1981 Topps Wayne Gross

The front: A concerned-looking Gross in close-up along a green wall.

The back: Gross started three triple plays between May 7 and June 23. He never started another one, though he participated in one in 1983.

The player: Gross was an All-Star in his rookie year of 1977, hitting .233 with 22 HR and 63 RBI. He played several more years on the mostly bad A’s teams of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, but didn’t match those power numbers until being traded to Baltimore in 1984, where he hit 22 HR again.

The man: Gross was a youth coach for many years. He also appeared in the movie Angels in the Outfield.

My collection: I have 23 of his cards, from 1977 to 1986. I would be interested in trading for 1984 Fleer Update #45.