no. 745 - sandy alomar

Who is the man: Sandy Alomar, in the league for seven years at this point, really broke out in a big way in 1970, appearing in all 162 games and garnering the only All-Star appearance of his career.

Can ya dig it: That's a fine-looking card. Many of the super-high numbers leave a lot to be desired but that's flat-out a pleasing piece of cardboard.

Right on: Alomar has understandably been overshadowed by his more successful sons, but, I really liked Alomar Sr. as a kid. And that was when he was with the Yankees.

You see that cat Alomar is a bad mother: Alomar is part of an exclusive group as I believe -- unless I've missed someone -- he and Ken Griffey are the only major league players who can say they have a son who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Shut your mouth: Alomar appeared on the roster of four different major league teams in 1967 as he was traded three times. In a later interview he called the season "a nightmare." "They treat me like something they could throw away if they want to."

No one understands him but his woman: Alomar finally made the postseason in the 13th of his 15 big-league seasons. He pinch-hit for the Yankees during the 1976 ALCS and flew out in Game 4 against the Royals.

(A word about the back): Alomar converted those 296 consecutive games played into 661, finally taking a break in 1973. It's the 19th longest streak in MLB history.

no. 736 - mel queen

Who is the man: Mel Queen was back in the majors in 1970 after spending most of 1969 in the minors with the Reds. The Angels purchased him in late October, 1969.

Can ya dig it: A rare full-body nonaction shot from 1971. Nice.

Right on: I don't know what I did to deserve such a sharp specimen of a high-numbered 1971.

You see that cat Queen is a bad mother: Queen is one of those fascinating major leaguers who played in the big leagues as both a pitcher and a position player. He can be found on cards early in his career listed as an outfielder. But the best one is his 1967 Topps card in which his position is listed as "P-OF".

Shut your mouth: Queen later became a very well-known pitching coach, development coach and farm coordinator in the Blue Jays organization during their heyday in the 1990s. Queen is credited with developing several notable Jays, the last of which was Roy Halladay. "There's no one I made that drastic a change to and verbally abused the way I did Doc," Queen once said after Halladay won his first Cy Young Award in 2003.

No one understands him but his woman: Queen was married to the sister of pitcher Jim Lonborg.

(A word about the back): Queen's game-winning hit in the final game of the 1970 season came after the White Sox had gone ahead in the top of the 13th on a home run by Bill Melton. Queen was pinch-hitting for catcher Joe Azcue.

no. 718 - billy wynne

Who is the man: Billy Wynne appeared in 12 games for the White Sox in 1970 before being traded to the Angels in a six-player deal on Nov. 30.

Can ya dig it: Another comical airbrush with vertical lines.

Right on: This is the last of the six players in that trade to be shown from this set. All of them except Jay Johnstone featured an airbrushed hat. Johnstone isn't wearing a hat.

You see that Wynne is a bad mother: Wynne started 20 games for the White Sox in 1969. He went 7-7 in 128 2/3 innings.

Shut your mouth: Wynne was also involved in another large trade. He went from the Mets to the White Sox in a deal that landed New York two key Miracle Mets players, Tommie Agee and Al Weis.

No one understands him but his woman: Wynne's first major league victory came in Milwaukee's County Stadium -- against the Seattle Pilots. The White Sox played several home games in Milwaukee in 1968 and 1969 in an agreement to help Milwaukee's cause for a major league team to replace the Braves.

(A word about the back): Four of Wynne's eight major league wins were versus the Angels and he won none while with the Angels, appearing in just three games for them.

no. 707 - fred lasher

Who is the man: Fred Lasher split his 1970 season between the Tigers and the Indians. He was acquired by the Angels in the Rule 5 Draft in late November of that year.

Can ya dig it: That's quite a mess on Lasher's hat. It looks like they erased and re-erased the attempt at an Angels logo. All for the 1 1/3 whole innings that Lasher would pitch for California.

Right on: Lasher looks like a kid I knew in elementary school who had the last name of Lasher. Now I'm wondering if they're related.

You see that cat Lasher is a bad mother: Lasher pitched two scoreless innings for the Tigers in Game 4 of the 1968 World Series against the Cardinals. St. Louis was ahead 6-1 at that point and would go on to win 10-1, but at least none of the runs came against Lasher.

Shut your mouth: Lasher won five games for the Tigers in 1968. Every one of those games was a 5-4 Tigers victory.

