no. 645 - jim maloney

Who is the man: Jim Maloney suffered an injury early in the 1970 season that would ultimately lead to the end of his career. He tore the Achilles tendon in his left leg while running out a ground ball during his second start of the season for the Reds, and he didn't return to the field until September.

Can ya dig it: Maloney was traded to the Angels in December 1970, but he's still wearing the Reds pinstripes in this photo.

Right on: It took me a long time to realize that the player on this card was the same Jim Maloney who starred for the Reds during the 1960s. He looks so different here from those '60s cards where he's in full Reds uniform with his arm outstretched.

You see that cat Maloney is a bad mother: Maloney averaged 18 victories and 235 strikeouts over a four-year period for the Reds between 1963-66.

Shut your mouth: There was friction between Maloney and the Reds, in part because Maloney didn't hesitate to hold out for a better contract. "You know what makes this game really tough?" he said once. "There's no security and no friendships. Hell, if my arm goes tomorrow, you think I'll still be with the Cincinnati Reds?"

No one understands him but his woman: Maloney appears in the 1972 Topps set as a St. Louis Cardinal as the Cardinals signed him January of 1972. But they released him three months later and he never pitched for St. Louis.

(A word about the back): Maloney is credited with just two no-hitters now. He no-hit the Mets for 10-plus innings but lost the game in the 11th. He was credited for a no-hitter in that game until MLB changed the rules in 1991 and scrapped it from the list.