From the Favorites Box: Astros Team Checklist, 1979 Topps #381

A series where I post some thoughts about favorite cards. Previous cards in the series are available here.

 

 

Here's an image you don't see on a team checklist every day.

 

 

 

 

I mean, the Houston Astros are in uniform, as per standard practice. But after that? It's filled with a whole bunch of randomness and fun.

First of all, they're posed outside of their stadium, in what might very well be the parking lot. Second, instead of the usual benches and chairs, they've brought in two motorized trolleys of some kind. (Could they be from a state fair?) And let's look even closer.

Some of the guys are sitting on the front ledge of the trolleys, while others are sitting in the seats.

 

 

 

Perhaps lounging would be a more accurate verb. (See the two highlighted players on the right.) And look at the guy all the way on the left. He's just chilling on the hood!

Unfortunately, there just weren't enough seats in the trolleys for all the players, so some of them had to stand between them, in the middle of the shot.

A couple of poor guys even had to sit down on the concrete.

 

But here's the strangest part. Look all the way to the right of the image, way in the back.

 

 

 

 

I really can't be sure, but is that a guy in a gorilla suit? Or maybe Bigfoot?

We may never know.

Regardless, it's such a wacky, fun scene. Very fitting for the times, too. Just a couple of years earlier, the Bad News Bears had some memorable scenes filmed at the very same Astrodome.

As for the actual Astros of the time, they weren't Bad News Bears bad, but they weren't so great, either. The 1978 version of the club finished with a record of 74-88, placing them 5th out of the 6 clubs in the NL West. Here are some team leaders:

 

Hitters

Games Played: Enos Cabell, 162

Batting Avg.: José Cruz, .315

Hits: Enos Cabell, 195

Doubles: José Cruz, 34

Triples: José Cruz, 9

Home Runs: Bob Watson, 14

RBI: José Cruz, 83

Stolen Bases: José Cruz, 37 

 

Pitchers

Wins: J.R. Richard, 18  

ERA: Vern Ruhle, 2.12

Strikeouts: J.R. Richard, 303

Saves: Joe Sambito, 11
 

You've got some good numbers in there, despite the team's losing record. And don't forget, they had those sweet "tequila sunrise" uniforms, which would last from 1975 through 1986. Fun times, for sure.

And for an image that reminds us of just how fun and quirky 1970s baseball could be, 1979 Topps #381 has a spot in my box of favorite cards.

Scrapbook: My First Major League Game

 
Tomorrow will mark 35 years since I attended my first Major League Baseball game. And although the little tyke version of me didn't realize it at the time, two of the league's outstanding pitchers were set to duel that Sunday afternoon.

But before I reveal who those gunslingers were, here are a few memories from that day:

Walking with dad, sister, and stepmom out of the subway and toward Shea Stadium with throngs of fans was an experience. The Mets had some young, exciting players and a new manager, and New Yorkers were excited.

A few of those fans had already unfurled a huge homemade sign. Scrawled on what looked like a bedsheet, the message read:

SPECIAL K AND STRAWBERRY — THE PERFECT COMBINATION

(Special K referring to Dwight Gooden, and Strawberry referring to Darryl Strawberry)

Alongside the message there was a drawing of a box of Special K cereal with a big strawberry next to it.

Adding to my personal excitement, there was a giveaway that game: All kids in attendance received a New York Mets replica batting helmet, sponsored by Manufacturers Hanover Trust. (Verified by a photo in a family scrapbook.) Not a fancy helmet, but the flimsy plastic kind that old-school players wore, without the ear flaps.

We made it through the turnstiles, received the helmets, and began trudging up some stairs and ramps along the concourse. The noise of the crowd only increased as we reached our designated level and gate. Then we walked through the short tunnel and out to the seats, which exposed my young eyes to the entire stadium for the first time. It seemed enormous, and the field was bathed in sunlight.

According to the ticket stub, our seats were on the mezzanine level, section 2 (behind home plate, just to the left). We weren't close to the action, but wow, just to be there, and to be surrounded by so many people who all seemed to have the singular purpose of intensely cheering on their hometown team. I'm sure I was overwhelmed.

And speaking of overwheming, let's get back to the buzz about the pitching matchup. 

Because this is a trading card blog, I'll summarize by using two cards from that year's Topps (and Topps Traded) set. 

The starting pitchers on that day, Sunday, May 6, 1984:

Talk about two fireballers. One was a veteran who'd already piled up a decade and a half of experience and over 3,700 career strikeouts. The other was a 19-year-old phenom who could throw just as hard, and would baffle hitters and sportswriters alike on his way to a league-leading 276 strikeouts and a Rookie of the Year award. How many swings and misses would these guys produce on that Sunday afternoon? Would anyone even score a run?

Well, yes. In fact, lots of runs.
 
Unfortunately for the home crowd, their rookie pitcher and his upstart team were humbled by a scrappy, veteran Houston squad to the tune of a 10-1 score.

Gooden only lasted two and a third innings, giving up six hits (all singles: Mark Bailey, Nolan Ryan, Kevin Bass, Craig Reynolds, Enos Cabell, Phil Garner), two walks, a balk, and eight earned runs—all in the top of the third. Darryl Strawberry went 0-for-4 in the game with three strikeouts. Oof.

On the other end of the scorecard, Nolan Ryan went the full nine innings, striking out Wally Backman twice, Mookie Wilson once, and Ross Jones once along with those three Strawberry whiffs.

I was far too young to care about who struck out, who got the hits, or who won the game. I don't even remember much specific game action all these years later. But like many of you, that first Major League Baseball game will always be special, regardless. And it's pretty cool to look back all these years later and realize that it involved two legendary starting pitchers.

What about you? Do you have a "first game" experience? Feel free to share in the comments section.

And thanks as always for reading.