No one understands him but his woman: Lasher was suspended for the remainder of the season when playing for the Indians in 1970. Disgusted with being removed from a game against the Orioles by Indians manager Alvin Dark, Lasher threw the ball down to the ground and launched his glove into the stands. Dark said that Lasher would never pitch for the Indians again.

(A word about the back): The 55 games Lasher pitched in 1970 was a career high.

no. 697 - rickey clark

Who is the man: Rickey Clark spent the whole 1970 season in the minor leagues. After making a breakthrough in 1967 in which he pitched in 32 games, Clark had barely played in the majors since 1968.

Can ya dig it: Clark is called "Rickey" here but he signed his name "Rick". Clark's full name is actually Rickey Charles Clark, but Topps would finally agree to "Rick" in the 1973 set.

Right on: This photo is a cropped version from the same photo shoot as Clark's 1970 Topps card. Probably just a frame or two off.

You see that cat Clark is a bad mother: Clark finished sixth in the American League in ERA his rookie season, posting a 2.59 in 1967.

Shut your mouth: Despite Clark being a regular in the Angels' rotation in 1967 and 1968, he did not appear in a Topps set until 1970.

No one understands him but his woman: Clark's 1970 card back reads that he pitched 7 no-hitters and 3 one-hitters in a single season as a 13-year-old in "amateur ball". I'm assuming that's Babe Ruth League baseball or something similar.

(A word about the back): This photo is either exactly the same as the photo on the front or a click off. It's as close as we've come anyway to having the front photo and back photo match up.

no. 686 - chico ruiz

Who is the man: Chico Ruiz was in the middle of his most tumultuous (and final) season when this card was issued. In 1970, he appeared in 68 games in his first season with the Angels.

Can ya dig it: As a utility infielder in the '70s, you damn well better believe he would be bunting.

Right on: Ruiz's actual first name is "Giraldo," but you can see it is spelled with an "H" in the signature. That is because when Ruiz left his native Cuba to go to the U.S. (he was one of the last players to leave Cuba before the U.S.-Cuban embargo), immigration officials were confused by the "H" sound of Ruiz's first name and wrote it with an "H" (different times then, man). And it stuck.

You see that cat Ruiz is a bad mother: Ruiz's most infamous moment came when he was accused of waving a gun at teammate and former friend Alex Johnson in the Angels' clubhouse during the season in 1971. Johnson, who had problems of his own, accused Ruiz of trying to kill him. The Angels and Ruiz tried to deny Ruiz even had a gun, but they later admitted that was false. Ruiz was later demoted then released after the season.

Shut your mouth: Phillies fans have attributed their team's famous 1964 collapse to Ruiz's steal of home during a game between Philadelphia and Cincinnati in late September. Ruiz's shocking steal -- he made the decision on his own, with Frank Robinson at bat, and likely would have been out had Phillies pitcher Art Mahaffey not uncorked a wild throw -- won the game and touched off 10 straight losses by Philadelphia. The Phillies' collapse is often called "The Curse of Chico Ruiz".

No one understands him but his woman: Ruiz is on that unfortunate short list of major leaguers who died before the end of their careers. Ruiz was killed in a one-car highway accident in California on Feb. 9, 1972 after signing to play with the Royals that season.

(A word about the back): The Angels' first triple play came in the bottom of the fifth inning against the Royals with Kansas City leading 2-1. After the first two K.C. batters in the inning singled, Angels reliever Steve Kealey replaced starter Rudy May. Amos Otis came to the plate and hit a ground ball to Ruiz at third. Ruiz tagged third, threw to second baseman Sandy Alomar for out No. 2, and Alomar threw to first to Billy Cowan to retire Otis for the triple play.

no. 676 - tommie reynolds

Who is the man: Tommie Reynolds was in the midst of his second season with the Angels when this card was issued. He was purchased by the Angels in May of 1970 and played in 59 games for them that year.

Can ya dig it: Severely off-center card here. I can pick up a better copy for cheap and I should.

Right on: This is Reynolds' final Topps card even though he played in 45 games for the Angels in 1971 and 72 for the Brewers in 1972.

You see that cat Reynolds is a bad mother: Reynolds knocked in four runs while playing for the Kansas City A's against the Detroit Tigers on April 30, 1964. He hit a three-run home run off of the Tigers' Mickey Lolich in the first inning.

Shut your mouth: Reynolds' most famous card is his 1967 Topps card with the Mets in which there is a strange gap between his first and last name. The gap was explained through some research by famed card collector Keith Olbermann several years ago. Part of Reynolds' first name was likely erased because it was in error.

No one understands him but his woman: Reynolds was used as an emergency catcher for the Mets in 1967 during a game against the Dodgers on July 27 and it cost them. The Mets had already used John Sullivan as the starting catcher and then Jerry Grote, who pinch-ran for Sullivan in the seventh. Grote then was ejected from the game and Reynolds took Grote's spot behind the plate in the eighth for his only recorded major league catching appearance. The Dodgers won in the 11th inning when Nate Oliver scored from third on a passed ball by Reynolds.

(A word about the back): Floyd Robinson led the American League in doubles in 1962 with 45 and also drove in over 100 runs that year.

no. 666 - gene brabender

Who is the man: Gene Brabender pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970 (it explains his appearance here in Yankee Stadium as many of the Brewers were photographed in Yankee Stadium for this set). He struggled tremendously, posting a 6.00 ERA in 29 games.

Can ya dig it: This is the fourth straight card with an airbrushed cap and once again we have the bright blue-red painted combination that was some artist's idea of a logoless Angels cap.

Right on: Brabender never pitched for the Angels. He didn't make the club out of spring training in 1971 and again in 1972.

You see that cat Brabender is a bad mother: Brabender, known as "Lurch" for his 6-foot-5 hulking stature, is featured often in Jim Bouton's "Ball Four". When the Seattle Pilots players were thinking up nicknames for the jovial Brabender, catcher Larry Haney mentioned how he saw Brabender bend in half the stakes that were used to pound in bases. Pitcher Gary Bell then suggested they call Brabender "Sir".

Shut your mouth: Both Brabender and his Orioles teammate Brooks Robinson liked to tell a story about when some players went out to dinner and were served by an obnoxious waiter in New York. The players didn't leave much of a tip and the waiter confronted the players about it. Brabender put his hand on the waiter's shoulder and said, "How far do you want to get tipped?"

No one understands him but his woman: Brabender was the first Wisconsin native to play for the Brewers.

(A word about the back): Brabender's expansion victories record of 13 was equaled in 1977 by the Blue Jays' Dave Lemanczyk and then surpassed in 1998 by both the Diamondbacks' Andy Benes and the Devil Rays' Rolando Arrojo when each won 14 games.

no. 657 - jose azcue

Who is the man: Jose Azcue had completed his second season with the Angels when this card was issued, appearing in 114 games for the Angels.

Can ya dig it: Azcue looks quite animated on this card, even happy. But the Angels wouldn't make him happy in 1971. Upset over the Angels' contract offer, Azcue sat out the entire 1971 season.

Right on: This is the final card of Azcue issued during his playing career.

You see that cat Azcue is a bad mother: Azcue led American League catchers in fielding percentage in 1967 and 1968. When he retired, his .992 percentage was second only to Elston Howard among catchers all-time. (Azcue is now 45th all-time).

Shut your mouth: Azcue was referred to as "Joe" on his Topps cards from 1962 through 1969.

No one understands him but his woman: Azcue lined into the first unassisted triple play in 41 years when Senators shortstop Ron Hansen made history on July 29, 1968.

(A word about the back): My attempt to find out how many catchers have caught at least two no-hitters, without spending an hour on research, has failed. One day when I have more free time I'll do the research and then no one will have to endure my same frustration.

no. 645 - jim maloney

Who is the man: Jim Maloney suffered an injury early in the 1970 season that would ultimately lead to the end of his career. He tore the Achilles tendon in his left leg while running out a ground ball during his second start of the season for the Reds, and he didn't return to the field until September.

Can ya dig it: Maloney was traded to the Angels in December 1970, but he's still wearing the Reds pinstripes in this photo.

Right on: It took me a long time to realize that the player on this card was the same Jim Maloney who starred for the Reds during the 1960s. He looks so different here from those '60s cards where he's in full Reds uniform with his arm outstretched.

You see that cat Maloney is a bad mother: Maloney averaged 18 victories and 235 strikeouts over a four-year period for the Reds between 1963-66.

Shut your mouth: There was friction between Maloney and the Reds, in part because Maloney didn't hesitate to hold out for a better contract. "You know what makes this game really tough?" he said once. "There's no security and no friendships. Hell, if my arm goes tomorrow, you think I'll still be with the Cincinnati Reds?"

No one understands him but his woman: Maloney appears in the 1972 Topps set as a St. Louis Cardinal as the Cardinals signed him January of 1972. But they released him three months later and he never pitched for St. Louis.

(A word about the back): Maloney is credited with just two no-hitters now. He no-hit the Mets for 10-plus innings but lost the game in the 11th. He was credited for a no-hitter in that game until MLB changed the rules in 1991 and scrapped it from the list.

no. 631 - eddie fisher

Who is the man: Eddie Fisher appeared in 67 games for the Angels in 1970, his most appearances in a season since 1966 with the World Champion Orioles.

Can ya dig it: I think there's a guy standing up on the top edge of the stands below Fisher's right arm.

Right on: Fisher was very confusing to a kid like me who was in a perpetual haze about famous people before my time. At one point I thought that Fisher played baseball and was also a famous singer (confusing him with the '50s crooner of the same name). Then there was the chess player Bobby Fischer and I somehow thought there was a guy who pitched and played chess.

You see that cat Fisher is a bad mother: In 1965, Fisher appeared in 82 games for the White Sox. He saved 24 and won 15, finishing fourth in the AL MVP voting. There was just one Cy Young Award then and Sandy Koufax won unanimously in '65. Fisher may have received the AL award if there was one (or perhaps they wouldn't give it to a reliever then).

Shut your mouth: In 1973, the White Sox featured two knuckleball pitchers on their starting staff, Wilbur Wood and Fisher.

No one understands him but his woman: Fisher knew how to throw the knuckleball when he played for the University of Oklahoma, but coach Jack Baer didn't like the pitch and didn't want him using it. One game, Fisher was struggling and tried a knuckleball, which the batter hit for a double. Baer told Fisher afterward, "Now you know what you can do with that (pitch)."

(A word about the back): I still can't get used to these '71 bios. The guy plays for the '66 Orioles and they've got to talk about Legion ball.

no. 614 - billy cowan

Who is the man: Billy Cowan appeared in 68 games for the Angels in 1970, which was his most playing time since appearing in 101 games in 1965 between the Mets and the Braves.

Can ya dig it: That's a pretty fierce cut by Cowan. That guy standing with the bat off to the left better watch out.

Right on: Cowan's other card with the Angels is much more famous.

You see that cat Cowan is a bad mother: Cowan hit 19 home runs during his rookie season as the Cubs' starting center fielder in 1964. Unfortunately, he also struck out 128 times.

Shut your mouth: Cowan almost got into a fight with legendary broadcaster Dick Enberg. After the Angels played an abysmal game against the Yankees, Enberg, the Angels' play-by-play broadcaster, blasted the team on the air. Angels GM Dick Walsh heard the broadcast and questioned his manager Lefty Phillips, who instituted a bed check and discovered several players skipped curfew. Those players were fined $200. When word got back to Cowan that Enberg's words cost him $200, he confronted the announcer, saying "I ought to take $200 out of your voice." The coaching staff intervened before the discussion got physical.

No one understands him but his woman: Cowan was one of the early "victims" of Morganna "The Kissing Bandit," who would run onto the field and kiss a chosen ballplayer during a game.

(A word about the back): Cowan blistered PCL pitching in 1963 with his 193 hits, 120 RBIs and a .315 batting average. He also struck out 148 times.

no. 590 - alex johnson

Who is the man: Alex Johnson was coming off the best season of his career when this card was issued. He batted .329 to win the American League title on the final day of the 1970 season. But in 1971 he was in the midst of his most controversial and tumultuous year.

Can ya dig it: I hope you know that I love bat-rack photos.

Right on: I don't know what's going on here, but it appears that the Angels are wrapping up batting practice. Johnson looks like he's exiting the dugout with his bat and glove and perhaps there's a clubhouse man behind him cleaning up.

You see that cat Johnson is a bad mother: Johnson was an immense talent and multiple teams were willing to overlook his difficulties to acquire him. He only really fulfilled those expectations in 1970 when he compiled 202 hits and recorded the only batting title in Angels history.

Shut your mouth: Johnson's inability to get along with management and teammates was an established habit by the time he arrived with the Angels. When manager Lefty Phillips was asked to compare Johnson to another controversial player, Richie Allen of the Phillies, Phillips scoffed, saying, "Once you get Richie Allen on the field, your problems are over. When Johnson gets to the field, your problems are just beginning."

No one understands him but his woman: After repeated fines and benchings, the Angels suspended Johnson after he failed to run out a groundball in June of 1971. A grievance was filed by Marvin Miller on the behalf of Johnson that said that Johnson was emotionally troubled and should have been disabled rather than suspended. An arbitrator sided with Johnson.

