Andy Kosco. 
• For the next three seasons Kekich was a swingman for the Yankees. Mike was 2-6 with a 4.54 ERA in 28 games (13 starts) in 1969. In 1970 Kekich went 6-3 with a 4.83 ERA in 26 games (14 starts). Mike was 10-9 with a 4.26 ERA in 37 games (24 starts) in 1971.
• Mike became a full-time starting pitcher in 1972 and had his most productive season. Kekich had a 10-13 record with a 3.70 ERA in 29 starts.
• Before the 1973 season Mike swapped wives (along with kids and dogs) with fellow Yankee pitcher Fritz Peterson. The incident created an uproar and both players were booed by the fans. Kekich struggled in the first part of the 1973 season, going 1-1 with a 9.20 ERA in five games (four starts). On June 12 Mike was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Lowell Palmer. Kekich finished the 1973 season going 1-4 with a 7.02 ERA in 16 games (six starts) for the Indians.
• The swap didn't work out well for Kekich. Peterson and his new "wife" married, but Kekich soon separated from his "wife." Mike was cut by the Indians during spring training in 1974. He signed with the Texas Rangers and spent the 1974 season pitching for AAA Spokane.
• Mike spent part of the 1975 season in Spokane. He was called up to the Rangers in June and was up and down between Texas and Spokane for the rest of the season. Kekich went 0-0 with two saves and had a 7.02 ERA in 16 games (six starts) for the Rangers in 1975.
• Kekich was cut by the Rangers during spring training in 1976. Mike pitched in the Mexican League in 1976 and then was picked up by the expansion Seattle Mariners for the 1977 season. Mike went 5-4 with three saves and had a 5.60 ERA in 41 games (two starts) for the Mariners in 1977.
• Kekich was cut by the Mariners during spring training in 1978. Mike pitched for AAA San Jose (Mariners organization) and AAA Spokane (Milwaukee Brewers organization) in 1978 but didn't get back to the majors.
• In 1989 Mike pitched in the Senior Professional Baseball Association. Kekich is now remarried and lives near Albuquerque, New Mexico.
• Liked to face: Paul Casanova (.000 in 12 AB); Cookie Rojas (.087 in 23 AB); Vada Pinson (.120 in 25 AB)
• Hated to face: Freddie Patek (.542 in 24 AB); Merv Rettenmund (.467 in 30 AB); Frank  Howard (.429 in 28 AB)

1976 Topps #569 - Nelson Briles

• 
  
  Nelson Briles pitched in the majors from 1965-1978. For some reason when I was a young one I always mixed up Nelson Briles, Bruce Dal Canton, and Lindy McDaniel.
• 
  
  Briles was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964. Nelson pitched only one year in the minors (1964) before earning a spot with the Cardinals in 1965. Briles went 3-3 with four saves and a 3.50 ERA in 37 games (2 starts) in 1965.
• 
  
   Briles really had a rough time in 1966. He went 4-15 with six saves and a 3.21 ERA in 49 games (17 starts).
• 
  
  Nelson turned it around in 1967 and went 14-5 and led the NL with a .737 winning percentage. Briles had a 2.43 ERA and six saves in 49 games (14 starts). Nelson appeared in two games in the 1967 World Series. He started game 3 of the series and had a complete game 5-2 victory. Nelson also pitched two scoreless innings in game six.
• 
  
  In 1968 Briles was used exclusively as a starter. Nelson made 33 starts and went 19-11 with a 2.83 ERA. Briles made two starts in the 1968 World Series -- he took the loss in game 2 and didn't get the decision in game 5.
• 
  
  Briles was mostly a starter in 1969 and went 15-13 with a 3.52 ERA in 36 games (33 starts). Nelson missed almost a month of the 1970 season and his stats were down. He ended up going 6-7 with a 6.24 ERA in 30 games (19 starts). After the 1970 season Briles was traded with Vic Davalillo to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Manny Mota and George Brunet.
• 
  
