Random Topps Card of the Day: 2011 Topps #376 Clayton Richard

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Tuesday, March 5, 2013:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 2011 Topps #376.
• Player Name, position, team: Clayton Richard, pitcher, San Diego Padres.
• Major League Debut: July 23, 2008.
• Last Line of Statistics: 2010 stats (Padres): 33 G, 130 G, 461 14-8, 201.2 IP, 206 H, 89 R, 84 ER, 78 BB, 153 SO, 1 CG, 1 SHO, 0 SV, 1.41 WHIP, 3.75 ERA.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the White Sox #8th, June 2005. Traded by the White Sox to the Padres 07/31/2009. Bats: left. Throws: left.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 4. This is his third Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "There are at least two things Clayton is as proficient at as anyone: picking off runners and retiring left-handers. Cited as having the best move in the NL in a Baseball America poll, he's nabbed 15 strays the past two years. And in 45 starts for the Padres, the only lefties to take him deep are world-class sluggers Prince Fielder and Joey Votto."
• Commentary: Since 1991, Topps has made sure to include player cards that are horizontally oriented. I like these kinds of cards, especially when they are action shots. You get to see a lot more of the action that way, and there are cards, such as this one, where you get to see a view that you couldn't get otherwise (unless you're at the game, and even then...). On this card, you see Clayton, the catcher, two umpires, and the guy all the way out in centerfield. What a shot. Speaking of shots, Clayton has made the most of his opportunity in San Diego since being traded in a deadline deal in 2009. In 2012, on the heels of recovering from a left shoulder strain that knocked him out of the season in July, Clayton split his decisions with a 14-14 record in 33 starts, with an ERA of 3.99, 42 walks, and 107 strikeouts. On the negative side, he also led the league in hits allowed (228) and home runs allowed (31). He was named Pitcher of the Year by the Padres' regular beat writers. Heading into the 2013 season, he is the Friar's staff ace as the team does battle in the competitive National League West division.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.15-$0.40.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 7.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1978 Topps #224. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. We're looking back at a card from 1978 here on the blog tomorrow.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama