1981 Topps Bob Knepper

 

The front: Quite a dynamic action photo at Shea Stadium. This game would be June 15, 1980, Knepper's best start of the season. He pitched his only shutout of the year, a 3-0 whitewash of the Mets, striking out seven while walking just one. 

The back: Knepper's high school heroics came for the Calistoga (CA) Wildcats.

The player: During his fifteen year career for the Giants and Astros, Knepper was either quite good or very bad. He had some solid seasons in the late 70s for the Giants and mid-80s for the Astros, but had some real stinkers too. Overall the numbers balanced out to a 146-155 record and a 3.68 ERA.

The man: Knepper is best-known for his anti-women's rights and anti-LGBT attitude which surfaced after a spring training game umpired by Pam Postema. After the game he told reporters "God created women to be feminine. I don’t think they should be competing with men. It has nothing to do with her ability. I don’t think women should be in any position of leadership. I don’t think they should be presidents or politicians. I think women were created not in an inferior position, but in a role of submission to men. You can be a woman umpire if you want, but that doesn’t mean it’s right. You can be a homosexual if you want, but that doesn’t mean that’s right either."

My collection: I have 53 of his cards, from 1978 to 1990. I would be interested in trading for 1979 Hostess #52.