Cake or gum? 1976 Jerry Grote

 Last time cake beat gum, 6-3. Will gum come out on top this time?

Two very different, but excellent, photos of Mets catcher Jerry Grote. Hostess has him in a hitting pose, with a great look at the fans just starting to get into their seats at Shea Stadium. Topps, meanwhile, has a closeup photo of Grote catching.

In his 11+ years as the Mets' primary catcher, Jerry Grote was considered one of the best defensive catchers in the game, though he never won a Gold Glove. He was also considered an excellent handler of pitchers, and his guidance of the Mets' young staff helped them to their surprise 1969 World Series win. At the plate he was an adequate hitter with doubles power. In 1,421 games for the Colt .45's, Mets, Dodgers and Royals he hit .252 with 160 doubles, 22 HRs and 404 RBI. In his retirement he did a little coaching and a little announcing, and worked in a variety of other industries, including real estate and cattle ranching. He died in April at the age of 81.