541 - Bob Bolin

About This Player
Bobby Bolin pitched in 13 big league seasons and his final four with the Boston Red Sox.  Bolin made his Major League debut in 1961 with the San Francisco Giants and started his career in relief.  Eventually, Bolin would serve in a combined starter/relief role during his tenure with the Giants.  Bolin finished 1968 with the National League's second-best ERA with 1.99; Bob Gibson was first with a record 1.12 ERA. In 1970, Bolin was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers.  He was traded again that season to the Boston Red Sox and finished his career as a full-time reliever. In his final season in 1973, Bolin led the Red Sox bullpen with 15 saves.

About This Card
Comparing all of the Red Sox cards, I have covered so far, it looks like Bolin's photo was taken at the same time and location, most likely spring training, with Ken Tatum, John Curtis, Mike Garman, and John Kennedy.

362 - Eddie Watt

About This Player
Eddie Watt pitched in ten Major Leagues seasons and the first eight of them with the Baltimore Orioles. Watt was signed as an amateur free agent by the Orioles and he made his big league debut in 1966. He started 13 games in his rookie season, but would continue his career exclusively as a relief pitcher.  Watt was a member of four American League Championship Orioles teams with three of them being World Series winners.

Watt pitched a season each with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs before playing in his final Major League game in 1975.  

Watt started the 1976 season on the Padres' AAA-affiliate Hawaii Islanders. He became a player-coach in the following year and pitched his last professional game in 1968.  He continued to coach in the minor leagues until retiring in 2003.

About This Card
One of the reasons I enjoy the design of the 1973 Topps set is because of its simplicity.  Simple portraits attract more attention simply because the design does not overshadow it.

Team Checklist - Pittsburgh Pirates

About This Card
The checklist cards are not numbered, but there are 24 total.

403 - Sonny Jackson

About This Player
Sonny Jackson played in 12 Major League seasons split between the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves. Jackson made is big league debut with Houston in 1963 at the age of 18. After a few years seasoning in the minors, Jackson was established as the starting shortstop in 1966.  While still qualifying as a rookie, Jackson led the National League in singles (160) and sacrifice hits (27) and established his career high in batting average (.292).  Jackson also set a then record for most stolen bases by a rookie (49).  Despite his success, Jackson come in second to Tommy Helms in Rookie of the Year voting.

After five seasons in Houston, Jackson was traded to Atlanta. Although he struggled offensively, Jackson played seven seasons at shortstop and center fielder for this club.  Jackson played his final Major League game in 1974.

About This Card
The glasses that Jackson wears made its Topps card debut in 1970.  

76 - Doug Rader

About This Player
Doug Rader played 11 seasons in the Major Leagues and his first nine with the Houston Astros. Rader made his big league debut in 1967 starting at first base as the Astros were considering trading an aging Eddie Mathews. When Mathews was traded, Rader became the regular starter. In 1968, Rader became the starting third base taking the job from Bob Aspromonte, who had been the starter at third since the Astros' inception. As a defensive star, Rader earned the first of five straight Gold Gloves in 1970. Rader finished his final two seasons with the San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays.

Rader had a reputation for being easy going and never letting the game get him down. He's been accused of being a "flake," which he would debate.

"A 'flake' to me is someone who is willfully irresponsible. I'm not. Possibly I've been said to be one because I feel people take the game too seriously at times. Fans and players alike. I think they have a tendency to lose perspective. We play it for money and it is our profession but baseball is still a game. That's the way I try to look at it, and I feel I should derive some pleasure in what I'm doing. I'm happy to say I do. How? By being myself."
- Doug Rader

For more information:
The Hour (Norwalk, Connecticut) - September 19, 1972 - Baseball Still A Game: Doug Rader

After his playing career ended, Rader went on to manage. He managed the Rangers (1983-1985), White Sox (1986) and Angels (1989-1991) before retiring from the game.

About This Card
As the cartoon states, Rader was called "The Red Rooster." He received the nickname because of his red hair.

177 - Bill Plummer

About This Player
Bill Plummer spent ten seasons in the Major Leagues.  Plummer made his big league debut with the Cubs, but spent most of his playing career catching with the Cincinnati Reds and backing up Johnny Bench. Plummer was a member for five of Cincinnati's playoff teams, including their two World Series wins, but never played in the World Series.  

Despite being a .188 hitter, Plummer had some big moments. In 1974, Plummer slammed two home runs in one game against Philadelphia's Steve Carlton. 

For more information on Plummer's career with the Reds:

Sports Illustrated - July 18, 1977 - Few Things Come To Him Who Waits

Plummer spent his final season with the Seattle Mariners in 1978. Plummer stayed with the Mariners coaching and managing throughout the minor league system.  Plummer became manager of the Seattle Mariners in 1992, but was fired after one season.  

Afterward, Plummer continued to manage in both independent and minor league baseball.  He joined the Arizona Diamondback system in 2000 and was last coaching in 2013 with the Single-A Visalia Rawhide.

About This Card
Although Plummer debuted with the Cubs in 1968, he did not have an appearance on a Topps card until five years later.

538 - Jim Hart

About This Player
Jim Hart, better known as "Jim Ray Hart", spent 12 seasons in the Major Leagues and 11 of them with the San Francisco Giants.  Hart's entry into the big leagues in 1963 started with a rough welcome. In his second game, Hart was hit with a Bob Gibson fastball and broke his left scapula. A few days after returning from injury, he was beaned by Curt Simmons and missed the rest of the year. 

Hart had his breakout season the following year as the team's starting third baseman and was one of three Giants to hit at least 30 home runs; Hart hit 31 home runs in 1964, while Orlando Cepeda hit 31 and Willie Mays hit 47. Hart was also one of three Giants with at least 30 home runs in 1966; Hart hit 36 home runs, while Willie McCovey hit 33 and Willie Mays hit 37. Hart finished 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting in 1964 to Dick Allen of the Philadelphia Phillies.  Hart had very strong seasons from 1964 through 1968 averaging 28 home runs a year in this span, receiving MVP votes in three of those seasons and earning an All-Star berth in 1966.  

A shoulder injury in 1969 led to a significant drop in playing time, although on July 8, 1970, Hart hit for the cycle and also earned a distinction of collecting six RBI in one inning.  The New York Yankees purchased Hart's contract early in 1973 and Hart received significantly increased playing time as a designated hitter. Hart played his final game in 1974 and was released.

About This Card
Hart was always better known as "Jim Ray" throughout his career, but his Topps cards are shown as JIM HART.  Only his final card in 1974 Topps is shown as JIM RAY HART.  In addition, Hart is specified in this card as an outfielder, although he played exclusively at third base the previous season.  Also add in that even though Hart started 1973 with the Giants, he was well established in the Yankees lineup by the time this card was released.