#357 Bob McClure

Who is this player?Bob McClure, relief pitcher, Milwaukee BrewersIt is difficult to imagine now, but in 1980, when Bob McClure was was the de facto closer of the Milwaukee Brewers, he still hankered to be used as a starting pitcher. The Brewers were wi…

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What is this card?Team Card, San Diego Padres, Jerry Coleman ManagerCertainly, whenever a team announces a new manager, there is excitement for the upcoming season. When Jerry Coleman was named as manager of the San Diego Padres on October, 1…

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Who is this player?Gary Matthews, right fielder, Atlanta BravesComing off one of the most productive seasons of his career, for Gary Matthews of the Atlanta Braves, 1980 would prove to be difficult. When the Braves started the year 1-9 and Matthews mir…

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Who is this player?Rick Auerbach, reserve infielder, Cincinnati RedsKnown initially as a good glove man that was swift on the basepaths, Rick Auerbach had been transitioning into a role as a useful pinch-hitter as the 1980 season began. With the Cincin…

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Who is this player?Andy Hassler, relief pitcher, New York MetsWhen Spring Training began in February 1980, it was presumed that free agent signee Andy Hassler would replace the departed Bruce Kison on the world champion Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitching sta…

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A brief look back in team form at the last 25 player cards in the 1980 set (#326 through #352) as if constructing a fantasy league team.Manager - Gene MauchStarting Lineup:1B - Richie Hebner2B - Jack BrohamerSS - Harry Chappas3B -&n…

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Who is this player?Dan Briggs, outfielder/first baseman, San Diego PadresOn the final day of Spring Training 1980, Dan Briggs was informed that he would be starting the season at the Montreal Expos’ Triple-A club at Denver. Traded to Montreal from the …

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Who is this player?Bob Davis, reserve catcher, Toronto Blue JaysWhen the Toronto Blue Jays decided to trade starting catcher Rick Cerone to the New York Yankees prior to the 1980 season, it directly impacted Bob Davis’ major league career. With Ernie W…

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Who is this player?George Hendrick, right fielder, St. Louis CardinalsIn the midst of perhaps his most productive season, George Hendrick of the St. Louis Cardinals began the 1980 season productively. He had a 6-RBI performance against the defending wo…

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Disclaimer: This post has nothing to do with the 1980 Topps set, rather a remembrance of my father, who was the original inspiration for this blog. Periodically, I will break away from the 1980 set, to include these entries as a tribute to the man who …

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Who is this player?Jack Brohamer, reserve infielder, Boston Red SoxBeginning the 1980 season with the Red Sox, Jack Brohamer came off the bench frequently to spell second baseman Jerry Remy and third baseman Butch Hobson. He performed very well in this…

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What is this card?Checklist #3, cards #243 to #363This checklist marks the halfway point of the 1980 set, card #363. I realize that there have been many stops and starts since the beginning of this blog. I appreciate how patient most of you have been a…

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Who is this player?Harry Chappas, reserve infielder, Chicago White SoxAlthough he did not enter the season with as much fanfare as the previous season, Harry Chappas broke north with the Chicago White Sox at the end of Spring Training as an infield res…

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Who is player?Buddy Solomon, starting pitcher, Atlanta BravesAs preparation for the 1980 season got underway, Buddy Solomon was looking to claim a spot in the the Atlanta Braves’ starting rotation. Despite Atlanta’s acquisition of Doyle Alexander,…

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Who is this player?Larry Parrish, third baseman, Montreal ExposAs a major part of the Expos’ young attack, Larry Parrish was considered one of the key components as Montreal made a serious challenge for the NL East Championship. Larry had a solid …

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Who is this player?Randy Lerch, starting pitcher, Philadelphia PhilliesComing into the 1980 season, the Phillies were looking to Randy Lerch to fill in the back end of their starting rotation. The 25-year old lefthander was roughed up in his first star…

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Who is this player?Mike Vail, rightfielder, Chicago CubsAs the season began, Mike Vail was the fourth outfielder and occasional pinch-hitter for the Chicago Cubs. While he did provide a solid bat against left-handed pitching, he was not expected to be …

