#526 - Larry Hisle

Card fact: There is no way Tom House gets a card number ending in "5" and Larry Hisle does not. The fact here is Hisle got robbed.

What I thought about this card: then: No knowledge of it.

What I think about this card now: My, that's a tiny, neat signature.

Other stuff: Hisle came up with the Phillies and made an immediate impact, placing fourth in the Rookie of the Year honors in 1969. But he slumped badly the following year and found himself bouncing from team to team, from the Phillies to the Dodgers to the Cardinals to the Twins, all within a year.

Hisle found his spot in Minnesota, hitting for a high average and driving in at least 90 runs a year. By the 1977 season, he was a hot commodity, and he signed with Milwaukee as a free agent. In 1978, he hit 34 home runs and knocked in 115 and finished third in the A.L. MVP voting.

But the following spring, he tore his rotator cuff while throwing. He played in no more than 27 games the final four seasons of his career, finally retiring after the 1982 season.

Hisle worked as a coach after his playing career. He was batting coach for the Blue Jays championship teams in 1992 and 1993. For the last decade or so, he has worked with the Brewers in its youth outreach program. Both of Hisle's parents died by the time he was 11, so he works with a number of at-risk children.

Back facts: Hisle was a decent base-stealer, but I don't think the stats cited by Topps exactly show that. Twelve steals in 18 tries doesn't seem "excellent" to me.

Other blog stuff: On this date, singer Rita Coolidge was born. I am really testing your knowledge of the '70s with this reference, but if you know the '70s, then you know who she is.

#523 - Tom Paciorek

Card fact: One of the first Dodgers that I obtained in 1975. Steve Yeager and Geoff Zahn were the first, and then it gets hazy after that. But I know Paciorek was in the next group.

What I thought about this card then: I remember noticing the sweat under Paciorek's helmet and that he seemed like he needed to clean himself up.

What I think about this card now: A nice view of Dodger Stadium in the background.

Other stuff: Paciorek was a top prospect when he was drafted by the Dodgers. He was a touted defensive back for the University of Houston and eventually had his number retired by the team. But with L.A., he had trouble breaking through in the outfield and ended up being a platoon-type player.

The Dodgers traded him to the Braves in the Dusty Baker deal. Paciorek received a few more at-bats with Atlanta and hit well his first season with them, but struggled after that and was released twice by the Braves. The Mariners picked him up and that is where he found his niche. In 1981, he hit .326 as a starter during the strike-shortened season and finished in the top 10 in MVP voting.

Paciorek continued as a semi-regular with the White Sox for three years before finishing up with the Mets and Rangers. He played for 18 seasons even though many of those were in a platoon role.

After his playing career, he became a broadcaster, most notably with the White Sox and the Braves. Chicago's Ken "He Gone" Harrelson reportedly hung the nickname "Wimpy" on Paciorek, who was broadcaster through 2007.

Back facts: I'm pretty certain that in 1975 I didn't know what a halfback was or why Steve Garvey was being mentioned on the back of Paciorek's card.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1956, Frank Robinson hit the first of his 586 career home runs.

#516 - Don Hood

Card fact: This is Don Hood's sophomore card. It looks a lot like the photo on his 1974 card, although obviously not taken in the same stadium.

What I thought about this card then: Never saw it. First card of his I saw was his '76 card when he was with the Indians.

What I think about this card now: It looks very similar to this card. I'm wondering how the Orioles kept their relievers straight. And, strangely, Hood looked more like Burt Reynolds than Bob Reynolds did.

Other stuff: Hood was a relief pitcher with the Orioles, Indians, Yankees, Cardinals and Royals, lasting 10 seasons through 1983. He received some starts while with Cleveland, but spent most of his time as a middle reliever.

Hood was acquired by the Yankees in a trade with Cleveland. New York reliever Rich Gossage hurt his hand in a clubhouse brawl with teammate Cliff Johnson in 1979. The Yankees responded by shipping Johnson to the Indians for relief help in Hood.

