Wood vs. Wood #92

Last time 1987 won big, 10-1. Who will come out on top this time?

It's the battle of the under-the-cap-bill poses! In the '60s Topps would photograph players like this to hedge their bets if someone was traded, so you could have a logo-less photo. By the '80s Topps was proud enough of their airbrushing skills to render that kind of shot obsolete, but this photo of Lugo still has plenty of under-the-cap green.

Do you know who led the National League in strikeouts three out of four years from 1955-1958? I wouldn't have guessed Sam Jones, would you? "Sad Sam" Jones pitched for the Cleveland Buckeyes of the Negro Leagues in 1947 and 1948, then spent many years in the Cleveland Indians organization, mostly in the minor leagues where he excelled, but with few chances to show off his talent in Cleveland. Before the 1955 season the Indians dealt Jones to the Cubs for Ralph Kiner, and at the age of 29 finally achieved stardom, being named to the All-Star team en route to a season when he led the NL in strikeouts and, on May 12, became the first Black pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the integrated major leagues. Jones had several excellent seasons for the Cubs, Cardinals and Giants. Jones struggled in '61, however, and was left unprotected in the expansion draft. He was drafted by Houston, who then traded him to Detroit. Early in the '62 season he was diagnosed with neck cancer, and had surgery and radiation treatments. He managed to appear in 30 games while undergoing raditation. He closed out his career with brief stints for the Cardinals and Orioles. Unfortunately, a few years later the cancer returned, and he passed away in 1971 at the age of 45.

Urbano Lugo had a solid rookie season for the Angels in 1985, going 3-4 with a 3.69 ERA in 20 games (10 starts). He failed to convert that season into a solid big league career. He spent most of the rest of his career bouncing between the major and minor leagues, appearing in 30 more games for the Angels, Expos and Tigers from 1986 to 1990. Lugo did have a successful career pitching in Venezuela, as did his father, Urbano Lugo Sr. The elder Lugo threw a no-hitter in January 1973; the younger in January 1986. Bo Diaz was the catcher for both. Lugo is now a coach in Venezuela.