#35 Rollie FIngers

Card:  This is Rollie Finger's fifteenth Topps card.  His rookie card was back in 1969 on a three player Rookie Stars card.

Picture:  Nice action shot of Fingers in his delivery.  Having two umps wandering around in the background indicates Fingers is warming up.  No fans in the seats.

Player:  Rollie Fingers signed with the Kansas City A's in 1964, choosing the A's because he thought he would have an easier path to the big leagues, instead of the Dodgers who offered more money.  A successful starter in the minors the 22 year-old Fingers was called up in September of '68 and was ripped for four runs in an inning and a third in his only appearance.
Fingers made the '69 A's as an occasional starter and middle relief pitcher.  Starting a trend that followed his entire career, Fingers pitched much better out of the pen with 12 saves, and a 2.91 ERA in 74 relief innings with a 5.04 ERA in 8 starts.  Fingers started 1970 in the pen but after allowing only one run in a 8.2 inning relief appearance, Fingers was moved to the rotation.  Fingers would move in and out of rotation all year but again was much better in the pen (2.19) than as a starter (4.50 ERA). 

New A's manager Dick Williams put Fingers in the rotation to start the 1971 season but after eight starts moved him to the pen.  Fingers would save 17 before the year was over claiming his closer role in the back end of the A's talented bullpen.  The A's won the AL West but lost to the Orioles in a three game sweep.

Comfortable in his role as relief ace, Fingers  racked up 21 saves with a 2.51 ERA pitching 111 innings in 65 games.  Manager Dick Williams preferred to use multiple closers with Fingers sharing some of the the load with Bob Locker and the left handed Darold Knowles.  Fingers was the definition of a fireman, putting out the fire whenever things got hot.  In what would become routine in the way he was utilized, Fingers had 11 outings with three or more innings pitched.  Fingers and the A's rolled over the Tigers in the ALCS and defeated the Reds to win the 1972 World Series.

Fingers was stellar again in '73 with a 1.92 ERA and 22 saves in the first of seven All-Star seasons.  The A's won the West yet again and defeated the Orioles in the ALCS.  Dick Williams getting the most out of his pen, used Fingers in six games over 13.2 innings as the A's triumphed over the Mets.

1974 was another great year for Fingers.  Used in the same way by new manager Al Dark, Fingers racked 18 saves, appearing in a league high 76 games with a 2.65 ERA.  Fingers had another good postseason, pitching well against both the Orioles and Dodgers as the A's won their third consecutive championship.

Fingers led the league again in games pitched with 75 and saved a career high 24.  This time the A's met their match in the ALCS as the Red Sox swept the A's in three games as Fingers allowed three runs in four innings, taking the loss in Game two.  Over five consecutive playoffs from '71-'75 Fingers pitched in 27 games, 52.2 innings with 8 saves and a 2.22 ERA.

In 1976 as Fingers and several other A's stars were about to become free agents at the end of the year, owner Charles Finley attempted to sell off some of his stars while he still had them under control.  In June, Finley sold Fingers and Joe Rudi to the Red Sox and Vida Blue to the Yankees but the sales were nixed by commissioner Bowie Kuhn as being "not in the best interests of baseball".  Fingers thrived despite the turmoil, winning 13 games, saving 20 and working 134 innings with a 2.47 ERA.  The 30 year-old veteran signed in the off-season with the San Diego Padres, inking a six-year, $1.6 million deal.

Although the Padres were a poor team in '77, Fingers would not lack save opportunities, saving a National League leading 35 games.  Fingers also led the league in games with 78 and logged 132 innings.  Fingers followed up with another great season in '78.  With a 2.52 ERA, it was Fingers' eight straight campaign with a sub 3.00 ERA.  Fingers appeared in 67 games and again led the NL with 37 saves, a career high.

1979 would be Fingers' worst year of his career.  Things were proceeding as normal until late June when Fingers' season fell apart.  Over the next two months Fingers allowed 25 earned runs in 28 innings and was shut down for the year after August 25.  Fingers finished with only 13 saves and an unfamiliar 4.52 ERA.  Fingers rebounded in 1980, saving 23 with a 2.80 ERA.  In December, the Padres traded Fingers in an eleven player blockbuster to the St. Louis Cardinals.  Four days later the Cardinals swapped Fingers, Ted Simmons and Pete Vukovich to the Brewers four four players.

