no. 739 - barry lersch

Who is the man: Barry Lersch completed his first full season in the majors in 1970, appearing in 42 games, most of them in relief.

Can ya dig it: Lersch's photo session appears to have some spectators.

Right on: This is Lersch's first solo card. He shares a rookie stars card in the 1969 Topps set with Larry Hisle.

You see that cat Lersch is a bad mother: Lersch was a talented all-around athlete. Aside from possessing a major league fastball, he was also a champion diver in the Colorado area and a standout golfer.

Shut your mouth: Lersch is listed as being with the Atlanta Braves on a 1974 Topps Traded card, but he never played in the majors for the Braves. After a December 1973 trade, he pitched for Atlanta's Triple A team in Richmond before being acquired by the Cardinals in September of 1974.

No one understands him but his woman: Lersch died from a heart attack in 2009. In the guest book for his obituary, a doctor left a remembrance about working as a vendor in Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia in 1971 while going to medical school. He sat in a seat to rest and struck up a conversation with Lersch's wife, mentioning that he would be traveling to Los Angeles to attend the wedding of two medical student classmates. Lersch's wife mentioned that the Phillies would be in L.A. at the same time to play the Dodgers and asked for the student's name so Barry could leave tickets for the student and his friends in L.A. The student did find tickets at will call at Dodger Stadium.

(A word about the back): Lersch's bid for the Olympics kept him from pitching for the Phillies in 1964. He started his pro career the following year.

no. 705 - dick selma

Who is the man: Dick Selma was coming off the best season of his career when this card was issued. Installed in the bullpen by his new team, Selma saved 22 games for the Phillies, fifth in the NL, and was second in appearances with 73.

Can ya dig it: I like those Phillies uniforms so much.

Right on: Has there ever been a study done on people who dot the I in their name with a circle?

You see that cat Selma is a bad mother: Selma started the first game in San Diego Padres history. He struck out 12 in a complete game, 2-1 victory over the Astros.

Shut your mouth: Selma was punched out by the Phillies' traveling secretary, Eddie Ferenz, a former minor league hockey player. Selma was harrassing Ferenz about a long-delayed plane trip to Newark, N.J. By the time the team arrived in Newark and baggage handling issues followed, Ferenz had enough of Selma's needling and knocked him cold in the airport.

No one understands him but his woman: Selma was popular with the Cubs' bleacher fans during his one season in Chicago in 1969. From the bullpen, he would lead the fans in raucous cheers.

(A word about the back): Selma did indeed record the last Phillies strike at Connie Mack Stadium, a ninth-inning whiff of the Expos' Jim Fairey. He also struck out at the plate to start the bottom of the 10th against the Expos' Howie Reed. But Selma got the win on Oscar Gamble's RBI single later that inning that scored Tim McCarver.

no. 682 - terry harmon

Who is the man: Terry Harmon appeared in 71 games for the Phillies in 1970 but received just 129 at-bats. He was establishing the role of utility infielder that would be his trademark for Philadelphia throughout the '70s.

Can ya dig it: Harmon, no surprise, is featured in several fielding poses on his cards. This one would be somewhat repeated in the 1975 Topps set.

Right on: I wonder who's ball and glove is behind him?

You see that cat Harmon is a bad mother: Harmon set a major league record on June 12, 1971 by fielding 18 chances without an error. Jim Bunning started for the Phillies in the game against the Padres. Even though the Padres outhit the Phillies 9-4, they lost the game 3-0.

Shut your mouth: Harmon worked in cable television after his career, mostly with home shopping networks, including a station that sold jewelry for 24 hours. Harmon didn't do any on-air hawking (at least none I can find). He was behind the scenes trying to get cable operators to air the station.

No one understands him but his woman: Harmon and his wife, Kay, visited the Baseball Hall of Fame for the first time in 2013. After that visit, Harmon donated the glove he used for his record game to the Hall.

(A word about the back): That could be the earliest reference to "game-winning RBI," the stat that later became enough of a craze in the 1980s that it was included on the back of every hitter's baseball card.

no. 659 - byron browne

Who is the man: Byron Browne played in 104 games for the Phillies in 1970, his most playing time since his rookie year in 1966.