(A word about the back): Here we go again with "new" marks. Every current record, or mark, that is set is new. Redundancy 101.

no. 561 - syd o'brien

Who is the man: Syd O'Brien played the 1970 season with the White Sox and enjoyed the most productive year of his four-year major league career, playing in 121 games.

Can ya dig it: O'Brien has just been entered into the contest for the largest blacked-out cap in the 1971 Topps set. That thing is the star of the show.

Right on: Even though O'Brien had his best season with the White Sox, he never appeared on a Topps card with them (other than the hint of a jersey he is wearing). He was traded to the Angels on Nov. 30, 1970.

You see that cat O'Brien is a bad mother: O'Brien was known for his flashy fielding style. He could range far to his right to backhand a ball and then leap into air to send the throw to first.

Shut your mouth: Red Sox manager Ralph Houk once said of Syd: "O'Brien could be one helluva ballplayer."

No one understands him but his woman: Even though O'Brien was a backup infielder his first major league season with Boston in 1969, he had his own fan club that continued to exist even after he was traded to the White Sox.

(A word about the back): Nice of Topps to get O'Brien's dad in there.

no. 526 - ray jarvis

Who is the man: Ray Jarvis split the 1970 season between the Red Sox and Triple A Louisville. After the season he was traded to the Angels in the big deal that sent Tony Conigliaro to Anaheim.

Can ya dig it: The printing flaw on the card makes it appear as if one of those laser pointers is targeting Jarvis' forehead.

Right on: Jarvis has just two Topps cards. This is his last one.

You see that cat Jarvis is a bad mother: Jarvis threw his first major league pitches to Frank Robinson. Robinson hit one of them for a triple. But Jarvis retired the next three batters to leave Robinson on third.

Shut your mouth: Jarvis never played for the Angels. He was cut from the team in spring training 1971, played in the minors and was finished in the major leagues by 1972, a victim of arm problems.

No one understands him but his woman: Jarvis is one of 61 players who have struck out five times in one game, the record for a 9-inning game. Of those 61, only Jarvis and five others were pitchers.

(A word about the back): The Rhode Island-born Jarvis played ball as a kid on the state house lawn because there was no park where the kids could play.

no. 508 - roger repoz

Who is the man: Roger Repoz was entering his final full season in the majors when this card was released. He set career highs in almost every offensive category in 1970.

Can ya dig it: Another fine '71 Topps action shot. Enjoy the few that are left, because there are no action cards in the final 232 cards in the set.

Right on: Repoz featured a strong uppercut swing and you can see it with his backswing in this photo.

You see that cat Repoz is a bad mother: During the late 1960s, Repoz set a major league record by going 894 at-bats without hitting into a double play.

Shut your mouth: When Repoz was coming up with the Yankees in the early 1960s, he was compared to both Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.

No one understands him but his woman: After his major league career, Repoz played five years in Japan and put up the best numbers of his career. In 1976, there were reports of Repoz, Charlie Manuel and Clyde Wright getting into a fight with the East German Olympic hockey team at Tokyo disco. Repoz claims it was just a verbal argument and no punches were thrown.

 (A word about the back): I'm assuming by the last sentence that Topps named a Player of the Month in the International League during that period.

no. 485 - ken mcmullen

Who is the man: Ken McMullen played his first season for the Angels in 1970 after being dealt from the Senators in late April of that year for outfielder Rick Reichart and third baseman Aurelio Rodriguez.

Can ya dig it: Another one of my early favorites from that first group of 1971 cards I obtained as a youngster.

Right on: I was oblivious to this when I first gained the card, but that is an excellent look at how the monuments in Yankee Stadium were in play before it was renovated in the mid-1970s. Since field dimensions were so deep, particularly in Yankee Stadium, it was fairly common to put foul poles and monuments in the outfield. They rarely interfered with play, although it did happen.

You see that cat McMullen is a bad mother: McMullen shed a reputation as a shaky fielder -- he led the league in errors in 1965 -- by establishing several fielding marks. He led AL third basemen in total chances each season from 1967-69 and once tied a record by starting four double plays in a game. He set an AL record with 11 assists in a game against the Red Sox, and was the league's putout leader at third in 1969.

Shut your mouth: McMullen's rookie card is one of my greatest white whales as a Dodger fan because the card is also Pete Rose's rookie card. I never liked that Rose guy.

