Came
across this image a while ago and felt it would make a nice “special”
for the 1977 set, the Philadelphia Phillies starters who helped them end
up in first place during the 1976 season, Steve Carlton, Jim Kaat and
Jim Lonborg:
Chugging to a final record of 101-61 in 1976, the Phillies were led on
the mound by these three, who won a combined 50 games between them with
Carlton (of course) leading the way with a 20-7 record, followed by
Lonborg’s 18-10 year and Kaat’s 12-14 record.
Of course the Phillies were also helped by their three thumpers: Mike
Schmidt, Greg Luzinski and Dick Allen, but they had a solid staff that
also included Larry Christenson who won 13 games, and rookie Tom
Underwood, who went 10-5.
Sadly for the Phillies, they had to deal with the “Big Red Machine”
Cincinnati reds juggernaut followed by the Los Angeles Dodger teams of
the late-70’s, keeping them from possible multi-World Series
appearances, but they’d finally make it all the way to the top in 1980
when they’d be champions after beating the Kansas City Royals.