For one reason or another, Topps decided not to create one even though he saw enough action in 1976 to warrant it.
Today I'll stick with the same set and post up an Andre Thornton card that I designed, since Topps never created one for him either even though he ALSO saw enough playing time in 1976 to have a card the following year.
I don't know why Topps left him out, since in 1976 Thornton saw action with TWO teams, the Cubs and the Expos, appearing in 96 games for 268 at-bats.
Granted he only hit .194, but he did pop 11 homers to go along with 38 runs batted in. Not too shabby for those lighter-hitting years of the early to mid decade.
I decided to depict him on an Expos card, since realistically Topps would not have had the time to picture him an an Indian, to whom he was traded in December of 1976.
Just trying to keep it real folks...
Thornton went on to have some solid years for Cleveland, where he ended up playing the rest of his career until he retired in 1987.
In 1978, 1982 and 1984 he posted 30+ home run seasons, with R.B.I. totals of 105, 116 and 99, earning him some M.V.P. votes each year.
He also won the Roberto Clemente award in 1979 and a Silver Slugger in 1984 as a designated hitter.
It was definitely one of the better trades Cleveland made, as all they gave up for Thornton was pitcher Jackie Brown, who was out of baseball the following year.
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| Thornton was traded to the Expos in May of 1976. |
