#24 Ted Ford

For a season his power made him a big fish on an underachieving pond....the 1972 Texas Rangers....the power man with 14 shots as long standing franchise leader Frank Howard (aka the Capital Punisher) experienced a meltdown at the plate.... also led the upstart Rangers in doubles.....hit .235 outstretching the team BA of .217 but neither stat is much to cheer about....chances to extend on his career year diminished with the emergence of Jeff Burroughs.....Returned to minors in Spokane and the back Cleveland the organization a few weeks into 1973 but failed to impress in call ups....always incinerated AAA pitching at .320 lifetime clip....his last MLB stint was a repeat of further futility....after another year in AAA resorted to an extensive shift in Mexican League spanning from 1975 to 1982....a strong throwing arm. 

#59 Fred Stanley

The last Seattle Pilot....journeyman infielder....well traveled, landing anywhere he could get playing time....anemic with a bat, but a very good glove assured his employment through the 1982 season.....Career BA of .216....never exceeded 260 at bats in a MBL season...feeble power going over the fence 10 times over 1650 chances .....resume trajectory reads;  developed in Astro system, sold to Pilots for their only season.....tags along briefly to Milwaukee, sold to Cleveland early 1971, traded to Padre early 1972 in a one for one deal....then shipped to the Yankees for an extended stay and career capped in Oakland for two seasons ending 1982....survived eight summers in the Bronx Zoo watching many skippers interchanged....nickname was Chicken....doesn’t quite instill a fear in the opposition....Note:  Topps got very lazy with image....a horrible air brush of a Cleveland cap even though he was an Indian the year prior.....the large butte in background suggests that the image was taken at either one of the two Seattle Pilots training camps.

#84 Vince Colbert

Big 6’3”, right-hander.....As some young Indian arms were brought in 1970 or 1971 had decent MLB careers....examples Ed Farmer, Steve Migori ...Sad but true, Vince was not one of them...Short career for the starter/reliever....a call up in 1970 was unsuccessful with ERA over 7.00...rebounded in 1971 and sported a winning year on a 100 loss team going 7-6....chipped in with 10 starts and two saves to the effort.....1972 after 6 appearances without surrendering a run put  in the starting rotation.....struggled in his new role....went 1-7 although ERA only went up by half a run from the year before....finished seasons in minors with inflated ERA....spent 1973 between AAA and AA clubs.....some strong results but Indians had moved on....no interest from other clubs....finished professional career in Mexico....Born in Washington DC.....attended Eastern Utah University and East Carolina University

#116 Ed Farmer

A complex career, very similar to Skip Lockwood….marginal pitcher early on but matured to have a solid prime….Upon further review Farmer’s on the field performance may have been effected by a genetic kidney disease (Polycystic Kidney Disease) that would eventually take his life on April 2020…..Despite this a model perseverance……His 2  ½ years with the Tribe was uneven resulting in eventually landing in Philadelphia…..A low ebb came at end of 1974 after 5 MLB seasons had 5.05 ERA….a return to minors resulted in shoddier work….did not play in 1976 due to shoulder surgery….looking for a MLB team, was scouted and was signed by the Baltimore put in AAA….his 1977 return to the bigs resulted in a dishonorable “infinity” ERA as an Oriole ….acquired by the Brewers  assigned to minors….an impressive handful innings in Milwaukee after being called up did raise his value to be traded to Texas…..His  new employer gave him sorely needed work at the big league level; albeit of short duration….traded to White Sox and his career was instantly galvanized….instant game saving relief for his beloved south siders….saved 44 for the rest of 1979 and the duration of 1980….made all star team in 1980….free agent after 1980 and was re-signed for one year with a hefty payday….a fair 10 save total although his ERA ballooned to 4.61….a Chicago Tribune interview suggests that a kidney related physical decline may have started after a nasty on field fight with Detroit Tiger Al Cowens in 1979….reportedly Cowens wanted to even a score from a beaning incident while Farmer was a Ranger….moved via free agency for a second run with the Phillies (almost equally unsuccessful as the first)….Released then surfaced with Oakland for his last MLB appearance….doggedly spent another three years in various efforts to pitch his way back to the show….. a true rolling stone playing for seven big league franchises plus playing for two other farm systems….also had a spell in for Independent team and a disastrous 2 game appearance in the Mexican League….received a transplant donated from his brother....was a long time Chicago White Sox announcer his hometown and location of his brief success. 

 

#142 Chris Chambliss

What does the 1970 AAA Rookie of the Year do in his next season?....win the 1971 AL rookie of the year....debuted with no prior MLB experience and only a single year and month at AAA Witchta....Would have been called up but had military commitments....Highly touted but a godsend and bright spot for the struggling team....Replaced a rapidly aging Ken Harrelson at first detouring his outfielder training....became a Cleveland fixture for two more seasons....strangely after a great start in 1974 Chris and tribe parted ways, transforming into a  NY Yankee...Chambliss’ bat cooled considerably  in his first Yankee year but appeared to have settled in with new experiences, namely winning, nationwide exposure, and watching other engrossed in controversy...Chambliss regains his batting stroke and exceeds his Cleveland output....gained more power....apex of which was 1976, his best year....hit 17 over the fence in the regular season....then became unstoppable in ALCS  topping off with series ending walk off homer....set an iconic visual; seemingly swimming upstream from the frenzied Yankee faithful who had stormed the field to touch home base....Chris’ steadiness made him a favorite of Billy Martin...Chambliss continues his steady consistency over 1977-79, acquiring two WS rings in tow...the latter year being tarnished with the death of Thurman Munson....Chambliss was the linchpin of trade to Toronto for young backstop Rick Cerone....Chris never appeared in a  Blue Jay uniform, quickly flipped to the Atlanta Braves....on the surface it appeared to be a return to the NL answer to Cleveland, but the Braves were buoyed by draft picks, Ted Turner’s deep pocket, and the first coming of skipper Bobby Cox....after a couple of season of near .500 ball efforts were rewarded with his last postseason appearance in 1982....Chambliss sticks around as regular in 83, yielded playing time for 84, dropping  to limited use reserve for 1985 and 1986 effectively the end....returned to Yankees as coach....in moment of short handedness in 1988, signed a three day contract to take his last at bat as a Yankee....fittingly.

#193 Kurt Bevacqua

Career bench player….Versatility stock and trade… Fast forward many years, his name would come up a surprising, yet minor WS footnote  in losing cause….well traveled with journey stopping at Cleveland, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, back to KC, Milwaukee, Seattle (never played), Texas, San Diego, Pirates (again), and ending with Padres (again)….closest to regular work was with the Padres 1979 and hit .251….best season was as a reserve on 1977 Texas Rangers team….hit .333 and 28 RBIs in 104 plate appearances….also impressive given he was released by the expansionist Mariners….near end of his career hit 2 homers and 2 doubles against the Tigers in 1984 WS….had only hit .200 during the regular season…an award winning player; 1975 won the first ever Topps bubble gum blowing contest.

#215 Alex Johnson

A predecessor to the Albert Belle’s and Gary Sheffield’s of the baseball world....Blessed with immense bat speed and good foot speed.....large imposing figure suggested significant power....but came with considerable cost....adjectives are obtuse, sullen, surly, and lackadaisical....if Johnson is firing on all cylinders, Alex is an acceptable burden if not he is the first jettisoned to a desperate team to the try their luck.....Pattern was stayed two years if he did well....Started in the Phillie organization in early 60’s, a locale not known for racial understanding see Dick Allen.....hit well for them on a part time basis but controversy ensued stemming from poor defense and liaise fare work ethic....despite potential was swapped as the key player to the Cards....output was considerably poorer than Philly with same liabilities popping up....Next it the Reds turn in the Johnson lottery.....Reds found a capital gain with a gradual realization of his promise....Hit .311 over two years.....Traded again for 1970 to the Angels....Put it all together to win the AL batting crown (.329) by the closest of margins as the Angels finished second to the Twins.....Returned for 1971 and fell into an abyss of conflict from day one.....the Angels, after a considerable clash of baseball management and player’s union put Johnson on DL at the end of June....exiled to Cleveland three days after the regular season.....results were disappointing but with a seemingly aloof quiet which was maybe the best the organization can hope for.....passed on to Texas 1973....advent of DH extended his career by circumventing defensive problems...hit .287 then .291 in 1974 but with few home runs.... Johnson mostly in the field in the later year..... interestingly the greatly improved Rangers  who where in a pennant race played sold Johnson late in season to NYY....stayed in NY 1975 but used little.....given one last chance with Detroit 1976 as DH but was a nonfactor on that squad and was let go at the end of season in favor of youth.....in retrospect Johnson was enigma and not well understood, when away from baseball and those associated, reports of his personality were positive...Retired Johnson settled in his hometown of Detroit working on a family business of  truck repair and leasing until passing away from cancer in 2015.....note on back of card: had 18 doubles in 1969 not 78 which would have shattered the MLB record of 67.  

#261 Steve Mingori

Bullpen employment  throughout career…Coming off a career year with a stingy 1.46 ERA….few of the 1971 Cleveland Indians crew can claim that…Steve’s 1972 resulted in an 0-6 record, a near tripling of this ERA, but led the team with 10 saves…a poor start in 1973 resulted in a trade to his native Kansas City...nice addition….a contributor but never became the top closer….as a Royal was generally consistent with ERA clustering around 2-3 runs a game…career ended in 1979 after ERA ballooned to 5.79….died at age 64 in 2009.

#285 Gaylord Perry

A mound craftsman and crafty character….HOF shrouded in the spitballer label….reporters went so far as to ask his 5 year old daughter if he threw a greaseball, without hesitation replies “it’s a hard slider”….The fun started in 1966 after an extensive development running four years….That year established as a starter went 21-8….then taking the win in 15, 16, 19, 23 contests in four seasons….the later being good for 2^nd in 1970 NL Cy Young….maybe felt a twinge of jealousy as brother Jim took the AL Cy Young with 25 victories….1971 his last SF year won 16 games....through his SF years the better his ERAs was the smaller his win total…That all changed after trade to Cleveland for 1972….proceeded to set the baseball world on its ear with 24 wins and the AL Cy Young award….Equally incredible was the record in light how bad Cleveland was at the time….A massive steal for Indians and Giant sunk quickly....Mystified AL audiences as to where he was hiding his grease…Neighbor of mine swore gunk was hidden in Craig Nettles shoe….had OK follow up in 73 with a 19-19 accompanied by a 3.44 ERA…note Nettles was gone….must of got someone to take the Nettle’s role in 74 when he reached 20 games for the fourth time….However ran into conflicts with new manager Frank Robinson in 1975….Traded to Texas…had good years but not the heights reached with Giants and Indians….a trade to San Diego another steal....Gaylord's last great season in an impressive career….at age 39, went 21-6 and took the 1978 NL Cy Young….Career thereafter was a continuation of a workhorse load but wins became more elusive….traveled often SD, Texas, NYY, Seattle, and KC were his homesteads….won 300^th game 1982 in a Mariners uniform….one of the most dominant pitchers to have played for both leagues….he and brother Jim are second in the all time win list by siblings to Joe and Phil Niekro.

#356 Jerry Moses

All research indicates friendly approachable guy....Career took hold with the Red Sox as a teenager...2^nd at bat was a home run 1965 the youngest Red Sox ever to do so....just a year out high school.......returned to Red Sox farm system for a couple of years...returned with an impressive late season call up 1968....shared catching duties with two others, Jerry far and away best of the Trio with a .304 mark....gained more playing time 1970 and got named to the All star team... traveled around thereafter and seemed to effect his play....California, Cleveland, New York, Detroit, were destinations in successive years...last year playing split time between Padres and White Sox....most closely aligned the Red Sox participating in reunions and charitable endeavors such as Mike Andrews chaired Jimmy Fund....hobby during playing days was waterskiing ....now they  are golf and grandkids.

#374 Jack Heidemann

Shortstop synonymous with Cleveland....Sometimes an exceptional minor league hitter that did not translate to the next level....Career can be described as one rookie campaign (1970) of regular work followed by a chain of call ups and limited used reserve.....1970 stats represented almost 50% of his playing time.....most of the time BA hovered around .210 mark nothing remarkable....long ball ability was hit and miss; had 7 out of his MLB career 9 in his rookie season....left Cleveland affter 1974 for short stints in St Louis, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers and the Oakland A’s farm system.

