Cake or gum? 1976 Mike Cuellar

Last time it was another easy victory for Topps, 9-3. Will this be closer?

Two very different photos this time. Hostess has a portrait at spring training, while Topps goes for the action shot at Memorial Stadium.

Mike Cuellar made his major league debut with the Reds in 1959, but only pitched in two games. Over the next few years he worked on his screwball in the minor leagues, and he returned to the majors with the Cardinals in 1964. After one decent season the Cardinals traded him to the Astros, where he finally blossomed into an excellent pitcher, making his first All-Star team in 1967 at the age of 30. After a down year in '68 the Astros traded him to the Orioles for Curt Blefary, in what turned out to be a steal of a trade for Baltimore. Blefary had one undistinguished season for the Astros, while Cuellar won the AL Cy Young award (tied with Denny McLain), going 23-11 with a 2.38 ERA. It was the first of six straight 18+ win seasons for Cuellar. He finally ended his career with the Angels at the age of 40 in 1977. Overall in 453 games he went 185-130 with a 3.14 ERA. He had similarly outstanding numbers in the postseason - in 12 starts he went 4-4 with a 2.85 ERA. In three of the four losses he pitched well and lost by a 2-1 score. After his career he did some coaching and worked at a golf course. He died of cancer in 2010.