1978 Topps Baseball #177 - Gene Garber

• Gene Garber had the most noted moment of his career in 1978 when he was the last pitcher Pete Rose faced when his 44-game hitting streak ended on August 1. Other Atlanta pitchers retired Rose earlier in the game, but Garber got the most ink due to Pete complaining after the game about Garber's joy in getting him out in his last at bat.
• Gene started the 1978 season with the Phillies but on June 15 he was traded to the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Dick Ruthven. The Phillies had a strong bullpen but they needed more starting pitching.
• Garber had probably the best season of his 19 year career in 1978. After coming over from Philadelphia, Gene became the Braves' closer and racked up 22 saves in the last 3 1/2 months of the season.
• 1978 Stats:
• Philadelphia Phillies: 2-1, 3 saves, 1.40 ERA in 22 games
• Atlanta Braves: 4-4, 22 saves, 2.53 ERA in 43 games
• TOTAL: 6-5, 25 saves, 2.15 ERA in 65 games
• 1978 Highlights:
• May 7 - Shut out the New York Mets for four innings and earned the win as the Phillies beat the Mets 8-5.
• July 3 - Struck out four batters in three shutout innings to save the game for starter Rick Camp. The Braves beat the LA Dodgers 4-2.
• Aug 7 - Allowed one run in three innings and saved the game in Atlanta's 5-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds