The front: Nice action photo with some dirt being kicked up. Judging by the fans in the background, I'm thinking this might be a warmup pitch rather than game action. Also thinking maybe a little league team in their jerseys with all that yellow in Philadelphia.
The back: Noles played for the American Legion's Paw Creek Post 353 team which produced several big leaguers, including Tommy Helms and Ray Durham.
The player: Noles came up as a starter with the Phillies in 1979. He moved to the bullpen in 1980 and put up solid numbers as the team won their first World Series. His brushback of George Brett in Game 4 of that series is considered by some as a turning point in the Series. He returned to the starting rotation in 1981 but struggled again, and was traded to the Cubs. With the Cubs he continued to struggle, and he bounced around the majors and minors throughout the rest of the 1980s. He pitched for six teams in 11 seasons, going 36-53 with 11 saves and a 4.56 ERA.
The man: Noles got into a fight with a police officer early in the 1983 season, spending 16 days in jail and entering court-ordered alcoholism rehabilitation. Noles has been sober since that incident, crediting Alcoholics Anonymous for saving his life, and he has spent much of his post-playing career speaking to young people about the dangers of alcohol and drug use, and works for the Phillies' Employee Assistance Program.
My collection: I have 26 of his cards, from 1980 to 1990. I would be interested in trading for 1990 CMC #231.
After Noles and Thon... I haven't seen the name Dickie on baseball cards anymore. That story about becoming sober and turning his life around is good to hear.
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