  Nelson started the 1971 season as a reliever and was put in the starting rotation in June. Briles went back to the bullpen in mid-July and returned to the rotation in late August. Briles went 8-4 with one save and a 3.04 ERA in 37 games (14 starts). Briles wasn't used in the NLCS, but he started and won game 5 of the World Series. Nelson pitched a 2-hit shutout in that game and contributed an RBI single.
• 
  
  In 1972 Briles became a starter again. He went 14-11 with a 3.08 ERA in 28 games (27 starts). Nelson started game 4 of the NLCS and allowed two runs in six innings in a no-decision. Briles went 14-13 with a 2.84 ERA in 33 games in 1973. After the 1973 season Briles was traded with Fernando Gonzalez to the Kansas City Royals for Ed Kirkpatrick, Kurt Bevacqua, and a minor leaguer.
• 
  
  Nelson missed two months of the 1974 season with an injury. Briles had a 5-7 record with a 4.08 ERA in 18 games (17 starts) in '74.
• 
  
  Briles missed about five weeks in 1975 and went 6-6 with two saves and a 4.26 ERA in 24 games (16 starts). After the 1975 season Briles was traded to the Texas Rangers for Dave Nelson. Nelson's 1976 card is an airbrush job. How did Topps get a pic of Briles with his new team?
• 
  
  Nelson's last season as a full-time starter was 1976. He started 31 games and went 11-9 with a 3.26 ERA. He also earned a save in his only relief appearance. Briles went 6-4 with a 4.24 ERA for the Rangers in 30 games (15 starts) in 1977. On September 19 Briles was purchased by the Baltimore Orioles. He made two appearances for the Orioles and had a 6.75 ERA in four innings.
• 
  
  Briles went 4-4 with a 4.64 ERA in 16 games (8 starts) for the Orioles in 1978. He missed quite a bit of time in 1978 with injuries and was released before the 1979 season.
• After  his playing career Briles became a broadcaster for the Pirates from 1979-1985. He then worked for the organization as a director of corporate sales and as a director of the Pirates annual fantasy camp. Here is a "where are they now" article from 2002.

• Nelson died of an apparent heart attack in Orlando, FL while participating in the Pirates' annual alumni golf tournament on February 13, 2005.
• 
  
  Liked to face: Steve Garvey (.000 in 11 AB); Ron Stone (.053 in 19 AB); Willie  Horton (.063 in 16 AB)
• 
  
  Hated to face: Tony Gonzalez (.500 in 30 AB); Jim Lefebvre (.478 in 23 AB); Felipe Alou (.438 in 32 AB)