Can ya dig it: Now that's keeping your head down through a swing. You have to look up eventually, sir!

Right on: This is Browne's final card.

You see that cat Browne is a bad mother: Browne was named to Topps' All-Rookie team in 1966 and can be seen preparing to annihilate his rookie trophy on his 1967 Topps card.

Shut your mouth: Browne led the league in strikeouts with 143 in 120 games in 1966 and his reputation for whiffing followed him to several major league stops. His wikipedia page cracks wise by saying, "to some cynics, his chief contribution was the refreshing breeze on hot and humid South Philadelphia evenings which emanated from his regular swings and misses.[citation needed]"

No one understands him but his woman: Browne's first major league at-bat came during Sandy Koufax's perfect game against the Cubs on Sept. 9, 1965. Browne lined out to deep center field.

(A word about the back): A ninth-inning grand slam to beat the Padres on my birthday? I think I've found a new favorite player.

no. 616 - larry hisle

Who is the man: Larry Hisle was coming off the dreaded sophomore slump when this card was issued. After a strong 1969 season in which he was one of the top rookies in baseball, he hit just .205 in 1970 and was reduced to a platoon role. (It would get worse as he would toil in the minors and change teams three times from 1971 to 1974).

Can ya dig it: For the second straight post, we have a very nice close-up shot of a tried-and-true baseball pose.

Right on: I discovered Hisle when he was battering balls for the Twins in the late '70s. I thought he was a young player just a couple years into the league at the time. I was surprised to learn later that he'd been in baseball since the '60s.

You see that cat Hisle is a bad mother: Hisle led the Brewers to what was then their best season in franchise history in 1978. He hit 34 home runs and finished third in the AL MVP voting, behind only Jim Rice and Ron Guidry, who each enjoyed phenomenal seasons.

Shut your mouth: Hisle was known as one of the nicest and most humble players of his era. He has been part of charitable efforts for children and families throughout his baseball career and afterward.

No one understands him but his woman: Hisle's baseball career was a tribute to his mother, who was a huge baseball fan (he is named after Larry Doby) and died at an early age.

(A word about the back): That head shot is the same photo that appears on the Phillies' team photo issue in 1971.

no. 598 - rick wise

Who is the man: Rick Wise was in the midst of arguably his best season (some would campaign for 1975) when this card was issued. He'd win 17 games with a 2.88 ERA for a last-place team and be named an All-Star for the first time.

Can ya dig it: I always enjoy the "separate worlds" baseball stadium shot, where players are shown in the dugout while activity goes on above them in the stands. It really seems like two distinct worlds. Hell, different planets even.

Right on: The shoulder stripes never appealed to me.

You see that cat Wise is a bad mother: In this very season of 1971, Wise pitched a no-hitter against the Reds and hit two home runs in a 4-0 victory. For the year he hit six home runs.

Shut your mouth: Wise has one of my favorite quotes about the designated hitter: "The designated hitter rule is like having someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws." I don't expect today's specialized world to understand that.

No one understands him but his woman: Wise is part of one of the most lopsided trades in history, the deal that sent Steve Carlton from the Cardinals to the Phillies. But Wise, at the time, was viewed as a more reliable pitcher than Carlton, who had somewhat raw, unharnessed ability then.

(A word about the back): Can you imagine giving a pep-talk to the Little League team that did nothing but strike out against one guy for six innings?

no. 574 - jim bunning

Who is the man: Jim Bunning was in his final major league season when this card was issued. He had returned to the Phillies in 1970 after bouncing between the Pirates and Dodgers in 1968 and 1969.

Can ya dig it: Bunning senses a disturbance in the stands.

Right on: This is the final card issued during his career.

You see that cat Bunning is a bad mother: Lots to cite for the Hall of Famer, but I didn't know that when Bunning retired, he was second only to Walter Johnson in career strikeouts with 2,855.

