Friday, March 8, 2013

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1976 Topps #586 Ron Schueler

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Friday, March 8, 2013:


  • Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1976 Topps #586.
  • Player Name, position, team: Ron Schueler, pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies.
  • Major League Debut: April 16, 1972.
  • Last Line of Statistics: 1975 stats (Phillies): 46 G, 93 IP, 4-4, 55 R, 54 ER, 69 SO, 40 BB, 5.23 ERA.
  • Any special information about player: Drafted by the Braves #3rd (Special), January 1967. Traded by the Braves to the Phillies 12/03/1973. Bats: right. Throws: right.
  • Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 8. This is his fifth Topps card.
  • Blurb on the back: n/a
  • Commentary: Growing up in Chicago, I recognize Ron Schueler as the GM of the White Sox from 1991 through 2000. But what I didn't realize (until I started collecting cards from 1986 backwards) was that Ronald Richard Schueler was a pitcher for four teams in an eight season stretch of the 1970's. With the Braves, he was used as a swingman, pitching in both the starting rotation and bullpen. In his two years with Atlanta, Schueler (make sure you spell his name with two "e"'s) went a combined 13-15 in 76 games (38 starts), with 2 saves, an ERA of 3.78, 220 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.291. Not spectacular, but he was a reliable pitcher nonetheless. He was traded to the Phillies in December of 1973. Although he continued in the dual role of starter/reliever in his first year in Philly, after a mediocre season in the starting role, he was sent to the bullpen. It turned out to be a very good move. Schueler was sidelined for most of May, but when he returned, his performance resulted in his best season to date. In 35 appearances, all in relief, he finished 12 games, saving three of them. He went 1-0 in his decisions, had a career low ERA of 2.90 with 43 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.208 in 49.2 innings of work. His contract was purchased by the Twins during spring training in 1977 and recorded a good 8-7 record in 52 games (7 starts, 21 finishes, 3 saves). He signed on with the White Sox, spending a season-and-a-half as a pitcher. When White Sox pitching coach Fred Martin died on June 11, 1979 due to complications to cancer, Schueler retired as an active player and took over as the team's pitching coach. It would be the beginning of a long career in baseball for Schueler. He stayed on as coach with the Pale Hose until 1981. He was hired by the Oakland Athletics for the same role in the following year, serving three seasons with the A's. After taking a year off, he joined the Pirates in 1986 as their pitching coach. He rejoined Oakland, this time as a special assistant to the GM in 1987, sticking around for the A's late 80's run of dominance. He was hired by the White Sox in 1991 to become their GM, and signed a number of veteran players during his tenure to help the Sox compete. He stepped down in 2000 to become the team's senior vice president, and an adviser to the new GM Ken Williams. He crossed town in 2003, joining the Cubs as a special assistant to the president and GM. Ron Schueler has since trekked on to other teams serving in the same capacity, beginning with the Cardinals (2005-2007), Giants (2008 as a scout and evaluator), and Nationals (since 2009 as a special adviser to the Nat's GM). On the back of Schueler's card is a cartoon sketch of a baby holding a bat in a crib staring at a picture on a dresser. The caption: "Hank Aaron was playing Major Lg. Baseball before Robin Yount, his Brewer Teammate in 1975, was born." True, since Yount (born on September 15, 1955) was 18 when the Hammer returned to Milwaukee.
  • Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.15-$0.40.
  • How many cards of this player do I own?: 4.
Tomorrow's card will be: 2007 Topps Updates and Highlights #UH97. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Flash back with the blog tomorrow.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

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