- Well I'm back after a VERY long hiatus. I moved from Arizona to Utah to accept a new teaching job. It was a big move for me since I had lived in Arizona all of my life. At the time we had a foster son that we were in the process of adopting. He wasn't allowed to leave Arizona until he was adopted, so my wife stayed with him in Arizona while I went to Utah with our daughter. My daughter and I stayed with an uncle until we could find a rental home. I figured it would only be a short time so I didn't bring some things with me (including my 1978 cards and my scanner). What was supposed to be a month turned into four months, but the adoption finally happened in late October. Unfortunately we had trouble finding a suitable rental so we stayed with the uncle for a couple more months. We now have a rental but in the meantime the house in Arizona was burglarized. The thieves didn't get much, but they got the TV and my scanner. Luckily they didn't take any of my cards. I'll start posting again with some cards I had already had scanned into my computer and I'll pick up the other cards later.
- Killer gum stain on the back of this card.
- Tom Griffin didn't pitch for the San Diego Padres in 1978. He became a free agent after the 1977 season and signed with the California Angels.
- Tom was mostly used as a relief pitcher in 1978. He was in the Cleveland rotation for a few turns in June, but he was 0-3 in that role. Griffin had several breaks during the season as he battled injuries. He had five breaks of 10 or more days, including a 24 day hiatus in May. Tom pitched in only one game in September.
- Griffin was released after the 1978 season. He pitched for the San Francisco Giants for three years and finished up with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1982.
- 1978 Stats: 3-4, 4.02 ERA in 24 games (4 starts)
- 1978 Highlights:
- July 24 - Allowed no runs in 2 2/3 innings and earned the victory as the Angels beat the Cleveland Indians 5-4 in 16 innings.
- That's quite the choke-up grip Mr. Richards is showing.
- Gene Richards had career highs in batting average in games played in 1978. Richards started in left field for the Padres (although he made several starts at 1B in April) and usually led off.
- 1978 Stats: .308, 4 HR, 45 RBI, 90 runs in 154 games
- 1978 Highlights:
- May 12 - Had three hits, knocked in three runs, and scored twice to help the Padres beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4
- June 26 - Had three hits and scored the winning run in the bottom of the 10th as the Padres beat the San Francisco Giants 2-1.
- Sept 21 - Went 4 for 4 in San Diego's 5-1 win over the Giants.
- Bob Shirley spent the first three months of his second season as a starter. Shirley was moved to the bullpen in mid-July. Newly acquired Eric Rasmussen took Shirley's starting spot.
- Bob had several hard-luck starts in 1978. He took the loss in three starts in which he gave up three or fewer runs in seven or more innings. Shirley also was the losing pitcher in two starts in which he gave up 2 runs in 5.1 and 6.2 innigns.
- 1978 Stats: 8-11, 4.21 ERA, 5 saves in 50 games (20 starts)
- 1978 Highlights:
- May 21 - Allowed two runs in a complete game 7-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
- June 25 - Pitched a complete game against the Houston Astros. Shirley allowed four hits in the 6-1 San Diego victory.
- Gene Tenace started 67 games at first base and 56 games behind the plate for the Padres in 1978. Tenace wasn't known for his catching, but his stats were slightly above league average.
- Gene wasn't happy with the way he was being used and was open to the idea of being traded during the 1978 season. Tenace stayed with the Padres through the 1980 season before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals.
- 1978 Stats: .224, 16 HR, 61 RBI in 142 games
- 1978 Highlights:
- July 8 - Went 2 for 3 with a home run, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored in San Diego's 7-0 win over the Atlanta Braves. From this day until the end of the season Tenace started most of his games at catcher.
- July 28 - Homered twice and knocked in five runs to lead the Padres to an 8-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals
- Aug 10 - Had three hits (including a double and a home run) and five RBI as the Padres beat up on the Cincinnati Reds 15-3.
- How do you spell relief? In the 1970s it was "R-O-L-L-I-E" or "B-R-U-C-E" or "G-O-O-S-E".
- Rollie Fingers was the leading fireman three times in the NL (1977, 1978, and 1980) and once in the AL (1981).
- Bill Campbell was the leading fireman in the AL in 1976 and in 1977.
