Saturday, August 16, 2014

1978 Topps Baseball #199 - Craig Reynolds





  • Craig Reynolds had his best season in 1978. He batted .292 and was the Mariners' representative to the All Star Game.
  • After the 1978 season Reynolds was traded to the Houston Astros for pitcher Floyd Bannister.
  • 1978 Stats: .292, 5 HR, 44 RBI in 148 games
  • 1978 Highlights:
    • April 5 - Went 3 for 4 with a 2-run home run to help the Mariners beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2 on Opening Day.
    • June 22 - Had three hits and scored three runs in Seattle's 8-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
    • Aug 6 - Went 4 for 4 with a run and a RBI as the Mariners lost to the Oakland A's 4-3.

Friday, August 8, 2014

1978 Topps Baseball #198 - Ron Pruitt


  • Ron Pruitt was a utility guy during his major league career. In 1978 he saw most of his action at catcher (35 games) and in the outfield (13 games). 
  • He was a nice guy to have on an APBA or a Strat-O-Matic draft league team in 1979 and in 1980. Ron had a decent stick and played a lot of positions.
  • 1978 Stats: .235, 6 HR, 17 RBI\in 71 games
  • 1978  Highlights:
    • Aug 24 - Had three hits (two of them doubles) and scored a run as the Indians beat the Milwaukee  Brewers 9-8.
    • Sept 17 - Went 2 for 3 with a home run to help the Indians beat the Detroit Tigers 2-1.


Wednesday, August 6, 2014

1978 Topps Baseball #197 - Nino Espinosa


  • Nino Espinosa was the #2 starter for the New York Mets in 1978.
  • Espinosa was 5-2 with a 3.33 ERA at the end of May, but he had two rough stretches during the season. Nino lost four straight starts in June and then took the loss in five straight starts in late July and in August.
  • 1978 Stats: 11-15, 4.73 ERA in 32 starts
  • 1978 Highlights:
    • May 17 - Allowed one run on six hits in a complete game 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves.
    • June 20 - Pitched a shutout against the Montreal Expos.


Monday, August 4, 2014

1978 Topps Baseball #196 - Bob Bailor


  • Bob Bailor had career highs in most of the offensive categories in 1978. Bob spent most of his time in right field but he also played the other OF positions as well as third base and shortstop.
  • Bob has quite the chaw in his mouth. I remember how my grandmother would have a lot to say about players who had chew in their mouths (although she smoked a couple of packs of Marlboros a day).
  • Bailor was selected as Toronto's outstanding player in 1978 for the second straight year.
  • 1978 Stats: .264, 1 HR, 52 RBI in 154 games
  • 1978 Highlights:
    • April 27 - Had three hits and scored two runs in Toronto's 8-7 win over the Kansas City Royals.
    • May 23 - Went 3 for 5 with a run scored as the Blue Jays beat the Boston Red Sox 2-1.
    • July 6 - Scored a run, knocked in a run, and had three hits to help the Blue Jays beat Jim Palmer and the Baltimore Orioles 2-0.


Saturday, August 2, 2014

1978 Topps Baseball #195 - Larry Dierker


  • This was Larry Dierker's final card, and it also served as a "career retrospective" card. Dierker was released during spring training in 1978.