CAREER-CAPPER- 1976 ORLANDO PENA

A nice card to add to the blog today, a career-capping 1976 card for long-time Major League pitcher Orlando Pena, who finished up a nice 14-year career in 1975 with the California Angels:

 

Pena appeared in seven games for the Halos in 1975, going 0-2 with a very nice 2.13 earned run average over 12.2 innings of work at the age of 41.

He started his career back in 1958 with the Cincinnati Reds and along the way played for eight teams, with the Kansas City Athletics the team he made the most impact, collecting 30 wins against 44 losses in 100 games between 1962 and 1965.

All told, he finished his career with a record of 56-77 over 427 appearances, with an ERA of 3.71 in 1202 innings, with four shutouts and 40 saves.

 

NOT REALLY MISSING IN ACTION- 1972 ORLANDO PENA

Here was a fun card to create, a “not so missing” 1972 edition for long-time MLB pitcher Orlando Pena, who was in the middle of a somewhat transitional period in his career:

Pena appeared in only five games for the Baltimore Orioles during their run to another American League Championship, going 0-1 with an earned run average at 3.07 over 14.2 innings.
He spent all of 1972 in the Minors before returning for three more seasons under the Big League sun, finally retiring after the 1975 season at the age of 41.
Originally up in 1958 with the Cincinnati Reds, he arguably had his finest seasons in the Majors with the Kansas City Athletics in 1963 and 1964, even though he led the American League in losses with 20 in 1963.
However the record was not true to his performance, as we’ve seen numerous times over the years, with Pena posting and ERA of 3.69 along with three shutouts for a team that went 73-89, good for an eighth-place finish.
All told, Pena pitched for 14 seasons in the Majors, finishing up in 1975 at the age of 41 with the California Angels, and ending up with a lifetime record of 56-77 with a 3.71 ERA over 427 appearances and 1202 innings of work.

MISSING IN ACTION- 1971 ORLANDA PENA

On the blog today we have a “missing” 1971 card for long-time Major League righty Orlando Pena, who was back in the Big Leagues after two-years in 1970, now with the Pittsburgh Pirates:

Pena appeared in 23 games for the Pirates, going 2-1 with a 4.78 earned run average and two saves, all out of the bullpen at the age of 36 after spending two seasons in the Minor Leagues for the Cleveland, California and Kansas City organizations.
Originally up in 1958 with the Cincinnati Reds, he arguably had his finest seasons in the Majors with the Kansas City Athletics in 1963 and 1964, even though he led the American League in losses with 20 in 1963.
However the record was not true to his performance, as we’ve seen numerous times over the years, with Pena posting and ERA of 3.69 along with three shutouts for a team that went 73-89, good for an eighth-place finish.
All told, Pena pitched for 14 seasons in the Majors, finishing up in 1975 at the age of 41 with the California Angels, and ending up with a lifetime record of 56-77 with a 3.71 ERA over 427 appearances and 1202 innings of work.

THEN AND NOW #40: ORLANDO PENA 1975

Here's a "Then and Now" card for long time Major League pitcher Orlando Pena:

Pena was closing out a decent 14-year career that actually started in 1958, as he missed four seasons between 1958-1975 (1961, 1968, 1969 and 1972).

He'd finish with a 56-77 record, with a 3.71 earned run average, 40 saves and 818 strikeouts over 427 games and 1202 innings.

I couldn't help but notice his monster Minor League season at the ripe old age of 38 in 1972 when he posted a combined 22-3 record with a tiny 1.25 ERA!

He first went 15-3 with a 1.38 ERA with Miami of the Florida League, then moved on to Rochester of the International League and went 7-0 with a 0.96 ERA. 

Now, I can't be 100% positive at this point, but I'm almost sure his 1959 Topps card was the first 1959 card I ever got. It's either that or Virgil Trucks.

Old age is getting to me as I forget these once unforgettable moments collecting cards as a kid!