- Hall of Fame count
- National League: 3 - Rollie Fingers, Bruce Sutter, Rich Gossage
- American League: none
- Alvin Dark was originally going to be the manager of the San Diego Padres in 1978, but Roger Craig ended up managing the team. Dark was fired during spring training due to a feeling that he couldn't communicate with his players. Craig managed the Padres to a surprising 84-78 record. It was the first time in franchise history (starting in 1969) that the Padres would finish above .500.
- The Padres had four future Hall of Famers on the team in 1978: Dave Winfield, Rollie Fingers, Gaylord Perry, and rookie Ozzie Smith.
- Craig had been a pitching coach for several years before taking over the Padres. San Diego pitching was excellent - the staff finished second behind the LA Dodgers in team ERA. The San Diego offense wasn't as good - they finished last in the NL with 591 runs scored. The Padres were also at the bottom of the league in fielding percentage (.975).
- Team Record: 84-78, .519, 4th in NL West, 11 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Attendance: 1,670,107 (5th in NL)
- Team Batting: .252 (8th in NL)
- Team Home Runs: 75 (10th in NL)
- Team Stolen Bases: 152 (3rd in NL)
- Team ERA: 3.28 (2nd in NL)
- Team Fielding: .975 (10th in NL)
- All Stars: Dave Winfield (OF); Rollie Fingers (P)
- NL Leaders: Gaylord Perry (wins - 21; winning percentage - .778); Rollie Fingers (saves - 37)
- NL Awards: Gaylord Perry (Cy Young Award); Rollie Fingers (Rolaids Relief Man of The Year)
- Batting Leader: Gene Richards - .308
- Home Run Leader: Dave Winfield - 24
- RBI Leader: Dave Winfield - 97
- Stolen Base Leader: Ozzie Smith - 40
- Victories Leader: Gaylord Perry - 21
- Losses Leader: Randy Jones - 14
- ERA Leader (starters): Gaylord Perry - 2.73
ERA Leader (relievers): John D'Acquisto - 2.13
- Strikeout Leader: Gaylord Perry - 154
- Saves Leader: Rollie Fingers - 37
- Players who could have had 1978 Topps San Diego Padres cards (minimum 100 AB or 40 IP):
- Broderick Perkins (1B) .240, 2 HR, 33 RBI in 62 games (rookie card in 1979)
- Fernando Gonzalez (2B) .250, 2 HR, 29 RBI in 101 games (pictured with Pittsburgh Pirates)
- Derrel Thomas (OF) .227, 3 HR, 26 RBI in 128 games (pictured with SF Giants)
- Ozzie Smith (SS) .258, 1 HR, 46 RBI, 40 stolen bases in 159 games (rookie card in 1979)
- Mark Lee (P) 5-1, 2 saves, 3.28 ERA in 56 games (rookie card in 1979)
- John D'Acquisto (P) 4-3, 10 saves, 2.13 ERA in 45 games (3 starts) (no card in 1978)
- Eric Rasmussen (P) 12-10, 4.06 ERA in 27 games (24 starts) (pictured with St. Louis Cardinals)
- Gaylord Perry (P) 21-6, 2.73 ERA in 37 starts (pictured with Texas Rangers)
- Bob Owchinko was a first round draft pick of the San Diego Padres in 1976. He had a good college career at Eastern Michigan University. He stuck it to the favored ASU Sun Devils during the 1976 College World Series.
- Owchinko pitched for AA Amarillo in 1976 and was called up to the Padres in September. Bob was 0-2 in 2 starts for the Padres.
- Bob started the 1977 season with AAA Hawaii. After going 5-1 with a 1.43 ERA in six starts, Owchinko was recalled to the Padres in late May. Bob had his ups and downs in 1977. He had a 9-12 record with a 4.45 ERA for the Padres. Owchinko was named the NL Rookie Pitcher of The Year by the Sporting News.
- Owchinko had his best season in 1978. He had a sub .500 record (10-13) but Bob had a pretty good 3.56 ERA.
- In 1979 Owchinko went back and forth between the bullpen and the rotation. He was roughed up by the Dodgers in his first start (4 runs in 2/3 inning) and then went to the bullpen for two weeks. Bob went back in the rotation in late April and was a starter until mid-June. Owchinko went back to the bullpen until mid-August and then was mostly a starter for the rest of the season. Bob ended up with a 6-12 record and had a 3.74 ERA in 44 games (20 starts).
