1977 gaylord perry

gaylord perry got the slight photo cropping and tilted facsimile autograph treatment from o-pee-chee in 1977.  here is perry's 1977 o-pee-chee card:

here's the topps front:

now the o-pee-chee back:

and the topps back:

first things first - the cartoon.  darrell johnson won a pennant with the red sox and two years later found himself managing an expansion team.  he never faced gaylord perry as player, and while he later managed the rangers, perry was long gone by then, even after a second stint with texas.

1977 was perry's last season with the rangers for a couple of years, anyway.  he went to san diego for the 1978 season (and won his second cy young award, becoming the first pitcher to win the award in both leagues) before returning to the rangers for a short time in 1980.  in 1977, however, perry won 15 games, 4 by shutout.  he twice struck out 13 batters in a game; the second time came against darrell johnson's mariners in perry's final start of the season.

it's worth noting that perry was around 37 years old when the photo for his card was taken.  he looks at least 10 years older than that.  the ol' spitball must age a pitcher something fierce.

voici à vous, 1977 gaylord perry!