(EDIT: Don Hood died at age 73 on June 10, 2023).

Back facts: All right, this cartoon has me confused and I'm too lazy to figure out definitively whether it's wrong or not. The only Jake Gibbs to play major league baseball was a catcher for the Yankees in the 1960s and early 1970s. He never owned an NFL team, although he was a college football star and was headed for an NFL career as a quarterback before signing with the Yankees. But Jake Gibbs is the only Gibbs to ever play in the majors.

So, either there's some other guy named Jake Gibbs, who went by another first name besides Jake and another last name besides Gibbs, or the cartoon is totally screwed up. And as for that famous NFL Gibbs, Joe, he never played major league baseball.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1898, Phillies pitcher Bill Duggelby hits a grand slam in his first major league at-bat. That feat would not be repeated for 107 years when Jeremy Hermida of the Marlins hits a slam in his first at-bat in August of 2005.

#513 - Dick Pole

Card fact: This is Dick Pole's solo debut. ... I'm sorry, everything I write in this post is going to sound dirty.

What I thought about this card then: My brother had this card, since he was a Red Sox fan. We were oblivious to the name. We though his long straight hair was strange. Definitely dude-looks-like-a-ladyish. A real ugly lady.

What I think about this card now: I posted this card on a Monday. Because I thought you might need a laugh. Because I'm here for you, the reader. You're welcome.

Other stuff: Dick Pole, of course, goes in the baseball names Hall of Fame, if such a Hall of Fame was constructed by 11-year-old boys (or, ahem, immature collectors). I find it remarkable that he was able to operate in the public eye for so long with a name like that. It's truly admirable.

Pole began as a Red Sox prospect and started and relieved for Boston. His career was altered when he was hit in the face by a line drive off the bat of the Orioles' Tony Muser in June of 1975. The liner broke his jaw and damaged the retina in his right eye, eventually costing him most of the vision in the eye.

Pole later was drafted by the expansion Mariners and pitched two years for Seattle in 1977 and 1978. After that, he pitched in Mexico. He later made a name for himself as a pitching coach, mostly with the Cubs and the Giants, but he coached for a number of teams over two decades. He was most recently a coach for Cincinnati through the 2009 season.

Back facts: Pole could have been known as "Richard Pole," but don't think that people would have grown wise to his disguise. Good for him, going by Dick. He wasn't afraid to whip it out there ... I know, I should have more self-control than that.

Other blog stuff: I'm pretty sure that the whole fascination with Dick Pole and Pete LaCock came from this post. I could be wrong. Worth a read though.

#509 - Dave Hilton

Card fact: This is the second straight card of a player wearing a batting helmet. I suppose you're wondering if that's the first time that's happened. Nope. It happened once before. Card #375, Roy White, and Card #376, Steve Yeager.

I look so you don't have to.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card. I had a lot of mini cards of Padres for some reason. They were a mini kind of team.

What I think about this card now: It's a card I've had some difficulty finding well-centered. The previous Hilton card I had was WAY off.

Other stuff: Dave Hilton's career spanned just 1972-75, but he's featured on two notable cards. The first is his rookie card in the 1973 Topps set (he is referred to as "John Hilton." He shares it with Mike Schmidt, so it's better known as Mike Schmidt's rookie card. Also, I prefer to call it "Ron Cey's second-year card," because my favorite player, Cey, is the third player on that card.

The other notable Hilton card is his 1977 Topps card in which he's airbrushed into a Blue Jays uniform as expansion Toronto acquired him in October of 1976 from the Padres. But Hilton never played in the majors for the Blue Jays. In fact, his final major league season was 1975, two full years before his 1977 Topps card came out. Oops.

Hilton played his entire major league career with San Diego, never playing in more than 74 games in a season and hitting .213 for his career. He played in Japan in the late '70s, then return to the U.S. for a couple more minor league seasons. He later worked as a coach with the Brewers and managed in the minors.

(EDIT: Hilton died at age 67 on Sept. 17, 2017)

Back facts: Hugh "One Arm" Daily lost his left hand in a gun accident. He was a standout pitcher in the 1880s and a fan favorite. But he was a hot-headed, cranky son-of-a-gun who switched teams often because he was uncontrollable.

Other blog stuff: Pete Rose is 70 years old today. Can you believe it?

#502 - Pat Bourque

Card fact: This is the final card issued of Pat Bourque during his career. He appeared on just two Topps cards, the one being in the 1974 set.

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

What I think about this card now: Wow, that is a severely off-center card, and the photo appears to be out of register. I need to upgrade.

Other than that, Bourque really is playing the part of a Swingin' A, even though he was with Oakland for only two seasons. He's got the long hair and mustache down just like all of the full-timers.

Other stuff: Bourque was a part-time first baseman and pinch-hitter for the Cubs, A's and Twins between 1971 and 1974. The World Champion A's acquired Bourque from the Cubs in the middle of the 1973 season. Bourque went 1-for-3 in four games during the 1973 postseason.

The A's traded Bourque to the Twins in August of 1974, then reacquired him from the Twins after the season was over in late October. This must have both panicked Topps and then helped them. At first, Topps probably figured it would have to airbrush Bourque into a Twins cap since there would be no way for it to get a photo of him as a Twin at that late date. But then he returned to the A's in time for a relieved Topps to either use the photo it had planned to use of Bourque all along, or dig up an older photo of him from the 1974 Topps photoshoot.

Bourque was returned to the A's in a deal that sent Dan Ford to Minnesota. Bourque didn't end up playing in the  majors again, but Ford would have a long career for the Twins, Angels and Orioles well into the 1980s.

Back facts: You can see the last line of stats showing Bourque playing with the Twins, which would have confused me as a kid, given his appearance as an Oakland A on the front. The write-up illustrates Topps scrambling to keep up with the offseason moves. It mentions the summer trade at the start, then goes into his family background, then tacks on the most recent transaction at the end.

Other blog stuff: A happy 60th birthday to new Hall of Fame inductee Bert Blyleven.

#493 - Don Stanhouse

Card fact: Don Stanhouse returns to Topps after sitting out the '74 set. He made his debut in the 1973 set.

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

What I think about this card now: Good god, look at that mustache. How in the hell did he feed himself?

Other stuff: Stanhouse became remembered as the closer for the 1979 World Series finalist Baltimore Orioles. But before his time with Baltimore, he served as both a starter and reliever for the Rangers and the Expos.

Stanhouse was an all-around star athlete in high school and began his career as an infielder. He didn't have great success with the Rangers and was shipped to Montreal in the Willie Davis deal prior to the 1975 season. After a year of inactivity, Stanhouse enjoyed a decent 1976, starting 26 games and going 9-12. The following year, Montreal switched him to the bullpen and Stanhouse responded with his best season, going 10-10 with 10 saves.

Baltimore than acquired him and Gary Roenicke in a deal that sent Rudy May and Bryn Smith to the Expos. Stanhouse was installed as a full-time reliever and quickly became known for his flaky behavior. He had an unsual pitching delivery in which he held the ball forever before sending it to the plate. Hitters hated it. He was nicknamed "Stan the Man Unusual" and "Fullpack" because manager Earl Weaver would go through a pack of cigarettes while watching Stanhouse work himself in and out of jams on the mound.

I remember broadcasters yukking it up as TV showed Weaver hiding in the hallway between the dugout and the clubhouse, sneaking a cigarette because he couldn't stand to watch Stanhouse pitch.

After the 1979 season, the Dodgers acquired Stanhouse in its first big entry into the free agent market. Stanhouse hurt his back and tanked, with an ERA over 5.00 in 1980. He didn't even pitch for L.A. in 1981. He came back to Baltimore for a season in 1982, but struggled again and his career ended.

Stanhouse is now a venture capitalist and an entrepreneur, married for almost 30 years and the father of three grown children. And the mustache is gone.

