Who is the man: Both Bernie Smith and George Kopacz received their first taste of major league baseball in 1970, but with different teams. Smith played 44 games for the Brewers, while Kopacz participated in 10 for the Pirates.
Can ya dig it: Kopacz is cap-less because he was acquired by the Brewers from the Pirates in October, 1970, mere months before the set went to press.
Right on: Smith had a pretty good 44 games for Milwaukee. He hit .276 with an on-base average of .382. He homered once and knocked in six runs.
You see these rookies are bad mothers: No. Not only are they rookies, they are rookies for an expansion team that had played just two years at the time this card was issued.
Shut your mouth: Neither of these players would have another Topps card.
No one understands him but his woman: Smith was one of several former African-American players that were the subject of a book, "A Bitter Cup Of Coffee," by Douglas J. Gladstone. It revealed how hundreds of former players did not receive pensions or health insurance from Major League Baseball.
(A word about the back): Kopacz was named MVP of the International League with his performance in 1970. Kopacz's son, Derek, played in the Tigers, White Sox, Padres and Diamondbacks organizations.
