Here’s
a “not so missing” 1972 card for pitcher Bill Laxton of the San Diego
Padres, who would actually get his 1st (and only) card years later in
the 1977 set as a member of the inaugural Seattle Mariners team:
Laxton had his first taste of the Major Leagues in 1970, appearing in
two games of relief work before coming back in 1971 and appearing in 18
games for the Padres, pitching 27.2 innings and collecting two-losses
against no wins, with an earned run average at 6.83.
Sadly for him he’d spend the next two seasons in the Minors before
making it back in 1974, playing 30 games, all but one out of the
bullpen, going 0-1 with a 4.03 E.R.A.
Again, he’d spend the following year in the Minors before making it
back, this time with the Detroit Tigers where he’d go 0-5 with a 4.09
E.R.A., getting three starts while picking up a couple of saves over 26
games and 94.2 innings pitched, his career high.
In 1977, which would be his last taste of the big leagues, Laxton would
split the year with the new Seattle Mariner team and the Cleveland
Indians, for whom he’d play the final two games of his career, going a
combined 3-2 with a 4.96 E.R.A. over 45 games and 74.1 innings pitched,
leaving him with a career record of 3-10 with a 4.73 E.R.A., with five
saves over 121 games and 243.1 innings pitched.