Orphans of 1978 - They played their final MLB game before the first 1978 pack was opened.
Santo Alcala, RP:
After splitting 1977 between Cincinnati and Montreal, Alcala spent 1978-1982 in the Seattle and Pittsburgh minor league systems before hanging it up for good.
Bob Apodaca, RP:
Once a promising bullpen arm, Bob tore a ligament in his right elbow during spring training, and spent all of 1978 on the DL. He played sporadically in the Mets' farm system in 1979 and 1981.
Ed Armbrister, OF:
Best known for having interfered with Carlton Fisk in the '75 series (yes, it WAS interference), Ed spent 1978 at Indianapolis, and then finished his professional career playing in Mexico in 1979 and 1980.
Gary Beare, SP :
After spending parts of 1976 and 1977 in Milwaukee, Gary spent all of 1978 at Spokane. He was traded to the Phillies in early 1979 for Dan Boitano, and spent 1979 at their Oklahoma City AAA club. He finished his career in 1980 throwing for the Padres' AAA Hawaii team.
Jackie Brown, SP:
Jackie was released by Montreal before spring training, 1978, and quickly signed with Texas. He spent all of 1978 at Tuscon, and was done.
Jeff Byrd, SP:
As a rookie in 1977, Jeff made 17 starts for the first-year Jays, posting a record of 2-13. He spent all of 1978 at Syracuse, was released in early 1979, and played in 1980 for the Mariners' AAA club in San Jose.
Buzz Capra, RP:
The 1974 National League ERA champ went 6-11, largely in relief, for the 1977 Braves. He was released by Atlanta in spring training, 1978.
Don Carrithers, RP:
Cut by the Twins in spring training, 1978, Don was signed by the Giants (the team that originally drafted him in 1967, and for whom he debuted at the major league level in 1970). He and pitched at their AAA club in Phoenix in 1978 and 1979.
Willie Crawford, OF:
The long-time Dodger veteran saw action in 59 games for the A's in 1977. He was granted free agency that fall, and signed back with L.A. in February. He was released by his old team in March, and spent parts of the next two seasons playing for Aquascalientes in the Mexican League.
Larry Demery, SP:
The 4-year Pirate veteran spent 1978 at Columbus, and then spent 1979 at the Bucs' A club in Salem, and 1980 at the Braves AA club in Savannah.
Larry Dierker, SP:
The long-time Astro (and 1969 All Star and 20 game winner) ran up an 11-9 record for the Cardinals in 1977, his one year with the team. The Cardinals released him late in spring training of 1978.
Pat Dobson, SP:
A former stand-out with Baltimore and the Yankees, Pat was released by Cleveland on April 14, 1978. He surfaced again just long enough to pitch in one game with Maracaibo of the Inter-American League in 1979.
Denny Doyle, IF:
The former Phillie and Angel was released by Boston in March of 1978, a few months after the Red Sox had traded for his replacement, Jerry Remy.
Steve Dunning, RP:
"Stunning" (and, from the looks of his card, "Sleepy") Steve Dunning was the number 2 overall pick by Cleveland in the 1970 draft. The one-time blue chipper had bounced around before landing with the A's for six games at the close of 1977. Cut by Oakland in spring training, he played with the Padres' AAA club in Hawaii in 1978 to close out his career.
Leo Foster, IF:
This career utility infielder was traded in spring training, 1978, to the Red Sox in exchange for Jim Burton. He played at Pawtucket in '78, and then finished his career with Puerto Rico in the Inter-American League in 1979.
Ed Goodson, IF:
Ed spent 1976 and 1977 as an infield reserve, backing up Ron Cey and Steve Garvey in L.A. He was released in March of 1978, and signed three days later by the Indians. He got into 33 games with Portland in 1978, ending his professional career.
Bob Gorinski, OF:
Drafted by the Twins in 1970, Bob finally saw major league action for the first time as a reserve outfielder in 1977. He spent 1978 at Toledo, and then toiled in the Mets' and Cubs' systems for a couple of years.
Terry Harmon, IF:
After 9 seasons as Philly's principal reserve infielder, Terry was released on April 6, 1978.
Tommy Helms, IF:
Tommy made it into 21 games with the Red Sox down the stretch in '77. The 14-year veteran, and former Cincinnati All Star, was released by Boston on March 25, 1978.
Sam Hinds, RP:
As a rookie in 1977, Sam got into 29 games with the Brewers. He spent all of 1978 at Spokane, and was demoted to Holyoke in 1979, where he finished his career.
Jim Hughes, SP:
Jim signed with the White Sox in November of 1977, which was all it took for Topps to slather the paint on a photo of him in a Twins uniform. As it turned out, he was released by Chicago on March 29, and then signed by Texas a few days later. He spent 1978 at Tuscon, and then split 1979 between Santo Domingo in the Inter-American League and Albuquerque in the Dodgers' system.
