Here’s
a “missing” 1977 card for speedster Dave Nelson, who appeared in 78
games for the A.L. West Champion Kansas City Royals in 1976 but didn’t
get a card the following year:
Nelson batted .235 for the Royals over those 78 games, with 36 hits in 153 at-bats along with 24 runs and 15 stolen bases.
It was his first season in Kansas City after a decent six-year run with the Washington Senators/Texas Rangers from 1970-1975.
His best season was easily 1973 when he was named to the A.L. all-star
team, as he batted .286 with 43 stolen bases and 71 runs scored.
After just over a couple-dozen games in 1977 Nelson found himself out of
the Majors for good, finishing up with a .244 career average and 630
hits with 187 steals over his 10-year career.