1981 Topps Paul Mirabella

The front: Mirabella unloads a pitch on a sunny day at Yankee Stadium. This is June 1, 1980, a loss for Mirabella and the Blue Jays. Mirabella was pulled from the game in the bottom of the fifth with two runners on, after allowing a single to Lou Piniella to tie the game. Tom Buskey was brought in, and he immediately gave up a 3-run home run to Bobby Brown, giving the Yankees a lead they would not relinquish, in a game that ended with an 11-7 final. Third baseman Roy Howell can be seen in the photo; Howell went 2-for-5 with a run scored in the loss.

The back: Mirabella's 136 strikeouts edged the #2 man, Don Robinson of the Pirates, by four K's.

The player: Journeyman pitcher Paul Mirabella pitched for six teams over parts of thirteen seasons, mostly with the Mariners and Brewers. 1980 was his one years as a starter; he was mostly used as a middle reliever. His best season was 1988 with Milwaukee, when he went 2-2 with 4 saves and a 1.65 ERA in 38 games. Overall in 298 games (33 starts), he went 19-29 with 13 saves and a 4.45 ERA.

The man: After his playing career, he returned to his native New Jersey, where he opened Garfield Tire in Clifton.

My collection: I have 16 of his cards, from 1981 to 1991. I would be interested in trading for 1988 ProCards #1258.