#31 - Fred Lynn
There wasn't a huge rookie card craze in 1976, but getting a Fred Lynn card was certainly a highlight whether it was Topps or Kellogg's. He was the Rookie of the Year, AL MVP and a star for a World Series team.
Lynn was runner-up to Rod Carew for the batting title. He also won batting titles in Little League, Pony League and high school.
Not on the card - I guess he didn't win a batting title in college or in the minors.
Not on the card - he did lead the AL in batting in 1979.
Not on the card - how does one decide who won the batting title in Little League and who kept track of that? Isn't it a home run if you hit it to the pitcher and the kids throw the ball around while Fred Lynn just keeps running? I'm sure there were lots of kids who batted 1.000 in Little League based on some of the work of official scorers.
#32 - Tom Seaver
Another great card to pull from a cereal box. This is one of my favorite Seaver cards. The colors just jump out on a nice version of this card.
Seaver had what Kellogg's called a "sorry 1974 season". He was 11-11 in 32 starts. His 1975 season was a great turnaround with his third Cy Young Award. Only he and Sandy Koufax had one that many at this time.
Not on the card - four guys have won more than three Cy Young Awards - Roger Clemens (7) Randy Johnson (5), Greg Maddux (4) and Steve Carlton (4).
#33 - Steve Busby
This was a great card to get in 1976, even if it is a "common today". The Royals are mentioned as "Kaycee" which one doesn't see often.
He threw a no-hitter as a rookie. It was the first no-hitter where the pitcher didn't bat since the DH was instituted that year.
Not on the card - he had already thrown two no-hitters by the time this came out.
Not on the card - a shoulder injury in 1976 led to his early career demise. He never pitched a full season after 1975.
What do they have in common? They all played for the University of Southern California a school that seems to have had a massive number of MLB players. More about that in a future post.
You could have put Bill Lee on the list for this year also
ReplyDeleteI was surprised that two of these three cards mentioned that. I look forward to checking some of the others since there are so many USC Trojans who've played in the majors.
ReplyDeleteOff the top of my head. I know Ron Fairly, Dave kingman, Steve Kemp and Roy Smalley all USC products had Kellogg's cards. Pitching guru Tom House also a grad I don't think glad a card. Randy Johnson was a little to late
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty good. I never followed college baseball since it was not a big deal back then, especially in Chicago. I'm a big fan of Tom House since I have a similar degree.
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