no. 570 - jim palmer

Who is the man: Jim Palmer staked his claim as a certified star in 1970 by winning 20 games for the first time in his career (what would be the first of eight 20-win seasons in nine years).

Can ya dig it: Obviously this card has been around the town a little bit, but I'm in no hurry to upgrade.

Right on: It looks like a casual day of spring training there.

You see that cat Palmer is a bad mother: Palmer led the decade of the 1970s in victories and is the Orioles' all-time victories leader. For those of you who don't care about victories, Palmer also never allowed a grand slam in his 19-year career.

Shut your mouth: Orioles manager Earl Weaver in one of his back-and-forth insult sessions with Palmer once said, "Someone once asked me if I have any physical incapacities of my own. 'Sure I do,' I said. 'One big one -- Jim Palmer.'""

No one understands him but his woman: Palmer has been married three times. Two of those women are named Susan.

(A word about the back): I get giddy anytime I see anyone with 300-plus innings pitched in a season.

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.