In Milwaukee, Fingers was welcomed to a strong offensive team and it was hoped that Fingers would help push the team over the edge.  In the strike shortened '81 season, Fingers came through in every way, dominating hitters and allowing only 69 base runners in 78 innings.  Fingers saved 28 games to lead the AL and posted a minuscule 1.04 ERA helping the Brewers win the second half portion of the schedule thus securing the Brewers' first postseason appearance.  The Brewers would lose to the Yankees in the ALDS despite a save and a win from Fingers. The veteran relief ace was named the AL's Cy Young winner and Most Valuable Player.



Fingers came back in '84 but was unable to stay healthy.  Pitching in just 33 games, Fingers nonetheless saved 23 and had a 1.96 ERA.  Fingers scuffled in '85, saving 17 in his final season with a 5.04 ERA. 

Stuff: Low to mid 90s fastball and slider.  Developed a forkball in '79.

Flipside:  As a relief ace, Fingers logged 100 plus innings eleven times and won 10+ games four time, an indication of how he and other specialists like Goose Gossage and Sparky Lyle were used in the 70's.  Prior to this the bullpen was often a holding place for unproven youngsters, journeyman, and struggling starters.  When relief pitchers had success they were often put back in the rotation.  Fingers and his contemporaries helped pave the way for specialization in the bullpen.

Mustache:  Yeah, it gets it's own category.  Unhappy when teammate Reggie Jackson showing up with a scruffy beard in spring training of '72, Fingers and his teammates grew facial hair thinking that owner Charles Finley would make them all shave.  Instead the eccentric Finley offered $300 to the player with the best facial hair.  Fingers grew what would become his trademark- his 19th century style handlebar mustache.  Fingers took the prize and still has the 'stache today.

Oddball:  Fingers was offered a contract by the Reds for the '86 season but there was an obvious problem.  The Reds under owner Marge Schott had a no facial hair policy.  Fingers was reported as saying something to the effect of "Tell Schott if she shaves that St. Bernard of hers, I'll shave my mustache". 

History:  Fingers is one of the best relief aces of all time and dominated the 70's and early 80's.  From '71 to '84, Fingers averaged 27 saves, 106 innings with a 2.65 and a 1.119 WHIP.  Fingers was the all-time saves leader, passing Hoyt Wilhelm in 1980 with his 228th save.  Fingers held the mark with 341 career saves until passed by Jeff Reardon in '92. Fingers won three World Series rings, an MVP and a Cy Young award and was a seven time All-Star.  Fingers was voted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992 and had an excellent induction speech.

A terrific golfer, Fingers stays busy appearing at charity golf outings.

#34 Paul Householder

Card:  This is Householder's third card but his first solo card.  He appeared on a three player future star card in both the '81 and '82 sets.

Picture:  The letters on his back are so long they almost reach around to front of his jersey. 

Householder looks a little like actor Steve Zahn.... 

Player:  Paul Householder was drafted in the 2nd round by the Cincinnati Reds in the '76 draft.  The switch-hitting outfielder slowly worked his way up the Reds system and made his major league debut in late August of 1980.  The well regarded prospect hit .244 in 45 at bats in his first taste of the big leagues.  Householder started '81 back in AAA and had a fine year batting .300 with 19 home runs.  Householder was called up in September and batted .275 with two homers in 69 at bats.

In '82 Housholder was the Reds everyday right fielder but his struggles against righthanded pitching (.180) plagued him all year and he finished with a .211 average along with 9 HR in 417 at bats to go with 17 stolen bases.  In '83 Householder was held back by an injury and didn't play until the end of April.  Playing rightfield and occasionally in center, Householder improved against righties but overall hit .255 with 6 HR and 12 SB.

Displaced by Dave Parker in right field, Householder was on the bench to start 1984.  Householder played sparingly with one hit in twelve at bats in April and was sent down to AAA.  Householder showed some pop with 18 HR in 408 at bats at Wichita but batted only .248 and was traded to the Cardinals in September for John Stupor.  Householder struggled in his brief time with St. Louis getting two hits in fourteen at bats.  At the conclusion of the season the Cardinals traded Householder in a five player deal to the Milwaukee Brewers.

