1981 pete vuckovich

pete vuckovich was traded from the cardinals to the brewers in december of 1980.  here is his 1981 o-pee-chee card:

here's the topps front:

now the o-pee-chee back:

and the topps back:

i appreciate that the o-pee-chee card is brighter and much less sinister looking.

vuckovich paid immediate dividends for the brew crew.  he won 14 games in the strike shortened 1981 season and helped milwaukee to the postseason for the first time.  he was the winning pitcher in game 4 of the '81 alds against the yankees which was a 'win or go home' game for the brewers.  he also pitched in game 5, but the brewers lost and went home. 

in 1982, vuckovich improved on his 1981 season by winning 18 games and the cy young award.  the brewers also advanced to the world series for the first time where they faced vuckovich's old mates.  vuckovich started two games (including game 7) in the series, but the cardinals were victorious in both.

voici à vous, 1981 pete vuckovich!