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Rene George Lachemann
Kansas City Athletics
Catcher
Born: May 4, 1945, Los Angeles, CA
Signed: Signed by the Kansas City Athletics as an amateur free agent before 1964 season
Major League Teams: Kansas City Athletics 1965-1966; Oakland Athletics
As a Manager: Seattle Mariners 1981-1983; Milwaukee Brewers 1984; Florida Marlins 1993-1996; Chicago Cubs 2002
Claude Edward Lockwood
Kansas City Athletics
Infield
Born: August 17, 1946, Roslindale, MA
Signed: Signed by the Kansas City Athletics as an amateur free agent, June 10, 1964
Major League Teams: Seattle Pilots 1969; Milwaukee Brewers 1970-1973; California Angels 1974; New York Mets 1975-1979; Boston Red Sox 1980
Johnny Lee Odom
Kansas City Athletics
Pitcher
Born: May 29, 1945, Macon, GA
Signed: Signed by the Kansas City Athletics as an amateur free agent, June 1, 1964
Major League Teams: Kansas City Athletics 1964-1967; Oakland Athletics 1968-1975; Cleveland Indians 1975; Atlanta Braves 1975; Chicago White Sox 1976
James Augustus Hunter
Kansas City Athletics
Pitcher
Born: April 8, 1946, Hertford, NC
Signed: Signed by the Kansas City Athletics as an amateur free agent before, June 8, 1964
Major League Teams: Kansas City Athletics 1965-1967; Oakland Athletics 1968-1974; New York Yankees 1975-1979
Hall of Fame Induction: 1987
Died: September 9, 1999, Hertford, NC (age 53)
Rene Lachemann played in only parts of three seasons with the Athletics, but he'd be a part of the game for nearly 50 years as a major league manager and coach. Lachemann batted .210 in 118 career games with nine home runs. He began his managerial career in 1973 in the Oakland farm system, and his first shot at managing in the majors came in 1981 with the Mariners. Lachemann coached with the Red Sox (1985-1986) and Athletics (1987-1992), before being named as the first manager in Marlins franchise history. He'd later coach with the Cardinals (1997-1999), Cubs (2000-2002), Mariners (2004), Athletics (2005-2007) and Rockies (2013). Lachemann's career managerial record was 430-561.
Blue Moon Odom spent a dozen years pitching for the Athletics, earning two trips to the All-Star Game and winning three consecutive World Series rings with the team between 1972 and 1974. Odom's two best seasons came during the franchises's first two years in Oakland. In 1968, he was 16-10 with a 2.45 ERA and pitched two scoreless innings in the All-Star Game. In 1969, he was 15-6 with a 2.92 ERA. Odom was stellar in three postseasons for the Athletics, going 3-1 in 10 games with a 1.13 ERA in 39 2/3 innings pitched. In his final season, while pitching with the White Sox, Odom threw a combined no-hitter against the Athletics with reliever Francisco Barrios. Lifetime, Odom was 84-85 with a 3.70 ERA in 295 games pitched.
Hall of Famer Catfish Hunter was one of the most dominant pitchers of his era, winning the Cy Young Award in 1974, earning eight All-Star Game bids and winning a total of five World Series rings with the Athletics and Yankees. Hunter pitched a perfect game on May 8, 1968, the ninth in baseball history. He won 20 games or more in five straight seasons, including 25 in his Cy Young winning year of 1974. He also led the league that season with a 2.49 ERA. Hunter won 224 games, had a career ERA of 3.26 and tallied 181 complete games with 42 shutouts. He struck out 2,012 in a career cut short by arm injuries and diabetes. Hunter was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987 and had his #27 retired by the Athletics in 1991. He passed away in 1999 after a battle with ALS.
Building the Set
December 4, 2021 from The Philly Show (America's Pastime) - Card #483
After completing my hunt through the 1965 Topps binders at Uncle's Dick spacious set up of tables at The Philly Show, I stretched my legs and updated our checklist. I've posted a complete summary of this fantastic show over at The Phillies Room. I had enough of my card show budget remaining to seek out one fairly major purchase, and Doug and I began to make our way through the crowded showroom floor, stopping at tables with 1965 Topps star cards displayed. We stopped at the table for America's Pastime, and I asked to see two cards - this Hunter rookie card and the Yogi Berra (#470) card. I made what I considered to be a reasonable offer for the Hunter card, less than the stated sticker price, and the dealer accepted.
