#339 John D’Acquisto

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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Who is this player?Ray Fosse, reserve catcher, Milwaukee BrewersAs the 1980 season got underway, Ray Fosse was not on a major league roster. Six days before the Brewers broke camp, Fosse was cut in favor of Ned Yost. The free agent contract that he sig…

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Who is this player?Bo McLaughlin, relief pitcher, Atlanta BravesInterestingly, Michael Duane “Bo” McLaughlin did not appear in a major league game in 1980 despite appearing in a career-high 59 games the previous year in split duty between the Braves an…

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A brief look back in team form at the last 25 player cards in the 1980 set (#300 through #325) as if constructing a fantasy league team.Manager – Tom Lasorda1B – Keith Hernandez 2B – Mike EdwardsSS – Chris Speier 3B – Denny WallingOF – Dave Parker OF -…

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Who is this player?Dan Driessen, first baseman, Cincinnati RedsAs the regular first sacker of the defending National League West champions, Dan Driessen had a secure position with the Cincinnati Reds. The left-handed hitter had established a reputation…

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Who is this player?Mick Kelleher, utility infielder, Chicago CubsThe current first base coach of the New York Yankees, in 1980 Mick Kelleher had a reputation as a tremendous glove man. He appeared in 105 games, primarily as a defensive specialist. His …

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Who is this player?Tom Underwood, starting pitcher, Toronto Blue JaysWhen this card was being pulled from packs during the 1980 season, Tom Underwood was already long gone from Toronto. The lefthanded pitcher was traded as part of a package to the New …

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Who is this player?Claudell Washington, rightfiedler, Chicago White SoxSpring Training for Claudell Washington began with a contract dispute, and the miserly White Sox were not about to sign him to the multimillion dollar deal he was seeking. Already u…

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Disclaimer: This post has nothing to do with the 1980 Topps set, rather a small baseball tale that my father talked about for much of my life. Periodically, I will include these as a tribute to the man who started my card collection and my interest in …

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Who is this player?Keith Hernandez, first baseman, St. Louis CardinalsAs one of the reigning co-MVP’s in the National League, Keith Hernandez began 1980 by signing a new five-year contract. Hernandez was also the league’s defending batting champion and…

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Who is this player?Dennis Eckersley, starting pitcher, Boston Red SoxHall of Fame, Class of 2004Only 25 years old during the 1980 season, Dennis Eckersley was already in the midst of his sixth big league season. He was the Red Sox Opening Day starter, …

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A bit of explanation is probably in order…..This blog has not been updated in almost a year. Along the way, there were many friends made and several folks who offered well wishes. I probably should have come on here sooner to update and it is amazing…

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Who is this player?Chris Speier, shortstop, Montreal ExposThe 1980 season was one of ups and downs for Montreal Expos shortstop Chris Speier. He lost his starting position in late April when he wasn’t hitting and wasn’t sharp defensively. After nearly …

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Who is this player?Jerry Reuss, starting pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers1980 would prove to be a truly memorable year for Jerry Reuss of the Los Angeles Dodgers. While he did not begin the season as a starter, he pitched excellently in relief to earn a re…

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Who is this player?Mike Anderson, reserve outfielder, Philadelphia PhilliesShortly before the 1980 season was to begin, Mike Anderson of the Philadelphia Phillies was sent to the minor leagues. This was not a unique occurrence for Anderson, who had bee…

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Who is this player?Bob Lacey, closer, Oakland AthleticsIn 1980, Bob Lacey may have been the least used closer of the modern era. While Lacey appeared in a team-high 47 games, finishing 31 he only earned six saves. This was due to Oakland’s record-setti…

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Who is this player?Steve Kemp, left fielder, Detroit TigersAs the decade began, Steve Kemp of the Detroit Tigers was generally regarded as one of baseball’s future superstars. Coming off of an All-Star season, Kemp engaged in a salary squabble with the…

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Who is this player?Tim Stoddard, closer, Baltimore OriolesMoved into the role of top fireman with the departure of Don Stanhouse, Tim Stoddard responded by pitching in a career-high 64 games and finishing fourth in the American League with 26 saves. Th…

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Who is this playerJohnny Grubb, rightfielder, Texas RangersNot as heralded as some of his more famous mates in the Texas Rangers outfield, Johnny Grubb was a solid and reliable rightfielder in 1980. The no-nonsense Grubb played all three outfield posit…

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One of the highlights of summer was getting the official All Star ballot. I only went to one game a season from 1979 until 1985 and every single one of them fell either before or after the All Star voting period. Therefore, the only way I ever got a ba…

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Who is this player?Mike Barlow, relief pitcher, California AngelsMidway during Spring Training in 1980, Mike Barlow found himself traded from the defending AL West Champion California Angels to the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite coming off a 109-loss seaso…

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About a month ago, I picked up an unopened pack of three 1980 Topps Superstar Photo Cards via ebay. With the recent posting of Dave Parker, I thought that this feature would be timely, especially since the Cobra is the one on the top:Chet Lemon is the …

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