Shut your mouth: Bunning was elected to the city council in his native Kentucky in 1977. That started a political career that would include terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate until he stepped away in 2009. During the state Senate race in 2004, Bunning said his opponent "looked like one of Saddam Hussein's sons" and later accused one of his opponent's staffers of roughing up his wife during an event.

No one understands him but his woman: Bunning pitched the fifth perfect game in major league history, against the Mets in 1964. He's the only player to throw a perfect game on Father's Day, which is appropriate as he has nine children.

(A word about the back): The bio is correct. Bunning did indeed reach 100 career National League victories during the 1970 season. He finished 1970 with 101 career NL wins.

no. 554 - lowell palmer

Who is the man: Lowell Palmer was coming off the most active season of his five-year career when this card was issued. He appeared in 38 games, all but nine in relief, in 1970.

Can ya dig it: Powell is reprising his role on his 1970 Topps rookie card as the Joe Cool of major league baseball.

Right on: Powell is featured on just three Topps cards (1970-72). He's wearing dark glasses on two of them and slightly less-tinted glasses in '72.

You see that cat Powell is a bad mother: I'm going to cite this post one more time. Everything in it, especially the comments, will explain everything you need to know.

Also, there's this lead to a 1971 story: "A gorgeous redhead walked into the Philadelphia minor league complex here.

"'It has to be one of Lowell Palmer's girlfriends,' a bystander said."

Shut your mouth: Powell was inducted into the Sacramento Area Baseball Hall of Fame in February. In a comment about the news on the Hall's Facebook page, a woman posted: "Make sure you tell him his 'Padrette' girlfriend has never forgotten! Remember Sheiba!" I don't fully know what that means, but Palmer did end his major league career with the Padres in 1974.

No one understands him but his woman: While pitching for Triple A Syracuse in 1974, Palmer's "lady friend" drove his sports car from California to Syracuse. In a Syracuse-Herald Journal story, Palmer said the car was sideswiped near Buffalo, rolled over eight times and was totaled. The girlfriend was hospitalized and Palmer drove to Buffalo to check on her before returning to Syracuse and pitching a six-hitter in a 5-1 victory.

(A word about the back): There aren't a lot of card photos of Palmer without his frames. This particular photo is from the 1970 Philadelphia Phillies yearbook.

no. 533 - mike ryan

Who is the man: Mike Ryan endured an injury-plagued 1970 season and appeared in just 46 games. It would mark the end of his status as a sometimes starting catcher.

Can ya dig it: I suppose the lifetime .193 hitter does need two bats.

Right on: I'd love to know who the batter is at right. It appears he's wearing a double-digit uniform number that starts with 2. The players on the Phillies roster in 1970 with such a number were Jim Hutto (20), Ron Stone (21), Larry Hisle (22), Oscar Gamble (23), Byron Browne (24), Scott Reid (25), Sam Parrilla (27) and pitcher Grant Jackson (29). That's as far as I can take it.

You see that cat Ryan is a bad mother: Ryan's career fielding percentage is .991 (34 errors in 3,382 chances), which is in the top 75 among all major league catchers.

Shut your mouth: Red Sox manager Billy Herman raved over Ryan's defense, saying "there is only a hairline difference between Ryan and (Elston) Howard in defensive ability."

No one understands him but his woman: Ryan was traded for the first time in his career less than two months after getting married, going from the World Series runner-up Red Sox to the Phillies.

(A word about the back): Excluding the one game he played in 1964, Ryan batted above .199 in just three seasons of his 11-year career.

no. 511 - chris short

Who is the man: Chris Short was coming off his so-called comeback season when this card was issued. He missed almost the entire 1969 season due to back problems and gave the Phillies 36 starts in 1970, but he wasn't quite the same as he was from 1964-68.

Can ya dig it: This is one of my favorite cards in the set -- action shot with Pete Rose leading off second base and an Alpo dog food advertisement on the outfield wall.

Right on: The best part is the dog peering between Short's legs.

You see that cat Short is a bad mother: Short won 20 games for the Phillies in 1966, and won 19 and 18 games two other seasons.