#399 Milt Wilcox

A late bloomer....didn’t reach full effectiveness until 1978 his 9^th season after his MLB debut in 1970.... Had consideration for Comeback Player of the Year and then quipped  “How can I come back when I’ve never been anywhere before?”….Milt was right about himself…. On the margins of Reds pitching staff and the minors…traveled cross state to Cleveland….got plenty of work but never overwhelming….fortunes rode parallel to that of the Indians….a jump in ERA started a period of re-tooling in AAA….that road led to Evansville Indiana home of the top farm club of the Tigers…an impressive start there in 1977 got him a call up to the big club…6-2 record in 14 starts….for next five seasons had winning record and a consistent starter winning either 11, 12, or 13 games….stepped it up in 1984 with career best pitching line of 17-8 as Tiger bulldozed the competition to the World Series….with an injury in 1985 bottom dropped out and quickly….went 1-11 over two seasons….has dabbled in many activities since retiring….was scheduled to pitch the second half of a doubleheader of Disco Demolition Night….most everybody knows the rest.

#422 Ray Lamb

Hurler with a undefined role...never could establish self as starter or fireman...mostly a long reliever....and obscured by others...most notably was a member University of Southern California during the Tom Seaver years....drafted by local LA Dodgers....breezed thru low minors but roughed up further on...never the less given a late season trial in 1969 and stayed in 1970....6-1 record despite 4.00+ ERA....took his winning record to Cleveland...1971 his most active season..... equaled his number of wins, unfortunately had 11 more losses...did lower his ERA that year, a feat he repeated in 1972 when he went 5-6....Final season in bigs and as a professional was 1973...went 3-3 with a ERA of 4.60.... Released spring of 1974.

#470 Ray Fosse

Career in one word:  Collison....At the 1970 All Star break Ray seemed  to be on a trajectory for 25+ home runs....then the bowl over by Pete Rose (tainting the perception of Rose forever)....lost a few days time but his first half power never came back, walked into the mid season classic with 16 dingers and only hit 2 for the post all star game....last month of season was lost to a broken finger the persistent question, did it ruin his career...at the time of this card apparently not since he returned to the All Star game and had a fair .276 in 1971....nevertheless an uneven career because various injuries....production dropped in the next two seasons to a lesser .248 playing for both the Tribe and then Oakland...did earn raves for handling of pitchers....this skill was greatly needed to justify work as Ray’s BA plunged to .173 in 74-75....In 1976, Ray was sold back to Cleveland then traded to Mariners... experienced a nice rebound with a .276 average in part time work...Injuries cancelled the 1978 and the 1979 comeback attempt with Brewer didn’t take....Only big league player from Marion IL....played for nearby Southern Illinois University....has a recreational park named after him there...Ray went to the Oakland broadcasting booth and front office work.

#486 John Lowenstein

Interesting and quotable....baseball answer to Lt. Joker of the movie Full Metal Jacket...16 year career...high hopes out of the minors...endeared himself to AAA Whicta manager and eventual Indian skipper Ken Aspromonte with versatility and power and clutch hitting....although John’s ability to play multiple was helpful but bat did not meet expectations in 8 years with the Tribe...best season by the lake was 1973 hitting a .292 in 305 at bats.....got more playing in 1974 and stole 36 bases but BA dropped by fifty points....returned to utility role for next 3 Indian campaigns...One interesting side light of those year was the start of an Apathy Fan Club....after some off the cuff remarks about such clubs...After 1976 season was traded to Toronto Blue Jays...spent several month on the Jay’s off season roster then traded back to Indians....seamless on the his career stats....Final traded in 1978 for good to Texas...Another mediocre season and he offered up on waviers....Baltimore rolled the dice picking him up for a 20K....Hit a minor jackpot for 6 season...in platoon role mostly with Gary Roenicki improved dramatically nice at the plate....in 1982 and 1983 found the pop in his bat predicted for him since his AAA days....Combined with Gary accounted for 45 home runs in 1982....Incredibly efficient effort coupled with .320 BA ....despite a shinning WS performance lost playing time in 1984 and decline in production ensued....left the field in 1985 to the broadcast booth...career American Leaguer.

Here's another depiction of John....

#506 Indians Rookie Stars

One player of note Dick Tidrow....briefly the two other guys....Terry Ley and James Moyer acquired from Yankees and Giants respectively...in 1972 both guys won 8 games for the Portland Beavers....Neither ever played for the big club....Best that can be said is Ley had a six game stint for the pinstripes in 1971....Moyer played in minors only....Dick Tidrow, on the other hand, in 1972 far exceeded expectations by soaring to #2 starter, garnering 14 wins and a 2.77 ERA....No love however from ROY voters with Carlton Fisk taking 100%....followed up with another 14 win season but lost some effectiveness....1975 took an early season jaunt to the Yankees, winning 11 in pinstripes....next three campaigns became what best can be described as a mixed relieving role some closing some middle inning work....1978 had short lived return to starter with so-so results....was still able to get work in three consecutive postseasons...bullpen misadventures in early 1979 turned the fireman into arsonist...traded and resurrected with the Cubs....started a nice string of 4 seasons leading the leading the NL in appearances 1980....getting work with 1983 White Sox allowed Dick to have one more playoff showing....wrapped things up in 1984 with 11 games for the Mets. 