Back facts: I don't know why they didn't use this cartoon on Dave Nelson's card.

Other blog stuff: This is just the 16th yellow-green bordered card. That is four fewer than the next lowest border color total.

#442 - Maximino Leon

Card fact: This is Maximino Leon's rookie card.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card. I remember not being impressed.

What I think about this card now: Well, first of all, terrific name, Maximino. But I totally understand abbreviating it to "Max" when signing.

Other stuff: Leon was a relief pitcher for the Braves for six seasons. He appeared in 50 games for the 1975 Braves.

Leon has just three Topps cards. Most of his career was spent in the Mexican League, and he was inducted into the Mexican League Hall of Fame in 1997. Leon also has worked as a pitching coach in the Arizona League.

Back facts: I missed posting on Leon's birthday by ONE DAY! ACK! ONE DAY!

Other blog stuff: Since I'm on this run of mini cards, I should at least show the mini card and regular card side-by-side once in awhile:

He looks a little cranky on both cards.

#436 - Ken Frailing

Card fact: This is the first and last solo Topps card of Ken Frailing issued during his career.

What I thought about this card then: No knowledge of it.

What I think about this card now: When I was trying to complete the set back in 2004, this was one of the few players I came across who I had never heard of prior to seeing his card.

Other stuff: Frailing was a relief pitcher for the White Sox and Cubs between 1972-76. He was dealt to the Cubs in the trade that sent Ron Santo to the White Sox. Frailing's career was shortened by an arm injury.

(EDIT: Ken Frailing died at age 74 on Aug. 25, 2022).

Back facts: The 55 appearances that Frailing made during the 1974 were just shy of half of all the major league appearances he had during his career.

Other blog stuff: On this date in 1901, the American League officially becomes a major league alongside the National League. Only a minor league prior, the major league AL's teams are Cleveland, Boston, Baltimore, Washington, Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit and Philadelphia. Buffalo, Indianapolis and Minneapolis are dropped.

#408 - Clyde Wright

Card fact: It has been 143 cards since the last yellow-green bordered card. That is a record, so far, and the reason why "yellow-green" has dropped to the bottom in the color-combo standings. This is only the 13th yellow-green (lemon-lime combo) card.

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

What I think about this card now: Nobody's pitching follow-through looks like that.

Other stuff: Wright was a top pitching prospect with the Angels. After hurling a 4-hit shutout in his major league debut in 1966, he spent most of the next couple of seasons in a relief role. The Angels released him after he went 1-8 in 1969. But he returned to the Angels the following spring and went on to a 22-win season, winning Comeback Player of the Year Honors. He also threw a no-hitter that year, and was the losing pitcher in the All-Star Game. He was the one who gave up the winning hit to Jim Hickman, who brought home Pete Rose, who bowled over Ray Fosse.

Wright remained a top pitcher for the Angels until going 11-19 in 1973. He was traded to the Brewers in a nine-player deal, but didn't fair much better with Milwaukee, losing 20 games and posting a 4.42 ERA. The Brewers traded him to the Rangers. After a year with Texas, Wright played in Japan for three years.

Wright is the father of former major leaguer Jaret Wright, who was a sensation with the Indians in the late 1990s and pitched in the majors for 11 years.

Back facts: There is a mistake in the stats. Topps lists Wright as playing for the Angels in 1974, but he played for the Brewers. That bit of misinformation threw me off. Before doing research on Wright, I studied the photo for signs of airbrushing since I thought Wright was dealt from the Angels to the Brewers in the '74 offseason.

Other blog stuff: This is the second straight player shown who does not have a middle name. Just thought you should know.

#265 - Ron Bryant

Card fact: This is the final card of Ron Bryant's all-too-quick career.

What I thought about this card then: Never saw it. Didn't know who Bryant was until decades later.

What I think about this card now: Well, I just noticed that he signed his name "Ron Bear Bryant." That's terrific.

