MISSING IN ACTION- 1972 TOMMIE REYNOLDS

Here's a "missing" 1972 card for Tommie Reynolds, former outfielder for the California Angels:

Reynolds appeared in 45 games during the 1971 season, collecting exactly 100 plate appearances on his way to a .186 batting average with 16 hits in 86 at-bats.

His career spanned eight years playing for the A's (in both Kansas City and Oakland), the Mets, Angels and finally the Brewers in 1972 before calling it a career.

All told he batted .226 for his career, with 265 hits over 1170 at-bats in 513 games.

Funny enough he was actually also omitted from Topps' 1973 set after seeing some decent amount of action for the Brewers, so watch out for my custom in the near future.

TRADED: 1978 BOBBY BONDS

Earlier on this blog I created a 1979 "Traded" card for former double-threat Bobby Bonds showing him as a Cleveland Indian.

Today I post up a 1978 "Traded" card showing Bonds as a Chicago White Sox player, take a look:

Really is something how Bonds career went, especially the second half, when he played for seven teams in seven years.

Here's a guy that could slam homers, steal bases, and hit for a respectable average, yet couldn't find a home anywhere even though he was putting in all-star type seasons.

I have to admit I've never read any substantial stories as to the type of person he was, and if THAT was the main reason for his traveling act during his Major League career, but nevertheless the man seemed to be a guy you'd want in your line-up, no?

A five time 30/30 guy with two other "near-misses", he also fell one home run short in 1973 from becoming the first ever 40/40 guy, when he slammed 39 homers along with 43 stolen bases for the San Francisco Giants.

By the time his 14-year career was done, he totaled 332 home runs and 461 steals, along with three Gold Gloves and three all-star selections.

Even though he did put in a solid career, you have to wonder "what could have been" if he found a real home and was able to put in a career that was a bit longer.

MISSING IN ACTION-"IN ACTION" #41: 1972 ANDY MESSERSMITH

Time to give former all-star pitcher Andy Messersmith a "missing" In-Action card in the 1972 set.

Here you go:

Messersmith had a very interesting abbreviated career which saw him go 130-99 with a sparkling 2.86 earned run average, 27 shutouts and 1625 strikeouts, all in only 2230.1 innings pitched and 344 games in twelves years.

Of those twelve years, four were actually partial seasons, so we're really looking at an eight-year career that was very productive!

Going on those eight full seasons between 1969 and 1976, Messersmith posted two 20-win seasons, one in the American League with the Angels and one in the National League with the Dodgers, a 19-win season, six seasons of sub-3.00 ERA, and three seasons of 200+ strikeouts.

Along the way he won two Gold Gloves, was named to four all-star games, and finished fifth or higher in the Cy Young race three times.

Sadly, injuries pretty much halted his career at the age of 31, now with the Atlanta Braves, and by 1979 he was retired for good at 33.

Nevertheless he was one of the exceptional arms of the decade, easily overshadowed by the likes os Seaver, Carlton, Palmer et al.

HALL OF FAME #25:WHITEY FORD: CLASS OF 1974

Here's a card that I feel came out really nice, the next Hall of Fame Inductee in my HOF thread, Whitey Ford, former Yankee great and "Chairman of the Board":

What needs to be said about quite possibly the greatest Yankee pitcher of all?

Cy Young winner in 1961, winner of 236 games against only 106 losses (a nifty .690 winning percentage), a 2.75 career earned run average, and a member of six world championship clubs.

He led the league in wins three times, winning percentage three times, ERA twice, shutouts twice, and was named to eight all-star teams during his 16-year career.

His 10 World Series wins (along with his eight losses) are Major League high marks to this day, and who knows how much more he could have padded all of his numbers had he not lost two seasons to the military in 1951 and 1952!

When the Hall of Fame came calling he was inducted on his first try, getting named to 284 of 365 ballots in 1974.

Obviously there's so much more to get into with Whitey, but I could end up writing a book here if I did, so I'll leave it up to the Wikipedia's out there to fill anyone in who wants to learn more.

I only wish Ford didn't try to hang on those last couple of years in 1966 and 1967, when he went a combined 4-9, thus eliminating the chance of him being only the second pitcher to this day to retire with 200+ wins and LESS than 100 losses (the other being 19th-century pitcher Bob Caruthers, who finished at 218-99 between 1884-1893).

Oh well, I know I'm nitpicking here…It's the nerd in me I guess.

MISSING IN ACTION- 1970 STEVE JONES

Here's a "missing" 1970 card for former pitcher Steve Jones of the inaugural Kansas City Royals.

Check out my card design:

Jones appeared in 20 games for the Royals in 1969, good for a 2-3 record with a 4.23 earned run average and 31 strikeouts over 44.2 innings.

Of those 20 games, four were starts, and it would all end up being the last action he had on the Major League level.

He played three seasons in the Big Leagues, all for different teams: 1967 with the White Sox, 1968 with the Senators, and his final year in 1969 with the Royals.

He finished his career with a 5-7 record, with a 4.44 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 38 games and 81 innings of work.

JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT- 1970'S BASEBALL TRIVIA PART #102 (A REVISIT OF #20)

Let's revisit my 20th trivia set from October 2013.

See how many answers you can get before I post them here tomorrow.

1. What relief pitcher posted an amazing season in 1979 which saw the following numbers: 13-5 record with 29 saves, a 1.57 e.r.a. And 136 strikeouts in 143 innings?

2. Ironically enough, the only two players to hit over 40 homers in one season while failing to drive in 100+ runs were teammates and accomplished this feat in the same season. Who were they, and what year?

3. On a similar note: Hank Aaron was tied with another player with the lowest amount of runs batted in with anyone hitting 30+ homers in a season during the '70's, with 77. Who was the other slugger?

4. Who was the only catcher to post double digit numbers in doubles, triples and homers in the same season during the decade?

5. This pitcher had a respectable 14-13 record for the last place Mariners with a 3.77 E.R.A. and two shutouts in 1979. However the following year he ended the season with a 1-16 record with a 7.28 E.R.A. Who was it?

***SPOILER ALERT! ANSWERS BELOW: 

1. Jim Kern, Texas Rangers.

2. Hank Aaron and Davey Johnson of the Atlanta Braves in 1973. Aaron hit 40 homers with 96 R.B.I.'s while Johnson hit 43 homers with 99 R.B.I.'s.
 
3. Rick Monday, Chicago Cubs. 1977. He hit 32 home runs with his 77 runs batted in.
 
4. Darrell Porter, Kansas City Royals. 1979. He had 23 doubles, 10 triples and 20 home runs.

5. Mike Parrot.

MISSING IN ACTION- 1976 PAUL REUSCHEL: "1976 PROJECT"

Today's card for the ongoing "1976 Project" is a rookie card for pitcher Paul Reuschel, brother of Rick.

Check out my card:

Reuschel appeared in 28 games for the Cubbies, with a 1-3 record and five saves, finishing off 18 games with a 3.50 overall earned run average over 36 innings of work.

I never realized until I was writing up this post that his career was so short, ending after the 1979 season with the Cleveland Indians.

He just seemed to be around a little longer than that to me.

His brother put in a nice long career. Putting in 19-years and pitching himself to over 200 wins into 1991.

But for Paul, he'd finish with a 16-16 record with a 4.51 ERA, 13 saves and 188 strikeouts over 198 games, all but nine out of the 'pen, between 1975 and 1979 pitching for the Cubs and Indians.