- After the 1979 season Owchinko was traded (with Jim Wilhelm) to the Cleveland Indians for Jerry Mumphrey. Bob spent the 1980 season with the Indians and was used as a swingman. Owchinko had his roughest season to date -- he went 2-9 with a 5.27 ERA in 29 games (14 starts).
- Bob was traded twice between the end of the 1980 season and the beginning of the 1981 season. In December 1980 he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of a six player trade that brought Bert Blyleven to the Indians. Then in April 1981 Bob was traded from the Pirates to the Oakland A's for Ernie Camacho and cash.
- Owchinko had a nice year as a middle reliever with the A's in 1981. Bob didn't pitch until May and pitched only 39 innings, but he had his first winning record (4-3). Owchinko saved one game and had a 3.20 ERA in 29 games. Bob made one appearance in the AL Championship Series and allowed one run in 1 2/3 innings.
- In 1982 Bob slipped to a 2-4 record with a 5.21 ERA in 54 games.
- Owchinko was cut by the A's during spring training in 1983. Bob was signed by the Pirates and spent most of the year in AAA Hawaii (10-6, 4.25 ERA in 21 starts). Owchinko pitched in one game for the Pirates late in the 1983 season - he pitched to two batters and allowed a home run and a double.
- After the 1983 season Bob was sold on waivers to the Cincinnati Reds. Owchinko pitched for Class A Tampa for a couple of weeks and then was called up to the Reds. Bob went 3-5 with 2 saves and had a 4.12 ERA in 49 games (4 starts).
- Bob became a free agent after the 1984 season but did not sign until April 1985. Owchinko pitched in AAA for the A's from April to July 1985 and then was sold to the Chicago White Sox. Bob finished the season pitching in AAA for the White Sox.
- Owchinko was released by the White Sox in September 1985. He thought his career was over and prepared to use his marketing degree to do something else. Bob made a video of his career highlights along with some clips of him working out and talking about how he can still contribute. He sent the video to 20 teams. Out of those teams, the Montreal Expos were the only team to take a look at him. The Expos signed Bob to a minor league contract and he pitched for AAA Indianapolis in 1986. The Expos needed a pitcher in September and called Owchinko up. Bob started three games for the Expos late in 1986 and was 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA. Owchinko hung up his spikes after the 1986 season.
- 1978 Stats: 10-13, 3.56 ERA in 36 games (33 starts)
- 1978 Highlights:
- June 17 - Pitched a shutout as the Padres beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-0.
- July 25 - Allowed five hits and no walks in a complete game 2-1 victory over the Pirates.
- Aug 2 - Allowed one run in seven innings and got the win as the Padres beat the LA Dodgers 2-1. The Padres swept the series, much to the Dodgers' chagrin.
- Rollie Fingers spent four seasons as a San Diego Padre, but I never got used to seeing him in that uniform.
- Fingers led the NL with 37 saves in 1978. Rollie was an NL All Star and pitched two scoreless innings in the 1978 All Star Game.
- 1978 Stats: 6-13, 37 saves, 2.62 ERA in 67 games
- 1978 Highlights:
- Apr 7 - Pitched two scoreless innings and earned the save as the Padres beat the San Francisco Giants 3-2 in the opening game for both teams.
- June 10 - Allowed one run in four innings and earned the save in San Diego's 10-8 win over the Chicago Cubs.
- Aug 26 - Picked up his 30th save by pitching two scoreless innings as the Padres beat the New York Mets 2-1.
- Tucker Ashford was the second player taken in the 1974 draft. Ashford played in the San Diego Padres' system from 1974-1976 and had a September call-up in 1976 (3 for 5 in 4 games).
- Tucker started the 1977 season in AAA Hawaii and was brought up in July. Tucker batted .217 in 81 games for the Padres in 1977.
- Ashford started the 1978 season in Hawaii. He had a good April (.311 in 14 games) and was brought up in May. He was used as a utility player and as a pinch hitter and batted .245 in 75 games.
- Tucker spent the 1979 season in Hawaii and batted .255 with 13 home runs.
- Before the 1980 season Ashford was traded (with Gaylord Perry and a minor leaguer) to the Texas Rangers for first baseman Willie Montanez. Tucker spent most of the year in AAA Charleston (.279, 8 HR). He was brought up for three weeks in June but he didn't fare well (.125 in 15 games)
- Tucker was traded (with cash) to the New York Yankees for Rich Holt before the 1981 season. Ashford played in AAA Columbus for the 1981 (.300 with 17 HR) and 1982 (.331, 10 HR, 101 RBI) seasons. Tucker played in three games for the Yankees in 1981 but he didn't come to the plate.
