1981 Topps Tom Burgmeier

 

The front: Tom Burgmeier is seen here firing off a pitch at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. He pitched in two day games in Baltimore in 1980, as the Red Sox beat the Orioles on Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6. On Saturday he preserved a 1-0 win, coming in with a runner on third and one out in the eighth inning and getting the last five outs for the save. On Sunday he came into another jam, with the bases loaded and two outs, with a 6-3 lead. He walked Rick Dempsey to force in a run, but got Eddie Murray to ground out to end the threat. After a 1-2-3 eighth, he walked two batters in the ninth and was relieved by Bob Stanley who got the final out for the save.

The back: Of the players whose career was long enough to prevent a cartoon or blurb on the back, Burgmeier was surely one of the least famous.

The player: Tom Burgmeier was a solid short- and middle-reliever who pitched for five teams from 1968 to 1984, mostly Kansas City, Minnesota and Boston. He never pitched in the postseason, and rarely put up big save totals, so he is largely forgotten today. He was coming off his best season when this card was released, saving 24 games and making his only All-Star team. Overall in 745 games he went 79-55 with 102 saves and a 3.23 ERA.

The man: Burgmeier was a long-time minor league pitching coach after his playing career. He is now retired and living in Kansas.

My collection: I have 32 of his cards, from 1969 to 1985. I would be interested in 1982 Brigham's/Coca-Cola #2.