With the Hunter card in hand, along with 96 other new cards for our 1965 Topps set, Doug and I exited the show and began the hour long drive home. We'd add one more card to our set in 2021, courtesy of Santa on Christmas morning.
The Card / Athletics Team Set
This is the first appearance of all four players on a Topps baseball card. Topps reused Lachemann's photo for his 1966 Topps card. Lockwood wouldn't show up again until the 1970 Topps set on a Pilots card, with his position now pitcher instead of infielder. Topps misidentifies Hunter as "Tim" on the back of the card, and the "NO MINOR LEAGUE RECORD" line is due to Hunter never playing a game in the minor leagues.
1965 Season - Lachemann
This was Lachemann's only full season in the majors, and he served as the back-up to regular catcher Billy Bryan (#51). Lachemann appeared in 92 games, batting .227 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs. He made 54 starts behind the plate for an Athletics team that lost 103 games.
This was Lachemann's only full season in the majors, and he served as the back-up to regular catcher Billy Bryan (#51). Lachemann appeared in 92 games, batting .227 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs. He made 54 starts behind the plate for an Athletics team that lost 103 games.
1965 Season - Odom
A September call-up, Odom appeared in only one game for the Athletics, on September 22nd. He pitched one inning against the Senators, allowing a run on a pair of hits and a pair of walks. With the Class-A Lewiston Broncs, he was 11-14 with a 4.27 ERA in 29 starts.
A September call-up, Odom appeared in only one game for the Athletics, on September 22nd. He pitched one inning against the Senators, allowing a run on a pair of hits and a pair of walks. With the Class-A Lewiston Broncs, he was 11-14 with a 4.27 ERA in 29 starts.
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Other Notable Baseball Cards - Lacheman
First Mainstream Card: 1965 Topps #526
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (8): 1965-1968, 1983-1985, 1993
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2017 Topps Heritage Real One Autographs #ROA-RL
41 - Lachemann non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 3/12/22.
Sources - Lachemann:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
SABR
The Trading Card Database
Wikipedia
Other Notable Baseball Cards - Odom
First Mainstream Card: 1965 Topps #526
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (11): 1965, 1967-1976
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2021 Topps Archives Movie Poster Cards #MPC-10
66 - Odom non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 3/12/22.
Sources - Odom:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
SABR
The Trading Card Database
Wikipedia
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1965 Season - Lockwood
As a bonus baby signing, Lockwood was required to spend the entire 1965 season on the Athletics' active roster. He appeared in 42 games overall, but started only twice at third base. He was used as pinch-hitter 32 times and as a pinch-runner six times. Lockwood batted .121 (4 for 33) with nary an extra-base hit.
As a bonus baby signing, Lockwood was required to spend the entire 1965 season on the Athletics' active roster. He appeared in 42 games overall, but started only twice at third base. He was used as pinch-hitter 32 times and as a pinch-runner six times. Lockwood batted .121 (4 for 33) with nary an extra-base hit.
1965 Season - Hunter
Hunter made his big league debut on May 13, 1965, a month following his 19th birthday. He was the team's most often used fifth starter, going 8-8 with 32 appearances, including 20 starts. He struck out 82 in 133 innings pitched.
Hunter made his big league debut on May 13, 1965, a month following his 19th birthday. He was the team's most often used fifth starter, going 8-8 with 32 appearances, including 20 starts. He struck out 82 in 133 innings pitched.
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Other Notable Baseball Cards - Lockwood
First Mainstream Card: 1965 Topps #526
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (13): 1965, 1970-1981
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 1981 Donruss #217
36 - Lockwood non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 3/12/22.
Sources - Lockwood:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
SABR
The Trading Card Database
Wikipedia
Other Notable Baseball Cards - Hunter
First Mainstream Card: 1965 Topps #526
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (15): 1965-1979
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2021 Topps Heritage 1972 World Series Highlights #72WS-3
678 - Hunter non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 3/12/22.
Sources - Hunter:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
National Baseball Hall of Fame
SABR
The Trading Card Database
Wikipedia
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Next Card: #527 Jeff Torborg - Los Angeles Dodgers
Although Hunter never played in the minors, he missed a year after being signed, due to some needed surgery (I can't recall why - possibly a hunting accident).
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