Jerry Johnson, RP:
Jerry earned 5 saves for the first-year Jays in 1977. He was released in March of 1978, ending his professional career.
Skip Jutze, C:
Skip spent 1977 backing up Bob Stinson in Seattle, and was released by the Mariners in spring training, 1978.
Ed Kirkpatrick, OF:
The 15-year veteran was released by the Brewers in March of 1978. He caught on with Salt Lake City in the Angels' system and later Tabasco in the Mexican League that season, but he never played after 1978.
Felix Millan, IF:
An All Star and Gold Glove winner with the Braves in the early '70s, Felix played from 1978 through 1980 with Taiyo in Japan, and in 1981 with the Mexico City Reds.
George Mitterwald, C:
Granted free agency in the fall of 1977, the veteran catcher signed with Seattle during spring training, and played sparingly in San Jose in '78 to close out his career.
Gary Nolan, SP:
Gary was a stalwart in the rotation of both 1970s' Big Red Machine championship teams. He was traded to the Angels mid-way through 1977, and was released by the Halos in January of 1978. He was signed quickly by the Brewers, but released just a few weeks later.
Doug Rader, IF:
The long-time, multiple Gold Glove-winning Astro played 96 games with the Blue Jays in 1977. Released in March of 1978, he spent the year as the Padres' third base coach.
Gary Ross, SP:
The former Cub and Padre reliever was featured in the Angel rotation during 1976 and 1977. He was released before the 1978 season began.
Pat Scanlon, IF:
After a 4-year career as a reserve infielder, Scanlon spent 1978 split between AAA clubs in Hawaii (San Diego) and Denver (Montreal). After spending 1979 in Denver, he split 1980 between the White Sox' AAA team in Iowa and Campeche in the Mexican League.
John Scott, OF:
After appearing in 79 games for the 1977 Blue Jays, John was traded to the Cardinals for 1978. He spent the year at AAA Springfield and then played for three years with the Yakult Swallows in Japan.
Chuck Scrivener, IF:
Chuck spent 3 years as a reserve infielder in Detroit, and then played his final professional season at Evansville in 1978.
Rob Sperring, IF:
Rob was a reserve infielder for the Astros in 1977. He spent 1978 and 1979 as an everyday player at Charleston but never made the big club again.
Royle Stillman, OF:
Royle made it into 56 games in 1977 with the White Sox as an outfielder and a DH. Released late in spring training, 1978, he signed with Seattle and spent the year playing at San Jose. He spent 1979 and 1980 playing at the AAA level for the Mariners, A's and Angels, and finished his career with Campeche in the Mexican League in 1981.
Brent Strom, SP:
After pitching in only 8 games for the Padres in 1977, Brent was released during spring training, 1978. He did not play professionally in 1978, but did pitch in the Astros' system in 1979 and 1980 and the Dodgers' in 1981.
Jim Tyrone, OF:
Jim spent 1978 at Vancouver. In 1979, he played both for Miami of the Inter-American League and for the Seibu Lions in Japan. He then spent 1980-1982 playing in Japan for Seibu and the Nankai Hawks.
Earl Williams, C:
The 1970 National League Rookie of the Year played in 100 games for the rolling disaster that was the 1977 Oakland A's. Cut during spring training, 1978, Earl didn't play professionally again until joining Durango of the Mexican League in 1979. He then played for Campeche in 1980.
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Cardell Camper, SP:
Cardell made it into 3 games in 1977, his rookie year. He spent all of 1978 at Portland, and was traded to the Phillies for none other than Joe Charboneau in December of 1978. He split 1979 between Reading and Oklahoma City in the Phillies' system.
Larry Landreth, SP:
After two seasons trying to make it stick with Montreal, Larry began 1978 at Denver. He was traded to the Dodgers on May 20 with Gerry Hannahs in exchange for Mike Garman, and spent the remainder of the year pitching for Albuquerque. In 1979, he played for both Holyoke, the Brewers' AA team, and Denver again.
Craig Mitchell, RP:
Craig got into very limited action with the A's in 1975, 1976 and 1977. He spent all of 1978 at Vancouver, and then all of 1979 at Ogden, the A's new AAA club.
Tim Jones, SP:
After appearing in just 3 games for the Pirates in 1977, Tim was traded to the Expos on March 29, 1978, in exchange for Will McEnaney. He played the remainder of the year at Denver.
Dave Oliver, IF:
Dave spent all of 1978 at Portland, and then all of 1979 at Tacoma, the Indians' new AAA club. He began 1980 at Tacoma, but was traded by Cleveland to the Expos for Ross Grimsley on July 11 and played for Montreals' AA club at Memphis for part of the summer before winding up at Pittsburgh's AA club in Portland.
Alvin Dark, Mgr:
Not a player, Alvin nevertheless appeared on a 1978 card and disappeared before the season started. Check out my Padres' page for a little background on his departure from San Diego.