Player Profile: Tommy Boggs

I have eleven cards of Tommy Boggs. This one is from 1982 Fleer. 

Playing career: Tommy Boggs was the second overall pick in the 1974 draft, and was in the majors with the Rangers two years later. He had a decent rookie season (1-7 record but with a 3.49 ERA but he struggled mightily in 1977 prompting the Rangers to ship him to Atlanta as part of a four-player trade. He pitched well for Atlanta in 1980 and 1982, but not very well in 1978, 1979, 1981 and 1983. He returned to the majors briefly with Texas in 1985. Overall, in 114 games he went 20-44 with a 4.22 ERA, disappointing numbers for such a high draft pick. A fuller account of his career can be found at the 1977 and 1982 Topps blogs. 

Where he is now: He is the head baseball coach at Concordia University and owns Austin Slam Baseball.

Interesting facts: In 1984 he was sentenced to a year of probation and a $1,000 fine for being part of a sports gambling ring. He claims to have never bet on baseball.

My memories: Before my time. Only know him from his card.

Google Autocomplete results: He is first when you type Tommy Bog, ahead of Tommy Bogart, an IT consultant in Phoenix. Another prominent Tommy Boggs is a lawyer and lobbyist in Washington whose firm was recently acquired.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Wade Boggs.