Other stuff: Just like Jim Perry two cards ago, Bryant is one of those guys whose career ended just as I began to follow baseball and I never knew who he was until years later, when I acquired his card.

Bryant is known for putting together a terrific 1973 season for the Giants. He won 24 games and finished third in the Cy Young Award voting. But the following year, he was 3-15 with a 5.61 earned-run average. He was out of baseball by the end of 1975.

In between that very high high and the very low low, was a "swimming pool accident" during spring training of 1974. There are numerous references to the "swimming pool accident" in accounts of Bryant's career, but no other details -- just that it messed up his career.

It turns out that Bryant suffered a major gash in his side, and it was said to have happened on a swimming pool slide. Apparently, Bryant was known to like his drinks and his parties, and maybe the two combined to create a career-ending incident.

But Bryant was an easy-going sort, and even though his career ended after 8 seasons, he ended up taking a job as a casino card dealer in Reno, Nev.

Back facts: Tony Solaita was a 1970s player for the Angels and Royals. We'll see him later in the set.

Also, notice that Topps wants no part of Bryant's 1974 season in the write-up.

And, just like Jim Perry, Ron Bryant was a switch-hitting pitcher.

Other blog stuff: In honor of today's Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, on this date in 1999, Nolan Ryan, Robin Yount, George Brett and Orlando Cepeda were inducted into the Hall.

#262 - Rowland Office

Card fact: This is Rowland Office's rookie card.

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

What I think about this card now: Where to begin? The first time I saw this card was when I was trying to complete the set about 5 or 6 years ago. I was at a collectibles shop thumbing through '75s in various conditions. I looked at the card, thought it was miscut and put it back. A time or two later, I was back in the store, came across the Office card, thought it was miscut and didn't buy it again. Then I was at a card show and saw the card and said to myself, "Hmmm, that's miscut, too. That must've been one of those cards that had that problem consistently."

Well, eventually, after viewing the card about a dozen times, I realized, "Hey, dumb-ass, the card isn't off-center. The SUBJECT is off-center." I can't believe it took me that long to realize that. But the fact is I simply wasn't looking for the subject to be off-center. It's pretty much expected that the subject would be centered, except, you know, on half of the cards in the 1969 set.

So combine the off-center photo with Office's rather goofy, quizzical expression and one of the best names of the 1970s, and you have one hell of a rookie card.

Other stuff: Office played 11 seasons in the majors, mostly for the Braves, back when the Braves were pathetic. He began as mostly a defensive replacement in the outfield because he had a lot of speed. But he put up some adequate offensive numbers -- at least by 1970s Atlanta standards -- to survive in the lineup. He signed with the Expos as a free agent after 1979 and his playing time decreased with a strong influx of young standout outfielders in Montreal. He ended his career with two games for the Yankees in 1983.

Back facts: It was the 1970s. You had to be a professional in two sports to make ends meet.

Baseball-reference.com says that Rowland's middle name is spelled with one "n,' as in Johnie.

Also, the write-up almost reads like an insult at the start. I mean, they're mentioning a grand slam he hit in a spring training game? But then you find out he was a non-roster invitee. That's a little more interesting. However, they didn't need to capitalize "spring training game," and they certainly didn't have to use the word "invited" twice.

Other stuff: On this date in 1975, Mets pitcher Jerry Koosman pitched a complete game and stole second in a 3-1 win over the Reds.

#255 - Dwight Evans

Card fact: One of the last cards I needed to complete the set. One of the final five.

What I thought about this card then: My brother had this card, the mini card. He was a big fan of "Dewey."

What I think about this card now: First, a very nice shot of Fenway Park.

Secondly, why is this card so difficult to obtain? I'm not the only one I've come across who is trying to complete this set who has struggled to land the Evans card. He was a good player all right, but he is by no means considered a major star or an expensive card to purchase.

Other stuff: Dwight Evans is one of the most popular players in Red Sox history (perhaps explaining my question above). He started out as a great fielder, and he had a terrific arm. I don't know how many times his arm was mentioned during the Saturday Game of the Week (the Red Sox were on all the time). But it was often.

