1950s / 1960s - Topps 1964 #557 Leo Burke: Burke was a utility infielder that I had never heard of. He came to the Cubs in June, 1963 from the Cardinals. In 1964 he played in 59 games and hit .264. During the year he played first, second, and third base, plus right field and even caught one game.
1970s - Topps 1978 #123 Manny Trillo: Topps gives us a picture taken at Candlestick Park in 1977. Manny was a solid second baseman during his years with the Cubs and 1978 was no exception. He played in 152 games and hit .261. After the season he was part of an eight player trade between the Cubs and the Phillies. WIth Christmas only 13 days away, I should point out that Jesus Manuel Marcano Trillo was born on December 25.
1980s - Fleer 1985 #52 Ron Cey This card has a nice posed shot of the Penguin. Cey was coming off of a good season in 1984 as he smacked 25 homes and drove in 97 runs. That was also his last good season as his age was finally starting to show. As a 37 year old in 1985, his homers dropped to 22 and his RBIs fell even more significantly, down to 63.
1990s - Score 1990 #262 Mitch Williams The Wild Thing was unable to match his success of the previous season in 1990. His record was a lousy 1-8, his ERA was over a run higher than '89 at 3.93 and he saved 20 fewer games, only 16. The following spring he became the Phillies problem.
2000s - Topps Chrome 2009 #197 David Patton The Cubs picked Patton up from the Rockies in the Rule 5 draft and felt obligated to keep him on the roster the entire season rather then sending him back to Colorado. Though he had a 3-1 record, his ERA was 6.83 and he spent most of the second half of the season on the DL with some made up ailment. Patton has fallen off of the Cubs radar, having spent all of 2010 in class A ball. That's quite a quick fall.
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