1976 Topps #559 - Clyde Wright

• Clyde Wright's major league career was over when this card came out. He was cut by the Rangers at the end of spring training in 1976.
• Clyde Wright was drafted by the California Angels in 1965. Before he was drafted, Clyde pitched Carson-Newman College to the 1965 NAIA World Series Championship and struck out 22 batters in one game during that series. He was more than a match for his class A opponents in 1965 as he went 7-2 with a 1.99 ERA in ten starts. 
• Clyde was 9-0 in AA El Paso in 1966 when he was brought up to the Angels in mid-June. Wright pitched in 20 games (13 starts) and was 4-7 with a 3.74 ERA for the Angels.
• Wright started the 1967 season in AAA and came up to the Angels in early June. Clyde pitched in 20 games (11 starts) and was 5-5 with a 3.26 ERA.
• Clyde was a swingman in 1968. He pitched in 41 games, 13 of them starts. Wright went 10-6 with three saves and a 3.94 ERA (which was pretty high for a season with so much pitching). Clyde slipped to a 1-8 record with a 4.10 ERA in 1969.
• Wright had his biggest season in 1970. He made the AL All Star team and took the loss as he allowed Pete Rose's winning run in the bottom of the 12th inning. Clyde went 22-12 with a 2.83 ERA in 39 starts and finished 6th in AL Cy Young Award voting. Wright pitched a no-hitter on July 3. He was the AL Comeback Player of the Year in 1970.
• Clyde had another good year in 1971 (16-17, 2.99 ERA in 37 starts). Wright went 18-11 with a 2.98 ERA in 35 starts in 1972.
• Wright slipped in 1973 and went 11-19 with a 3.68 ERA in 36 starts. After the 1973 season Clyde was sent to the Milwaukee Brewers as part of a nine-player deal.
• Clyde spent one season (1974) in Milwaukee and went 9-20 with a 4.42 ERA in 32 starts. After the 1974 season Wright was traded to the Texas Rangers for Pete Broberg.
• Wright went 4-6 with a 4.44 ERA in 25 games (14 starts) in 1975. After his release from the Rangers in 1976 Clyde went to Japan and pitched for the Yomuri Giants for three seasons (1976-1978). Clyde Wright - Remembering Japanese Baseball (Robert K. Fitts, 2005)
• After he returned from Japan in 1979 Clyde was afraid he had become an alcoholic. He later told the Los Angeles Times that his wife had given him an ultimatum in 1979 that he should stop drinking or she would  leave. One time when his wife came home Clyde tried to open the car door to let his three-year-old son Jaret out. Jaret locked the door and wouldn't let Clyde in. He said that that was the last day he had a drink.
• Jaret Wright later became a major league pitcher. Clyde has run a baseball school in Anaheim for 30 years.
• Liked to face: Bobby Knoop/Rich Reese (.000 in 15 AB); Phil Roof (.071 in 28 AB)
• Hated to face: Jim Fregosi (.500 in 14 AB); Reggie Smith (.471 in 34 AB); Frank Howard (.450 with 6 HR in 40 AB)

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1976 Topps #509 - Bill Hands

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• Bill Hands' career was already over when this card came out. Hands (aka "Froggy") pitched in the majors from 1965-1975. He was signed by the San Francisco Giants in 1959 and spent seven seasons in the minors. After going 17-4 with a 2.19 ERA for AAA Tacoma in 1965 Bill finally got  his shot in the majors. He pitched in four games (two starts) for the Giants in 1965 and was 0-2 with a 16.50 ERA. After the season Hands was traded with Randy Hundley to the Chicago Cubs for Don Landrum and Lindy McDaniel.
• The Cubs got the better of that trade as Hundley became their starting catcher and Hands had a few good years as well. In 1966 Bill was 8-13 with a 4.58 ERA in 41 games (26 starts). Bill went 7-8 with six saves in 49 games (11 starts) in 1967. 
• Hands was known as a good control pitcher. In 1968 he led the NL by walking only 1.3 batters per nine innings. Bill was 16-10 with a 2.89 ERA and walked 36 batters in 258.2 innings pitched. He also led the NL with 26 home runs allowed.
• Bill had a great season for the Cubs in 1969. He was 20-14 with a 2.49 ERA in 41 starts and had 300 innings pitched. The Game I'll Never Forget - Baseball Digest July 1995. 
• Hands pitched a lot in 1970 (18-15, 3.70 ERA in 38 starts) and in 1971 (12-15, 3.42 ERA in 35 starts) but wasn't quite as effective. Why Bill Hands Is So Tough to Beat - January 1970 Baseball Digest.
• Bill's last year with the Cubs was 1972. He started 28 games and was 11-8 with a 3.00 ERA. After the 1972 season he was traded (with Joe Decker and a minor leaguer) to the Minnesota Twins for Dave LaRoche.
• Hands was in the starting rotation for the Twins until mid June of 1973. Bill missed a few weeks and when he came back in early July he became a reliever. Hands was 7-10 with a 3.49 ERA in 39 games (15 starts) in 1973. In 1974 Hands was 4-5 with a 4.44 ERA in 35 games (10 starts) when he was placed on waivers in early September. The Texas Rangers selected him off of waivers on September 9 and Bill went 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in two starts to finish the 1974 season.
• Bill went 6-7 with a 4.02 ERA in 18 starts for the Rangers in 1975. He missed three weeks in June and pitched his last game on August 20.
• Hands was traded to the New York Mets for George Stone before the 1976 season. Bill retired before the season started.
• Bill owns a service station and retail oil business in Orient, NY. Here is a "where are they now" article from 2006.
• Liked to face: Bill North (.000 in 17 AB); Carl Taylor (.077 in 13 AB); Len Gabrielson (.105 in 19 AB)
• Hated to face: Bob Watson (.455 in 22 AB); Oscar Gamble (.450 in 20 AB); Manny Sanguillen (.444 in 36 AB); Garry Maddox (5 for 9 with 3 HR)