With the Brewers, Householder filled the role of fourth outfielder receiving 299 at bats in 95 games.  Householder hit a career high 11 long balls to go with 15 doubles.  Householder returned in the same role to start '86 but after 78 at bats, he was demoted to AAA.  Householder's problems followed him to the minors hitting just .208 in Vancouver, which earned him his release at the end of the year.

Without a team until May '87, Housholder was picked up by the Astros.  The Astros used the 28 year-old as a pinch hitter for a while but sent him down to AAA Tucson after only one hit in twelve at bats.  Householder batted .273, and was not called back up to the majors and that was it for Householder's pro baseball career.

Flipside:  Householder's personal best game in '82 isn't mentioned because Topps only mentions highlights from wins.  Householder went 3-4 with a double and a homer in a losing effort against St.Louis on 7/18.

Oddball:  After his poor '82 season, Householder got engaged on New Year's Eve and was quoted as saying "With the kind of year I had, I'm ready to try anything." 

History:  Housholder had decent speed and power in the minors but was never able to find success in the majors.  The Reds had high hopes for the Columbus native but he never was able to hit enough to stick around and was out of pro baseball at the age of 29.

#33 Jack O'Connor

Card: This is O'Connor's second Topps card.  He had his first card in the '82 set and his last card in the '84 set.

 

Picture:  Judging by inward rotation of O'Connor's left arm I'd say he just threw a screwball or turned over a circle change.  The hat in the inset pic looks like someone dropped in on his head just moments before.

Player:  Jack O'Connor was a ninth round pick of the Montreal Expos in the 1976 draft.  The 6'3" lefty spent the next five seasons working his way up to AAA.  While having his ups and downs, O'Connor put together a decent year in 1980.  While working at three different levels, O'Connor compiled a 10-8 record with a 3.28 ERA while giving up only 138 hits in 173 innings.  The Twins nabbed O'Connor in the Rule-V draft from the Expos in the winter of '80.

The Twins hid O'Connor in their bullpen all of '81 as he appeared in only 28 games, usually in low pressure situations. O'Connor wasn't ready for the majors walking 30 and giving up 46 hits in 35 innings with a hefty 5.86 ERA.

O'Connor broke camp with the Twins in '82 but was sent back down in April to stretch out his arm for the rotation.  O'Connor was called up in June and had mixed results in 19 starts.  At times O'Connor struggled mightily, twice failing to get out of the first inning.  Other times O'Connor showed excellent stamina with six complete games.  O'Connor finished 8-9 with a 4.29 ERA. 

O'Connor split the 1983 season between the Twins and AAA Toledo.  O'Connor worked long relief and made a few spot starts for the Twins.  O'Connor was hit hard with the big club with a 5.86 ERA in 83 innings.  The Twins made O'Connor a full time reliever in '84 and he spent all but two games in Toledo.  The Twins traded O'Connor to the Expos in January of '85 for Dan Stenhouse.

O'Connor started the year at AAA Indianapolis but was called up in June.  O'Connor pitched in 20 games with a 4.94 ERA.  In O'Connor's defense 8 of the 13 earned runs he allowed were in a spot start.  In his relief appearances he posted a 2.05 ERA and gave up only 13 hits in 22 innings.

O'Connor was released by the Expos in spring training before the '86 season.  O'Connor was picked up by the Mariners and sent to AAA Calgary.  O'Connor was beaten like a drum with an 8.82 ERA in 32 innings and found himself out of work. 

When 1987 rolled around the Baltimore Orioles took a chance on O'Connor and put him in the bullpen in AAA Rochester.  O'Connor did well and was called up in May.  In Baltimore, O'Connor struggled, giving up 13 runs in 16 innings earning himself a demotion back to the bushes.  O'Connor waited his time and was recalled in August.  This time O'Connor fared much better surrendering nine runs in 30 innings.  For the year O'Connor worked 46 innings with a 4.30 ERA.

O'Connor was let go by the Orioles and signed on with the Blue Jays organization.  O'Connor spent the next two years pitching at AAA Syracuse with a 4.11 and 2.84 ERA in the '88 and '89 seasons.  That would be O'Connor's last action in pro ball.

Flipside:  O'Connor struggled with his control throughout his career. Through the '82 season he had 87 walks to 72 strikeouts. 