During the 1970s, his hitting was buried in a tremendously powerful lineup, and he could be expected to hit about .250. But in the 1980s, his hitting emerged and he became a very consistent batter with good power.

Evans is mentioned for the Hall of Fame periodically, which surprised me when I first heard it because he didn't seem to be Hall of Fame material during his playing career. But his longevity, his fielding, plus his ability to draw a walk and get on base probably makes him very attractive in Hall of Fame arguments.

Evans made one of great plays in the famed Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. In the top of the 11th inning with Ken Griffey on first base, Evans snared a long drive off the bat of Joe Morgan and doubled Griffey off of first base.

Back facts: Another cartoon mention of Babe Ruth! The cartoonist must have loved drawing him.

Also, I don't know why you would put Evans in left field with an arm like that. A quick look at baseball-reference confirms that he spent very little time there, and most of it was at the start of his career.

Other blog stuff: Posting on this blog may be sporadic the next few days. I'll be in vacation mode. But I'll try to get to it.

#241 - Dick Tidrow

Card fact: This is Dick Tidrow's first card as a Yankee and his first card in which he's wearing a mustache.

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

What I think about this card now: Yankee Stadium is a little tilted.

Other stuff: Dick Tidrow built his reputation as a reliable set-up reliever for both the Yankees and the Cubs. When he was with New York, I would always get him confused with Sparky Lyle -- another mustachioed reliever on the Yankees.

Tidrow came to the Yankees from the Indians in a trade that also brought Chris Chambliss to New York. The Indians ended up with Fritz Peterson, Steve Kline, Tom Buskey and Fred Beene. It didn't work out very well for Cleveland. But nothing ever did in the 1970s.

Unlike the players who went to the Indians in the trade, Topps was able to produce a non-airbrushed photo of Dick Tidrow (all four of the players sent to the Indians are airbrushed into their Indians uniforms). That is probably because Topps was stationed in New York.

Tidrow is now the scouting director for the Giants. The Dodgers beat your team tonight, Dick.

 

(EDIT: Dick Tidrow died at age 74 on July 10, 2021).

Back facts: You may be asking how Mickey Mantle hit a home run in the Astrodome in the days before interleague play. It was an exhibition game on April 9, 1965. Mantle hit it off of the Astros' Turk Ferrell.

Other blog stuff: The No. 1 song in the country on this date in 1975 was "Love Will Keep Us Together," by the Captain and Tennille. Toni Tennille received some heat back in 1980 when she sang the National Anthem for the All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium. People accused her of lip-synching, but that wasn't true.

#151 - Steve Brye

Card fact: Steve Brye is in an almost identical pose on his 1977 Topps card. You could put those photos side by side and do one of those exercises in Highlights magazine in which you have to find 5 things different about the two pictures.

What I thought about this card then: Not a lot. But my brother, who had the card, apparently had some thoughts. More on that in a second.

What I think about this card now: More tilting in the background.

Other stuff: Steve Brye was a fourth-outfielder type for the Twins, as well as the Brewers and Pirates. His only true season as a starter was 1974 when he played in 135 games. He played through the 1978 season.

But he is a big part of my childhood because my brother chose to make Brye the favorite player of his stuffed lion. I mentioned this before on the other blog. It drew a reaction from one of Brye's relatives. Someone who is married to Brye's cousin dropped me an email telling me she was entertained by the story and wondered why Brye was the "lucky" player chosen by my brother. I told her I had no idea. What's more, I don't think my brother would have an idea either. We were ages 9 and 7 at the time. Kids make no sense then.

Back facts: If I wasn't so tired and ready for sleep, I would look up whether the record for most years leading the league in losses is still four. Someone please do it for me.

Other blog stuff: Tom Glavine was born on this date in 1966.

#142 - Bob Reynolds

Card fact: This is the last card in Reynolds' career. In fact, he has just two Topps cards.

