#526 Athletics Rookie Stars - Lachemann / Odom / Lockwood / Hunter

Rene George Lachemann
Kansas City Athletics
Catcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'0"  Weight:  198
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

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  175
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

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'0"  Weight:  178
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

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'0"  Weight:  190
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.

Originally drafted as an infielder by the Athletics, Skip Lockwood appeared in only 42 games with the club.  He'd return to the big leagues in 1969 with the Pilots, but as a pitcher.  Lockwood pitched in five seasons with the Pilots/Brewers and was a 10-game winner in 1971.  He spent most of his career with the Mets, where he was a 10-game winner for a second time in 1976.  Lockwood was one of the Mets' most heavily used relievers between 1976 and 1978, appearing in at least 56 games in all three seasons and saving a career-high 20 games in 1977.  For his career, Lockwood was 57-97 with a 3.55 ERA.

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.

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.

1966 Topps #157

1968 Topps #422

1983 Topps #336

1985 Topps #628

1993 Topps #505

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

1967 Topps #282

1970 Topps #55

1972 Topps #558

1974 Topps #461

1976 Topps #651

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.

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.

1970 Topps #499

1972 Topps #118

1976 Topps #166

1979 Topps #481

1981 Topps #233

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

1966 Topps #36

1970 Topps #565

1974 Topps #7

1976 Topps #100

1979 Topps #670

Previous Card:  #525 Eddie Bressoud - Boston Red Sox

Next Card:  #527 Jeff Torborg - Los Angeles Dodgers

#210 Jim Fregosi - Los Angeles Angels

James Louis Fregosi
Los Angeles Angels
Shortstop

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  190
Born:  April 4, 1942, San Francisco, CA
Signed:  Signed by the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent before 1960 season
Major League Teams:  Los Angeles Angels 1961-1965; California Angels 1966-1971; New York Mets 1972-1973; Texas Rangers 1973-1977; Pittsburgh Pirates 1977-1978
As a Manager:  California Angels 1978-1981; Chicago White Sox 1986-1988; Philadelphia Phillies 1991-1996; Toronto Blue Jays 1999-2000
Died:  February 14, 2014, Miami, FL (age 71)

A six-time All-Star and a Gold Glove shortstop, Jim Fregosi was the first star of the expansion Los Angeles Angels before his trade to the Mets in December 1971 for future Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan.  Fregosi led the league in triples with 13 in 1968 and won his Gold Glove in 1967.  He held most of the Angels' franchise hitting records until Brian Downing began breaking them in the late 1980s.  Over his 18-year career, Fregosi hit .265 with 151 home runs and 706 RBIs.  He was inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame in 1989 and the club retired his #11 in 1998.

Following his playing days, Fregosi was a successful manager, leading the Angels to their first playoff berth in 1979 and the Phillies to the World Series in 1993.  His 15-year managerial career spanned between 1978 and 2000, earning him a career record of 1028-1094.  A baseball lifer, he spent five full decades in the game earning friends at each franchise he joined.  Fregosi was the top advance scout for the Braves in 2014 when a series of strokes led to his passing.

Building the Set
December 7, 2019 from King of Prussia, PA - Card #9
Earlier this month, Doug and I attended the Philadelphia Sportscard & Memorabilia Show held inside the Valley Forge Casino.  After meeting Benito Santiago, Brad Lidge and Ryan Howard and having secured the first five cards for our 1965 Topps set, I continued scanning tables for the final two cards I needed to complete my 1971 Topps set.

1993 Medford Phillies Update - 1993 All-Stars

I found a dealer with organized binders of vintage Topps cards, and I dug in.  Quickly finding the last two cards I needed from 1971 - #662 Mike Hedlund and #715 Horace Clarke,  both in great shape - I started browsing through binders from other years, in search of cards for my 1960s Phillies team sets.  I added five cards (all high numbers) for those sets and then decided to look through the 1965 Topps binder, figuring Doug wouldn't mind if I added a few more cards to our set.  I found four more sharp cards for our set, featuring players who all had some meaning for me personally.  This Fregosi card was the second of those four cards along with Robin Roberts (#15), Juan Pizarro (#125) and Harvey Haddix (#67).  For all 11 cards, the dealer gave me a price of $62, which I felt was fair given I had calculated a price of $75 in my head for the lot.

The Card
File this in the category of things I never knew:  The Los Angeles Angels changed their name to the California Angels on September 2, 1965, with a month remaining in the 1965 season.  Since they were the Los Angeles Angels for most of the 1965 season, that's what I'm going with in these posts.

Fregosi's 140 hits and 72 RBIs were tops on the 1964 Angels team, and he finished second in home runs with 18 behind the 21 hit by Joe Adcock.  Fregosi, at card #39, is one of 72 players featured within the 1965 Topps Embossed insert set and one of three Angels in the set.  He's also in the harder to find 1965 Topps Transfers insert set.

1965 Season
This was the only season between 1964 and 1970 in which Fregosi wasn't named to the A.L. All-Star team.  As the Angels' starting shortstop, he hit .277 over 161 games with a team-leading 15 home runs and 64 RBIs.  As was the case for much of the 1960s, Fregosi was the team's MVP, but the Angels still finished in 7th place with a 75-87 record for manager Bill Rigney (#66).  1965 was also the Angels' final season sharing Dodger Stadium, and as noted above they changed their name to the California Angels late in the season in anticipation of their move into the new Anaheim Stadium.

Phillies Career
Fregosi was originally hired by the Phillies by his former teammate and friend Lee Thomas (#111) on May 29, 1989 as a special assignment assistant to Thomas, the team's general manager.  He was serving as a minor league pitching instructor and part-time broadcaster for the Phillies when Nick Leyva was fired in early 1991.  Fregosi was named the club's new manager on April 23, 1991, leading them to a third place finish that season, the club's best finish since 1986.  He guided the Phillies from a last place finish in 1992 to the World Series in 1993, only to lose the Series on Joe Carter's dramatic walk-off home run off Mitch Williams in Game 6.  Fregosi was credited with effectively leading a band of veteran cast-offs to an unexpected and improbable postseason run.

Unfortunately, it was all downhill for Fregosi and the Phillies following the 1993 season and the club wouldn't finish above .500 during the remainder of his tenure.  He was fired following the 1996 season, a dismal year in which the Phillies went 67-95 to finish in last place in the division.  In six years as Phillies manager, Fregosi had a 431-463 record and his win total is third behind Danny Ozark (594) and Charlie Manuel (780) for the club since 1970.

1962 Topps #209

1970 Topps #570

1975 Topps #339

1978 Topps #323

2001 Topps #345

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  1962 Topps #209
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (27):  1962-1976, 1978-1981, 1986-1989, 1991-1993, 2001
Most Recent Mainstream Card:  2002 Topps Archives #40

It's early, but Fregosi jumps into the lead of players featured so far on this blog with Topps flagship set appearances.  Between 1962 and 2001, Fregosi's cards can be found within 27 Topps base and update sets.

186 - Fregosi non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 12/16/19.

Sources:  
1992 Phillies Media Guide
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
The Phillies Room
SABR
The Trading Card Database

In some cases, the first and last cards listed above are subjective and chosen by me if multiple cards were released within the same year.  Most recent mainstream card may also be subjective and does not include extremely low serial numbered cards, buybacks or cut autograph cards.

Prior Card:  #209 Pittsburgh Pirates Team Card

Next Card:  #211 Steve Ridzik - Washington Senators