1981 Topps Skip Lockwood

The front: Not the best look for Skip on a cold day in Detroit.

The back: This card back is actually missing Lockwood’s first major league season – he was a “bonus baby” third baseman for the Kansas City A’s in 1965, hitting .121 in 41 games. He converted to a pitcher in the minor leagues in 1968 and made it back to the majors to stay as a pitcher for the 1969 Seattle Pilots.

The player: 1980 was Lockwood’s final season, making this a sunset card. He spent most of the first half of the 1970s as a starter for the Brewers, going 28-55 despite a 3.75 ERA. He spent most of the second half was the Mets closer, with 65 saves over five years.

The man: The son of a Radio City Rockette, Lockwood is the only MIT graduate to pitch in the major leagues, having earned a master’s degree in finance and economics there after his playing career. He owned a sales and marketing company and also did some work in sports psychology. He recently wrote an autobiography, Insight Pitch: My Life as a Major League Closer.

My collection: I have 14 of his cards, from 1971 to 1981. I would be interested in trading for 1965 Topps #526 and 1970 Topps #499.