What I thought about this card then: I absolutely loved it. One of my all-time favorite cards in the set. I thought the pose was terrific. Never mind that it is the worst pitching follow-through ever, I thought he looked like someone out of the wild west with the mustache and long hair and pointing at the camera. My brother had this card, since he was an Orioles fan, and I really wanted that card badly.

What I think about this card now: It's still awesome, especially now that I know some background on Reynolds.

Other stuff: Reynolds was thought to be a can't-miss prospect out of high school. He could throw more than 100 miles an hour on a regular basis. But he also was a one-pitch pitcher, and therefore made into a reliever. He did well for two seasons with the Orioles -- 1973 and 1974 -- and pitched for Baltimore in the 1974 ALCS. But in 1975 he was 0-5 and bounced between the Orioles, Tigers and Indians.

An interesting story recounts his time in the major leagues. He just missed out on a baseball pension because he came 34 days short of having five years of big-league service. After being sent down to Triple A by Indians player/manager Frank Robinson in 1976, he found himself facing Robinson in an exhibition game. Reynolds retired Robinson on a fly ball, then angrily yelled at Robinson, demanding to know why Robinson sent him to Triple A. Robinson promptly ran across the  field and punched Reynolds out. Reynolds never returned to the majors.

Back facts: Another gun cartoon. That just adds to the wild-west nature of the "Bullet Bob" card.

Other blog stuff: All right, I am a child of the '70s. Therefore, I must mention that Erik Estrada was born 61 years ago today.

#106 - Mike Hargrove

Card fact: The first card of Mike Hargrove's career.

What I thought about this card then: Not part of my collection. Hargrove's 1976 Topps card was one of my favorites. It's a very simple card -- a picture of Hargrove pointing his bat at the camera, a familiar pose on many 1970s cards. But something about it grabbed me. In fact, I liked Hargrove's cards in the '77, '78 and '79 sets, too.

What I think about this card now: If they had just moved Hargrove's card number up one place, Topps could have had back-to-back rookie cup cards. I wonder if that has ever happened in any Topps set?

Other stuff: Hargrove is one of those guys who had both a long and successful playing and managing career. When you go through baseball history, there really aren't a ton of folks who succeeded for so long in both areas.

Hargrove was nicknamed the "Human Rain Delay" for all of his maneuverings before he got into the batter's box.

He quit as manager of the Mariners in midseason in 2007, even though the team was playing well at the time. He now manages a semiprofessional baseball team in Kansas.

Back facts: Hargrove won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 1974, clobbering runner-up Bucky Dent with 67 percent of the vote, compared to Dent's 12. George Brett finished third.

Also ... Dudley?

Other blog stuff: Just two days after adding the third baseman to the Topps rookie team, it's time to add a guy at the other infield corner:

1B - Mike Hargrove
2B - ?
3B - Bill Madlock
SS - ?
OF - ?
OF - ?
OF - ?
C - ?
P - Frank Tanana

#79 - Gary Matthews

Card fact: This is the last card in the third rotation of teams in the set. Like the first rotation, it began with the Red Sox and ended with the Giants. The fourth rotation will march to its own drummer.

What I thought about this card then: It pains me to say this, but there are too many Giants cards in the 1975 set that I thought were cool. I was such a dumb 9-year-old. But both Matthews and Garry Maddox seemed cool to me, and I liked their '75 cards a lot. I pulled the Matthews card in some packs that we bought at a drug store while vacationing in southwestern New York in the summer of 1975.

What I think about this card now: Well, other than it is a stinkin' Giant, the field is tilted again.

Other stuff: Matthews enjoyed a fine career for the Giants, Braves and Phillies (and one decent year with the Cubs). He was the source of some pain for my favorite team with a home run he hit in the 1983 NLCS.

He's a definite "bad ass" club candidate (his 1981 Topps Traded card is a wee bit scary), and he is the FIFTH guy already in this set to have had a son play major league baseball.

