1981 Topps Tom Hume

 

The front: Hume follows through on a pitch at Shea Stadium. Hume pitched in one day game at Shea, July 26, 1980. Hume pitched four shutout innings to save a 5-1 Reds win. 

The back: Hume went to Manatee after being drafted in the 35th round of the 1971 draft by the Dodgers. After one year at Manatee he was a first round pick of the Reds, with whom he signed.

The player: Hume was an ace reliever for the Reds for several years, winning NL Fireman of the Year in 1980. Overall in 11 seasons, 10 with the Reds, Hume went 57-71 with 92 saves and a 3.85 ERA.

The man: In November of 1980, shortly before this card came out, Hume, teammate Bill Bonham and their wives were staying at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas when a massive fire broke out, kiling 87 people. The Humes and Bonhams were among 300 guests that were evacuated off the roof via helicopter. They had been staying on the 24th floor, where 10 people were later found dead. After his playing career, Hume was a Reds bullpen coach for several years but is now retired.

My collection: I have 34 of his cards, from 1978 to 1988. I would be interested in trading for 1978 SSPC #120.