1981 Topps Geoff Zahn

 

The front: Zahn delivers a pitch at Yankee Stadium. The only day game Zahn pitched in the Bronx in 1980 was May 11. Weather reports indicated that there were scattered drizzles that day; note the fans with the umbrellas. Zahn allowed all five Yankee runs in a 5-0 loss. Graig Nettles drove in the game's first run with an RBI single in the third; later Ruppert Jones drove in three runs with a sac fly in the fifth and a single in the seventh. Tommy John pitched a complete game shutout for the Bombers.

The back: Zahn signed with California on December 2, 1980, which was enough time for Topps to get him into the 1981 Traded set with his new team.

The player: Geoff Zahn came up with the Dodgers in 1973 and also spent time with the Cubs before finding success with the Twins in 1977. He won 12+ games for four straight seasons for some mediocre Twins teams. He signed with the Angels for 1981 and struggled in his first season, leading the AL in earned runs and home runs allowed. However, he bounced back to win 18 games in 1982, earning a spot on the postseason Sporting News All-Star team. He had good seasons in 1983 and 1984 but injuries and ineffectiveness led him to pitch just seven games in 1985, his final big league season.

The man: Zahn served in the Army National Guard for six years during his baseball career. After his career he was a college coach, winning a Big Ten Championship as Head Coach at Michigan in 1999. Zahn still lives in Michigan where he gives private pitching lessons and motivational speeches.

My collection: I have 26 of his cards, from 1975 to 1986. I would be interested in trading for 1984 California Angels Smokey SGA #NNO.