1976 Topps - Stan Perzanowski.

Card number 388 of the 1976 Topps set is Stan Perzanowski's only card in a Rangers uniform. In spite of posing in a stadium that appears to be built on a slope Stan appears pretty happy. Gotta like how his name almost curls under his right arm.

Perzanowski had been with Texas in 1975 after coming over from the White Sox in a 1975 trade. Coming into Spring Training in 1976 Perzanowski was expected to contend for a spot in the starting rotation. That didn't pan out though and he started the season in the bullpen.

Stan appeared in just five games for the Rangers and pitched only 11.2 torturous innings. He allowed 13 earned runs for a 10.03 ERA. The four walks and three home runs he allowed he allowed contributed to his 2.057 WHIP. He also managed to hit two opposing batsmen.

Those are not numbers to convince a team to stick with a player. Perzanowski quickly became expendable. On May 28, 1976 Texas traded Stan Perzanowski and some cash to the Cleveland Indians for pitcher Fritz Peterson. Peterson was an immediate improvement on the mound. Probably a good thing for the sake of team unity that the Rangers released Fritz's old buddy Mike Kekich in March.