#547 Cleveland Indians Team Card

Overall the franchise has a winning record…. but has had its ups and downs….In 1972 team was struggling since the formulation of the especially strong AL East….took another 20+ years to achieve winning consistency…. Best times started in 1995 to 2001 with winning records but two losing trips to the World Series….coinciding with the move to Jacob’s Field….this was also at that time when the franchise started to have a run as the best attendance in the AL….for many years the team split game between two stadiums, Cleveland Stadium and League Park… Old school records for an AL original dating back to 1901…new batting records set were Joe Carter’s 663 ABs in 1986…Al Rosen’s home run record has been passed twice by three players (Albert Belle, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez)….A new team RBI mark was set by Manny in 1996…Pitching records…Tiant’s ERA record of 1.60 (1968) still stands but the Topps criteria of record appears to start 1911 so Addie Jost is Baseball Reference’s man at 1.16 in 1908…the same case is with Tiant’s loss record of 20, shown up by a mark set in 1901 by a man named Peter Dowling.…in today’s baseball Don McMahon’s appearance mark has been beat 16+ times over.

#590 Graig Nettles

Played 22 seasons and hit 390 home runs….Started in Minnesota organization but was unimpressive in his only full season….A steal for the Indians and maybe the worst Twins trade ever….Graig Immediately paid dividends, solidifying an aging infield for a resurgent 1970 Tribe squad….Even though Cleveland fortunes soured, Nettles improved his play in 1971….After less productive 1972, traded to the Yankees for 1973….entered into an eleven season odyssey that started as the Bronx Bomber and ended with the Bronx Zoo….Started with bang in pinstripes hitting 11 home runs in April at Shea Stadium during in the renovation Yankee Stadium era…Gave  the Yankees consistent and steady play  no major drop off….Nettles’ quick hands and above average glove complimented his power…..Prime years were 1975 to 1979….In that time frame he hit 117 home runs….Received back to back Gold Gloves in 1977 and 78..... Traded to hometown San Diego as part of a veteran movement and despite a decline in production, he helped get the Friars to WS berth in 1984 ….Last seasons were spent as a reserve for the Braves and Montreal….Younger brother Jim played for Twins and Detroit without as much as fanfare….BA was never a strength as Nettles ended with career .248 mark....6 time All Star. 

#607 Frank Duffy

At the time, SF/Reds farmhand on the verge of 2503 Abs with tribe…his career is defined by the two significant trades he was involved in… First, the Frank was on the wrong end of a one to one trade for George Foster…Although it a few seasons to play out, Foster eventually  hit 244 home runs for Cincinnati and the only player in the 70’s to hit over 50 in a season…Frank had five singles for SF....After his microscopic return for the Giants, Duffy was included in Gaylord Perry/Sam McDowell trade…another loser for the Giants… after the trade Frank became the regular Indians shortstop…showed some power but overall a sub-par hitter hitting .233….drove in 145 of his career 240 career RBIs  in his prime years of 1973-1975…good fielder twice lead shortstop in fielding %....finished playing days with Boston….Career stretched from 1970 to 1979.

#614 Ted Uhlaender

Pictured here is a centerfielder coming off a very good season when most of the fellow tribe members had faltered around him....See #615 Steve Hargan… Started in the Twins organization….For a year and a half tore up PCL pitching while playing for Twins Denver farm club… 1966 First full season was a disappointment hitting 2 homers 22 RBIs and BA of.226… Once his rookie season was under his belt, Ted was a fine complimentary player with strong fielding skills who improved at the plate every season in Minnesota… also added some speed and some pop when he had regular work….Went to the tribe in a blockbuster trade with Cleveland that wildly favored the Indians….In two consistent seasons with Cleveland he did not lose stride….with the Reds in 1972 his playing time was almost eliminated and hit .159 in 115 Abs...did get in 6 post season at-bats…. Ironically as a career hit best against his team of origin the Twins