- After the 1982 season Ashford was purchased by the Toronto Blue Jays. He was returned to the Yankees just before the start of the season. Finally in mid April Tucker was traded to the New York Mets for two minor leaguers. Ashford spent some time in AAA Norfolk and then was with the Mets for most of the rest of the 1983 season. Tucker was used mostly as a late inning defensive player by the Mets, and batted .179 in 35 games
- At the end of spring training in 1984 Ashford was traded to the Kansas City Royals for Tom Edens. He started the season with the Royals, but he batted only .154 in 9 games. Tucker spent the rest of the 1984 season in AAA Rochester. Rochester was actually the AAA team of the Balitmore Orioles -- Ashford was probably there on loan.
- Ashford became a free agent after the 1984 season. He played a little bit for Philadelphia's AAA Portland club, but Ashford hung 'em up after going 3 for 30 (.100) in 16 games.
- After his playing career Tucker managed in the Mets' system from 1985-1988. Ashford decided to join his father's meat business after the 1988 season because the constant travel caused him to be away from his family too much
- 1978 Stats:
- Hawaii Islanders (AAA): .311, 0 HR, 6 RBI in 14 games
- San Diego Padres: .245, 3 HR, 26 RBI in 75 games
- 1978 Highlights:
- May 24: Went 3 for 5 with a home run and three runs batted in as the Padres beat the LA Dodgers 9-3.
- July 1: Was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI in San Diego's 9-3 victory over the Houston Astros.
- Dave Tomlin actually changed teams twice between the 1977 and 1978 seasons. In January 1978 Dave was traded (with $125,000) to the Texas Rangers for Gaylord Perry. In late March 1978 Tomlin was sold to the Cincinnati Reds.
- Tomlin had a great won-loss record, but the ERA probably got him a pretty brutal Strat-O-Matic card. Two outings basically wrecked his stats:
- On May 7 Dave got roughed up in a 19-5 loss to the Montreal Expos. Tomlin's line was 5 runs in one inning pitched. His ERA rose from 3.00 to 7.20 as a result.
- Dave was unable to get anyone out in an appearance against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 9. Tomlin allowed four hits and four runs and saw his ERA go from 4.15 back up to 5.54.
- 1978 Stats: 9-1, 4 saves, 5.78 ERA in 57 games
- 1978 Highlights:
- April 6 - Earned the save in Cincinnati's 11-9 opening day win over the Houston Astros.
- July 15 - Pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless ball and improved his record to 5-1 as the Reds beat the New York Mets 7-5.
- Randy Jones bounced back from a rough 1977 season to have a good year in 1978. He had a losing record, but Jones had a nice 2.88 ERA and led the NL with the lowest (0.2) home runs allowed per nine innings.
- 1978 Stats: 13-14, 2.88 ERA in 37 games (36 starts)
- 1978 Highlights:
- May 10 - Pitched a shutout against the Chicago Cubs. The Padres won the game 1-0 on a George Hendrick home run.
- Aug 1 - Shut out the LA Dodgers 1-0. The Padres won the game in the bottom of the 9th inning when Derrell Thomas singled in Bill Almon.
- Sept 1 - Pitched a 12 inning complete game against the Montreal Expos. Jones took the loss as the Expos beat the Padres 3-2. Randy pitched seven complete games in 1978 and was 3-4 in those games.
- George Hendrick started the 1978 season with the San Diego Padres and was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on May 26 for pitcher Eric Rasmussen. George was unhappy about splitting time with Oscar Gamble. Hendrick was off to a slow start with the Padres but he picked up his offense once he went to St. Louis. George went on to be an important part of the St. Louis offense for several years. I've thought of Hendrick as more of an offensive player, but his fielding percentages and range factors were usually above league average.
- Hendrick was known for not speaking to the press. He had the nickname "Silent George."
- 1978 Stats:
- San Diego Padres: .243, 3 HR, 8 RBI in 36 games
- St. Louis Cardinals: .288, 17 HR, 67 RBI in 102 games
- Total: .278, 20 HR, 75 RBI in 138 games
- 1978 Highlights:
