Here’s
a card for a guy I thought actually had a spot in Topps’ 1971 set, but
much to my surprise (and relief) is a new creation for me, a “not so
missing” 1971 card for former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher John Lamb:
I previously created a 1972 and 1974 edition for Lamb, thinking for some
reason he was on a multi-player rookie card in the 1971 set.
But again, I was surprised I imagined such a card and happily created
this “dedicated rookie” for a pitcher who saw enough action in 1970 to
actually get something by Topps.
In 1970, his MLB debut, Lamb appeared in 23 games for the Bucs, tossing
32.1 innings and going 0-1 with a nice 2.78 earned run average with
three saves.
Can’t imagine why a pitcher with 23 appearances wouldn’t at the very
least get a spot on a multi-player card in the 1971 set, especially with
some of the players that actually did.
Anyway, in 1971 he didn’t factor in a decision while pitching 4.1
innings of scoreless ball in his brief time up in the Big Leagues.
He’d spend the entire 1972 season in the Minors, but would make it back
in 1973 in what would end up being his last taste of the Majors, going
0-1 over 22 appearances and 29.2 innings, with a bloated 6.07 ERA with a
couple of saves.
He’d be back toiling in the Minors the following year, and would stay
there through the 1974 season before retiring for good, leaving the
Majors with an 0-2 record over 47 games and 66.1 innings, with an ERA of
4.07.