Oddball:  Batters hit .278 lifetime against O'Connor.  For some reason 9th place batters hit .305 against O'Connor him.

History:  O'Connor was a typical journeyman lefty.  He pitched better as a relief pitcher (4.30 ERA) than as a starter (5.52).

Had he been born 25 years later he may have been able to stick around as a stituational left hander since teams keep two or three more pitchers on staff than they did in the 80's

#32 Dave Bergman

Card:  This is Bergman's fifth Topps card.  He shared a rookie card in '78 with Clint Hurdle, Miguel Dilone, and Willie Norwood.

Picture:  Bergman is shown here in a great action shot snaring a ball down the first base line in Candlestick Park.  The inset captures Bergman in a rare moment without his mustache.

Player:  Dave Bergman was drafted in the 2nd round of the '74 draft and tore up single-A Oneonta to a .348/.496/.597 line and was named league MVP.  Bergman's success carried through to Double-A West Haven in '75 where he hit .311 and was once again named league MVP.  All this earned Bergman a call up to the Yankees but Bergman floundered going 0-17 in his debut in New York.

Needing more time to fine tune his game, Bergman spent all of '76

at AAA Syracuse batting .295.  Repeating at Syracuse in '77 Bergman improved, hitting .312 with 90 walks giving Bergie a nifty .422 OBP.  Bergman got another brief look in the Big Apple going 1-4.  The Yankees didn't think Bergman's talent would translate to big league success and he was dealt to Houston as the player to be named later in the Cliff Johnson deal.

Bergman made the Astros out of spring training and stayed with them the whole year despite batting only .231 with only six extra base hits in 186 at bats.  Bergman spent most of '79 back in AAA batting .280 with 95 walks but got a September call up and batted .400 (6/15) for the Astros.  Bergman stuck with the Astros in '80 and was used almost exclusively as a defensive replacement and pinch hitter.  Starting only nine games all year, Bergman hit .256 in 78 at bats.  Bergman went one for three as the Astros lost to the Phillies in the NLCS.

Bergman started the '81 season in Houston but was traded in late April with Jeff Leonard to the Giants for Mike Ivie.  In San Francisco,  Bergman continued in his familiar role pinch hitting, coming in late in games to play defense at first base and getting an occasional start in left field.  Bergman wasn't flashy but hit .252 to .286 with 4 to 6 home runs from '81 to '83.  

On March 24, 1984 Dave Bergman was traded twice, first to the Phillies for Alejandro Sanchez and then to the Tigers with Willie Hernandez for Glenn Wilson and Johnny Wockenfuss.  In Detroit, Bergman shared time at firstbase and pinch hit. Bergman batted .273 for the first place Tigers and had some timely hits including a thirteen pitch at bat that ended with a walk-off three run home run against the Blue Jays in the 11th inning.  Bergman didn't start in any of the Tigers playoff games, getting one hit in six pinch at bats, but he and the Tigers were world champs.

Bergman struggled mightily over the next two years.  Playing a reserve role he hit .179 and .231.  Bergman rebounded in '87 batting .273 with a .379 OBP and slugged a career best .453.  The Tigers won the AL East but lost to the Twins with Bergman batting one for four in the ALCS.

In '88 Bergman received more playing time and performed well batting .294 in a career high 289 at bats.  On a poor Tigers team in '89, Bergman was penciled in the lineup on a frequent basis and batted .268 in 385 at bats.  Bergman returned to his bench role in 1990 and over the next three years was a defensive sub for Cecil Fielder and pinch hitter.  Bergman rounded out his career hitting .278, .237, and .232 over his last three years and retired following the '92 season.

Flipside:  Eh, that May 2 game isn't as impressive as his game Sept . 18 vs the Padres.  Bergman had an RBI single, a stolen base, and a home run in a 4-1 win.  Of course Topps wasn't privy to Win Probability Added or any of that yet.

Oddball:  That 0-17 with the Yankees in '75 was painful! Billy Martin told Bergman he was the worst player he ever saw in a major league uniform.  Bergman divulges this and a lot of other stuff here.

History: Bergman was solid pinch hitter and good defender, with a great eye walking more in his career than striking out (380 to 347).  His weaknesses were exposed when forced to play everyday but he could be counted on to be ready when called upon.

