no. 534 - luke walker

Who is the man: Luke Walker was at the peak of his career when this card was issued. He won 15 games for the NL East-winning Pirates. He finished third in the league in ERA (3.04).

Can ya dig it: Not an attractive card. Walker is wearing his cap so high he appears to have a 3-foot tall head. And that jacket collar tucked into the uniform jersey look is fairly hideous.

Right on: Lots of neutral space for Walker's signature at least.

You see that cat Walker is a bad mother: Walker gave up just six home runs in 163 innings pitched in 1970, which was the best in the National League.

Shut your mouth: Elated over his 1970 season, Walker was quoted in spring training the next year that he could potentially win 25 games in 1971. "Why 20 victories?" he said. "I think I can win 25 games." Walker would win 10 games that year. And 26 for the rest of his career.

No one understands him but his woman: Walker threw the first pitch in a night World Series game. That was in Game 4 of the '71 World Series. But the atmosphere didn't suit him. He opened the game by giving up three straight singles to load the bases, then watched a run score on a passed ball. After an intentional walk, he gave up back-to-back sacrifice flies and was pulled from the game.

(A word about the back): Walker's 2.03 ERA in 1968 came almost exclusively in relief. He started just 2 of 39 games and saved three games.

no. 68 - 1970 national league era leaders

Who is the man: Tom Seaver is the man for winning the first of his three ERA crowns. This one was kid's stuff compared with the 1.76 and 2.08 he'd lay on hitters in 1971 and 1973.

Can ya dig it: All three pitchers are giving the pitcher the stare down. Luke Walker is going for the squint-eyed look. But it's still bad-ass.

Right on: Still loving the ERA leaders cards. Wayne Simpson and Walker? Crazy.

You see these cats are bad mothers: I can tell. But I'll go in more detail when their individual cards pop up.

Shut your mouth: Tom Seaver was a broadcaster for the Yankees in the late '80s and early '90s. His partner for most of those games was Phil Rizzuto. Seaver and Rizzuto got along well enough, with Rizzuto calling Seaver by his last name, as he often did with Bill White. But I got the feeling sometimes that Seaver wanted to focus more on the game and less on cannolis.

No one understands him but his woman: Simpson enjoyed a phenomenal start to his 1970 season, winning 13 of his first 14 decisions and being named to the All-Star team. But he tore his rotator cuff in July and it ruined his career. Simpson gutted through the injury, but all he received for it were accusations that his arm problems were more mental than physical. That caused Simpson to lash out at the Reds after they traded him to the Royals after the season.

(A word about the back): 1970 was a rarity during the period, with Seaver the only N.L. pitcher (with enough innings) with an ERA under 3. Just the year before, 13 N.L. pitchers had ERAs under 3, including 12 that were better than Seaver's league-leading 2.81 in 1970. In 1971, there were 16 N.L. pitchers with ERAs under 3.