Shut your mouth: Short struggled for the Phillies early in his career, once prompting manager Gene Mauch to say he'd trade him "for a bale of hay."

No one understands him but his woman: Short was called "Styles" by teammates because he wore mismatched clothes and carried them around in a brown paper bag.

(A word about the back): Short blew the National League's lead in the sixth inning of the 1964 All-Star Game, setting up Phillies teammate Johnny Callison's game-winning home run in the bottom of the 9th for the NL. Short fared better in the 1967 game, pitching two shutout innings (the 9th and 10th) in the NL's 15-inning victory.

no. 490 - deron johnson

Who is the man: Deron Johnson was in the midst of a career renaissance when this card was issued. He hit 27 home runs and knocked in 93 runs in 1970. Both totals were his best since his monster season in 1965.

Can ya dig it: It looks like Johnson had a heck of a time signing the "D" in his first name.

Right on: Another favorite from my early years of owning 1971s. You could shoot a closeup of Johnson in that pose (well, in 1971 you couldn't, but you can now), but this is so much more fun. Look, Johnson is playing in front the largest air vent in the world!

You see that cat Johnson is a bad mother: Johnson finished fourth in the MVP voting in 1965 after hitting 31 homers and droving in 130 runs for the Reds. Johnson did have the good fortune of hitting behind Frank Robinson that year.

Shut your mouth: Johnson was diagnosed with lung cancer while serving as hitting coach for the Angels in 1991. He died in April of 1992.

No one understands him but his woman: Johnson was the first major league player to hit 20 home runs in a season while playing for teams in the American and National leagues. In 1973, he had one whole home run with the Phillies and 19 with the A's.

(A word about the back): Johnson received a bunch of football scholarship offers out of high school, including one from Notre Dame.

no. 465 - tim mc carver

Who is the man: Tim McCarver had completed his first season with the Phillies when this card was issued. He appeared in just 44 games for Philadelphia in 1970 after breaking his finger on a foul tip off the bat of Willie Mays.

Can ya dig it: This is McCarver's first card appearance in a Phillies uniform. He's listed with the Phillies in the 1970 Topps set, but his photo is a close-cropped head shot so you can't see McCarver's Cardinals uniform.

Right on: Lots of stuff going on in the background. Security on the left side. Phillies lined up on the right.

You see that cat McCarver is a bad mother: McCarver set a major league record for the most triples in a season by a catcher when he hit 13 in 1966.

Shut your mouth: I could go the broadcasting route here, but instead I'll go here.

No one understands him but his woman: McCarver and his wife, Anne, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary just last year.

(A word about the back): When I was a kid, I didn't know a thing about the minor leagues. I often wonder while reading the minor-league-heavy '71 write-ups whether the kids collecting then had any idea what they were reading.

no. 439 - phillies rookie stars

Who is the man: Both Greg Luzinski and Scott Reid spent most of the 1970 season shooting up minor league ball. Luzinski battered Double A while Reid blasted Triple A. Both had brief stints with the Phillies, but Luzinski hit .167 and Reid .122.

Can ya dig it: Luzinski looks like The Bull even at 20 years old.

Right on: It's interesting that Luzinski is listed as a first baseman. He would play first base only in his first two years with the Phillies, and then for a handful of games with the White Sox in 1983.

You see these rookies are bad mothers: Luzinski would go on to hit 307 career home runs but at this point he had none. Sorry, not bad-ass.

Shut your mouth: Reid's major league career was already done when this card was made.

No one understands him but his woman: Jean Luzinski dated and married a talented football player who went in the first round of the major league draft (Greg) and raised a talented football player who went in the first round of the major league draft (Ryan).

(A word about the back): Topps doesn't tell you which college team Scott Reid played for, but it was Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. He then went to Arizona State.

no. 414 - woodie fryman

Who is the man: Woodie Fryman completed his third season with the Phillies in 1970, spending more time in the bullpen than in previous years because of arm problems.

Can ya dig it: A diamond-cut card like this one seems to fit Fryman's quirky personality.

Right on: I identify Fryman so much with the Expos that it's odd to see him in a Phillies uniform (or Tigers or Pirates uniform).