Today Bergman runs the Grosse Point Red Birds Baseball Organization and serves on the board of two foundations.  Bergman is an active member on the Board of Trustees for CATCH which is the organization founded by Sparky Anderson to help sick and needy children.  Bergman was fishing buddies with former pitcher Joe Niekro and since his sudden passing, Bergman has served as treasurer of the Joe Niekro Foundation.

#31 Bill Gullickson

Card: This is Bill Gullickson's third Topps card with his rookie card included in the '81 set.

Picture: Nice shot of Gullickson in his wind up.  The background is just a mess of green.  Is that Tom Hanks or Gullickson in the inset?

Player: Bill Gullickson was the second overall pick of the Montreal Expos in the '77 draft sandwiched between Harold Baines and Paul Molitor.  Starting at Single-A in '77 Gullickson moved up a level each year but struggled when he reached the thin air of AAA Denver in '79 but got a one inning cameo for the Expos in September.  After recording a 6.67 ERA in Denver in '79 Gullickson adjusted and posted a 1.91 ERA in nine starts and was called up for good in late May 1980.

Gullickson impressed in his rookie year with a 10-5 record and a 3.00 ERA.  Although not known as a strikeout pitcher, Gullickson K'd 18 Cubs on Sept. 10, a rookie record until Kerry Wood struck out 20 in '98.  Gullickson finished 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting to Steve Howe.  

Gullickson's sophomore season was stellar as he turned in a 2.80 ERA.  Despite having a potent offense, the Expos scored three or less runs in 12 of his 22 starts leading Gullickson to a 7-9 record.  The Expos won the NL East and Gullickson won game two of the NLDS against the Phillies, as the Expos advanced.  Gullickson pitched well in the NLCS giving up just two earned runs in both starts but the Expos were stymied by the Dodgers both times as Montreal bowed out in five games.

Gullickson settled in as a solid but not spectacular pitcher for the Expos.  Winning 41 games over the next three years the consistent Gullickson worked between 226 and 242 innings with ERA's between 3.57 - 3.75.  1985 was more of the same but an injury led him to miss several starts but Gullickson still won 14 games with a 3.52 ERA.

Gullickson was traded prior to the '86 season in a six player deal to the Cincinnati Reds.  The right handed Gullickson turned in a very good season for his new team winning 15 games and lowering his ERA to 3.38 while making a career high 37 starts.  Gullickson struggled in '87 and was traded to the New York Yankees in August for Dennis Rasmussen.  Gullickson's struggles followed him to New York as he finished with a combined 4.86 ERA. 

Looking for a change of scenery, Gullickson signed with the Yomiuri Giants of the Japanese Nippon Pro Baseball league. Over the '88 and '89 seasons Gullickson went 22-14 with a 3.29 ERA for the Giants. 

Gullickson returned stateside in 1990 signing with the Houston Astros.  The portly Gullickson went 10-14 and started 32 games.  Although his 3.82 ERA was near league average the Astros released him anyway.

The Detroit Tigers badly needed pitching, so they signed the veteran to a two year $3.75 million deal.  Although not a dominant pitcher Gullickson won 20 games for the offensive minded Tigers despite a 3.90 ERA and striking out only 91 in 221 innings.  Gullickson's fellow pitchers weren't as successful as the Tigers finished seven games back of the Blue Jays.

Gullickson's ERA jumped up to 4.34 and his record dropped to 14-13 as he gave up a league leading 35 gopher balls in '92.  Gullickson labored over the next two years.  Unable to put hitters away, Gullickson saw his ERA soar to 5.37 in '93 and 5.93 in '94. 

Gullickson retired with a 162-136 career record and a 3.93 ERA.

Stuff: Early career- fastball low 90's, late career- 85-89 mph, sinker, and curve ball.

Flipside:  If you look at Gullickson's 3.57 ERA and his 12-14 record and think that he wasn't well supported, you are right.  It was all or nothing when Gullickson pitched with the Expos scoring 2 or less runs in 12 of his starts.  But they did score 11 runs three different times for him and twelve runs once.

