no. 240 - clyde wright

Who is the man: Clyde Wright was definitely the man heading into the 1971 season. He had just won AL Comeback Player of the Year honors after winning 22 games and throwing a no-hitter in 1970.

Can ya dig it: Wright's got his collar up in Yankee Stadium.

Right on: Wright is the most recent major leaguer to be named "Clyde." But teammates called him "Skeeter."

You see this cat Wright is a bad mother: Wright had one win in 1969 -- ONE -- and came back with 22 in 1970. That is badness.

Shut your mouth: When Charlie Finley wanted to use orange baseballs, they tested them out in a game against the Angels in 1973. Wright said the dyed ball was so slippery he couldn't grip it, and added that they should "hide it somewhere and pretend it's an Easter egg."

 No one understands him but his woman: Wright pitched for three years in Japan, and made a memorable impression from the start. Early in the season, he was pulled from a 1-1 game in the sixth inning. He refused to give the ball to the manager and charged off the mound, firing the ball into the dugout. He went in the clubhouse, tore off his uniform and threw it in the bathtub. People started calling him "Crazy Wright."

(A word about the back): Wright still holds the Angels record for victories in a season, tied with Nolan Ryan, who won 22 in 1974.

no. 67 - 1970 american league era leaders

Who is the man: Diego Segui is the man, who ended up as the earned-run average leader by starting and relieving for the Oakland A's in 1970.

Can ya dig it: ERA leaders cards are my favorite leaders cards because you're guaranteed of seeing players who you don't expect to be on leaders cards. Segui? Wright? Who let those guys in? I love it.

Right on: Two of the three players on this card had sons who played in the major leagues. What's your excuse, Jim?

You see these cats are bad mothers: Oh, they are. But we'll talk about that later.

Shut your mouth: Segui was known for taking his sweet time on the mound between pitches. He'd stare in the outfield, rearrange the dirt on the mound, blow on his hands. During the 1975 World Series, broadcaster Joe Garagiola said that Segui's rituals on the mound were "like spreading ether over the ballpark." An enraged Segui confronted Garagiola about the remark before Game 5 and demanded an apology.

No one understands him but his woman: Wright fell into a drinking problem after his major league career. It got so bad that his wife threatened to leave him if he didn't stop. One day he went golfing and then drinking. When he came home, his wife was gone. His wife came back, with their son, Jaret, the future major leaguer, who was 3 at the time. Wright tried to get in the car. His son pressed the lock down, locking him out. Wright stopped drinking.

(A word about the back): Interesting. I never realized this. Topps featured a separate listing for pitchers with less than 162 innings.