NOT REALLY MISSING IN ACTION- 1971 JOHN LAMB

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.

NOT REALLY MISSING IN ACTION- 1974 JOHN LAMB

After creating a “missing” 1972 card for former Pirates pitcher John Lamb, I figured I’d go ahead and create a “not so missing” 1974 card as well:

Lamb pitched what would be the final 22 games of his brief three-year career in 1973, collecting two saves while posting a record of 0-1.
He had a bloated ERA of 6.07 over his 29.2 innings pitched, all out of the bullpen, while striking out 11 and walking 10.
That would be it for him as a Big League pitcher, as he’d spend all of 1974 in the Pirates Minor Leagues system before leaving the game for good.
His final numbers would be a record of 0-2, with a 4.07 earned run average over 66.1 innings and 47 appearances, all as a reliever.

NOT REALLY MISSING IN ACTION- 1972 JOHN LAMB

Here’s a “not so missing” 1972 card for former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher John Lamb, who appeared in just two games for the eventual World Champs the year before:

Lamb had his first taste of the big leagues in 1970, going 0-1 with a nice 2.78 earned run average over 23 appearances and 32.1 innings pitched, all in relief.
In 1971 he didn’t factor in a decision while pitching 4.1 innings of scoreless ball in his brief time up in Major League ball.
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.