Oddball:  I wasn't sure where to write this but it needed to be included here somewhere that Gullickson learned early in his career that he has type-1 Diabetes.  While in Japan, the media and fans there were more appreciative of Gullickson and his condition.  He was such an inspiration that the Japan Diabetes Mellitus Society now presents an annual "Gullickson Award" to recognize those people with diabetes who have made great contributions to society. (http://www.dlife.com/diabetes/famous_people/sports/bill_gullickson

Current major-leaguer and fellow diabetic Sam Fuld was inspired by Bill Gullickson after the two met when Fuld was 12 years old. 

History:  Gullickson was a workhorse who ate over 220 innings for his team six times in his career with ERA's near league average.  He held a rookie strikeout record for 17 years and was the Tigers last 20 game winner until Justin Verlander won 24 in 2011.  Gullickson only had one taste of the postseason and was never an all-star but was a valuable pitcher wherever he pitched.

Gullickson and his wife have six athletic children, among them a daughter who ran track at Notre Dame, two daughters on the pro tennis tour, and a son who pitches at the University of Georgia.

#30 Jim Rice

Card:  Rice's 9th Topps card.  He shared a '75 rookie card with three less accomplished guys. 

Picture: Topps shows Rice following through with one of his powerful swings.  Topps liked using this action shot of Jim Rice.  They used similar shots in '87 and '89:

Player:  Jim Rice rolled through the minors after being drafted by the Boston Red Sox in '71.  Rice posted .304/.350/.534 stats in three and a half seasons of minor league action and made his BoSox debut August 19, 1974.  Rice batted .269 with a home run in 67 at bats. 

Rice didn't start the '75 season in the starting lineup, but was the primary DH by the end of April.  By mid-season he was starting in LF, displacing a Bernie Carbo and Juan Beniquez platoon.  Rice, along with fellow rookie Fred Lynn helped the Red Sox win the AL East.  Rice was nailed in the hand by a pitch on Sept. 21 and missed the postseason.  Despite his late start and early finish, Rice compiled 22 HR and 102 RBI to go along with a .309 batting average.  Rice had to watch his teammates lose the hotly contested '75 series and wonder...what if?  Rice finished third in MVP voting and second in Rookie of the Year balloting to teammate Lynn.

Perhaps slowed a bit as he recovered from the broken hand, Rice's production dropped in '76.  Rice still posted solid numbers with 25 dingers and a .285 average.  Rice broke through in '77 with what would be the start of a terrific three year stretch of terror for AL pitchers.  I'll let Rice's stats speak for themselves (courtesy of baseballreference.com)

Rice was killer in '78 and rightly won the AL MVP.  His 400 total bases in '78 were the most by an AL player since Joe DiMaggio's 418 in '37.  Unfortunately for Rice and the Red Sox, Bucky Dent and the Yankees foiled the '78 season.  Rice led the AL in total bases again in '79 and in doing so equaled Ty Cobb as the only other AL player to lead the league three years in a row.

Rice suffered another hand injury in 1980 and although still productive, was not as dominant as the three previous years batting .294 with 24 homers in 124 games.  Rice put up a solid year in '81 with a .284 average and 17 HR in the strike shortened season. 

Rice had a very good '82 campaign, batting .309 with 24 long balls.  The slugging South Carolina native seemed to find his late 70's form in '83, belting 39 bombs, driving in 126 and batting over .300 for the sixth time in his career.  Rice followed up a pair of good years in '84 and '85 with 28 and 27 HRs and 100+ RBI both years.  One negative to Rice's game was that he had become a double play machine.  Starting in '82 Rice led the league in GDP for four straight years averaging 34 per year. Rice finished his career with 315, currently 6th on the all-time list.

1986 was an excellent one for both Rice and the Red Sox.  Rice batted .324 with a career high 39 doubles and drove in over 100 for the eighth time.  Finally able to help his team in the post-season, Rice had 9 hits in 27 at bats in the '86 World Series but the hard luck Red Sox lost to the Mets.

Rice's abilities started to decline as injuries continued to nag the veteran.  Playing in only 108 games Rice hit 13 home runs in '87 and batted under .280 for the first time in his career.  Rice was healthier in '88 but he could only muster 15 HR as his average slipped further to .264.  The Red Sox lost to the A's in four games in the ALCS as Rice had only two hits in what would be his last shot at a ring.