No one understands him but his woman: McMullen's wife, Bobbie, died of breast cancer at age 30 in early April, 1974, mere months after giving birth to the couple's third child. McMullen continued to play in a backup role for the Dodgers, who wore black armbands in remembrance of Bobbie McMullen.

 (A word about the back): The write-up doesn't specify, but if you were collecting cards in 1971, you knew that Lefty Phillips was the Angels manager.

no. 466 - ken berry

Who is the man: Ken Berry played the last of his nine seasons with the White Sox in 1970. He was traded to the Angels in November 1970 in a six-player deal.

Can ya dig it: Berry is pictured in full White Sox gear, but Topps has airbrushed the Sox logo from his cap.

Right on: I'm always fascinated by writing under the bill of the cap. I don't know what the writing says here -- probably something mundane like "Ken Berry" -- but I want to know.

You see that cat Berry is a bad mother: Berry had a reputation as a fine fielder who made outstanding leaping catches. He won two Gold Glove awards, including his first in 1970.

Shut your mouth: Berry plays a heckler in the movie "Eight Men Out," based on the book about the Chicago Black Sox scandal. He is seen standing up in the stands, hands cupped around his mouth, yelling at Shoeless Joe Jackson, "Hey professor! Read any good books lately?" After Jackson hits a triple, Berry the heckler stands up again and says, "Shoeless Joe! Can you spell cat?" to which Jackson responds, "Hey, Mister, can you spell shit?"

No one understands him but his woman: Berry, who was an advisor on the Eight Men Out film, was originally supposed to play the part of the thug who threatens to kill Lefty Williams' girlfriend if he doesn't throw the last game. But the person in charge of casting changed his role after hearing his voice and thinking it'd work as the heckler.

(A word about the back): A 1.000 fielding percentage for a season is pretty good for an outfielder, but Berry doesn't make it in the all-time list. There have been 10 outfielders who have recorded a 1.000 fielding percentage while playing more than 150 games in a season (Nick Markakis and Brett Butler have done it twice). Berry played in just 130 games for his 1.000 in 1969.

no. 442 - angels

Who is the man: The California Angels finished in third place in the AL West for the second straight year in 1970, but their record of 86-76 was 15 games better than their finish in 1969. In fact, the Angels' .531 winning percentage was their best since their second season of existence in 1962 and they wouldn't do as well again until 1978.

Can ya dig it: The Angels are posing in the outfield at Angel Stadium. You can see in the background one of the large light poles that stood next to the "Big A" scoreboard at the time.

Right on: Look! Bat boys! Nobody had to ask for their permission to appear in photos or anything.

You see that cat Phillips is a bad mother: The Angels of this period aren't easy to identify, but I'm guessing manager Lefty Phillips is the guy dead center in the second row with his head tilted to his right.

Shut your mouth: There are no numbers on the front of their jerseys, so I don't have a chance of IDing anyone in this photo.

No one understands him but his woman: The poor guy on the right gets only half of his body in the photo.

(A word about the back): This is the first of the nine team cards that we've seen so far that doesn't list "pennant winners" at the bottom. The Angels hadn't won a pennant at this point, so Topps just went with yearly standings.

no. 421 - john stephenson

Who is the man: John Stephenson played a mere 23 games for the San Francisco Giants in 1970, batting a dismal .070. He was picked up by the Angels in the Rule 5 draft in November 1970.

Can ya dig it: Stephenson is wearing a Giants uniform in this photo.

Right on: Thanks to the blacked-out cap, Stephenson looks like your friendly neighborhood milkman.

You see that cat Stephenson is a bad mother: Not a lot of badness to be found in Stephenson's career. I guess the fact that he lasted 10 years in the majors despite a career .216 batting average and not being known as a particularly standout defensive catcher is pretty bad ass.

Shut your mouth: Stephenson, a backup catcher for the Mets for three years in the mid-1960s, caught Nolan Ryan after Ryan was first signed during a workout. Yogi Berra, Warren Spahn and a scout were there with Stephenson. "They told (Ryan) to throw a fastball, but they didn't tell me," Stephenson said. "He hit me on the left side of my collarbone and I had to miss a week."

No one understands him but his woman: Stephenson was also the catcher for Ryan's first major league strikeout.

(A word about the back): The write-up mentions Stephenson was the final batter to face Jim Bunning during his perfect game, but doesn't have the heart to tell you what happened in the at-bat. Stephenson struck out.