You see that cat Fryman is a bad mother: At age 41, Fryman recorded a 1.88 ERA in 35 games of relief for the Expos in 1981.

Shut your mouth: During one game, Fryman gave up a winning home run to Joe Lis in the 10th inning. Lis, who was a friend of Fryman's, invited Fryman over for dinner. "I got even with him, though," Fryman said. "I ate him out of house and home."

No one understands him but his woman: Topps refers to Fryman as "Woody" on his cards in 1967, 1968 and 1969. I suppose you can't blame them though. The signature on Fryman's 1967 card reads "Woody."

(A word about the back): Fryman's shutout streak to start his career lasted 9 1/3 innings in which he allowed just three hits.

no. 366 - ron stone

Who is the man: Ron Stone enjoyed what would be the most successful season of his five-year major league career in 1970. He appeared in 123 games, supplying 84 hits and batting .262.

Can ya dig it: There's that lazy back swing we all know and love from 1970s cards.

Right on: Stone appeared on three different multi-player rookie cards before getting his first solo card in the 1970 set. That's usually the kiss of death for a prospect.

You see that cat Stone is a bad mother: Stone racked up more than 500 hits in the Orioles' minor league system over six seasons.

Shut your mouth: Stone was an unfortunate player in the final game at Connie Mack Stadium on Oct. 1, 1970. For the last game, the Phillies distributed seat slats to fans in hopes of keeping them from taking pieces of the stadium with them. But fans used the slats as clubs and hurled them onto the field. A bunch of fans charged onto the field during the ninth inning and one fan grabbed Stone as he was nearing a fly ball. Stone missed the ball and the Expos scored the tying run (the Phillies wound up winning the game in the 10th, but fans charged onto the field at game's end to take souvenirs and farewell ceremonies were called off).

No one understands him but his woman: Successful country singer/songwriter Jon Stone is the son of Ron Stone and his first wife, Arlene. Jon Stone has written No. 1 country songs for artists like Rascal Flatts.

(A word about the back):  The 27-inning game that is mentioned was won 2-1 by Elmira at Dunn Field in Elmira. It took six hours and 24 minutes to play.

no. 352 - denny doyle

Who is the man: Denny Doyle was coming off his rookie season in the majors, appearing in 112 games for the Phillies with 413 at-bats and a .208 batting average.

Can ya dig it: Once again it takes scanning for me to notice a diamond-cut card.

Right on: First solo card! He appears with Larry Bowa on a rookie stars card in the 1970 set.

You see that cat Doyle is a bad mother: Doyle was the only player on the Red Sox or Reds to hit safely in all seven games of the epic 1975 World Series.

Shut your mouth: Doyle was thrown out at the plate by George Foster in the 9th inning of Game 6 of the '75 World Series to force the game into extra innings. Three innings later, Carlton Fisk would hit his dramatic home run to win the game. Doyle would tell Fisk: "You ought to thank me. If I had scored the winning run, you wouldn't be nearly as famous."

No one understands him but his woman: On Doyle's website for his very successful baseball school, he claims to be a pioneer in the use of video for evaluating baseball talent.

(A word about the back): 413 at-bats and 16 RBIs!

no. 323 - billy champion

Who is the man: After appearing in 23 games as a rookie in 1969, Billy Champion spent most of his 1970 season in the minors. What few appearances he had in the majors that year didn't end well.

Can ya dig it: Billy's first name isn't Billy at all! It's Buford! It's right there in the signature! (Champion's middle name is Billy. Not "Bill", but "Billy", like a good North Carolina boy).

Right on: Somewhere between now and 1975, Champion acquired the habit of dotting the I's in his signature with circles.

You see this cat Champion is a bad mother: I have mentioned this at least a few times, but I always thought "Billy Champion" was the best name for an athlete ever.

Shut your mouth: The Phillies traded Billy Champion and Don Money to the Brewers in 1972. That's right, they traded two of the most awesome baseball names of the '70s in the same deal. They deserved to lose all their playoff series that decade.