But his 1975 card is quite a come down from his 1974 card:

That's one of the greatest cards from the 1970s right there.

Back facts: I didn't know the origination of the phrase "Texas League hit" or "Texas Leaguer," so I looked it up. Apparently, it came from a player, named Art Sunday, who arrived in Toledo from the Texas League. He hit so many balls that fell just between fielders that the hits began to be called "Texas Leaguers."

Also, I'm not sure what a "free hitter" is. Perhaps they meant "free-swinging hitter"? Matthews did strike out a fair amount.

Other blog stuff: SCANNING IS DONE! All 660 cards in the set are scanned. I went on a marathon scanning session to finish it off. What a relief.

#71 - Charlie Hough

Card fact: Seventy-one cards into the set and we've already come across two players who were born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Milt Wilcox was the other one.

What I thought about this card then: I thought Hough had some long hair when I saw his card, but for some reason, he wasn't one of those dudes who looked like a lady to me. Don't know why. Hough must've given off a manly vibe.

What I think about this card now: Wow, Dodger Stadium is deserted.

Other stuff: To me, there are two different Charlie Houghs. There is the long-haired young reliever with the knuckleball who pitched for the Dodgers. And there is the short-haired veteran starter with the knuckleball who skipped around between the Rangers, White Sox and Marlins. I'm biased, but I like the young reliever better.

Back facts: I guess by 1975, Hough was considered a "knuckeball specialist." But back in 1969, Hough was almost out of baseball after hurting his arm. He tried to play first base, but couldn't do that either. So, he was taught the knuckleball. With the help of Hoyt Wilhelm and Jim Brewer, both pitchers on the Dodgers, he mastered the pitch and his career lasted until he was 46.

The cartoon trivia question is awfully random. Is there something special about the Cubs' double-play duo in 1955? Who is Gene Baker?

Oldie, but goodie: You better believe I still have the original Hough card that I pulled in 1975. This is it in all of its scuffed glory:

Other blog stuff: I'm going to stay on Mr. Hough. This card is the only card in the 1975 set that I have autographed.

It came from Wicked Ortega of My Pastime ... I Love It! What a great guy The Don is. And here's the card:

I actually prefer my 1975 cards unsoiled by scribblings. But like everything, I make an exception for Dodgers.

#52 - Darrell Porter

Card fact: The first card in the set to feature someone wearing glasses.

What I thought about this card then: I had the mini card as a 9-year-old. To this day, the regular-sized card looks strange to me, and I can say that for most of the cards that I knew only as minis in 1975.

What I think about this card now: A mudslide appears to be pulling down the stadium! Oh, sorry, it's just another tilted background.

Other stuff: Porter's battle with drug and alcohol addiction is well-chronicled. He was a feel-good story in the 1982 World Series, winning the MVP award. For years, he seemed to have his life turned around. But when news of his death hit the papers, I knew immediately that his past had returned -- and this time it was fatal. It's a very sad story.

Back facts: For years, if someone asked who made the last unassisted triple play in the major leagues, fans instantly said, "Ron Hansen." His 1968 solo triple was the only one that occurred between one by the Tigers' Johnny Neun in 1927 and one by the Phillies' Mickey Morandini in 1992. But since Morandini, an unassisted triple play has happened six more times.

What's the reason for that? Don't know. My fuddy-duddy-grumpy instinct is to blame it on the horrible base running in the majors these days. But that doesn't explain why there were six unassisted triple plays in the 1920s, including two on back-to-back days!

Other blog stuff: The Porter entry gives me a chance to display this:

I received it the other day from a collector, known as mr haverkamp on The Bench. You'll note the Porter card in the center of the panel (as well as the glorious creases). But the real reason I received this 1975 Hostess panel is because of the Ron Cey card. It's one I need of my favorite player.

Food issue cards from the '70s are the best. And I know I should keep this panel intact, even if it's creased beyond repair. But I'm sure I'll break it up. Cards are meant to be 2 1/2-by-3 1/2. They're meant to run free!