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Who is this player?Odell Jones, starting pitcher, Seattle Mariners After an erratic 1979 season in the Mariners starting rotation, Odell Jones was looking for a spot on Seattle’s pitching staff as Spring Training 1980 opened. After some impressive ou…

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Who is this player?Jim Essian, catcher, Oakland A’sAs the 1980 season unfolded, Jim Essian was part of a baseball resurgence in Oakland. The A’s surprised the critics by winning 29 more games over their disastrous 1979 campaign. Led by new manager Bill…

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Who is this player?Ken Singleton, right fielder, Baltimore OriolesThe 33-year old Singleton was in the midst of putting together a very solid season during the summer of 1980. In helping lead the O’s to 100 victories in the tough AL East, Singleton was…

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Who is this player?John D’Acquisto, relief pitcher, San Diego PadresAs the 1980 season wore on, John D’Acquisto was pitching in middle relief for a San Diego Padre team that floundering in last place. The 28-year old’s solid, if unspectacular, output c…

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Who is this player?John Wockenfuss, utility, Detroit TigersTo merely designate John Wockenfuss a catcher as his 1980 Topps card indicates, would not accurately describe Wockenfuss’ contributions to his ballclub. Appearing in a career-high 126 games, “J…

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Who is this player?Carney Lansford, third baseman, California AngelsThe June 1980 issue of Baseball Magazine touted Angels’ third baseman Carney Lansford as one of the players most likely to be a star in the 1980s. Indeed, when the season began, it was…

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Who is this player?George “Doc” Medich, starting pitcher, Texas RangersAlthough his card refers to him by the given name, George was widely known as Doc in baseball circles. Doc had a solid reason for the otherwise disappointing Texas Rangers, leading …

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Who is this player?Willie McCovey, reserve, San Francisco GiantsAs the only active member of the illustrious 500 Home Run Club in 1980, pulling a Willie McCovey card that summer was a fairly big deal. After all, he was a future Hall of Famer and bonifi…

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Who is this player?Jim Beattie, starting pitcher, New York YankeesAfter spending two frustrating seasons in New York, by the time 1980 began, Jim Beattie was wearing the uniform of the Seattle Mariners. The 25-year old right hander was the key man in a…

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Who is this player?Jim Norris, reserve outfielder, Cleveland IndiansEven before the 1980 season would get underway, Jim Norris had already switched uniforms, traded from the Cleveland Indians in January to the Texas Rangers. A useful utility man, Norri…

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I am sad to report that former major leaguer and Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams has died. He was 82 years old. It is being reported that Williams died today at his Las Vegas home from what was believed to be an aneurysm. A 2008 Hall of Fame inducte…

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Who is this player?Enrique Romo, relief pitcher, Pittsburgh PiratesAs one of the trifecta of relievers that helped the Pirates to the 1979 World Championship, Enrique Romo’s role in 1980 was clearly defined. As the righthanded setup man to closer Kent …

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Who is this player?Richie Hebner, third baseman, New York MetsFor the first time in his career, Richie Hebner would be playing in a new league in 1980. Traded to the Detroit Tigers in November, 1979, he was slated to be the Tigers’ cleanup hitter and t…

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Disclaimer: This post has nothing to do with the 1980 Topps set, rather a remeberence of my father, who was the original inspiration for this blog. Periodically, I will break away from the 1980 set, to include these entries as a tribute to the man who …

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Who is this player?Al Cowens, rightfielder, Kansas City RoyalsTwo new teams, a brawl and an arrest warrant shaped the 1980 season for Al Cowens. Traded to the California Angels before the start of the season, he was shipped to the Detroit Tigers in May…

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Who is this player?Bert Roberge, relief pitcher, Houston AstrosOne man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity. Such was the case for Bert Roberge during the summer of 1980. He failed to make the Astros final cut in Spring Training and spent the firs…

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What is this card?Team Card, Minnesota Twins, Gene Mauch Manager.The Minnesota Twins were a surprising team in 1979, finishing over .500 despite losing several star players over the past couple of seasons. Although they were not seriously expected to c…

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