No one understands him but his woman: Champion worked as a pitching coach for a professional team in Taiwan in 2010.

(A word about the back): As a youngster, Champion was known for impressive strikeout games like the 22-K game. He also struck out 19 in a game for the Gastonia, N.C. Legion team in 1964.

no. 297 - johnny briggs

Who is the man: Johnny Briggs was entering his final season with the Phillies in 1971. In fact, he had probably been traded to the Brewers by the time collectors received this card.

Can ya dig it: Briggs is referred to as "Johnny" on most of his cards (not all), but you can see his signature is "John."

Right on: Briggs is one of those fun guys whose hair gets progressively longer on his cards each year. The difference between his 1965 and 1976 Topps cards is terrific.

You see this cat Briggs is a bad mother: On Aug. 4, 1973, Briggs, who hit 18 home runs that season, went 6-for-6 from the lead-off position in the Brewers' 9-4 victory over the Indians. He didn't drive in a single run.

Shut your mouth: According to Bill James' Historical Abstract, Briggs was the catalyst for a incident between teammates Dick Allen and Frank Thomas in 1965. Allen felt that Thomas, who was known for having some fun with the rookies, was going overboard with Briggs. When Thomas was in the cage hitting, Allen said something that irked Thomas, who said something that irked Allen. That led to a brawl and Thomas was released by the Phillies after the game that day.

No one understands him but his woman: Briggs worked as a corrections officer for 25 years after his career. His wife was a detective in the same sheriff's department in Passaic County.

(A word about the back): American Legion highlights. (*shakes head*)

no. 268 - phillies

Who is the man: The Philadelphia Phillies were the second worst team in the NL East entering the 1971 season. Only the second-year Expos kept them out of the basement in 1970.

Can ya dig it: This is the first team card since way back when I displayed the first card in the set. I had no idea that all the team cards arrived much later in the set.

Right on: I'm not sure what that light green area is -- perhaps a mat to make the guys sitting on the ground a little more comfortable?

You see this cat Lucchesi is a bad mother: I believe manager Frank Lucchesi is dead center in the middle row, wearing No. 1.

Shut your mouth: I can't name a lot of players in this picture as the 1970 Phillies are sort of anonymous and their numbers aren't very visible. I do know a young Larry Bowa is the sitting on the ground third from the left. Next to him is Tony Taylor. In the back row, fourth from the right is Rick Wise. Next to him is Woodie Fryman. That's about all I've got.

No one understands him but his woman: I'm going to guess that the man in the splendid red jacket is either general manager Jim Quinn or owner Robert Carpenter Jr.

(A word about the back): It's interesting to me that the color background behind the stats here is a light green but with the Orioles team card it was white.

no. 246 - tony taylor

Who is the man: Thirteen years into his career, Tony Taylor hit above .300 for the first time in 1970. But he'd be traded by the Phillies to the Tigers in June of 1971 for a couple of minor leaguers.

Can ya dig it: A bit of an odd pose there. Taylor appears to be rearing back to throw, which you don't normally see from a non-pitcher on a card. It's also a little odd that it's next to the batting cage.

Right on: Let's break down the "infield" designation on Taylor's card. He played 59 games at second in 1970, 38 games at third and one at shortstop. He also played in the outfield 18 times.

You see this cat Taylor is a bad mother: Taylor, although he played for 19 years, is probably best known for his diving play at second base that robbed the Mets' Jesse Gonder of a hit and preserved Jim Bunning's perfect game in 1964.

Shut your mouth: Taylor played for the Phillies for 15 seasons, but he cried when he learned that he was traded from the Cubs to the Phillies in 1960. "I was angry, hurt," Taylor told the Allentown Morning-Call. "I was playing day games next to the great Ernie Banks. I did not want to go to this strange place -- Philadelphia."

No one understands him but his woman: As of 1998, Taylor had hit the most career home runs for a player who never hit as many as 10 in a season. The most he hit was nine in 1970 and he finished with 75 for his career.

(A word about the back): Taylor held the Phillies' record for most career games played at second base until Chase Utley broke it.