Rice played one more year, but his power was gone as he hit a un-Rice-like .234 with only 3 homers in 209 at bats.  Since his playing days ended Rice has stayed on with the Red Sox as hitting coach and special hitting instructor.  Rice was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

 

Flipside:  The 15 triples in back to back seasons really stand out. It would take him until the middle of '86 to get 30 more triples. 

As you can see here Rice had a lifetime batting average of .305.  Through '88 Rice's average was an even .300.  His struggles in '89 dropped it to .298

Oddball:  James Edward Rice grew up called being called Ed.  I suppose all the Red Sox fans already know this, but I didn't.

Rice is a fan of the soap The Young and the Restless and mentioned that he was watching the show when notified of his HOF induction.
 

History:  In his prime Rice was one of the most feared hitters in the American League.  From '75-'86 Rice averaged 29 HR and 106 RBI a year with an OPS+ of 133. 

Rice missed out on a World Series championship but had great personal success winning an MVP award and was an eight time All-Star.

#29 Randy Jones

Card: This is Randy Jones' 10th and final Topps card. Jones first appeared in the '74 set.

Picture: This picture captures Jones in the middle of his delivery and looks a lot like his '82 card but they are different.

Player:  Randy Jones was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 5th round out of Chapman University in the 1972 draft.  After pitching in only 23 minor league games, the Padres called up the 23 year old lefty in June of '73.  Jones pitched in 20 games, started 19 and completed six of them.  Jones pitched well going 7-6 with a 3.16 ERA. 

Jones suffered through a sophomore slump in '74.  Jones was very hittable and his control was not sharp as his ERA jumped to 4.45.  Jones won only 8 games and led the league with 22 loses and was out of the rotation by September.

Jones found his command in '75 and had a great year.  Jones completed half of his 36 starts, won 20 games, and led the NL with a 2.24 ERA.  Jones recorded the save in the All-Star game as the NL beat the AL 6-3. Jones was named the Sporting News NL Comeback Player of the Year and finished second to Tom Seaver in Cy Young voting.

Jones followed up his successful '75 campaign with another great year in '76.  Jones started 40 games, completed 25 of them, threw 315 innings, and won 22 games all of which led National League pitchers.  At the All-Star break Jones had an amazing 16 wins and was the starter for the NL earning the win with three scoreless innings.  Known for his control, Jones tied a record with 68 consecutive innings without a walk (since broken by Greg Maddux).  This time Jones won the Cy Young award with 15 of the 24 first place votes.  Jones was an excellent fielding pitcher as he set an MLB record for handling 112 chances without and error and tied an NL record with 12 double plays.

Jones injured a nerve in his pitching arm in his last start of '76 and re-injured it in June of '77.  Jones struggled finishing with a 6-12 record and a 4.58 ERA.  Jones regained his health and his performance followed suit.  The junk balling lefty had nice back to back campaigns in '78 and '79.  Once again the workhorse of the Padre staff he logged 253 and 263 innings with ERA's of 2.88 and 3.63.

The nerve injury would be something Jones would battle the rest of his career and he started only 24 games in 1980 going 5-13 with a 3.91 ERA.  By now Jones owned most Padre pitching records but was traded to the Mets for Jose Moreno and John Pacella. 

Jones struggled to stay healthy and effective in New York.  Jones went 1-8 in '81 with a 4.85 ERA.  Jones would have a similar year in '82 with a 7-10 record and 4.60 ERA.   Jones was released by the Mets after the '82 campaign and signed with the Pirates.  Jones was released by Pittsburgh in spring training which meant that by the time most kids saw this card Jones was out of baseball. 

Stuff:  Sinker mid-70s, slider, curve, fastball low 80's

Flipside:  Since '82 was his last season, these stats are Jones' career totals. Jones is the only starting pitcher to win a Cy Young and finish his career with a losing record.

Oddball:  Jones threw so slow that he reportedly pitched an entire game in 1978 without breaking 80 mph. 

Check out the white-man 'fro from his 1977 card:

History:  Jones at his best kept hitters frustrated with precision control, locating his sinker low in the strike zone and busting sliders inside to lefties.  Jones had some great seasons, winning a Cy Young award and pitching in two All-Star games.  He would have had an even better career if not for the recurring injury to the nerve in his left bicep. 

Randy Jones owns a restaurant and catering business and has his own BBQ sauce. Jones can be heard on the radio for Padre pre-game shows.