1976 Topps #496 - Juan Beniquez

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• Juan Beniquez was an outfielder for eight teams from 1971-1988. Beniquez was signed by the Boston Red Sox in 1968. Juan played in the minors for all or part of each season from 1968-1973. He was brought up to the Red Sox for short stints in 1971 (.298 in 57 at bats) and in 1972 (.242 in 99 at bats). Juan was a shortstop when he first came up but he struggled in the field. Beniquez set a record by committing six errors in two games in 1971. 
• Beniquez came to the majors to stay in 1974. He spent most of his time in centerfield and batted .267 with 19 stolen bases in 106 games. The Red Sox outfield situation became quite crowded when Fred Lynn and Jim Rice came up in 1975. Juan batted .291 in 78 games during the regular season and batted .250 in the ALCS and .125 in the World Series. After the 1975 season Beniquez was traded with Steve Barr and Craig Skok to the Texas Rangers for Fergie Jenkins.
• Beniquez was the starting center fielder for the Rangers from 1976 to 1978. He batted .255 in 145 games in 1976 and .269 in 123 games in 1977. Juan also won a Gold Glove in 1977. Beniquez batted .260 with a career-high 11 home runs in 1978. After the 1978 season Juan was traded (with Dave Righetti among others) to the New York Yankees as part of a package that sent Sparky Lyle to the Rangers.
• Juan was an extra outfielder for the Yankees in 1979 and batted .254 in 142 at bats. After the 1979 season Beniquez was shipped to the Seattle Mariners in a large multi-player trade that got the Yankees Ruppert Jones.
• Beniquez spent the 1980 season with the Mariners. He hurt his shoulder in spring training and never got untracked, batting .228 in 70 games. Juan was suspended for five games in early September by manager Maury Wills for ignoring a request to pinch hit and a lot of the players agreed with the suspension. After the 1980 season Juan became a free agent and signed with the California Angels.
• Beniquez didn't do a whole lot in 1981, batting .181 in 58 games. He started to improve in 1982 when he batted .265 in 112 games. Juan appeared in two games of the ALCS as a defensive replacement.
• Juan entered the most productive part of his career in 1983, batting .305 in 92 games. He did even better in 1984 when he batted .336 in 110 games. Juan's last season in California was in 1985 and he batted .304 in 132 games. After the 1985 season Beniquez became a free agent and signed with the Baltimore Orioles. There were problems in the negotiations between the Angels and Juan and he ended up signing with the Orioles for less  money than the Angels offered.
• Beniquez spent one season (1986) in Baltimore and batted .300 in 113 games. After the 1986 season Juan was traded to the Kansas City Royals for two  minor leaguers.
• Juan was with Kansas City for the first part of the 1987 season (.236 in 57 games). On July 14 he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Luis Aquino. Juan batted .284 in 39 games for the Blue Jays to finish the 1987 season. In 1988 Beniquez batted .293 in 27 games. He was released by the Blue Jays on May 31.
• Juan played in the Senior League in 1989. He played in the winter league in Puerto Rico in four decades (60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s).
• Liked to face: Jamie Easterly (.636 in 11 AB); Grant Jackson (.583 in 12 AB); Mike Mason (.563 in 16 AB)
• Hated to face: Bart Johnson/Clyde Wright (.067 in 15 AB); Charlie Hough (.071 in 14 AB); Ed Figueroa (.105 in 19 AB)

1976 Topps #485 - Mike Hargrove

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• Mike Hargrove was known as "The Human Rain Delay" due to his propensity to step out of the box and  make adjustments between every pitch. It must have worked for him because he compiled a good hitting record over his 12-year career. Hargrove was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 1972. He played in the minors in 1972 and 1973 and was promoted to the Rangers after batting .351 for class A Gastonia in 1973.
• Hargrove mostly played first base and was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1974 as he batted .323 in 131 games. Mike played most of his games in left field in 1975 and was an All Star in 1975 (he was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter). Hargrove batted .303 with 11 HR in 145 games in '75. Mike Hargrove: Another Winner for the Rangers - February 1975 Baseball Digest
• Mike led the AL with 97 walks in 1976 and also had a career high with 30 doubles. He batted .287 in 151 games, mostly at first base. In 1977 Mike batted .305 with 103 walks and a career-high 18 home runs. Hargrove led the AL with 107 walks in 1978  but his batting average dipped to .251. After the 1978 season Mike was traded with Kurt Bevacqua and Bill Fahey to the San Diego Padres for Oscar Gamble, Dave Roberts and $300,000.
• After switching leagues Hargrove started off very slowly for the Padres. Mike was batting .192 in 52 games when he was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Paul Dade on June 14. Once he returned to the American League Hargrove was back to his old self -- he batted .325 in 100 games for the Indians in 1979.
• In 1980 Mike batted .304 with 111 walks, 11 HR, and 85 RBI. He led the AL with a .424 on base percentage in 1981 as he batted .317. Mike Hargrove: A Player for All Eras - May 1981 Baseball Digest
• Hargrove walked 101 times and batted .271 in 1982. Mike's production and on base percentage started to slip in 1983. He batted .286 in 134 games in 1983, .267 in 133 games in 1984, and .285 in 284 at bats in 1985. Mike became a free agent after the 1985 season, didn't sign with anyone, and retired.
• Hargrove managed in the Indians'  minor league system from 1987-1989. He then managed three major league teams. Mike took over the Cleveland Indians in 1991 and won five straight AL Central titles from 1995-1999. The Indians lost the World Series to the Atlanta Braves in 1995 but didn't make it to the World Series in subsequent seasons. Hargrove was dismissed after the 1999 season. Mike managed the Baltimore Orioles from 2000-2003 and finished fourth in the AL East all four seasons. Hargrove managed the Seattle Mariners from 2005 to July 1,2007. The Mariners weren't successful in 2005 or 2006, but they were in second place in the AL West in 2007 when Mike abruptly resigned (he said that his passion had begun to fade and it wouldn't be fair to himself or the team to continue). Hargrove now manages the semi-pro Liberal BeeJays in Kansas.
• Liked to face: Gaylord Perry (.514 in 35 AB); Dick Tidrow (.500 in 24 AB); Paul Mitchell (.480 in 25 AB)
• Hated to face: Jerry Garvin/Chuck Rainey (.000 in 11 AB); Dave Righetti (.056 in 18 AB); Mike Flanagan (.079 in 38 AB)

1976 Topps #463 - Steve Hargan

• Steve Hargan pitched in the majors from 1965-1972 and from 1974-1977. Hargan was signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1961 and pitched in the minors from 1961-1965. After going 13-5 with a 2.91 ERA in 24 starts for AAA Portland Steve was brought up to the Indians in August 1965. Hargan pitched in 17 games (8 starts) for the Indians and was 4-3 with a 3.43 ERA.
• Hargan was a fifth starter and occasional reliever for the Indians in 1966. He was 13-10 with a 2.48 ERA in 38 games (21 starts). In 1967 Steve made the AL All Star team but he wasn't used in the game due to an injury. Hargan led the AL with six shutouts while going 14-13 with a 2.62 ERA in 29 starts and 221 innings pitched.
• The 1967 season was the height of Steve's career. Hargan had elbow surgery in 1968 and his innings pitched dropped steadily from 1968-1972. Steve Hargan Takes It Easy in Training - March 17, 1968 Reading Eagle. In 1968 Steve was 8-15 with a 4.15 ERA in 32 games (27 starts) and in 1969 he was an ugly 5-14 with a 5.70 ERA in 32 games (23 starts).
• Steve had a good season in 1970 when he went 11-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 23 games (19 starts). He missed 2 1/2 months of the season (early-May to mid-July). The 1971 season was a disaster for Steve. Hargan was 1-13 with a 6.19 ERA in 37 games (16 starts).
• In 1972 Steve didn't pitch until May 5. He pitched for the Indians in May and June but then was sent to the minors for most of the rest of the season. Steve came back to pitch in a few September games and ended up 0-3 with a 5.85 ERA in 12 games (1 start). Hargan was in the minors for the entire 1973 season and then was traded to the Texas Rangers for Bill Gogolewski.
• Steve became a starter for the Rangers in 1974 and was 12-9 with a 3.95 ERA in 27 starts. Hargan was 9-10 with a 3.80 ERA in 26 starts in 1975. Steve was a reliever and spot starter in 1976, going 8-8 with a 3.62 ERA in 35 games (8 starts).
• Hargan was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the expansion draft after the 1976 season. He started the 1977 season with the Blue Jays (1-3, 5.22 ERA in 6 games) and was traded to the Rangers (along with Jim Mason and $200,000) for Roy Howell on May 5. Steve pitched for the Rangers for a few weeks (1-0, 8.76 in six games) and then was sold to the Atlanta Braves on June 15. Hargan was 0-3 with a 6.87 ERA for the Braves and was released after the 1977 season.
• Steve pitched for a couple of minor league teams in 1978 but was never called back up to the majors.
• Hargan now lives in Palm Springs, CA.
• Liked to face: Buddy Bell (.077 in 13 AB); Dave Chalk (.091 in 21 AB); Dick McAuliffe (.111 in 36 AB)
• Hated to face: Rick Manning (.467 in 15 AB); Jorge Orta (.429 in 28 AB); Joe Foy (.407 in 27 AB)

1976 Topps #436 - Bill Fahey

• Bill Fahey was a catcher in the majors in parts of 11 seasons from 1971-1983. Bill was drafted by the Washington Senators (first player selected) in 1970. He got a brief look in 1971 (0 for 8) after batting .285 in AA and AAA.
• Fahey was in AAA for most of the 1972 season and was called up in late July. He batted .168 in 119 at bats. Bill was in AAA for all of the 1973 season and most of 1974 as well. He batted .250 in 16 at bats for the Texas Rangers in '74.
• By 1975 Jim Sundberg established himself as the starting catcher for the Rangers, leaving Fahey with very little playing time. Bill batted .297 in 37 at bats in 1975, .250 in 80 at bats in 1976, and .221 in 68 at bats in 1977.
• Bill spent the entire 1978 season in the minors. After the season he was traded with Kurt Bevacqua and Mike Hargrove to the San Diego Padres for Oscar Gamble, Dave Roberts and $300,000.
• Fahey had his best season in 1979, batting .287 in 209 at bats. In 1980 Fahey batted .257 in 241 at bats. During spring training in 1981 Bill was purchased by the Detroit Tigers.
• The Tigers had Lance Parrish behind the plate so Bill again was relegated to very occasional catching duty. In 1981 Fahey batted .254 in 67 at bats. Bill batted .149 in 67 at bats in 1982 and .273 in 22 at bats in 1983. He also spent some time in AAA Evansville in 1983. Bill was released on August 5 and became a coach for the Tigers.

• After his playing career Fahey managed in the Detroit Tigers' farm system and then coached with the San Francisco Giants under Roger Craig from 1986-1991. Bill has a son (Brandon) who was a utility player for the Baltimore Orioles from 2006-2008.
• Liked to face: Mike Krukow (.500 in 10 AB); Stan Bahnsen (.400 in 15 AB)
• Hated to face: Tom Bradley (.000 in 10 AB); Dave Goltz (.100 in 10 AB)